2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE coolant level

ContentsPanorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel* .............................. 241Opening and closing the roller
sunblinds for the panorama roof
with power tilt/sliding panel ........ 241
Opening and closing the panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel . 242
Synchronizing the panorama roof
with power tilt/sliding panel and
the roller sunblinds....................... 246
Driving systems ................................. 247 Cruise control............................... 247
Loading .............................................. 250 Roof rack* .................................... 250
Split rear bench seat .................... 250
Luggage cover .............................. 252
Loading instructions ..................... 252
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 253
Useful features .................................. 254 Storage compartments................. 254
Ashtrays ....................................... 257
Cigarette lighter ........................... 259
Electrical outlet ............................ 260
Telephone*................................... 260
Tele Aid* ...................................... 261
Garage door opener* ................... 269
Operation ......................................... 275
The first 1000 miles (1500km) .......... 276
Driving instructions............................ 277 Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 277
Drinking and driving ..................... 277
Pedals .......................................... 277
Power assistance ......................... 277
Brakes .......................................... 278
Driving off .................................... 279
Parking ......................................... 279
Tires ............................................. 280
Hydroplaning ................................ 281
Tire traction.................................. 281
Tire speed rating .......................... 282
Winter driving instructions ........... 283
Standing water ............................. 284
Passenger compartment .............. 284
Driving abroad.............................. 284
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 284
Catalytic converter ....................... 285
Emission control .......................... 286
Coolant temperature .................... 286 At the gas station .............................. 288
Refueling ...................................... 288
Check regularly and before a
long trip ....................................... 290
Engine compartment ......................... 291 Hood ............................................ 291
Engine oil ..................................... 292
Transmission fluid level ................ 296
Coolant level ................................ 296
Battery ......................................... 297
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 299
Tires and wheels................................ 300 Important guidelines .................... 300
Tire care and maintenance........... 301
Direction of rotation..................... 303
Loading the vehicle ...................... 303
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 309
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 311
Tire labeling ................................. 313
Load identification ....................... 317
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 318
Maximum tire load ....................... 319
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 320

55
Getting started
Driving
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged.


The engine electronics may not be
operating properly.


Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.

Give very little gas.

Have the problem repaired by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
The coolant temperature is over 248°F
(120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.

Stop the vehicle as soon as possible
and turn off the engine. Allow engine
and coolant to cool.

Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 296).
In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:

Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.

Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be
determined:

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the


major assemblies


fuel system


engine mount:

Start the engine in the usual manner.

290 OperationAt the gas stationCheck regularly and before a long trip1 Coolant level
2 Brake fluid (fuse box cover removed)
3 Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system* Brake fluid
Remove fuse box cover before checking
brake fluid (
page 410).
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Engine oil” (page 292).
Opening hood, see (
page 291). Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). For more information on
coolant, see “Coolant level” (
page 296)
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For infor-
mation on replacing light bulbs, see “Re-
placing bulbs” (
page 384).
Exterior lamp switch, see (
page 110).
Tire inflation pressure
For information on tire inflation pressure,
see “Checking tire inflation pressure”
(
page 311).
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*
For more information on filling up the
washer reservoir, see “Windshield washer
system and headlamp cleaning system*”
(page 299).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately. Noti-
fy an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately. Do not add brake fluid as
this will not solve the problem. For
more information, see “Practical Hints”
(page 341).

296 OperationEngine compartmentTransmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the transmission.
Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
For more information on coolant, see
“Coolants” (
page 432).
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature display
indicates that the coolant is overheated.


Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.


Using a rag, slowly open the cap
approximately
1/2 turn to relieve ex-
cess pressure. If opened immediately,
scalding hot fluid and steam will be
blown out under pressure.


Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may ignite and burn if it comes
into contact with hot engine parts.

297
Operation
Engine compartment
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.
1 Coolant expansion tank
2 Cap

Using a rag, turn the cap 2 slowly
approximately one half turn counter-
clockwise to release any excess
pressure.

