2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 fluid

370 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
;
(USA only)
!
(Canada only)
Release
Parking brake
You are driving with the parking brake
set.

Release the parking brake
(page 50).
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon
as possible.
;
(USA only)
3
(Canada only)
Brake fluid
Visit workshop
There is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle and
notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Do not add brake fluid! This
will not solve the problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with the message
Brake fluid
Visit workshop.
displayed can result in
an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately. Do not add brake
fluid before checking the brake system.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can re-
sult in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You
can be seriously burned.
!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.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Maintenance
booklet.

372 Practical hintsWhat to do if …
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
•
Coolant
Stop, engine off!
The coolant is too hot.

Stop the vehicle in a safe location and
turn off the engine.

Only start the engine again after the
message disappears. You could
otherwise damage the engine.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated 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 coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
!The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

382 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
K
Close slid./pop-up
sunroof
You have opened the driver’s door with
the SmartKey removed from the starter
switch and the sliding portion of the
tilt/sliding sunroof* open.

Close the tilt/sliding sunroof*
(page 244).
J
Close slid./pop-up
sunroof
You have opened the driver’s door with
the SmartKey removed from the starter
switch and the tilting portion of the
tilt/sliding sunroof* open.

Close the tilt/sliding sunroof*
(page 244).
L
Tele Aid malfunction.
Drive to workshop
One or more main functions of the Tele
Aid system* are malfunctioning.

Have the Tele Aid system* checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
t
Function unavailable
This display appears if buttont
ors on the multifunction steering
wheel is pressed and the vehicle is not
equipped with a telephone*.
Ê
Trunk open
You are attempting to drive with the trunk
open.

Close the trunk.
W
Washer fluid
please refill
The fluid level has dropped to
about
1/3of total reservoir capacity.

Add washer fluid (
page 303).

412 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 302).
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.
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.!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.

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.

440 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.CapacitiesVehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore only use
products tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at
your Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission
C230 (all models)
C280
C350
C3504MATIC
C3504MATIC
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
8.3 US qt (7.8 l)
8.3 US qt (7.8 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Manual transmission
C230 (all models)
C350
1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
1.6 US qt (1.5 l)
MB Manual Transmission Oil
Rear axle
C230 (all models)
C280 (all models)
C350
C350Sport
C3504MATIC
1.0 US qt (1.0 l)
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
1.0 US qt (1.0 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Front axle
C2804MATIC
C3504MATIC
0.5USqt (0.46l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Transfer case
C2804MATIC
C3504MATIC
approx. 0.62 US qt
(0.59 l)
MB Transfer case fluid

441 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Power steering
approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid (Pentosin
CHF 11S)
Front wheel hubs
approx. 2.1oz (60g)
each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
0.5 US qt (0.5 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling system
approx. 7.5 US qt (7.1 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/antifreeze
agent
Fuel tank
including
a reserve of
16.4 US gal (62.0 l)
2.1 US gal (8.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(Avg. of 96 RON/86 MON)
Air conditioning system
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubri-
cant oil (never R-12)
Windshield washer
3.2 US qt (3.0 l)
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
1
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*
6.4 US qt (6.0 l)
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water for temperatures above freezing point or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and commercially available
premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below freezing point. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 448).

442 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance
System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada
vehicles). For a listing of approved engine
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory Ap-
proved Service Products pamphlet, or con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air
conditioning system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based
lubricating oil. Otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. An
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
provide you with additional information.
!Using engine oils and oil filters of
specification other than those express-
ly required for the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehi-
cles), or changing of oil and oil filter at
change intervals longer than those
called for by the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada Vehi-
cles) will result in engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Please follow Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehi-
cles) recommendations for scheduled
oil changes. Failure to do so will result
in engine damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Under extremely strenuous operating condi-
tions, this moisture content can lead to the
formation of bubbles in the system, thus re-
ducing the system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be replaced
regularly. Refer to your vehicle's Mainte-
nance Booklet for replacement interval.