engine MERCEDES-BENZ C55AMG 2006 W203 Owner's Manual

Our company and staff congratulate you
on the purchase of your new
Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demon-
stration of your trust in our company
name. Furthermore, it exemplifies your
desire to own an automobile that will be as
easy as possible to operate and provide
years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the ef-
forts of many skilled engineers and crafts-
men. To help assure your driving pleasure,
and also the safety of you and your passen-
gers, we ask you to make a small invest-
ment of time:
Please read this manual carefully, then
return it to your vehicle where it will be
handy for your reference.

Please follow the recommendations
contained in this manual. They are de-
signed to acquaint you with the opera-
tion of your Mercedes-Benz.

Please pay attention to the warnings
and cautions contained in this manual.
They are designed to help improve the
safety of the vehicle operator and oc-
cupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles
of safe, pleasurable driving.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
A DaimlerChrysler Company

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle outside the
USA or Canada............................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting Safety Defects ............... 18
Vehicle data recording......................... 19
Information regarding electronic
recording devices........................... 19At a glance.......................................... 21
Cockpit ................................................. 22
Instrument cluster ................................ 24
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 26
Center console ..................................... 27
Upper part ...................................... 27
Lower part ...................................... 28
Overhead control panel ........................ 29
Door control panel................................ 30Getting started................................... 31
Unlocking ............................................. 32
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 32
Starter switch positions .................. 33
Adjusting .............................................. 35
Seats .............................................. 35
Steering wheel ................................ 38
Mirrors ............................................ 40
Driving .................................................. 42
Fastening the seat belt ................... 42
Starting the engine ......................... 45
Parking brake ................................. 46
Driving ............................................ 47
Switching on headlamps ................. 48
Turn signals .................................... 49
Windshield wipers ........................... 50
Problems while driving.................... 52
Parking and locking .............................. 54
Parking brake ................................. 54
Switching off headlamps................. 55
Turning off engine ........................... 56
Releasing seat belts........................ 56
Locking ........................................... 56

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

Contents
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 329
Tire ply material ........................... 331
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................. 357
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display..................... 358
Where will I find ...? ............................ 380
First aid kit.................................... 380
Vehicle tool kit .............................. 380
Spare wheel .................................. 383
Spare wheel bolts ......................... 385
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 386
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 386
Locking the vehicle ....................... 387
Manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever ... 388
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 389
Power tilt/sliding sunroof ............. 389
Resetting activated head restraints .... 391
Resetting activated head
restraints ...................................... 391
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 392
SmartKey ...................................... 393Replacing bulbs .................................. 394
Bulbs............................................. 395
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 397
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 400
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 402
Removing and installing wiper
blades ........................................... 402
Flat tire............................................... 404
Preparing the vehicle .................... 404
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 404
Battery ............................................... 411
Disconnecting the battery ............ 412
Removing the battery ................... 412
Charging and reinstalling the
battery .......................................... 413
Reconnecting the battery ............. 413
Jump starting...................................... 415
Towing the vehicle.............................. 417
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 419
Fuses.................................................. 420
Aids for replacing fuses ................ 420
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment ................................ 421
Fuse box in engine compartment . 421
Fuse box in trunk .......................... 422

Contents
Technical data.................................. 423
Parts service ...................................... 424
Warranty coverage ............................. 425
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 425
Identification labels............................ 426
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 427
Engine ................................................ 428
Rims and Tires ................................... 429
Same size tires ............................. 431
Mixed size tires ............................ 432
Spare wheel (collapsible tire) ....... 433
Electrical system................................ 434
Main dimensions and weights ............ 435
Main dimensions .......................... 435
Weights ........................................ 435Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 436
Capacities .................................... 436
Engine oils.................................... 437
Engine oil additives ...................... 437
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 437
Brake fluid .................................... 437
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 438
Gasoline additives ........................ 438
Fuel requirements ........................ 439
Coolants....................................... 439
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system* ......................... 442Technical terms............................... 443
Index................................................. 449

13 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Operating your vehicle outside the USA
or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that

service facilities or replacement parts
may not be readily available,

unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat-
alytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts,

gasoline may have a considerably low-
er octane rating, and improper fuel can
cause engine damage.Certain Mercedes-Benz models are avail-
able for delivery in Europe under our
European Delivery Program. For details,
consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9

16 Introduction
Operating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:

the safety precautions in this manual

the “Technical data” section in this
manual

traffic rules and regulations

motor vehicle laws and safety
standards
Warning!G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are
interconnected, any modifications made
may produce an undesired effect on other
systems. Electronic malfunctions could
seriously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore
never turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires/wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage and impair the
operating safety of your vehicle. If you feel a
sudden significant vibration or ride distur-
bance, or you suspect that damage to your
vehicle has occurred, you should turn on
your hazard warning flashers, carefully slow
down, and drive with caution to an area
which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires/wheels for possible damage. If the
vehicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair
facility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning!G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself.
Removal of any of these labels may cause
you and others to be unaware of certain
risks which may result in an accident and/or
personal injury.

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

33 Getting started
Unlocking
Starter switch positions SmartKey
Starter switch
0For removing SmartKey
The steering is locked when the
SmartKey is removed from the starter
switch.
1Power supply for some electrical
consumers, such as seat adjustment2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position.
All lamps (except low beam headlamp
indicator lamp, high beam headlamp in-
dicator lamp, and turn signal indicator
lamps unless activated) in the instru-
ment cluster come on. If a lamp in the
instrument cluster fails to come on
when the ignition is switched on, have
it checked and replaced if necessary. If
a lamp in the instrument cluster re-
mains on after starting the engine or
comes on while driving, refer to “Lamps
in instrument cluster” (page 350).
3Starting position
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.

34 Getting started
Unlocking
i
When you switch on ignition, the
indicator and warning lamps (except
low beam headlamp indicator lamp,
high beam headlamp indicator lamp,
and turn signal indicator lamps unless
activated) in the instrument cluster
come on. The indicator and warning
lamps (except low beam headlamp in-
dicator lamp, high beam headlamp indi-
cator lamp, and turn signal indicator
lamps if activated) will go out when the
engine is running. This indicates that
the respective systems are operational.
i
The SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.
!
If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the battery may not be
sufficiently charged.

Check the battery and charge it if
necessary (
page 411).

Get a jump start (page 415).
To prevent accelerated vehicle battery
discharge or a completely discharged
battery, always remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch when the en-
gine is not in operation.