2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C320S trunk

304 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?In the case of a flat tire, you may
temporarily use the Minispare wheel when
observing the following restrictions:

Do not exceed a vehicle speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).


Drive to the nearest tire repair facility
to have the flat tire repaired or
replaced as appropriate.


Do not operate vehicle with more than
one Minispare wheel mounted.
For more information, see “Rims and Tires”
(
page 342).Minispare wheel bolts
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for Minispare wheel or other
steel rims (located in trunk with spare
wheel)
!Wheel bolts2 must be used when
mounting the Minispare wheel or other
steel rims. The use of any wheel bolts
other than wheel bolts2 for the
Minispare wheel or other steel rims will
physically damage the vehicle’s
brakes. Warning!
G
Make sure to use the original length wheel
bolts when remounting the original wheel
after it has been repaired.

305 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking the vehicle
If you are unable to unlock the vehicle with
the SmartKey, open the driver’s door and
the trunk using the mechanical key.
The passenger door cannot be unlocked
manually.
1Mechanical key locking tab
2Mechanical key

Move locking tab1 in direction of
arrow and slide mechanical key2 out
of the housing.Unlocking the driver’s door
1Unlocked
2Locked

Unlock the door with the mechanical
key. To do so, push the mechanical key
in the lock until it stops and turn it to
the left1.
iUnlocking your vehicle with the
mechanical key will trigger the
anti-theft alarm system.
To cancel the alarm, do one of the
following:

Press buttonŒ or‹ on the
SmartKey.


Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.

306 Practical hintsUnlocking/locking in an emergencyUnlocking the trunk
A minimum height clearance of 5.71 ft
(1.74 m) is required to open the trunk lid.
The lock is located next to the recessed
handle.
1Unlocking in an emergency
2Handle
Slide mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (
page 305).

Insert the mechanical key into the
trunk lid lock.

Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise completely to position1 and
hold it in this position.

Pull trunk lid handle2 and lift the
trunk lid.
Locking the vehicle
If you are unable to lock the vehicle with
the SmartKey, lock it with the mechanical
key as follows:
Close the passenger doors and the
trunk.

Press the central locking switch in the
cockpit (
page 91).

Check to see whether the locking
knobs on the passenger doors are
down. If necessary push them down
manually.

Slide mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (
page 305).

Lock the driver’s door with the
mechanical key (
page 305).

Check if the trunk is locked. If
necessary lock the trunk with the
mechanical key (
page 89).
!Always make sure there is sufficient
overhead clearance.

308 Practical hintsUnlocking/locking in an emergency
Slide mechanical key1 back into the
SmartKey.
Fuel filler flap
In case the central locking system does
not release the fuel filler flap, you can open
it manually.
Open the trunk lid.

Fold away right-side tail lamp trim.

Reach inside through opening2 in
direction of arrow.

Turn release knob1 clockwise
(arrow).
The fuel filler flap can now be opened.
Manually unlocking the transmission
gear selector lever
In the case of power failure the transmis-
sion gear selector lever can be manually
unlocked, e.g. to tow the vehicle.
1Coin holder
2Tool

Open the storage compartment in front
of the center armrest (
page 218).

Release coin holder1 (e.g. using a
small coin).

Swing coin holder1 aside.

Insert a tool2 (e.g. flat blade
screwdriver) into the opening.

Perform the following two steps
simultaneously:
Push tool2 down.

Move gear selector lever from
positionP.

Reinstall coin holder1 after removing
tool2 from the opening.
iWhen inserting the batteries, make
sure they are clean and free of lint.
iThe gear selector lever is locked again
when moving it to positionP.


315 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Tail lamp assemblies
Switch off lights.

Open trunk lid.
1Locking lever

Fold trim to the side.

Turn locking lever1 to vertical
position and remove bulb carrier.2Rear fog lamp, driver’s side
3Back up lamp
4Stop lamp
5Turn signal lamp
6Tail, parking, standing and side marker
lamp

Gently push bulb into socket, turn
counterclockwise and pull out.

Insert new bulb and turn clockwise.

Reinstall bulb socket.

Reinstall bulb holder and close trim
panel.License plate lamp
1Screw

Switch off the lights.

Loosen both screws1 and remove
lamp.

Replace the tubular lamp and reinstall
lamp.

Retighten the screws.

317 Practical hints
Flat tire
Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
moving traffic on a hard surface.

Turn on the hazard warning flashers.

Engage the steering wheel lock in the
straight ahead position and set the
parking brake.

Move the gear selector lever toP
(manual transmission to first or reverse
gear).

Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Mounting the Minispare wheel
In the case of a flat tire, you may
temporarily use the Minispare wheel when
observing the following restrictions:

Do not exceed vehicle speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).


Drive to the nearest tire repair facility
to have the flat tire repaired or
replaced as appropriate.


Do not operate vehicle with more than
one spare wheel mounted.Preparing the vehicle
Prepare the vehicle as described on
(
page 317).

Take the wheel wrench and the jack
out of the vehicle tool kit storage well
casing underneath the trunk floor
(page 300).

Take the Minispare wheel and wheel
bolts out of the storage compartment
underneath the trunk floor
(page 302).
Lifting the vehicle

Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking wheels with wheel chocks
(not included) or other sizable objects.
When changing wheel on a level surface:

Place one chock in front of and one
behind the wheel that is diagonally
opposite to the wheel being changed.
When changing wheel on a hill:

Place chocks on the downhill side
blocking both wheels of the other axle.
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the Minispare wheel are
different from those of the road wheels. As
a result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a Minispare wheel
mounted.
The spare wheel should only be used
temporarily, and replaced with a regular
road wheel as quick as possible.

320 Practical hintsFlat tireMounting the new wheel
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for Minispare wheel or other
steel rims (located in trunk with spare
wheel)

Clean contact surfaces of wheel and
wheel hub.

Guide Minispare wheel onto the
alignment bolt and push it on.

Insert wheel bolts and tighten them
slightly.
!Wheel bolts2 must be used when
mounting the Minispare wheel or other
steel rims. The use of any wheel bolts
other than wheel bolts2 for the
Minispare wheel or other steel rims will
physically damage the vehicle’s
brakes.
!To avoid paint damage, place wheel flat
against hub and hold it there while
installing first wheel bolt.Warning!
G
Always replace wheel bolts that are
damaged or rusted.
Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.
Damaged wheel hub threads should be
repaired immediately. Do not continue to
drive under these circumstances! Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.
Incorrect wheel bolts or improperly tight-
ened wheel bolts can cause the wheel to
come off. This could cause an accident.
Make sure to use the correct mounting
bolts.

321 Practical hints
Flat tire

Unscrew the alignment bolt, install last
wheel bolt and tighten slightly.Lowering the vehicle

Lower vehicle by turning crank
counterclockwise until vehicle is
resting fully on its own weight.

Remove the jack.
1 - 5Wheel bolts

Tighten the five wheel bolts evenly,
following the diagonal sequence
illustrated (1to5), until all bolts are
tight. Observe a tightening torque
of 80 lb-ft (110 Nm).Before storing the jack, it should be fully
collapsed, with handle folded in (storage
position) (
page 302).

Store the jack and the other vehicle
tools in the vehicle tool kit storage well
casing (
page 303).

Store the wheel cover (Canada only)
and the damaged wheel in the trunk.
Warning!
G
Only use genuine equipment
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts. Other wheel
bolts may come loose.
Do not tighten the wheel bolts when the
vehicle is raised. Otherwise the vehicle
could tip over.
Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come
loose if they are not tightened to a torque
of 80 lb-ft (110 Nm).