2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC Air

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 53
Occupant safety................................... 54
Airbags ........................................... 55
Seat belts ....................................... 60
Children in the vehicle .................... 63
Blocking of rear door window
operation ........................................ 70
Panic alarm* ........................................ 71
Activating ....................................... 71
Deactivating ................................... 71
Driving safety systems ......................... 72
ABS ................................................ 72
BAS ................................................ 73
ESP ................................................. 74
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) with the ESP ....... 77
Anti-theft systems................................ 78
Immobilizer..................................... 78
Anti-theft alarm system* ................ 78
Tow-away alarm* ........................... 79
Controls in detail............................... 81
Locking and unlocking ......................... 82
SmartKey ....................................... 82
Opening the doors from
the inside ....................................... 85
Opening the trunk .......................... 86
Closing the trunk............................ 87
Trunk lid emergency release .......... 88
Separately locking the trunk .......... 89
Separately unlocking the trunk ...... 90
Automatic central locking .............. 90
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ....................................... 91
Seats ................................................... 92
Easy-entry/exit feature* ................ 92
Removing and installing front seat
head restraints ............................... 93
Rear seat head restraints ............... 94
Multicontour seat* ......................... 97
Heated seats* ................................ 98
Memory function* ............................... 99
Storing positions into memory ..... 100
Recalling positions from memory . 100
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 101Lighting ............................................. 102
Exterior lamp switch .................... 102
Combination switch ..................... 105
Hazard warning flasher ................ 106
Interior lighting ............................ 107
Door entry lamps ......................... 108
Trunk lamp ................................... 108
Instrument cluster ............................. 109
Instrument cluster illumination .... 109
Coolant temperature display........ 110
Trip odometer .............................. 111
Tachometer .................................. 111
Outside temperature indicator ..... 111
Control system .................................. 113
Multifunction display.................... 113
Multifunction steering wheel........ 114
Menus .......................................... 116
Standard display menu ................ 118
AUDIO menu ................................ 118
NAVI* menu ................................. 121
Malfunction memory menu .......... 122
Settings menu .............................. 123
Trip computer menu..................... 136
TEL menu* ................................... 138

Contents
Manual transmission ......................... 141
Shifting into reverse ..................... 141
Automatic transmission* ................... 142
One-touch gearshifting................. 143
Gear ranges ................................. 144
Gear selector lever position ......... 145
Program mode selector switch..... 146
Accelerator position ..................... 147
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 147
Good visibility .................................... 148
Windshield wipers ........................ 148
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 148
Rear view mirrors ......................... 149
Sun visors .................................... 151
Rear window sunshade* .............. 152
Rear window defroster ................. 153
Climate control .................................. 154
Setting the temperature ............... 156
Adjusting air distribution and
volume ......................................... 157
Defrosting .................................... 158
Air recirculation mode.................. 158
Deactivating the climate control
system ......................................... 159
Air conditioning ............................ 160Ventilated storage compartment .. 160
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 161
Automatic climate control* ................ 162
Setting the temperature................ 165
Adjusting air distribution............... 166
Adjusting air volume ..................... 166
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 167
Defrosting ..................................... 167
Air recirculation mode .................. 167
Charcoal filter ............................... 169
Air conditioning............................. 170
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 171
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 172
Audio system ...................................... 173
Audio and telephone, operation .... 173
Operating safety ........................... 173
Operating and display elements.... 174
Button and soft key operation....... 176
Operation ...................................... 176
Radio operation ............................ 179
Satellite radio (SAT)* (USA only)... 182
Cassette operation ....................... 186
CD changer* operation ................. 189
Telephone* operation ................... 193Power windows .................................. 200
Opening and closing
the windows ................................. 200
Synchronizing power windows ...... 202
Sliding/pop-up roof*.......................... 203
Opening and closing
the sliding/pop-up roof ................ 203
Synchronizing
the sliding/pop-up roof ................ 205
Driving systems .................................. 206
Cruise control ............................... 206
Loading .............................................. 209
Roof rack* .................................... 209
Ski sack* ...................................... 209
Split rear bench seat* .................. 212
Loading instructions ..................... 214
Useful features ................................... 216
Interior storage spaces ................. 216
Ashtrays........................................ 220
Cigarette lighter ............................ 221
Telephone* ................................... 222
Tele Aid* ....................................... 223
Garage door opener ...................... 231

ContentsTechnical data.................................. 335
Spare parts service ............................ 336
Warranty coverage ............................. 337
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 337
Identification labels............................ 338
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 339
C 230 Kompressor Sport.............. 339
C 240/C 320 (all models) ............ 339
C 32 AMG..................................... 339
Engine ................................................ 340
Rims and Tires ................................... 342
Same size tires ............................. 343
Mixed size tires ............................ 344
Minispare wheel ........................... 345
Electrical system................................ 346
Main dimensions................................ 347
Weights .............................................. 348Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 349
Capacities .................................... 349
Engine oils.................................... 352
Engine oil additives ...................... 352
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 352
Brake fluid .................................... 352
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 353
Fuel requirements ........................ 353
Gasoline additives ........................ 354
Flexible Fuel Vehicles ................... 354
Coolants....................................... 356
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning* system ......................... 358
Consumer information ....................... 359
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 359
Technical terms............................... 361Index................................................. 367

