2007 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 tow

388 Practical hints
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.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission*
and/or 4MATIC:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment
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 automatic central locking
(
page 143).
!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 gear selector lever* must be in po-
sition N (manual transmission: gear shift lever in
neutral position) and the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 or1). Oth-
erwise 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 transmission: gears disen-
gaged) 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).

389 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
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 igni-
tion 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 warn-
ing flasher will operate again.
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 ve-
hicle 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.
To prevent the vehicle doors from locking, deac-
tivate the automatic central locking
(
page 143).
Towing of the vehicle should only be done using
the properly installed towing eye bolt. Never at-
tach 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 information, see “Battery”
(
page 383) and “Jump starting”
(
page 386).

the gear selector lever will remain locked in
positionP. For information on manually un-
locking the transmission gear selector lever
see (
page 363).

390 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
1Cover on right side of front bumper2Cover 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.

392 Practical hints
Fuses
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment
The main fuse box is located in the passen-
ger compartment on the driver’s side of
the cockpit.
1Main fuse box coverOpening fuse boxOpen the driver’s door.
Pull fuse box cover1 open with a
screw driver or similar tool (see arrow).
Remove fuse box cover1 rearward.
Closing fuse box
Attach fuse box cover1 in the front.
Fold fuse box cover1 in until it
engages.
Fuse box in engine compartment
The fuse box is located in the engine
compartment on the driver’s side.
1Cover
2Screws
3Retainer
Removing cover
Twist screws2
90° counterclockwise.
Lift the rear of cover1.
Slide out retainer3 and remove
cover1 by pulling towards front.

424 Index
Emergency, in case of
Battery, Jump starting 386
First aid kit 322, 356
Flat tire, Changing 377
Fuses 391
Hazard warning flasher 115
Instrument cluster,
Indicator lamps 322–330
Roadside Assistance 12, 250
Towing the vehicle 388
Emission control 270
Information label 399
System warranties 10
Engine
Belt layout 400
Block heater (Canada only) 309
Brake-in recommendations 260
Cleaning 315
Compartment 274
Malfunction indicator lamp 25, 325
Maximum engine speed 401
Number 399
Starting 46, 47
Tachometer 25
Technical data 401
Turning 55Engine coolant see coolant
Engine oil 276, 412
Adding 277
Additives 412
Changing 409
Checking level (Dipstick) 276
Consumption 276
Filler neck 277
Recommended engine
and oil filter 348
ESP
®85
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP
®88
Messages in display 335–336
Warning lamp 25, 327
ETD 72
Safety guidelines 62
Ethanol fuel
At the gas station 271
Switching fuels 415
Exterior lamp switch 50, 109
Exterior rear view mirrors 42F
Fahrenheit see
Temperature display mode 133
Filler neck, Engine oil 277
First aid kit 356
Flat tire 377
Jacking up the vehicle 378
Lowering the vehicle 381
Minispare wheel 359
Mounting the spare wheel 377
Preparing the vehicle 377
Flexible fuel vehicles 414
At the gas station 271
Switching fuels 415
Flexible Service System see FSS
Fluids
Automatic
transmission fluid 277, 409
Brake fluid 273, 412
Capacities 409
Engine coolant 273, 416
Engine oil 276, 412
Power steering fluid 410
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system* 280, 418

430 Index
P
Paintwork code 398
Paintwork, Cleaning 314
Panic alarm* 81
Parcel net
In front passenger footwell 239
Parking 54, 264
Parking brake 48, 54
Engaging 54
Message in display 344
Releasing 48
Parking lamps
Messages in display 351
Replacing bulbs 368
Parts service 396
Passenger compartment 268
Interior lighting 116
Interior rear view mirror 42
Main fuse box in 392
Parcel net in
front passenger footwell 239
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 261
Performance
Cold weather 415
Hot weather 415Phone* see Telephone*
Plastic parts, cleaning 318
Poly-V-belt drive, Layout 400
Positions (memory function*) see Seats
Power assistance 262
Power outlet in
rear passenger compartment 243
Power seat* see Seats, Power* 37
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 224
Opening/closing 224
Opening/closing
in an emergency 364
Opening/closing,
SmartKey 223
Stopping 226
Synchronizing 226
Power washer 314
Power windows 221
Cleaning 317
Opening/closing 221
Rear door window,
Blocking operation 80
Stopping 222
Synchronizing 222
Practical hints 322
Premium unleaded gasoline 413Problems
While driving 53
With vehicle 17
Product information 9
Production options weight 305
Program mode 121
Program mode see Automatic transmis-
sion, Automatic shift program
Program mode selector switch
Automatic shift program 157
PSI 306
Push starting 386
Push-start see Tow-start

