2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 4MATIC brake fluid

400 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
;Check
Brake Fluid LevelThere is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir.Risk of accident!
Carefully stop the vehicle in a safe location or
as soon as it is safe to do so.
Depress the parking brake (page 134).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
(USA only)
3
(Canada only)
Warning!G
Driving with the message Check Brake
Fluid Level
displayed can result in an ac-
cident. Have your brake system checked im-
mediately. Do not add brake fluid before
checking the brake system. Overfilling the
brake fluid reservoir can result in spilling
brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire. You can be serious-
ly burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks.

478 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Power steeringAll models0.85 US qt. (0.8 l)MB Power Steering Fluid
(Chevron Texaco PSF 9109)1
1For detailed information, please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Front wheel hubsAll modelsapprox. 3.6 oz. (95 g) eachHigh-temperature roller bearing grease
Brake systemAll modelsapprox. 0.53 US qt. (0.5 l)MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling systemAll models5.07 US qt. (4.8 l)MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
Fuel tank
including a reserve ofAll models17.43 US gal (66.0 l)
2.11 US gal (8.0 l)Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(Avg. of 96 RON/86 MON)
C 300 and C 300 Sport (with automatic
transmission*), USA only:
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (identified by a label
reading Premium gasoline or E85 only!
on fuel filler flap).
Alternative fuel: Ethanol fuel (E85)
Air conditioning systemAll modelsR-134a refrigerant and special PAG
lubricant oil (never R-12)

480 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance
System.
For a listing of approved engine oils and oil
filters, refer to the Factory Approved Ser-
vice Products pamphlet (USA only), or con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air condition-
ing system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based
lubricating oil. Otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
Brake fluid
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. An
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
provide you with additional information.
!Using engine oils and oil filters of specifica-
tion other than those expressly required for the
Maintenance System, or changing of oil and oil
filter at change intervals longer than those called
for by the Maintenance System will result in
engine or emission control system damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Please follow Maintenance System
recommendations for scheduled oil changes.
Failure to do so will result in engine or emission
control system damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!G
During vehicle operation, the boiling point of
the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from the
atmosphere.
Under extremely strenuous operating condi-
tions, this moisture content can lead to the
formation of bubbles in the system, thus re-
ducing the system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be replaced
regularly. Refer to your vehicle’s Mainte-
nance Booklet for replacement interval.

489 Index
Bluetooth®
Settings (Audio system) 192
Telephone* (Audio system) 222
Brake assist system (BAS) 60
Brake fluid 324, 478, 480
Brake lamp
High mounted 431
Replacing bulbs 431, 436
Brake pads
Message in display 399
Brake warning lamp 27
Brakes 312
Warning lamp 27, 376
Break-in period 310
Bulbs, replacing see Replacing bulbsC
California retail buyers and lessees,
important notice for 11
Can holder see Cup holder
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants 476
Cargo area see Trunk
Carpets, Cleaning and care of 371
Catalytic converter 319
CD
CD changer* 208
CD player 160, 208
MP3 playback options 220
MP3, selecting a track 219
Playback options 220
Selecting a track 219
Submenu overview 208
CD changer* 208
CD player 160, 208
Centigrade see Temperature display
mode 167
Central locking
Automatic 80, 173
Locking/unlocking from inside 81
Locking/unlocking switches 81
Central locking/unlocking switches 80Certification label 462
Change of address or ownership 12
Checking tire pressure electronically
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS), (USA only) 344
Children in the vehicle 51
Air bags 51
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 45, 385
Infant and child restraint systems 51
LATCH-type child seat anchors 55
Override switch for rear door window
operation 57
Tether attachment points 54
Cigarette lighter 292
Climate control system 250, 259
3-zone automatic climate control
(Canada only) 259
Air conditioning, Cooling 258, 267
Air distribution 254, 263
Air recirculation mode 257, 265
Air volume 254, 263
Air volume, rear 268
Automatic mode 253
Deactivating/Reactivating 252
Defrosting 264

493 Index
ESP®62
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP
®65
Messages in display 389, 397, 398
Warning lamp 27, 376, 379, 380
ETD 49
Safety guidelines 38
Ethanol fuel
At the gas station 322
Switching fuels 483
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 97
Auto-dimming on the driver’s
side 99, 100
Fold-in settings 175
Power folding* 98F
Fahrenheit see Temperature display
mode 167
First aid kit 420
Flat tire 440
Lowering the vehicle 445
Mounting the Minispare wheel 441
Preparing the vehicle 440
Flexible fuel vehicles 482
At the gas station 322
Switching fuels 483
Floormats* 294
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 476,
477
Brake fluid 478, 480
Capacities 476
Engine coolant 329, 478, 484
Engine oil 328, 476, 480
Power steering fluid 478
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system 479, 486
Fog lamps 431
Messages in display 410
Replacing bulbs 431, 432, 436Four wheel electronic traction system
(4MATIC) with ESP
®65
4MATIC 65
Front air bags 39
Front lamps see headlamps
Front passenger front air bag 39
Messages in display 393
Front passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 29, 45, 385
Front seats
Heating* 91
Fuel 322, 478, 481
Additives 481
Capacity, Fuel tank 478
Cruising range 483
E85 (Ethanol fuel) 478, 483
Filling the tank 322
Fuel filler flap and cap 322
Fuel reserve warning lamp 27, 150,
380
Gauge 27, 150
Premium unleaded gasoline 478,
481
Requirements, Octane rating 482
Switching (Flexible fuel vehicle) 483

