2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class SEDAN Water fill up

yourself. Do not spill any engine oil on hot
engine parts.HEnvironmental note
When adding oil, take care not to spill any. If
oil enters the soil or waterways, it is harmful
to the environment.
! Use only engine oils and oil filters that
have been approved for vehicles equipped
with a service system. A list of the engine
oils and oil filters tested and approved in
accordance with the Mercedes-Benz
Specifications for Service Products can be
called up by visiting http://
www.mbusa.com (USA only). More
information about tested and approved
engine oils and oil filters is available from
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Damage to the engine or exhaust system is
caused by the following:
R using engine oils and oil filters which
have not been specifically approved for
the service system.
R replacing the engine oil or oil filter after
the replacement interval required by the
service system has elapsed
R using engine oil additives.
! Do not add too much oil. If the oil level is
above the "max" mark on the dipstick, too
much oil has been added. This can lead to
damage to the engine or the catalytic
converter. Have excess oil siphoned off.
Example: engine oil cap
XTurn cap : counterclockwise and remove
it.XAdd engine oil.
If the oil level is at or below the MIN mark
on the oil dipstick,
add 0.55 to 1.1 US qt (0.5 to 1.0 l) engine
oil.XReplace cap : on the filler neck and turn
clockwise.
Ensure that the cap locks into place
securely.XCheck the oil level again with the oil
dipstick ( Y page 279).
Further information on engine oil
( Y page 349).
Checking and adding other service
products
Checking the coolant level
Only check the coolant level when the vehicle
is on a level surface and the engine has cooled
down.
XTurn the SmartKey to position
2 (Y page 137) in the ignition lock.
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, press the
Start/Stop button twice ( Y page 137).XCheck the coolant temperature display in
the instrument cluster.
The coolant temperature must be below
158 ‡ (70 †).GWARNING
In order to avoid any potentially serious burns:
R use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system, or
if the coolant temperature display indicates
that the coolant is overheated.
R do not remove the pressure cap on the
coolant reservoir if the coolant temperature
is above 158 ‡ (70 †). Allow the engine to
cool down before removing the cap. The
280Engine compartmentMaintenance and care

coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and is
under pressure.
R using a rag, slowly turn the cap
approximately 1
/ 2 turn to relieve excess
pressure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out under
pressure.
R do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts.XSlowly turn cap : half a turn counter-
clockwise and allow excess pressure to
escape.XTurn cap : further counter-clockwise and
remove it.
If the coolant is at the level of marker bar
= in the filler neck when cold, there is
enough coolant in coolant expansion
tank ;.
If the coolant is approximately 0.6 in
(1.5 cm) above marker bar = in the filler
neck when warm, there is enough coolant
in coolant expansion tank ;.XIf necessary, add coolant that has been
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.XReplace cap : and turn it clockwise as far
as it will go.
For further information on coolant, see
( Y page 350).
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system
The washer fluid reservoir is used for both the
windshield washer system and the headlamp
cleaning system.
i Vehicle components and their service
products must match. You should,
therefore, only use products that have been
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Information on tested and approved
products can be obtained at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or on the Internet at
http://www.mbusa.com (USA only).
GWARNING
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly
flammable. Do not spill washer solvent/
antifreeze on hot engine parts, because it may
ignite and burn. You could be seriously
burned.
! At temperatures below freezing: always
fill the washer fluid reservoir with a mix of
water and windshield washer concentrate
(e.g. MB WinterFit). There is otherwise a
risk of damaging the windshield washer
system/headlamp cleaning system.
! Only use washer fluid concentrate which
is suitable for plastic lenses. Unsuitable
washer fluid concentrate could damage the
plastic lenses of the headlamps.
! Do not add distilled or de-ionized water to
the washer fluid container. Otherwise, the
level sensor may be damaged.
i Add windshield washer concentrate, e.g.
MB SummerFit, to the washer fluid all year
round.
Engine compartment281Maintenance and careZ

Example: washer fluid reservoir
XMix the windshield washer fluid in a
container beforehand.XAt temperatures above freezing: fill the
washer fluid reservoir with a mix of water
and windshield washer concentrate (e.g.
MB SummerFit).XAt temperatures below freezing: fill the
washer fluid reservoir with a mix of water
and windshield washer concentrate (e.g.
MB WinterFit). Adapt the mixing ratio to the
outside temperature. For information on
the mixing ratio ( Y page 351).XTo open: pull cap : upwards by the tab.XAdd the premixed washer fluid.XTo close: press cap : onto the filler neck
until it engages.
Brake fluid level
! If you notice that the brake fluid level in
the brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
MIN mark or less, check the brake system
immediately for leaks. Also check the
thickness of the brake linings. Contact a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.
Do not add brake fluid. This does not
correct the error.
Only check the brake fluid level when the
vehicle is stationary and on a level surface.
The brake fluid level is correct if it is between
MIN marking ; and MAX marking : on the
brake fluid reservoir.
Maintenance
Service interval display
Service messages
Information on the type of service and service
intervals (see separate Service Booklet).
You can obtain further information from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or at
http://www.mbusa.com (USA only).
The service interval display informs you of the
next service due date.
If a service due date has been exceeded, you
also hear an acoustic signal.
The multifunction display shows a service
message for a few seconds, e.g.
Next service A due in .. days
Service A due
Service A overdue by ... days
The letter indicates which service is due. A
stands for a minor service and B for a major
service. A number or another letter may be
displayed after the letter. This figure indicates
any necessary additional maintenance work
to be performed.
You can obtain further information from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The service interval display does not take into
account any periods of time during which the
battery is disconnected.
282MaintenanceMaintenance and care

