2001 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 Emergency

181 Audio system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Express-dialing
Press one of the number buttons - for more
than 1 second.
The phone number or the name stored at this memory
location will appear on the screen.
When the call is initiated, the call time will appear on
the display.
Note:
Please be aware that button might already be
reserved for an emergency call number, see page 183.
Call hold feature
While on the telephone, a second call can be accepted
by pressing the “SND” key. The first call will be put on
hold. Press “SND” to toggle between the calls.
An additional call can be accepted after ending one of
the previous calls.Accepting incoming call in telephone mode
With an incoming call, a
ringing tone can be heard and
the message “CALL” appears
on the display. Press the
“SND” key to answer the call.
Accepting incoming call in tape, CD or radio mode
If the telephone is activated in the background (symbol
“S” on the display), then a switch is made automatically
to the telephone mode when a call is received. The audio
source is muted, the ringing tone is heard and the
message “CALL” appears. Press the soft key “SND” to
answer the call. After the call has been terminated, the
previously selected audio source is resumed.
0OPR

183 Audio system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Emergency call
Important!
If you press button for more than 1 second, the
number stored in memory location 1 (for example 911)
will be dialed.
The 911 emergency call system is a public service.
Using it without due cause is a criminal offence.
You can make an emergency call to an emergency
rescue station with a mobile communications network.
The emergency call will be placed as long as the
corresponding mobile communications network is
available. To do this, switch the telephone on if you have
not already done so.
The call will also be placed if the unlock-code is not
entered.Emergency calls may not be possible with all telephone
networks or if certain network services and/or
telephone functions are active. Check with your local
network operating company. It may take some time to
set up an emergency call.
To use this function you must ensure that the number
stored in memory location 1 is the number to be dialed
in case of emergency.
Note:
If an emergency call cannot be
connected, the message
“SYSTM BUSY” appears.

220 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Tele Aid
Important!
The initial activation of the Tele Aid system may only be
performed by completing the subscriber agreement and
placing an acquaintance call using the “SOS” button.
Failure to complete either of these steps will result in a
system that is not activated.
If you have any questions regarding activation, please
call the Response Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
(Te l ematic Alarm Identification on Demand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three types of response;
automatic and manual emergency, roadside assistance
and information.
The Tele Aid system is always operational, providing
that the vehicle’s battery is charged and properly
connected. To activate, press the “SOS” button, the
Roadside Assistance button or the Information
button¡, depending on the type of response
required.System self-check
Initially, after turning the electronic key in starter
switch to position 2, malfunctions are detected and
indicated (the indicator lamps in the “SOS” button, the
Roadside Assistance button and the Information
button¡ stay on longer than 5 seconds or do not
come on).
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined above, have the
system checked at the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Important!
Always make sure that the indicator lamp in the
“SOS” button remains illuminated for approximately
5 seconds during the system self-check after turning
electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated automatically following
an accident in which the Emergency Tensioning
Retractors (ETR’s) or airbags deploy. An emergency call
can also be initiated manually by opening the cover next
to the inside rear view mirror labeled “SOS”, then

221 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index pressing the button (for longer than 2 seconds) located
under the cover. See below for instructions on initiating
an emergency call manually.
Once the emergency call is in progress, the indicator
lamp in the “SOS” button will begin to flash. The
message “EMERGENCY CALL – ESTABLISHING CALL”
appears in the multifunction display. When the
connection is established, the message “EMERGENCY
CALL – CALL CONNECTED” appears in the
multifunction display. All information relevant to the
emergency, such as the location of the vehicle
(determined by the GPS satellite location system),
vehicle model, identification number and color are
generated.
A voice connection between the Response Center and
the occupants of the vehicle will be established
automatically soon after the emergency call has been
initiated. The Response Center will attempt to determine
more precisely the nature of the accident provided they
can speak to an occupant of the vehicle.The Tele Aid system is available if:
•it has been activated and is operational. Activation
requires a subscription for monitoring services and
cellular air time,
•the relevant cellular phone network and GPS signals
are available.
Note:
Location of the vehicle on a map is possible if the
vehicle is able to receive signals from the GPS satellite
network.
Wa r n i n g !
If the indicator lamp in the “SOS” button is
illuminated continuously and there was no voice
connection to the Response Center established,
then the Tele Aid system could not initiate an
emergency call (e.g. the relevant cellular phone
network is not available). The message
“EMERGENCY CALL – CALL FAILED” appears in
the multifunction display.Should this occur, assistance must be summoned
by other means.

