Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions¥Check
Washer
FluidThe water level has dropped to approximately 1.1 US qts
(1.0 l).XAdd washer fluid ( Y page 228).DPower
Steering
Malfunctio
n
See
Operator's
ManualPower assistance for the steering system is not available. A
considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to steer the
vehicle.XCheck whether you are capable to apply the higher degree
of effort necessary to safely steer the vehicle.
If you are able to steer the vehicle safely:
XContinue driving with added caution.XHave the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If, in any way, you feel that you are not able to steer the vehicle
safely:
XStop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as it is safe to
do so.XApply the parking brake.XDo not continue to drive.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Engine
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions+Check
Coolant
Level See
Operator's
ManualThe coolant level is too low.XAdd coolant ( Y page 227).XIf you have to add coolant frequently, have the cooling
system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.GWarning!
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may burn
if it comes into contact with hot engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
! Do not ignore the low engine coolant level warning. Extended driving with the message
and symbol displayed may cause serious engine damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount of coolant in the cooling system. The engine will
overheat causing major engine damage.
288Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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EngineProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions;
The yellow engine
malfunction indicator
lamp comes on when
the engine is running.There may be a malfunction in
R the fuel management system
R the ignition system
R the emission control system
R systems which affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive emissions values and
may switch the engine to limp-home (emergency operation) mode.XHave the vehicle checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
i Some states may by law require you to visit a workshop as
soon as the engine malfunction indicator lamp comes on. Check
local requirements.
;
The yellow engine
malfunction indicator
lamp comes on when
the engine is running.A loss of pressure has been detected in the fuel system. The fuel
cap may not be closed properly or the fuel system may be leaky.XCheck the fuel cap ( Y page 222).XIf it is not closed properly: Close the fuel cap.XIf it is closed properly: Have the fuel system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.?The red coolant
temperature
warning lamp
comes on when
the engine is
running.There is insufficient coolant in the reservoir.
If this warning lamp comes on frequently, there is a leak in the
cooling system.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric radiator fan may be
broken.XImmediately add coolant to prevent engine from overheating
( Y page 227).XHave the cooling system checked.XIf the coolant temperature is below 248‡ (120†), you can
continue driving to the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.XAvoid high engine loads (e.g. driving uphill) and stop-and-go
driving.What to do if …305Practical hints204_AKB; 5; 23, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-16T17:54:06+02:00 - Seite 305Z
Flexible Fuel Vehicles
All models of the C 300 with automatic
transmission are Flexible Fuel Vehicles.
Flexible Fuel Vehicles are identified by a label
reading Premium gasoline or E85 only! on
the 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 approximately 85%
ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline.GWarning!
Ethanol fuel (E85) and its fumes are highly
flammable, poisonous and burn easily.
Ethanol 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.
Extinguish all open flames before refueling.
Never smoke or create sparks close to
ethanol.
Switching fuels
For best performance and driveability it is
recommended to use either one or the other
fuel. A refueling pattern that alternates
between the two different fuels should be
avoided if possible.
When switching fuels, make sure:
R Fuel level is below half full.
R Fuel level is above reserve (fuel tank
reserve warning lamp is not lit).
R Amount of added fuel is more than
5 gallons (20 liters).
R Ignition is off during refill.
R Immediately after refueling engine is
started and operated for at least 5 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.
Fuel consumption
E85 fuel contains less energy per gallon than
gasoline. To ensure that engine performance
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 delivered for
maintenance or repairs.
Cold weather performance
It is possible that starting times will
significantly increase at temperatures below
32‡ (0†). At low temperatures the use of a
block heater is recommended (contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information). Rough idling may also be
experienced at such temperatures before the
engine is fully warmed up.
! E85 fuel is unsuitable for use when
ambient temperatures fall below 14‡
(-10†).
Hot weather performance
At ambient temperatures above 95‡ (35†)
start times may increase and be
accompanied by a rough idle following the
start.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine
manufacturers is carbon build-up caused by
gasoline. Mercedes-Benz recommends only
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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:
R Warm-up hesitation
R Unstable idle
R Knocking/pinging
R Misfire
R Power loss
In areas where carbon deposits may be
encountered due to lack of availability of
gasoline which contains these additives, the
use of Mercedes-Benz approved additives is
recommended.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or visit www.mbusa.com (USA only) for a
listing of approved products. Follow
directions on the product label.
Do not blend other fuel additives with fuel.
This only results in unnecessary cost and may
be harmful to the 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 are not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty or by any pre-owned
or Extended Limited Warranties.
Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water and
anticorrosion/antifreeze, which provides:
R Corrosion protection
R Freeze protection
R Boiling protection (by increasing the boiling
point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection to
approximately -35‡ (-37†) and corrosion
protection.
! Add premixed coolant solution only.
Adding water and MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/
Antifreeze separately from each other,
could cause engine damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to -35‡
(-37† ), the boiling point of the coolant in the
pressurized cooling system is reached at
approximately 266‡ (130†).
The coolant solution must be used year round
to provide the necessary corrosion protection
and increase boil-over protection. Refer to
the Maintenance Booklet for replacement
interval.
Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze solution
or other Mercedes-Benz approved products
of equal specification are used to renew the
coolant concentration or bring it back up to
the proper level.
For information on other Mercedes-Benz
approved products of equal specification,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or visit www.mbusa.com (USA only).
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 50%
anticorrosion/antifreeze (equivalent to
freeze protection to approximately -35‡
[-37†]).
If you use a solution that is more than 55%
anticorrosion/antifreeze (freeze protection
to approximately -49‡ [-45†]), the engine
temperature will increase due to the lower
heat transfer capability of the solution.
Therefore, do not use more than this amount
of anticorrosion/antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and MB 325.0
Anticorrosion/Antifreeze should be used to
bring it up to the proper level (have cooling356Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Technical data
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