2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 Fuel system

295 Operation
At the gas station

Replace fuel cap by turning it clockwise
until it audibly engages.

Close fuel filler flap.
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 301) and see
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 440).
Brake fluid
Removing fuse box cover (
page 422).
iLeaving the engine running and the fuel
cap open can cause the yellow fuel
tank reserve warning lamp to flash and
theú malfunction indicator lamp
(USA only) or the± malfunction in-
dicator lamp (Canada only) to illumi-
nate.
For more information, see “Practical
hints” (
page 352) and (
page 353).
iOpening the hood, see (
page 297).
!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 351).

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.

319 Operation
Tires and wheels

Switch on the ignition (
page 33).
The standard display menu appears in
the multifunction display (page 135).

Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the following message appears in
the multifunction display:Run Flat Indicator
active
Reactivation possible: +

Press buttonæ.
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:Tire pres. OK now
? If you wish to confirm activation:

Press buttonæ.
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:Run Flat Indicator
Reactivated
After a certain “learning phase”, the Run
Flat Indicator checks the set pressure
values for all four tires.
If you wish to cancel activation:
Press buttonç.
or

Wait until the messageTire pres. OK now?disappears.Potential problems associated with
underinflated and overinflated tires
Underinflated tire inflation pressure
Underinflated tires can:


cause excessive and uneven tire wear


adversely affect fuel economy


lead to tire failure from being
overheated


adversely affect handling
characteristics
Warning!
G
The Run Flat Indicator* can only warn you in
a reliable manner if you have set the correct
tire inflation pressures for each tire.
If an incorrect tire inflation pressure was
set, the system will monitor the pressure
according to the incorrect value.
Warning!
G
Follow recommended tire inflation pres-
sures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and / or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from being
overheated.

352 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
ú
(USA only)
±
(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunction
indicator lamp comes on while
driving.
There is a malfunction in:

The fuel management system


The ignition system


The emission control system


Systems which affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the en-
gine to its limp-home (emergency
operation) mode.

Have the vehicle checked as soon as pos-
sible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is used
by the service station to link the vehicle to
the shop diagnostics system. It allows the
accurate identification of system malfunc-
tions through the readout of diagnostic
trouble codes. It is located in the front left
area of the footwell next to the parking
brake pedal.
A loss of pressure has been detected in the
fuel system. The fuel cap may not be
closed properly or the fuel system may be
leaky.

Check the fuel cap (
page 294).
If it is not closed properly:

Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:

H a v e t h e f u e l s y s t e m c h e c k e d b y a n a u t h o -
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.

354 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
v
The yellow ESP
® warning lamp
comes on while driving.
The ESP
® is deactivated.
Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road, weather and traffic
conditions.

Switch the ESP
® back on (
page 89).
If the ESP
® cannot be switched back on,
have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
The yellow ESP
® warning lamp
flashes while driving.
The ESP
® or traction control has come into
operation because of detected traction loss
in at least one tire.

When driving off, apply as little
throttle as possible.

While driving, ease up on the
accelerator.

Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road and weather
conditions.

Do not deactivate the ESP
®.
Exceptions: (
page 89).
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
The yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp in the fuel gauge
(page 24) comes on while
driving.
The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 294).

376 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
4
Check gas cap.
See Operator’s Manual
A loss of pressure has been detected in
the fuel system. The fuel cap may not be
closed properly or the fuel system may be
leaky.

Check the fuel cap (
page 294).
If it is not closed properly:

Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:

Have the fuel system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Y
Hood open
You are attempting to drive with the hood
open.

Close the hood (
page 297).
I
Remove key.
You have forgotten to remove the
SmartKey.

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Replace key
Drive to workshop
No additional code available for
SmartKey.

Change the SmartKey.

391 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
1Locking
Insert the mechanical key into the
driver’s door lock until it stops.

Turn the mechanical key clockwise to
position1.
The driver’s door is locked.
Fuel filler flap
In case the central locking system does
not release the fuel filler flap, you can open
it manually.
The release button is on the right-hand
side of the luggage compartment behind
the side trim.1Side trim
2Release button

Open the trunk.

Remove the side trim1 from the
right-hand side of the luggage compart-
ment.

Turn release button2 clockwise as far
as will go.
The fuel filler flap is released.

Open the fuel filler flap from outside.
Warning!
G
If you operate the emergency release but-
ton, be careful of the sharp edges so that
you do not injure yourself.

415 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.
!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.