2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 light

435 Technical data
Rims and Tires
Mixed size tiresModel
C230Sport
C350Sport
Front axle:
Rims (light alloy)
7.5 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset
1.42 in (36 mm)
Summer tires
1
1Radial-ply tires
225/45 R17 91W
or
225/45 R17 91W MOExtended
2
2Must be used in conjunction with Run Flat Indicator* only.Rear axle:Rims
8.5 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset
1.18 in (30 mm)
Summer tires
1,3
3Must not be used with snow chains.
245/40 R17 91W
or
245/40 R17 91W MOExtended
2

443 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Premium unleaded gasoline
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine
manufacturers is carbon build-up caused
by gasoline. Mercedes-Benz recommends
only the use of quality gasoline containing
additives that prevent the build-up of
carbon deposits.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives, carbon deposits
can build up especially on the intake valves
and in the combustion area, leading to
engine performance problems such as:

Warm-up hesitation


Unstable idle


Knocking/pinging


Misfire


Power loss
Warning!
G
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious
injury. Whenever you are around gasoline,
avoid inhaling fumes and skin contact, extin-
guish all smoking materials. Never allow
sparks, flame or smoking materials near
gasoline!
!To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gaso-
line must be used. If premium unleaded
is not available and low octane fuel is
used, follow these precautions:

Have the fuel tank only partially
filled with unleaded regular and fill
up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible.


Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration.


Do not exceed an engine speed of
3 000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded
with a light load such as two
persons and no luggage.


Do not exceed
2/3 of maximum
accelerator pedal position if the
vehicle is fully loaded or operating
in mountainous terrain.

449 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Accessory weight
(
page 331)
Air pressure
(page 331)
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
Aspect ratio
(page 331)
Bar
(page 331)
BAS
(Brake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking
situations. The system is activated
when it senses an emergency based on
how fast the brake is applied.Bead
(
page 331)
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more
intense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.
CAC
(Customer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service
center, which can help you with any
questions about your vehicle and
provide assistance in the event of a
breakdown.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control
vehicle functions such as door locking
or windshield wiping depending on
vehicle settings and/or ambient
conditions.Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the
passenger compartment needed for
vehicle operation and monitoring.
Cold tire inflation pressure
(
page 331)
COMAND*
(Cockpit 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.).

456 Index
Operating and display elements 200
Operating audio system 202
Operating safety 199
Radio operation 207
Telephone* operation 225
Auto-dimming mirror* 171
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating
(Control system) 152
Automatic climate control*
(Canada only) 186
Control panel 187
Defrosting, front 191
Rear window defroster 175
Automatic headlamp mode 119
Automatic locking when driving 107
Automatic shift program
Program mode selector switch
(Automatic transmission*) 167
Automatic time change (Standard time,
Daylight Saving time) 147Automatic transmission* 162
Accelerator position 165
Automatic shift program 167
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 169
Fluid level (ATF) 300
Gear ranges 166
Gear selector lever 162
Gear shifting malfunctions 169
Kickdown 165
Manual shifting 168
One-touch gearshifting 168
Program mode selector switch 167
Starting engine 49
B
Backrest
Driver’s multicontour seat*
(Canada only) 113
Rear seat, folding 254
Seat, manual 36
Seat, power* 38Backup lamps
Messages in display 377
Replacing bulbs 399
Bar 331
BAS 88, 449
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 396
Checking battery condition 101
Battery, Vehicle 302, 412
Charging 414
Disconnecting and connecting 413
Jump starting 415
Removing and installing 413
Bead 331
Bi-Xenon* headlamps see headlamps
Block heater (Canada only) 337
Bolts, Spare wheel 388
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brake fluid 442
Checking 295
Message in display 370

457 Index
Brake lamps
Cleaning lenses 344
Messages in display 377
Replacing bulbs 403
Brake pads
Message in display 370
Brakes 284
Warning lamp 25, 351
Break-in period 282
Bulbs, replacing see Replacing bulbs
C
CAC 449
California retail buyers and lessees,
important notice 11
CAN system 449
Cargo area see Trunk
Cargo tie-down rings* 256
Carpets, cleaning 347
Catalytic converter 291
CD changer* 216
CD player* 137, 216
Centigrade see Temperature display
mode 142Central locking
Automatic 107, 152
From inside 107
Locking/unlocking from inside 107
Switch 107
Certification label 428
Charcoal filter
Automatic climate control*
(Canada only) 194
Children in the vehicle 74
Air bags 64
Blocking rear door window
operation 85
Indicator lamp, front passenger
air bag 80, 356
Infant and child restraint systems 74
LATCH-type child seat anchors 83
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 77
Cigarette lighter 262
Climate control system 176
Control panel 177
Defrosting, Front 181
Rear window defroster 175Clock 25, 130
Setting time 145, 146
Cockpit 22, 449
Cockpit Management and Data System
see COMAND
Cold tire inflation pressure 331
Collapsible wheel chock 386
COMAND* 449
COMAND* see separate COMAND
operating instructions
Combination switch 52, 122
Control system 130, 450
Multifunction display 130
Multifunction steering wheel 131
Resetting to factory default 140
Control system menu 130, 450
AUDIO 136
Menus overview 133
NAV* 138
Settings 140
Standard display 135
TEL* 157
Trip computer 155
Vehicle status message
memory 138

