298 Operation
Tires and wheels
At the tire manufacturer’s option, any
tire with a speed capability above
149 mph (240 km/h) can include a
“ZR” in the size designation (for exam-
ple: 245/40 ZR18). To determine the
maximum speed capability of the tire,
the service description for the tire must
be referred to. The service description
is comprised of the tire load rating5
(
page 295) and the tire speed
rating6 (
page 295).
If your tire includes “ZR” in the size
designation and no service
description5 and6 (
page 295) is
given, the tire manufacturer must be
consulted for the maximum speed
capability. If a service description5 and6
(
page 295) is given, the speed capa-
bility is limited by the speed symbol in
the service description.
Example: 245/40 ZR18 97Y.
In this example, “97Y” is the service
description. The letter “Y” designates
the speed rating and the speed capabil-
ity of the tire is limited to 186 mph
(300 km/h).
Any tire with a speed capability above
186 mph (300 km/h) must include a
“ZR” in the size designation AND the
service description must be placed in
parenthesis. Example: 275/40 ZR 18
(99Y). The “(Y)” speed rating in paren-
thesis designates the maximum speed
capability of the tire as being above
186 mph (300 km/h). Consult the tire
manufacturer for the actual maximum
permissible speed of the tire.All-season and winter tires
IndexSpeed rating
QM+S1
1or M+S.for winter tires
up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
TM+S1up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
HM+S1up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
VM+S1up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
iNot all M+S rated tires provide special win-
ter performance. Make sure the tires you use
show M+S and the mountain/snow-
flake.marking on the tire sidewall. These
tires meet specific snow traction performance
requirements of the Rubber Manufacturers As-
sociation (RMA) and the Rubber Association of
Canada (RAC) and have been designed specifi-
cally for use in snow conditions.
308 Operation
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service
includes:
Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.
Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“MB SummerFit” to a premixed wind-
shield washer solvent/antifreeze
which is formulated for below freezing
temperatures (
page 418).
Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure that the engine can be started,
even at low ambient temperatures.
Tire change.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated
tires provide special winter performance.
Make sure the tires you use show M+S and
the mountain/snowflake.marking on
the tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance requirements
of the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and the Rubber Association of Can-
ada (RAC) and have been designed specif-
ically for use in snow conditions. Use of
winter tires is the only way to achieve the
maximum effectiveness of the ABS, ESP
®,
and 4MATIC in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure that all
mounted winter tires are of the same make
and have the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your
vehicle, you must place a notice to this
effect where it will be seen by the driver.
Such notices are available from your tire
dealer or from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than 1/6in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.
309 Operation
Winter driving
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not higher
than 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.
Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:
Using snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations
(
page 403).
Use snow chains in pairs and on rear
wheels only. Follow the manufacturer's
mounting instructions.
Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
be glad to advise you on this subject.
Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
Do not use snow chains on the spare
wheel (
page 406).
Warning!G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.!Some tire sizes do not leave adequate clear-
ance for snow chains. To help avoid serious dam-
age to your vehicle or tires, make sure that the
use of snow chains is permissible as specified in
the "Technical data" section of this Operator’s
Manual, see “Rims and Tires” (
page 403).
!If snow chains are mounted to the front
wheels, they may scrape against the body or axle
components. The tires or the vehicle could be
damaged as a result.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you may
wish to deactivate the ESP® (page 86) before
setting the vehicle in motion. This will improve
the vehicle‘s traction.
403 Technical data
Rims and Tires
Rims and Tires
!Only use tires which have been tested and
approved for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz.
Tires approved by Mercedes-Benz are developed
to provide best possible performance in conjunc-
tion with the driving safety systems on your vehi-
cle such as ABS or ESP
®. Tires specially
developed for your vehicle and tested and ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz can be identified by
finding the following on the tire’s sidewall:
MO = Mercedes-Benz Original equipment
tires
MOE = Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
(tires with limited run-flat characteristics)
original equipment tires. Using tires other
than those approved by Mercedes-Benz may
result in damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
iFor information on driving with MOExtended
tires, see “MOExtended system*” (
page 382).
!Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz can have detrimental effects,
such as
poor handling characteristics
increased noise
increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may, under load, exhibit dimen-
sional variations and different tire deformation
characteristics that could cause them to come
into contact with the vehicle body or axle parts.
Damage to the tires or the vehicle may be the
result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. A placard with the recommended tire in-
flation pressures is located on the driver’s door
B-pillar. Some vehicles may have supplemental
tire inflation pressure information for driving at
high speeds (
page 290) or for vehicle loads
less than the maximum loaded vehicle condition
(
page 290). If such information is provided, it can be found
on the placard located on the inside of the fuel
filler flap. The tire inflation pressure should be
checked regularly and should only be adjusted
on cold tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s mainte-
nance recommendation included with vehicle.
iThe following pages also list the approved
wheel rim and tire sizes for equipping your vehi-
cles with winter tires. Winter tires are not avail-
able as standard or optional factory equipment,
but can be purchased from an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the standard or
optional factory-equipped wheel rim/tire config-
uration on your vehicle (Appearance Package,
Sport Package etc.), equipping your vehicle with
winter tires approved for your vehicle model may
also require the purchase of two or four wheel
rims of the recommended size for use with these
winter tires. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for more information.
404 Technical data
Rims and Tires
Same size tires
ModelC 230
C 280
C 280 4MATIC
C 350
C 350 4MATICC 230 Sport
C 350 Sport
Rims (light alloy)7 J x 16 H27.5 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset1.22 in (31 mm)1.42 in (36 mm)
All-season tires1
1Radial-ply tires
205/55 R16 91H M+S -
Winter tires1,2
2Not available as factory equipment.
205/55 R16 91H M+S .225/45 R17 91H M+S .
or
225/45 R17 91H M+S .MOExtended
3
3Must be used in conjunction with Run Flat Indicator* only.
435 Index
Important notes,
Tire inflation pressure 290
Inflation pressure 273, 289, 290
Information Placard 285
Inspection 282
Load rating 306
MOExtended system* 382
MOExtended* 294, 403
Ply composition
and material used 306
Problems under-/overinflation 294
Retreads 281
Rims and tires 403
Rotating 307
Run Flat Indicator* 291
Service life 282
Sizes 403
Speed rating 266, 297, 306
Temperature 290, 303
Terminology 304
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Traction 265
Tread 306
Tread depth 283, 308
Treadwear indicators 306
Vehicle maximum load on 307Wear pattern 307
Winter 308
Tools 356
Top tether
Children in the vehicle 77
Towing eye bolt 390
Towing the vehicle 388
Tow-start 386, 388
Traction 86, 306
Transmission gear selector lever see
Gear selector lever
Transmission see
Automatic* or Manual transmission
Traveling abroad 268
Tread 306
Tread depth 283, 308
Treadwear indicators 306
Trip computer 144
Trip odometer 119
Trunk
Closing the lid 97
Fuse box 394
Lamp 117
Opening 95, 97
Tie-down rings 236
Trunk emergency release 98Unlocking in an emergency 98
Turn signal lamps
Messages in display 353
Replacing bulbs 368
Turn signals 50
Additional in mirrors 368
Bulbs 368
Cleaning lenses 316
Indicator lamps 25
Turning off engine 55
U
Uniform Tire
Quality Grading Standards 307
Units, Setting
Speedometer 134
Upholstery, Cleaning 320
Useful features 237
V
Vacuum line routing diagram label 399
Valet locking 99
Vehicle
Battery 383
Breaking-in the vehicle 260
Care 313
Dimensions 408
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