2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C280 service indicator

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.

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.).

450 Technical termsControl system
The control system is used to call up
vehicle information and to change
component settings. Information and
messages appear in the multifunction
display. The driver uses the buttons on
the multifunction steering wheel to
navigate through the system and to
adjust settings.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system that
automatically maintains the vehicle
speed set by the driver.
Curb weight
(
page 331)
DOT
(Department o
f Transportation)
(
page 331)Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine
produced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction
(viscosity) of the oil at different temper-
atures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can
tolerate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
®(Electronic S
tability P
rogram)
Improves vehicle handling and
directional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the
system’s threshold to tighten the
seat belts.
->SRSFSS (Canada vehicles)
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. FSS evaluates
engine temperature, oil level, vehicle
speed, engine speed, distance driven
and the time elapsed since your last
maintenance service, and calls for the
next maintenance service accordingly.
GAWR
(G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 331)
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the gear selector
lever.

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.

458 IndexControl system submenus 132, 134
Convenience 153
Instrument cluster 143
Lighting 149
Time/Date 145
Vehicle 152
Controller Area Network see CAN system
Coolant 301, 444
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 445
Capacities 440, 441
Checking coolant level 295, 301
Messages in display 371–373
Temperature 293
Temperature gauge 25, 128
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps* 123
Replacing bulbs 398
Cruise control 247, 450
Message in display 374
Cup holder 259, 260
Cleaning 346
Curb weight 331
Customer Assistance Center see CACD
Date display, setting 147, 148
Daytime running lamp mode 120
Setting 149
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging windshield
Automatic climate control*
(Canada only) 192
Climate control 181
Defrosting, Front
Automatic climate control*
(Canada only) 191
Climate control 181
Defrosting, Rear 175
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 151
Interior lighting 152
Department of Transportation see DOT
Difficulties
While driving 56
With starting 50
Digital clock see clock
Digital speedometer 135Dimensions, vehicle 438
Direction of rotation (tires) 307
Displays
Digital speedometer 135
Maintenance service indicator 338
Messages in display 374
Multifunction display 130
Outside temperature 135
Symbol messages 369
Text messages 360
Vehicle status messages
memory 139, 358
Distance to empty (range),
Trip computer 156
Door control panel 30
Doors
Entry lamps 126
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 98
Message in display 374
Opening from inside/outside 100,
102
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid*) 272
Unlocking, Mechanical key 389

460 Index
Number 428
Starting 49
Tachometer 25
Technical data 430
Turning 59
Engine coolant see coolant
Engine number 450
Engine oil 298, 442
Adding 300
Additives 442
Changing 440
Checking level (Dipstick) 299
Consumption 298
Filler neck 300
Recommended engine and
oil filter 375
Viscosity 450
ESP®
89, 450
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP
®
92
Messages in display 361–362
Warning lamp 25, 354ETD 72, 450
Safety guidelines 66
Exterior lamp switch 52, 118
Exterior rear view mirrors 43
Parking position* 172
F
Fahrenheit see Temperature display
mode 142
Filler neck, Engine oil 300
First aid kit 383
Flat tire 406
Jacking up the vehicle 407
Lowering the vehicle 410
Minispare wheel 386
Mounting the spare wheel 406
Preparing the vehicle 406
Flexible Service System see FSS
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 300,
440
Brake fluid 295, 442
Capacities 440Engine coolant 295, 444
Engine oil 298, 442
Power steering fluid 441
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system* 303, 448
Fog lamps 121, 122
Message in display 377, 379
Replacing bulbs 398, 399
Four wheel electronic traction system
(4MATIC) with ESP
®
92
4MATIC 92
Front air bags 67
Front lamps see Headlamps
Front passenger front air bag 67
Messages in display 364–367
Front passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 27, 80, 356, 357
Front seat head restraints see Head
restraints 109
FSS (Flexible Service System)
(Canada vehicles) 338, 450

463 Index
J
Jack 383
Jacking up the vehicle 407
Jump starting 415
K
Key, mechanical 389
Key, SmartKey
Batteries 101
Battery check lamp 101
Changing batteries 396
Factory setting 100
Locking/unlocking 32, 100
Locking/unlocking, Global
setting 100
Locking/unlocking, Selective
setting 100
Loss of 102
Messages in display 376
Opening and closing the power
windows 243
Opening and closing the tilt/sliding
sunroof* 243
Positions in starter switch 33Remote control 98
Starting the engine 48, 49
Turning off the engine 59
Unlocking, Trunk lid 102
Valet locking 106
Kickdown 165, 451
Kilopascal 332
L
Labels 428
Certification 428
Emission control information 428
Emission control vacuum line
routing 428
Lamp sensor
Message in display 378
Lamps, exterior 398, 399
Light sensor 378
Messages in display 377, 378, 379,
380
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 25, 350
Battery (SmartKey) 100
Brakes 25, 351Engine diagnostics 352, 355
Engine malfunction 25, 352–353
ESP
®
25, 354
Fog lamps 118
Front passenger front air bag off 27,
68
Fuel reserve 25, 354
High beam headlamps 25
Instrument cluster 350, 355
Low beam headlamps 25
Maintenance service indicator 338
Rear fog lamp 118
Seat belt telltale 25
SRS 25, 63, 355
Turn signals 25
Language, Setting 143
LATCH-type child seat anchors see
Children in the vehicle
Leather upholstery, Cleaning and
care of 348
License plate lamps
Messages in display 378
Replacing bulbs 399

464 IndexLight alloy wheels
Cleaning 346
Technical data 434, 435
Light sensor see Lamp sensor
Lighter see Cigarette lighter
Lighting
Parking lamps 118
Lighting, Exterior and interior 118
Limp Home Mode 169
Loading see Vehicle loading
Loading terminology 331
Loading the vehicle 307
Locator lighting 121, 150
Locking knob 451
Loss of keys 102
Loss of Service and Warranty Information
Booklet 427
Low beam headlamps
Indicator lamp 25
Messages in display 378, 379
Replacing bulbs 398, 401
Switching on 52
Lubricants 440
Technical data 440
Lumbar support* 112M
Main dimensions 438
Main fuse box
In passenger compartment 422
Mainodometer 130
Maintenance 12, 338
Calling up service indicator
display 339
Clearing service indicator
message 339
FSS (Canada vehicles) 338
Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) 338
Resetting service indicator 340
Service indicator message 338
Service term exceeded 339
Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) 338, 451
Manual headlamp mode see Headlamps
Manual seat see Seat, Manual 36
Manual transmission 160, 161
Gearshift lever 48, 161
Shift positions 161
Starting the engine 49
Maximum load rating, Tires 332
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 332Maximum tire inflation pressure 332
MB Tex upholstery, Cleaning and
care of 348
Mechanical key 389
Memory function* see Steering wheel
Menus see Control system
Microphone, Hands-free 29
Minispare wheel see Spare wheel
Mirrors
Adjusting 43
Auto-dimming* 171
Exterior rear view mirror 43
Exterior rear view mirror,
Parking position* 117, 154, 172
Interior rear view mirror 43, 170
MOE tires see MOExtended system*
(Canada only)
MOExtended system* 411
MOExtended system* (Canada only) 320
MON 452
Motor Octane Number see MON
Multicontour seats* (Canada only) 113
Multifunction display 130, 452
Changing settings see Contro system
menus and Control system
submenus