ContentsSafety and Security........................... 57
Occupant safety................................... 58
Air bags .......................................... 59
Seat belts ....................................... 64
Children in the vehicle .................... 67
Blocking of rear door window
operation ........................................ 75
Panic alarm* ........................................ 76
Activating ....................................... 76
Deactivating ................................... 76
Driving safety systems ......................... 77
ABS ................................................ 77
BAS ................................................ 78
ESP ................................................. 79
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) with the ESP ....... 82
Anti-theft systems................................ 83
Immobilizer..................................... 83
Anti-theft alarm system* ................ 83
Tow-away alarm* ........................... 85
Controls in detail............................... 87
Locking and unlocking ......................... 88
SmartKey ....................................... 88
Opening the doors from
the inside ....................................... 92
Opening the trunk .......................... 92
Closing the trunk............................ 94
Trunk lid emergency release .......... 95
Automatic central locking .............. 96
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ....................................... 96
Seats ................................................... 98
Easy-entry/exit feature* ................ 98
Removing and installing front
seat head restraints ....................... 99
Rear seat head restraints ............. 101
Multicontour seats* ..................... 104
Seat heating* ............................... 105
Memory function* ............................. 106
Storing positions into memory ..... 107
Recalling positions from memory . 107
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 108Lighting ............................................. 109
Exterior lamp switch .................... 109
Combination switch ..................... 113
Hazard warning flasher ................ 114
Interior lighting ............................ 115
Door entry lamps ......................... 116
Trunk lamp ................................... 116
Instrument cluster ............................. 117
Instrument cluster illumination .... 117
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 118
Trip odometer .............................. 119
Tachometer .................................. 119
Outside temperature indicator ..... 119
Control system .................................. 121
Multifunction display.................... 121
Multifunction steering wheel........ 122
Menus .......................................... 124
Standard display menu ................ 126
AUDIO menu ................................ 127
NAV* menu .................................. 130
Vehicle status message memory
menu............................................ 130
Settings menu .............................. 132
Trip computer menu..................... 148
TEL menu* ................................... 150
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
25 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Speedometer with:vElectronic Stability
Program (ESP)
warning lamp
79,
306
;Brake warning
lamp, USA only
48,
54,
303
3Brake warning
lamp, Canada only
48,
54,
303
BLow beam head-
lamp indicator lamp
49,
109
2
LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp
50
3
Multifunction display
with:
121
Trip odometer
119
Main odometer
121
Gear selector lever
position
47,
121,
160
Item
Page
Program mode
121,
162,
165
Status indicator (outside
temperature/digital
speedometer
119,
136
Digital clock
121
4
KRight turn signal
indicator lamp
50
5
Tachometer with:
119
-Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
indicator lamp
77,
302
úEngine malfunction
indicator lamp,
USA only
304,
305
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada only
304,
305
1Supplemental
restraint system
indicator lamp
58,
307
Item
Page
307
AHigh beam head-
lamp indicator lamp
50,
113
6
Fuel gauge with:Fuel reserve warning lamp
307
4Fuel filler cap
location indicator:
The fuel filler cap is
on the rear
right-hand side.
7
Coolant temperature
gauge
118
8
Reset button for:
117
Resetting trip
odometer
119
Resetting individual
settings
133
Instrument cluster
illumination
117
53 Getting started
Driving
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires
An ignition cable may be damaged.
The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.
Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.The coolant temperature is
above 248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible
and turn off the engine. Allow engine
and coolant to cool.
Check the coolant level and add
coolant if necessary (
page 283).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:
Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.
Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the
major assemblies
fuel system
engine mount:
Start the engine in the usual manner.
118 Controls in detailInstrument clusterCoolant temperature gauge
The coolant temperature gauge is on the
left side in the instrument cluster
(page 24).During severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go traffic, the coolant tempera-
ture may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious en-
gine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly
overheated can cause some fluids which
may have leaked into the engine
compartment to catch fire. You could be
seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the hood. Stay away from
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
274 OperationDriving instructions
Coolant temperature
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant
temperature may rise close to
approximately 248°F (120°C).
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature over 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one
window fully open at all times.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly
overheated can cause some fluids,
which may have leaked into the engine
compartment, to catch fire. You could
be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the hood. Stay away from
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
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).