tow MERCEDES-BENZ C240 2001 W203 Owner's Manual

Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 1
Operator’s manual ............................. 2
Where to find it .................................. 7
Reporting Safety Defects .................. 9Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 12
Door control panel ....................... 14
Overhead control panel ............... 15
Dashboard ..................................... 16
Center console .............................. 18OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 22
Start lock-out .................................... 24
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 24
Central locking system ................... 25
Radio frequency and
infrared remote control ............... 25
Locking and unlocking ................ 27Choosing global or selective
mode on remote control ............. 27
Opening the trunk ....................... 28
Opening and closing windows
and sliding / pop-up roof
from outside ................................. 29
Panic button ................................. 30
Mechanical keys .......................... 30
Doors ..................................................31
Central locking switch .................... 33
Automatic central locking .............. 34
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 34
Trunk ................................................. 35
Trunk lid release switch ................ 37
Antitheft alarm system ................... 38
Tow-away alarm ............................... 39
Easy-entry/exit feature ................... 41
Front seat adjustment ..................... 42
Removal and installation of
front seat head restraints .......... 47
Multicontour seat ............................ 49
Heated seats ..................................... 50
Rear seat head restraints ............... 52Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 55
Seat belts ........................................... 55
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ........................... 56
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system .................... 62
Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) ............................... 63
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................. 64
Airbags .............................................. 65
Safety guidelines for the seat
belt, emergency tensioning
retractor and airbag .................... 72
Infant and child
restraint systems ......................... 73
Steering wheel adjustment
(manual) ....................................... 77
Steering wheel adjustment
(electrical) .................................... 79
Rear view mirrors ............................ 80
Instrument cluster ........................... 88
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................. 92

Contents
Malfunction and warning messages
in the multifunction display ... 274
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................275
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR ........ 276
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM .....277
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................277
BRAKE LINING WEAR ..............278
BRAKE FLUID .............................278
PARKING BRAKE .......................279
SEAT BELT SYSTEM ...................279
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program) ..280
COOLANT (coolant level) .......... 281
COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................282ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 283
LIGHTING SYSTEM ................... 284
LIGHT SENSOR .......................... 286
DOOR ........................................... 286
TRUNK OPEN ............................. 287
HOOD ........................................... 287
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION ....... 288
TELE AID ..................................... 288
WASHER FLUID ......................... 289
RESTRAINT SYSTEM ................ 290
KEY .............................................. 290
FUEL RESERVE .......................... 291
UNDERVOLTAGE ....................... 291
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. .......... 292
ENTRANCE POSITION .............. 292
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................294
Stowing things in the vehicle ......294
Fuses ................................................295
Hood .................................................297
Checking engine oil level .............300
Automatic transmission fluid
level ............................................. 301
Coolant level ................................... 301
Adding coolant ...........................302
Windshield and headlamp washer
system .........................................302
Spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage
compartment .............................304
Vehicle jack .....................................305

ContentsWheels .............................................306
Tire replacement ........................306
Rotating wheels ..........................307
Spare wheel ....................................308
Changing wheels ...........................309
Tire inflation pressure .................. 315
Battery ............................................. 316
Jump starting .................................. 318
Towing the vehicle ......................... 321
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ...................325
Exterior lamps ................................326
Replacing bulbs ..........................326
Trunk lamp ..................................... 331
Changing batteries in the electronic
main key .....................................332Synchronizing remote
control ......................................... 334
Emergency engine shut-down ..... 334
Fuel filler flap, manual release ... 335
Replacing wiper blade insert ...... 337
Roof rack ......................................... 338
Vehicle careCleaning and care of
the vehicle ................................. 340
Power washer ............................. 341
Tar stains .................................... 341
Paintwork, painted body
components ................................ 341
Engine cleaning ......................... 342
Vehicle washing ......................... 342Ornamental moldings ................343
Headlamps, taillamps, turn signal
lenses ...........................................343
Window cleaning .......................343
Wiper blade .................................343
Light alloy wheels ......................344
Instrument cluster .....................344
Steering wheel and gear selector
lever ..............................................344
Cup holder ...................................344
Seat belts .....................................345
Headliner and shelf below rear
window ........................................345
Leather upholstery .....................345
Hard plastic trim items .............345
Plastic and rubber parts ............345

18 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console1Left front seat heater switch, see page 50
2Rear window sunshade (optional), see page 191
3ESP (electronic stability program) control switch,
see page 260
4Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 137
5Central locking switch, see page 33
6Rear seat head restraints, see page 52
7Antitheft alarm system, see page 38
Switch for tow-away protection, see page 39
8Right front seat heater switch, see page 50
9AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp, see page 273
10COMAND system (optional), see separate
operating instructions, or
audio system, see page 160
11Climate control (C 240), see page 138
Automatic climate control (C 320) see page 146
Rear window defroster, see page 157

