2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 winter tires

317 Operation
Tires and wheels

Install the valve cap.

Repeat this procedure for each tire.Run Flat Indicator* (Canada only)
While the vehicle is being driven, the Run
Flat Indicator monitors the set tire inflation
pressures by evaluating each wheel’s rota-
tional speed. This allows the system to de-
tect a significant loss of pressure in a tire.
If a wheel’s rotational speed changes due
to falling tire inflation pressure, you will
see a corresponding warning message in
the multifunction display.
The Run Flat Indicator* may function in a
restricted manner or with a delay if:


snow chains are mounted to the
vehicle


winter road conditions prevail in
presence of ice and snow


you are driving on a loose surface (e.g.
sand or gravel)


you are driving in a very sporty manner
(involving rapid acceleration or high
speeds in curves)
iIf you have overfilled the tire, release
tire inflation pressure by pushing the
metal stem of the valve with e.g. a tip of
a pen. Then recheck the tire inflation
pressure with the tire gauge.
Warning!
G
When the multifunction display shows the
message
Tire pressure Check tires
,
one or more of your tires is significantly un-
der-inflated. You should stop and check
your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper tire inflation pressure as
indicated on the vehicle’s tire information
placard. Driving on a significantly under-in-
flated tire causes the tire to overheat and
can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability. Each tire, including the
spare, should be checked monthly when
cold and set to the recommended tire infla-
tion pressure as specified in the vehicle
placard and owner’s manual.

325 Operation
Tires and wheels
All-season and winter tires
Load identification
1Load identificationIn addition to tire load rating, special load
information may be molded into the tire
sidewall following the letter designating
the tire speed rating1 (
page 325).
No specification given: absence of any text
(like in above example) indicates a
standard load (SL) tire.
XL or Extra Load: designates an extra load
(or reinforced) tire.
Light Load: designates a light load tire.
C, D, E: designates load range associated
with the maximum load a tire can carry at
a specified pressure.
Index
Speed rating
QM+S
1
1or M+S.for winter tires
up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
TM+S
1
up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
HM+S
1
up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
VM+S
1
up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
iNot all M+S rated tires provide special
winter performance. Make sure the
tires you use show M+S and the moun-
tain/snowflake.marking on the
tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance require-
ments of the Rubber Manufacturers As-
sociation (RMA) and the Rubber
Association of Canada (RAC) and have
been designed specifically for use in
snow conditions.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires is specific to each vehicle
and may vary from data shown in above
illustration.

336 OperationWinter drivingBefore the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service
includes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a premixed windshield washer
solvent/antifreeze which is formulated
for below freezing temperatures
(page 448).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure that the engine can be started,
even at low ambient temperatures.


Tire change.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated
tires provide special winter performance.
Make sure the tires you use show M+S and
the mountain/snowflake.marking on
the tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance requirements
of the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and the Rubber Association of Can-
ada (RAC) and have been designed specif-
ically for use in snow conditions. Use of
winter tires is the only way to achieve the
maximum effectiveness of the ABS, ESP
®,
and 4MATIC in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure that all
mounted winter tires are of the same make
and have the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your
vehicle, you must place a notice to this
effect where it will be seen by the driver.
Such notices are available from your tire
dealer or from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than 1/6in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.

337 Operation
Winter driving
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.
Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:

Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.


Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer’s mounting instructions.


Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
be glad to advise you on this subject.


Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
®
(
page 89) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the
vehicle’s traction.
!Some tire sizes do not leave adequate
clearance for snow chains. To help
avoid serious damage to your vehicle or
tires, use of snow chains is not permis-
sible with the following tire sizes:

245/40 R17 91W


245/40 R17 91W MOExtended


T 125/90 R16 98M


T 125/80 R17 99M

433 Technical data
Rims and Tires
iThe following pages also list the ap-
proved wheel rim and tire sizes for
equipping your vehicles with winter
tires. Winter tires are not available as
standard or optional factory equip-
ment, but can be purchased from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the
standard or optional factory-equipped
wheel rim/tire configuration on your
vehicle (Appearance Package, Sport
Package etc.), equipping your vehicle
with winter tires approved for your ve-
hicle model may also require the pur-
chase of two or four wheel rims of the
recommended size for use with these
winter tires. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for more infor-
mation.

