Page 342 of 442
340 Practical hintsUnlocking/locking in an emergencyManually unlocking the transmission gear selector lever
In the case of power failure the transmis-
sion gear selector lever can be manually
unlocked, e.g. to tow the vehicle.
Slide out the swiveling cup holder
(page 243).
1Tool
Insert a tool1 (e.g. flat blade
screwdriver) into the opening.
Perform the following two steps
simultaneously:
Press tool1 forward in the
direction of the arrow.
Move gear selector lever from
positionP.
Remove tool1 from the opening.iThe gear selector lever is locked again
when moving it to positionP.
Page 355 of 442

353 Practical hints
Flat tire
Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
moving traffic on a hard surface.
Turn on the hazard warning flasher
(page 114).
Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight ahead
position.
Set the parking brake (
page 54).
Move the gear selector lever toP
(manual transmission to first or reverse
gear).
Turn off the engine (
page 56).
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 353).
Vehicles with Minispare wheel:
Take the wheel wrench, the wheel
bolts, and the jack out of the trunk
(page 329).
Take the Minispare wheel out of the
trunk (
page 333).
Vehicles with collapsible tire
(C 55 AMG only):
Take the collapsible tire, wheel wrench,
wheel bolts, jack, and electric air pump
out of the trunk (
page 330).
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the spare wheel
(Minispare or collapsible tire) are different
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 accordingly.
The spare wheel is for temporary use only.
When driving with spare wheel mounted,
ensure proper tire pressure and do not ex-
ceed a 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.
iOpen doors only when conditions are
safe to do so.
Page 363 of 442

361 Practical hints
Battery
1Negative terminal
2Positive terminal cover
Disconnecting the battery
Turn off the engine (
page 56).
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Open the hood (
page 278).
Remove the filter box (
page 360).
Disconnect the battery negative lead
from negative terminal1.
Remove cover2 from the positive
terminal.
Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Removing the battery
Remove the screw-nuts securing the
battery.
Remove the battery bracket.
Take out the battery.
Charging and reinstalling the battery
Charge battery in accordance with the
instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.
Reinstall the charged battery. Follow
the previously described steps in
reverse order.
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery
you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch
the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP
Warning!
G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
Page 366 of 442

364 Practical hintsJump startingThe battery is located in the engine
compartment 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 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 under hood terminal in front
of discharged battery
4Negative terminal of charged battery
Connect positive terminal1 of the
charged battery with positive under
hood terminal2 in front of the
discharged battery with the jumper
cables. Clamp cable to charged
battery1 first.
Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.
Connect negative terminal4 of the
charged battery with negative under
hood terminal3 in front of the
discharged battery with the jumper
cables. Clamp cable to charged
battery4 first.
Start the engine of the disabled
vehicle.
You can now again turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.
Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals4 and3 and then
from positive terminals1 and2.
You can now turn on the lights.
Have the battery checked at the near-
est 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 284).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission
and/or 4MATIC:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
Page 367 of 442

365 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground or front wheels raised (except
vehicles with 4MATIC) 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 the SmartKey in the 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 85) and deactivate the auto-
matic central locking (
page 145).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission
and/or 4MATIC:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.!Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing
so could damage the transfer case,
which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground.
Observe instructions for towing the
vehicle with all wheels on the ground.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised (not permissible for vehicles
with 4MATIC), the engine must be shut
off (SmartKey in starter switch
position0 or1). Otherwise the ESP will
immediately 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
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and
at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
Page 369 of 442

367 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the
following:
With the automatic central locking
activated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, the vehicle doors
lock if the left front wheel as well as the
right rear wheel are turning at vehicle
speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm*
(page 85).
To prevent the vehicle doors from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking (
page 145).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed
towing eye bolt. Never attach tow
cable, tow rope or tow rod to vehicle
chassis, frame or suspension parts.
iIf the battery is disconnected or
discharged
the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch. For more informa-
tion, see “Battery” (
page 360)
and “Jump starting” (page 363).
the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP. For informa-
tion on manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever
see (
page 340).
Page 389 of 442

387 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respectivelubricants must match. Therefore only use
brands tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at
your Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter
C 230 Kompressor (all models)
C240
C2404MATIC
C320
C3204MATIC
C320Sport
C55AMG
5.8 US qt (5.5 l)
7.9 US qt (7.5 l)
7.4 US qt (7.0 l)
7.9 US qt (7.5 l)
7.4 US qt (7.0 l)
7.9 US qt (7.5 l)
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission
C 230 Kompressor (all models)
C240 (all models)
C320 (all models)
C55AMG
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
9.3 US qt (8.7 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Manual transmission
1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
MB Manual Transmission Oil
Rear axle
C 230 Kompressor (all models)
C240 (all models)
C320 (all models)
C55AMG
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
1.5 US qt (1.4 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Page 390 of 442

388 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Front axle
C2404MATIC
C3204MATIC
0.5 US qt (0.46 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Transfer case
C2404MATIC
C3204MATIC
approx. 0.62 US qt (0.59 l)
MB Transfer case fluid
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
Brake system
0.5 US qt (0.5 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling system
C 230 Kompressor (all models)
C240 (all models)
C320 (all models)
C55AMG
approx. 5.9 US qt (5.6 l)
approx. 6.8 US qt (6.4 l)
approx. 6.8 US qt (6.4 l)
approx. 12.8 US qt (12.0 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/antifreeze agent
Fuel tank
including
a reserve of
16.4 US gal (62.0 l)
2.1 US gal (8.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(Avg. of 96 RON/86 MON)Flexible Fuel Vehicle (identified by a label
reading Premium gasoline or E85 only! on
fuel filler flap):
Alternative fuel: Ethanol fuel (E85)