2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 Starter

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.

304 Practical hintsBattery1Negative terminal
2Positive terminal cover
Disconnecting the battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.

Open the hood (
page 235).

Remove the filter box.

Disconnect the battery negative
lead1.

Remove the cover2 from the positive
terminal.

Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Removing the battery
Remove the screw-nuts securing the
battery.

Remove the battery bracket.

Take out the battery.
Charging and reinstalling the battery
Charge battery in accordance with the
instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.

Reinstall the charged battery. Follow
the previously described steps in re-
verse order.
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery

y o u w i l l n o l o n g e r b e a b l e t o t u r n t h e k e y
in the starter switch will have no effect


the selector lever will remain locked in
positionP
Warning!
G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.

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).

326 Technical dataElectrical system
Electrical system
C230KompressorSport
C 240 / C 320 (all models)
C32AMG
Generator (alternator)
14 V/120 A
14 V/120 A
14 V/120 A
Starter motor
12 V/1.1 kW
12 V/1.7 kW
12 V/1.7 kW
Battery
12 V/100 Ah
12 V/100 Ah
12 V/100 Ah
Spark plugs
Bosch F 6 MPP 332
Bosch F 8 DPP332
NGK PFR 5 R-11
NGK IFR 6 D 10
Electrode gap
0.031 in (0.8 mm)
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
Tightening torque
18–22ft.lb (25–30Nm)
15 – 22 ft.lb (20 – 30 Nm)
15 – 22 ft.lb (20 – 30 Nm)

357 Index
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 206
Storage compartment in front of
armrest 205
J
Jack 279
Jump starting 306
K
Key dependency memory
Settings 131
Key positions in starter switch 31
Key, mechanical 285
Key, SmartKey
Battery check lamp 85
Changing the batteries 287
Checking the batteries 86
Factory setting 85
Global locking 85
Global unlocking 85
Loss of 87
Positions in starter switch 31
Remote control 84
Restoring to factory setting 85
Selective setting 85
Starting the engine 44Turning off the engine 53
Unlocking the trunk lid 86
Unlocking with 30
Keys 84
Kickdown 143, 343
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 123
Km/h or mph in speedometer 123
L
Labels, identification 318
Lamp bulbs, exterior 290
Lamps, exterior
Front 290
Light sensor 272
Messages in display 272–275
Rear 291
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 257
Airbag Off 61
Battery (SmartKey) 85
Brakes 258
CHECK ENGINE 259
Coolant 266
Engine diagnostics 257, 259
ESP 256
Fuel reserve 259
Instrument cluster 256–259Seat belts 259
Service indicator 247
SRS 57
Turn signals 23
Language
Multifunction display 124
Setting 124
LATCH child seat anchors 69
Folding back 70
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 319
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 253
License plate lamps
Messages in display 274
Replacing bulbs 291, 295
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 252
Technical data 323
Light sensor 272
Lighter see Cigarette lighter 208
Lighting 101
Automatic headlamp mode 102
Combination switch 104
Daytime running lamp mode 103
Door entry lamps 106

365 Index
Into reverse
(manual transmission) 137
Side impact airbags 61
Side marker lamps
Replacing bulbs 290, 291, 294
Side windows
Automatic opening 188
Cleaning 251
Closing 187, 188
Closing with SmartKey 188
Opening 187, 188
Opening fully 188
Opening with SmartKey 188
Stopping 188
Synchronizing power windows 189
Signal strength (telephone*) 134
Simultaneous wiping and washing
Windshield wipers 49
Single wipe 49
Ski sack* 196
Removing 199
Unfolding and loading 196
Unloading and folding 198
Sliding/pop-up roof* 190
Closing 190, 289
Closing with SmartKey 191Opening 190, 289
Opening with SmartKey 191
Stopping 191
Synchronizing 192
SmartKey
Changing battery 286
Locking and unlocking 84
Opening and closing
the sliding/pop-up roof* with 191
Opening and closing
windows with 188
Unlocking with 30
Snow chains 246
Soft keys
Audio system 168
Spare fuses 313
Spare parts service 316
Spare wheel 281
Bolts 282
Minispare 300
Mounting 297
Removing 281
Speed
Saving current 194
Speed settings
Cruise control 195Speedometer 23
Settings units 123
Speedometer display mode
Selecting 123
Split rear bench seat* 199
SRS 63, 344
Indicator lamp 257
Standing lamps 101
Replacing bulbs 290, 291, 293, 294
Standing water
Driving instructions 229
Starter switch 21, 31
Positions 31
Starting difficulties 45
Starting position 31
Starting the engine 44
Station (radio)
Search 117
Station selection
Setting 128
Steel rims
Technical data 323
Steering column
Height adjustment 37, 38
Length adjustment 37, 38
Messages in display 276