2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C280 towing

418 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 the 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.

419 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 95).
To prevent the vehicle doors from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking (
page 152).
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 412)
and “Jump starting” (page 415).


the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP. For informa-
tion on manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever
see (
page 392).

420 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleInstalling towing eye bolt
1Cover on right side of front bumper
2Cover on right side of rear bumperRemoving cover

Press mark on cover1 or2 in
direction of arrows.

Lift cover off to reveal the threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the compartment under-
neath the trunk floor).

Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
Reinstalling cover

Fit cover1 or2 and snap into place.

459 Index
DOT 331
Downhill driving
Cruise control 248
Drinking and driving 283
Driving
Abroad 290
Hydroplaning 287
In winter 289
Instructions 45, 283
Problems 56
Safety systems 87
Systems 247
Through standing water 290
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 92
ABS 87
BAS 88
ESP
®
89E
Easy-entry/exit feature* 42, 153
Electrical fuses see Fuses
Electrical outlet 263
Electrical system, Technical data 437
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency calls
911 calls 237
Tele Aid* calls 267, 268, 271
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 169
Emergency operations
Fuel filler flap 391
Gear selector lever, Unlocking 392
Locking/unlocking the vehicle 389
Power tilt/sliding sunroof*,
Manual operation 393
Remote door unlock 272
Trunk lid, Releasing from inside 105
Trunk lid, Unlocking 390
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETDEmergency, in case of
Battery, Jump starting 415
First aid kit 350, 383
Flat tire, Changing 406
Fuses 421
Hazard warning flasher 124
Instrument cluster,
Indicator lamps 350–355
Roadside Assistance 12, 268
Towing the vehicle 417
Emission control 292
Information label 428
System warranties 10
Engine
Belt layout 429
Block heater (Canada only) 337
Brake-in recommendations 282
Cleaning 343
Compartment 297
Malfunction indicator lamp 25, 352
Maximum engine speed 430

471 Index
Tools 383
Top tether, see Children in the vehicle
Tow-away alarm* 95
Towing eye bolt 420
Towing the vehicle 417
Traction 168, 334
Transmission gear selector lever see Gear
selector lever
Transmission see Automatic* or Manual
transmission
Traveling abroad 290
Tread 334
Tread depth 306, 336
Treadwear indicators 334
Trip computer 155
Trip odometer 128
Trunk
Closing the lid 104
Fuse box 423
Lamp 126
Message in display 382
Opening 102, 103, 104
Tie-down rings 256
Trunk emergency release 105
Unlocking in an emergency 105Turn signal lamps
Messages in display 380
Replacing bulbs 398, 399
Turn signals 53
Additional in mirrors 398
Bulbs 398, 399
Cleaning lenses 344
Indicator lamps 25
Turning off engine 59
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 334
Units, Setting
Speedometer 143
Upholstery, Cleaning 348
Useful features 257
V
Vacuum line routing diagram label 428
Valet locking 106
Vehicle
Battery 412
Breaking-in the vehicle 282
Care 341
Dimensions 438Individual settings 140, 142
Locking/unlocking 108
Locking/unlocking in an
emergency 389, 390
Lowering 410
Modifications and alterations,
Operating safety 16
Towing 417
Washing 342, 343
Weights 439
Vehicle capacity weight 334
Vehicle Identification Number see VIN
Vehicle jack 385
Vehicle lighting 296
Vehicle loading
Cargo tie-down rings* 256
Instructions 255, 307
Load limit 439
Roof rack* 250
Split rear bench seat* 253
Terminology 331
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 334
Vehicle recovery services, Stolen
(Tele Aid*) 265
Vehicle status message memory 138