tow MERCEDES-BENZ C320 4MATIC WAGON 2004 S203 Owner's Guide

315 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Side marker lamp bulb
Switch off the lights.

Carefully slide lamp towards rear.

Remove front end first.

Twist bulb socket counterclockwise
and pull out.

Pull bulb out of the bulb socket.

Insert new bulb in socket.

Reinstall bulb socket, push in and twist
clockwise.

To reinstall lamp, set rear end in
bumper and let front end snap into
place.
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Tail lamp assemblies
Open tailgate (
page 87).

Switch off the lights.

Press button1 on the corresponding
side.

Fold down trim panel2.

Squeeze tabs together3.

Remove bulb holder.

328 Practical hintsJump startingThe battery is located in the engine
compartment on the right hand side. The
terminals for jump starting are located in
front of the battery.
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift gear selector lever to positionP.1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive under hood terminal in front of
discharged battery
3Negative terminal of charged battery
4Negative under hood terminal in front
of discharged battery

Connect positive terminal1 of the
charged battery with positive under
hood terminal2 in front of the
discharged battery with the jumper
cables. Clamp cable to charged
battery1 first.

Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminal3 of the
charged battery with negative under
hood terminal4 in front of the
discharged battery with the jumper
cables. Clamp cable to charged
battery3 first.

Start the engine of the disabled
vehicle.
You can now again turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.

Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals3 and4 and then
from positive terminals1 and2.
You can now turn on the lights.

Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 258).
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.

329 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 SmartKey in 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 81) and deactivate the auto-
matic central locking (
page 131).
!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 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).

330 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the drive train, 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 certain that 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, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position2 and activate the combina-
tion 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.

331 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 81).
To prevent the vehicle doors from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking (
page 131).
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. See notes on the
battery (
page 324) or on jump
starting (page 327).


the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP. See notes on
manually unlocking transmission
gear selector lever (
page 308).

332 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleInstalling towing eye bolt
1Cover on right side of front bumper.2Cover on right side of rear bumper.Removing cover

Press mark on cover in direction of
arrow.

Lift cover off to reveal threaded hole for
towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located behind the left hand trim
panel in cargo compartment).

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

Fit cover and snap into place.

333 Practical hintsFuses
Fuses
Fuse box in passenger compartment
1CoverOpening

Pull cover1 open with a screw driver
or similar tool.

Remove cover rearward.
Closing

Attach cover1 in the front.

Fold cover in until it engages.
Fuse chart
The fuse chart is found in the fuse box in
the passenger compartment. The amper-
ages of the fuses are also given there.
Fuse box in engine compartment
The fuse box is located in the engine
compartment on the left-hand side.
1Screw
2Cover
3Retainer
Removing/installing cover
Twist screws1
90° counterclockwise.

Pull up cover2.

Slide out retainer3 and remove cover
by pulling towards front.
iOnly install fuses that have been tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz and
that have the specified amperage
rating.
Never attempt to repair or bridge a
blown fuse. Have the cause determined
and remedied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.


363 Index
A
ABS 23, 74, 357
Indicator lamp 274
Malfunction indicator lamp 274
Messages in display 284
ABS control 74
Accelerator position,
automatic transmission 144
Accident
In case of 50
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 156, 166
Air recirculation mode 154, 163
Anti-theft alarm system 80
Automatic climate control* 159
Central locking (control system) 131
Charcoal filter 165
Climate control 151
Climate control system 155
Defrosting 154, 163
Easy-entry/exit feature 132ESP 78
Exterior headlamps 46
Exterior lamps 101
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 147
Hazard warning flasher 104
Headlamps 46
High beams 104
Ignition 31
Immobilizer 80
Rapid seat heater* 96
Rear fog lamp 102, 103
Rear window defroster 149
Residual heat 167
Seat heater* 96
Tow-away alarm 82
Windshield wipers 47
Adding
Coolant 257
Engine oil 256
Additional turn signals 310Adjustable air vents, rear passenger
compartment 157, 168
Adjusting 32
Air distribution 153, 162
Air volume 153, 162
Backrest tilt 33, 35
Exterior rear view mirror 38
Head restraint height 34, 35, 92
Head restraint tilt 34, 36, 93
Head restraints 93
Instrument cluster illumination 107
Interior rear view mirror 38
Manual seat 33
Mirrors 38
Multicontour seat* 95
Power seat* 35
Rear seat head restraints 92
Seat cushion depth 95
Seat cushion tilt 33, 35
Seat fore and aft adjustment 33, 35
Seat height 33, 35

364 Index
Seats 32, 33
Steering column height 38
Steering column length 38
Steering wheel 36
Air conditioning (cooling)
Turning off 156, 166
Turning on 156, 166
Air conditioning refrigerant 348
Air distribution
Adjusting 153, 162
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air recirculation mode 154, 163
Activating 154, 163
Deactivating 155, 164
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 157, 168
Air volume
Adjusting 153, 162Airbags 57
BabySmart
TM deactivation
system 68
Children 58
Front 61
Passenger 61
Side impact 62
Window curtain 62
Alarm
Audible 73, 81
Canceling 81
Visual 80
Alarm system
Anti-theft 80
Alignment bolt 357
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 320
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 353
Antiglare
Automatic 146
Manual 146
Antilock brake system (ABS) 357Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 80
Canceling alarm 81
Disarming 81
Anti-theft systems 80
Anti-theft alarm system* 80
Immobilizer 80
Tow-away alarm 81
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 217
Storage spaces 218
Ashtray 219
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 256
AUDIO menu 116
Selecting radio station 117
Audio system 169
Audio and telephone, operation 169
Button and soft key operation 172
Cassette operation 182
CD operation 185
Operating and display elements 170

369 Index
Coolant 257, 352
Adding 257
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 352
Capacities 346
Checking level 257
Messages in display 287, 288
Temperature 248
Temperature gauge 108
Warning lamp 288
Coolant level
Checking 257
Cruise control 202, 358
Canceling 203
Driving downhill 203
Driving uphill 203
Fine adjustment 204
Saving current speed 203
Setting speeds 204
Cruise control lever 202
Cruising range, fuel 351Cup holder
Cleaning 271
In front seat armrest 216
In rear seat armrest 217
Customer assistance system (CAC) 357
D
Daytime running lamp mode 102
Setting 127, 128
Deactivating
Air conditioning 156
Air recirculation mode 155, 164
Alarm 81
Anti-theft alarm system 81
Automatic climate control* 159
Central locking (control system) 131
Charcoal filter 165
Climate control 151
Climate control system 155
Cruise control 203
Defrosting 154, 163ESP 77
Exterior lamps 101
Exterior lamps delayed shut-off 129
Front fog lamps 129
Hazard warning flasher 104
Headlamps 52
Immobilizer 80
Interior lighting delayed shut-off 130
Rapid seat heater* 96
Rear window defroster 149
Seat heater* 96
Tow-away alarm 82
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging
Windshield 153, 162
Defrosting 154, 163
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 129
Interior lighting 130
Dialing
A number (telephone) 138