Page 305 of 441

304 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire ply material
1Plies in sidewall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the sidewall
and under the tread.Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least three hours or
driven no more than one mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires is specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.
Page 355 of 441
354 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
_Steering oil
Visit workshopThe steering gear oil level is too low.
There is a danger of steering gear
damage.Have the system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
If the level of steering gear oil in reservoir is
too low, the steering power assistance could
fail. Much greater effort will then be needed
to turn the steering wheel.
Do not add steering oil without checking the
steering system.
Do not drive the vehicle. Have the system
checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Page 390 of 441

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).
Page 401 of 441
400 Technical data
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
All models
1Idler pulley
2Idler pulley
3Automatic belt tensioner
4Power steering pump
5Air conditioning compressor
6Crankshaft
7Coolant pump
8Generator (alternator)
Page 411 of 441
410 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Rear axleC 230 (all models)
C 280 (all models)
C 350
C 350 Sport
C 350 4MATIC1.0 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 axleC 280 4MATIC
C 350 4MATIC0.5USqt (0.46l)Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Transfer caseC 280 4MATIC
C 350 4MATICapprox. 0.62 US qt
(0.59 l)MB Transfer case fluid
Power steeringapprox. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)MB Power Steering Fluid (Pentosin
CHF 11S)
Front wheel hubsapprox. 2.1oz (60g)
eachHigh temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system0.5 US qt (0.5 l)MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling systemapprox. 7.8 US qt (7.4 l)MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/antifreeze
agent
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
Page 434 of 441

433 Index
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses 316
Messages in display 350
Replacing bulbs 373
Side windows see Power windows
Sidewall 306
Ski sack* (Canada only) 230, 232, 233
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
Snow chains 309
Sound system* 191
Spare fuses 391
Spare wheel 406
Bolts 360
Mounting 377
Speed settings
Cruise control 229
Speedometer 25, 134
Split rear bench seat* 233
SRS 70
Indicator lamp 25, 330
Message in display 342
Standing lamps
Replacing bulbs 368
Standing water, Driving through 268Starter switch 23, 32
Positions 32
Starting difficulties, Engine 47
Steering column 39, 40
Easy entry/exit feature* 40
Steering gear oil
Message in display 354
Steering wheel 38
Buttons 26
Cleaning 319
Electrical adjustment* 40
Lock 47
Manual adjustment 39
Stolen vehicle
Recovery services 253
Storage compartments
Armrest, Front 238
Cup holder 239
Glove box 237
Parcel net in
front passenger footwell 239
Telephone* 238
Storing (memory function*)
Positions into memory 108Storing tires 283
Submenus see Control system submenus
Substitute lamps
Bulbs 367
Summer opening feature 223
Sun visors 161
Sunshade* 162
Switching
Fuel (Flexible fuel vehicle) 415
Symbols used
in this operator’s manual 15