2007 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 time

326 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
ú
±(USA only)
(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunction
indicator lamp comes on while
driving.Your fuel tank is empty.After refuelling start, turn off and
restart the engine three or four times
in succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You do
not need to have your vehicle checked.
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 271).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

338 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/
consequencePossible solution
Monitor the 56indicator lamp on the center console (page 27) and the mul-
tifunction display in the instrument cluster (
page 24) for the following:
With the seat unoccupied and the ignition turned on,

the 56indicator lamp on the center console should illuminate and remain
illuminated, indicating that the OCS (
page 64) has deactivated the air bag.

the message Front-pass. airbag enabled See Operator’s Manual or the mes-
sage
Front-pass. airbag disabled See Operator’s Manual should not appear
in the multifunction display at any time the seat is unoccupied. Wait at last 60 sec-
onds for the system to complete the necessary check cycles and to make sure nei-
ther message appears in the multifunction display.
If above conditions are met, you can occupy the front passenger seat again. Depend-
ing on the front passenger classification sensed by the OCS (
page 64), the
56indicator lamp will remain illuminated or go out.
If above conditions are not met, the system is not working properly. Have the system
checked as soon as possible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
If the 56indicator lamp remains
out even after performing the above correc-
tive steps, do not have any children 12 years
old and under and other small individuals use the front passenger seat until the sys-
tem has been repaired.

340 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/
consequencePossible solution
Monitor the 56indicator lamp on the center console (page 27) and the mul-
tifunction display in the instrument cluster (
page 24) for the following:
With the seat unoccupied and the ignition turned on,

the 56indicator lamp on the center console should illuminate and remain
illuminated, indicating that the OCS (
page 64) has deactivated the air bag.

the message Front-pass. airbag enabled See Operator’s Manual or the mes-
sage
Front-pass. airbag disabled See Operator’s Manual should not appear
in the multifunction display at any time the seat is unoccupied. Wait at last 60 sec-
onds for the system to complete the necessary check cycles and to make sure
neither message appears in the multifunction display.
If above conditions are met, you can occupy the front passenger seat again. Depend-
ing on the front passenger classification sensed by the OCS (
page 64), the
56indicator lamp will remain illuminated or go out.
If above conditions are not met, the system is not working properly. Have the system
checked as soon as possible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
If the 56indicator lamp remains
illuminated with an adult occupant on the
front passenger seat even after performing
the above corrective steps, do not have anypassenger use the front passenger seat until
the system has been repaired.

367 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs
Safe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling. It is there-
fore essential that all bulbs and lamp
assemblies are in good working order at all
times.Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for headlamp
adjustment.iIf the headlamps or front fog lamps are
fogged up on the inside as a result of high
humidity, driving the vehicle a distance with the
lights on should clear up the fogging.
iSubstitute bulbs will be brought into use
when lamps malfunction. Read and observe the
messages in the multifunction display
(
page 349).

389 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning!G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run

there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
as that will be necessary to adequately
control the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock,
remove SmartKey from starter switch and
reinsert.
iTo signal turns while being towed with the
hazard warning flasher in use, switch on the igni-
tion and activate the combination switch for the
left or right turn signal in the usual manner – only
the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warn-
ing flasher will operate again.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, please note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the SmartKey in starter switch position2, the ve-
hicle doors lock if the left front wheel as well as
the right rear wheel are turning at vehicle speeds
of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle doors from locking, deac-
tivate the automatic central locking
(
page 143).
Towing of the vehicle should only be done using
the properly installed towing eye bolt. Never at-
tach tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to vehicle
chassis, frame or suspension parts.
iIf the battery is disconnected or discharged

the SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch. For more information, see “Battery”
(
page 383) and “Jump starting”
(
page 386).

the gear selector lever will remain locked in
positionP. For information on manually un-
locking the transmission gear selector lever
see (
page 363).

415 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Switching fuels
For best performance and driveability it is
recommended to use either one or the oth-
er fuel. A refueling pattern that alternates
between the two different fuels should be
avoided if possible.
When switching fuels, make sure:

Fuel level is below half full.

Fuel level is above reserve (reserve
warning lamp is not lit).

Amount of added fuel is more than
5 gallons (20 liters).

Ignition is off during refill.

Immediately after refueling engine is
started and operated for at least five
minutes.
These precautions and recommendations
are supposed to prevent any difficulties
when starting and operating the engine
which otherwise may be experienced
before the engine has fully adapted to the
different fuel.If in spite of these recommendations the
engine does not perform properly, adding
more gasoline (at least 3 gallons
[12 liters]) to the fuel may improve the
engine behavior.
Cruising range
E85 fuel contains less energy per gallon
than gasoline. To ensure that engine per-
formance with Ethanol fuel is similar to
that when using gasoline, the engine must
burn more Ethanol fuel. As a result, it is to
be expected that the fuel consumption will
increase when using E85 compared to
gasoline operation.
Maintenance
Please inform your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center if you use or have
used E85 fuel when your vehicle is deliv-
ered for maintenance or repairs.Cold weather performance
It is possible that starting times will signif-
icantly increase at temperatures below
32°F (0°C). At low temperatures the use
of a block heater is recommended (see an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for fur-
ther information). Rough idling may also be
experienced at such temperatures before
the engine is fully warmed up.
Hot weather performance
At ambient temperatures above 95°F
(35°C) start times may increase and be
accompanied by a rough idle following the
start.iUse of E85 may reduce your driving range.
!E85 fuel is unsuitable for use when ambient
temperatures fall below 14°F (-10°C).

417 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
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.Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity
ModelApprox. freeze protection
–35°F
(–37°C)–49°F
(–45°C)
all
models3.8 US qt
(3.6 l)4.1 US qt
(3.9 l)

420 Index
Audio system 187
Audio and telephone, operation 187
Button and soft key operation 190
CD changer* with MP3 202
CD operation 201
Operating and display elements 188
Operating audio system 190
Operating safety 187
Radio operation 194
Telephone* operation 208
Auto-dimming mirror* 161
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating
(Control system) 143
Automatic climate control* 174
Control panel 175
Defrosting, front 179
Rear window defroster 163
Automatic headlamp mode 110
Automatic locking when driving 99
Automatic shift program 157
Automatic time change (Standard time,
Daylight Saving time) 137Automatic transmission 151
Accelerator position 155
Automatic shift program 157
Emergency operation
(limp-home mode) 159
Gear ranges 156
Gear selector lever 151
Gear selector lever positions 153
Gear shifting malfunctions 159
Kickdown 155
One-touch gearshifting 158
Program mode selector switch 157
Shifting procedure 152
Automatic transmission*
Fluid level (ATF) 277
Starting engine 47B
Backrest
Driver’s multicontour seat*
(Canada only) 105
Rear seat, folding 234
Seat, manual 35
Seat, power* 37
Backup lamps
Messages in display 352
Replacing bulbs 368
Bar 304
BAS 84
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 366
Checking battery condition 95
Battery, Vehicle 279, 383
Charging 385
Disconnecting and connecting 384
Jump starting 386
Removing and installing 384
Bead 304
Block heater (Canada only) 309
Bolts, Spare wheel 360