2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 towing

Contents
Practical hints................................ 301
What to do if … .................................. 302
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 302
Lamp in center console................ 308
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 309
Where will I find ...? ........................... 329
First aid kit ................................... 329
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 329
Minispare wheel
(except C 55 AMG)....................... 333
Collapsible tire
(C 55 AMG only)........................... 334
Spare wheel bolts ........................ 336
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 337
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 337
Locking the vehicle ...................... 338
Fuel filler flap ............................... 339
Manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever .. 340
Opening/closing in an emergency..... 341
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* .......... 341Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 342
SmartKey ...................................... 343
Replacing bulbs .................................. 344
Bulbs ............................................. 344
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 347
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 351
Replacing wiper blades....................... 352
Removing wiper blades ................. 352
Installing wiper blades .................. 352
Flat tire ............................................... 353
Preparing the vehicle .................... 353
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 353
Battery................................................ 360
Disconnecting the battery............. 361
Removing the battery.................... 361
Charging and reinstalling
the battery .................................... 361
Reconnecting the battery.............. 362Jump starting...................................... 363
Towing the vehicle.............................. 365
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 368
Fuses.................................................. 369
Aids for changing fuses ................ 369
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment ................................ 370
Fuse box in engine
compartment ................................ 370
Fuse box in trunk .......................... 371

85 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Tow-away alarm*
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.Arming tow-away alarm

Lock your vehicle with the SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm is automatically
armed after about 30 seconds.
Disarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm,
switch off the tow-away alarm feature
before towing the vehicle, or when parking
on a surface subject to movement, such as
a ferry or auto train.The switch is located on the center
console.
1Tow-away alarm off switch
2Indicator lamp

Switch off ignition.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is
triggered, for example, if the vehicle is
lifted on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response
Center is initiated automatically by the
Tele Aid system* (
page 248) provid-
ed Tele Aid service was subscribed to
and properly activated, and that neces-
sary cellular service and GPS coverage
are available.
iWhen you unlock your vehicle, the
tow-away protection disarms
automatically. The tow-away alarm
remains disarmed until you lock the
vehicle again.
iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm
while the ignition is switched on.


241 Controls in detail
Useful features
Useful features
Storage compartments Glove box
1Glove box lid release
2Glove box
Opening the glove box

Pull lid release1.
The glove box lid opens downward.
Closing the glove box

Push lid up to close.1Unlocking
2Locking
Locking the glove box

Insert mechanical key (
page 337)
into the glove box lock and turn it to
position2.
Unlocking the glove box

Turn mechanical key in the glove box
lock to position1.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when stowing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
gage or cargo in the trunk if possible. Do not
pile luggage or cargo higher than the seat
backs. Do not place anything on the shelf
below the rear window.
Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy
objects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
an accident.

242 Controls in detailUseful featuresArmrest storage compartments
1Handle
2Button, passenger side
3Button, driver’s sideOpening storage compartment

Pull handle1 and lift armrest.
Closing storage compartment

Press armrest down until it engages
into place.
Opening telephone compartment

Press button3 on driver’s side or
button2 on passenger side and lift
armrest.
Closing telephone compartment

Press armrest down until it engages
into place.Changing inclination of armrest
1Handle

Pull up on armrest.
Lowering armrest

Pull handle1 to lower armrest.
!Do not store any items between the
telephone holder and the cover for the
blower. Otherwise these items could
be damaged when the holder is closed.
Use the space in the front door pocket
for stowing.

252 Controls in detailUseful featuresRoadside Assistance button•
Located below the center armrest cover is
the Roadside Assistance button•.
Press and hold button (for longer than
two seconds).
A call to a Mercedes-Benz Roadside
Assistance dispatcher will be initiated.
The button will flash while the call is in
progress. The message
Connecting
call
will appear in the multifunction
display and the audio system is muted.
When the connection is established, the
message Call connected
appears in the
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system
will transmit data generating the vehicle
identification number, model, color and
location (subject to availability of cellular
and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants
of the vehicle will be established.

Describe the nature of the need for
assistance.The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such
as labor and/or towing, charges may
apply. Refer to the Roadside Assistance
manual for more information.
The following is only available in the USA:


Sign and Drive services: Services such
as jump start, a few gallons of fuel or
the replacement of a flat tire with the
vehicle spare tire are obtainable.
iThe indicator lamp on the Roadside
Assistance button• remains illumi-
nated in red for approximately ten
seconds during the system self-check
after switching on ignition (together
with the SOS button and the Informa-
tion button¡).
See system self-check (
page 249)
when the indicator lamp does not come
on in red or stays on longer than
approximately ten seconds.
If the indicator lamp on the Roadside
Assistance button• is flashing
continuously and there was no voice
connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system
could not initiate a Roadside Assis-
tance call (e.g. the relevant cellular
phone network is not available). The
message
Call failed.
appears in the
multifunction display.

301 Practical hints
What to do if …
Where will I find ...?
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency
Replacing SmartKey batteries
Replacing bulbs
Replacing wiper blades
Flat tire
Battery
Jump starting
Towing the vehicle
Fuses

329 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Where will I find ...?
First aid kit
The first aid kit is located in the trunk on
the left side secured by a hook and loop
fastener.
1First aid kit
2Hook and loop fastener
Unfasten hook and loop fastener2.

Remove first aid kit1.
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit is located in the storage
compartment underneath the trunk floor.
The following is included:

Towing eye bolt


Wheel wrench


Alignment bolt


Vehicle jack


Spare wheel bolts


Spare fuses


Valve extractor (C 55 AMG only)


Protective wrap (C 55 AMG only)


Collapsible wheel chock


A pair of gloves Removing the vehicle tool kit (except
C55AMG)

Lift up trunk floor cover and engage
trunk floor handle in upper edge of
trunk.
1Retaining screw
2Storage well casing

Loosen retaining screw1 by turning it
counterclockwise.

Remove storage well casing2.
iCheck expiration dates and contents
for completeness at least once a year
and replace missing/expired items.


331 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
1Vehicle jack
2Collapsible wheel chock and spare
wheel bolts
3Towing eye bolt
4Alignment bolt
5Wheel wrench
6Spare fuses and valve extractor
7Electric air pumpVehicle jackThe vehicle jack is located in the storage
compartment underneath the trunk floor.
Storage position
Remove vehicle jack from its
compartment.

Push crank handle up.
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use,
especially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface. Make sure the jack arm is
fully seated in the jack take-up bracket.
Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient
capacity jackstands before working under
the vehicle.