coolant temperature MERCEDES-BENZ C55AMG 2006 W203 Owner's Manual

Contents
Safety and Security........................... 59
Occupant safety................................... 60
Air bags .......................................... 61
Seat belts ....................................... 67
Active head restraint ...................... 71
Children in the vehicle .................... 72
Blocking of rear door window
operation ........................................ 80
Panic alarm* ........................................ 81
Activating ....................................... 81
Deactivating ................................... 81
Driving safety systems ......................... 82
ABS ................................................ 82
BAS ................................................ 84
ESP
®............................................... 84
Anti-theft systems................................ 88
Immobilizer..................................... 88
Anti-theft alarm system* ................ 88
Tow-away alarm* ........................... 90
Controls in detail............................... 93
Locking and unlocking ......................... 94
SmartKey ....................................... 94
Opening the doors from
the inside ....................................... 99
Opening the trunk .......................... 99
Closing the trunk.......................... 101
Trunk emergency release ............. 102
Valet locking ................................ 103
Automatic central locking ............ 103
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ..................................... 104
Seats ................................................. 106
Front seat active head restraints . 106
Rear seat head restraints ............. 106
Lumbar support*.......................... 109
Seat heating ................................. 110
Memory function ............................... 111
Storing positions into memory ..... 112
Recalling positions from memory . 112
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 113Lighting ............................................. 114
Exterior lamp switch .................... 114
Combination switch ..................... 118
Hazard warning flasher ................ 119
Interior lighting ............................ 120
Door entry lamps ......................... 121
Trunk lamp ................................... 121
Instrument cluster ............................. 122
Instrument cluster illumination .... 122
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 123
Trip odometer .............................. 123
Tachometer .................................. 124
Outside temperature indicator ..... 124
Control system .................................. 125
Multifunction display.................... 125
Multifunction steering wheel........ 126
Menus .......................................... 128
Standard display menu ................ 130
AUDIO menu ................................ 131
NAV* menu .................................. 134
Vehicle status message memory
menu............................................ 134
Settings menu .............................. 135
Trip computer menu..................... 150
TEL menu* ................................... 152

Contents
Loading .............................................. 248
Roof rack* .................................... 248
Ski sack (Canada only) ................. 249
Split rear bench seat .................... 252
Loading instructions ..................... 254
Cargo tie-down rings* .................. 255
Useful features .................................. 256
Storage compartments................. 256
Cup holders .................................. 258
Ashtrays ....................................... 260
Cigarette lighter ........................... 262
Power outlet ................................. 263
Telephone*................................... 263
Tele Aid* ...................................... 264
Garage door opener ..................... 273
Operation......................................... 281
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)......... 282
Driving instructions............................ 283
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 283
Drinking and driving ..................... 283
Pedals .......................................... 283
Power assistance ......................... 283
Brakes .......................................... 284
Driving off .................................... 285
Parking ......................................... 285
Tires ............................................. 286
Hydroplaning ................................ 287
Tire traction.................................. 287
Tire speed rating .......................... 288
Winter driving instructions ........... 288
Standing water ............................. 289
Passenger compartment .............. 290
Driving abroad.............................. 290
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 290
Catalytic converter ....................... 291
Emission control .......................... 291
Coolant temperature .................... 292At the gas station .............................. 293
Refueling ...................................... 293
Check regularly and before a
long trip ....................................... 294
Engine compartment ......................... 297
Hood ............................................ 297
Engine oil ..................................... 298
Transmission fluid level ................ 301
Coolant level ................................ 301
Battery ......................................... 303
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 304
Tires and wheels................................ 305
Important guidelines .................... 305
Tire care and maintenance........... 306
Direction of rotation..................... 308
Loading the vehicle ...................... 308
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 315
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 317
Tire labeling ................................. 321
Load identification ....................... 325
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 326
Maximum tire load ....................... 327
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 328

25 At a glance
Instrument cluster
ItemPage
1Speedometer with:
vElectronic Stability
Program (ESP®)
warning lamp
84,
354
;Brake warning lamp,
USA only46, 54,
351
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only46, 54,
351
BLow beam headlamp
indicator lamp48,
114
2LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp49
3Multifunction display
with:125

Trip odometer123

Main odometer125

Gear selector lever
position45,
125,
157
ItemPage

Program mode161

Status indicator (outside
temperature/digital
speedometer124,
139

Digital clock125
4KRight turn signal
indicator lamp49
5Tachometer with:124
-Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
indicator lamp82,
350
úEngine malfunction
indicator lamp,
USA only352,
353
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada only352,
353
1Supplemental
Restraint System
(SRS) indicator lamp60,
356
ItemPage
355
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator lamp49,
118
6Fuel gauge with:
Fuel reserve warning lamp354
4The arrow indicates
that the fuel filler cap
is on the rear
right-hand side.
7Coolant temperature gauge123
8Button for:122

Resetting trip odometer123

Resetting all settings135

Instrument cluster
illumination122

52 Getting started
Driving
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged.

The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.

Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.The coolant temperature is
above 248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as
soon as possible and turn off the en-
gine. Allow engine and coolant to cool.
Check the coolant level and add
coolant if necessary (
page 301).
!
If anything blocks the windshield
wipers (leaves, snow, etc.), switch
them off immediately.

For safety reasons, stop the vehicle
in a safe location and remove
SmartKey from starter switch
before attempting to remove any
blockage.

Remove blockage.

Turn the windshield wipers on
again.
If the windshield wipers fail to function
at all with combination switch in
positionI,

set the combination switch to the
next higher wiper speed

have the windshield wipers
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center

123 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Coolant temperature gauge
The coolant temperature gauge is on the
left side in the instrument cluster
(
page 24).
Trip odometer
Make sure you are viewing the trip
odometer and main odometer in the
multifunction display (
page 125).
If it is not displayed, press buttonè
orÿ on the multifunction steering
wheel (
page 126) until the trip
odometer appears in the multifunction
display.
Press and hold the reset button in the
instrument cluster (
page 122) until
the trip odometer is reset.
Warning!G

Driving when your engine is badly
overheated can cause some fluids which
may have leaked into the engine
compartment to catch fire. You could be
seriously burned.

Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the hood. Stay away from
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
!
Excessive coolant temperature triggers
a warning in the multifunction display
(
page 368).
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
i
During severe operating conditions,
e.g. stop-and-go traffic, the coolant
temperature may rise close to 248°F
(120°C).

195 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control* (Canada only)
Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the automatic
climate control system. The air in the
vehicle will then no longer be cooled or
dehumidified.
Press button9 (page 185).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
The cooling function switches off after
a short delay.
Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condi-
tioning.
Press button9 (page 185) again.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Residual heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.Activating
Switch off the ignition (page 33).
Press button9 (page 185).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
!
If the air conditioning cannot be turned
on again, this indicates that the air
conditioning is losing refrigerant. The
compressor has turned itself off.
Have the air conditioning checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
i
How long the system will provide
heating depends on

the coolant temperature

the temperature set by the operator
The blower will run at speed setting 1
regardless of the air distribution
control setting.

292 Operation
Driving instructions
Coolant temperature
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant
temperature may rise close to
approximately 248°F (120°C).
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature over 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one
window fully open at all times.
Warning!G

Driving when your engine is badly
overheated can cause some fluids,
which may have leaked into the engine
compartment, to catch fire. You could
be seriously burned.

Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the hood. Stay away from
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.

302 Operation
Engine compartment
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.
1Coolant expansion tank
2Cap
Using a rag, turn cap2 slowly approx-
imately one half counterclockwise to
release any excess pressure.
Continue turning the cap counterclock-
wise and remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level

for cold coolant: reaches the black
top part of the reservoir

for warm coolant: is approx. 0.6 in
(1.5 cm) higher
Add coolant as required.
Replace and tighten cap.
For more information on coolant, see
“Coolants” (
page 439).
Warning!G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.

Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.

Using a rag, slowly open the cap
approximately1/2 turn to relieve excess
pressure. If opened immediately, scald-
ing hot fluid and steam will be blown out
under pressure.

Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene
glycol which may burn if it comes into
contact with hot engine parts.

368 Practical hints
What to do if …
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
•Coolant
Stop, engine off!The coolant is too hot. Stop the vehicle in a safe location and
turn off the engine.
Only start the engine again after the
message disappears. You could
otherwise damage the engine.
Warning!G
Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated can cause some fluids which may
have leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the hood. Stay away from the engine if you
see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
!
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

369 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
•Coolant
Stop, engine off!The poly-V-belt could be broken.Stop the vehicle in a safe location and
immediately turn off the engine.
Check the poly-V-belt.
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:
Do not continue to drive the vehicle with this
message displayed. Doing so could result in seri-
ous engine damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Observe the coolant temperature gauge in the in-
strument cluster (
page 24).
Drive immediately to the nearest authorized Mer-
cedes-Benz Center.
Coolant
Visit workshopThe cooling fan for the coolant is
malfunctioning.Observe the coolant temperature gauge in the in-
strument cluster (
page 24).
Have the fan replaced as soon as possible.