fuel MERCEDES-BENZ C240 2005 W203 Service Manual

391 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel requirements
Only use premium unleaded fuel:

The octane number (posted at the
p um p) m us t be 91 mi n. It i s an a vera ge
of both the Research (R) octane num-
ber and the Motor (M) octane number:
(R+M)/2. This is also known as the
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as Ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not
exceed 10%; MTBE must not exceed 15%.
The ratio of Methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of Ethanol and Methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains 10%
Ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, can
be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
!To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gaso-
line must be used. If premium unleaded
is not available and low octane fuel is
used, follow these precautions:

Have the fuel tank only partially
filled with unleaded regular and fill
up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible.


Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration.


Do not exceed an engine speed of
3 000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded
with a light load such as two
persons and no luggage.


Do not exceed
2/3 of maximum
accelerator pedal position if the
vehicle is fully loaded or operating
in mountainous terrain.
iFlexible Fuel Vehicles (identified by a
label reading Premium gasoline or
E85 only! are designed to operate on
premium unleaded gasoline or Ethanol
fuel (E85) or any mixture of these two.
For more information, see “Flexible
Fuel Vehicles” (
page 392).

392 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine
manufacturers is carbon build-up caused
by gasoline. Mercedes-Benz recommends
only 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:

Warm-up hesitation


Unstable idle


Knocking/pinging


Misfire


Power lossIn areas where carbon deposits may be
encountered due to lack of availability of
gasolines which contain these additives,
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of
additives approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Refer to Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet for a
listing of approved product(s). Follow
directions on product label.
Do not blend any specific fuel additives
with fuel. This only results in unnecessary
cost and may be harmful to 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 listed in the
Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet are not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Flexible Fuel Vehicles are identified by a
label reading Premium gasoline or E85
only! on 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.Warning!
G
Ethanol fuel (E85) and its fumes are highly
flammable, poisonous and burn easily. Etha-
nol 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. Extin-
guish all open flames before fueling. Never
smoke or create sparks close to Ethanol.

393 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
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:

Fuel level is below half full.


Fuel level is above reserve (fuel reserve
warning lamp is not lit).


Amount of added fuel is more than
5 gallons (20 liters).


Ignition is off during refill.


Immediately after refueling engine is
started and operated for at least five
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.
Cold weather performance
It is possible that starting times will signif-
icantly increase at temperatures
below 32°F (0°C). At low temperatures
the use of a block heater (Canada only) is
recommended (see an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information). Rough idling may also be
experienced at such temperatures before
the engine is fully warmed up.Hot weather performance
At ambient temperatures above 95°F
(35°C) start times may increase and be
accompanied by a rough idle following the
start.
Cruising range
E85 fuel contains less energy per gallon
than gasoline. To make sure 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 Mercedes-Benz Center
if you use or have used E85 fuel when your
vehicle is delivered for maintenance or
repairs.
!E85 fuel is unsuitable for use when
ambient temperatures fall below 14°F
(-10°C).
iUse of E85 may reduce your driving
range.

394 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which
provides:

Corrosion protection


Freeze protection


Boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately -22°F (-30°C) and
corrosion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective
to -22°F (-30°C), the boiling point of the
coolant in the pressurized cooling system
is reached at approx. 266°F (130°C).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.

395 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of
aluminum parts. The use of aluminum
components in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be specifi-
cally formulated to protect the aluminum
parts.Failure to use such anticorrosion/anti-
freeze coolant will result in a significantly
shortened service life.
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
Mercedes-Benz 325.0
Anticorrosion/Antifreeze Agent.Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion/antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for service.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantityModel
Approx. freeze protection–35°F (–37°C)
–49°F (–45°C)
C 230 Kompressor (all models)
3.0 US qt (2.8 l)
3.3 US qt (3.1 l)
C 240 (all models)
3.4 US qt (3.2 l)
3.8 US qt (3.6 l)
C 320 (all models)
3.4 US qt (3.2 l)
3.8 US qt (3.6 l)
C55AMG
6.4 US qt (6.0 l)
7.0 US qt (6.6 l)

396 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Windshield washer and headlamp cleaning system*
Both the windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system* are supplied from the
windshield washer fluid reservoir.
The washer fluid reservoir has a capacity of
approx.:

3.2 US qt (3.0 l) in vehicles without
headlamp cleaning system*


6.4 US qt (6.0 l) in vehicles with
headlamp cleaning system*

Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “S” and water
(or concentrate and commercially
available premixed windshield washer
solvent/antifreeze, depending on
ambient temperatures).Windshield and headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and water:


1 part “S” to 100 parts water
(1.34floz [40ml]“S” to 1gallon [4.0l]
water)
For temperatures below freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and commercially available premixed
windshield washer solvent/antifreeze:


1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
(1.34floz [40ml]“S” to 1gallon [4.0l]
solvent)
Warning!
G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze
on hot engine parts, because it may ignite
and burn. You could be seriously burned.

