Contents
Automatic transmission ..................... 152
One-touch gearshifting................. 154
Gear ranges ................................. 155
Gear selector lever position ......... 156
Automatic shift program .............. 158
Driving tips ................................... 159
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 160
Good visibility .................................... 161
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 161
Rear view mirrors ......................... 161
Sun visors .................................... 164
Rear window defroster ................. 165
Climate control .................................. 166
Deactivating the climate control
system ......................................... 169
Setting the temperature ............... 169
Adjusting air distribution and
volume ......................................... 170
Defrosting .................................... 171
Air recirculation mode.................. 171
Air conditioning ............................ 173
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents...................... 174Audio system ...................................... 175
Audio and telephone, operation .... 175
Operating safety ........................... 175
Operating and display elements.... 176
Button and soft key operation....... 178
Operation ...................................... 178
Radio operation ............................ 183
Introduction to satellite radio*
(USA only) ..................................... 188
CD mode ....................................... 193
GSM network phones ................... 200
TDMA or CDMA network phones .. 206
Emergency calls “911”.................. 213
Power windows .................................. 215
Opening and closing the
windows........................................ 215
Synchronizing power windows ...... 218
Power tilt/sliding sunroof*................. 219
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof ........................ 219
Synchronizing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof ........................ 222
Driving systems .................................. 223
Cruise control ............................... 223Loading .............................................. 226
Roof rack* .................................... 226
Parcel net in cargo
compartment ................................ 226
Storage compartment under
cargo compartment floor .............. 227
Retractable luggage cover and
partition net .................................. 228
Split rear bench seat .................... 230
Loading instructions ..................... 232
Cargo tie-down rings..................... 233
Useful features ................................... 234
Storage compartments ................. 234
Ashtrays........................................ 238
Cigarette lighter ............................ 239
Electrical outlet............................. 240
Telephone* ................................... 241
Tele Aid* ....................................... 242
Garage door opener* .................... 249
ContentsTechnical data.................................. 361
Parts service ...................................... 362
Warranty coverage ............................. 363
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 363
Identification labels............................ 364
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 365
C 240 (all models) ........................ 365
Engine ................................................ 366
Rims and Tires ................................... 367
Same size tires ............................. 368
Minispare wheel ........................... 369
Electrical system................................ 370
Main Dimensions ............................... 371
Weights .............................................. 372Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 373
Capacities .................................... 373
Engine oils.................................... 375
Engine oil additives ...................... 375
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 375
Brake fluid .................................... 375
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 376
Fuel requirements ........................ 376
Gasoline additives ........................ 377
Flexible Fuel Vehicles ................... 377
Coolants....................................... 379
Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 381
Consumer information ....................... 382
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 382
Technical terms............................... 385Index................................................. 391
168 Controls in detailClimate controlThe climate control is operational when-
ever the engine is running. You can oper-
ate the climate control system in either the
automatic or manual mode. The system
cools or heats the interior depending on
the selected interior temperature and the
current outside temperature.Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the modeAC
OFF
is selected
(
page 173).
Warning!
G
When operating the climate control, the air
that enters the passenger compartment
through the air vents in the footwell can be
very hot or very cold (depending on the set
temperature). This may cause burns or frost-
bite on unprotected skin in the immediate
area of the air vents. Always keep sufficient
distance between unprotected parts of the
body and the footwell air vents. If necessary,
change the air flow using the air distribution
controls to direct the air away from the foot-
well air vents (
page 170).
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
iSevere conditions (e.g. strong air
pollution) may require replacement of
the filter before its scheduled interval.
A clogged filter will reduce the air
volume to the interior.
If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate
the interior before driving off, see
“Opening (Summer opening feature)”
(page 221).
Keep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow and debris.
169 Controls in detail
Climate control
Deactivating the climate control system
Deactivating
Set air volume control1 (
page 167)
to position0.
Reactivating
Set air volume control1 (
page 167)
to any speed.
Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls2 and3
(page 167) to separately adjust the air
temperature on each side of the passenger
compartment. You should raise or lower
the temperature setting in small incre-
ments, preferably starting at 72°F (22°C).Increasing
Turn the temperature control2 or3
slightly to the right.
