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
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.
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.
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).
418 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*
Both the windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system* are supplied from the
windshield washer fluid reservoir.
The washer fluid reservoir has a capacity of
approx.:
3.2 US qt (3.0 l) in vehicles without
headlamp cleaning system*
6.4 US qt (6.0 l) in vehicles with
headlamp cleaning system*
Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit”
and water (or concentrate and com-
mercially available premixed wind-
shield washer solvent/antifreeze,
depending on ambient temperatures).Windshield and headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
“MB SummerFit” and water:
1 part “MB SummerFit” to 100 parts
water
(1.34 fl oz [40 ml] “MB SummerFit” to
1 gallon [4.0 l] water)
For temperatures below freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
“MB SummerFit” and commercially avail-
able premixed windshield washer sol-
vent/antifreeze:
1 part “MB SummerFit” to 100 parts
solvent
(1.34 fl oz [40 ml] “MB SummerFit” to
1 gallon [4.0 l] solvent)
Warning!G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze
on hot engine parts, because it may ignite
and burn. You could be seriously burned.
421 Index
Brake fluid 412
Checking 273
Message in display 344
Brake lamps
Cleaning lenses 316
Replacing bulbs 373
Brake pads
Message in display 344
Brakes 262
Warning lamp 25, 324
Break-in period 260
Bulbs, replacing see Replacing bulbsC
California retail buyers and lessees,
important notice 11
Cargo area see Trunk
Cargo tie-down rings* 236
Carpets, cleaning 319
Catalytic converter 269
CD changer* 201
CD player* 128, 201
Centigrade see
Temperature display mode 133
Central locking
Automatic 99, 143
From inside 100
Locking/unlocking from inside 100
Switch 100
Certification label 398
Certification label, examples 398
Charcoal filter
Automatic climate control* 183Children in the vehicle 74
Air bags 60
Blocking rear
door window operation 80
Indicator lamp, front
passenger air bag 68, 331
Infant and child restraint systems 74
LATCH-type child seat anchors 79
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 64
Cigarette lighter 242
Climate control system 164
Control panel,
Automatic climate control 175
Control panel,
Climate control 165
Defrosting, Front 169
Rear window defroster 163
Clock 25, 121
Setting time 136, 137
Cockpit 22
Cold tire inflation pressure 304
Cold weather performance 415
Collapsible wheel chock 358
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