Continue turning the cap counterclock-
wise and remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level

for cold coolant: reaches the black
top part of the reservoir


for warm coolant: is approximately
0.6 in (1.5 cm) higher

Add coolant as required.

Replace and tighten cap.
Battery
Your vehicle’s battery is located in the en-
gine compartment on the right hand side.
The battery should always be sufficiently
charged in order to achieve its rated ser-
vice life. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for
battery maintenance intervals.
If you use your vehicle mostly for
short-distance trips, you will need to have
the battery charge checked more
frequently.
When replacing the battery, always use
batteries approved by Mercedes-Benz.
If you do not intend to operate your vehicle
for an extended period of time, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center about
steps you need to observe.

359
Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
B
Coolant
Check level
The coolant level is too low.

Add coolant (
page 296).

If you have to add coolant frequently,
have the cooling system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You can be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant
level warning. Extended driving with
the message and symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount
of coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat causing major
engine damage.

431
Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Flexible Fuel Vehicles are identified by a
label reading
Premium gasoline or E85
only! on fuel filler flap).
These vehicles are designed to operate on
premium unleaded gasoline or Ethanol fuel
(E85), or on any mixture of these two.
Ethanol fuel (E85) is a mixture of approxi-
mately 85% Ethanol and 15% unleaded
gasoline. Switching fuels
For best performance and driveability it is
recommended to use either one or the oth-
er fuel. A refueling pattern that alternates
between the two different fuels should be
avoided if possible.
When switching fuels, make sure:


Fuel level is below half full.


Fuel level is above reserve (reserve
warning lamp is not lit).


Amount of added fuel is more than
5 gallons (20 liters).


Ignition is off during refill.


Immediately after refueling engine is
started and operated for at least five
minutes.
These precautions and recommendations
are supposed to prevent any difficulties
when starting and operating the engine
which otherwise may be experienced
before the engine has fully adapted to the
different fuel. If in spite of these recommendations the
engine does not perform properly, adding
more gasoline (at least 3 gallons
[12 liters]) to the fuel may improve the
engine behavior.
Cold weather performance
It is possible that starting times will signif-
icantly increase at temperatures below
32°F (0°C). At low temperatures the use
of a block heater is recommended (see an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
further information). Rough idling may also
be experienced at such temperatures
before the engine is fully warmed up.
Warning!
G
Ethanol fuel (E85) and its fumes are highly
flammable, poisonous and burn easily. Etha-
nol fuel can cause serious injuries if ignited
or if you come into contact with it or inhale
fumes of it. Avoid inhalation of Ethanol
fumes and skin contact with Ethanol. Extin-
guish all open flames before fueling. Never
smoke or create sparks close to Ethanol.
!E85 fuel is unsuitable for use when am-
bient temperatures fall below 14°F
(-10°C).

432 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Hot weather performance
At ambient temperatures above 95°F
(35°C) start times may increase and be
accompanied by a rough idle following the
start.
Cruising range
E85 fuel contains less energy per gallon
than gasoline. To ensure that engine per-
formance with Ethanol fuel is similar to
that when using gasoline, the engine must
burn more Ethanol fuel. As a result, it is to
be expected that the fuel consumption will
increase when using E85 compared to
gasoline operation.
Maintenance
Please inform your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center if you use or have
used E85 fuel when your vehicle is deliv-
ered for maintenance or repairs.
Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which
provides:

Corrosion protection


Freeze protection


Boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately -22°F (-30°C) and corro-
sion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-22°F (-30°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized cooling system is
reached at approximately 266°F (130°C). The coolant solution must be used
year-round to provide the necessary corro-
sion protection and increase boil-over pro-
tection. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for
replacement interval.
Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification (see Facto-
ry Approved Service Products pamphlet)
are used to renew the coolant concentra-
tion or bring it back up to the proper level.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 45% anticor-
rosion/antifreeze (equivalent to freeze
protection to approximately - 22°F
[-30°C]).
iUse of E85 may reduce your driving
range.