2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAGON snow chains

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

74 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems
Driving safety systemsIn this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)


BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)


ESP (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)


4MATIC (Four Wheel Electronic
Traction System)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will
respond even with light brake pressure.
The- indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 22) comes on when you
turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position2. It goes out when the engine is
running.
iIn winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of the ABS, ESP and
4MATIC (if so equipped) is only
achieved with winter tires (M + S tires),
or snow chains as required.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS, ESP and 4MATIC (if so
equipped) cannot reduce this risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.

77 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(page 277) and (
page 282).Switching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle's traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have the drive wheels
spin and thus cut into surfaces for better
grip such as:


starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


in sand or gravel
Warning!
G
The ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The
capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.!The ESP will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size.
!Vehicles without 4MATIC:
Because of the ESP’s automatic
operation, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1) when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
may otherwise seriously damage the
brake system.
For information on vehicles with
4MATIC, see “Four wheel electronic
traction system (4MATIC) with the
ESP” (
page 79).
Warning!
G
The ESP should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.

244 OperationDriving instructionsWinter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to positionN. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by
corrective steering action.Road salts and chemicals can adversely
affect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal braking effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking
efficiency should be tested as soon as
possible after driving is resumed.
For more information, see “Winter driving”
(
page 263).
iFor information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 264).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of control loss.
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Warning!
G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe
and from around the vehicle with the engine
running. Otherwise, deadly carbon monox-
ide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior re-
sulting in unconsciousness and death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the
vehicle not facing the windWarning!
G
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the
road surface is free of ice.

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

342 Technical dataRims and TiresSame size tiresMinispare wheelModel
C240
C2404MATIC
C320
C3204MATIC
Rims (light alloy)
7 J x16 H2
7 J x16 H2
Rims (steel – Canada only)
7 J x16 H2
-
Wheel offset
1.46 in (37 mm)
1.46 in (37 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
225/50 R16 91H
225/50 R16 91H
All-season tires (radial-ply tires)
205/55 R16 91H
205/55 R16 91H
Winter tires (radial-ply tires)
205/55 R16 91H M+S
205/55 R16 91H M+S
Rim (steel)
3.5 B x16 H2
Wheel offset
0.67 in (17 mm)
Tire
T 125/90 R16 98M
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.

385 Index
Closing with SmartKey 198
Opening 196, 197, 198
Opening fully 197
Opening with SmartKey 198
Stopping 197
Synchronizing power windows 198
Simultaneous wiping and washing
Rear window wiper/washer 49
Windshield wipers 48
Single wipe 48
Ski sack* 205
Installing 208
Removing 207
Unfolding and loading 205
Unloading and folding 207
Sliding/pop-up roof 199
Closing 199, 309
Closing with SmartKey 200
Messages in display 299
Opening 199, 309
Opening with SmartKey 200Sliding/pop-up roof*
Stopping 200
Synchronizing 201
SmartKey 84
Changing battery 306
Locking and unlocking 84
Opening and closing the
sliding/pop-up roof with 200
Opening and closing
windows with 198
Unlocking with 30
Snow chains 264
Soft keys
Audio system 172
Spare fuses 334
Spare parts service 336
Spare wheel 342
Speed
Saving current 203
Speed settings
Cruise control 204Speedometer 23
Settings units 126
Speedometer display mode
Selecting 126
Split rear bench seat 211
SRS 64
Indicator lamp 278
SRS
(Supplemental Restraint System) 360
Standing lamps 100
Replacing bulbs 310, 311, 313, 314
Standing water
Driving instructions 245
Starter switch 21, 31
Positions 31
Starting difficulties 44
Starting position 31
Starting the engine 43
Station (radio)
Search 117

391 Index
Wheel change
Tightening torque 322
Wheels
Rotating 262
Tires and wheels 260
Window curtain airbags 62
Windows see Side windows
Windshield
Defogging 153, 162
Refilling washer fluid 259
Replacing wiper blades 317
Washer fluid 259, 354
Washer system 354
Windshield washer fluid 354
Message in display 299
Mixing ratio 354
Refilling 259
Wiping with 48
Windshield washer system 354Windshield wipers 47, 145
Fast wiper speed 47
Rear window wiper/washer 49
Replacing wiper blades 317
Simultaneous wiping and washing 49
Single wipe 48
Switching on 47
Wiping with windshield washer
fluid 48
Winter driving 263
Block heater 264
Snow chains 264
Tires 263
Winter driving instructions 244
Winter tires 263
Wiper blades
Cleaning 270
Installing 317
Removing 317
Replacing 317Wiper/washer
Rear window 49
Wiping
And washing simultaneously 48, 49
Interval 47
With windshield washer fluid 48
Wood trims
Cleaning 272