2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C55AMG engine

438 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Premium unleaded gasolineGasoline 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 exceed2/3 of maximum
accelerator pedal position if the
vehicle is fully loaded or operating
in mountainous terrain.

439 Technical data
Fuels, 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
p um p) m us t be 91 mi n. It i s an a vera 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).

440 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.Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of
aluminum parts. The use of aluminum
components in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be specifi-
cally formulated to protect the aluminum
parts.
Failure to use such anticorrosion/anti-
freeze coolant will result in a significantly
shortened service life.
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
Mercedes-Benz 325.0
anticorrosion/antifreeze agent.
Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion/antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for service.

442 Technical data
Fuels, 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 “MB SummerFit”
and water (or concentrate and com-
mercially available premixed wind-
shield washer solvent/antifreeze,
depending on ambient temperatures).Windshield and headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
“MB SummerFit” and water:

1 part “MB SummerFit” to 100 parts
water
(1.34floz [40ml]“MBSummerFit” to
1 gallon [4.0 l] water)
For temperatures below freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
“MB SummerFit” and commercially avail-
able premixed windshield washer sol-
vent/antifreeze:

1 part “MB SummerFit” to 100 parts
solvent
(1.34floz [40ml]“MBSummerFit” to
1 gallon [4.0 l] 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.

444 Technical terms
CAN system
(C
ontroller Area Network)
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)
Collapsible tire
An especially compact spare tire that
must be inflated with a provided air
pump before using. It should only be
used to bring the vehicle to the nearest
service station.COMAND*
(C
ockpit Management and Data
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.).
Control 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 332)DOT
(D
epartment of Transportation)
(
page 332)
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 Stability Program)
Improves vehicle handling and
directional stability.

445 Technical terms
ETD
(E
mergency Tensioning Device)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the
system’s threshold to tighten the
seat belts.
->SRS
FSS (Canada vehicles)
(F
lexible Service System)
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 Axle Weight Rating)
(
page 332)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.
GPS
(G
lobal Positioning System)
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 Vehicle Weight) (page 332)
GVWR
(G
ross Vehicle Weight Rating)
(
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.

446 Technical terms
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 load rating
(
page 332)
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(
page 332)
Maximum tire inflation pressure
(
page 333)
Memory function
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and mirror positions.MON
(M
otor Octane Number)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a
gasoline’s ability to resist undesired
detonation (knocking). The average of
both the MON (Motor Octane Number)
and ->RON (Research Octane Number)
is posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Multifunction display
Display field in the instrument cluster
used to present information provided
by the control system.
Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for
operating the control system.
Normal occupant weight
(
page 333)Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
of the tachometer dial. Avoid this
engine speed range, as it may result in
serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.
Power train
Collective term designating all
components used to generate and
transmit motive power to the drive
axles, including

engine

clutch/torque converter

transmission

transfer case

drive shaft

differential

axle shafts/axles

450 Index
Audio system 197
Audio and telephone, operation 197
Button and soft key operation 200
CD changer* with MP3 216
CD operation 214
Operating and display elements 198
Operating audio system 200
Operating safety 197
Radio operation 205
Telephone* operation 223
Auto-dimming mirror* 169
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating
(Control system) 147
Automatic climate control*
(Canada only) 184
Control panel 185
Defrosting, front 190
Rear window defroster 173
Automatic headlamp mode 115
Automatic locking when driving 103
Automatic shift program
Program mode selector switch
(Automatic transmission) 161Automatic time change (Standard time,
Daylight Saving time) 142
Automatic transmission 155
Accelerator position 158
Automatic shift program 161
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 168
Fluid level (ATF) 301
Gear ranges 160
Gear selector lever 155
Gear shifting malfunctions 168
Kickdown 158
Kickdown, manual shift program 167
Manual shift program 165
Manual shifting 162
One-touch gearshifting,
Gear selector lever 162
One-touch gearshifting,
Steering wheel gearshift
control 163
Program mode selector switch 161
Program mode selector switch,
manual shift program 165
Starting engine 46B
BabySmartTM
Air bag deactivation system 75, 443
Compatible child seats 75, 443
Self-test 76
Backrest
Rear seat, folding 252
Seat, power 36
Backup lamps
Messages in display 374
Replacing bulbs 396
Bar 331
BAS 84, 443
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 393
Checking battery condition 98
Battery, Vehicle 303, 411
Charging 413
Disconnecting and connecting 412
Jump starting 415
Removing and installing 412
Bead 331
Bi-Xenon headlamps see headlamps
Block heater (Canada only) 337
Bolts, Spare wheel 385
Brake Assist System see BAS