2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C COUPE towing

406 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleMercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment. This method is pref-
erable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised 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 87) and deactivate the auto-
matic central locking (
page 148).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1). Otherwise, the ESP will immedi-
ately 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 (manual trans-
mission: gears disengaged) 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 dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).

407 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the transmission, however,
we recommend the drive shaft be dis-
connected at the rear axle drive flange
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 sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure 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, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.
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 sig-
nal in the usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the
hazard warning flasher will operate
again.

408 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 follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated 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 approximately 9 mph
(15 km/h) or more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 87).
To prevent the vehicle doors from lock-
ing, deactivate the automatic central
locking (
page 148).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to vehicle chassis,
frame or suspension parts.
iIf the battery is disconnected or dis-
charged

the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch. For more informa-
tion, see “Battery” (
page 401)
and “Jump starting” (page 404).


the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP. For informa-
tion on manually unlocking trans-
mission gear selector lever, see
(page 380).

409 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
1Cover on right side of front bumper.2Cover on right side of rear bumper.To remove cover:

Press mark on cover1 or2 in direc-
tion 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 wheel well below the
trunk floor).

Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:

Fit cover1 or2 and snap into place.

453 Index
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GVW 324
GVWR 324
H
Halogen-type
Front lamp bulbs 386
Hands-free microphone* 29
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 337
Hazard warning flasher 116
Switching off 116
Switching on 116
Head restraints
Front seats 37, 102
Manual seat 102
Power seat* 103
Manual seat 37, 102
Power seat* 38, 102
Rear seats 103
Headlamp cleaning fluid
Checking 290
Headlamp cleaning system*
Refilling 299Headlamps
Automatic control 111
Bi-Xenon* 437
Bi-Xenon* type
Replacing bulbs 388
Cleaning system* 167
Halogen-type
Replacing bulbs 386
Refilling washer fluid 299
Switching off 57
Switching on 51
Washer fluid* 435
Washer system* 435
Headliner
Cleaning 337
Heated seats* 106
Height adjustment
Head restraints 37, 38
Rear seat head restraints 103
Seat belts 46
High beam flasher 114
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 367
Replacing bulbs 385, 387
Bi-Xenon-type 389
Switching on 114High mounted brake lamp 385
Hood 291
Closing 292
Message in display 365
Opening 291
Hydroplaning see Aquaplaning 281
I
Identification labels 416
Ignition 33
Switching on 48, 49
Immobilizer 86
Activating 86
Deactivating 86
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems 70
Installing 77
LATCH child seat anchors 78
Inflating
Spare tire 398
Information
Button for Tele Aid* 266
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 77
Towing eye bolt 409
Wiper blades 393

459 Index
Parts see Parts service 414
Parts service 414
Passenger compartment 284
Fuse box in 411
Interior lighting 117
Interior rear view mirror 42
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 257
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 277
Performance
In cold weather 431
In hot weather 432
Phone book*
Loading 154
Quick search 155
Phone number*
Dialing 154
Redialing 156
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 338
Playing
CDs 216
Poly-V-belt drive 440
Layout 417Positions (Memory function*)
Recalling from memory 108
Storing into memory 108
Potential problems associated with under-
inflated and overinflated tires 312
Power assistance 277
Power seat*
Adjusting backrest tilt 38
Adjusting head restraint height 38
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 38
Adjusting seat height 38
Memory function* 107
Removing/installing front head
restraints 103
Seat fore and aft adjustment 38
Power train 440
Power washer 334
Power windows 237
Side windows 237
Synchronizing 240
Practical hints
First aid kit 373
Fuses 410
Lamp in center console 345
Lamps in instrument cluster 340
Spare wheel 375Spare wheel bolts 376
Symbol messages 357
Text messages 349
Towing the vehicle 406
Vehicle jack 374
Vehicle status messages in the
display 347
Vehicle tool kit 373
Premium unleaded gasoline 429
Problems
While driving 55
Production options weight 324
Program mode selector switch 440
Automatic transmission* 164
PSI 325
Q
Quick search
Phone book* 155
R
Radio
Selecting stations 130
Radio operation 203
Radio transmitters
Control and operation 284

465 Index
Tele Aid*
Emergency calls 263
Information 266
Initiating an emergency call
manually 264
Message in display 372
Remote door unlock 268
Roadside assistance 265
SOS button 264
Stolen vehicle tracking services 269
System self-check 262
Tele Aid System 262
Upgrade signals 267
Telephone* 26, 260
Answering a call 154
Dialing a number from the phone
book 154
Ending a call 154
Hands-free microphone 29
Loading phone book 154
Message in display 372
Operation 153, 220
Redialing 156Temperature
Display mode 137
Setting interior temperature 175
Setting units in display 137
Tires 310
Tie-down rings 253
Tightening torque 441
Tilt
Head restraint 37, 39
Time
Setting hours 139
Setting minutes 140
Time display
Setting 141
TIN 325
Tire
Vehicle maximum load on 326
Tire and Loading Information 304
Tire and loading terminology 323
Tire care and maintenance 301
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 290, 309, 311
Tire inspection 301
Tire load rating 325Tire ply composition and material
used 325
Tire speed rating 282, 316, 325, 441
Tire terminology 323
Tire traction 281
Tires 300, 419
Collapsible 437
Direction of rotation 303
Driving instructions 280
Retreads 300
Rims and tires 419
Rotating 326
Service life 301
Temperature 310, 322
Tread depth 302, 328
Wear pattern 326
Winter 328
Tools 373
Tow-away alarm 27, 87
Arming 87
Disarming 87
Disarming for transport 87
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 409
Towing the vehicle 406

467 Index
Useful features 254
Ashtrays 257, 258
Cigarette lighter 259
Electrical outlet 260
Storage compartments 254
Tele Aid* 261
Telephone* 260
V
Vehicle
Individual settings 133, 136
Locking 27
Locking in an emergency 379
Lowering 400
Performance in cold weather 431
Performance in hot weather 432
Service battery 401
Towing 406
Unlocking 27
Unlocking in an emergency 377
With flexible fuel 431
Vehicle battery 401
Vehicle capacity weight 326Vehicle care 333
Cup holders 337
Engine cleaning 335
Gear selector lever 337
Hard plastic trim items 337
Headlamps 335
Instrument cluster 337
Leather upholstery 338
Light alloy wheels 336
MB Tex upholstery 338
Ornamental moldings 335
Paintwork 334
Plastic and rubber parts 338
Power washer 334
Seat belts 337
side markers 335
Steering wheel 337
Tail lamps 335
Tar stains 334
Turn signals 335
Upholstery 338
Vehicle washing 335
Window cleaning 336
Wiper blades 336
Wood trims 338Vehicle jack 374
Vehicle lighting
Checking 290
Vehicle loading terminology 323
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 326
Vehicle status message memory 132
Vehicle tool kit 373
Air pump 373
Alignment bolt 373
Collapsible wheel chock 373
Gloves 373
Spare fuses 373
Special fuse puller 373
Towing eye bolt 373
Vehicle jack 373
Wheel bolts 373
Wheel wrench 373
Vehicle washing 335
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) 441
Viscosity
Engine oil 438
Voice control system*
Hands-free microphone 29