charging MERCEDES-BENZ C350 4MATIC 2006 W203 Owner's Manual

Contents
Maximum tire load ....................... 327
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 328
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 328
Tire ply material ........................... 330
Tire and loading terminology ........ 331
Rotating tires ............................... 335
Winter driving .................................... 336
Winter tires .................................. 336
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 337
Snow chains................................. 337
Maintenance...................................... 338
Maintenance service indicator
message....................................... 338
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display............... 339
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 340
Vehicle care ....................................... 341
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 341
Practical hints.................................. 349
What to do if … ................................... 350
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 350
Lamp in center console................. 356
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display..................... 358
Where will I find ...? ............................ 383
First aid kit.................................... 383
Vehicle tool kit .............................. 383
Minispare wheel............................ 386
Spare wheel bolts ......................... 388
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 389
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 389
Locking the vehicle ....................... 390
Fuel filler flap ................................ 391
Manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever ... 392
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 393
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ........... 393
Resetting activated head restraints .... 394
Resetting activated head
restraints ...................................... 394
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 395
SmartKey ...................................... 396Replacing bulbs .................................. 397
Bulbs............................................. 398
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 400
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 403
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 405
Removing wiper blades ................. 405
Installing wiper blades .................. 405
Flat tire............................................... 406
Preparing the vehicle .................... 406
Mounting the Minispare wheel...... 406
MOExtended system* ................... 411
Battery ............................................... 412
Disconnecting the battery ............ 413
Removing the battery ................... 413
Charging and reinstalling the
battery .......................................... 414
Reconnecting the battery ............. 414
Jump starting...................................... 415
Towing the vehicle.............................. 417
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 420
Fuses.................................................. 421
Aids for replacing fuses ................ 421
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment ................................ 422
Fuse box in engine compartment . 422
Fuse box in trunk .......................... 423

350 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during thebulb self-check when switching on the
ignition, have the respective bulb checked
and replaced if necessary.Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The BAS and the ESP
®
are also switched off (see messages in dis-
play).
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning,
other systems such as the navigation
system* or the automatic transmission*
may also be malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Read and observe messages in the dis-
play (
page 358).

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below ten
volts. The ABS has switched off.
The battery might not be charged suffi-
ciently.

Switch off electrical consumers that are
currently not needed, e.g. seat heating*.

If necessary, have the generator
(alternator) and battery checked.
When the voltage is above this value again,
the ABS is operational again.

362 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ESP
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The battery might not be charged
sufficiently.
The ESP
®, BAS and the Run Flat Indicator* are
deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the systems specified above.

Continue driving with added caution.

If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
When the voltage is above this value again,
the ESP
® is operational again.
ESP
malfunction
Visit workshop
The ESP
® is deactivated because of a
malfunction.
The ESP®, BAS and the Run Flat Indicator* are
deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the systems specified above.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The ESP
® or the ESP
® display is
malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.

369 Practical hints
What to do if …
Symbol messagesDisplay symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
#
Battery Alternator
Visit workshop
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

broken poly-V-belt


alternator malfunctioning

Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt in a safe location or as
soon as it is safe to do so.
If it is broken:

Do not continue to drive. Otherwise
the engine will overheat due to an
inoperative water pump which may
result in damage to the engine. Notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:

Drive immediately to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Low voltage
Charge battery
The battery has insufficient voltage.

Start the engine (
page 48).
Low voltage
Consumers off

The battery has insufficient voltage.

Turn off unnecessary electrical
consumers.

414 Practical hintsBatteryCharging and reinstalling the battery

Charge battery in accordance with the
instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.

Reinstall the charged battery. Follow
the previously described steps in
reverse order.
Reconnecting the battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.

Remove SmartKey from starter switch.

Connect the battery positive lead and
fasten its cover2.

Connect the battery negative lead.

Reinstall the filter box (
page 412).
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12 volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
Warning!
G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
An accessory battery charge unit specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available, permitting the charging of the bat-
tery in its installed position. Contact an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information and availability. Charge battery
in accordance with the separate instruc-
tions for the accessory battery charger.
!The battery, its filler caps and the bat-
tery ventilation tube must always be se-
curely installed when the vehicle is in
operation.!NEVER invert the terminal connections!
iThe following procedures must be
carried out following any interruption of
battery power (e.g. due to reconnec-
tion):

Set the clock (
page 145).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
See COMAND operator’s manual.


Synchronize side windows
(page 242).


Synchronize tilt/sliding sunroof*
(page 246).

456 Index
Operating and display elements 200
Operating audio system 202
Operating safety 199
Radio operation 207
Telephone* operation 225
Auto-dimming mirror* 171
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating
(Control system) 152
Automatic climate control*
(Canada only) 186
Control panel 187
Defrosting, front 191
Rear window defroster 175
Automatic headlamp mode 119
Automatic locking when driving 107
Automatic shift program
Program mode selector switch
(Automatic transmission*) 167
Automatic time change (Standard time,
Daylight Saving time) 147Automatic transmission* 162
Accelerator position 165
Automatic shift program 167
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 169
Fluid level (ATF) 300
Gear ranges 166
Gear selector lever 162
Gear shifting malfunctions 169
Kickdown 165
Manual shifting 168
One-touch gearshifting 168
Program mode selector switch 167
Starting engine 49
B
Backrest
Driver’s multicontour seat*
(Canada only) 113
Rear seat, folding 254
Seat, manual 36
Seat, power* 38Backup lamps
Messages in display 377
Replacing bulbs 399
Bar 331
BAS 88, 449
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 396
Checking battery condition 101
Battery, Vehicle 302, 412
Charging 414
Disconnecting and connecting 413
Jump starting 415
Removing and installing 413
Bead 331
Bi-Xenon* headlamps see headlamps
Block heater (Canada only) 337
Bolts, Spare wheel 388
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brake fluid 442
Checking 295
Message in display 370