Page 161 of 441
160 Controls in detail
Good visibility
For information on the windshield wipers,
see “Windshield wipers” (
page 51).
Headlamp cleaning system*
The button is located on the left side of the
dashboard.
1Headlamp washer button
Switch on the ignition (page 32).
Press button1.
The headlamps are cleaned with a
high-pressure water jet.For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system*”
(
page 280).
Rear view mirrors
For more information on setting the rear
view mirrors, see “Mirrors” (
page 41).
Interior rear view mirror,
antiglare position
1Lever
Tilt the mirror to the antiglare position
by moving lever1 towards the wind-
shield.
The interior rear view mirror is dimmed.
iThe headlamps will automatically be
cleaned when you have
switched on the headlamps
and
operated the windshield wipers with wind-
shield washer fluid fifteen times
When you switch off the ignition, the counter
resets.
Page 162 of 441

161 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Auto-dimming rear view mirrors*
The reflection brightness of the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side and
the interior rear view mirror will respond
automatically to glare when
the ignition is switched on
and
incoming light from headlamps falls on
the sensor in the interior rear view
mirror.
The rear view mirror will not react if
reverse gearR is engaged
the interior lighting is turned on
Sun visors
The sun visors protect you from sun glare
while driving.
Warning!G
The auto-dimming function does not react if
incoming light is not aimed directly at
sensors in the interior rear view mirror.
The interior rear view mirror and the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side do not
react, for example, if the rear window
sunshade* is in raised position.
Light hitting the mirror(s) at certain angles
(incident light) could blind you. As a result,
you may not be able to observe traffic con-
ditions and could cause an accident.
Warning!G
In the case of an accident, liquid electrolyte
may escape from the mirror housing if the
mirror glass breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not
allow the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
!Electrolyte drops coming into contact with
the vehicle paint finish can be completely re-
moved only while in the liquid state and by apply-
ing plenty of water.
Warning!G
Exercise care when using the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your
interior rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.
Warning!G
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.
Keep the vanity mirrors in the sun visors
closed while vehicle is in motion. Reflected
glare can endanger you and others.
Page 317 of 441

316 Operation
Vehicle care
Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of
ornamental moldings, use a damp cloth.Headlamps, tail lamps, side markers,
turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo, with plenty of water.
!Make sure that the windshield wiper switch
is set to0 (
page 51). Otherwise, e.g. the rain
sensor could activate and cause the wipers to
move unintentionally. This may lead to vehicle
damage.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in exterior
rear view mirrors prior to running the vehicle
through an automatic car wash to prevent
damage to the mirrors.
iAfter running the vehicle through an
automatic car wash, wipe any wax off of the
windshield (
page 317). This will prevent
smears and reduce wiping noise which can be
caused by residual wax on the windshield.
When leaving the car wash, make sure that the
mirrors are folded out. Otherwise they may
vibrate.
!Do not use chrome cleaner on ornamental
moldings. Although ornamental moldings may
have chrome appearance, they could be made of
anodized aluminum that will be damaged when
cleaned with chrome cleaner. Instead, use a
damp cloth to clean those ornamental moldings.
For very dirty ornamental moldings of which you
are sure are chrome-plated, use a chrome
cleaner. If in doubt whether an ornamental
molding is chrome-plated, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
!Only use window cleaning solutions that are
suitable for plastic lamp lenses. Window
cleaning solutions which are not suitable may
damage the plastic lamp lenses of the
headlamps. Therefore, do not use abrasives,
solvents or cleaners that contain solvents.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the lenses.
Do not attempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the lens
surface.
Page 370 of 441

369 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Notes on bulb replacement
Only use 12 volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.
Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.
Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.
Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.
If the newly installed bulb does not
come on, visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Have 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
Warning!G
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot.
Allow the lamp to cool down before
changing a bulb.
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas.
A bulb can explode if you
touch or move it when hot
drop the bulb
scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.
!Do not replace the LEDs yourself. You could
otherwise damage the LEDs or parts of the
vehicle. Only have the LEDs replaced by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 374 of 441

