2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 KOMPRESSOR SPORT wheels

329 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 SmartKey
is in starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey 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 SmartKey from starter switch and
reinsert.
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position2 and activate the combina-
tion 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.

330 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
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
following:
With the automatic central locking
activated and the SmartKey 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 79).
To prevent the vehicle doors from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking (
page 133).
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 SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch. See notes on the
battery (
page 323) or on jump
starting (page 326).


the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP. See notes on
manually unlocking transmission
gear selector lever (
page 308).

361 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
BabySmart
TM1
airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is
installed on the front passenger seat.
The system will automatically deacti-
vate the passenger front airbag when
such a seat is properly installed
(PASS. AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
located in the center console comes
on). See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for availability. BabySmart
TM compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the
passenger front airbag if a
BabySmartTM compatible child seat is
installed.
BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking
situations. The system is activated
when it senses an emergency based on
how fast the brake is applied.
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more
intense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service
center, which can help you with any
questions about your vehicle and
provide assistance in the event of a
breakdown.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control
vehicle functions such as door locking
or windshield wiping depending on
vehicle settings and/or ambient
conditions.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the
passenger compartment needed for
vehicle operation and monitoring.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.

372 IndexCenter console 25
Lower part 26
PASS. AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp 279
Upper part 25
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 127
Central locking
Automatic 90
From inside 91
Switch 91
Switching on/off
(control system) 133
Unlocking from inside 91
Central locking switch 91
Certification label 338
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey) 307
CDs 189
Key setting 133
Charcoal filter 169Charging
Vehicle battery 324
CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp 276
Checking
Brake fluid 251
Coolant level 251, 257
Engine oil level 251, 254
Tire inflation pressure 251
Vehicle lighting 251
Child safety 63
Airbags 56
Infant and child restraint
systems 60, 63
LATCH-type child seat anchors 69
Child safety switch see
Blocking of rear door window operation
Child seat anchors
see LATCH-type child seat anchors
Cigarette lighter 221Cleaning
Cloth upholstery 272
Cup holder 271
Gear selector lever 271
Hard plastic trim items 271
Headlamps 148
Headliner and shelf below
rear window 271
Instrument cluster 270
Leather upholstery 271
Light alloy wheels 270
MB Tex upholstery 272
Plastic and rubber parts 272
Seat belts 271
Steering wheel 271
Upholstery 271
Windows 270
Windshield 48
Wiper blades 270
Wood trims 272

381 Index
K
Key dependency memory
Settings 135
Key positions in starter switch 31
Key, mechanical 305
Key, SmartKey
Battery check lamp 83
Checking the batteries 84
Factory setting 83
Global locking 83
Global unlocking 83
Loss of 85
Messages in display 293
Positions in starter switch 31
Remote control 82
Restoring to factory setting 83
Selective setting 83
Starting the engine
Automatic transmission* 44
Manual transmission 43
Turning off the engine 52Unlocking the trunk lid 84
Unlocking with 30
Kickdown 147, 363
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 128
Km/h or mph in speedometer 128
L
Labels, identification 338
Lamp bulbs, exterior 310
Lamps, exterior
Front 310
Light sensor 294
Messages in display 293–296
Rear 311
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 274
Battery (SmartKey) 83
Brakes 275
CHECK ENGINE 276
Engine diagnostics 276, 278
ESP 277
Fuel reserve 278Instrument cluster 274–278
PASS. AIRBAG OFF 59, 279
Seat belts 278
SRS 55, 278
Turn signals 23
Language
Multifunction display 128
Setting 128
LATCH-type child seat anchors 69
Folding back 69
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 339
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 271
License plate lamps
Messages in display 294
Replacing bulbs 311, 315
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 270
Technical data 343
Light sensor 294
Lighter see Cigarette lighter

