2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAGON Owner's Manual

329 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground or front wheels raised (except
vehicles with 4MATIC) 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 position0.
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 81) and deactivate the auto-
matic central locking (
page 131).
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.!Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing
so could damage the transfer case,
which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground.
Observe instructions for towing the
vehicle with all wheels on the ground.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised (not permissible for vehicles
with 4MATIC), the engine must be shut
off (SmartKey in starter switch
position0 or1). Otherwise the ESP will
immediately 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 positionN and the
SmartKey must be in starter switch
position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and
at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).

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.

333 Practical hintsFuses
Fuses
Fuse box in passenger compartment
1CoverOpening

Pull cover1 open with a screw driver
or similar tool.

Remove cover rearward.
Closing

Attach cover1 in the front.

Fold cover in until it engages.
Fuse chart
The fuse chart is found in the fuse box in
the passenger compartment. The amper-
ages of the fuses are also given there.
Fuse box in engine compartment
The fuse box is located in the engine
compartment on the left-hand side.
1Screw
2Cover
3Retainer
Removing/installing cover
Twist screws1
90° counterclockwise.

Pull up cover2.

Slide out retainer3 and remove cover
by pulling towards front.
iOnly install fuses that have been tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz and
that have the specified amperage
rating.
Never attempt to repair or bridge a
blown fuse. Have the cause determined
and remedied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.


334 Practical hintsFuses
Install cover2 in reverse order.
Opening fuse box
4Fuse box cover
5Clamps

Release clamps5.

Remove cover4.
Closing fuse box

Ensure that the sealing rubber is
properly positioned.

Press cover4 down and secure with
clamps5.Auxiliary fuse box in cargo compart-
ment
The auxiliary fuse box is located in the car-
go compartment behind the left hand trim
panel.
1Button for unlocking trim panel
2Trim panel
Opening trim panel
Press button1.

Fold down trim panel2.3Spare fuses
4Auxiliary fuse box
5Fuse extractor
Spare fuses
Spare fuses are found in the vehicle tool kit
in the cargo compartment.
Fuse extractor
The fuse extractor is found in the vehicle
tool kit in the cargo compartment.


335 Technical data
Spare parts service
Warranty coverage
Identification labels
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Engine
Rims and Tires
Electrical system
Main Dimensions
Weights
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Consumer information

336 Technical dataSpare parts service
The “Technical data” section provides the
necessary technical data for your vehicle.
Spare parts service
All authorized Mercedes-Benz Centers
maintain a stock of genuine
Mercedes-Benz parts required for
maintenance and repair work. In addition,
strategically located parts distribution
centers provide quick and reliable parts
service.
More than 300 000 different spare parts
for Mercedes-Benz models are available.
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts are
subjected to stringent quality inspections.
Each part has been specifically developed,
manufactured or selected for and adapted
to Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Therefore, genuine Mercedes-Benz parts
should be installed.
!The use of non-genuine Mercedes-Benz
parts and accessories not authorized
by Mercedes-Benz could damage the
vehicle, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty, or
could compromise the vehicle’s
durability or safety.