373 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Front turn signal lamp bulb
Turn bulb socket3 with the bulb
counterclockwise and remove it.
Press gently onto the bulb and turn it
counterclockwise out of bulb
socket3.
Press new bulb gently into bulb
socket3 and turn clockwise until it
engages.
Place bulb socket3 back into the
lamp and turn it clockwise.
Parking and standing lamp bulb
Press the clamp on housing cover2
and remove it.
Pull out bulb socket5 with the bulb.
Pull the bulb out of bulb socket5.
Press the new bulb into bulb socket5.
Press bulb socket5 back into the
lamp.
Align housing cover2 and press until
it engages.Additional turn signal lamp bulbs
The additional turn signal lamps in the
exterior rear view mirrors have LEDs.
If a malfunction occurs or LEDs fail to
function, the entire turn signal unit must be
replaced. Have the turn signal unit
replaced by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Front side marker lamp bulbs
Since replacing the side marker lamp bulbs
is a technically highly demanding process,
we recommend you have the side marker
lamp bulbs replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a rear
lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionM (
page 109).
Open the trunk (page 96).
Tail lamp unit
1Latch
Page 409 of 441
408 Technical data
Main dimensions and weights
Main dimensions
Weights
ModelC 230
C 230 SportC 280
C 350C 280 4MATIC
C 350 4MATICC 350 Sport
Overall vehicle length178.4 in (4 532 mm)178.4 in (4 532 mm)178.4 in (4 532 mm)178.4 in (4 532 mm)
Overall vehicle width (exte-
rior rear view mirrors fold-
ed out)77.8 in (1977 mm)77.8in (1977mm)77.8 in (1977 mm)77.8 in (1977 mm)
Overall vehicle height55.6in (1413mm)56.1 in (1 426 mm)56.3 in (1 429 mm)55.5 in (1 410 mm)
Wheelbase106.9 in (2 715 mm)106.9 in (2 715 mm)106.9 in (2 715 mm)106.9 in (2 715 mm)
Track, front59.3in (1505mm)59.3 in (1 505 mm)59.3 in (1 505 mm)59.3 in (1 505 mm)
Track, rear58.1in (1476mm)58.1 in (1 476 mm)58.1 in (1 476 mm)58.1 in (1 476 mm)
Roof load max.220 lb (100 kg)
Trunk load max.220 lb (100 kg)
Page 425 of 441

424 Index
Emergency, in case of
Battery, Jump starting 386
First aid kit 322, 356
Flat tire, Changing 377
Fuses 391
Hazard warning flasher 115
Instrument cluster,
Indicator lamps 322–330
Roadside Assistance 12, 250
Towing the vehicle 388
Emission control 270
Information label 399
System warranties 10
Engine
Belt layout 400
Block heater (Canada only) 309
Brake-in recommendations 260
Cleaning 315
Compartment 274
Malfunction indicator lamp 25, 325
Maximum engine speed 401
Number 399
Starting 46, 47
Tachometer 25
Technical data 401
Turning 55Engine coolant see coolant
Engine oil 276, 412
Adding 277
Additives 412
Changing 409
Checking level (Dipstick) 276
Consumption 276
Filler neck 277
Recommended engine
and oil filter 348
ESP
®85
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP
®88
Messages in display 335–336
Warning lamp 25, 327
ETD 72
Safety guidelines 62
Ethanol fuel
At the gas station 271
Switching fuels 415
Exterior lamp switch 50, 109
Exterior rear view mirrors 42F
Fahrenheit see
Temperature display mode 133
Filler neck, Engine oil 277
First aid kit 356
Flat tire 377
Jacking up the vehicle 378
Lowering the vehicle 381
Minispare wheel 359
Mounting the spare wheel 377
Preparing the vehicle 377
Flexible fuel vehicles 414
At the gas station 271
Switching fuels 415
Flexible Service System see FSS
Fluids
Automatic
transmission fluid 277, 409
Brake fluid 273, 412
Capacities 409
Engine coolant 273, 416
Engine oil 276, 412
Power steering fluid 410
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system* 280, 418
Page 428 of 441

427 Index
Interior lighting 116
Delayed shut-off 142
Interior rear view mirror 42
Antiglare positions 160
Auto-dimming mirrors* 161
Interior storage spaces see
Storage compartment
J
Jack 356
Jacking up the vehicle 378
Jump starting 386K
Key, mechanical 361
Key, SmartKey
Batteries 95
Battery check lamp 95
Changing batteries 366
Factory setting 93
Locking/unlocking 32, 93
Locking/unlocking, Global setting 94
Locking/unlocking,
Selective setting 94
Loss of 95
Messages in display 349
Opening and closing
the power windows 223
Opening and closing
the tilt/sliding sunroof* 223
Positions in starter switch 32
Remote control 92
Starting the engine 46
Steering wheel lock 33
Turning off the engine 55
Unlocking, Trunk lid 95
Valet locking 99
Kickdown 155
Kilopascal 305L
Labels 398
Certification 398
Emission control information 399
Emission control
vacuum line routing 399
Lamps, exterior 368
Light sensor 349
Messages in display 349 - 353
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 25, 322
Battery (SmartKey) 94
Brakes 25, 324
Engine diagnostics 325, 330
Engine malfunction 25, 325–326
ESP
®25, 327
Fog lamps 109
Front passenger front
air bag off 27, 63
Fuel reserve 25, 328
High beam headlamps 25
Instrument cluster 322–330
Low beam headlamps 25
Maintenance service indicator 310
Rear fog lamp 109
Seat belt telltale 25