283 Operation
Driving instructions
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to positionN or,
in case of manual transmission declutch.
Try to keep the vehicle under control by
corrective steering action.Road salts and chemicals can adversely
affect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal braking effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking efficien-
cy should be tested as soon as possible
after driving is resumed.
For more information on winter driving, see
“Winter driving” (
page 328).
iFor information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 329).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Warning!
G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe
and from around the vehicle with the engine
running. Otherwise, deadly carbon monox-
ide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior
resulting in unconsciousness and death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the
vehicle not facing the wind.Warning!
G
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice.
394 Practical hintsFlat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
moving traffic on a hard surface.
Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight ahead
position.
Move the gear selector lever toP
(manual transmission to first or reverse
gear).
Turn off the engine (
page 58).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Mounting the spare wheel
Preparing the vehicle
Prepare the vehicle as described
(page 394).
Take the wheel wrench and the jack
out of wheel well below the trunk floor
(page 373).
Take the spare wheel out of the trunk
(page 375).
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the spare wheel are dif-
ferent from those of the road wheels. As a
result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a spare wheel
mounted. Adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.
The spare wheel is for temporary use only.
When driving with spare wheel mounted, en-
sure proper tire pressure and do not exceed
vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible to have the spare wheel
replaced with a regular road wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one spare wheel mounted.
405 Practical hints
Jump starting
The battery is located in the engine com-
partment on the right hand side. The
terminals for jump starting are located in
front of the battery.
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.
Turn off the engine.
On both vehicles:
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Apply parking brake.
Shift gear selector lever to positionP
(manual transmission to Neutral).1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive under hood terminal in front of
discharged battery
3Negative terminal of charged battery
4Negative under hood terminal in front
of discharged battery
Connect positive terminal1 of the
charged battery with positive under
hood terminal2 in front of the dis-
charged battery with the jumper ca-
bles. Clamp cable to charged
battery1 first.
Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.
Connect negative terminal3 of the
charged battery with negative under
hood terminal4 in front of the dis-
charged battery with the jumper
cables. Clamp cable to charged
battery3 first.
Start the engine of the disabled
vehicle.
Now you can turn on the electrical con-
sumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.
Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals4 and3 and then
from positive terminals2 and1.
You can now turn on the lights.
Have the battery checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 297).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
406 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleMercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment. This method is pref-
erable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with SmartKey in starter switch
turned to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 87) and deactivate the auto-
matic central locking (
page 148).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1). Otherwise, the ESP will immedi-
ately be engaged and will apply the rear
wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear selector lever
must be in positionN (manual trans-
mission: gears disengaged) and the
SmartKey must be in starter switch
position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
426 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.CapacitiesVehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore use only
brands tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet, or inquire at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter
C230Kompressor
C320
5.8 US qt (5.5 l)
7.9 US qt (7.5 l)
approved engine oils
Automatic transmission
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Manual transmission
1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
MB Manual Transmission Oil
Rear axle
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Power steering
approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid (Pentosin CHF 11S)
