Coolant level MERCEDES-BENZ C230 2006 W203 Owner's Manual

ContentsLoading .............................................. 250
Roof rack* .................................... 250
Ski sack* (Canada only) ............... 250
Split rear bench seat* .................. 253
Loading instructions ..................... 255
Cargo tie-down rings* .................. 256
Useful features .................................. 257
Storage compartments................. 257
Cup holders .................................. 259
Ashtrays ....................................... 261
Cigarette lighter ........................... 262
Power outlet ................................. 263
Telephone*................................... 264
Tele Aid* ...................................... 265
Garage door opener* ................... 273
Operation......................................... 281
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)......... 282
Driving instructions............................ 283
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 283
Drinking and driving ..................... 283
Pedals .......................................... 283
Power assistance ......................... 283
Brakes .......................................... 284
Driving off .................................... 285
Parking ......................................... 285
Tires ............................................. 286
Hydroplaning ................................ 287
Tire traction.................................. 287
Tire speed rating .......................... 288
Winter driving instructions ........... 289
Standing water ............................. 290
Passenger compartment .............. 290
Driving abroad.............................. 290
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 291
Catalytic converter ....................... 291
Emission control .......................... 292
Coolant temperature .................... 293At the gas station .............................. 294
Refueling ...................................... 294
Check regularly and before
a long trip..................................... 295
Engine compartment ......................... 297
Hood ............................................ 297
Engine oil ..................................... 298
Transmission fluid level ................ 300
Coolant level ................................ 301
Battery ......................................... 302
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 303
Tires and wheels................................ 304
Important guidelines .................... 304
Tire care and maintenance........... 305
Direction of rotation..................... 307
Loading the vehicle ...................... 307
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 314
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 316
MOExtended system*
(Canada only) ............................... 320
Tire labeling ................................. 321
Load identification ....................... 325
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 326

56 Getting startedDrivingProblems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged.


The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.


Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.

Give very little gas.

Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.The coolant temperature is
above 248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.

Stop the vehicle in a safe location as
soon as possible and turn off the en-
gine. Allow engine and coolant to cool.

Check the coolant level and add
coolant if necessary (
page 301).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:

Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.

Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the


Major assemblies


Fuel system


Engine mount

Start the engine in the usual manner.

295 Operation
At the gas station

Replace fuel cap by turning it clockwise
until it audibly engages.

Close fuel filler flap.
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Coolant
2Brake fluid (fuse box cover removed)
3Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). For more information,
see “Coolant level” (
page 301) and see
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 440).
Brake fluid
Removing fuse box cover (
page 422).
iLeaving the engine running and the fuel
cap open can cause the yellow fuel
tank reserve warning lamp to flash and
theú malfunction indicator lamp
(USA only) or the± malfunction in-
dicator lamp (Canada only) to illumi-
nate.
For more information, see “Practical
hints” (
page 352) and (
page 353).
iOpening the hood, see (
page 297).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately. Do not add brake
fluid as this will not solve the problem.
For more information, see “Practical
hints” (
page 351).

299 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick
When checking the oil level

the vehicle must be parked on level
ground


with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been sta-
tionary for at least 5 minutes with the
engine turned off


with the engine not at operating tem-
perature yet, the vehicle must have
been stationary for at least 30 minutes
with the engine turned off1Oil dipstick
2Upper (max) mark
3Lower (min) mark
To check the engine oil level with the oil
dipstick, do the following:

Open the hood (
page 297).

Pull out oil dipstick1.

Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.

Fully insert oil dipstick1 into the
dipstick guide tube.

Pull out oil dipstick1 again after
approximately 3 seconds to obtain ac-
curate reading.
The oil level is correct when it is be-
tween the lower (min) mark3 and
upper (max) mark2 of oil dipstick1.

If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil, see “Adding en-
gine oil” (
page 300).
For more information on engine oil, see
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 440).
For more information on messages in the
multifunction display concerning engine
oil, see the “Practical hints” section
(page 375).iThe filling quantity between the upper
and lower marks on the oil dipstick is
approximately 2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).

301 Operation
Engine compartment
Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.
1Coolant expansion tank
2Cap

Using a rag, turn cap2 slowly approx-
imately one half turn to the left to
release any excess pressure.

Continue turning the cap to the left and
remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level

for cold coolant: reaches the black
top part of the reservoir


for warm coolant: is approx. 0.6 in
(1.5 cm) higher

Add coolant as required.

Replace and tighten cap.
For more information on coolant, see
“Coolants” (
page 444).
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:

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 gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.


Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.


Using a rag, slowly open the cap
approximately
1/2 turn to relieve excess
pressure. If opened immediately, scald-
ing hot fluid and steam will be blown out
under pressure.


Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene
glycol which may burn if it comes into
contact with hot engine parts.

371 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
B
Coolant
Check level
The coolant level is too low.

Add coolant (
page 301).

If you have to add coolant frequently,
have the cooling system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
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 can 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.