20 Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 22
Start lock-out .................................... 24
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 24
Central locking system ................... 25
Radio frequency and
infrared remote control ............... 25
Locking and unlocking ................ 27
Choosing global or selective
mode on remote control .............. 27
Opening the trunk ....................... 28
Opening and closing windows
and sliding / pop-up roof
from outside .................................. 29
Panic button .................................. 30
Mechanical keys ........................... 30
Doors .................................................. 31
Central locking switch .................... 33
Automatic central locking .............. 34
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 34
Trunk ................................................. 35
Trunk lid release switch ................. 37Antitheft alarm system ................... 38
Tow-away alarm ............................... 39
Easy-entry/exit feature ................... 41
Front seat adjustment ..................... 42
Removal and installation of
front seat head restraints .......... 47
Multicontour seat ............................ 49
Heated seats ..................................... 50
Rear seat head restraints ............... 52
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 55
Seat belts .......................................... 55
Seat belt nonusage
warning system .......................... 56
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system ................... 62
Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) ............................... 63
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................ 64
Airbags .............................................. 65
Safety guidelines for the seat
belt, emergency tensioning
retractor and airbag ................... 72Infant and child
restraint systems ......................... 73
Steering wheel adjustment
(manual) ....................................... 77
Steering wheel adjustment
(electrical) .................................... 79
Rear view mirrors ............................ 80
Instrument cluster ........................... 88
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................. 92
Trip and main odometer, FSS, coolant
temperature, vehicle speed,
engine oil level indicator ........... 96
Audio systems .................................. 98
Radio .............................................. 98
CD player ....................................... 99
Cassette player ........................... 100
Telephone ........................................ 101
Navigation system .......................... 106
Trip computer ................................. 107
Malfunction/warning
message memory ...................... 109
Individual settings .......................... 111
Setting the audio volume ............. 123

34 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Automatic central locking
Wit h t he autom ati c c entral lockin g s ystem ac ti vate d, t he
doors and trunk are locked at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or more. The fuel filler
flap remains unlocked.
The automatic central locking function can be switched
on or off. See page 111 for “Individual settings”.
Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch
after activating the automatic central locking, and
neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked
even at vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.
If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or less with the
automatic central locking activated, the door will again
be automatically locked at speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
electronic key in starter switch position 2, the vehicle
doors will lock if the left front wheel as well as the right
rear wheel spin 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 page 111
for “Individual settings” - “VEHICLE”.
Emergency unlocking in case of accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after an
accident in which an airbag or emergency tensioning
retractor deploys (this is intended to aid rescue and
exit).

39 Tow-away alarm
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the
starter switch or press buttonŒ or‹ on the
electronic main key.Tow - away a l a r m
The switch is located in the center console.
1Press to switch off tow-away alarm
2Indicator lamp
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior
vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.
2

40 Tow-away alarm
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
The alarm will last approximately 3 minutes in form of
flashing exterior lamps. At the same time an alarm will
sound for 30 seconds. The alarm will stay on even if the
vehicle is immediately lowered. To cancel the alarm,
insert the electronic key in the starter switch or press
buttonŒ or‹ on the electronic main key.
If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds, an
emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele Aid
on page 220.
To prevent tri gger ing t he tow -away alarm featur e, s witch
off the tow-away alarm before towing the vehicle, or
when parking on a surface subject to movement, such
as a ferry or auto train.To do so, turn electronic key in starter switch to
position 1 or 0, or remove electronic key from starter
switch. Press tow-away alarm switch (1). The indicator
lamp (2) illuminates briefly.
Exit vehicle, and lock vehicle with the electronic main
key.
The tow-away alarm remains switched off until the
vehicle is locked again with the electronic main key, at
which time it is automatically reactivated.

193 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Interior Storage compartments and armrests
Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than
the seat backs. Do not place anything on the shelf
below the rear window.Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy objects.
Wa r n i n g !
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help to
prevent stored objects from being thrown about
and injuring vehicle occupants during an accident.

209 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Loading instructions
(Vehicle with enlarged cargo area)
The total load weight including vehicle occupants and
luggage/cargo should not exceed the vehicle capacity
weight indicated on the certification tag which can be
found on the left door pillar.The handling characteristics of a fully loaded vehicle
depend greatly on the load distribution. It is therefore
recommended to load the vehicle according to the
illustrations shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
Always place items being carried against front or rear
seat backrests, and fasten them as securely as possible.
The heaviest portion of the cargo should always be kept
as low as possible since it influences the handling
characteristics of the vehicle.
Note:
The trunk is the preferred place to carry objects.
The enlarged cargo area should only be used for items
which do not fit in the trunk alone.