2007 MERCEDES-BENZ C280 octane

13 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Operating your vehicle outside the USA
or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that

service facilities or replacement parts
may not be readily available,

unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat-
alytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts,

gasoline may have a considerably low-
er octane rating, and improper fuel can
cause engine damage.Certain Mercedes-Benz models are avail-
able for delivery in Europe under our
European Delivery Program. For details,
consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9

272 Operation
At the gas station
Turn the engine off by turning the
SmartKey to position0.
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Open the fuel filler flap by pushing at
the point indicated by arrow1.
The fuel filler flap springs open.
Turn fuel cap counterclockwise and
hold on to it until possible pressure is
released.
Take off cap and set it in direction of
arrow2 in the recess on the fuel filler
flap.
To prevent fuel vapors from escaping
into open air, fully insert filler nozzle
unit.
Only fill your tank until the filler nozzle
unit cuts out – do not top up or
overfill.
Replace fuel cap by turning it clockwise
until it audibly engages.
Close fuel filler flap.
iOnly use premium unleaded gasoline with a
minimum Posted Octane Rating of 91 (average
of 96 RON / 86 MON). Information on gasoline
quality can normally be found on the fuel pump.
C 230/C 230 Sport:
Flexible Fuel Vehicles are identified by a label
reading Premium gasoline or E85 only! on the
fuel filler flap.
For more information on gasoline or E85, see
“Premium unleaded gasoline” (
page 413) or
the Factory Approved Service Products pam-
phlet.
Warning!G
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create
pressure in the system which could cause a
gas discharge. This could cause the gas to
spray back out when removing the fuel
pump nozzle, which could cause personal
injury.
iMake sure to close the fuel filler flap before
locking your vehicle as the flap locking pin
prevents closing after you have locked the
vehicle.
iLeaving the engine running and the fuel cap
open can cause the yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp to flash and theú malfunction
indicator lamp (USA only) or the± malfunc-
tion indicator lamp (Canada only) to illuminate.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 325) and (page 326).

401 Technical data
Engine
Engine
ModelC 230 (203.052)1
C 230 Sport (203.052)1
1The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for the corresponding data of all special bodies and special equipment.
C 280 (203.054)1
C 280 4MATIC (203.092)1
Engine272272
Mode of operation4-stroke engine, gasoline injection4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
No. of cylinders66
Bore3.46 in (88.00 mm)3.46 in (88.00 mm)
Stroke2.69 in (68.40 mm)3.23 in (82.10 mm)
Total piston displacement152.3 cu in (2 496 cm3)182.8 cu in (2 996 cm3)
Compression ratio11.2:111.3:1
Output acc.
to SAE J 1349201 hp/6 200 rpm2
(150 kW/6 200 rpm)
2Premium fuel required. Performance may vary with fuel octane rating.
228 hp/6 000 rpm2
(170 kW/6 000 rpm)
Maximum torque acc.
to SAE J 1349181 lb-ft/2 700 – 5 500 rpm
(245 Nm/2 700 – 5 500 rpm)221 lb-ft/2 700 – 5 000 rpm
(300 Nm/2 700 – 5 000 rpm)
Maximum engine speed6500 rpm6500 rpm
Firing order1-4-3-6-2-51-4-3-6-2-5
Poly-V-belt2404 mm2404 mm

402 Technical data
Engine
ModelC 350 (203.056)1
C 350 Sport (203.056)1
C 350 4MATIC (203.087)1
Engine272
Mode of operation4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
No. of cylinders6
Bore3.65 in (92.90 mm)
Stroke3.38 in (86.00 mm)
Total piston displacement213.5 cu in (3 498 cm3)
Compression ratio10.7:1
Output acc.
to SAE J 1349268 hp/6 000 rpm2
(200 kW/6 000 rpm)
Maximum torque acc.
to SAE J 1349258 lb-ft/2 400 – 5 000 rpm
(350 Nm/2 400 – 5 000 rpm)
Maximum engine speed6 500 rpm
Firing order1-4-3-6-2-5
Poly-V-belt2 404 mm
1The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for the
corresponding data of all special bodies and special equipment.
2Premium fuel required. Performance may vary with fuel octane rating.

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).

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.

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.

425 Index
Fog lamps 112
Message in display 350, 352
Replacing bulbs 368
Four wheel electronic traction system
(4MATIC) with ESP
®88
4MATIC 88
Front air bags 63
Front lamps see Headlamps
Front passenger front air bag 63
Messages in display 337–340
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 27, 68, 331, 332
Front seat head restraints see
Head restraints
FSS (Flexible Service System)
(Canada vehicles) 310
Fuel 271, 272, 413
Additives 413
Capacities, Fuel tank 411
Cruising range 415
E85 (Ethanol fuel) 411, 415
Filling the tank 271
Fuel filler flap and cap, Multifunction
display messages 326, 349
Fuel gauge 25
Fuel reserve warning lamp 328Requirements, Octane rating 414
Switching (Flexible fuel vehicle) 415
Technical data 411, 413
Fuel consumption statistics
From start 144
Since last reset 145
Fuel filler flap 271
Fuel reserve warning lamp 25
Fuel tank
Capacity 411
Filler flap 271
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Capacities 409
Fuses 391
Fuse box (main) in
passenger compartment 392
Fuse box in engine compartment 392
Fuse box in trunk 394
Fuse extractor 394
Replacing 391G
Garage door opener* 253
Gasoline also see Fuel
Gasoline see Fuel
GAWR 305
Gear range
Automatic transmission 156
Limiting 156
Shifting into optimal 159
Gear selector lever 46, 47, 150, 151
Cleaning 319
Gearshift pattern 151
Lock 47
Position 152, 153
Position,
Automatic transmission* 121
Shifting procedure 152
Unlocking in an emergency 363
Global locking/unlocking see Key
Glove box 237
Good visibility 160
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GVW 305
GVWR 305