The climate control system will corre-
spondingly adjust the interior air tem-
perature.
Decreasing
Turn the temperature control2 or3
slightly to the left.
The climate control system will corre-
spondingly adjust the interior air tem-
perature.
iWhen the air conditioning is switched
off, the outside air supply and circula-
tion are also switched off. Only choose
this setting for a short time. Otherwise
the windows could fog up.
iWhen operating the climate control
system in automatic mode, you will
only rarely need to adjust the tempera-
ture, air volume and air distribution.
171 Controls in detail
Climate control
Defrosting
Activating
Press buttonP (
page 167).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
The air conditioning switches
automatically to the following functions:
maximum blowing and heating
power
air flows onto the windshield and
the front side windows
the air recirculation mode is
switched offDeactivating
Press buttonP (
page 167).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. Defrosting is turned off.
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside. This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the passenger compartment.Activating
Press button, (
page 167).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
iThese settings should only be selected
for a short time.
Warning!
G
When the outside temperature is
below 41°F (5°C), only switch to air
recirculation mode for short periods to
prevent window fogging.
Window fogging may impair visibility and
endanger you and others.
iIf you keep button, pressed the
side windows and tilt/sliding sunroof*
will close.Warning!
G
Never operate the side windows and the
tilt/sliding sunroof* if there is the possibility
of anyone being harmed by the closing pro-
cedure.
In the event that the closing procedure
causes potential danger, the closing of the
side windows can be immediately halted by
pressing or pulling the respective window
switch. The closing of the tilt/sliding
sunroof* can be immediately halted by
moving the tilt/sliding sunroof* switch in
the overhead control panel in any direction.
172 Controls in detailClimate control
Deactivating
Press button, (
page 167).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.The air recirculation mode is deactivated
automatically:
after five minutes if the outside
temperature is below
approximately 41°F (5°C)
after five minutes if the air conditioning
is turned off
after 30 minutes if the outside
temperature is above
approximately 41°F (5°C)
At outside temperatures above 79°F
(26°C) the system will not automatically
switch back to outside air. A quantity of
outside air is added after approximately
30 minutes.
The closing of the side windows and
tilt/sliding sunroof* can be reversed by
again pressing and holding the, button.iThe air recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside tempera-
tures.
The indicator lamp on the, button
is not lit when the air recirculation
mode is automatically switched on.
After approx. 30 minutes, outside air is
added to the air inside the vehicle.
If you have turned off the air condi-
tioning (
page 173) or the outside
temperature is below 41°F (5°C), the
air recirculation mode will not switch
on automatically.
iIf you keep button, pressed the
side windows and tilt/sliding sunroof*
will return to their previous position.
173 Controls in detail
Climate control
Air conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while
the engine is running and cools the interior
air to the temperature set by the operator.Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the climate
control system. The air in the vehicle will
then no longer be cooled or dehumidified.
Press button± (
page 167).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
The cooling function switches off after
a short delay.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.
Press button± (
page 167).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
The air conditioning uses the
refrigerant R134a. This refrigerant is free
of CFCs which are harmful to the ozone
layer.
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.Warning!
G
If you turn off the cooling function, the
vehicle will not be cooled when weather
conditions are warm. The windows can fog
up more quickly. Window fogging may
impair visibility and endanger you and
others.
!If the air conditioning cannot be turned
on again, this indicates that the air
conditioning is losing refrigerant. The
compressor has turned itself off.
Have the air conditioning checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
174 Controls in detailClimate controlRear passenger compartment adjustable air vents
The air conditioning for the rear passenger
compartment is controlled via the climate
control panel (
page 167).The air vents for the rear passenger
compartment are located in the rear
center console.
1Left center air vent
2Thumbwheel for air volume control for
center air vents
3Right center air ventAdjusting air distribution
Push the slide for the left center
vent1 or right center vent3 to the
left, right, up or down.
The air flow is directed in the corre-
sponding direction.
Adjusting air volume
Turn thumbwheel2 up or down.
The air volume is increased or
decreased.
iThe temperature at the center air vents
for the rear passenger
compartment1 and3 i s t h e s a m e a s
at the dashboard center air vents.
iFor draft-free ventilation, push
slides1 and3 upward.