2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 Automatic headlamp

297 Operation
Vehicle care
Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from the intrusion of
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticor-
rosion Wax, should be applied to the
engine compartment after every engine
cleaning. Before applying, all control
linkage bushings and joints should be
lubricated. The poly-V-belt and all pulleys
should be protected from any wax.Vehicle washing
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight. Only use a mild car wash
detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz
approved Car Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water. Direct only a very weak
spray towards the ventilation intake. Use
plenty of water and rinse the sponge and
chamois frequently.
Rinse with clear water and thoroughly dry
with a chamois. Do not allow cleaning
agents to dry on the finish.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in
exterior rear view mirrors prior to running
the vehicle through an automatic car wash
to prevent damage to the mirrors.
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the underbody, do not
forget to clean the inner sides of the
wheels.Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of very dirty
chrome-plated parts, use a chrome
cleaner.
Headlamps, tail lamps, side markers,
turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo,
with plenty of water.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and only use a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the lenses. Do not
attempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry
cloth or sponge.

324 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
High beam left
The left high beam lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
High beam right
The right high beam lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
License plate lamp,
left
The left license plate lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
License plate lamp,
right
The right license plate lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Light sensor
Drive to workshop
The lamp sensor is malfunctioning.
The headlamps switch on automatically.

In the control system, set lamp
operation to manual (
page 142).

Switch on the headlamps using the
exterior lamp switch (
page 109).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Low beam left
The left low beam lamp is malfunctioning.
Halogen headlamp:
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

399 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
BabySmart
TM1
air bag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is
installed on the front passenger seat.
The system will automatically
deactivate the passenger front air bag
when such a seat is properly installed
(the56indicator lamp located
in the center console comes on). See
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for availability. BabySmart
TM compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the
passenger front air bag if a
BabySmartTM compatible child seat is
installed.
BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking
situations. The system is activated
when it senses an emergency based on
how fast the brake is applied.
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more
intense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service
center, which can help you with any
questions about your vehicle and
provide assistance in the event of a
breakdown.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control
vehicle functions such as door locking
or windshield wiping depending on
vehicle settings and/or ambient
conditions.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the
passenger compartment needed for
vehicle operation and monitoring.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.

405 Index
A
ABS 77, 399
ABS control 77
Indicator lamp 25
Malfunction indicator lamp 302
Messages in display 310
Accelerator position,
automatic transmission* 163
Accident
In case of 53
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 181
Air recirculation mode 179
Anti-theft alarm system* 84
Central locking (control system) 145
Climate control 175
Climate control system 177
Defrosting 178
Easy-entry/exit feature* 146
Electric air pump 358
ESP 81Exterior headlamps 49
Exterior lamps 110
Exterior rear view mirror
parking position* 170
Hazard warning flasher 114
Headlamps 49
High beam headlamps 50
High beams 113
Ignition 33
Immobilizer 56, 83
Low beam headlamps 49
Manual shift program
(C 55 AMG only) 166
Rear window defroster 173
Seat heating* 105
Tow-away alarm* 85
Windshield wipers 51
Adding
Coolant 283
Engine oil 281
Additional turn signals 345
Adjustable air vents,
rear passenger compartment 182Adjusting 35
Air distribution 178
Air volume 178
Backrest contour 104
Backrest side bolsters 104
Backrest tilt, manual seat 36
Backrest tilt, power seat* 38
Exterior rear view mirrors 41
Folding back rear seat
head restraints, electrical 102
Folding back rear seat
head restraints, manual 102
Head restraint height,
manual seat 37
Head restraint height,
power seat* 38
Head restraint height, rear seats 101
Head restraint tilt, manual seat 37
Head restraint tilt, power seat* 39
Head restraint tilt, rear seats 103
Instrument cluster illumination 117
Interior rear view mirror 41
Manual seat 36
Mirrors 41