11 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Important notice for California retail
buyers and lessees of Mercedes-Benz automobiles
Under California law you may be entitled to
a replacement of your vehicle or a refund
of the purchase price or lease price, if
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and/or its au-
thorized repair or service facilities fail to fix
one or more substantial defects or mal-
functions in the vehicle that are covered by
its express warranty after a reasonable
number of repair attempts. During the pe-
riod of 18 months from original delivery of
the vehicle or the accumulation of
18 000 miles (approx. 29 000 km) on the
odometer of the vehicle, whichever occurs
first, a reasonable number of repair at-
tempts is presumed for a retail buyer or
lessee if one or more of the following oc-
curs: (1) the same substantial defect or mal-
function results in a condition that is
likely to cause death or serious bodily
injury if the vehicle is driven, that de-
fect or malfunction has been subject to
repair two or more times, and you have
directly notified Mercedes-Benz USA,
LLC in writing of the need for its repair,
(2) the same substantial defect or mal-
function of a less serious nature than
category (1) has been subject to repair
four or more times and you have direct-
ly notified us in writing of the need for
its repair, or(3) the vehicle is out of service by reason
of repair of the same or different sub-
stantial defects or malfunctions for a
cumulative total of more than
30 calender days. Written notification
should be sent to us, not a dealer, at
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, Customer
Assistance Center, One Mercedes
Drive, Montvale, NJ 07645-0350.

16 IntroductionOperating safety
Operating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:

the safety precautions in this manual


the “Technical data” section in this
manual


traffic rules and regulations


motor vehicle laws and safety
standards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are
interconnected, any modifications made
may produce an undesired effect on other
systems. Electronic malfunctions could
seriously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore
never turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires/wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage and impair the
operating safety of your vehicle. If you feel a
sudden significant vibration or ride distur-
bance, or you suspect that damage to your
vehicle has occurred, you should turn on
your hazard warning flashers, carefully slow
down, and drive with caution to an area
which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires/wheels for possible damage. If the
vehicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair
facility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning!
G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself.
Removal of any of these labels may cause
you and others to be unaware of certain
risks which may result in an accident and/or
personal injury.

25 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Seat heater*, driver’s side
98
2
Rear window sunshade
switch
152
3
ESP control switch
74
4
Hazard warning flasher
switch – switching on/off
106
5
Central locking switch
91
6
Rear seat head restraints
switch
95
7
Anti-theft alarm system
indicator lamp
78
Tow-away alarm switch
79
Item
Page
8
Seat heater*, passenger
side
98
9
PASS. AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp
66,
279
a
Audio system,
or
173
COMAND* (see separate
operating instructions)
b
Climate control
154
Automatic climate control*
162
Rear window defroster
153

32 Getting startedAdjusting
AdjustingSeats
The seats can be adjusted either manually
or electrically, depending on the vehicle’s
equipment.Warning!
G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.Warning!
G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
back reclined. Sitting in an excessively re-
clined position can be dangerous. You could
slide under the seat belt in a collision. If you
slide under it, the belt would apply force at
the abdomen or neck.
That could cause serious or fatal injuries.
The seat back and seat belts provide the
best restraint when the wearer is in an up-
right position and belts are properly posi-
tioned on the body. Your seat must be
adjusted so that you can correctly fasten
your seat belt (
page 40).
Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being ad-
justed.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, and lock
your vehicle.
The power seats* can also be operated with
the driver’s or front passenger door open.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
Warning!
G
Children 12 years old and under must never
ride in the front seat, except in a
Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmart
TM1

compatible child seat, which operates with
the BabySmart
TM system installed in the ve-
hicle to deactivate the passenger front air-
bag when it is properly installed. Otherwise
they will be struck by the airbag when it in-
flates in a crash. If this happens, serious or
fatal injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing positions. Infants and small children
must ride in back seats and be seated in an
appropriate infant or child restraint system,
which is properly secured with the vehicle’s
seat belt and top tether strap, or secured via
lower anchors and top tether strap, fully in
accordance with the child seat manufactur-
er’s instructions.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.

40 Getting startedDriving
DrivingFastening the seat beltWarning!
G
Do not lay any objects in the driver’s foot-
well. Be careful that floor mats or carpets in
the driver’s footwell have sufficient clear-
ance for the pedals.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate.Warning!
G
Always fasten your seat belt before driving
off. Always make sure your passengers are
properly restrained, even those sitting in the
rear and pregnant women.
Failure to wear and properly fasten and po-
sition your seat belt greatly increases your
risk of injuries and their likely severity in an
accident. You and your passengers should
always wear seat belts.
If you are ever in an accident, your injuries
can be considerably more severe without
your seat belt properly buckled. Without
your seat belt buckled, you are much more
likely to hit the interior of the vehicle or be
ejected from it. You can be seriously injured
or killed.
In the same crash, the possibility of injury or
death is lessened if you are wearing your
seat belt. The airbags can only protect as ex-
pected if the occupants are using their seat
belts (
page 60).
Warning!
G
Children 12 years old and under must never
ride in the front seat, except in a
Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmart
TM1

compatible child seat, which operates with
the BabySmart
TM system installed in the ve-
hicle to deactivate the passenger front air-
bag when it is properly installed. Otherwise
they will be struck by the airbag when it in-
flates in a crash. If this happens, serious or
fatal injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing positions. Infants and small children
must ride in back seats and be seated in an
appropriate infant or child restraint system,
which is properly secured with the vehicle’s
seat belt and top tether strap, or secured via
lower anchors and top tether strap, fully in
accordance with the child seat manufactur-
er’s instructions.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.