Page 364 of 442
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).
Page 367 of 442

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).
Page 369 of 442

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).
Page 404 of 442

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.
Page 409 of 442

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
Page 410 of 442

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
Page 414 of 442

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
Page 416 of 442

414 Index
Releasing trunk lid from inside 95
Remote door unlock 255
Unlocking the vehicle 337
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD
Emission control 273
Emission control information label 376
Ending
A call (telephone*) 152
Engine
Compartment 278
Starting with automatic
transmission* 47
Starting with manual
transmission 46
Starting with the SmartKey,
automatic transmission* 47
Starting with the SmartKey,
manual transmission 46
Technical data 378
Turning off with the SmartKey 56
Engine cleaning 297Engine compartment 278
Fuse box in 370
Hood 278
Engine malfunction
indicator lamp 25, 304
Engine number 376, 400
Engine oil 279
Adding 281
Additives 390
Checking level 277, 280
Consumption 279
Display messages 280, 320–321
Filler neck,
C 230 Kompressor
(all models) 282
Filler neck,
C 240 (all models),
C 320 (all models),
C 55 AMG 282
Messages in display 280, 320–321
Viscosity 400Engine oil level
Checking 277, 280
Engine oils 390
ESP 79, 400
Four wheel electronic traction
system with ESP 82
Messages in display 312–313
Switching off 80
Switching on 81
Warning lamp 25, 306
ETD 67, 400
Safety guidelines 62
Ethanol fuel
At the gas station 275
Requirements 392
Switching fuels 393
Exterior lamp switch 49, 109
Exterior lamps
Delayed shut-off 143
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 41
Parking position* for 148