Refrigerant of the air-conditioning
system
The air-conditioning system is filled with
R134a refrigerant and a special PAG
lubricant.
! Never use refrigerant R 12 (CFC) or
mineral lubricants. Otherwise, you could
damage the air-conditioning system.
Brake fluid
GWARNING
Over a period of time, the brake fluid absorbs
moisture from the air; this lowers its boiling
point.
If the boiling point of the brake fluid is too low,
vapor pockets may form in the brake system
when the brakes are applied hard (e.g. when
driving downhill). This would impair braking
efficiency.
You should have the brake fluid renewed at
regular intervals. The brake fluid change
intervals can be found in the Service Booklet.
Only use brake fluid approved by Mercedes-
Benz. Information about approved brake
fluids can be obtained from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or on the Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com.
Coolant
Important safety notes
The coolant is a mixture of water and
antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor. It performs
the following tasks:
R corrosion protection
R antifreeze protection
R raising the boiling point
The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with coolant that contains an
antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor that ensures
protection down to approximately -35 ‡
(-37 †).
! Only add coolant that has been premixed
with the desired antifreeze protection.
Otherwise, the engine could be damaged.
Further information on coolants and on
filling can be found in the Mercedes-Benz
Specifications for Service Products, MB
Approval 310.1, e.g. on the Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com . You can
also consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
! Always use a suitable coolant mixture,
even in countries where high temperatures
prevail.
Otherwise, the engine cooling system is not
sufficiently protected from corrosion and
overheating.
If the coolant has antifreeze protection down
to -35 ‡ (-37 †), the boiling point of the
coolant under operating conditions is
approximately 266 ‡ (130 †).
Your vehicle has a range of aluminum
components. Aluminum components in the
engine make it necessary to use antifreeze/
corrosion inhibitor coolant that has been
specifically formulated to protect the
aluminum parts. Using other antifreeze/
corrosion inhibitors without these
characteristics affects the service life.
The coolant must be used throughout the year
in order to maintain the necessary corrosion
350Service products and capacitiesTechnical data

protection and to provide protection from
overheating. In the Service Booklet, you can
find information on the intervals for renewal.
The renewal interval is determined by the
coolant type and the engine cooling system
design. The renewal interval in the Service
Booklet is only valid if the coolant is renewed
or filled up with Mercedes-Benz approved
products. Therefore, only use MB 325.0 or
326.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze or another
Mercedes-Benz approved product of the
same specification.
Information on other products with the same
specifications that are approved by
Mercedes-Benz can be obtained at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or on the
Internet at http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com.
The coolant is checked at every maintenance
interval at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
The antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor
concentration in the engine cooling system
should:
R be at least 50%. This will protect the engine
cooling system against freezing down to
approximately -35 ‡ (-37 † ).
R not exceed 55% (antifreeze protection to
-49 ‡ [-45 † ]); otherwise, heat will not
dissipate as effectively.
If the coolant level is too low, MB 325.0 or
326.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze should be
added. Have the engine cooling system
checked for possible leaks.
Windshield/headlamp cleaning
system
GWARNING
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly
flammable. Do not spill washer solvent/
antifreeze on hot engine parts, because it may
ignite and burn. You could be seriously
burned.
Use MB SummerFit windshield washer
concentrate at temperatures above freezing:XMix 1 part MB SummerFit with 100 parts
water.
Use MB WinterFit windshield washer
concentrate at temperatures below freezing:
XAt temperatures down to 14 ‡ ( Ò 10 †):
mix 1 part MB WinterFit with 2 parts water.XAt temperatures down to Ò 4 ‡ ( Ò 20 †):
mix 1 part MB WinterFit with 1 part water.XAt temperatures down to Ò 20.2 ‡
( Ò 29 †): mix 2 parts MB WinterFit with 1
part water.
! Only SummerFit and WinterFit can be
mixed. Otherwise, the jets could become
blocked.
Vehicle data
Please note that for the specified vehicle
data:
R the heights specified may vary as a result
of:
- tires
- load
- condition of the suspension
- optional equipment
Missing values were not available at time of
going to print.
All modelsVehicle length182.3 in (4630 mm )Vehicle width
including exterior
mirrors79.1 in (2008 mm)Vehicle height56.9 in (1444 mm)Wheelbase108.7 in (2760 mm )Front track60.7 in (1541 mm)Rear track60.8 in (1544 mm)Vehicle data351Technical dataZ