2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAGON towing

330 Practical hintsTowing 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.

331 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
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 81).
To prevent the vehicle doors from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking (
page 131).
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 324) or on jump
starting (page 327).


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

332 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleInstalling towing eye bolt
1Cover on right side of front bumper.2Cover on right side of rear bumper.Removing cover

Press mark on cover in direction of
arrow.

Lift cover off to reveal threaded hole for
towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located behind the left hand trim
panel in cargo compartment).

Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
Reinstalling cover

Fit cover and snap into place.

374 IndexHead restraints 91
Manual seats 34
Power seats* 35
Rear seats 92
Headlamp cleaning system 259
Headlamp shut-off delay see
Delayed shut-off, exterior lamps
Headlamps
Automatic control 101
Bi-Xenon type*
Replacing bulbs 313
Cleaning 269
Cleaning system 145, 259
Halogen-type
Replacing bulbs 312
Refilling washer fluid 259
Switching off 52
Switching on 46
Washer fluid 354
Washer system 354Headliner and shelf below rear window
Cleaning 271
Heated seats* 95
Height adjustment
Head restraints 34, 35, 92
Seat belts 42
Steering wheel 36
High beam flasher 47, 104
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 294
Replacing bulbs 310, 312
Switching on 104
High beam headlamps xenon type
Replacing bulbs 313
High mounted brake lamp 311
Hood 252
Closing 253
Message in display 293
Opening 252
Hydroplaning 242I
Identification labels 338
Certification label 338
Vehicle identification
number (VIN) 338
Ignition 31
Immobilizer 80
Activating 80
Deactivating 80
Infant and child restraint systems 65
Installing 70
LATCH-type child seat anchors 71
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 227
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 70
Parcel net in cargo compartment 208
Ski sack 208
Towing eye bolt 332
Twin-reel roller blind 211
Wiper blades 317

381 Index
Practical hints
First aid kit 300
Fuses 333
Lamp in center console 279
Lamps in instrument cluster 274
Messages in the display 280
Minispare wheel 302
Symbol messages 284
Text messages 281
Towing the vehicle 329
Vehicle jack 301
Vehicle tool kit 300
Premium unleaded gasoline 349
Problems
While driving 50
With vehicle 17
Product information 9
Program mode selector switch
Automatic transmission 143
Program mode selector switch
(Automatic transmission) 360Q
Quick search
Phone book* 138
R
Radio
Selecting stations 117
Station search 117
Station selection setting 131
Radio operation 175
Radio see Radio operation
Radio transmitter, control and
operation 246
Range (distance to empty)
Calling up 136
Rapid seat heater*
Switching off 96
Switching on 96
Reading lamp 27
Rear bench seat
Foldable 211Rear door window
Blocking operation 72
Rear fog lamp 311
Bulb 311
Switching on 103
Rear lamp bulbs
Replacing 315
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear outer seats
Adjusting head restraint height 92
Rear passenger compartment
Adjustable air vents 157, 168
Rear seat head restraints 92
Adjusting 92
Adjusting tilt 93
Folding back 93
Installing 94
Outer seats 94
Placing upright 93
Removing 94

388 Index
Messages in display 299
Operating 136
Operation 189
Redialing 138
Signal strength 137
Temperature
Display mode 125
Grades of tires 356
Setting interior temperature 152
Setting units in display 125
Tires 262
Tie-down rings
(Cargo compartment) 214
Tightening torque (Wheel bolts) 322
Tilt
Head restraint 34
Time
Setting hours 124
Setting minutes 124Time display
Setting 125
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 251, 261
Tire speed rating 243
Tire traction 243
Tires 260, 341
Consumer information 355
Direction of rotation 261
Driving instructions 242
Retreads 260
Rims and tires 341
Service life 261
Temperature 262
Temperature grades 356
Traction 355
Tread depth 263
Wear pattern 262
Winter 263
Tools 300Tow-away alarm 25
Arming 81
Disarming 81
Disarming for transport 81
Tow-away alarm* 81
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 332
Towing the vehicle 329
Tracking services
For stolen vehicle 230
Traction 144, 361
Traction (Tires) 355
Transmission gear selector lever 308
Unlocking manually 308
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Traveling abroad 245
Tread depth (tires) 263
Tread wear 355
Trim panel
Opening 334

389 Index
Trip computer 134
Trip odometer
Resetting 109
Trunk lid
Message in display 299
Trunk see Cargo compartment
Turn signal lamps
Replacing bulbs 310, 311
Turn signals 46
Additional in mirrors 310
Cleaning lenses 269
Front bulbs 310, 312, 314
Indicator lamps 23
Rear bulbs 311, 316
Turning off
Engine 53
Twin-reel roller blind
Installing 211
Luggage cover and partition net 209
Removing 210U
Units
Setting speedometer units 126
Setting temperature units 125
Unlocking 30, 84
Centrally from inside 89
Driver’s door in an emergency 305
Fuel filler flap 249
Global 85
In an emergency 305
Selective settings 85
Transmission gear
selector lever manually 308
Vehicle in an emergency 229
With the SmartKey 30
Upgrade signals
Tele Aid* 228
Uphill driving
Cruise control 203
Upholstery
Cleaning 271Upshifting 140
Useful features 215
Ashtrays 219
Cigarette lighter 220
Electrical outlet 221
Interior storage spaces 215
Tele Aid* 222
Telephone* 221
V
Vehicle
Individual settings 121, 123
Locking 25
Locking in an emergency 306
Lowering 322
Performance in cold weather 351
Performance in hot weather 351
Service battery 324
Towing 329
Unlocking 25
Unlocking in an emergency 305
With flexible fuel 350

390 IndexVehicle battery 324
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 271Tail lamps 269
Tar stains 268
Turn signals 269
Upholstery 271
Vehicle washing 269
Window cleaning 270
Wiper blades 270
Wood trims 272
Vehicle identification number (VIN) 338
Vehicle jack 301
Vehicle lighting
Checking 251
Vehicle tool kit 300
Alignment bolt 301
Spare fuses 301
Special fuse puller 301
Towing eye bolt 301
Vehicle jack 301
Wheel bolts 301
Wheel wrench 301Vehicle washing 269
Ventilated storage compartment 156
Ventilation
Storage compartment 156
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) 361
VIN (vehicle identification number) 338
Viscosity
Engine oil 358
Voice control system*
Hands-free microphone 27
W
Warning sounds
Drivers seat belts 62
Parking brake 45
Warranty coverage 337
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washing the vehicle 267
Wear pattern (tires) 262
Weights 345