315 Operation
Vehicle care
Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical
components and connectors from contact
with water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB
Anticorrosion Wax, should be applied to
the engine compartment after every
engine cleaning. Before applying, all
control linkage bushings and joints should
be lubricated. The poly-V-belt and all
pulleys should be protected from any wax.
Vehicle washing
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, do
not forget to clean the inner sides of the
wheels.Hand-wash
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight.
Only use a mild car wash detergent,
such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a
diffused jet of water.
Direct only a very weak spray towards
the ventilation intake.
Use plenty of water and rinse the
sponge and chamois frequently.
Rinse with clean water and thoroughly
dry with a chamois.
Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on
the finish.Automatic car wash
You can have your car washed in an
automatic car wash from the start.
Automatic car washes without brushes are
preferable.
To protect the filter system, switch the
climate control or automatic climate
control to air recirculation mode, see
“Air recirculation” (
page 165) for
climate control or (
page 175) for
automatic climate control.
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it
before running it through the automatic
car wash.
!Do not use scouring agents on these parts.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the vehicle.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you nay scratch or damage the paint.
!Do not clean your vehicle in an automatic
touchless car wash which uses caustic spray.
Otherwise the caustic spray will damage the
paint or ornamental moldings.
383 Practical hints
Battery
Battery
The battery is located in the engine
compartment on the right hand side.
1Clamps
Removing filter box:
Release clamps1.
Remove filter box.
Installing filter box:
Insert filter box properly.
Secure it with clamps1.
Warning!G
Failure to follow these instructions can
result in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and
precautions when handling automotive
batteries (
page 279).
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Warning!G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
!Never loosen or detach battery terminal
clamps while the engine is running or the
SmartKey is in the starter switch. Otherwise the
alternator and other electronic components
could be severely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for maintenance
intervals or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further information.
384 Practical hints
Battery
2Negative terminal
3Positive terminal cover
Disconnecting the battery
Apply the parking brake (page 54).
Make sure the gear selector lever* is
set to positionP (
page 153) (manual
transmission: to Neutral (
page 149)).
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Open the hood (page 274).
Remove the filter box (page 383).
Read and observe safety instructions
and precautions (
page 279) and
(
page 383).
Disconnect the battery negative lead
from negative terminal2.
Remove cover3 from the positive
terminal.
Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Removing the battery
Remove the screw-nuts securing the
battery.
Remove the battery bracket.
Pull out the battery ventilation hose
from the battery (depending on battery
arrangement in your vehicle model, the
ventilation hose is located either on the
left or right side of the battery).
Take out the battery.
Warning!G
With a disconnected battery
you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch
automatic transmission*: the gear se-
lector lever will remain locked in
positionP
!Always disconnect the battery in the order
described below. Otherwise the vehicle’s
electronics can be damaged.
385 Practical hints
Battery
Charging and reinstalling the batteryCharge battery in accordance with the
instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.
Reinstall the charged battery. Follow
the previously described steps in
reverse order.
Reconnecting the battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Connect the battery positive lead and
fasten its cover3 (
page 384).
Connect the battery negative lead2
(
page 384).
Reinstall the filter box (page 383).Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12 volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
Warning!G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
An accessory battery charge unit specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available, permitting the charging of the bat-
tery in its installed position. Contact an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information and availability. Charge battery
in accordance with the separate instruc-
tions for the accessory battery charger.
!The battery, its filler caps and the battery
ventilation hose must always be securely in-
stalled when the vehicle is in operation.
!Always connect the battery in the order de-
scribed below. Otherwise the vehicle’s electron-
ics can be damaged.
!Never invert the terminal connections!
iThe following procedures must be carried
out following any interruption of battery power
(e.g. due to reconnection):
Set the clock (page 136).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
See COMAND operator’s manual.
Synchronize side windows (page 222).
Synchronize tilt/sliding sunroof*
(
page 226).
387 Practical hints
Jump starting
The battery is located in the engine
compartment on the right hand side. The
terminals for jump starting are located in
front of the battery.
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Apply the parking brake (page 54).
Make sure the gear selector lever* is
set to positionP (
page 153) (manual
transmission: to Neutral (
page 149)).
Open the hood (page 274).
Flip up cover from the positive under
hood terminal2 in front of the filter
box (
page 383).1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive under hood terminal in front of
discharged battery
3Negative under hood terminal in front
of discharged battery
4Negative terminal of charged battery
Connect positive terminal1 of the
charged battery with positive under
hood terminal2 in front of the filter
box with the jumper cable. Clamp cable
to charged battery1 first.
Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.
Connect the negative terminal4 of
the charged battery with the negative
under hood terminal3 in front of the
filter box with the second jumper cable.
Clamp cable to charged battery4
first.
Start the engine of the disabled
vehicle.
You can now turn on the electrical con-
sumers. Do not switch on the headlamps
under any circumstances.
Remove the jumper cables first from
the negative terminals3 and4 and
then from the positive terminals2
and1.
You can now switch on the headlamps.
Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!Never invert the terminal connections!
409 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle 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.
Warning!G
Comply with all valid regulations with
respect to handling, storing, and disposing
of service fluids. Otherwise you could
endanger persons or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of
children.
For health reasons, you should prevent
service fluids from coming into direct
contact with your eyes or any open wounds.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a
physician immediately.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter8.5 US qt (8.0 l)Approved engine oils
Automatic transmissionC 230 (all models)
C280
C 350 (all models)
C2804MATIC
C3504MATIC9.0 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 transmissionC 230 Sport
C 350 Sport1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
1.6 US qt (1.5 l)MB Manual Transmission Oil
412 Technical data
Fuels, 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 specifica-
tion other than those expressly required for the
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS
(Canada vehicles), 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 Vehicles) will result in engine or
emission control system damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Please follow Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles) recom-
mendations for scheduled oil changes. Failure to
do so will result in engine or emission control
system 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.
421 Index
Brake fluid 412
Checking 273
Message in display 344
Brake lamps
Cleaning lenses 316
Replacing bulbs 373
Brake pads
Message in display 344
Brakes 262
Warning lamp 25, 324
Break-in period 260
Bulbs, replacing see Replacing bulbsC
California retail buyers and lessees,
important notice 11
Cargo area see Trunk
Cargo tie-down rings* 236
Carpets, cleaning 319
Catalytic converter 269
CD changer* 201
CD player* 128, 201
Centigrade see
Temperature display mode 133
Central locking
Automatic 99, 143
From inside 100
Locking/unlocking from inside 100
Switch 100
Certification label 398
Certification label, examples 398
Charcoal filter
Automatic climate control* 183Children in the vehicle 74
Air bags 60
Blocking rear
door window operation 80
Indicator lamp, front
passenger air bag 68, 331
Infant and child restraint systems 74
LATCH-type child seat anchors 79
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 64
Cigarette lighter 242
Climate control system 164
Control panel,
Automatic climate control 175
Control panel,
Climate control 165
Defrosting, Front 169
Rear window defroster 163
Clock 25, 121
Setting time 136, 137
Cockpit 22
Cold tire inflation pressure 304
Cold weather performance 415
Collapsible wheel chock 358