495 Index
H
Halogen headlamp see Headlamps
Hands-free microphone 31
Hard plastic trim items, cleaning 370
Hazard warning flasher 114
Head restraints 89
Active head restraints 50
Adjustment 89
Front seat 89
Rear seat, Removing and
installing 90
Resetting activated active head
restraints 427
Headlamp cleaning system 112, 330
Washer fluid 479, 486
Headlamps
Automatic control 109
Automatic headlamp mode 172
Cleaning lenses 367
Cleaning system 330
Halogen 432
Manual headlamp mode 172
Messages in display 411
Refilling washer fluid 330
Replacing bulbs 431, 432Headliner and shelf below rear window,
Cleaning and care of 371
High beam flasher 112
Replacing bulbs (Bi-Xenon*) 431,
435
Replacing bulbs (Halogen) 431, 433
High beam headlamps
Indicator lamp 27
Replacing bulbs (Bi-Xenon*) 431
Replacing bulbs (Halogen) 431, 433
Replacing bulbs for high beam flasher
(Bi-Xenon*) 435
High mounted brake lamp 431
Hood 325
Message in display 406
Opening 325
Horn 25
Hot weather performance 483
HVAC see Climate control system
Hydroplaning 315I
Identification labels 462
Identification Number, Vehicle (VIN) 463
Ignition 82, 84, 127
Switching on 82
Switching on, KEYLESS-GO* 84
Immobilizer 66
Infant and child restraint systems see Chil-
dren in the vehicle
Inside door handle 79
Instrument cluster 26, 147
Coolant temperature gauge 27, 148
Fuel gauge 27, 150
Illumination 148
Lamps 374
Multifunction display 151
Outside temperature indicator 149
Setting the language (Audio
system) 193
Interior lighting 114
Activating automatic control 115
Deactivating automatic control 115
Delayed shut-off 173
In the rear 116
Reading lamps in the front 115, 116
Reading lamps in the rear 116

498 Index
M
Maintenance 11, 362
Automatic Call (Tele Aid*) 302
Calling up service indicator
display 363
Clearing service indicator
message 362
Maintenance System 362
Resetting service indicator 363
Service indicator message 362
Service term exceeded 363
Vehicles with E85 fuel 483
Manual headlamp mode 108
Manual transmission 136, 137
Gearshift lever 126, 137
Shift positions 137
Starting the engine 127
Maximum load rating, Tires 357
Maximum loaded
vehicle weight 340, 357
Maximum tire
inflation pressure 354, 357
Maximum tire load rating 353
Memory function* (Canada only) 102
Menus see Control systemMessages in display see
Multifunction display messages
Microphone, Hands-free 31
Minispare wheel 422, 471
Mounting 441
Mirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position*
(Canada only) 101
Adjusting 97
Auto-dimming* for rear view
mirrors 100
Exterior rear view mirrors 97
Interior rear view mirror 97
Modifications and alterations,
Operating safety 15
MON 478
MP3
Playback options 220
Selecting a folder 219
Selecting a track 219
Multifunction display 151
Changing settings see Control system
menus and Control system sub-
menusMultifunction display messages
ABS 389, 398
Battery, vehicle 399
Brake fluid 400
Brake pads 399
Coolant 402
Coolant level 405
Doors 406
EBP (Electronic Brake
Proportioning) 401
ESP
®389, 397, 398
Fog lamps 410
Front passenger front air bag 393
Fuel cap 406
Gear selector lever 392
Headlamps 411
Hood 406
Key, SmartKey 408
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
(Canada only) 407
Lamps, exterior 409
License plate lamps 411
Light sensor 409
Low tire pressure 418
Parking brake 401
Parking lamps 411

499 Index
Restraint systems 416
Run Flat Indicator 390
Side marker lamps 412
SRS 416
Tele Aid* 418
TPMS* (Tire Pressure Monitoring Sys-
tem), (USA only) 392, 418
Trunk 419
Turn signals 413
Windshield washer fluid 419
Multifunction steering wheel 28, 152
Button operation 152
N
Navigation system* 158
See separate COMAND* operating
instructions
Neutral gear position,
Automatic transmission* 138, 140
Neutral gear position,
Manual transmission 137
New vehicle break-in 310
Normal occupant weight 357
Number, Vehicle Identification (VIN) 463O
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 357
Occupant safety 34
Air bags 36
Children and air bags 51
Children in the vehicle 51
Fastening the seat belt 105
Front passenger front air bag off indica-
tor lamp 45
Infant and child restraint systems 51
LATCH-type child seat anchors 55
Seat belts 38, 105
OCS 41
Self-test 45
Oil
Filler neck 328
One-touch gearshifting
Gear selector lever* 145
Operating safety 15
Operating safety (Audio system) 177
Ornamental moldings, Cleaning 367
Outside temperature indicator 27, 149
Outside temperature see Displays
Overhead control panel 31
Override switch 57P
Paintwork, Cleaning 365
Panic alarm
Audible alarm and flashing exterior
lamps 58
Panic button 58
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding
panel* 276
Cleaning 369
Opening/closing 277
Synchronizing 278
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 285
Parking 133, 314
Parking brake 129, 134
Message in display 401
Parking lamps
Messages in display 411
Replacing bulbs 431, 434, 436
Parking position* (Canada only)
Exterior rear view mirrors 101
Parts service 460
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp see
Front passenger front air bag off indica-
tor lamp