2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE tow

253
Operation
Vehicle care
Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from the intrusion of
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticor-
rosion Wax, should be applied to the en-
gine compartment after every engine
cleaning. Before applying, all control link-
age bushings and joints should be lubricat-
ed. The poly-V-belt and all pulleys should
be protected from any wax.
Vehicle washing
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight. Use only a mild car wash
detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz ap-
proved Car Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water. Direct only a very weak
spray towards the ventilation intake. Use
plenty of water and rinse the sponge and
chamois frequently.
Rinse with clear water and thoroughly dry
with a chamois. Do not allow cleaning
agents to dry on the finish.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in ex-
terior rear view mirrors prior to running the
vehicle through an automatic car wash to
prevent damage to the mirrors.
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the underbody, do not for-
get to clean the inner sides of the wheels. Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of very dirty
chrome-plated parts, use a chrome clean-
er.
Headlamps, tail lamps, side markers,
turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo,
with plenty of water.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and use only a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the lenses. Do not at-
tempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry cloth
or sponge.

257
Practical hints
What to do if …
Where will I find ...?
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency Replacing bulbs
Replacing wiper blades
Flat tireBattery
Jump starting
Towing the vehicle
Fuses

285
Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Spare wheel
The spare wheel is located under the trunk
floor.
Removing the spare wheel
Lift trunk floor and engage handle in
the upper edge of the trunk.
1 Spare wheel
2 Storage tray with vehicle tool kit
3 Mounting screw for spare wheel/cover
for vehicle tools

Turn the mounting screw 3 counter-
clockwise.

Remove the spare wheel 1. Storing the spare wheel

Place spare wheel
1 in wheel well.

Turn mounting screw 3 clockwise to
its stop to secure the spare wheel.

Lower the trunk floor before closing the
trunk lid.
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit and air pump are stored
in the wheel well below the trunk floor.
1 Vehicle jack
2 Air pump
3 Alignment bolt
4 Wheel wrench
5 Towing eye bolt
6 Spare wheel bolts

291
Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency

Return battery compartment into hous-
ing until it locks in place.

Slide mechanical key
1 back into the
SmartKey.
Fuel filler flap
In case the central locking system does
not release the fuel filler flap, you can open
it manually.
Open the trunk lid.

Fold right-side tail lamp trim aside.

Reach inside through opening 2.

Turn release knob 1 clockwise (ar-
row).
The fuel filler flap can now be opened.
Manually unlocking the gear selector
lever
In the case of power failure the gear selec-
tor lever can be manually unlocked, e.g. to
tow the vehicle.
1 Coin holder
2 Tool

Open the storage compartment in front
of the center armrest.

Release coin holder 1 (e.g. using a
small coin).

Swing coin holder 1 aside.

Insert a tool 2 (e.g. flat blade screw-
driver) into the opening.

Perform the following two steps simul-
taneously:
Push the tool down.

Move gear selector lever from
position P.

Reinstall the coin holder after removing
the tool from the opening.
iWhen inserting the batteries, make
sure they are clean and free of lint.
iThe gear selector lever is locked again
when moving it to position P.

298 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsSide marker lamp bulb
Switch off the lights.

Carefully slide lamp towards rear.

Remove front end first.

Twist bulb socket counterclockwise
and pull out.

Pull bulb out of the bulb socket.

Insert new bulb in socket.

Reinstall bulb socket, push in and twist
clockwise.

To reinstall lamp, set rear end in
bumper and let front end snap into
place.
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Tail lamp assemblies
Switch off the lights.

Open the trunk lid (
page 85).

Turn handles2.

Remove the trim panel 1.

Press together the latches 1.

Remove bulb holder.

Gently push bulb into socket, turn
counterclockwise and remove.

Insert new bulb and reinstall bulb
socket.

Reinstall trim panel.

312 Practical hintsJump starting
Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals3 and 4 and then
from positive terminals 1 and 2.
You can now turn on the lights.

Have the battery checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.!Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.

313
Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
 Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment. This method is pref-
erable to other types of towing. When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised 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 SmartKey in starter switch
turned to position
0.
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 79) and deactivate the auto-
matic central locking (
page 129).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0
or 1). Otherwise, the ESP will immedi-
ately be engaged and will apply the rear
wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear selector lever
must be in position N (manual trans-
mission: gears disengaged) and the
SmartKey must be in starter switch
position 2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).

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.