Fuel MERCEDES-BENZ C230 2006 W203 Owner's Guide

341 Operation
Vehicle care
Vehicle care
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external
influences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the under-
body and cause lasting damage.Such damage is caused not only by
extreme and varying climatic conditions,
but also by:


Air pollution


Road salt


Tar


Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should
immediately remove:


Grease and oil


Fuel


Coolant


Brake fluid


Bird droppings


Insects


Tree resins, etc.
Frequent washing reduces and/or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:


near the ocean


in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)


during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the facto-
ry with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others
applied later.
Warning!
G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not de-
signed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and
keep them out of reach of children.

352 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
ú
(USA only)
±
(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunction
indicator lamp comes on while
driving.
There is a malfunction in:

The fuel management system


The ignition system


The emission control system


Systems which affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the en-
gine to its limp-home (emergency
operation) mode.

Have the vehicle checked as soon as pos-
sible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is used
by the service station to link the vehicle to
the shop diagnostics system. It allows the
accurate identification of system malfunc-
tions through the readout of diagnostic
trouble codes. It is located in the front left
area of the footwell next to the parking
brake pedal.
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.

Check the fuel cap (
page 294).
If it is not closed properly:

Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:

H a v e t h e f u e l s y s t e m c h e c k e d b y a n a u t h o -
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.

353 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
ú
(USA only)
±
(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunction
indicator lamp comes on while
driving.
Your fuel tank is empty.

After refuelling start, turn off and restart
the engine three or four times in succes-
sion.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You do not
need to have your vehicle checked.

354 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
v
The yellow ESP
® warning lamp
comes on while driving.
The ESP
® is deactivated.
Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road, weather and traffic
conditions.

Switch the ESP
® back on (
page 89).
If the ESP
® cannot be switched back on,
have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
The yellow ESP
® warning lamp
flashes while driving.
The ESP
® or traction control has come into
operation because of detected traction loss
in at least one tire.

When driving off, apply as little
throttle as possible.

While driving, ease up on the
accelerator.

Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road and weather
conditions.

Do not deactivate the ESP
®.
Exceptions: (
page 89).
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
The yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp in the fuel gauge
(page 24) comes on while
driving.
The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 294).

376 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
4
Check gas cap.
See Operator’s Manual
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.

Check the fuel cap (
page 294).
If it is not closed properly:

Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:

Have the fuel system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Y
Hood open
You are attempting to drive with the hood
open.

Close the hood (
page 297).
I
Remove key.
You have forgotten to remove the
SmartKey.

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Replace key
Drive to workshop
No additional code available for
SmartKey.

Change the SmartKey.

391 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
1Locking
Insert the mechanical key into the
driver’s door lock until it stops.

Turn the mechanical key clockwise to
position1.
The driver’s door is locked.
Fuel filler flap
In case the central locking system does
not release the fuel filler flap, you can open
it manually.
The release button is on the right-hand
side of the luggage compartment behind
the side trim.1Side trim
2Release button

Open the trunk.

Remove the side trim1 from the
right-hand side of the luggage compart-
ment.

Turn release button2 clockwise as far
as will go.
The fuel filler flap is released.

Open the fuel filler flap from outside.
Warning!
G
If you operate the emergency release but-
ton, be careful of the sharp edges so that
you do not injure yourself.

415 Practical hints
Jump starting
Jump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the
battery of another vehicle. Observe the
following:

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic con-
verter are cold.


Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.


Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump
starting with a more powerful battery
could damage the vehicle’s electrical
system, which will not be covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.


Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans, or oth-
er parts that move when an engine is
started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine
using a battery quick charge unit.
If engine does not run after several
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.

425 Technical data
Parts service
Warranty coverage
Identification labels
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Engine
Rims and Tires
Electrical system
Main dimensions
Weights
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.

430 Technical dataEngineModel
C 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
Engine
272
272
Mode of operation
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
No. of cylinders
6
6
Bore
3.46 in (88.00 mm)
3.46 in (88.00 mm)
Stroke
2.69 in (68.40 mm)
3.23 in (82.10 mm)
Total piston displacement
152.3 cu in (2 496 cm
3)
182.8 cu in (2 996 cm
3)
Compression ratio
11.2:1
11.1:1
Output acc.
to SAE J 1349
201 hp/6 200 rpm
2
(150 kW/6 200 rpm)
2Premium fuel required. Performance may vary with fuel octane rating.
228 hp/6 000 rpm
2
(170 kW/6 000 rpm)
Maximum torque acc.
to SAE J 1349
181 lb-ft/2 700 – 5 000 rpm
(245 Nm/2 700 – 5 000 rpm)
221lb-ft/2700–5000rpm
(300 Nm/2 700 – 5 000 rpm)
Maximum engine speed
6500 rpm
6500 rpm
Firing order
1-4-3-6-2-5
1-4-3-6-2-5
Poly-V-belt
2404 mm
2404 mm

431 Technical data
Engine
Model
C 350 (203.056)
1
C 350 Sport (203.056)
1
C 350 4MATIC (203.087)
1
Engine
272
Mode of operation
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
No. of cylinders
6
Bore
3.65 in (92.90 mm)
Stroke
3.38 in (86.00 mm)
Total piston displacement
213.5 cu in (3 498 cm
3)
Compression ratio
10.5:1
Output acc.
to SAE J 1349
268 hp/6 000 rpm
2
(200 kW/6 000 rpm)
Maximum torque acc.
to SAE J 1349
258 lb-ft/3 000 rpm
(350 Nm/3 000 rpm)
Maximum engine speed
6700 rpm
Firing order
1-4-3-6-2-5
Poly-V-belt
2404 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.