2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE towing

314 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle!
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the transmission, however,
we recommend the drive shaft be dis-
connected at the rear axle drive flange
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 sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the SmartKey
is in starter switch position 2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position 2 and activate the combina-
tion switch for the left or right turn sig-
nal in the usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the
hazard warning flasher will operate
again.

315
Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
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 ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position
2, 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 79).
To prevent the vehicle doors from lock-
ing, deactivate the automatic central
locking (
page 129).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to vehicle chassis,
frame or suspension parts.
iIf the battery is disconnected or dis-
charged

the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch. See notes on the
battery (
page 307) or on jump
starting (page 310).


the gear selector lever will remain
locked in position P. See notes on
manual unlocking of gear selector
lever (
page 291).

316 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleInstalling towing eye bolt1 Cover on right side of front bumper. 2
Cover on right side of rear bumper. To remove cover:

Press mark on cover in direction of ar-
row.

Lift cover off to reveal threaded hole for
towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the wheel well below the
trunk floor).

Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:

Fit cover and snap into place.

358 IndexImmobilizer 78Activating 78
Deactivating 78
Infant and child restraint systems 65 Installing 69
LATCH child seat mounts 70
Inflating Spare tire 304
Information Button for Tele Aid* 211
Installing Infant and child restraint systems 69
Towing eye bolt 316
Wiper blades 300
Instrument cluster 22, 105, 343 Cleaning 255
Coolant temperature indicator 106
Illumination 105
Lamps in 261–262
Multifunction display 109 Outside temperature indicator 107
Selecting language 124
Instruments and controls see Cockpit 20
Interior lighting 103 Activating automatic control 103
Deactivating automatic control 103
Delayed shut-off 128
Manual operation 103
Interior rear view mirror Adjusting 39
Antiglare 146
Interior storage spaces 200 Armrest 202
Cup holder 201
Glove box 200
Parcel net in front passenger footwell 203
Storage compartment in front of armrest 201 J
Jack 285, 286
Jump starting 310
K
Key dependency memory
Settings 131
Key positions in starter switch 31
Key, mechanical 288, 289
Key, SmartKey Battery check lamp 83
Changing the batteries 290
Checking the batteries 84
Factory setting 83
Global locking 83
Global unlocking 83
Individual setting 83
Loss of 84
Positions in starter switch 31
Remote controls 82
Restoring to factory setting 83

364 IndexPower windows 186Side windows 186
Synchronizing 188
Practical hints First aid kit 284
Fuses 317
Lamp in center console 263
Lamps in instrument cluster 258
Messages in the display 264
Spare wheel 285
Spare wheel bolts 287
Symbol messages 268
Text messages 265
Towing the vehicle 313
Vehicle jack 286
Vehicle tool kit 285
Premium unleaded gasoline 333
Problems While driving 50
Program mode selector switch 344 Automatic transmission 144
Programme type ID see PTY ID
PTY ID 168
Q
Quick search Phone book* 136
R
Radio Selecting stations 115
Station search 115
Station selection setting 128
Radio operation 165
Radio see Radio operation
Radio transmitters Control and operation 230
Range (distance to empty) Calling up 134
Rapid seat heating Switching on 94 RDS
Programme type ID 168
PTY ID 168
Reading lamp 27
Rear bench seat Foldable 197
Rear fog lamp 294 Bulb 294
Switching on 101
Rear head restraint tilt 92
Rear lamp bulbs Replacing 298
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear passenger compartment Adjustable air outlets 158
Rear seat head restraints 91, 93 Adjusting 91
Folding back 92
Installing 93
Placing upright 92

371
Index
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 235, 245
Tire speed rating 228, 345
Tire traction 227
Tires 244, 325 Collapsible 342
Consumer information 339
Direction of rotation 245
Driving instructions 226
Retreads 244
Rims and tires 325
Service life 245
Temperature 246
Temperature grades 340
Tread depth 247
Wear pattern 246
Winter 247
Tools 285
Tow-away alarm 25, 79 Arming 79
Disarming 79
Disarming for transport 79
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit) Installing 316
Towing the vehicle 313
Tracking services For stolen vehicle 214
Traction 144, 339, 345
Transmission see Automatic transmission 241
Tread depth (tires) 247
Treadwear 339
Trim panel Opening 318
Trip computer 132
Trip odometer Resetting 107
Trunk Auxiliary fuse box 318
Lighting 104 Opening 85
Trunk lid Closing 86
Emergency release 86
Message in display 283
Turn signal lamps Replacing bulbs 293, 294
Turn signals 48 Additional in mirrors 293
Cleaning lenses 253
Front bulbs 293, 295, 297
Indicator lamps 23
Rear bulbs 294, 299
Turning off Engine 53
U
Units Setting speedometer units 124
Setting temperature units 123
Unlocking 30, 82

372 Index
Driver’s door in an emergency 288
Fuel filler flap 233
Gear selector lever manually 291
Global 83
In an emergency 288
Individual settings 83
Trunk lid in an emergency 289
Vehicle in an emergency 213
With the SmartKey 30
Upgrade signals Tele Aid* 212
Uphill driving Cruise control 195
Upholstery Cleaning 256
Upshifting 140
Useful features 200 Ashtrays 203
Cigarette lighter 204
Interior storage spaces 200 Tele Aid* 206
Telephone* 205
V
Vehicle Individual settings 118, 121
Locking 25
Locking in an emergency 289
Lowering 306
Performance in cold weather 335
Performance in hot weather 335
Service battery 307
Towing 313
Unlocking 25
Unlocking in an emergency 288
With flexible fuel 334
Vehicle battery 307
Vehicle care 251 Cup holder 255
Engine cleaning 253
Gear selector lever 255 Hard plastic trim items 255
Headlamps 253
Instrument cluster 255
Leather upholstery 256
Light alloy wheels 254
MB Tex upholstery 256
Ornamental moldings 253
Paintwork 252
Plastic and rubber parts 256
Power washer 252
Seat belts 255
side markers 253
Steering wheel 255
Tail lamps 253
Tar stains 252
Turn signals 253
Upholstery 256
Vehicle washing 253
Window cleaning 254
Wiper blades 254

373
Index
Wood trims 256
Vehicle jack 286
Vehicle lighting Checking 235
Vehicle tool kit 285 Alignment bolt 285
Spare fuses 285
Special fuse puller 285
Towing eye bolt 285
Vehicle jack 285
Wheel bolts 285
Wheel wrench 285
Vehicle washing 253
Ventilated storage compartment 157
Ventilation Storage compartment 157
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) 345
Voice control system* 345
Voice recognition system* Hands-free microphone 27 W
Warning sounds
Drivers seat belts 62
Parking brake 47
Warranty coverage 321
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washing the vehicle 251
Wear pattern (tires) 246
Weights 329
Wheel change Tightening torque 306
Wheels Rotating 246
Tires and wheels 244
Window curtain airbags 61
Windows see Side windows
Windshield Defogging 153
Refilling washer fluid 243
Replacing wiper blades 300 Washer fluid 243, 338
Washer system 338
Windshield washer fluid 338 Message in display 283
Mixing ratio 338
Refilling 243
Wiping with 50
Windshield washer system 338
Windshield wipers 49 Fast wiper speed 49
Replacing wiper blades 300
Single wipe 50
Switching on 49
Wiping with windshield washer fluid 50
Winter driving 247 Block heater 248
Snow chains 248
Tires 247
Transmission program mode 144
Winter driving instructions 228