2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 Media

314 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Symbol messagesDisplay symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
Battery Alternator
Visit workshop.
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

broken poly-V-belt


alternator malfunctioning

Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:

Do not continue to drive. Otherwise
the engine will overheat due to an
inoperative water pump which may
result in damage to the engine. Notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:

Drive immediately to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Low voltage
Charge battery
The battery has insufficient voltage.

Start the engine (
page 46).
Low voltage
Switch off consumers
The battery has insufficient voltage.

Turn off unnecessary electrical
consumers.

315 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
;
(USA only)
!
(Canada only)
Parking brake
Release brake.
You are driving with the parking brake
set.

Release the parking brake
(page 48).
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop.
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon
as possible.
3
Brake fluid
Visit workshop.
There is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle and
notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Do not add brake fluid! This
will not solve the problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with this message displayed can
result in an accident. Have your brake
system checked immediately. Do not add
brake fluid before checking the brake
system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir
can result in spilling brake fluid on hot
engine parts and the brake fluid catching
fire. You can be seriously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Maintenance
booklet.

318 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
•
Coolant
Stop, engine off!
The poly-V-belt could be broken.

Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:

Do not continue to drive. Otherwise the
engine will overheat due to an inoperative
water pump which may result in damage to
the engine. Notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:

Do not continue to drive the vehicle with
this message displayed. Doing so could
result in serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

Observe the coolant temperature gauge in
the instrument cluster (
page 24).

Drive immediately to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Coolant
Visit workshop.
The cooling fan for the coolant is
malfunctioning.

Observe the coolant temperature gauge in
the instrument cluster (
page 24).

Have the fan replaced as soon as possible.

342 Practical hintsReplacing SmartKey batteriesIf the batteries in the SmartKey are
discharged, the vehicle can no longer be
locked or unlocked. It is recommended to
have the batteries replaced at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.Warning!
G
Keep the batteries out of reach of children.
If a battery is swallowed, seek medical help
immediately.
iWhen inserting the batteries, make
sure they are clean and free of lint.iWhen replacing batteries, always
replace both batteries.
The required replacement batteries are
available at any Mercedes-Benz
Center.

356 Practical hintsFlat tireMounting the spare wheel
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for Minispare wheel,
collapsible tire, or other steel rims
(located in trunk with spare wheel)

Clean contact surfaces of wheel and
wheel hub.

Guide spare wheel onto the alignment
bolt and push it on.

Insert wheel bolts and tighten them
slightly.
!Wheel bolts2 must be used when
mounting the Minispare wheel,
collapsible tire, or other steel rims. The
use of any wheel bolts other than wheel
bolts2 for the Minispare wheel,
collapsible tire, or other steel rims will
physically damage the vehicle’s
brakes.
!To avoid paint damage, place wheel flat
against hub and hold it there while
installing first wheel bolt.Warning!
G
Always replace wheel bolts that are
damaged or rusted.
Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.
Damaged wheel hub threads should be
repaired immediately. Do not continue to
drive under these circumstances! Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.
Incorrect wheel bolts or improperly tight-
ened wheel bolts can cause the wheel to
come off. This could cause an accident.
Make sure to use the correct wheel bolts.

360 Practical hintsBatteryThe battery is located in the engine
compartment on the right hand side.
1Clamps
Removing filter box:
Release clamps1.

Remove filter box.
Installing filter box:

Insert filter box properly.

Secure it with clamps1.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can
result in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and
precautions when handling automotive
batteries (
page 284).
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the SmartKey is in the starter switch.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for
maintenance intervals or contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
further information.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.

363 Practical hints
Jump starting
Jump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the
battery of another vehicle. Observe the
following:

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic con-
verter are cold.


Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.


Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump
starting with a more powerful battery
could damage the vehicle’s electrical
system, which will not be covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.


Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans, or oth-
er parts that move when an engine is
started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Jump starting may only be performed
on the battery installed in the engine
compartment.
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine
using a battery quick charge unit.
If engine does not run after several
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.

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).