ContentsOperation......................................... 263
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ......... 264
Driving instructions ............................ 265
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 265
Drinking and driving ..................... 265
Pedals .......................................... 265
Power assistance ......................... 265
Brakes .......................................... 266
Driving off..................................... 267
Parking ......................................... 267
Tires ............................................. 268
Hydroplaning ................................ 268
Tire traction .................................. 269
Tire speed rating .......................... 269
Winter driving instructions ........... 270
Standing water ............................. 271
Passenger compartment .............. 272
Driving abroad .............................. 272
Control and operation of radio
transmitters.................................. 272
Catalytic converter ....................... 273
Emission control........................... 273
Coolant temperature .................... 274At the gas station .............................. 275
Refueling ...................................... 275
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 277
Engine compartment ......................... 278
Hood ............................................ 278
Engine oil ..................................... 279
Transmission fluid level ................ 282
Coolant level ................................ 283
Battery ......................................... 284
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 285
Tires and wheels ................................ 286
Important guidelines .................... 286
Life of tire..................................... 287
Direction of rotation ..................... 287
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 287
Rotating tires ............................... 289Winter driving .................................... 290
Winter tires .................................. 290
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 291
Snow chains................................. 291
Maintenance...................................... 292
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 293
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 293
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 293
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 294
Vehicle care....................................... 295
Cleaning and care of the
vehicle ......................................... 295
ContentsTechnical data.................................. 373
Parts service ...................................... 374
Warranty coverage ............................. 375
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 375
Identification labels............................ 376
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 377
C 230 Kompressor (all models) .... 377
C 240 (all models)/
C 320 (all models)/
C 55 AMG..................................... 377
Engine ................................................ 378
Rims and Tires ................................... 380
Same size tires ............................. 381
Mixed size tires ............................ 382
Minispare wheel ........................... 383
Collapsible tire
(C 55 AMG only) ........................... 383
Electrical system................................ 384
Main dimensions................................ 385
Weights .............................................. 386Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 387
Capacities .................................... 387
Engine oils.................................... 390
Engine oil additives ...................... 390
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 390
Brake fluid .................................... 390
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 391
Fuel requirements ........................ 391
Gasoline additives ........................ 392
Flexible Fuel Vehicles ................... 392
Coolants....................................... 394
Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 396
Consumer information ....................... 397
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 397
Technical terms............................... 399Index................................................. 405
52 Getting startedDrivingIntermittent wiping
Set the wiper switch to positionI.
Single wipe
Press combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow1.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Push combination switch in direction of
arrow1 past the resistance point.
The windshield wipers operate with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system*”
(
page 285).
iIntermittent wiping is interrupted when
the vehicle is at a standstill and a front
door is opened.
!If anything blocks the windshield
wipers (leaves, snow, etc.), switch
them off immediately.
For safety reasons, withdraw
SmartKey from starter switch
before attempting to remove any
blockage.
Remove blockage.
Turn the windshield wipers on
again.
If windshield wipers fail to function at
all in switch positionI,
set the combination switch to the
next highest wiper speed
have the windshield wipers
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center
277 Operation
At the gas station
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Coolant
2Brake fluid (fuse box cover removed)
3Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). For more information,
see “Coolant level” (
page 283) and see
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 387).
Brake fluid
Removing fuse box cover (
page 370).Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*
For more information on filling up the
washer reservoir, see “Windshield washer
system and headlamp cleaning system*”
(
page 285).
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil level,
see “Engine oil” (
page 279).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
“Replacing bulbs” (page 344).
Exterior lamp switch (page 109).
Tire inflation pressure
More information on tire inflation pressure
(
page 287).
iOpening the hood, see (
page 278).
!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.
Notify 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 303).
285 Operation
Engine compartment
Windshield washer system and headlamp cleaning system*
The windshield washer reservoir is located
in the engine compartment.
1Washer fluid reservoir cap
Fluid for the windshield washer system and
the headlamp cleaning system* is supplied
from the windshield washer reservoir. It
has a capacity of:
3.2 US qt (3.0 l) in vehicles without
headlamp cleaning system*
6.4 US qt (6.0 l) in vehicles with
headlamp cleaning system*During all seasons, add MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “S” to water. Premix
the windshield washer fluid in a suitable
container.
Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or
commercially available premixed
windshield washer solvent/antifreeze,
depending on ambient temperatures).
Always use washer solvent/antifreeze
where temperatures may fall below the
freezing point. Failure to do so could
result in damage to the washer
system/reservoir.For more information, see “Windshield
washer and headlamp cleaning system*”
(
page 396).
!Only use washer fluid which is suitable
for plastic lenses. Improper washer
fluid can damage the plastic lenses of
the headlamps.
Warning!
G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze
on hot engine parts, because it may ignite
and burn. You could be seriously burned.
328 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
K
Close slid./pop-up
sunroof
You have opened the driver’s door with
the SmartKey removed from the starter
switch and the tilt/sliding sunroof open.
Close the tilt/sliding sunroof
(page 227).
J
Close slid./pop-up
sunroof
You have opened the driver’s door with
the SmartKey removed from the starter
switch and the tilt/sliding sunroof open.
Close the tilt/sliding sunroof
(page 227).
L
Tele Aid malfunction.
Drive to workshop
One or more main functions of the Tele
Aid system* are malfunctioning.
Have the Tele Aid system* checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
t
Function unavailable.
This display appears if buttont
ors on the multifunction steering
wheel is pressed and the vehicle is not
equipped with a telephone*.
Ê
Trunk open
This message will appear whenever the
trunk lid is open.
Close the trunk lid.
W
Washer fluid
please refill
The fluid level has dropped to
about
1/3of total reservoir capacity.
Add washer fluid (
page 285).
396 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Windshield washer and headlamp cleaning system*
Both the windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system* are supplied from the
windshield washer fluid reservoir.
The washer fluid reservoir has a capacity of
approx.:
3.2 US qt (3.0 l) in vehicles without
headlamp cleaning system*
6.4 US qt (6.0 l) in vehicles with
headlamp cleaning system*
Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “S” and water
(or concentrate and commercially
available premixed windshield washer
solvent/antifreeze, depending on
ambient temperatures).Windshield and headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and water:
1 part “S” to 100 parts water
(1.34floz [40ml]“S” to 1gallon [4.0l]
water)
For temperatures below freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and commercially available premixed
windshield washer solvent/antifreeze:
1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
(1.34floz [40ml]“S” to 1gallon [4.0l]
solvent)
Warning!
G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze
on hot engine parts, because it may ignite
and burn. You could be seriously burned.
410 IndexCharging
Vehicle battery 361
Checking
Brake fluid 277
Coolant level 277, 283
Engine oil level 277, 280
Tire inflation pressure 277
Vehicle lighting 277
Washer reservoir level 277
Child safety 67
Air bags 60
Infant and child restraint
systems 64, 67
LATCH-type child seat anchors 73
Child safety switch see
Blocking of rear door window operation
Child seat anchors see
LATCH-type child seat anchors
Cigarette lighter 246
Cleaning
Cloth upholstery 300
Cup holders 299
Gear selector lever 299Hard plastic trim items 299
Headlamps 168
Headliner and shelf below
rear window 299
Instrument cluster 298
Leather upholstery 299
Light alloy wheels 298
MB Tex upholstery 300
Plastic and rubber parts 300
Seat belts 299
Steering wheel 299
Upholstery 299
Windows 298
Windshield 52
Wiper blades 298
Wood trims 300
Climate control 174
Clock 25, 121, 137, 138
Closing
Cup holder, in rear seat armrest 245
Glove box 241
Hood 279Tilt/sliding sunroof* 227
Tilt/sliding sunroof*
in an emergency 341
Tilt/sliding sunroof*
with SmartKey 229
Trunk lid 94
Windows 223, 224
Windows with SmartKey 225
Cloth upholstery
Cleaning 300
Cockpit 22, 399
Cockpit Management and
Data System see COMAND*
Collapsible tire 383
Collapsible tire (C 55 AMG only) 334
Collapsible wheel chock 332
COMAND* 400
COMAND* see separate
operating instructions
Combination switch 113
High beam flasher 50
Turn signals 50
Windshield wipers 51