2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 premium

ContentsTechnical data.................................. 425
Parts service ...................................... 426
Warranty coverage ............................. 427
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 427
Identification labels............................ 428
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 429
Engine ................................................ 430
Rims and Tires ................................... 432
Same size tires ............................. 434
Mixed size tires ............................ 435
Minispare wheel ........................... 436
Electrical system................................ 437
Main dimensions................................ 438
Weights .............................................. 439Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 440
Capacities .................................... 440
Engine oils.................................... 442
Engine oil additives ...................... 442
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 442
Brake fluid .................................... 442
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 443
Gasoline additives ........................ 443
Fuel requirements ........................ 444
Coolants....................................... 444
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system* ......................... 448
Technical terms............................... 449Index................................................. 455

291 Operation
Driving instructions
Control and operation of radio transmitters
COMAND*, radio and telephone*Telephones* and two-way radios
Radio transmitters, such as a portable
telephone or a citizens band unit should
only be used inside the vehicle if they are
connected to an antenna that is installed
on the outside of the vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter operation
instructions regarding use of an external
antenna.
Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with
monolithic-type catalytic converters, an
important element in conjunction with the
oxygen sensors to achieve substantial
control of the pollutants in the exhaust
emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper
operating condition by following our
recommended maintenance instructions
as outlined in your Maintenance Booklet.
Warning!
G
Please do not forget that your primary
responsibility is to drive the vehicle safely.
Only operate the COMAND (Cockpit
Management and Data System), radio or
telephone
1 if road, weather and traffic
conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.
Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system,
possibly resulting in an accident and
personal injury.
!To prevent damage to the catalytic
converters, only use premium unleaded
gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine
operation should be repaired promptly.
Otherwise, excessive unburned fuel
may reach the catalytic converter,
causing it to overheat and potentially
start a fire.

430 Technical dataEngineModel
C 230 (203.052)
1
C 230 Sport (203.052)
1
1The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for the corresponding data of all special bodies and special equipment.
C 280 (203.054)
1
C 280 4MATIC (203.092)
1
Engine
272
272
Mode of operation
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
No. of cylinders
6
6
Bore
3.46 in (88.00 mm)
3.46 in (88.00 mm)
Stroke
2.69 in (68.40 mm)
3.23 in (82.10 mm)
Total piston displacement
152.3 cu in (2 496 cm
3)
182.8 cu in (2 996 cm
3)
Compression ratio
11.2:1
11.1:1
Output acc.
to SAE J 1349
201 hp/6 200 rpm
2
(150 kW/6 200 rpm)
2Premium fuel required. Performance may vary with fuel octane rating.
228 hp/6 000 rpm
2
(170 kW/6 000 rpm)
Maximum torque acc.
to SAE J 1349
181 lb-ft/2 700 – 5 000 rpm
(245 Nm/2 700 – 5 000 rpm)
221lb-ft/2700–5000rpm
(300 Nm/2 700 – 5 000 rpm)
Maximum engine speed
6500 rpm
6500 rpm
Firing order
1-4-3-6-2-5
1-4-3-6-2-5
Poly-V-belt
2404 mm
2404 mm

431 Technical data
Engine
Model
C 350 (203.056)
1
C 350 Sport (203.056)
1
C 350 4MATIC (203.087)
1
Engine
272
Mode of operation
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
No. of cylinders
6
Bore
3.65 in (92.90 mm)
Stroke
3.38 in (86.00 mm)
Total piston displacement
213.5 cu in (3 498 cm
3)
Compression ratio
10.5:1
Output acc.
to SAE J 1349
268 hp/6 000 rpm
2
(200 kW/6 000 rpm)
Maximum torque acc.
to SAE J 1349
258 lb-ft/3 000 rpm
(350 Nm/3 000 rpm)
Maximum engine speed
6700 rpm
Firing order
1-4-3-6-2-5
Poly-V-belt
2404 mm
1The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for the
corresponding data of all special bodies and special equipment.2Premium fuel required. Performance may vary with fuel octane rating.

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).

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.

444 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.In areas where carbon deposits may be
encountered due to lack of availability of
gasolines which contain these additives,
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of
additives approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Refer to Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet for a
listing of approved product(s). Follow
directions on product label.
Do not blend other fuel additives with fuel.
This only results in unnecessary cost and
may be harmful to engine operation.
Damage or malfunction resulting from
poor fuel quality or from blending
additional fuel additives other than those
tested and approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles listed in the
Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet are not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Fuel requirements
Only use premium unleaded fuel:

The octane number (posted at the
pu mp ) m ust b e 91 m i n. It is an a ve ra ge
of both the Research (R) octane num-
ber and the Motor (M) octane number:
(R+M)/2. This is also known as the
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not
exceed 10%; MTBE must not exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains 10%
ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, can
be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which
provides:

Corrosion protection


Freeze protection


Boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately -22°F (-30°C) and
corrosion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective
to -22°F (-30°C), the boiling point of the
coolant in the pressurized cooling system
is reached at approx. 266°F (130°C).

466 IndexOperating safety 199
Ornamental moldings, Cleaning 344
Outside temperature see Displays
Overhead control panel 29
Overspeed range, engine 452
P
Paintwork, Cleaning 342
Panic alarm* 86
Parcel net
In front passenger footwell 258
Parking 57, 285
Parking brake 50, 58
Engaging 58
Message in display 370
Releasing 50
Parking lamps
Messages in display 379
Replacing bulbs 398
Parking position*
Exterior rear view mirrors 117, 154,
172
Parts service 426Passenger compartment 290
Interior lighting 125
Interior rear view mirror 43
Main fuse box in 422
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 258
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 283
Phone* see Telephone*
Plastic and rubber parts, Cleaning and
care of 346
Poly-V-belt drive 452
Layout 429
Positions (memory function*) see Seats
Power assistance 283
Power outlet in rear passenger
compartment 263
Power seat* see Seats, Power* 38
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 244
Messages in display 382
Opening/closing 244
Opening/closing in an
emergency 393
Opening/closing, SmartKey 243
Stopping 246
Synchronizing 246Power train 452
Power washer 342
Power windows 240
Cleaning 345
Opening/closing 240
Rear door window,
Blocking operation 85
Stopping 242
Synchronizing 242
Practical hints 350
Premium unleaded gasoline 443
Problems
While driving 56
With vehicle 17
Product information 9
Production options weight 333
Program mode 130
Program mode selector switch 452
Automatic shift program, automatic
transmission* 167
PSI 333
Push starting 415