334 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?
In the case of a flat tire, you may
temporarily use the Minispare wheel when
observing the following restrictions:
Do not exceed a vehicle speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest tire repair facility
to have the flat tire repaired or
replaced as appropriate.
Do not operate vehicle with more than
one Minispare wheel mounted.
For more information, see “Rims and Tires”
(
page 380).
Collapsible tire (C 55 AMG only)
The collapsible tire is located in the
storage compartment underneath the
trunk floor.
Removing the collapsible tire
Lift up trunk floor cover and engage
trunk floor handle in upper edge of
trunk.
1Collapsible tire
2Vehicle tool kit (under collapsible tire)
3Retaining screw
!To prevent damage, always disengage
trunk floor handle from upper edge of
trunk and lower trunk floor before
closing the trunk lid.Warning!
G
The dimensions of the Minispare wheel are
different from those of the road wheels. As
a result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a Minispare wheel
mounted.
The Minispare wheel should only be used
temporarily, and should be replaced with a
regular road wheel as quickly as possible.
335 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Loosen retaining screw3 by turning it
counterclockwise.
Remove collapsible tire1.
Storing the collapsible tire
If you wish to store the collapsible tire after
use, carry out the following steps.
Otherwise the collapsible tire will not fit
the storage compartment.
Unscrew the valve cap from the valve
of the collapsible tire.
Take the valve extractor from the
vehicle tool kit (
page 331).
Unscrew the valve insert from the valve
and allow the air to escape.
Screw the valve insert back into the
valve.
Screw the valve cap back on the valve.
Pull the protective wrap provided with
the vehicle tool kit over the collapsible
tire.
Store the collapsible tire and the valve
extractor in the storage compartment
underneath the trunk floor.
Pierce the protective wrap with
retaining screw3.
Secure the collapsible tire by turning
retaining screw3clockwise.
!Make sure the collapsible tire is dry
when storing it.
iIt may take a few minutes for the col-
lapsible tire to deflate completely.
!To prevent damage, always disengage
trunk floor handle from upper edge of
trunk and lower trunk floor before
closing the trunk lid.Warning!
G
The dimensions of the collapsible tire are
different from those of the road wheels. As
a result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a collapsible tire
mounted.
The collapsible tire should only be used tem-
porarily, and should be replaced with a reg-
ular road wheel as quickly as possible.
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.
354 Practical hintsFlat tireLifting the vehicle
Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking wheels with wheel chocks
or other sizable objects.
One wheel chock is included with the
vehicle tool kit (
page 329).
When changing wheel on a level surface:
Place the wheel chock in front of and
another sizable object behind the
wheel that is diagonally opposite to the
wheel being changed.
When changing wheel on a hill:
Place the wheel chock and another
sizable object on the downhill side
blocking both wheels of the other axle.
On wheel to be changed, loosen but do
not yet remove the wheel bolts
(approximately one full turn with
wrench).
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use,
especially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface. Make sure the jack arm is
fully seated in the jack take-up bracket. Al-
ways lower the vehicle onto sufficient ca-
pacity jackstands before working under the
vehicle.
355 Practical hints
Flat tire
The jack take-up brackets are located
directly behind the front wheel housings
and in front of the rear wheel housings.
1Take-up bracket
2Jack
Place jack2 on firm ground.
Position jack2 under take-up
bracket1 so that it is always vertical
(plumb-line) as seen from the side,
even if the vehicle is parked on an
incline.
Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is a
maximum of 1.2 in (3 cm) from the
ground. Never start engine while
vehicle is raised.Removing the wheel
1Alignment bolt
Unscrew upper-most wheel bolt and
remove.
Replace this wheel bolt with alignment
bolt1 supplied in the tool kit.
Remove the remaining bolts.
Remove the wheel.
Warning!
G
The jack is intended only for lifting the
vehicle briefly for wheel changes. It is not
suited for performing maintenance work
under the vehicle.
Never start the engine when the vehicle
is raised.
Never lie down under the raised vehicle.
!Do not place wheel bolts in sand or dirt.
This could result in damage to the bolts
and wheel hub threads.
369 Practical hintsFuses
Fuses
The electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to
stop the supply of electricity to a device
that is malfunctioning. This helps to
prevent damage to the other vehicle
electronics.
The following aids are available to help you
change fuses (
page 369):
Fuse chart
Spare fuses
Fuse extractor
The electrical fuses are located in different
fuse boxes:
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment (
page 370)
Fuse box in engine compartment
(page 370)
Fuse box in trunk (
page 371)
Aids for changing fuses
Fuse chart
The fuse chart is found in the main fuse
box in the passenger compartment
(page 370). The amperages of the fuses
are also given there.
Spare fuses
Spare fuses are found in the vehicle tool kit
in the spare wheel well (
page 329).
Fuse extractor
The fuse extractor is found in the fuse box
cover in the trunk (
page 371).
Warning!
G
Only use fuses approved for Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system
in question. Otherwise, a short circuit could
result and cause a fire.
!Only install fuses that have been tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz and
that have the specified amperage
rating.
Otherwise, electrical parts or systems
could be damaged.
Never attempt to repair or bridge a
blown fuse. Have the cause determined
and remedied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
400 Technical termsCOMAND*
(C
ockpit M
anagement and D
ata
System)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and the
navigation system, as well as other
optional equipment (CD changer*,
telephone*, etc.).
Control system
The control system is used to call up
vehicle information and to change
component settings. Information and
messages appear in the multifunction
display. The driver uses the buttons on
the multifunction steering wheel to
navigate through the system and to
adjust settings.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system that
automatically maintains the vehicle
speed set by the driver.Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine
produced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction
(viscosity) of the oil at different temper-
atures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can
tolerate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
Improves vehicle handling and
directional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the
system's threshold to tighten the
seat belts.
->SRSFSS (Canada vehicles)
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. FSS evaluates
engine temperature, oil level, vehicle
speed, engine speed, distance driven
and the time elapsed since your last
maintenance service, and calls for the
next maintenance service accordingly.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the gear selector
lever.
GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special
receivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.
435 Index
W
Warning lamps see
Lamps, indicator and warning
Warning sounds
Drivers seat belts 64
Parking brake 48
Warranty coverage 375
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washer reservoir level
Checking 277
Washing the vehicle 295
Wear pattern (tires) 289
Weights 386
Wheel bolts 336
Wheel change
Tightening torque 359
Wheels
Tires and wheels 286
Window curtain air bags 64
Windows see Side windowsWindshield
Defogging 178
Refilling washer fluid 285
Replacing wiper blades 352
Washer fluid 285, 396
Washer system 396
Windshield washer fluid 396
Message in display 328
Mixing ratio 396
Refilling 285
Wiping with 52
Windshield washer system 396
Windshield wipers 51
Fast wiper speed 51
Intermittent wiping 52
Replacing wiper blades 352
Single wipe 52
Switching on 51
Wiping with
windshield washer fluid 52Winter driving 290
Block heater (Canada only) 291
Snow chains 291
Tires 290
Winter driving instructions 270
Winter tires 290
Wiper blades
Cleaning 298
Installing 352
Removing 352
Replacing 352
Wiping
With windshield washer fluid 52
Wood trims
Cleaning 300
X
Xenon headlamps
Bi-Xenon* 399