2007 MERCEDES-BENZ C280 Wiper

275 Operation
Engine compartment
The hood lock release lever is located to
the left of the steering wheel under the
dashboard.
1Hood lock release lever
Pull lever1 downwards.
The hood is unlocked and handle2
will extend out of the radiator grille. 2Handle for opening the hood
Pull handle2 to its stop out of
radiator grille.
Pull up on the hood (do not pull up on
the handle) and then release it.
The hood will be automatically held
open at shoulder height by gas-filled
struts. Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of
approximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.
Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
!To avoid damage to the windshield wipers or
hood, never open the hood if the wiper arms are
folded forward away from the windshield.
Warning!G
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hands or fingers.
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.
Make sure that the hood is securely en-
gaged before driving off. Do not continue
driving if the hood can no longer engage af-
ter an accident, for example. The hood could
otherwise come loose while the vehicle is in
motion and injure you and/or others.

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.

317 Operation
Vehicle care
Cleaning the windows and the wiper
blades
Make sure the hood is fully closed.
Switch off the ignition (page 32).
Fold the wiper arms forward until they
snap into place.
Clean the wiper blade inserts with a
clean cloth and detergent solution.
Use a soft, clean cloth and a mild win-
dow cleaning solution on all outside
and inside glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is recom-
mended.Light alloy wheels
If possible, clean wheels once a week.
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel
Care, a soft bristle brush and a strong
spray of water for cleaning the light
alloy wheels.!Never open the hood when the wiper arms
are folded forward.
Warning!G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove SmartKey from starter switch
before cleaning the windshield and/or the
wiper blades. Otherwise, the wiper motor
could suddenly turn on and cause injury.
!Do not pull on the wiper blade inserts. They
could tear.
!Fold the windshield wiper arms back onto
the windshield before turning the SmartKey in
the starter switch.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the wiper arm
back. If released, the force of the impact from
the tensioning spring could crack the windshield.
!To clean the window interior, do not use a
dry cloth, abrasives, solvents or cleaners
containing solvents. Do not touch the inside of
the front, rear or side windows with hard objects
such as an ice scraper or ring. Doing so may
damage the windows.
!Only use acid-free cleaning materials. Acid
may cause corrosion or damage the clear coat.
!The vehicle should not be parked for an
extended period of time immediately after it has
been cleaned, especially not after the wheel rims
have been cleaned with wheel rim cleaner.
Wheel rim cleaners can lead to increased
corrosion of the brake disks and brake pads.
Non-approved wheel cleaners may also damage
the wheel paint if the car is not driven after
cleaning. Therefore, the vehicle’s brake system
should always be warmed-up before it is parked
after cleaning. To do so, please drive your vehicle
for several minutes to allow the brakes to dry.
When applying Mercedes-Benz approved Tire
Care and Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care
products, take care not to spray them on the
brake disks.

321 Practical hints
What to do if …
Where will I find ...?
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency
Resetting activated head restraints
Replacing SmartKey batteries
Replacing bulbs
Replacing wiper blades
Flat tire
Battery
Jump starting
Towing the vehicle
Fuses

375 Practical hints
Replacing wiper blades
Replacing wiper blades
Removing and installing wiper blades
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Removing wiper blades
1Unlocking
2Tab
Pull the tab2 in direction of arrow1.
The wiper blade is unlocked.
Lift up the wiper arm as far as you need
to remove the wiper blade.
Carefully fold the wiper arm back to
rest on the windshield.
Warning!G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove SmartKey from starter switch be-
fore replacing a wiper blade. Otherwise, the
wiper motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
Warning!G
Wiper blades are components that are sub-
ject to wear and tear. Change the wiper
blades twice a year, preferably in the spring
and fall. Otherwise the windows will not be
properly wiped. As a result, you may not be
able to observe surrounding traffic condi-
tions and could cause an accident.
!Never open the hood when the wiper arms
are folded forward.
For your convenience, we recommend that you
have this work carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
!Do not pull on the wiper blade inserts. They
could tear.
!Hold on to the wiper arm. If released, the
force of the impact from the tensioning spring
could crack the windshield.

376 Practical hints
Replacing wiper blades
Installing wiper blades
1Recess
2Tab
3Locking
4Taper piece
5Square recessLift up the wiper arm as far as you need
to position the wiper blade under the
wiper arm and hold it.
Carefully fold the wiper arm back and
make sure that the taper piece4
slides into the recess1 at the wiper
blade.
Slide the tab2 back in direction of
arrow3 until it audibly engages.
The wiper blade is locked.
!Hold on to the wiper arm. If released, the
force of the impact from the tensioning spring
could crack the windshield.
!Make certain that the square recess5 on
the taper piece4 is on the top, otherwise the
taper piece4 cannot slide into the recess1 at
the wiper blade. If the square recess5 is not at
the top turn the taper piece4 around to bring
the square recess5 to the top.
!Make certain that the wiper blades are prop-
erly installed. Improperly installed wiper blades
may cause windshield damage.

436 Index
Individual settings 131, 132
Locking/unlocking 100
Locking/unlocking
in an emergency 361, 362
Lowering 381
Modifications and alterations,
Operating safety 16
Towing 388
Washing 314, 315
Weights 408
With flexible fuel 414
Vehicle jack 357
Vehicle lighting 273
Vehicle loading
Cargo tie-down rings* 236
Instructions 235, 284
Load limit 408
Roof rack* 230
Split rear bench seat* 233
Terminology 304
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 307
Vehicle recovery services,
Stolen (Tele Aid*) 247
Vehicle status message memory 130
Vehicle tool kit 356
VIN 398Voice control system*,
Hands-free microphone 29
W
Warning lamps see
Lamps, indicator and warning
Warning sounds
Driver’s or passenger’s seat belt 71
Parking brake 48
Seat belt telltale 328, 329
Warranty coverage 10, 397
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washer reservoir level 273
Washing the vehicle 313
Wear pattern (tires) 307
Weights, Vehicle 408
Wheel
Bolts 360
Change 381
Removing 379
Spare 357, 359, 406
Tightening torque 381
Wheels, Tires 281
Window curtain air bags 64
Windows see Power windowsWindshield
Cleaning 317
Defogging 170, 180
Replacing wiper blades 375
Washer fluid 280, 418
Washer system 418
Windshield washer fluid 418
Message in display 355
Mixing ratio 418
Refilling 280
Wiping with 52
Windshield washer system 418
Windshield wipers 51
Cleaning 317
Replacing wiper blades 375
Winter driving 308
Block heater (Canada only) 309
Snow chains 309
Tires 308
Winter driving instructions 267
Winter tires 308
Wiper blades
Cleaning 317
Replacing 375
Wood trims, Cleaning 320