2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 alarm

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).

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).

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

406 Index
Multicontour seat* 104
Placing upright rear seat
head restraints 102
Power seat* 38
Rear seat head restraints 101
Seat belt height 45
Seat cushion depth 104
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 40
Steering column length,
electrical* 41
Steering column length,
manual 40
Steering wheel 39Adjusting air distribution
and volume 178
Adjusting sound functions 187
Adjusting the volume 187
Aids for changing fuses 369
Air bags 59
BabySmart
TM deactivation
system 70, 399
Children 60
Front 63
Passenger 63
Safety guidelines 62
Side impact 64
Window curtain 64
Air conditioning (cooling) 181
Turning off 181
Turning on 181
Air conditioning refrigerant 390
Air distribution
Adjusting 178
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air pump, electric
Turning on 358Air recirculation mode 179
Activating 179
Deactivating 180
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 182
Air volume
Adjusting 178
Alarm
Audible 76, 83
Canceling 84, 86
Visual 83
Alarm system
Anti-theft* 83
Tow-away* 85
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 355, 399
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 395
Antiglare
Automatic* 169
Manual 168
Antilock Brake System see ABS
Anti-theft alarm system*
Arming 84
Canceling alarm 84
Disarming 84

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

412 IndexD
Date (day)
Setting 140
Date (month)
Setting 139
Date (year)
Setting 141
Daytime running lamp mode 111
Setting 142
Deactivating
Air conditioning (cooling) 181
Air recirculation mode 180
Alarm 84
Anti-theft alarm system* 84
Central locking (control system) 145
Climate control 175
Climate control system 177
Cruise control 232
Defrosting 179
Engine with the SmartKey 56ESP 80
Exterior lamps 110
Exterior lamps delayed shut-off 143
Hazard warning flasher 114
Headlamps 55
Immobilizer 83
Interior lighting delayed shut-off 145
Manual shift program
(C 55 AMG only) 167
Rear window defroster 173
Seat heating* 105
Tow-away alarm* 85
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging
Windshield 178
Defrosting 178
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 143
Interior lighting 145
Dialing
A number (telephone*) 152Difficulties
While driving see
Problems while driving
With starting 47
Digital clock 121
Digital speedometer 127
Direction of rotation (tires) 287
Discharged battery
Jump starting 363
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 361
Display
Messages in display 319
Display elements
Audio system 184
Displays
Digital speedometer 127
Maintenance service indicator 292
Outside temperature 127
Selecting display for
status indicator 136
Showing vehicle status
messages 131

423 Index
One-touch gearshifting 158
Canceling gear range limit 158
Downshifting 158
Upshifting 158
Opening
Cup holder, in rear seat armrest 245
Doors from the inside 92
Fuel filler flap 276
Fuel filler flap manually 339
Glove box 241
Hood 278
Power tilt/sliding sunroof*
in an emergency 341
Side windows 223
Tilt/sliding sunroof* 227, 341
Tilt/sliding sunroof*
with SmartKey 229
Trunk 91
Trunk from the inside 93
Trunk from the outside 92
Windows 223
Windows with SmartKey 225Operating
Audio system 183
CD player* 129
COMAND* see separate
operating instructions
Navigation system* 130
Radio 128
Radio transmitters 272
Satellite radio* 128
Telephone* 150, 183, 208
Vehicle outside the
USA and Canada 13
Operating safety
Audio system 183
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings 297
Outer seats
Rear seat head restraints 101, 103
Outside temperature 127
Outside temperature indicator 119
Overdue maintenance service 293
Overhead control panel 29
Overspeed range 401P
Paintwork 296
Panic alarm* 76
Panic button on SmartKey 76
Parcel net
In front passenger footwell 245
Parking 54, 267
Parking brake 48, 54
Engaging 54
Message in display 315
Releasing 48
Parking lamps
Messages in display 325
Parking lamps, front
Replacing bulbs 345
Parking lamps, rear
Replacing bulbs 345
Parking position*
Exterior rear view
mirrors 108, 148, 170
Parts service 374

432 IndexTime
Setting hours 137
Setting minutes 138
Time display
Setting 139
Time synchronization*
With head unit 137
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 277, 287
Tire speed rating 269, 403
Tire traction 269
Tires 286, 380
Consumer information 397
Direction of rotation 287
Driving instructions 268
Retreads 286
Rims and tires 380
Rotating 289
Service life 287
Temperature 288
Temperature grades 398Traction 397
Tread depth 290
Wear pattern 289
Winter 290
Tools 329
Tow away alarm*
Canceling alarm 86
Tow-away alarm* 85
Arming 85
Disarming 85
Disarming for transport 85
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 368
Towing the vehicle 365
Traction 162, 403
Traction (Tires) 397
Transmission gear selector lever
Unlocking manually 340
Transmission see
Automatic* or Manual transmission
Traveling abroad 272Tread depth (tires) 290
Tread Wear 397
Trip computer 148
Trip odometer
Resetting 119
Trunk
Closing the lid 94
Fuse box in 371
Lamp 116
Opening 91
Opening from inside vehicle 93
Opening from outside vehicle 92
Tie-down rings 240
Trunk lid emergency release 95
Trunk lid
Closing 94
Emergency release 95
Message in display 328
Turn signal lamps, front
Messages in display 326
Replacing bulbs 345