Fuel requirements MERCEDES-BENZ C240 2005 W203 Owner's Manual

ContentsTechnical data.................................. 373
Parts service ...................................... 374
Warranty coverage ............................. 375
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 375
Identification labels............................ 376
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 377
C 230 Kompressor (all models) .... 377
C 240 (all models)/
C 320 (all models)/
C 55 AMG..................................... 377
Engine ................................................ 378
Rims and Tires ................................... 380
Same size tires ............................. 381
Mixed size tires ............................ 382
Minispare wheel ........................... 383
Collapsible tire
(C 55 AMG only) ........................... 383
Electrical system................................ 384
Main dimensions................................ 385
Weights .............................................. 386Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 387
Capacities .................................... 387
Engine oils.................................... 390
Engine oil additives ...................... 390
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 390
Brake fluid .................................... 390
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 391
Fuel requirements ........................ 391
Gasoline additives ........................ 392
Flexible Fuel Vehicles ................... 392
Coolants....................................... 394
Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 396
Consumer information ....................... 397
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 397
Technical terms............................... 399Index................................................. 405

273 Operation
Driving instructions
Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with
monolithic-type catalytic converters, an
important element in conjunction with the
oxygen sensors to achieve substantial
control of the pollutants in the exhaust
emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper
operating condition by following our
recommended maintenance instructions
as outlined in your Maintenance Booklet.
Emission control
Certain systems of the engine serve to
keep the toxic components of the exhaust
gases within permissible limits required by
law.
These systems, of course, will function
properly only when maintained strictly
according to factory specifications. Any
adjustments on the engine should,
therefore, be carried out only by qualified
Mercedes-Benz Center authorized techni-
cians. Engine adjustments should not be
altered in any way. Moreover, the specified
service jobs must be carried out regularly
according to Mercedes-Benz servicing
requirements. For details refer to the
Maintenance Booklet.
!To prevent damage to the catalytic
converters, only use premium unleaded
gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine
operation should be repaired promptly.
Otherwise, excessive unburned fuel
may reach the catalytic converter,
causing it to overheat and start a fire.
Warning!
G
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or
operate this vehicle in areas where combus-
tible materials such as grass, hay or leaves
can come into contact with the hot exhaust
system, as these materials could be ignited
and cause a vehicle fire.

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).

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.

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

416 IndexFuel cap
Message in display 305, 322
Fuel consumption statistics
After start 149
Since last reset 149
Fuel filler flap 275
Locking 275
Opening in an emergency 339
Unlocking 275
Fuel gauge 25
Fuel requirements 391
For ethanol fuel 392
Fuel reserve
Warning lamp 25
Fuel tank
Capacity 388
Filler flap 275
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Capacities 387
Functions (control system) 122, 125
Resetting 133Fuse box
In engine compartment 370
In trunk 371
Fuse chart 369
Fuse extractor 369, 371
Fuses 369
Aids for changing fuses 369
Fuse box in engine compartment 370
Fuse box in trunk 371
Fuse chart 369
Fuse extractor 369, 371
Main fuse box in
passenger compartment 370
Spare fuses 369
G
Garage door opener* 256
Gasoline additives 392
Gasoline see Fuel
Gear range 400
Automatic transmission* 159
Limiting 159
Shifting into optimal 158Gear range limit
Canceling 158
Gear selector lever 47, 156
Cleaning 299
Lock 47
Position (Automatic
transmission*) 121, 160
Position (automatic
transmission*) 156
Gearshift lever 46, 155
Global
Locking 89
Unlocking 89
Global Positioning System see GPS
Glove box 241
Closing 241
Locking 241
Opening 241
Unlocking 241
Good visibility 168
GPS 400

431 Index
Technical data
Air conditioning refrigerant 390
Brake fluid 390
Coolant 387, 388
Coolants 394
Electrical system 384
Engine 378
Engine oil additives 390
Engine oils 390
Flexible fuel vehicles 392
Fuel requirements 391
Fuels 387, 388
Gasoline additives 392
Lubricants 387
Main dimensions 385
Premium unleaded gasoline 391
Rims and tires 380
Weights 386
Windshield washer 389
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning* system 389, 396Tele Aid* 248
Emergency calls 250
Hands-free microphone 29
Information 253
Initiating an emergency
call manually 251
Message in display 328
Remote door unlock 255
Roadside Assistance 252
SOS button 251
Stolen Vehicle Recovery
services 256
System self-check 249
Tele Aid System 249, 403
Upgrade scenario 254
Telematics* 403
Telephone* 26, 247
Answering a call 151
Dialing a number from
the phone book 152
Ending a call 152
Hands-free microphone 29Loading phone book 152
Message in display 328
Operation 150, 208
Redialing 153
Temperature
Display mode 135
Grades of tires 398
Setting interior temperature 177
Setting units in display 135
Tires 288
Tie-down rings* (Trunk) 240
Tightening torque
(Wheel bolts) 359, 403
Tilt
Head restraint, manual seat 37
Head restraint, power seat* 39
Tilt/sliding sunroof*
Closing 227, 341
Closing with SmartKey 229
Messages in display 328
Opening 227, 341
Opening with SmartKey 229
Stopping 229
Synchronizing 230