2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC manual transmission

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

Contents
Practical hints................................ 273
What to do if … .................................. 274
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 274
Lamp in center console................ 279
Messages in the display ............... 280
Where will I find ...? ........................... 300
First aid kit ................................... 300
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 300
Minispare wheel ........................... 302
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 305
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 305
Locking the vehicle ...................... 306
Changing batteries in
the SmartKey ............................... 307
Fuel filler flap ............................... 308
Manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever .. 308
Opening/closing in an emergency..... 309
Sliding/pop-up roof* ................... 309Replacing bulbs .................................. 310
Bulbs ............................................. 310
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 312
Side marker lamp bulb .................. 314
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 315
Replacing wiper blades....................... 316
Removing wiper blades ................. 316
Installing wiper blades .................. 316
Flat tire ............................................... 317
Preparing the vehicle .................... 317
Mounting the Minispare wheel...... 317
Battery................................................ 323
Disconnecting the battery............. 324
Removing the battery.................... 324
Charging and reinstalling
the battery .................................... 324
Reconnecting the battery.............. 325Jump starting...................................... 326
Towing the vehicle.............................. 328
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 331
Fuses.................................................. 332
Fuse box in
passenger compartment ............... 332
Fuse box in engine compartment . 333
Auxiliary fuse box in trunk ............ 334

26 At a glanceCenter consoleLower part
Item
Page
1
Ashtray
220
2
Gear selector lever for
automatic transmission*
44,
145
Gearshift lever for manual
transmission
43,
141
3
Storage compartment
218
Cup holder
217
Cigarette lighter
221
4
Armrest
219
5
Program mode selector for
automatic transmission
146

43 Getting started
Driving
Starting the engine Manual transmission
Gearshift pattern for manual transmissionFor more information, see “Manual trans-
mission” (
page 141).Starting

Depress brake pedal.

Make sure the gearshift lever is in
neutral position (no gear selected).

Fully depress clutch pedal.
Otherwise the engine cannot be
started due to the integrated safety
interlock.

Do not depress the accelerator.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position3 and hold until the engine
starts (
page 31).
For information on turning off the engine,
see “Turning off engine” (
page 52).
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as garage) which are not properly ven-
tilated. If you think that exhaust gas fumes
are entering the vehicle while driving, have
the cause determined and corrected imme-
diately. If you must drive under these condi-
tions, drive only with at least one window
fully open.

45 Getting started
Driving
Parking brake
1Release handle
2Parking brake

Release parking brake by pulling on
handle1.
The warning lamp; (USA only)
or3 (Canada only) in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Driving

Depress the brake pedal.

Move gear selector lever to positionD
orR (manual transmission: first or
reverse gear).

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator.
Once the vehicle is in motion, the auto-
matic central locking system engages
and the locking knobs drop down.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch and lock
the vehicle. Do not leave children unattend-
ed in the vehicle, or with access to an un-
locked vehicle. Children could release the
parking brake, which could result in an acci-
dent and/or serious injury.
iVehicles with automatic transmission:
Wait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.
iYou can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.
You can deactivate the automatic
locking using the control system
(page 133).
!Simultaneously depressing the
accelerator pedal and applying the
brake reduces engine performance and
causes premature brake and drivetrain
wear.!If you hear a warning signal when driv-
ing off, you have forgotten to release
the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.

50 Getting startedParking and locking
Parking and lockingYou have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Parking brake
1Release handle
2Parking brake
Step firmly on parking brake2.
When the engine is running, the
warning lamp; (USA only)
or3(Canada only) in the
instrument cluster will be illuminated.
Warning!
G
Wait until the vehicle is stationary before
removing the SmartKey from the starter
switch. The vehicle cannot be steered when
the SmartKey is removed.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
system. 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.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Firmly depress parking brake pedal.


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


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards the road curb.


Turn the SmartKey to starter switch
position0 and remove.


Take the SmartKey and lock vehicle
when leaving.

51 Getting started
Parking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch
toM(
page 46).
For more information on headlamps, see
“Lighting” (
page 102).
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch and lock
the vehicle. Do not leave children unattend-
ed in the vehicle, or with access to an un-
locked vehicle. Children could release the
parking brake and/or move the gear selec-
tor lever from positionP, either of which
could result in an accident and/or serious
injury.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear se-
lector lever not fully engaged in positionP is
dangerous. Also, when parked on an incline,
positionP alone may not prevent your vehi-
cle from moving, possibly hitting people or
objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (manual transmission:
first or reverse gear).
When parked on an incline, turn front wheel
towards the road curb.

52 Getting startedParking and lockingTurning off engine 
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP (manual transmission: first
or reverse gear).

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.

Press the seat belt release button
(page 41).
Allow the retractor to completely
rewind the seat belt by guiding the
latch plate.

After exiting the vehicle, press the lock
button‹ on the SmartKey
(page 30).
All turn signal lamps flash three times.
The locking knobs in the doors move
down.
For more information, see “Locking and
unlocking” (
page 82).
iAlways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to positionP (manual
transmission: first or reverse gear).
On steep slopes, turn the front wheels
towards the road curb. iVehicles with automatic transmission:
The SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.
!With the SmartKey removed and the
driver’s door open, a warning sounds if
the vehicle’s exterior lamps are not
switched off.Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the door
openings when closing the doors. Be espe-
cially careful when small children are
around.
Before closing doors, make sure there is no
possibility of someone getting caught in a
door during closing.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, and lock
your vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.