recommended oil 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

306 OperationTires and wheelsTread depth
Do not allow your tires to wear down too
far. Adhesion properties on wet roads are
sharply reduced at tread depths under 1/8in (3 mm).
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. These indicators are located in six
places on the tread circumference and
become visible at a tread depth of approx-
imately
1/16
in (1.6 mm), at which point
the tire is considered worn and should be
replaced.
Recommended minimum tire tread depth:


Summer tires
1/8in (3 mm)


Winter tires
1/6in (4 mm)
1TWI (T
read W
ear I
ndicator)
The treadwear indicator appears as a solid
band across the tread.Storing tires
Cleaning tires
Warning!
G
Although the applicable federal motor safety
laws consider a tire to be worn when the
treadwear indicators (TWI) become visible at
approximately
1/16in (1.6 mm), we
recommend that you do not allow your tires
to wear down to that level. As tread depth
approaches
1/8in (3 mm), the adhesion
properties on a wet road are sharply
reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely.
!Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease and gasoline.!Never use a round nozzle to power
wash tires. The intense jet of water can
result in damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.

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.

442 Technical dataFuels, 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
specification other than those express-
ly required for the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehi-
cles), 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 Vehi-
cles) will result in engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Please follow Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehi-
cles) recommendations for scheduled
oil changes. Failure to do so will result
in engine 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.

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