388 IndexReplacing
Backup lamp bulbs 315
Brake lamp bulbs 315
Bulbs 310
Front lamp bulbs 310, 312
Front turn signal bulbs 312, 314
Fuses 334
High beam bulbs 312
High beam bulbs
(xenon-type* headlamps) 313
License plate lamp bulbs 315
Low beam bulbs 312
Parking lamp bulbs 313, 314
Rear fog lamp bulb 315
Rear lamp bulbs 311, 315
Rear turn signal bulbs 315
Side marker lamp bulbs 314
Standing lamp bulbs 313, 314
Wiper blades 316
Reporting
Safety defects 18Research Octane Number see RON
Reset button in the
instrument cluster 23, 123, 124
Resetting
All functions (control system) 123
All functions of a submenu 124
Fuel consumption 137
Service indicator (FSS) 266
Trip odometer 111
Residual heat utilization 171
Residual ventilation 171
REST 171, 364
Restraint system
Message in display 297
Restraint system see
Infant and child restraint systems
Reverse (manual transmission)
Shifting into 141
Rims 342
Roadside Assistance 12
RON 250, 364
Roof rack* 209Rotating wheels 262
Rubber parts
Cleaning 272
S
Safety
Occupant 54
Safety belts see Seat belts
Safety defects
Reporting 18
Safety systems
Driving 72
Searching
Radio station 119
Seat belt force limiter 63
Seat belt height adjustment 42
Seat belts 60
Cleaning 271
Fastening 40
Height adjustment 42
Messages in display 297
Proper use of 42, 62
Safety guidelines 58
Warning lamp 278

395 Index
U
Units
Setting speedometer units 128
Setting temperature units 127
Unlocking 30, 82
Centrally from inside 91
Driver’s door in an emergency 305
Fuel filler flap 249
Global 83
In an emergency 305
Selective settings 83
Separately the trunk 90
Transmission gear selector
lever manually 308
Trunk in an emergency 306
Vehicle in an emergency 230
With the SmartKey 30
Upgrade signals
Tele Aid* 229
Uphill driving
Cruise control 207Upholstery
Cleaning 271
Upshifting 143
Useful features 216
Ashtrays 220
Cigarette lighter 221
Tele Aid* 223
Telephone* 222
V
Vehicle
Individual settings 123, 125
Locking 25
Locking in an emergency 306
Lowering 321
Performance in cold weather 355
Performance in hot weather 355
Service battery 323
Towing 328
Unlocking 25
Unlocking in an emergency 305
With flexible fuel 354Vehicle battery 323
Vehicle care 267
Cloth upholstery 272
Cup holder 271
Engine cleaning 269
Gear selector lever 271
Hard plastic trim items 271
Headlamps 269
Instrument cluster 270
Leather upholstery 271
Light alloy wheels 270
MB Tex upholstery 272
Ornamental moldings 269
Paintwork 268
Plastic and rubber parts 272
Power washer 268
Seat belts 271
Side markers 269
Steering wheel 271
Tail lamps 269
Tar stains 268
Turn signals 269

396 Index
Upholstery 271
Vehicle washing 269
Window cleaning 270
Wiper blades 270
Wood trims 272
Vehicle Identification Number see VIN
Vehicle jack 301
Vehicle lighting
Checking 251
Vehicle tool kit 300
Alignment bolt 300
Removing 300
Spare fuses 300
Special fuse puller 300
Towing eye bolt 300
Vehicle jack 300
Wheel bolts 300
Wheel wrench 300
Vehicle washing 269Ventilated storage compartment 160
Ventilation
Storage compartment 160
VIN 338, 365
Voice control system* 365
Hands-free microphone 27
W
Warning lamps
see Lamps, indicator and warning
Warning sounds
Drivers seat belts 60
Parking brake 45
Warranty coverage 337
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washing the vehicle 267
Wear pattern (tires) 262
Weights 348
Wheel change
Tightening torque 321Wheels
Rotating 262
Tires and wheels 260
Window curtain airbags 60
Windows see Side windows
Windshield
Defogging
Automatic climate control* 166
Climate control 157
Refilling washer fluid 259
Replacing wiper blades 316
Washer fluid 259, 358
Washer system 358
Windshield washer fluid 358
Message in display 299
Mixing ratio 358
Refilling 259
Wiping with 48
Windshield washer system 358