2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C320S towing

329 Practical hints
Towing 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.

330 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
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 79).
To prevent the vehicle doors from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking (
page 133).
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 323) or on jump
starting (page 326).


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

331 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing 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.

L i f t c o v e r o f f t o r e v e a l t h r e a d e d h o l e f o r
towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the compartment under-
neath the trunk floor).

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

Fit cover and snap into place.

380 IndexHood 252
Closing 253
Message in display 293
Opening 252
Hydroplaning 242
I
Identification labels 338
Certification label 338
Vehicle Identification Number 338
Ignition 31
Switching on
Automatic transmission* 44
Manual transmission 43
Immobilizer 78
Activating 78
Deactivating 78
Indicator lamps
see Lamps, indicator and warningInfant and child restraint systems 63
Installing 68
LATCH-type child seat anchors 69
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 227
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 68
Ski sack* 212
Towing eye bolt 331
Wiper blades 316
Instrument cluster 22, 109, 363
Cleaning 270
Coolant temperature display 110
Illumination 109
Lamps in 274–278
Multifunction display 113
Outside temperature indicator 111
Selecting language 128
Instrument lighting 109
Instruments and controls see CockpitInterior lighting 107
Activating automatic control 107
Deactivating automatic control 107
Delayed shut-off 132
Manual operation 107
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 38
Antiglare 149
Interior storage spaces 216
Armrest 219
Cup holder in front
of seat armrest 217
Cup holder in rear seat armrest 218
Glove box 216
Parcel net in
front passenger footwell 220
Storage compartment
in front of armrest 218
J
Jack 300
Jump starting 326

386 IndexPedals 239
Performance
In cold weather 355
In hot weather 355
Phone book*
Loading 140
Quick search 140
Phone number*
Dialing 140
Redialing 140
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 272
Playing
CDs 191
Poly-V-belt drive 363
Layout 339
Positions (Memory function*)
Recalling from memory 100
Storing into memory 100
Power assistance 239Power seat*
Adjusting backrest tilt 35
Adjusting head restraint height 35
Adjusting head restraint tilt 36
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 35
Adjusting seat height 35
Memory function* 99
Removing/installing front
head restraints 94
Seat fore and aft adjustment 35
Power train 364
Power washer 268
Power windows 200
Blocking of
rear door window operation 70
Side windows 200
Synchronizing 202
Practical hints
First aid kit 300
Fuses 332
Lamp in center console 279Lamps in instrument cluster 274
Messages in the display 280
Minispare wheel 302
Minispare wheel bolts 304
Symbol messages 284
Text messages 281
Towing the vehicle 328
Vehicle jack 301
Vehicle tool kit 300
Premium unleaded gasoline 353
Problems
While driving 49
With vehicle 17
Product information 9
Program mode selector switch 364
Automatic transmission* 146
Q
Quick search
Phone book* 140

394 IndexTime display
Setting 127
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 251, 261
Tire speed rating 243, 365
Tire traction 243
Tires 260, 342
Consumer information 359
Direction of rotation 261
Driving instructions 242
Retreads 260
Rims and tires 342
Service life 261
Temperature 262
Temperature grades 360
Tread depth 263
Wear pattern 262
Winter 263
Tools 300Tow-away alarm* 25, 79
Arming 80
Disarming 80
Disarming for transport 80
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 331
Towing the vehicle 328
Tracking services
For stolen vehicle 230
Traction 147, 359, 365
Transmission gear selector lever
Unlocking manually 308
Transmission see
Automatic* or Manual transmission
Tread depth (tires) 263
Tread Wear 359
Trip computer 136
Trip odometer
Resetting 111Trunk
Auxiliary fuse box 334
Closing the lid 87
Lamp 108
Opening 84
Opening from inside vehicle 87
Separately locking 89
Separately unlocking 90
Trunk lid emergency release 88
Trunk lid
Closing 87
Emergency release 88
Message in display 299
Turn signal lamps
Replacing bulbs 310, 311
Turn signals 47
Additional in mirrors 310
Cleaning lenses 269
Front bulbs 310, 312, 314
Indicator lamps 23
Rear bulbs 311, 315
Turning off
Engine 52

395 Index
U
Units
Setting speedometer units 128
Setting temperature units 127
Unlocking 30, 82
Centrally from inside 91
Driver’s door in an emergency 305
Fuel filler flap 249
Global 83
In an emergency 305
Selective settings 83
Separately the trunk 90
Transmission gear selector
lever manually 308
Trunk in an emergency 306
Vehicle in an emergency 230
With the SmartKey 30
Upgrade signals
Tele Aid* 229
Uphill driving
Cruise control 207Upholstery
Cleaning 271
Upshifting 143
Useful features 216
Ashtrays 220
Cigarette lighter 221
Tele Aid* 223
Telephone* 222
V
Vehicle
Individual settings 123, 125
Locking 25
Locking in an emergency 306
Lowering 321
Performance in cold weather 355
Performance in hot weather 355
Service battery 323
Towing 328
Unlocking 25
Unlocking in an emergency 305
With flexible fuel 354Vehicle battery 323
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 271
Tail lamps 269
Tar stains 268
Turn signals 269

396 Index
Upholstery 271
Vehicle washing 269
Window cleaning 270
Wiper blades 270
Wood trims 272
Vehicle Identification Number see VIN
Vehicle jack 301
Vehicle lighting
Checking 251
Vehicle tool kit 300
Alignment bolt 300
Removing 300
Spare fuses 300
Special fuse puller 300
Towing eye bolt 300
Vehicle jack 300
Wheel bolts 300
Wheel wrench 300
Vehicle washing 269Ventilated storage compartment 160
Ventilation
Storage compartment 160
VIN 338, 365
Voice control system* 365
Hands-free microphone 27
W
Warning lamps
see Lamps, indicator and warning
Warning sounds
Drivers seat belts 60
Parking brake 45
Warranty coverage 337
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washing the vehicle 267
Wear pattern (tires) 262
Weights 348
Wheel change
Tightening torque 321Wheels
Rotating 262
Tires and wheels 260
Window curtain airbags 60
Windows see Side windows
Windshield
Defogging
Automatic climate control* 166
Climate control 157
Refilling washer fluid 259
Replacing wiper blades 316
Washer fluid 259, 358
Washer system 358
Windshield washer fluid 358
Message in display 299
Mixing ratio 358
Refilling 259
Wiping with 48
Windshield washer system 358