2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C280 parking brake

400 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsHave the LEDs and bulbs for the following
lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center:

Additional turn signals in the exterior
rear view mirrors


High mounted brake lamp


Xenon* lamps


Front fog lamps


Front side marker lamps
Replacing bulbs for front lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a
front lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionM (
page 118).

Open the hood (
page 297).
Halogen headlamp
1Housing cover for low beam headlamp
2Housing cover for high beam head-
lamp, parking and standing lamp3Bulb socket for turn signal lamp bulb
4Bulb socket for low beam bulb
5Bulb socket for high beam bulb
6Bulb socket for parking and standing
lamp bulb
iHave the headlamp adjustment
checked regularly.

404 Practical hintsReplacing bulbs
Fold the corresponding trim panel to
the side.

Turn latch1 to vertical position and
remove the bulb carrier.
Bulb carrier2Brake lamp bulb
3Backup lamp bulb
4Rear fog lamp (driver’s side only),
tail and standing lamp bulb
5Parking and side marker lamp bulb
6Turn signal lamp bulb

Press gently onto the respective bulb
and turn counterclockwise out of its
bulb socket.

Press the new bulb gently into its bulb
socket and turn clockwise until it
engages.

Reinstall the bulb carrier and lock it
again with latch1.

Reinstall the trim panel.License plate lamp
1Screw

Loosen both screws1.

Remove the license plate lamp.

Replace the bulb.

Reinstall the license plate lamp.

Retighten screws1.

406 Practical hintsFlat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle in a safe distance from
moving traffic on a hard, flat surface
when possible.

Turn on the hazard warning flasher
(page 124).

Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight ahead
position.

Set the parking brake (
page 58).

Move the gear selector lever toP
(manual transmission: to first or
reverse gear).

Turn off the engine (
page 59).

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.

Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Mounting the Minispare wheel
Preparing the vehicle
Prepare the vehicle as described
(page 406).

Take the wheel wrench, the wheel
bolts, and the jack out of the trunk
(page 383).

Take the Minispare wheel out of the
trunk (
page 386).
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the Minispare wheel are
different from those of the road wheels. As
a result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a Minispare wheel
mounted. Adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.
The Minispare wheel is for temporary use
only. When driving with Minispare wheel
mounted, ensure proper tire inflation
pressure and do not exceed a vehicle speed
of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible to have the Minispare
wheel replaced with a regular road wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one Minispare wheel mounted.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a
Minispare wheel is mounted.
iOpen doors only when conditions are
safe to do so.

407 Practical hints
Flat tire
Lifting the vehicle
Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking wheels with wheel chocks
or other sizable objects.
One wheel chock is included with the
vehicle tool kit (
page 383).
When changing wheel on a level surface:

Place the wheel chock in front of and
another sizable object behind the
wheel that is diagonally opposite to the
wheel being changed.
Always try lifting the vehicle using the jack
on a level surface. However, should cir-
cumstances require you to do so on a hill,
place the wheel chock and the other size-
able object as follows:

Place wheel chocks and another siz-
able object on the downhill side block-
ing both wheels of the axle not being
worked on.

On wheel to be changed, loosen but do
not yet remove the wheel bolts
(approximately one full turn with
wrench).
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use,
especially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface. Make sure the jack arm is
fully seated in the jack take-up bracket. Al-
ways lower the vehicle onto sufficient ca-
pacity jackstands before working under the
vehicle.

416 Practical hintsJump startingThe battery is located in the engine
compartment on the right hand side. The
terminals for jump starting are located in
front of the battery.
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift gear selector lever to positionP
(manual transmission: to Neutral).

Open the hood (
page 297).

Flip up cover positive under hood
terminal2 in front of the filter box
(page 412).1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive under hood terminal in front of
discharged battery
3Negative under hood terminal in front
of discharged battery
4Negative terminal of charged battery

Connect positive terminal1 of the
charged battery with positive under
hood terminal2 in front of the filter
box with the jumper cables. Clamp ca-
ble to charged battery1 first.

Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminal4 of the
charged battery with negative under
hood terminal3 in front of the filter
box with the jumper cables. Clamp ca-
ble to charged battery4 first.

Start the engine of the disabled
vehicle.
You can now again turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.

Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals3 and4 and then
from positive terminals2 and1.
You can now turn on the lights.

Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 302).
!Never invert the terminal connections!
!Vehicles with automatic transmission
and/or 4MATIC:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.

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

465 Index
Multifunction display messages
ABS 360
Brake fluid 370
Brake lamps 377
Brake pads 370
Coolant 371, 372, 373
Cruise control 374
Display 374
Door 374
Engine coolant 371, 372, 373
Engine oil 375
ESP
®
361, 362
Fog lamps 377, 379
Front passenger front
air bag 364, 367
Fuel cap 352, 376
Headlamps 378, 379
Hood 376
Key, SmartKey 376
Lamps, exterior 377–380
Parking brake 370
Parking lamp 379
Seat belt system 381
SRS 363
Steering gear oil 381Tele Aid* 382
Telephone* 382
Tilt/sliding sunroof* 382
Trunk 382
Turn signals 380
Windshield washer fluid 382
Multifunction steering wheel 26, 131,
452
Button operation 131
N
Navigation system* 138
See separate COMAND* operating
instructions
Net, parcel 258
Neutral gear position, Automatic
transmission* 162
Neutral gear position, Manual
transmission 161
New vehicle break-in 282
Night security illumination 121
Setting 151
Normal occupant weight 332
Number, vehicle identification (VIN) 428O
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 332
Occupant safety 62
Air bags 63
Children and air bags 64
Children in the vehicle 74
Fastening the seat belt 45
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 80, 356
Infant and child restraint systems 74
LATCH-type child seat anchors 83
OCS 77
Seat belts 45, 66
OCS 77, 452
Self-test 81
Odometer 130
Oil level see Engine oil level, Checking oil
level
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting
(Automatic transmission*) 168
Canceling gear range limit 169
Downshifting 169
Upshifting 169

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