445 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
The coolant solution must be used
year-round to provide the necessary corro-
sion protection and increase boil-over
protection. Refer to 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 (see
Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet) are used to renew the coolant
concentration or bring it back up to the
proper level.To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 45%
anticorrosion/antifreeze [equivalent to
freeze protection to approx. -22°F
(-30°C)].
If you use a solution that is more than 55%
anticorrosion/antifreeze [freeze
protection to approx. -49°F (-45°C)], 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 cooling system checked for signs of
leakage). Please make sure the mixture is
in accordance with label instructions.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality,
consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

458 IndexControl system submenus 132, 134
Convenience 153
Instrument cluster 143
Lighting 149
Time/Date 145
Vehicle 152
Controller Area Network see CAN system
Coolant 301, 444
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 445
Capacities 440, 441
Checking coolant level 295, 301
Messages in display 371–373
Temperature 293
Temperature gauge 25, 128
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps* 123
Replacing bulbs 398
Cruise control 247, 450
Message in display 374
Cup holder 259, 260
Cleaning 346
Curb weight 331
Customer Assistance Center see CACD
Date display, setting 147, 148
Daytime running lamp mode 120
Setting 149
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging windshield
Automatic climate control*
(Canada only) 192
Climate control 181
Defrosting, Front
Automatic climate control*
(Canada only) 191
Climate control 181
Defrosting, Rear 175
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 151
Interior lighting 152
Department of Transportation see DOT
Difficulties
While driving 56
With starting 50
Digital clock see clock
Digital speedometer 135Dimensions, vehicle 438
Direction of rotation (tires) 307
Displays
Digital speedometer 135
Maintenance service indicator 338
Messages in display 374
Multifunction display 130
Outside temperature 135
Symbol messages 369
Text messages 360
Vehicle status messages
memory 139, 358
Distance to empty (range),
Trip computer 156
Door control panel 30
Doors
Entry lamps 126
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 98
Message in display 374
Opening from inside/outside 100,
102
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid*) 272
Unlocking, Mechanical key 389

460 Index
Number 428
Starting 49
Tachometer 25
Technical data 430
Turning 59
Engine coolant see coolant
Engine number 450
Engine oil 298, 442
Adding 300
Additives 442
Changing 440
Checking level (Dipstick) 299
Consumption 298
Filler neck 300
Recommended engine and
oil filter 375
Viscosity 450
ESP®
89, 450
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP
®
92
Messages in display 361–362
Warning lamp 25, 354ETD 72, 450
Safety guidelines 66
Exterior lamp switch 52, 118
Exterior rear view mirrors 43
Parking position* 172
F
Fahrenheit see Temperature display
mode 142
Filler neck, Engine oil 300
First aid kit 383
Flat tire 406
Jacking up the vehicle 407
Lowering the vehicle 410
Minispare wheel 386
Mounting the spare wheel 406
Preparing the vehicle 406
Flexible Service System see FSS
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 300,
440
Brake fluid 295, 442
Capacities 440Engine coolant 295, 444
Engine oil 298, 442
Power steering fluid 441
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system* 303, 448
Fog lamps 121, 122
Message in display 377, 379
Replacing bulbs 398, 399
Four wheel electronic traction system
(4MATIC) with ESP
®
92
4MATIC 92
Front air bags 67
Front lamps see Headlamps
Front passenger front air bag 67
Messages in display 364–367
Front passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 27, 80, 356, 357
Front seat head restraints see Head
restraints 109
FSS (Flexible Service System)
(Canada vehicles) 338, 450

465 Index
Multifunction display messages
ABS 360
Brake fluid 370
Brake lamps 377
Brake pads 370
Coolant 371, 372, 373
Cruise control 374
Display 374
Door 374
Engine coolant 371, 372, 373
Engine oil 375
ESP
®
361, 362
Fog lamps 377, 379
Front passenger front
air bag 364, 367
Fuel cap 352, 376
Headlamps 378, 379
Hood 376
Key, SmartKey 376
Lamps, exterior 377–380
Parking brake 370
Parking lamp 379
Seat belt system 381
SRS 363
Steering gear oil 381Tele Aid* 382
Telephone* 382
Tilt/sliding sunroof* 382
Trunk 382
Turn signals 380
Windshield washer fluid 382
Multifunction steering wheel 26, 131,
452
Button operation 131
N
Navigation system* 138
See separate COMAND* operating
instructions
Net, parcel 258
Neutral gear position, Automatic
transmission* 162
Neutral gear position, Manual
transmission 161
New vehicle break-in 282
Night security illumination 121
Setting 151
Normal occupant weight 332
Number, vehicle identification (VIN) 428O
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 332
Occupant safety 62
Air bags 63
Children and air bags 64
Children in the vehicle 74
Fastening the seat belt 45
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 80, 356
Infant and child restraint systems 74
LATCH-type child seat anchors 83
OCS 77
Seat belts 45, 66
OCS 77, 452
Self-test 81
Odometer 130
Oil level see Engine oil level, Checking oil
level
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting
(Automatic transmission*) 168
Canceling gear range limit 169
Downshifting 169
Upshifting 169