MERCEDES-BENZ C240 2001 W203 Owner's Manual

322 Towing the vehicle
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Important!
When towing the vehicle, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
electronic key in starter switch position 2, the vehicle
doors lock if the left front wheel as well as the right rear
wheel are turning at vehicle speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking. See
“VEHICLE” under “Individual settings” on page 119.
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.
Notes:
The selector lever will remain locked in position “P” and
the electronic key cannot be turned in the starter switch
if the battery is disconnected or discharged. See battery
on page 316 or jump starting on page 318.
Transmission selector lever, manually unlocking, see
page 325.1Cover on right side of front bumper
To r e m ove c ove r :
Press mark on cover in direction of arrow and lift cover
off to reveal threaded hole for towing eye bolt. The
towing eye bolt is supplied with the tool kit (located in
trunk in spare wheel). Screw towing eye bolt in to its
stop and tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:
Fit cover and snap into place.

323 Towing the vehicle
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index 2Cover on right side of rear bumper
To remove cover:
Press mark on cover in direction of arrow and lift cover
off to reveal threaded hole for towing eye bolt. The
towing eye bolt is supplied with the tool kit (located in
trunk in spare wheel). Screw towing eye bolt in to its
stop and tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:
Fit cover and snap into place.We recommend that the vehicle be transported using
flat bed equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
Important!
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie down
vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Towing restrictions for vehicles with automatic
transmission:
The vehicle may be towed with all wheels on the ground
and the selector lever in position “N” for distances up to
30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km / h). The electronic key must be in starter switch
position 2.
To be certain to avoid a possibility of damage to the
transmission, however, we recommend the drive shaft
be disconnected at the rear axle drive flange for any
towing beyond a short tow to a nearby garage.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing with
sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will damage
radiator and supports.

324 Towing the vehicle
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Use wheel lift, dolly, or flat bed equipment, with
electronic key in starter switch turned to position 0.
Note:
To signal turns while being towed with hazard warning
flasher in use, turn electronic key in starter switch to
position 2 and activate combination switch for left or
right turn signal in usual manner – only the selected
turn signal will operate.Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warning
flasher will operate again.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised, the
engine must be shut off (electronic key in starter switch
position 0 or 1). Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be
engaged and will apply the rear wheel brakes.
Switch off the tow-away alarm (see page 39) as well as
the ESP (see page 260).
Wa r n i n g !
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the braking 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 vehicle.

325 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Transmission selector lever, manually unlocking
In the case of power failure the transmission selector
lever can be manually unlocked, e.g. to tow the vehicle.To do so, open storage compartment in front of center
armrest.
Using a small coin, release the coin holder (1) and
swing it aside.
Insert a tool (2), e.g. the screw driver, into the opening
below the coin holder. While pushing the tool down,
move selector lever from position “P”.
After removal of the tool from the opening, reinstall the
coin holder.
The selector lever is locked again when moving it to
position “P”.

326 Exterior lamps
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Exterior lamps
Headlamp adjustment
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely important.
Check and readjust headlamps at regular intervals and
when a bulb has been replaced.Replacing bulbs
Notes:
To prevent a possible electrical short circuit, switch off
lamp prior to replacing a bulb.
When replacing bulbs, install only 12 volt bulbs with
the specified watt rating.
When replacing halogen bulbs do not touch glass
portion of bulb with bare hands. Use plain paper or a
clean cloth.
If the newly installed bulb does not light up, switch the
lamp off and on again. If the bulb still does not light up,
have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Wa r n i n g !
Bulbs and bulb holders can be very hot. Allow the
lamp to cool down before changing a bulb.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A bulb can
explode if you:
• touch or move it when hot,
•drop the bulb,
• scratch the bulb.Wear eye and hand protection.
Wa r n i n g !
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the lamp
and its components. We recommend that you have
such work done by a qualified technician.

327 Exterior lamps
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Headlamp assembly
1Headlamp cover for low beam headlamp
2Headlamp cover for parking and standing lamp, and
high beam headlamp3Bulb socket for turn signal lamp
4Electrical connector for low beam headlamp bulb
(Halogen type)
5Electrical connector for high beam headlamp bulb
6Bulb socket for parking and standing lamp

328 Exterior lamps
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Bulbs for high and low beam
H7 (55 W)
Open hood.
Press the clamp and remove headlamp cover (1 or 2).
Pull electrical connector off.
Unclip the retainer spring and take out the bulb.
Insert the new bulb so that the base locates in the
recess on the holder.
Clip in retainer springs and plug the connector onto the
bulb.
Align headlamp cover (1 or 2) and click into place.
Xenon (optional)
Bulb for low beamTurn signal lamp
1156 NA (26.9 / 5 W/32/4 cp)
Open hood.
Twist bulb socket (3) counterclockwise and pull out.
Push bulb into socket, turn counterclockwise and
remove.
Insert new bulb in socket, push in and twist clockwise.
Reinstall bulb socket.
Parking and standing lamp
W 5W
Open hood.
Press the clamp and remove headlamp cover (2).
Pull out bulb socket (6). Remove bulb from socket.
Insert new bulb in socket and push in. Reinstall bulb
socket.
Align headlamp cover (2) and click into place.
Wa r n i n g !
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the lamp
and its components. We recommend that you have
such work done by a qualified technician.

329 Exterior lamps
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Taillamp assemblies
Open trunk lid.
Fold trim to the side.
Turn locking lever (1) to vertical position and remove
bulb carrier.
Push bulb into socket, turn counterclockwise and
remove.
Insert new bulb in socket, push in and twist clockwise.
Reinstall bulb socket.
Reinstall trim. 2Driver’s side:
rear fog lamp
(P 21 W/32 cp bulb)
3Backup lamp (P 21 W / 32 cp bulb)
4Stop lamp (P 21 W/32 cp bulb)
5Turn signal lamp (PY 21 W bulb [yellow])
6tail, parking, standing and
side marker lamp (R 5 W / 4 cp bulb)

330 Exterior lamps
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License plate lamp
Loosen both securing screws (1), remove lamp and
replace tubular lamp (C 5 W/4 cp).High mounted stop lamp,
Additional turn signals on the exterior mirror
The high mounted stop lamp (3rd brake lamp), and the
additional turn signals on the exterior mirrors are
equipped with LEDs.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center if a malfunction occurs.

331 Trunk lamp
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Standby bulb function
a) The stop lamps, dimmed, will act as a replacement
lamp, if one taillamp stops working.
b) The left stop lamp acts as a replacement for the rear
fog lamp, if it stops working.
c) The respective fog lamp, dimmed, will act as a
replacement lamp, if the left or right standing lamp
stops working.
Notes:
The multifunction display will indicate that a bulb has
failed. See malfunction and warning messages on
page 274.Trunk lamp
The trunk lamp will switch off after approximately
10 minutes if the trunk lid is left open.