2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C280 warning

421 Practical hintsFuses
Fuses
Fuses are designed to protect the electri-
cal circuits in your vehicle from a short cir-
cuit. If a fuse is blown, the component(s)
and systems secured by that fuse will stop
operating.
The following aids are available to help you
replace fuses (
page 421):


Fuse chart


Spare fuses


Fuse extractor
The electrical fuses are located in different
fuse boxes:


Main fuse box in passenger
compartment (
page 422)


Fuse box in engine compartment
(page 422)


Fuse box in trunk (
page 423)
Aids for replacing fuses
Fuse chart
The fuse chart is located in the main fuse
box in the passenger compartment
(page 422). The amperages of the fuses
are also given there.
Spare fuses
Spare fuses are located in the vehicle tool
kit in the trunk (
page 383).
Fuse extractor
The fuse extractor is located in the fuse
box cover in the trunk (
page 423).
Warning!
G
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system
in question. Using other fuses may cause an
overload leading to a fire, and/or cause
damage to electrical components and/or
systems.
!Never attempt to repair or bridge a
blown fuse. Have the cause determined
and remedied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.!Keep the fuse boxes free by contamina-
tion and wetness. Otherwise, electrical
parts or systems could be damaged.

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.

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.

448 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Windshield washer and headlamp cleaning system*
Both the windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system* are supplied from the
windshield washer fluid reservoir.
The washer fluid reservoir has a capacity of
approx.:

3.2 US qt (3.0 l) in vehicles without
headlamp cleaning system*


6.4 US qt (6.0 l) in vehicles with
headlamp cleaning system*

Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “S” and water
(or concentrate and commercially
available premixed windshield washer
solvent/antifreeze, depending on
ambient temperatures).Windshield and headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and water:


1 part “S” to 100 parts water
(1.34floz [40ml]“S” to 1gallon [4.0l]
water)
For temperatures below freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and commercially available premixed
windshield washer solvent/antifreeze:


1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
(1.34floz [40ml]“S” to 1gallon [4.0l]
solvent)
Warning!
G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze
on hot engine parts, because it may ignite
and burn. You could be seriously burned.

449 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Accessory weight
(
page 331)
Air pressure
(page 331)
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
Aspect ratio
(page 331)
Bar
(page 331)
BAS
(Brake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking
situations. The system is activated
when it senses an emergency based on
how fast the brake is applied.Bead
(
page 331)
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more
intense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.
CAC
(Customer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service
center, which can help you with any
questions about your vehicle and
provide assistance in the event of a
breakdown.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control
vehicle functions such as door locking
or windshield wiping depending on
vehicle settings and/or ambient
conditions.Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the
passenger compartment needed for
vehicle operation and monitoring.
Cold tire inflation pressure
(
page 331)
COMAND*
(Cockpit M
anagement and D
ata
System)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and the
navigation system, as well as other
optional equipment (CD changer*,
telephone*, etc.).

451 Technical terms
GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special
receivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.
GVW
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight) (
page 332)
GVWR
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 332)
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision,
including the tachometer, speedo-
meter, engine temperature display and
fuel gauge.Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the
vehicle and should not be used for
normal acceleration needs.
Kilopascal (kPa)
(
page 332)
Locking knob
Knob on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the locking knob down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. The Maintenance
System in your vehicle tracks distance
driven and the time elapsed since your
last maintenance service, and calls for
the next maintenance service accord-
ingly.
Maximum tire inflation pressure
(
page 332)
Maximum load rating
(page 332)
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(page 332)
Memory function*
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and mirror positions.

457 Index
Brake lamps
Cleaning lenses 344
Messages in display 377
Replacing bulbs 403
Brake pads
Message in display 370
Brakes 284
Warning lamp 25, 351
Break-in period 282
Bulbs, replacing see Replacing bulbs
C
CAC 449
California retail buyers and lessees,
important notice 11
CAN system 449
Cargo area see Trunk
Cargo tie-down rings* 256
Carpets, cleaning 347
Catalytic converter 291
CD changer* 216
CD player* 137, 216
Centigrade see Temperature display
mode 142Central locking
Automatic 107, 152
From inside 107
Locking/unlocking from inside 107
Switch 107
Certification label 428
Charcoal filter
Automatic climate control*
(Canada only) 194
Children in the vehicle 74
Air bags 64
Blocking rear door window
operation 85
Indicator lamp, front passenger
air bag 80, 356
Infant and child restraint systems 74
LATCH-type child seat anchors 83
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 77
Cigarette lighter 262
Climate control system 176
Control panel 177
Defrosting, Front 181
Rear window defroster 175Clock 25, 130
Setting time 145, 146
Cockpit 22, 449
Cockpit Management and Data System
see COMAND
Cold tire inflation pressure 331
Collapsible wheel chock 386
COMAND* 449
COMAND* see separate COMAND
operating instructions
Combination switch 52, 122
Control system 130, 450
Multifunction display 130
Multifunction steering wheel 131
Resetting to factory default 140
Control system menu 130, 450
AUDIO 136
Menus overview 133
NAV* 138
Settings 140
Standard display 135
TEL* 157
Trip computer 155
Vehicle status message
memory 138

459 Index
DOT 331
Downhill driving
Cruise control 248
Drinking and driving 283
Driving
Abroad 290
Hydroplaning 287
In winter 289
Instructions 45, 283
Problems 56
Safety systems 87
Systems 247
Through standing water 290
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 92
ABS 87
BAS 88
ESP
®
89E
Easy-entry/exit feature* 42, 153
Electrical fuses see Fuses
Electrical outlet 263
Electrical system, Technical data 437
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency calls
911 calls 237
Tele Aid* calls 267, 268, 271
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 169
Emergency operations
Fuel filler flap 391
Gear selector lever, Unlocking 392
Locking/unlocking the vehicle 389
Power tilt/sliding sunroof*,
Manual operation 393
Remote door unlock 272
Trunk lid, Releasing from inside 105
Trunk lid, Unlocking 390
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETDEmergency, in case of
Battery, Jump starting 415
First aid kit 350, 383
Flat tire, Changing 406
Fuses 421
Hazard warning flasher 124
Instrument cluster,
Indicator lamps 350–355
Roadside Assistance 12, 268
Towing the vehicle 417
Emission control 292
Information label 428
System warranties 10
Engine
Belt layout 429
Block heater (Canada only) 337
Brake-in recommendations 282
Cleaning 343
Compartment 297
Malfunction indicator lamp 25, 352
Maximum engine speed 430