401 Technical terms
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision,
including the tachometer, speedo-
meter, engine temperature display and
fuel gauge.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the
vehicle and should not be used for
normal acceleration needs.
Lock button
Button on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or
unlocked. Pushing the lock button
down on an individual door from inside
will lock that door.Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. The Maintenance
System in your vehicle tracks distance
driven and the time elapsed since your
last maintenance service, and calls for
the next maintenance service accord-
ingly.
Memory function*
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and mirror positions for
each SmartKey.
MON
(M
otor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a
gasoline's ability to resist undesired
detonation (knocking). The average of
both the MON (Motor Octane Number)
and ->RON (Research Octane Number)
is posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Multifunction display
Display field in the instrument cluster
used to present information provided
by the control system.
Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for
operating the control system.
Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
of the tachometer dial. Avoid this
engine speed range, as it may result in
serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.

411 Index
Consumer information 397
Control and operation
of radio transmitters 272
Control system 121, 400
AUDIO menu 127
Convenience submenu 146
Display digital speedometer 127
Display outside temperature 127
Functions 122, 125
Instrument cluster
submenu 135, 137
Lighting submenu 141
Menus 124, 125
Multifunction display 121
Multifunction steering wheel 122
NAV* menu 130
Selecting radio system 128
Selecting satellite radio* system 128
Settings menu 132
Standard display menu 126
Submenu Time/Date 137Submenus 123, 125
TEL* menu 150
Trip computer menu 148
Vehicle status
message memory menu 130
Vehicle submenu 145
Controller Area Network see CAN system
Convenience submenu 146
Activating easy-entry/exit
feature* 146
Setting key dependency 147
Setting parking position* for
exterior rear view mirror 148
Coolant 283
Adding 283
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 394
Capacities 387, 388
Checking level 283
Messages in display 316–318
Temperature 274
Temperature gauge 118Coolant level
Checking 277, 283
Coolant temperature gauge 25
Coolants 394
Cruise control 231, 400
Canceling 232
Driving downhill 232
Driving uphill 232
Fine adjustment 233
Message in display 319
Setting current speed 232
Setting speeds 233
Cruise control lever 231
Cruising range, fuel 393
Cup holder
In rear seat armrest 244
Cup holders
Cleaning 299
In front of seat armrest 243
Customer Assistance Center see CAC

414 Index
Releasing trunk lid from inside 95
Remote door unlock 255
Unlocking the vehicle 337
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD
Emission control 273
Emission control information label 376
Ending
A call (telephone*) 152
Engine
Compartment 278
Starting with automatic
transmission* 47
Starting with manual
transmission 46
Starting with the SmartKey,
automatic transmission* 47
Starting with the SmartKey,
manual transmission 46
Technical data 378
Turning off with the SmartKey 56
Engine cleaning 297Engine compartment 278
Fuse box in 370
Hood 278
Engine malfunction
indicator lamp 25, 304
Engine number 376, 400
Engine oil 279
Adding 281
Additives 390
Checking level 277, 280
Consumption 279
Display messages 280, 320–321
Filler neck,
C 230 Kompressor
(all models) 282
Filler neck,
C 240 (all models),
C 320 (all models),
C 55 AMG 282
Messages in display 280, 320–321
Viscosity 400Engine oil level
Checking 277, 280
Engine oils 390
ESP 79, 400
Four wheel electronic traction
system with ESP 82
Messages in display 312–313
Switching off 80
Switching on 81
Warning lamp 25, 306
ETD 67, 400
Safety guidelines 62
Ethanol fuel
At the gas station 275
Requirements 392
Switching fuels 393
Exterior lamp switch 49, 109
Exterior lamps
Delayed shut-off 143
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 41
Parking position* for 148

415 Index
F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 135
Fastening the seat belts 43
Filler neck
C 230 Kompressor
(all models) 282
C 240 (all models), C 320 (all models),
C 55 AMG 282
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 233
First aid kit 329
Flat tire 353
Collapsible tire (C 55 AMG only) 334
Lowering the vehicle 359
Minispare wheel
(except C 55 AMG) 333
Mounting the spare wheel 353
Preparing the vehicle 353
Flexible fuel vehicles 392
At the gas station 275
Switching fuels 393
Flexible Service System see FSSFog lamp, rear
Message in display 325
Replacing bulb 345
Switching on 113
Fog lamps, front
Messages in display 323
Replacing bulbs 345
Switching on 112
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) with ESP 82
4MATIC 82
Front air bags 63
Front fog lamps
Indicator lamp 109
Switching on 112
Front lamps
Bi-Xenon* type 349
Halogen-type 347
Messages in display 323–326
Replacing bulbs 345, 347
Switching on 109
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 27, 63, 70, 308Front seat head restraints
Installing, manual seat 100
Installing, power seat* 101
Manual seat 100
Power seat* 100
Removing, manual seat 100
Removing, power seat* 100
Front seats
Heating* 105
FSS (Flexible Service System)
(Canada vehicles) 292, 400
Fuel 276
Additives 392
Cruising range 393
E85 (Ethanol fuel) 393
Fuel reserve warning lamp 307
Gasoline additives 392
Premium unleaded
gasoline 276, 388, 391
Requirements 391, 392
Switching (Flexible Fuel Vehicle) 393
Technical data 387, 388
Fuel additives 392