2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 light

343 Operation
Vehicle care
Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from the intrusion of
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticor-
rosion Wax, should be applied to the en-
gine compartment after every engine
cleaning. Before applying, all control
linkage bushings and joints should be
lubricated. The poly-V-belt and all pulleys
should be protected from any wax.
Vehicle washing
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, do
not forget to clean the inner sides of the
wheels.Hand-wash
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight.

Only use a mild car wash detergent,
such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo.

Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water.
Direct only a very weak spray towards
the ventilation intake.

Use plenty of water and rinse the
sponge and chamois frequently.

Rinse with clean water and thoroughly
dry with a chamois.
Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on
the finish.Automatic car wash
You can have your car washed in an auto-
matic car wash from the start. Automatic
car washes without brushes are prefera-
ble.
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it be-
fore running it through the automatic car
wash.
!Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in
exterior rear view mirrors prior to run-
ning the vehicle through an automatic
car wash to prevent damage to the
mirrors.
Make sure that the windshield wiper
switch is set to0 (
page 53). Other-
wise, the rain sensor could activate and
cause the wipers to move unintention-
ally. This may lead to vehicle damage.

346 OperationVehicle careLight alloy wheels
If possible, clean wheels once a week.
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel
Care, a soft bristle brush and a strong
spray of water for cleaning the light al-
loy wheels.Plastic and rubber parts

Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution.
Instrument cluster and cup holders

Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution.

Wipe with a cloth moistened in a luke-
warm solution.
!Only use acid-free cleaning materials.
Acid may cause corrosion or damage
the clear coat.
!The vehicle should not be parked for an
extended period of time immediately
after it has been cleaned, especially not
after the wheel rims have been cleaned
with wheel rim cleaner. Wheel rim
cleaners can lead to increased corro-
sion of the brake disks and brake pads.
Therefore, the vehicle’s brake system
should always be warmed-up before it
is parked after cleaning. To do so,
please drive your vehicle for several
minutes to allow the brakes to dry.
When applying Mercedes-Benz ap-
proved Tire Care and Mercedes-Benz
approved Wheel Care products, take
care not to spray them on the brake
disks.
!Do not use oil or wax on these parts.!To prevent scratches, do not use scour-
ing agents.

347 Operation
Vehicle care
Hard plastic trim items
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Interior
Care, a soft, lint-free cloth and apply
with light pressure.
Steering wheel and gear selector lever

Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thor-
oughly or clean with Mercedes-Benz
approved Leather Care.Carpets

Use Mercedes-Benz approved Carpet
and Fabric Care for cleaning the car-
pets.
Headliner and shelf below rear window

Use a soft bristle brush or a dry-sham-
poo cleaner in case of excessive dirt. Seat belts

Only use clear, lukewarm water and
soap.
!To prevent scratches, do not use scour-
ing agents.
!The webbing must not be treated with
chemical cleaning agents. Do not dry
the webbing at temperatures above
176°F (80°C) or in direct sunlight.Warning!
G
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.

348 OperationVehicle careUpholstery
Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing
clothing that have the tendency to give off
coloring (e.g. when wet, etc.) may cause
the upholstery to become permanently dis-
colored. By lining the seats with a proper
intermediate cover, contact-discoloration
will be prevented.
Leather upholstery
Wipe leather upholstery with a damp
cloth and dry thoroughly or clean with
Mercedes-Benz approved Leather
Care.
Exercise particular care when cleaning per-
forated leather as its underside should not
become wet.MB Tex upholstery

Use Mercedes-Benz approved Interior
Care onto a soft, lint-free cloth and ap-
ply with light pressure for cleaning the
upholstery.
Wood trims

Dampen cloth using water and use
damp cloth to clean wood trims in your
vehicle.!Do not use solvents like tar remover or
wheel cleaner nor polishes or waxes as
these may be abrasive.

377 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
.
3rd brake lamp
The high mounted brake lamp is
malfunctioning. This message will only
appear if all light emitting diodes have
stopped working.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Backup lamp, left
The left backup lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Backup lamp, right
The right backup lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Brake lamp
Drive to workshop
Brake lamp illumination is delayed or
lamp is permanently on.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Brake lamp left
The left brake lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Brake lamp right
The right brake lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Display malfunction.
Visit workshop
The display for the lamps or the system is
malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Front foglamp left
The left front fog lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Front foglamp right
The right front fog lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Front left
side marker lamp
The left front side marker lamp is
malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Front right
sider marker lamp
The right front side marker lamp is
malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

378 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
.
High beam left
The left high beam lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
High beam right
The right high beam lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
License plate lamp,
left
The left license plate lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
License plate lamp,
right
The right license plate lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Light sensor
Drive to workshop
The lamp sensor is malfunctioning.
The headlamps switch on automatically.

In the control system, set lamp
operation to manual (
page 149).

Switch on the headlamps using the
exterior lamp switch (
page 118).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Low beam left
The left low beam lamp is malfunctioning.
Halogen headlamp:
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

379 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
.
Low beam right
The right low beam lamp is
malfunctioning.
Halogen headlamp:
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Parking lamp
left front
The left front parking lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Parking lamp
right front
The right front parking lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Rear fog lamp
Substit. bulb on
The rear fog lamp is malfunctioning.
A substitute bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Switch off lights
Headlamps have been turned on with the
driver’s door opened and the SmartKey
removed from the starter switch.

Switch off the headlamps.
Taillamp left
Substit. bulb on

The left tail lamp is malfunctioning.
A substitute bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Taillamp right
Substit. bulb on

The right tail lamp is malfunctioning.
A substitute bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.

380 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
.
Turn signal
left front
The left front turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn signal
right front
The right front turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn signal
left mirror
The left turn signal in the side mirror is
malfunctioning. This message will only
appear if all light emitting diodes have
stopped working.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Turn signal
right mirror
The right turn signal in the side mirror is
malfunctioning. This message will only
appear if all light emitting diodes have
stopped working.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Turn signal
left rear
Substit. bulb on

The left rear turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning.
A substitute bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn signal
right rear
Substit. bulb on

The right rear turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning.
A substitute bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.