2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C280 parking brake

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting Safety Defects ............... 18
Vehicle data recording......................... 19
Information regarding electronic
recording devices........................... 19
At a glance.......................................... 21
Cockpit ................................................. 22
Instrument cluster ................................ 24
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 26
Center console ..................................... 27
Upper part ...................................... 27
Lower part ...................................... 28
Overhead control panel ........................ 29
Door control panel................................ 30
Getting started................................... 31
Unlocking ............................................. 32
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 32
Starter switch positions .................. 33
Adjusting .............................................. 35
Seats .............................................. 35
Steering wheel ................................ 40
Mirrors ............................................ 43
Driving .................................................. 45
Fastening the seat belt ................... 45
Starting the engine ......................... 48
Parking brake ................................. 50
Driving ............................................ 51
Switching on headlamps ................. 52
Turn signals .................................... 53
Windshield wipers ........................... 53
Problems while driving.................... 56
Parking and locking .............................. 57
Parking brake ................................. 58
Switching off headlamps................. 59
Turning off engine ........................... 59
Releasing seat belts........................ 59
Locking ........................................... 60

ContentsLoading .............................................. 250
Roof rack* .................................... 250
Ski sack* (Canada only) ............... 250
Split rear bench seat* .................. 253
Loading instructions ..................... 255
Cargo tie-down rings* .................. 256
Useful features .................................. 257
Storage compartments................. 257
Cup holders .................................. 259
Ashtrays ....................................... 261
Cigarette lighter ........................... 262
Power outlet ................................. 263
Telephone*................................... 264
Tele Aid* ...................................... 265
Garage door opener* ................... 273
Operation......................................... 281
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)......... 282
Driving instructions............................ 283
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 283
Drinking and driving ..................... 283
Pedals .......................................... 283
Power assistance ......................... 283
Brakes .......................................... 284
Driving off .................................... 285
Parking ......................................... 285
Tires ............................................. 286
Hydroplaning ................................ 287
Tire traction.................................. 287
Tire speed rating .......................... 288
Winter driving instructions ........... 289
Standing water ............................. 290
Passenger compartment .............. 290
Driving abroad.............................. 290
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 291
Catalytic converter ....................... 291
Emission control .......................... 292
Coolant temperature .................... 293At the gas station .............................. 294
Refueling ...................................... 294
Check regularly and before
a long trip..................................... 295
Engine compartment ......................... 297
Hood ............................................ 297
Engine oil ..................................... 298
Transmission fluid level ................ 300
Coolant level ................................ 301
Battery ......................................... 302
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 303
Tires and wheels................................ 304
Important guidelines .................... 304
Tire care and maintenance........... 305
Direction of rotation..................... 307
Loading the vehicle ...................... 307
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 314
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 316
MOExtended system*
(Canada only) ............................... 320
Tire labeling ................................. 321
Load identification ....................... 325
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 326

23 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Cruise control lever
247
2
Multifunction steering
wheel
26,
131
3
Horn
4
Instrument cluster
24,
127
5
Lever for voice control
system*, see separate
operating instructions
6
Overhead control panel
29
7
Glove box lid release
257
8
Glove box lock
257
Item
Page
9
Center console
27
a
Starter switch
33
b
Hood lock release
297
c
Steering wheel adjustment
handle (manual)
40
d
Steering wheel adjustment
lever (electrical)*
41
e
Parking brake pedal
50, 58
f
Remote trunk opening
switch
104
g
Door control panel
30
h
Parking brake release
50
Item
Page
j
Combination switch

Turn signals
53


Windshield wipers
53


High beam
52
k
Exterior lamp switch
52,
118
l
Exterior rear view mirror
adjustment
43,
117
m
Headlamp washer button*
170

50 Getting startedDrivingStarting difficulties
If the engine does not start as described,
carry out the following steps:
Turn the SmartKey in starter switch to
position0 and repeat the starting
procedure (
page 48).
Remember that extended starting
attempts can drain the vehicle battery.

Get a jump start (
page 415).
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts, there could be a mal-
function in the engine electronics or in the
fuel supply system.

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Parking brake
1Release handle
2Parking brake pedal

Release parking brake by pulling on
handle1.
The warning lamp; (USA only)
or3 (Canada only) in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children
could release the parking brake, which
could result in an accident and/or serious
injury.

51 Getting started
Driving
Driving
Manual transmission

Depress the brake pedal.

Fully depress the clutch pedal.

Move gearshift lever to first gear to
drive forward, or to reverse gear to
drive rearward.

Simultaneously release the brake pedal
and slowly the clutch pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.Automatic transmission*

Depress the brake pedal.

Move gear selector lever to positionD
to drive forward, or to positionR to
drive rearward.

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.!If you hear a warning signal and the
message
Release parking brake
ap-
pears in the multifunction display when
driving off, you have forgotten to re-
lease the parking brake.
!Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear.
iOnce the vehicle is in motion, the auto-
matic central locking system engages
and the locking knobs drop down.
For more information, see “Automatic
central locking” (
page 107).
!Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high
engine speeds may shorten the service
life of the engine.
!Wait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.!Place the gear selector lever in
positionP orR only when the vehicle is
stopped in order to avoid damaging the
transmission.


57 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.Warning!
G
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Wait until the vehicle is stationary before
removing the SmartKey from the starter
switch. The vehicle cannot be steered when
the SmartKey is removed.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
system. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Manual transmission: Move the gear-
shift lever to neutral position (no gear is
selected).


Firmly depress parking brake pedal.


Automatic transmission*: Move the
gear selector lever to positionP.


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards the road curb.


Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch.


Take the SmartKey and lock the vehicle
when leaving.

58 Getting startedParking and lockingParking brake
1Release handle
2Parking brake pedal
Step firmly on parking brake pedal2.
When the engine is running, the brake
warning lamp; (USA only)
or3(Canada only) in the
instrument cluster comes on.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children
could release the parking brake and/or
move the gear selector lever* from
positionP, either of which could result in an
accident and/or serious injury.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear se-
lector lever* not fully engaged in positionP
is dangerous. Also, when parked on an in-
cline, positionP alone may not prevent your
vehicle from moving, possibly hitting people
or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (manual transmission:
first or reverse gear).
When parked on an incline, turn front wheel
towards the road curb.

59 Getting started
Parking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn exterior lamp switch
toM(
page 52).
For more information, see “Lighting”
(
page 118).
Turning off engine 
Manual transmission: Move the gear-
shift lever into first or reverse gear.

Automatic transmission*: Place the
gear selector lever in positionP.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0.

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
The immobilizer is activated.
Releasing seat belts
Press the seat belt release button
(page 46).
Allow the retractor to completely
rewind the seat belt by guiding the
latch plate.
iAlways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to positionP (manual
transmission: first or reverse gear).
On slopes, turn the front wheels
towards the road curb. iVehicles with automatic transmission:
The SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.
!Make sure the seat belt retracts fully so
that the seat belt and/or latch plate
cannot get caught or pinched in the
door or in the seat mechanism. This
can damage the seat belt and impair
the effectiveness of the seat belt,
and/or cause damage to the door
and/or door trim panel. Such damage
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Damaged seat belts must be replaced.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.