2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC key

303 Practical hints
Battery
Battery
The battery is located in the engine com-
partment on the right hand side.
Removal of filter box:
Release the three clamps1.

Remove filter box.
Installation of filter box:

Insert filter box properly.

Secure it with the three clamps1.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the key is in the starter switch. Oth-
erwise the alternator and other elec-
tronic components could be severely
damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Service Booklet for mainte-
nance intervals or contact your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.

308 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
Towing the vehicleMercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground or front wheels raised (except
vehicles with 4MATIC*) only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with key in starter switch turned
to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 80) and deactivate the auto-
matic central locking (
page 129).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission
and/or 4MATIC*:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.!Vehicles with 4MATIC*:
Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing
so could damage the transfer case,
which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground.
Observe instructions for towing the
vehicle with all wheels on the ground.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised (not permissible for vehicles
with 4MATIC*), the engine must be
shut off (key in starter switch
position0 or1). Otherwise the ESP will
immediately be engaged and will apply
the rear wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the selector lever must
be in positionN (manual transmission:
gears disengaged) and the key must be
in starter switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and
at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).

309 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
!To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the drive train, however, we
recommend the drive shaft be discon-
nected at the rear axle drive flange
(vehicles with 4MATIC*: disconnected
at the front and rear axle drive flanges)
for any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.
Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
as that will be necessary to adequately
control the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the key is in
starter switch position2.
If the key is left in starter switch position0
for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the switch. In this case,
the steering is locked. To unlock, remove
key from starter switch and reinsert.
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
key in starter switch to position2 and
activate the combination switch for the
left or right turn signal in the usual
manner – only the selected turn signal
will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the
hazard warning flasher will operate
again.

310 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the braking and steer-
ing systems. In this case, it is important to
keep in mind that a considerably higher
degree of effort is necessary to brake and
steer the vehicle. Adapt your driving accord-
ingly.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking
activated and the key in starter switch
position2, the vehicle doors lock if the
left front wheel as well as the right rear
wheel are turning at vehicle speeds of
approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 80).
To prevent the vehicle doors from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking (
page 129).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed
towing eye bolt. Never attach tow
cable, tow rope or tow rod to vehicle
chassis, frame or suspension parts.
iIf the battery is disconnected or
discharged

the key will not turn in the starter
switch. See notes on the battery
(page 240) or on jump starting
(page 306).


the selector lever will remain
locked in positionP. See notes on
manual unlocking of gear selector
lever (
page 288).

343 Technical terms
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.
Lock button
Button on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the lock button down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.
Memory function*
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and mirror positions for
each key.Menu
The control system displays are ar-
ranged in menus. Each menu contains
a number of commands for particular
systems. In the Audio menu, for exam-
ple, you will find the commands
SELECT
RADIO STATION
or
OPERATE CD PLAYER
.
Using commands you can directly
change the settings for your vehicle.
MON
(M
otor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline's
ability to resist undesired detonation
(knocking). The average of both the
MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Multifunction display
The display field in the instrument clus-
ter used to present information provid-
ed by the control system.
Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for operat-
ing the control system.
Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
of the tachometer dial. Avoid this en-
gine speed range, as it may result in se-
rious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

344 Technical termsPoly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.
Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing


engine


clutch/torque converter


transmission


transfer case*


drive shaft


axle shafts/axles
Program mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic transmis-
sion between standard operationS and
winter operationW.Remote Vehicle Diagnostics
Transmission of vehicle data and cur-
rent location to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center for sub-
scribers to Tele Aid service.
Restraint systems
Seat belts, belt tensioners, airbags and
child restraint systems. As indepen-
dent systems, their protective func-
tions complement one another.
RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the transmission selector le-
ver from being moved out of positionP
without key turned and brake pedal
depressed.
SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.

348 IndexAir vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 155, 164
Air volume
Adjusting 151, 159
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 260
Airbags 57
BabySmart
TM deactivation
system 67, 341
Children 58
Front 60
Passenger 61
Safety guidelines 59
Side impact 61
Window curtain 61
Alarm
Audible 72, 80
Canceling 80
Visual 79
Alarm system
Anti-theft 79
Tow-away 80
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 299, 341
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 337
Antiglare
Automatic* 144
Manual 144Antilock brake system (ABS) 341
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 79
Canceling alarm 80
Disarming 80
Anti-theft systems 79
Anti-theft alarm system 79
Immobilizer 79
Tow-away alarm 80
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning 227
Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 205
Storage spaces 206
Ashtray 207
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 238
AUDIO menu 116
Selecting radio station 117
Audio system 165
Audio and telephone, operation 165
Button and soft key operation 168
Cassette mode 174
CD mode 178
Operating and display elements 166
Operating safety 165
Operation 168
Radio mode 171Switching off 168
Switching on 168
Telephone operation 182
Automatic antiglare*
for rear view mirror 144
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating
(control system) 129
Automatic climate control* 156
Activating 157
Adjusting air distribution 159
Adjusting air volume 159
Air recirculation mode 160
Deactivating 157
Defrosting 160
Rear window defroster 153, 162
Residual heat utilization 163
Residual ventilation 163
Setting the temperature 158
Automatic headlamp mode 102
Automatic lighting control
Activating 105
Deactivating 105
Automatic locking when driving 91

349 Index
Automatic transmission 138
Accelerator position 143
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 143
Fluid level 238
Gear ranges 140
Gear selector lever position 141
Gear shifting malfunctions 143
Kickdown 143
Manual shifting 139
One-touch gearshifting 139
Program mode selector switch 142
Selector lever position 138
Starting with 44
Transmission fluid 238
Winter program mode 142
Auxiliary fuse box 313
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 67, 341
Compatible child seats 67, 341
Self-test 67
Backrest
Folding forward 200
Folding rearward 200
Backrest tilt 33Backup lamps 291, 295
Bulbs 291
BAS 74, 341
Messages in display 263
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 286, 287
Check lamp 85
Checking 86
Battery discharged
Jump starting 306
Battery, vehicle 240, 303
Charging 304
Disconnecting 304
Messages in display 278
Reconnecting 305
Reinstalling 304
Removing 304
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 341
Bi-Xenon type*
Front lamp bulbs 293
Block heater 246
Blocking
Rear door window operation 71
Bolts
For Minispare wheel 284
For spare wheel 282Brake assist system (BAS) 341
Brake fluid 332
Checking 234
Brake lamp bulbs 291
Brake lamp, high mounted 291
Brake pads
Message in display 265
Brakes 224
Warning lamp 258
Break-in period 222
Bulbs, replacing 290
Additional turn signals 290
Backup lamps 291
Brake lamps 291
Fog lamps 290
Front lamps 290
High beam 290
High mounted brake lamp 291
License plate lamps 291, 295
Low beam 290
Parking lamps 290, 291, 293, 294
Rear fog lamp 291, 295
Side marker lamps 290, 294
Standing lamps 290, 291, 293, 294
Tail lamp assemblies 291, 295
Turn signal lamps 290, 291