Front wheel hubs
approx. 2.1 oz (60 g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Cooling system
C230Kompressor
C320
approx. 5.9 US qt (5.6 l)
approx. 6.8 US qt (6.4 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze Agent
443 Index
A
ABS 25, 81, 437
Malfunction indicator lamp 340
Messages in display 353
Warning lamp 340
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission* 165
Accessory weight 323
Accident
In case of 55
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 193
Climate control 179
Air recirculation mode 189
Climate control 177
Anti-theft alarm system 86
Automatic climate control* 183
Central locking (control system) 148
Charcoal filter 191
Climate control 173
Climate control system 175
Defrosting 188
Climate control 177
Easy-entry/exit feature* 148
Electric air pump 399
ESP 85Exterior headlamps 51
Exterior lamps 111
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position* 169
Hazard warning flasher 116
Headlamps 51
High beams 114
Ignition 33
Immobilizer 86
Rear fog lamp 113
Rear window defroster 170
Residual heat 193
Seat heating* 106
Tow-away alarm 88
Windshield wipers 53
Adding
Coolant 296, 297
Engine oil 294
Headlamp cleaning fluid 299
Windshield washer fluid 299
Additional turn signals 385
Adjustable air vents, rear passenger
compartment 194
Climate control 180Adjusting 35
Air distribution 186
Climate control 176
Air volume 187
Climate control 176
Backrest tilt 36, 38
Exterior rear view mirrors 42
Head restraint height 37, 38
Head restraint height, rear seats 103
Head restraint tilt 37, 39
Head restraint tilt, rear seats 105
Head restraints, rear seats
Folding back 104
Placing upright 105
Instrument cluster illumination 119
Interior rear view mirror 42
Manual seat 36
Mirrors 42
Rear seat head restraints 103
Seat cushion tilt 36, 38
Seat fore and aft adjustment 36, 38
Seat height 36, 38
Seats 35
Steering column height 42
Steering column length 42
Steering wheel 40
444 IndexAdjusting sound functions 199
Adjusting the volume 199
Air bags 61
Children 62
Front 65
Front passenger front air bag off indica-
tor lamp 27, 76, 345
Passenger 65
Safety guidelines 64
Side impact 66
Window curtain 66
Air conditioner refrigerant 428
Air conditioning (cooling)
Turning off 192
Climate control 179
Turning on 192
Climate control 179
Air distribution
Adjusting 186
Climate control 176
Air pressure 323
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air pump, electric
Turning on 399Air recirculation mode 189
Activating 189
Climate control 177
Deactivating 190
Climate control 178
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 194
Climate control 180
Air volume
Adjusting 187
Climate control 176
Alarm
Audible 80, 87, 88
Canceling 87, 88
Visual 86
Alarm system
Anti-theft 86
Alignment bolt 396
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 437
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 433
Antiglare
Automatic* 168
Manual 167
Antilock brake system (ABS) 437Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 86
Canceling alarm 87, 88
Disarming 87
Anti-theft systems 86
Anti-theft alarm system 86
Immobilizer 86
Tow-away alarm 87
Aquaplaning 281
Armrest
Storage spaces 255
Ashtrays
Center console 257
Rear seat 258
Aspect ratio 323
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 296
AUDIO menu 129
Selecting radio station 130
Selecting satellite radio* station 130
445 Index
Audio system 195
Audio and telephone, operation 195
Button and soft key operation 198
CD* operation 213
Operating and display elements 196
Operating safety 195
Operation 198
Radio operation 203
Switching off 199
Switching on 198
Telephone* operation 220
Auto-dimming* for rear view mirror 168
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 148
Automatic climate control* 182
Activating 183
Adjusting air distribution 186
Air recirculation mode 189
Deactivating 183
Defrosting 188
Setting the temperature 185
Automatic headlamp mode 111
Automatic lighting control
Activating 117
Deactivating 117Automatic locking when driving 97
Automatic shift program*
Program mode selector switch 164
Automatic time change
(summer-/winter) 141
Automatic transmission* 159, 296
Accelerator position 165
Automatic shift program 164
Comfort program mode 164
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 166
Fluid level 296
Gear ranges 161
Gear selector lever 159
Gear selector lever position 159, 162
Gear shifting malfunctions 166
Kickdown 165
Manual shifting 160
One-touch gearshifting 160
Program mode selector switch 164
Starting with 49
Transmission fluid 296
Working on the vehicle 165B
Backrest
Folding forward 251
Folding rearward 251
Backup lamps
Bulbs 384
Bar 323
BAS 82, 437
Messages in display 354
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 93
Checking 93
Replacing 382, 383
Battery discharged
Jump starting 404
Battery, vehicle 297, 401
Charging 402
Disconnecting 402
Reconnecting 403
Reinstalling 402
Removing 402
Bead 323
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 437
Bi-Xenon type*
Front lamp bulbs 388
Block heater 329