Page 362 of 442

360 Practical hintsBatteryThe battery is located in the engine 
compartment on the right hand side.
1Clamps
Removing filter box:
Release clamps1.
Remove filter box.
Installing filter box:
Insert filter box properly.
Secure it with clamps1.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can 
result in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and 
precautions when handling automotive 
batteries (
page 284).
Never lean over batteries while connecting, 
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not 
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes, 
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately 
flush affected area with water and seek 
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, 
which is flammable and explosive. Keep 
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid 
improper connection of jumper cables, 
smoking, etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running 
or the SmartKey is in the starter switch. 
Otherwise the alternator and other 
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by 
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. 
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for 
maintenance intervals or contact an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for 
further information.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as 
this could result in a short circuit. 
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk 
of acid burns in the event of an accident. 
         
        
        
     
        
        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 364 of 442
362 Practical hintsBatteryReconnecting the battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Connect the battery positive lead and 
fasten its cover2.
Connect the battery negative lead.
Reinstall the filter box (
page 360).Batteries contain materials that can harm 
the environment if disposed of improperly. 
Large 12 volt storage batteries contain 
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred 
method of disposal. Many states require 
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries 
for recycling.
!NEVER invert the terminal connections!!The battery, its filler caps and the vent 
tube must always be securely installed 
when the vehicle is in operation.
iThe following procedures must be 
carried out following any interruption of 
battery power (e.g. due to reconnec-
tion):
Set the clock (
page 137).
Vehicles with COMAND*: 
See COMAND operator’s manual.
Synchronize side windows 
(page 226).
Synchronize tilt/sliding sunroof* 
(page 230). 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 365 of 442

363 Practical hints
Jump starting
Jump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can 
be started with jumper cables and the 
battery of another vehicle. Observe the 
following:
Jump starting should only be performed 
when the engine and catalytic con-
verter are cold.
Do not start the engine if the battery is 
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.
Only jump start from batteries with the 
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump 
starting with a more powerful battery 
could damage the vehicle’s electrical 
system, which will not be covered by 
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Only use jumper cables with sufficient 
cross-section and insulated terminal 
clamps.
Always make sure the jumper cables 
are not on or near pulleys, fans, or oth-
er parts that move when an engine is 
started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause 
damage to the electronic components, and 
can lead to a battery explosion and severe 
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting 
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not 
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes, 
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately 
flush affected area with water, and seek 
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, 
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep 
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid 
improper connection of jumper cables, 
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery 
can result in it exploding, causing personal 
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Jump starting may only be performed 
on the battery installed in the engine 
compartment.
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting 
attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine 
using a battery quick charge unit.
If engine does not run after several 
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it 
checked at the nearest authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by 
repeated failed starting attempts may 
damage the catalytic converter and 
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not 
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not 
touch any other metal part while the 
other end is still attached to a battery. 
         
        
        
     
        
        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 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 386 of 442
384 Technical dataElectrical systemModel
C 230 Kompressor (all models)
C 240 (all models)
C 320 (all models)
C55AMG
Generator (alternator)
14 V/120 A
14 V/120 A
14 V/150 A
Starter motor
12 V/1.1 kW
12 V/1.7 kW
14 V/1.7 kW
Battery
12 V/100 Ah
12 V/100 Ah
12 V/100 Ah
Spark plugs
Bosch F 6 MPP 332
Bosch F 8 DPP 332
NGK PFR 5 R-11
NGK ILFR 6 A
Electrode gap
0.031 in (0.8 mm)
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
0.031 in (0.8 mm)
Tightening torque
18–22lb-ft (25–30Nm)
15–22lb-ft (20–30Nm)
18–22lb-ft (25–30Nm) 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 405 of 442

403 Technical terms
Tele Aid* System
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on 
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three 
types of response: automatic and 
manual emergency, roadside assis-
tance and information. Tele Aid is 
initially activated by completing a 
subscriber agreement and placing an 
acquaintance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational 
provided that the vehicle’s battery is 
charged, properly connected, not 
damaged and cellular and GPS 
coverage is available.Telematics*
A combination of the terms “tele-
communications” and “informatics”.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug 
wrench) with which threaded fasteners 
such as wheel bolts are tightened.
Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the 
speed range for which a tire is 
approved.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the 
road via the tires.VIN
(V
ehicle I
dentification N
umber)
The number set by the manufacturer 
and placed on the body to uniquely 
identify each vehicle produced.
Voice control system*
1
Voice control system for car phones, 
portable cell phones and audio 
systems (radio, CD, etc.). 
1Feature description is based on preliminary infor-
mation at time of printing. At time of printing, no 
date for availability of voice control had been set. 
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for 
details and availability for your vehicle model.