435 Index
Important notes,
Tire inflation pressure 290
Inflation pressure 273, 289, 290
Information Placard 285
Inspection 282
Load rating 306
MOExtended system* 382
MOExtended* 294, 403
Ply composition
and material used 306
Problems under-/overinflation 294
Retreads 281
Rims and tires 403
Rotating 307
Run Flat Indicator* 291
Service life 282
Sizes 403
Speed rating 266, 297, 306
Temperature 290, 303
Terminology 304
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Traction 265
Tread 306
Tread depth 283, 308
Treadwear indicators 306
Vehicle maximum load on 307Wear pattern 307
Winter 308
Tools 356
Top tether
Children in the vehicle 77
Towing eye bolt 390
Towing the vehicle 388
Tow-start 386, 388
Traction 86, 306
Transmission gear selector lever see
Gear selector lever
Transmission see
Automatic* or Manual transmission
Traveling abroad 268
Tread 306
Tread depth 283, 308
Treadwear indicators 306
Trip computer 144
Trip odometer 119
Trunk
Closing the lid 97
Fuse box 394
Lamp 117
Opening 95, 97
Tie-down rings 236
Trunk emergency release 98Unlocking in an emergency 98
Turn signal lamps
Messages in display 353
Replacing bulbs 368
Turn signals 50
Additional in mirrors 368
Bulbs 368
Cleaning lenses 316
Indicator lamps 25
Turning off engine 55
U
Uniform Tire
Quality Grading Standards 307
Units, Setting
Speedometer 134
Upholstery, Cleaning 320
Useful features 237
V
Vacuum line routing diagram label 399
Valet locking 99
Vehicle
Battery 383
Breaking-in the vehicle 260
Care 313
Dimensions 408

436 Index
Individual settings 131, 132
Locking/unlocking 100
Locking/unlocking
in an emergency 361, 362
Lowering 381
Modifications and alterations,
Operating safety 16
Towing 388
Washing 314, 315
Weights 408
With flexible fuel 414
Vehicle jack 357
Vehicle lighting 273
Vehicle loading
Cargo tie-down rings* 236
Instructions 235, 284
Load limit 408
Roof rack* 230
Split rear bench seat* 233
Terminology 304
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 307
Vehicle recovery services,
Stolen (Tele Aid*) 247
Vehicle status message memory 130
Vehicle tool kit 356
VIN 398Voice control system*,
Hands-free microphone 29
W
Warning lamps see
Lamps, indicator and warning
Warning sounds
Driver’s or passenger’s seat belt 71
Parking brake 48
Seat belt telltale 328, 329
Warranty coverage 10, 397
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washer reservoir level 273
Washing the vehicle 313
Wear pattern (tires) 307
Weights, Vehicle 408
Wheel
Bolts 360
Change 381
Removing 379
Spare 357, 359, 406
Tightening torque 381
Wheels, Tires 281
Window curtain air bags 64
Windows see Power windowsWindshield
Cleaning 317
Defogging 170, 180
Replacing wiper blades 375
Washer fluid 280, 418
Washer system 418
Windshield washer fluid 418
Message in display 355
Mixing ratio 418
Refilling 280
Wiping with 52
Windshield washer system 418
Windshield wipers 51
Cleaning 317
Replacing wiper blades 375
Winter driving 308
Block heater (Canada only) 309
Snow chains 309
Tires 308
Winter driving instructions 267
Winter tires 308
Wiper blades
Cleaning 317
Replacing 375
Wood trims, Cleaning 320