2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAGON heater

ContentsOperation......................................... 237
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ......... 238
Driving instructions ............................ 239
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 239
Drinking and driving ..................... 239
Pedals .......................................... 239
Power assistance ......................... 239
Brakes .......................................... 240
Driving off..................................... 241
Parking ......................................... 241
Tires ............................................. 242
Hydroplaning ................................ 242
Tire traction .................................. 243
Tire speed rating .......................... 243
Winter driving instructions ........... 244
Standing water ............................. 245
Passenger compartment .............. 245
Driving abroad .............................. 245
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 246
Catalytic converter ....................... 246
Emission control........................... 247
Coolant temperature .................... 248At the gas station .............................. 249
Refueling ...................................... 249
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 251
Engine compartment ......................... 252
Hood ............................................ 252
Engine oil ..................................... 254
Transmission fluid level ................ 256
Coolant level ................................ 257
Battery ......................................... 258
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 259
Tires and wheels ................................ 260
Important guidelines .................... 260
Life of tire..................................... 261
Direction of rotation ..................... 261
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 261
Rotating wheels ........................... 262Winter driving .................................... 263
Winter tires .................................. 263
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 264
Snow chains................................. 264
Maintenance...................................... 265
Clearing the service indicator ...... 265
Service term exceeded ................ 265
Calling up the service indicator .... 266
Resetting the service indicator .... 266
Vehicle care....................................... 267
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 267

25 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Seat heater*, driver’s side
95
2
Rear window
wiper/washer
49
3
ESP control switch
78
4
Hazard warning flasher
switch – switching on/off
104
5
Central locking switch
89
6
Anti-theft alarm system
indicator lamp
80
Tow-away alarm switch
81
Item
Page
7
Seat heater*, passenger
side
95
8
PASS. AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp
68,
279
9
Audio system,
or
169
COMAND* (see separate
operating instructions)
a
Climate control
150
Automatic climate control*
158
Rear window defroster
149

96 Controls in detailSeatsSwitching on seat heating
Press upper switch position1.
A red indicator lamp on the switch
comes on.
Switching off seat heating

Press upper switch position1 again.Switching on rapid seat heating

Press lower switch position2.
Both red indicator lamps on switch
come on.Switching off rapid seat heating

Press lower switch position2 again.
iThe seat heater will be automatically
switched off after approximately
30 minutes.
iThe system switches over to normal
heating mode after approximately five
minutes. Only one indicator lamp
remains lit.
!If one or both of the indicator lamps on
the seat heater switch are flashing,
there is insufficient voltage available
since too many electrical consumers
are turned on. The seat heater switches
off automatically.
The seat heater will switch back on
again automatically as soon as suffi-
cient voltage is available.

264 OperationWinter drivingBlock heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:


Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.


Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer's mounting instructions.


Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
be glad to advise you on this subject.


Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(page 76) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the
vehicle‘s traction.
!Even on vehicles with all-wheel-drive
use snow chains on rear tires only.
Use of snow chains is not permissible
with tire size:

T 125/90 R16 98M

285 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The battery was charged with a battery
charger or jump started.

Have the battery checked at a service
station.
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

alternator malfunctioning


broken poly-V-belt

Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:

Do not continue to drive. Otherwise
the engine will overheat due to an
inoperative water pump which may
result in damage to the engine. Notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:

Drive immediately to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
UNDERVOLTAGE
ENGINE ON!
The battery has insufficient voltage and
can no longer supply the convenience
functions such as seat heater*.

Start the engine (
page 43).
UNDERVOLTAGE
SWITCH CONSUMERS OFF!
The battery is malfunctioning.

Have the battery checked at a service
station.

351 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
When switching fuels, make sure:

Fuel level is below half full.


Fuel level is above reserve (fuel reserve
warning lamp is not lit).


Amount of added fuel is more than
5 gallons (20 liters).


Ignition is off during refill.


