heater MERCEDES-BENZ C240 2005 W203 Owner's Manual

ContentsOperation......................................... 263
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ......... 264
Driving instructions ............................ 265
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 265
Drinking and driving ..................... 265
Pedals .......................................... 265
Power assistance ......................... 265
Brakes .......................................... 266
Driving off..................................... 267
Parking ......................................... 267
Tires ............................................. 268
Hydroplaning ................................ 268
Tire traction .................................. 269
Tire speed rating .......................... 269
Winter driving instructions ........... 270
Standing water ............................. 271
Passenger compartment .............. 272
Driving abroad .............................. 272
Control and operation of radio
transmitters.................................. 272
Catalytic converter ....................... 273
Emission control........................... 273
Coolant temperature .................... 274At the gas station .............................. 275
Refueling ...................................... 275
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 277
Engine compartment ......................... 278
Hood ............................................ 278
Engine oil ..................................... 279
Transmission fluid level ................ 282
Coolant level ................................ 283
Battery ......................................... 284
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 285
Tires and wheels ................................ 286
Important guidelines .................... 286
Life of tire..................................... 287
Direction of rotation ..................... 287
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 287
Rotating tires ............................... 289Winter driving .................................... 290
Winter tires .................................. 290
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 291
Snow chains................................. 291
Maintenance...................................... 292
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 293
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 293
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 293
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 294
Vehicle care....................................... 295
Cleaning and care of the
vehicle ......................................... 295

291 Operation
Winter driving
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.
Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:

Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.


Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer's mounting instructions.


Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
be glad to advise you on this subject.


Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(page 79) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the
vehicle‘s traction.
!Even on vehicles with all-wheel-drive
use snow chains on rear tires only.
Use of snow chains is not permissible
with tire sizes:

245/40 R17 91W


225/40 ZR18 92Y XL


245/35 ZR18 92Y XL


T 125/90 R16 98M


T 125/80 R17 99M


145/70- 17 92P

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.

408 Index
Starting with 47
Steering wheel gearshift control
(C 55 AMG only) 164
Transmission fluid 282
B
BabySmart
TM
Air bag deactivation system 70, 399
Compatible child seats 70, 399
Self-test 70
Backrest
Folding forward 238
Folding rearward 238
Backrest contour
Adjusting 104
Backrest side bolsters
Adjusting 104
Backrest tilt
Manual seat 36
Power seat* 38
Backup lamps
Messages in display 323
Replacing bulbs 345BAS 78, 399
Messages in display 311
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 343
Check lamp 90
Checking 91
Battery discharged
Jump starting 363
Battery, vehicle 284, 360
Charging 361
Disconnecting 361
Reconnecting 362
Reinstalling 361
Removing 361
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 399
Bi-Xenon type*
Front lamp bulbs 349
Block heater (Canada only) 291
Blocking
Rear door window operation 75
Bolts
For spare wheel 336Brake Assist System see BAS
Brake fluid 390
Checking 277
Message in display 315
Brake lamp bulbs 345
Brake lamp, high mounted 345
Brake lamps
Messages in display 323
Brake pads
Message in display 315
Brakes 266
Warning lamp 25, 303
Break-in period 264
Bulbs, replacing 344
Additional turn signals 345
Backup lamps 345, 351
Brake lamps 345, 351
Fog lamp, rear 345, 351
Fog lamps, front 345
Front lamps 345
High beam flasher 345
High beam headlamps 345

435 Index
W
Warning lamps see
Lamps, indicator and warning
Warning sounds
Drivers seat belts 64
Parking brake 48
Warranty coverage 375
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washer reservoir level
Checking 277
Washing the vehicle 295
Wear pattern (tires) 289
Weights 386
Wheel bolts 336
Wheel change
Tightening torque 359
Wheels
Tires and wheels 286
Window curtain air bags 64
Windows see Side windowsWindshield
Defogging 178
Refilling washer fluid 285
Replacing wiper blades 352
Washer fluid 285, 396
Washer system 396
Windshield washer fluid 396
Message in display 328
Mixing ratio 396
Refilling 285
Wiping with 52
Windshield washer system 396
Windshield wipers 51
Fast wiper speed 51
Intermittent wiping 52
Replacing wiper blades 352
Single wipe 52
Switching on 51
Wiping with
windshield washer fluid 52Winter driving 290
Block heater (Canada only) 291
Snow chains 291
Tires 290
Winter driving instructions 270
Winter tires 290
Wiper blades
Cleaning 298
Installing 352
Removing 352
Replacing 352
Wiping
With windshield washer fluid 52
Wood trims
Cleaning 300
X
Xenon headlamps
Bi-Xenon* 399