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

409 Index
High mounted brake lamp 345
License plate lamps 345, 351
Low beam headlamps 345
Parking lamps, front 345, 348, 350
Parking lamps, rear 345, 351
Rear lamps 345
Side marker lamps, front 345, 350
Side marker lamps, rear 345, 351
Standing lamps, front 345, 348, 350
Standing lamps, rear 345, 351
Tail lamp unit 351
Tail lamps 345, 351
Turn signal lamps,
front 345, 348, 350
Turn signal lamps,
rear 345, 351
Button
Audio system 186C
CAC 399
California
Important notice 11
Calling up
Maintenance service indicator 293
Range (distance to empty) 150
CAN system 399
Cargo area see Trunk
Cargo tie-down rings* 240
Catalytic converter 273
CD changer* 201
CD changer* operation 203
CD player*
Operating 129
CD* operation 201
Center console 27
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 27, 63, 70, 308
Lower part 28
Upper part 27Center console ashtray 245
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 135
Central locking
Automatic 96
From inside 96
Locking from inside 96
Switch 96
Switching on/off
(control system) 145
Unlocking from inside 96
Central locking switch 96
Central unlocking
Switch 96
Unlocking from inside 96
Central unlocking switch 96
Certification label 376
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey) 343
CDs 201
Changing key setting 147

417 Index
H
Halogen-type
Front lamp bulbs 347
Hands-free microphone 29
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 299
Hazard warning flasher 114
Switching off 114
Switching on 114
Head restraints 99
Front seats, manual seat 100
Front seats, power seat* 100
Manual seat 37
Power seat* 38
Rear seats 101
Head unit
Time synchronization* with 137
Headlamp cleaning system* 285
Headlamp shut-off delay see
Delayed shut-off, exterior lampsHeadlamps
Automatic control 110
Bi-Xenon* 399
Bi-Xenon* type
Replacing bulbs 349
Cleaning 297
Cleaning system* 168, 285, 396
Halogen-type, replacing bulbs 347
Refilling washer fluid 285
Switching off 55
Switching on 49
Washer fluid 396
Headliner and shelf below rear window
Cleaning 299
Heated seats* 105
Height adjustment
Head restraints, manual seat 37
Head restraints, power seat* 38
Rear seat head restraints 101
Seat belts 45
Steering wheel,
electrical* adjustment 40
Steering wheel,
manual adjustment 40High beam flasher 50, 113
High beam headlamps
Indicator lamp 25
Messages in display 324
Replacing bulbs 345, 348
Switching on 50, 113
High beam headlamps xenon type*
Replacing bulbs 349
High mounted brake lamp 345
Hood 278
Closing 279
Message in display 322
Opening 278
Horn 23
Hydroplaning 268
I
Identification labels 376
Certification label 376
Emission control
information label 376
Vacuum line routing
diagram label 376
Vehicle Identification Number 376

419 Index
Key, SmartKey
Battery check lamp 89
Checking the batteries 91
Factory setting 89
Global locking 89
Global unlocking 89
Loss of 91
Messages in display 322
Positions in starter switch 33
Remote control 88
Restoring to factory setting 90
Selective setting 89
Starting the engine,
automatic transmission* 47
Starting the engine,
manual transmission 46
Turning off the engine 56
Unlocking the trunk lid 91
Unlocking with 32
Kickdown 163, 401
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 135
Km/h or mph in speedometer 135L
Labels, identification 376
Lamp bulbs, exterior 344
Lamp sensor
Message in display 324
Lamps, exterior
Front 345
Light sensor 324
Messages in display 323–326
Rear 345
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 25, 302
Battery (SmartKey) 89
Brakes 25, 303
Engine diagnostics 304, 307
Engine malfunction 25, 304–305
ESP 25, 306
Front fog lamps 109
Front passenger
front air bag off 27, 63, 70, 308
Fuel reserve 25, 307
High beam headlamps 25Instrument cluster 302–307
Low beam headlamps 25
Maintenance service indicator 292
Rear fog lamp 109
Seat belt telltale 25, 307
SRS 25, 59, 307
Turn signals 25
Language
Multifunction display 136
Setting 136
LATCH-type child seat anchors 73
Folding back 74
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 377
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 299
Lever for voice control system* 23
License plate lamps
Messages in display 324
Replacing bulbs 345
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 298
Technical data 381, 382