2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C WAGON tow

353 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the drivetrain, 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 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,
remove SmartKey from starter switch and
reinsert.
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use,
switch on ignition and activate the
combination 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.

354 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 87).
To prevent the vehicle doors from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking (
page 143).
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. For more informa-
tion, see “Battery” (
page 347)
and “Jump starting” (page 350).


the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP. For informa-
tion on manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever,
see (
page 328).

355 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 cover1 or2 in
direction of arrows.

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 behind the left hand trim
panel in cargo compartment).

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

Fit cover1 or2 and snap into place.

358 Practical hintsFusesFuse box in engine compartment
The fuse box is located in the engine
compartment on the driver’s side.
1Cover
2Screws
3RetainerRemoving cover

Twist screws2
90° counterclockwise.

Lift the rear of cover1.

Slide out retainer3 and remove
cover1 by pulling towards front.
Opening fuse box
4Fuse box cover
5Clamps

With a dry cloth, remove any moisture
from the fuse box.

Release clamps5.

Remove fuse box cover4.
Closing fuse box

Make sure that the sealing rubber is
properly positioned.

Press fuse box cover4 down and
secure with clamps5.
Installing cover

Insert cover1 sideways into
retainer3.

Twist screws2 90° clockwise.

391 Index
A
ABS 79, 385
ABS control 79
Indicator lamp 25
Malfunction indicator lamp 294
Messages in display 302
Accelerator position,
automatic transmission 159
Accident
In case of 54
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 173
Air recirculation mode 171
Anti-theft alarm system* 86
Central locking (control system) 143
Climate control 167
Climate control system 169
Defrosting 171
Easy-entry/exit feature* 144
ESP 83
Exterior headlamps 49Exterior lamps 109
Exterior rear view mirror
parking position* 163
Hazard warning flasher 113
Headlamps 49
High beam headlamps 49
High beams 112
Ignition 33
Immobilizer 57, 85
Low beam headlamps 49
Rear window defroster 165
Seat heating* 104
Tow-away alarm* 87
Windshield wipers 51
Adding
Coolant 275
Engine oil 274
Additional turn signals 333
Adjustable air vents,
rear passenger compartment 174Adjusting 35
Air distribution 170
Air volume 170
Backrest contour 103
Backrest side bolsters 103
Backrest tilt, manual seat 36
Backrest tilt, power seat* 38
Exterior rear view mirrors 41
Folding back rear seat
head restraints 101
Head restraint height,
manual seat 37
Head restraint height,
power seat* 38
Head restraint height, rear seats 100
Head restraint tilt, manual seat 37
Head restraint tilt, power seat* 39
Head restraint tilt, rear seats 102
Instrument cluster illumination 116
Interior rear view mirror 41
Manual seat 36

392 Index
Mirrors 41
Multicontour seat* 103
Placing upright rear seat
head restraints 101
Power seat* 38
Rear seat head restraints 100
Seat belt height 45
Seat cushion depth 103
Seat cushion tilt, manual seat 36
Seat cushion tilt, power seat* 38
Seat fore and aft adjustment,
manual seat 36
Seat fore and aft adjustment,
power seat* 38
Seat height, manual seat 36
Seat height, power seat* 38
Seats 35
Steering column height,
electrical* 41
Steering column height,
manual 40Steering column length,
electrical* 41
Steering column length,
manual 40
Steering wheel 39
Adjusting air distribution
and volume 170
Adjusting sound functions 179
Adjusting the volume 179
Aids for changing fuses 357
Air bags 61
BabySmart
TM
deactivation system 72, 385
Children 62
Front 65
Passenger 65
Safety guidelines 64
Side impact 66
Window curtain 66
Air conditioning (cooling) 173
Turning off 173
Turning on 173Air conditioning refrigerant 375
Air distribution
Adjusting 170
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air recirculation mode 171
Activating 171
Deactivating 172
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 174
Air volume
Adjusting 170
Alarm
Audible 78, 85
Canceling 86, 88
Visual 85
Alarm system
Anti-theft* 85
Tow-away* 87
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 344, 385
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 380
Antiglare
Automatic* 162
Manual 161

393 Index
Antilock Brake System see ABS
Anti-theft alarm system*
Arming 86
Canceling alarm 86
Disarming 86
Anti-theft systems 85
Anti-theft alarm system* 85
Immobilizer 85
Tow-away alarm* 87
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest
Changing inclination of 235
Storage spaces 235
Armrest in rear
passenger compartment 236
Ashtrays 238
ATF 274
AUDIO menu 125
Selecting radio station 126
Selecting satellite radio* station 126Audio system 175
Audio and telephone, operation 175
Button and soft key operation 178
CD* operation 193
Operating and display elements 176
Operating safety 175
Operation 178
Radio operation 183
Switching off 179
Switching on 178
Telephone* operation 200
Automatic antiglare*
for rear view mirror 162
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating
(control system) 143
Automatic headlamp mode 109
Automatic lighting control
Activating 114
Deactivating 114
Automatic locking when driving 95Automatic shift program
Automatic transmission 158
Automatic time change
(Daylight Saving Time
(DST) summer/winter) 137
Automatic transmission 152
Accelerator position 159
Automatic shift program 158
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 160
Fluid level 274
Gear ranges 155
Gear selector lever 46, 152
Gear selector lever position 152, 156
Gear shifting malfunctions 160
Kickdown 159
Manual shifting 154
One-touch gearshifting 154
Program mode selector switch,
automatic shift program 158
Starting with 47
Transmission fluid 274
Automatic Transmission Fluid see ATF

398 IndexDeactivating
Air conditioning (cooling) 173
Air recirculation mode 172
Alarm 86
Anti-theft alarm system* 86
Central locking (control system) 143
Climate control 167
Climate control system 169
Cruise control 224
Defrosting 171
Engine with the SmartKey 57
ESP 82
Exterior lamps 109
Exterior lamps delayed shut-off 141
Hazard warning flasher 113
Headlamps 56
Immobilizer 85
Interior lighting delayed shut-off 143
Rear window defroster 165
Seat heating* 104
Tow-away alarm* 87
Deep water see Standing waterDefogging
Windshield 170
Defrosting 171
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 141
Interior lighting 143
Dialing
A number (telephone*) 150
Difficulties
While driving see
Problems while driving
With starting 47
Digital clock 119
Digital speedometer 125
Direction of rotation (tires) 279
Discharged battery
Jump starting 350
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 348
Display
Messages in display 311Display elements
Audio system 176
Displays
Digital speedometer 125
Maintenance service indicator 284
Outside temperature 125
Selecting display for
status indicator 134
Showing vehicle status
messages 129
Symbol messages 306
Text messages 302
Vehicle status messages 301
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 148
Door control panel 30
Door entry lamps 115
Door handle 93
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 248