434 Technical dataRims and TiresSame size tiresModel
C230
1
C280
C2804MATIC
C350
C3504MATIC
1Canada only
C230 Sport
C350 Sport
Rims (light alloy)
7 J x 16 H2
7.5 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset
1.22 in (31 mm)
1.42 in (36 mm)
All-season tires
2
2Radial-ply tires
205/55 R16 91H M+S
-
Summer tires
2
-
-
Winter tires
2,3
3Not available as factory equipment.
205/55 R16 91H M+S .
225/45 R17 91H M+S .
or
225/45 R17 91H M+S .MOExtended
4
4Must be used in conjunction with Run Flat Indicator* only.

470 Index
Windshield washer 441
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning* system 441, 448
Tele Aid* 265, 271, 453
Emergency calls 267
Hands-free microphone 29
Information 270
Initiating an emergency call
manually 268
Message in display 382
Remote door unlock 272
Roadside Assistance 268
SOS button 268
Stolen Vehicle Recovery
services 273
System self-check 266
Telematics* 454
Telephone* 26, 264
Answering/ending a call 158
Hands-free microphone 29
Message in display 382
Operation 157, 225
Phone book 158
Redialing 159Temperature
Display mode 135
Interior temperature 180
Temperature,Tires 315
Tether attachment points, see
Children in the vehicle
Tie-down rings*, Trunk 256
Tightening torque, Wheel bolts 410, 454
Tilt/sliding sunroof* see Power tilt/sliding
sunroof*
Time 145
TIN 333
Tire and Loading Information
Placard 308
Tire and loading Information
Terminology 331
Tires 304, 432
Air pressure 331
Care and maintenance 305
Chains 337
Cleaning 306, 342
Direction of rotation 307
Driving instructions 286
Important notes, Tire inflation
pressure 315
Inflation pressure 296, 314, 316Information Placard 308
Inspection 305
Load rating 333
MOExtended system*
(Canada only) 320, 411
Ply composition and material
used 333
Problems under-/overinflation 319
Retreads 304
Rims and tires 432
Rotating 335
Run Flat Indicator*
(Canada only) 317
Service life 305
Sizes 432
Speed rating 288, 323, 333
Temperature 315, 330
Terminology 331
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Traction 287
Tread 334
Tread depth 306, 336
Treadwear indicators 334
Vehicle maximum load on 334
Wear pattern 335
Winter 336

472 IndexVehicle tool kit 383
VIN 428, 454
Voice control system*,
Hands-free microphone 29
see separate operating instructions
W
Warning lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Warning sounds
Driver’s or passenger’s seat belt 71
Parking brake 51
Seat belt telltale 355
Warranty coverage 10, 427
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washer reservoir level 296
Washing the vehicle 341
Wear pattern (tires) 335
Weights, Vehicle 439
Wheel
Bolts 388
Change 410
Removing 408
Spare 384, 386, 436
Tightening torque 410Wheels, Tires 304
Window curtain air bags 68
Windows see Power windows
Windshield
Cleaning 345
Defogging 181, 192
Replacing wiper blades 405
Washer fluid 303, 448
Washer system 448
Windshield washer fluid 448
Message in display 382
Mixing ratio 448
Refilling 303
Wiping with 55
Windshield washer system 448
Windshield wipers 53
Cleaning 345
Replacing wiper blades 405
Winter driving 336
Block heater (Canada only) 337
Snow chains 337
Tires 336
Winter driving instructions 289
Winter tires 336Wiper blades
Cleaning 345
Replacing 405
Wood trims, Cleaning 348
X
Xenon headlamps* see Headlamps