458 IndexControl system submenus 132, 134
Convenience 153
Instrument cluster 143
Lighting 149
Time/Date 145
Vehicle 152
Controller Area Network see CAN system
Coolant 301, 444
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 445
Capacities 440, 441
Checking coolant level 295, 301
Messages in display 371–373
Temperature 293
Temperature gauge 25, 128
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps* 123
Replacing bulbs 398
Cruise control 247, 450
Message in display 374
Cup holder 259, 260
Cleaning 346
Curb weight 331
Customer Assistance Center see CACD
Date display, setting 147, 148
Daytime running lamp mode 120
Setting 149
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging windshield
Automatic climate control*
(Canada only) 192
Climate control 181
Defrosting, Front
Automatic climate control*
(Canada only) 191
Climate control 181
Defrosting, Rear 175
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 151
Interior lighting 152
Department of Transportation see DOT
Difficulties
While driving 56
With starting 50
Digital clock see clock
Digital speedometer 135Dimensions, vehicle 438
Direction of rotation (tires) 307
Displays
Digital speedometer 135
Maintenance service indicator 338
Messages in display 374
Multifunction display 130
Outside temperature 135
Symbol messages 369
Text messages 360
Vehicle status messages
memory 139, 358
Distance to empty (range),
Trip computer 156
Door control panel 30
Doors
Entry lamps 126
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 98
Message in display 374
Opening from inside/outside 100,
102
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid*) 272
Unlocking, Mechanical key 389

462 IndexHead unit
Time synchronization* with 145
Headlamp cleaning system* 170, 303,
441
Headlamp shut-off delay see Delayed
shut-off, Exterior lamps
Headlamps
Automatic headlamp mode 119
Bi-Xenon* 402, 449
Cleaning lenses 344
Halogen 400
High beam see High beam flasher
High beam see High beam headlamps
Low beam see Low beam headlamps
Manual headlamp mode 119
Messages in display 377, 378, 379
Replacing bulbs 397
Switch 52, 59
Headliner and shelf below rear window
Cleaning and care of 347
Heated seats* 113
High beam flasher 52, 122High beam headlamps 52, 122
Indicator lamp 25
Messages in display 378
Replacing bulbs 398, 401
High mounted brake lamp 399
Hood 297
Message in display 376
Horn 23
HVAC see Climate control
Hydroplaning 287
I
Identification labels 428
Identification number, Vehicle (VIN) 428
Ignition 33, 49
Immobilizer 93
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems see
Children in the vehicle
Inflation pressure see Tires, Inflation
pressures
Inside door handle 102Instrument and controls see Instrument
cluster
Instrument cluster 24, 127, 451
Cleaning 346
Illumination brightness 127
Lamps 350, 355
Messages in display see Malfunction
display messages
Multifunction display 130
Instrument lighting see Instrument cluster,
Illumination brightness
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Interior lighting 125
Delayed shut-off 152
Interior rear view mirror 43
Antiglare positions 170
Auto-dimming mirrors* 171
Interior storage spaces see Storage
compartment

463 Index
J
Jack 383
Jacking up the vehicle 407
Jump starting 415
K
Key, mechanical 389
Key, SmartKey
Batteries 101
Battery check lamp 101
Changing batteries 396
Factory setting 100
Locking/unlocking 32, 100
Locking/unlocking, Global
setting 100
Locking/unlocking, Selective
setting 100
Loss of 102
Messages in display 376
Opening and closing the power
windows 243
Opening and closing the tilt/sliding
sunroof* 243
Positions in starter switch 33Remote control 98
Starting the engine 48, 49
Turning off the engine 59
Unlocking, Trunk lid 102
Valet locking 106
Kickdown 165, 451
Kilopascal 332
L
Labels 428
Certification 428
Emission control information 428
Emission control vacuum line
routing 428
Lamp sensor
Message in display 378
Lamps, exterior 398, 399
Light sensor 378
Messages in display 377, 378, 379,
380
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 25, 350
Battery (SmartKey) 100
Brakes 25, 351Engine diagnostics 352, 355
Engine malfunction 25, 352–353
ESP
®
25, 354
Fog lamps 118
Front passenger front air bag off 27,
68
Fuel reserve 25, 354
High beam headlamps 25
Instrument cluster 350, 355
Low beam headlamps 25
Maintenance service indicator 338
Rear fog lamp 118
Seat belt telltale 25
SRS 25, 63, 355
Turn signals 25
Language, Setting 143
LATCH-type child seat anchors see
Children in the vehicle
Leather upholstery, Cleaning and
care of 348
License plate lamps
Messages in display 378
Replacing bulbs 399