2001 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 towing

Contents
Malfunction and warning messages
in the multifunction display ... 274
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................275
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR ........ 276
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM .....277
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................277
BRAKE LINING WEAR ..............278
BRAKE FLUID .............................278
PARKING BRAKE .......................279
SEAT BELT SYSTEM ...................279
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program) ..280
COOLANT (coolant level) .......... 281
COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................282ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 283
LIGHTING SYSTEM ................... 284
LIGHT SENSOR .......................... 286
DOOR ........................................... 286
TRUNK OPEN ............................. 287
HOOD ........................................... 287
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION ....... 288
TELE AID ..................................... 288
WASHER FLUID ......................... 289
RESTRAINT SYSTEM ................ 290
KEY .............................................. 290
FUEL RESERVE .......................... 291
UNDERVOLTAGE ....................... 291
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. .......... 292
ENTRANCE POSITION .............. 292
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................294
Stowing things in the vehicle ......294
Fuses ................................................295
Hood .................................................297
Checking engine oil level .............300
Automatic transmission fluid
level ............................................. 301
Coolant level ................................... 301
Adding coolant ...........................302
Windshield and headlamp washer
system .........................................302
Spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage
compartment .............................304
Vehicle jack .....................................305

ContentsWheels .............................................306
Tire replacement ........................306
Rotating wheels ..........................307
Spare wheel ....................................308
Changing wheels ...........................309
Tire inflation pressure .................. 315
Battery ............................................. 316
Jump starting .................................. 318
Towing the vehicle ......................... 321
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ...................325
Exterior lamps ................................326
Replacing bulbs ..........................326
Trunk lamp ..................................... 331
Changing batteries in the electronic
main key .....................................332Synchronizing remote
control ......................................... 334
Emergency engine shut-down ..... 334
Fuel filler flap, manual release ... 335
Replacing wiper blade insert ...... 337
Roof rack ......................................... 338
Vehicle careCleaning and care of
the vehicle ................................. 340
Power washer ............................. 341
Tar stains .................................... 341
Paintwork, painted body
components ................................ 341
Engine cleaning ......................... 342
Vehicle washing ......................... 342Ornamental moldings ................343
Headlamps, taillamps, turn signal
lenses ...........................................343
Window cleaning .......................343
Wiper blade .................................343
Light alloy wheels ......................344
Instrument cluster .....................344
Steering wheel and gear selector
lever ..............................................344
Cup holder ...................................344
Seat belts .....................................345
Headliner and shelf below rear
window ........................................345
Leather upholstery .....................345
Hard plastic trim items .............345
Plastic and rubber parts ............345

34 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Automatic central locking
Wit h t he autom ati c c entral lockin g s ystem ac ti vate d, t he
doors and trunk are locked at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or more. The fuel filler
flap remains unlocked.
The automatic central locking function can be switched
on or off. See page 111 for “Individual settings”.
Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch
after activating the automatic central locking, and
neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked
even at vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.
If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or less with the
automatic central locking activated, the door will again
be automatically locked at speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
electronic key in starter switch position 2, the vehicle
doors will lock if the left front wheel as well as the right
rear wheel spin at vehicle speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking. See page 111
for “Individual settings” - “VEHICLE”.
Emergency unlocking in case of accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after an
accident in which an airbag or emergency tensioning
retractor deploys (this is intended to aid rescue and
exit).

40 Tow-away alarm
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
The alarm will last approximately 3 minutes in form of
flashing exterior lamps. At the same time an alarm will
sound for 30 seconds. The alarm will stay on even if the
vehicle is immediately lowered. To cancel the alarm,
insert the electronic key in the starter switch or press
buttonŒ or‹ on the electronic main key.
If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds, an
emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele Aid
on page 220.
To prevent tri gger ing t he tow -away alarm featur e, s witch
off the tow-away alarm before towing the vehicle, or
when parking on a surface subject to movement, such
as a ferry or auto train.To do so, turn electronic key in starter switch to
position 1 or 0, or remove electronic key from starter
switch. Press tow-away alarm switch (1). The indicator
lamp (2) illuminates briefly.
Exit vehicle, and lock vehicle with the electronic main
key.
The tow-away alarm remains switched off until the
vehicle is locked again with the electronic main key, at
which time it is automatically reactivated.

193 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Interior Storage compartments and armrests
Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than
the seat backs. Do not place anything on the shelf
below the rear window.Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy objects.
Wa r n i n g !
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help to
prevent stored objects from being thrown about
and injuring vehicle occupants during an accident.

210 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Cellular telephone
The vehicle is prepared for the installation of a cellular
telephone. For further information and installation
contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Wa r n i n g !
In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle and can cause injury to vehicle
occupants unless the items are securely fastened in
the vehicle.To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than
the seat backs. Do not place anything on the shelf
below the rear window.Never drive vehicle with trunk lid open while seat
backrest sections not locked in their upright
position. Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.
Wa r n i n g !
Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
c ell ul ar tel ephone whi le d ri vin g a vehi cl e. W het her
or not prohibited by law, for safety reasons, the
driver should not use the cellular telephone while
the vehicle is in motion.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location before answering
or placing a call.

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.

260 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Electronic stability program (ESP)
The ESP enhances directional control and reduces
driving wheel spin of the vehicle under various driving
conditions.
Over/understeering of the vehicle is counteracted by
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel to create a
countervailing vehicle movement. Engine torque is also
limited. The ESP warning lamp, located in the
speedometer dial, starts to flash when ESP is in
operation.Important!
If the ESP warning lampv flashes:
•During take-off apply as little throttle as possible.
•While driving ease up on the accelerator.
•Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
•Do not switch off the ESP.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (see
page 321, “Towing the vehicle”), the engine must be
shut off (electronic key in starter switch position 0 or 1).
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be engaged and
will apply the rear wheel brakes.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded. The ESP cannot prevent
ac c id ent s, i nc l udi ng t hose resul tin g from exc es si ve
speed in turns, or aquaplaning. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.