222 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Initiating an emergency call
Manually:
Briefly press on cover (1) – the cover will open.Press the emergency call switch (2) briefly (for longer
than 2 seconds). The indicator lamp in the emergency
call switch (2) will flash until the emergency call is
concluded. Wait for a voice connection to the Response
Center.
Close the cover (1) after the emergency call is
concluded.

223 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Roadside Assistance button 
Located below the center armrest cover is the Roadside
Assistance button. Pressing and holding the
button (for longer than 2 seconds) will initiate a call to a
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher. The
button will flash while the call is in progress. The
Tele Aid system will transmit data generating the
vehicle identification number, model, color and location
(subject to availability of cellular and GPS signals).A voice connection between the Roadside Assistance
dispatcher and the occupants of the vehicle will be
established. The nature of the need for assistance can
then be described. Sign and Drive services (jump start, a
few gallons of fuel or the replacement of a flat tire with
the vehicle spare tire) are available.
If the vehicle requires more than Sign and Drive
services, the Mercedes-Benz Roadside assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to tow your
vehicle to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center.
For other than Sign and Drive services, labor and / or
towing charges may apply. Refer to the Roadside
Assistance manual for more information.
Notes:
The indicator lamp in the Roadside Assistance
button remains illuminated in red for
approximately 5 seconds during the system self-check
after turning electronic key in starter switch to
position 2 (together with the “SOS” button and the
Information button¡).
See system self-check on page 220 when the indicator
lamp does not light up in red or stays on longer than
approximately 5 seconds.
Wa r n i n g !
If you feel at any way in jeopardy when in the
vehicle (e.g. smoke or fire in the vehicle, vehicle in
a dangerous road location), please do not wait for
voice contact after you have pressed the emergency
button. Carefully leave the vehicle and move to a
safe location. The Response Center will
automatically contact local emergency officials
with the vehicle’s approximate location if they
receive an “SOS” signal and cannot make voice
contact with the vehicle occupants.

225 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Upgrade Signals
Tele Aid system processes calls using the following
priority.
•Automatic emergency – First priority
•Manual emergency – Second priority
•Roadside assistance – Third priority
•Information – Fourth priority
Should a higher priority call be initiated while you are
connected, an upgrade (alternating) tone will be heard,
and the appropriate indicator lamp will flash. If certain
information such as vehicle identification number or
client information is not available, the operator may
need to retransmit. During this time you will hear a
chirp and voice contact will be interrupted. Voice
contact will resume once the retransmission is
complete. O n ce a c all i s c onc lud ed , a chir p will be heard ,
the appropriate indicator lamp will stop flashing and a
tone will be heard indicating that the system has reset.Important!
If the indicator lamp continues to flash or the system
does not reset, contact the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in
Canada), or Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) in the USA or
Customer Service at 1-800-387-0100 in Canada.
Notes:
The indicator lamp in the respective button flashes until
the call is concluded and this can only be completed by
a Response Center or Client Assistance Center
representative.

242 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
WWinter / Wet (snow and ice) mode
Press switch. “W” is displayed in the gear range
indicator display, see page 237. The vehicle starts
out in 2nd gear, except with selector lever in 1st
gear, or with accelerator pedal in kick-down
position.
The “W” mode helps to improve traction and
driving stability of the vehicle.
The gear shifting process occurs at lower vehicle
and engine speeds than in the “S” program mode.
Caution!
Never change the pr ogram mod e when t he se lec tor lever
is out of position “P”. It could result in a change of
driving characteristics for which you may not be
prepared.
Important!
Always be certain of the program mode selected since
the vehicle driving characteristics change with the
selection of the program mode.
Dependent on the program mode selector switch
position “S” or “W” and the gear selector lever in
position “R”, the ratio of power transmission changes.Emergency operation
(Limp home mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the transmission no
longer shifts, the transmission is most likely operating
in Limp Home Mode which engages when there is a
malfunction of the transmission. This condition may be
accompanied by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster coming on.
In this mode only the 2nd gear or reverse gear can be
activated.
To engage 2nd gear or reverse:
1. S to p t h e ve h i c l e .
2. Move selector lever to position “P”.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Move selector lever to position “D” (for 2nd gear), or
move selector lever to position “R” (for reverse gear).
Have the transmission checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.