2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 key

362 Practical hintsBatteryReconnecting the battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.

Remove SmartKey from starter switch.

Connect the battery positive lead and
fasten its cover2.

Connect the battery negative lead.

Reinstall the filter box (
page 360).Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12 volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
!NEVER invert the terminal connections!!The battery, its filler caps and the vent
tube must always be securely installed
when the vehicle is in operation.
iThe following procedures must be
carried out following any interruption of
battery power (e.g. due to reconnec-
tion):

Set the clock (
page 137).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
See COMAND operator’s manual.


Synchronize side windows
(page 226).


Synchronize tilt/sliding sunroof*
(page 230).

365 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground or front wheels raised (except
vehicles with 4MATIC) 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 the SmartKey in the 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 85) and deactivate the auto-
matic central locking (
page 145).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission
and/or 4MATIC:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.!Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing
so could damage the transfer case,
which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground.
Observe instructions for towing the
vehicle with all wheels on the ground.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised (not permissible for vehicles
with 4MATIC), the engine must be shut
off (SmartKey in starter switch
position0 or1). Otherwise the ESP will
immediately 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
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and
at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).

366 Practical hintsTowing 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.

367 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning!
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 85).
To prevent the vehicle doors from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking (
page 145).
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 360)
and “Jump starting” (page 363).


the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP. For informa-
tion on manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever
see (
page 340).

401 Technical terms
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision,
including the tachometer, speedo-
meter, engine temperature display and
fuel gauge.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the
vehicle and should not be used for
normal acceleration needs.
Lock button
Button on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or
unlocked. Pushing the lock button
down on an individual door from inside
will lock that door.Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. The Maintenance
System in your vehicle tracks distance
driven and the time elapsed since your
last maintenance service, and calls for
the next maintenance service accord-
ingly.
Memory function*
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and mirror positions for
each SmartKey.
MON
(M
otor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a
gasoline's ability to resist undesired
detonation (knocking). The average of
both the MON (Motor Octane Number)
and ->RON (Research Octane Number)
is posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Multifunction display
Display field in the instrument cluster
used to present information provided
by the control system.
Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for
operating the control system.
Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
of the tachometer dial. Avoid this
engine speed range, as it may result in
serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.

402 Technical termsPower train
Collective term designating all
components used to generate and
transmit motive power to the drive
axles, including


engine


clutch/torque converter


transmission


transfer case


drive shaft


differential


axle shafts/axles
Program mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic
transmission* between standard
operationS, comfort operationC and
manual operationM (C 55 AMG only).REST
(Residual engine heat utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the
vehicle interior for a short time after
the engine has been turned off.
Restraint systems
Seat belts, belt tensioners, air bags
and child restraint systems. As inde-
pendent systems, their protective
functions complement one another.
RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired deto-
nation (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the transmission gear
selector lever from being moved out of
positionP without SmartKey turned
and brake pedal depressed.
SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning
device and air bags. Though indepen-
dent systems, they are closely inter-
faced to provide effective occupant
protection.

407 Index
Anti-theft systems 83
Anti-theft alarm system* 83
Immobilizer 83
Tow-away alarm* 85
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest
Changing inclination of 242
Storage spaces 242
Armrest in rear passenger
compartment 243
Ashtrays 245
ATF 282
AUDIO menu 127
Selecting radio station 128
Selecting satellite radio* station 128
Audio system 183
Audio and telephone, operation 183
Button and soft key operation 186
CD* operation 201
Operating and display elements 184
Operating safety 183Operation 186
Radio operation 191
Switching off 187
Switching on 186
Telephone* operation 208
Automatic antiglare* for rear view
mirror 169
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 145
Automatic headlamp mode 110
Automatic lighting control
Activating 115
Deactivating 115
Automatic locking when driving 96
Automatic shift program
Automatic transmission* 162
Automatic time change (Daylight Saving
Time (DST) summer/winter) 139
Automatic Transmission Fluid see ATFAutomatic transmission* 156
Accelerator position 163
Automatic shift program 162
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 167
Fluid level 282
Gear ranges 159
Gear selector lever 47, 156
Gear selector lever position 156, 160
Gear shifting malfunctions 167
Kickdown 163
Kickdown, manual shift program
(C 55 AMG only) 167
Manual shift program
(C 55 AMG only) 165
Manual shifting 158
One-touch gearshifting 158
Program mode selector switch,
automatic shift program 162
Program mode selector switch,
manual shift program
(C 55 AMG only) 166

408 Index
Starting with 47
Steering wheel gearshift control
(C 55 AMG only) 164
Transmission fluid 282
B
BabySmart
TM
Air bag deactivation system 70, 399
Compatible child seats 70, 399
Self-test 70
Backrest
Folding forward 238
Folding rearward 238
Backrest contour
Adjusting 104
Backrest side bolsters
Adjusting 104
Backrest tilt
Manual seat 36
Power seat* 38
Backup lamps
Messages in display 323
Replacing bulbs 345BAS 78, 399
Messages in display 311
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 343
Check lamp 90
Checking 91
Battery discharged
Jump starting 363
Battery, vehicle 284, 360
Charging 361
Disconnecting 361
Reconnecting 362
Reinstalling 361
Removing 361
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 399
Bi-Xenon type*
Front lamp bulbs 349
Block heater (Canada only) 291
Blocking
Rear door window operation 75
Bolts
For spare wheel 336Brake Assist System see BAS
Brake fluid 390
Checking 277
Message in display 315
Brake lamp bulbs 345
Brake lamp, high mounted 345
Brake lamps
Messages in display 323
Brake pads
Message in display 315
Brakes 266
Warning lamp 25, 303
Break-in period 264
Bulbs, replacing 344
Additional turn signals 345
Backup lamps 345, 351
Brake lamps 345, 351
Fog lamp, rear 345, 351
Fog lamps, front 345
Front lamps 345
High beam flasher 345
High beam headlamps 345