Immediately after refueling engine is
started and operated for at least five
minutes.
These precautions and recommendations
are supposed to prevent any difficulties
when starting and operating the engine
which otherwise may be experienced
before the engine has fully adapted to the
different fuel.
If in spite of these recommendations the
engine does not perform properly, adding
more gasoline [at least 3 gallons
(12 liters)] to the fuel may improve the
engine behavior.Cold weather performance
It is possible that starting times will signif-
icantly increase at temperatures
below 32°F (0°C). At low temperatures
the use of a block heater (Canada only) is
recommended (see your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information). Rough idling may also be
experienced at such temperatures before
the engine is fully warmed up.
Hot weather performance
At ambient temperatures above 95°F
(35°C) start times may increase and be
accompanied by a rough idle following the
start.Cruising range
E85 fuel contains less energy per gallon
than gasoline. To ensure that engine per-
formance with ethanol fuel is similar to
that when using gasoline, the engine must
burn more ethanol fuel. As a result, it is to
be expected that the fuel consumption will
increase when using E85 compared to
gasoline operation.
Maintenance
Please inform your Mercedes-Benz Center
if you use or have used E85 fuel when your
vehicle is delivered for maintenance or
repairs.
!E85 fuel is unsuitable for use when
ambient temperatures fall below 14°F
(-10°C).
iUse of E85 may reduce your driving
range.

363 Index
A
ABS 23, 74, 357
Indicator lamp 274
Malfunction indicator lamp 274
Messages in display 284
ABS control 74
Accelerator position,
automatic transmission 144
Accident
In case of 50
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 156, 166
Air recirculation mode 154, 163
Anti-theft alarm system 80
Automatic climate control* 159
Central locking (control system) 131
Charcoal filter 165
Climate control 151
Climate control system 155
Defrosting 154, 163
Easy-entry/exit feature 132ESP 78
Exterior headlamps 46
Exterior lamps 101
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 147
Hazard warning flasher 104
Headlamps 46
High beams 104
Ignition 31
Immobilizer 80
Rapid seat heater* 96
Rear fog lamp 102, 103
Rear window defroster 149
Residual heat 167
Seat heater* 96
Tow-away alarm 82
Windshield wipers 47
Adding
Coolant 257
Engine oil 256
Additional turn signals 310Adjustable air vents, rear passenger
compartment 157, 168
Adjusting 32
Air distribution 153, 162
Air volume 153, 162
Backrest tilt 33, 35
Exterior rear view mirror 38
Head restraint height 34, 35, 92
Head restraint tilt 34, 36, 93
Head restraints 93
Instrument cluster illumination 107
Interior rear view mirror 38
Manual seat 33
Mirrors 38
Multicontour seat* 95
Power seat* 35
Rear seat head restraints 92
Seat cushion depth 95
Seat cushion tilt 33, 35
Seat fore and aft adjustment 33, 35
Seat height 33, 35

366 IndexBattery discharged
Jump starting 327
Battery, vehicle 258, 324
Charging 325
Disconnecting 325
Messages in display 285
Reconnecting 326
Reinstalling 325
Removing 325
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 357
Bi-Xenon type
Front lamp bulbs 313
Block heater 264
Blocking
Rear door window operation 72
Bolts
For Minispare wheel 304
Brake assist system (BAS) 357
Brake fluid 251, 348Brake lamp bulbs 311
Brake lamp, high mounted 311
Brake pads
Message in display 286
Brakes 240
Warning lamp 275
Break-in period 238
Bulbs, replacing 310
Additional turn signals 310
Backup lamps 311
Brake lamps 311
Fog lamps 310
Front lamps 310
High beam 310
High mounted brake lamp 311
License plate lamps 311, 316
Low beam 310
Parking lamps 310, 311, 313, 314
Rear fog lamp 311
Rear fog lamps 315Side marker lamps 310, 315
Standing lamps 310, 311, 313, 314
Tail lamp assemblies 311, 315
Turn signal lamps 310, 311
Button
Audio system 172
C
CAC (Customer assistance center) 357
California
Important notice 11
Calling up
Range (distance to empty) 136
Service indicator 266
CAN system 357
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 346
Cargo area see Cargo compartment
Cargo compartment
Auxiliary fuse box 334
Lighting 106
Parcel net 208