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 410 of 441

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
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 412 of 441
411 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuel tank
including
a reserve of16.4 US gal (62.0 l)
2.1 US gal (8.0 l)Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(Avg. of 96 RON/86 MON)
C 230/C 230 Sport:
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (identified by a label
reading Premium gasoline or E85 only!
on fuel filler flap):
Alternative fuel: Ethanol fuel (E85)
Air conditioning systemR-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubri-
cant oil (never R-12)
Windshield washer3.2 US qt (3.0 l)MB Windshield Washer Concentrate1
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*6.4 US qt (6.0 l)
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit” and water for temperatures above freezing point or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit”
and commercially available premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below freezing point. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 418).
Page 413 of 441

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.
Page 414 of 441

413 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 per-
sonal injury.
Never allow sparks, flame or smoking mate-
rials near gasoline!
Turn off the engine before refueling
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid in-
haling fumes and skin or clothing contact,
extinguish all smoking materials.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the inha-
lation of fuel vapors can be damaging to
your health.
!To maintain the engine’s durability and per-
formance, premium unleaded gasoline must be
used. If premium unleaded is not available and
low octane fuel is used, follow these precau-
tions:
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 acceler-
ation.
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.
Page 415 of 441

414 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
pump) must be 91 min. It is an average
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.Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(C 230/C 230 Sport only)
Flexible Fuel Vehicles are identified by a
label reading Premium gasoline or E85
only! on fuel filler flap).
These vehicles are designed to operate on
premium unleaded gasoline or Ethanol fuel
(E85), or on any mixture of these two.
Ethanol fuel (E85) is a mixture of approxi-
mately 85% Ethanol and 15% unleaded
gasoline.
Warning!G
Ethanol fuel (E85) and its fumes are highly
flammable, poisonous and burn easily. Etha-
nol fuel can cause serious injuries if ignited
or if you come into contact with it or inhale
fumes of it. Avoid inhalation of Ethanol
fumes and skin contact with Ethanol. Extin-
guish all open flames before fueling. Never
smoke or create sparks close to Ethanol.
Page 416 of 441

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).