
440 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.CapacitiesVehicle components and their respective 
lubricants must match. Therefore only use 
products tested and approved by 
Mercedes-Benz. Please refer to the Factory Approved 
Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at 
your Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission
C230 (all models)
C280
C350
C3504MATIC
C3504MATIC
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
8.3 US qt (7.8 l)
8.3 US qt (7.8 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Manual transmission
C230 (all models)
C350
1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
1.6 US qt (1.5 l)
MB Manual Transmission Oil
Rear axle
C230 (all models)
C280 (all models)
C350
C350Sport
C3504MATIC
1.0 US qt (1.0 l)
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
1.0 US qt (1.0 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Front axle
C2804MATIC
C3504MATIC
0.5USqt (0.46l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Transfer case
C2804MATIC
C3504MATIC
approx. 0.62 US qt 
(0.59 l)
MB Transfer case fluid 

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. 

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). 

445 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
The coolant solution must be used 
year-round to provide the necessary corro-
sion protection and increase boil-over 
protection. Refer to Maintenance Booklet 
for replacement interval. 
Coolant system design and coolant used 
determine the replacement interval. The 
replacement interval published in the 
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable 
if MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze 
solution or other Mercedes-Benz approved 
products of equal specification (see 
Factory Approved Service Products 
pamphlet) are used to renew the coolant 
concentration or bring it back up to the 
proper level.To provide important corrosion protection, 
the solution must be at least 45% 
anticorrosion/antifreeze [equivalent to 
freeze protection to approx. -22°F 
(-30°C)]. 
If you use a solution that is more than 55% 
anticorrosion/antifreeze [freeze 
protection to approx. -49°F (-45°C)], the 
engine temperature will increase due to 
the lower heat transfer capability of the 
solution. Therefore, do not use more than 
this amount of anticorrosion/antifreeze.If the coolant level is low, water and 
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze should 
be used to bring it up to the proper level 
(have cooling system checked for signs of 
leakage). Please make sure the mixture is 
in accordance with label instructions. 
The water in the cooling system must meet 
minimum requirements, which are usually 
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you 
are not sure about the water quality, 
consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center. 

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. 

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 

469 Index
Sidewall 333
Ski sack* (Canada only) 250, 252, 253
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
Snow chains 337
Sound system* 204
Spare fuses 421
Spare wheel 436
Bolts 388
Mounting 406
Speed settings
Cruise control 249
Speedometer 25, 143
Split rear bench seat* 253
SRS 70, 453
Indicator lamp 25, 355
Message in display 363
Standing lamps
Replacing bulbs 398, 399
Standing water, Driving through 290
Starter switch 23, 33
Positions 33
Starting difficulties, Engine 50
Steering column 40, 41
Easy entry/exit feature* 42
Steering gear oil
Message in display 381Steering wheel 40
Buttons 26
Cleaning 347
Electrical adjustment* 41
Manual adjustment 40
Stolen vehicle
Recovery services 273
Storage compartments
Armrest 258
Cup holder 259
Glove box 257
Parcel net in front passenger 
footwell 258
Storing (memory function*)
Positions into memory 116
Storing tires 306
Submenus see Control system submenus
Substitute lamps
Bulbs 397
Summer opening feature 243
Sun visors 173
Sunshade* 174
Supplemental Restraint System see SRS
Symbols used in this operator’s 
manual 15T
Tachometer 25, 129
Overspeed range 129
Tail lamps
Cleaning 344
Messages in display 379
Replacing bulbs 399, 403
Tar stains 342
Technical data
Air conditioning refrigerant 442
Brake fluid 442
Coolant 440, 441, 444
Electrical system 437
Engine 430
Engine oil additives 442
Engine oils 442
Fuel requirements 444
Fuels 440, 441
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc 440
Gasoline additives 443
Lubricants 440
Premium unleaded gasoline 443
Rims and tires 432
Weights 439