technical data MERCEDES-BENZ C55AMG 2005 W203 Owner's Guide

398 Technical dataConsumer informationTemperature
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the tire’s
resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material of the
tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal Mo-
tor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
Warning!
G
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.

399 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
BabySmart
TM1
air bag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is
installed on the front passenger seat.
The system will automatically
deactivate the passenger front air bag
when such a seat is properly installed
(the56indicator lamp located
in the center console comes on). See
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for availability. BabySmart
TM compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the
passenger front air bag if a
BabySmartTM compatible child seat is
installed.
BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking
situations. The system is activated
when it senses an emergency based on
how fast the brake is applied.
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more
intense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service
center, which can help you with any
questions about your vehicle and
provide assistance in the event of a
breakdown.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control
vehicle functions such as door locking
or windshield wiping depending on
vehicle settings and/or ambient
conditions.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the
passenger compartment needed for
vehicle operation and monitoring.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.

413 Index
Symbol messages 314
Text messages 310
Vehicle status messages 309
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 150
Door control panel 30
Door entry lamps 116
Door handle 92
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 255
Doors
Message in display 319
Opening from inside vehicle 92
Opening from the outside 89
Downhill driving
Cruise control 232
Downshifting 158
Manual transmission 155
Drink holder see Cup holders
Drinking and driving 265Driving
Driving abroad 272
General instructions 43, 265
Hydroplaning 268
In winter 270
Problems 53
Safety systems 77
Through standing water 271
Driving abroad 272
Driving instructions 265
Driving off 267
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 82
ABS 77
BAS 78
ESP 79
Driving systems 231
Cruise control 231
Driving safety systems 77E
Easy-entry/exit feature* 98
Activating 146
Electrical fuses 369
Electrical outlet in
rear passenger compartment 247
Electrical system
Technical data 384
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
Emergency call
911 221
Emergency call system* 249
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 251
With Tele Aid* 250
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 167
Emergency operations
Closing power tilt/sliding
sunroof* 341
Locking the vehicle 338
Opening power tilt/sliding
sunroof* 341

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

419 Index
Key, SmartKey
Battery check lamp 89
Checking the batteries 91
Factory setting 89
Global locking 89
Global unlocking 89
Loss of 91
Messages in display 322
Positions in starter switch 33
Remote control 88
Restoring to factory setting 90
Selective setting 89
Starting the engine,
automatic transmission* 47
Starting the engine,
manual transmission 46
Turning off the engine 56
Unlocking the trunk lid 91
Unlocking with 32
Kickdown 163, 401
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 135
Km/h or mph in speedometer 135L
Labels, identification 376
Lamp bulbs, exterior 344
Lamp sensor
Message in display 324
Lamps, exterior
Front 345
Light sensor 324
Messages in display 323–326
Rear 345
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 25, 302
Battery (SmartKey) 89
Brakes 25, 303
Engine diagnostics 304, 307
Engine malfunction 25, 304–305
ESP 25, 306
Front fog lamps 109
Front passenger
front air bag off 27, 63, 70, 308
Fuel reserve 25, 307
High beam headlamps 25Instrument cluster 302–307
Low beam headlamps 25
Maintenance service indicator 292
Rear fog lamp 109
Seat belt telltale 25, 307
SRS 25, 59, 307
Turn signals 25
Language
Multifunction display 136
Setting 136
LATCH-type child seat anchors 73
Folding back 74
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 377
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 299
Lever for voice control system* 23
License plate lamps
Messages in display 324
Replacing bulbs 345
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 298
Technical data 381, 382

420 IndexLight sensor 324
Lighter see Cigarette lighter
Lighting 109
Automatic headlamp mode 110
Combination switch 113
Daytime running lamp mode 111
Door entry lamps 116
Exterior lamp switch 109
Front fog lamps 112
High beams 113
Instrument cluster illumination 117
Instruments 117
Interior 115
Locator lighting 112
Low beam 109
Manual headlamp mode 110
Night security illumination 112
Parking lamps 109
Rear fog lamp 113
Settings (control system) 141
Standing lamps 109
Trunk lamp 116Limiting the gear range 159
Limp Home Mode 167
Loading 234
Cargo tie-down rings* 240
Instructions 239
Roof rack* 234
Split rear bench seat* 237
Locator lighting 112
Setting 143
Lock button 401
Locking 54, 88
Automatic while driving 96
Centrally from inside 96
Fuel filler flap 275
Global, SmartKey 89
Glove box 241
Vehicle in an emergency 338
Loss of keys 91
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet 375
Low beam headlamps
Indicator lamp 25
Messages in display 324–325
Replacing bulbs 345, 347
Switching on 49Lowering
Vehicle 359
Lubricants
Technical data 387
M
Main dimensions 385
Main fuse box
In passenger compartment 370
Mainodometer 121
Maintenance 12, 292
Vehicles with E85 fuel 393
Maintenance service
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator 293
Major service (Service B) 292
Minor service (Service A) 292
Overdue 293
Types 293
When due 292
Maintenance service indicator 292
Calling up 293, 294
Clearing 293, 294
Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) 292, 401

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

Service and Literature
Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center has trained technicians and original Mercedes-Benz parts to service your vehicle properly.
For expert advice and quality service, see an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If you are interested in obtaining service literature for your vehicle, please contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
We consider this the best way for you to obtain accurate information for your vehicle.
For further information you can find us on the Mercedes-Benz web-site www.mbusa.com or www.mercedes-benz.ca.
We reserve the right to modify the technical details of the vehicle as given in the data and illustrations of this Operator’s Manual.
Reprinting, translation and copying, even of excerpts, is not permitted without our prior authorization in writing.
Title illustration no. P00.01-2840-31
Press time 03/05/04
GSP/TIP
Printed in Germany
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury, be extremely careful when performing any service work or repairs. Improper or incomplete service or the use of
incorrect or inappropriate parts or materials may damage the vehicle or its equipment, which may in turn result in personal injury.
If you have questions about carrying out any type of service, turn to the advice of an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.