2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 Gear lever

297 Practical hints
Flat tire
Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
moving traffic on a hard surface.

Turn on the hazard warning flashers.

Engage the steering wheel lock in the
straight ahead position and set the
parking brake.

Move the selector lever toP (manual
transmission to first or reverse gear).

Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Mounting the spare wheel
Prepare the vehicle as described under
"Preparing the vehicle" on this page.

Take the spare wheel out of the trunk
as described on (
page 281) (full size
tire spare wheel) or (page 282)
(Minispare wheel).
Lifting the vehicle

Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking wheels with wheel chocks
(not included) or other sizable objects.
When changing wheel on a level surface:

Place one chock in front of and one
behind the wheel that is diagonally
opposite to the wheel being changed.
When changing wheel on a hill:

Place chocks on the downhill side
blocking both wheels of the other axle.

Take the two-piece wheel wrench and
the jack out of the trunk (
page 279).
Assemble wheel wrench.
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use, es-
pecially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface. Make sure that the jack
arm is fully seated in the jack take-up
bracket. Always lower the vehicle onto suffi-
cient capacity jackstands before working
under the vehicle.


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).

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).

342 Technical termsCOMAND*
(C
ockpit M
anagement and D
ata
System)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and navi-
gation system, as well as for other
optional equipment (CD changer,
telephone, etc.).
Control system
The control system is used to call up
vehicle information and to change
component settings. Information and
messages appear in the multifunction
display. The driver uses the buttons on
the multifunction steering wheel to
navigate through the system and to ad-
just settings.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for auto-
matically maintaining the vehicle speed
set by the driver.Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability Pr
ogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRSFSS
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Service indicator in the multifunction
display that informs the driver when
the next vehicle maintenance service is
due.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.
GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer
and fuel gauge.

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

350 IndexButton
Audio system 168
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 341
California
Important notice 11
Calling up
Range (distance to empty) 133
Service indicator 248
CAN system 341
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 329
Cargo area see Trunk 86
Casette mode
Playing cassettes 174
Cassette player
Operating 118
Catalytic converter 231
CD changer* 178
CD mode 178
CD player*
Operating 117
Center console 25
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 260
Lower part 26
Upper part 25Centigrade
Setting temperature units 123
Central locking
Automatic 91
From inside 92
Switch 92
Switching on/off
(control system) 129
Unlocking from inside 92
Central locking switch 92
Certification label 318
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey) 287
Key setting 129
Changing CDs 178
Charcoal filter 161
Charging
Vehicle battery 304
CHECK ENGINE malfunction
indicator lamp 259
Checking
Brake fluid 234
Coolant level 234, 238
Oil level 234, 236
Tire inflate pressure 234
Vehicle lighting 234Child safety 65
Airbags 58
Infant and child restraint
systems 62, 65
LATCH child seat anchors 69
Child safety switch see Blocking of
rear door window operation 71
Child seat anchors
see LATCH child seat anchors 70
Cigarette lighter 208
Cleaning
Cup holder 252
Gear selector lever 252
Hard plastic trim items 252
Headlamps 146
Headliner 252
Instrument cluster 252
Leather upholstery 253
Light alloy wheels 252
MB Tex upholstery 253
Plastic and rubber parts 252
Seat belts 252
Steering wheel 252
Windows 251
Windshield 49
Wiper blades 251

355 Index
Fuel requirements 333
For ethanol fuel 334
Fuel reserve tank
Message in display 272
Fuel tank
Capacity 330
Filler flap 233
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Capacities 329
Functions (control system) 112, 115
Resetting 120
Fuse box 312
Fuse chart 312
Fuse extractor 313
Fuses 312
Auxiliary fuse box in the trunk 313
F us e box in e ng ine com pa rtm ent 3 12
Fuse box in passenger
compartment 312
Fuse chart 312
Fuse extractor 313
Spare fuses 313G
Garage door opener 27, 217
Erasing in remote control 220
Integrated remote control 218
Rolling code programming 219
Gasoline see Fuel 234
Gasoline additives 334
Gear range 342
Automatic transmission 140
Limiting 140
Shifting into optimal 139
Gear range limit
Canceling 139
Gear selector lever
Cleaning 252
Position 141
Global
Locking 85
Unlocking 85
Global Positioning System (GPS) 342
Glove box 21, 203
Closing 203
Opening 203
Good visibility 144
GPS 342
GPS see COMAND* 210H
Halogen-type
Front lamp bulbs 292
Hand-held transmitter
Programming integrated remote
control 218
Hands-free microphone 27
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 252
Hazard warning flasher 104
Switching off 104
Switching on 104
Head restraints 94
Manual seats 33
Power seats* 35
Rear seats 35
Headlamp cleaning system* 241
Headlamp shut-off delay
see Delayed shut-off, exterior lamps
Headlamps
Automatic control 102
Bi-Xenon type*
Replacing bulbs 293
Bi-Xenon* 341
Cleaning 251
Cleaning system* 146, 241, 338

358 Index
Exterior lamp switch 101
Front fog lamps 103
High beams 104
Instrument cluster illumination 107
Instruments 107, 108
Interior 105
Locator lighting 103
Low beam 101
Manual headlamp mode 102
Night security illumination 103
Parking lamps 101
Rear fog lamp 103
Settings (control system) 125
Trunk lamp 106
Limiting the gear range 140
Limp Home Mode 143
Loading 196
Instructions 202
Roof rack* 196
Ski sack* 196
Split rear bench seat* 199
Locator lighting 103
Setting 126
Lock button 343Locking 51, 84
Automatic while driving 91
Centrally from inside 92
Fuel filler flap 233
Global, SmartKey 85
Separately the trunk 90
Vehicle in an emergency 286
Loss of keys 87
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet 317
Low beam headlamps
Messages in display 272
Replacing bulbs 290, 292
Lowering
Vehicle 301
Lubricants
Technical data 329
M
Main dimensions 327
Maintenance 12, 247
Vehicles with E85 fuel 335
Malfunction
Displaying 119
Malfunction memory 118
Calling up 118
Clearing 119Manual headlamp mode 102
Manual operations
Fuel filler flap 287
Interior lighting control 105
Locking the trunk 90
Locking the vehicle 286
Sliding/pop-up roof* 289
Unlocking the driver’s door 285
Unlocking the trunk 91
Unlocking transmission
selector lever 288
Manual seat
Adjusting 33
Adjusting backrest tilt 33
Adjusting head restraint height 33
Adjusting head restraint tilt 34
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 33
Adjusting seat height 33
Front seat head restraints 94
Seat fore and aft adjustment 33
Manual transmission 137
Shifting into reverse 137
Starting with 44
MAXCOOL Maximum cooling 160
MB Tex upholstery
Cleaning 253