2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 4MATIC brake light

370 Operation
Vehicle care
Light alloy wheels
If possible, clean wheels once a week.
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel
Care, a soft bristle brush and a strong
spray of water for cleaning the light al-
loy wheels.Plastic and rubber parts
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution.
Wipe with a cloth moistened in a luke-
warm solution.
The surface may temporarily change
color. If this is the case, wait for it to
dry.Hard plastic trim items
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Interior
Care, a soft, lint-free cloth and apply
with light pressure.
!Only use acid-free cleaning materials. Acid
may cause corrosion or damage the clear coat.
!The vehicle should not be parked for an
extended period of time immediately after it has
been cleaned, especially not after the wheel rims
have been cleaned with wheel rim cleaner.
Wheel rim cleaners can lead to increased
corrosion of the brake disks and brake pads.
Non-approved wheel cleaners may also damage
the wheel paint if the car is not driven after
cleaning.
Therefore, the vehicle’s brake system should al-
ways be warmed-up before it is parked after
cleaning. To do so, please drive your vehicle for
several minutes to allow the brakes to dry. When
applying Mercedes-Benz approved Tire Care and
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care products,
take care not to spray them on the brake disks.
Warning!G
Do not use cleaners or cockpit care sprays
containing solvents to clean the cockpit or
the steering wheel. Cleaners containing sol-
vents will make the surface porous and vehi-
cle occupants could suffer serious injuries
from plastic parts coming loose in the event
of air bag deployment.
!Do not use oil, wax or scouring agents on
these parts.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the surface.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the sur-
face.
!Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the surface.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the sur-
face.

409 Practical hints
What to do if …?
ITake Your Key
From IgnitionYou have forgotten to remove the
SmartKey.Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
.AUTO Lamp Function
InoperativeThe light sensor is malfunctioning. Daytime
driving lamps are switched on.In the instrument cluster control system, set
lamp operation to manual mode.
Switch on headlamps using the exterior lamp
switch.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Check
Center Brake LampThe high mounted brake lamp is malfunc-
tioning. This message will only appear if all
light emitting diodes have stopped working.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Check
Left Brake LampThe left brake lamp is malfunctioning.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 436).
Check
Right Brake LampThe right brake lamp is malfunctioning.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 436).
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution

432 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Notes on bulb replacement

Only use 12 volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.

Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.

Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.

Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.

If the newly installed bulb does not
come on, visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Have the LEDs and bulbs for the following
lamps replaced at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Additional turn signal lamps in the exte-
rior rear view mirrors

High mounted brake lamp

Bi-Xenon* lamps

Front fog lamps

Front side marker lamps

License plate lamps
Replacing bulbs for front lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a
front lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionM (
page 108).
Open the hood (page 325).
Warning!G
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot. Al-
low 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.
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.!Do not replace the LEDs yourself. You could
otherwise damage the LEDs or parts of the
vehicle. Only have the LEDs replaced at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

437 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Tail lamp unit
Open trunk lid.
For driver side: Lift up the bottom and
pull out the trim panel covering the
driver side rear light.
For passenger side: Open the fuse box
in the trunk (
page 458).
1Tabs
2Connector
Disconnect electrical connector2.
Pull tabs1 in direction of arrows.
Remove the bulb carrier.1Side marker lamp
2Rear fog lamp (driver’s side)/Side
marker lamp
3Backup lamp
4Brake lamp/tail lamp
5Parking and standing lamp, brake
lamp/tail lamp
6Turn signal lamp
Press gently onto the respective bulb
and turn counterclockwise out of its
bulb socket.
Side marker lamp1: Turn the bulb
socket on backside of tail lamp unit
counterclockwise and removes side
marker lamp1 with bulb socket
Press the new bulb gently into its bulb
socket and turn clockwise until it
engages.
Side marker lamp1: Turn the new
bulb with socket on backside of tail
lamp unit clockwise until it engages.
Reinstall the bulb carrier.
Let tabs1 (
page 437) engage.
Connect the electrical connector2
(
page 437) until it engage.
Reinstall trim panel.
License plate lamp
Since replacing the license plate lamp
bulbs is a technically highly demanding
process, we recommend you have the li-
cense plate lamp bulbs replaced at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

452 Practical hints
Jump starting
The battery is located in the engine com-
partment on the right hand side. For jump
starting, use the under hood terminals in
front of the battery.
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.
Turn off all electrical consumers,
except hazard warning flashers or work
lights.
Apply the parking brake (page 134).
Make sure gear selector lever* is set to
positionP (manual transmission to
Neutral).
Open the hood (page 326).
Slide red cover2 from positive under
hood terminal3 in direction of arrow. 1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive under hood terminal cover
3Positive under hood terminal in front of
discharged battery
4Negative under hood terminal
5Negative terminal of charged battery
Connect positive terminal1 of the
charged battery with positive under
hood terminal3 in front of the dis-
charged battery with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to charged battery1
first.
Start the engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.
Connect negative terminal5 of the
charged battery to jumper cables and
attach other end to negative under
hood terminal4 on the vehicle. Clamp
cable to charged battery5 first
Start the engine of the disabled
vehicle.
You can now turn on the electrical con-
sumers. Do not switch on the headlamps
under any circumstances.
Remove the jumper cables first from
the negative terminals4 and5 and
then from the positive terminals3
and1.
You can now switch on the headlamps.
Slide red cover2 from positive under
hood terminal3 back.
Close the hood (page 326).
Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!Never invert the terminal connections.

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

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

497 Index
L
Labels 462
Certification 462
Emission control information 463
Tire and Loading Information 335
Lamps, exterior 431
Light sensor 409
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 27, 59, 374
Air bag Off 40
Battery check lamp (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 77
Battery check lamp (SmartKey) 72
Brake warning lamp 27
Brakes 376
Engine diagnostics 27, 378
Engine malfunction 27, 378
ESP
®27, 376, 379, 380
Front passenger front air bag off 29,
45, 385, 386
Fuel reserve 380
High beam headlamps 27
Instrument cluster 374–383
Maintenance service indicator 362
Seat belt telltale 27, 380
SRS 27, 382Turn signals 27
Language 193
Language, Setting 168
LATCH-type child seat anchors see
Children in the vehicle
Lever
For cruise control 242
License plate lamps
Messages in display 411
Replacing bulbs 431, 437
Light alloy wheels, Cleaning 370
Light sensor
Message in display 409
Lighter see Cigarette lighter
Lighting 108
Automatic headlamp mode 109
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps* 112
Daytime running lamp mode 110
Door entry lamps 116
High beam flasher 112
Instrument cluster illumination 148
Interior 114
Manual headlamp mode 108
Trunk 116
Limp-home mode 146Loading see Vehicle loading
Locator lighting 172
Lock button
Door handle (KEYLESS-GO*, Canada
only) 76, 125
Key, SmartKey 70
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
(Canada only) 73
Locking 133
Vehicle in an emergency 425
Locking knob 79
Loss of
Key, Mechanical 79
Key, SmartKey 79
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
(Canada only) 79
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet 461
Low beam headlamps
Replacing bulbs (Bi-Xenon*) 431
Replacing bulbs (Halogen) 431, 433
Lowering
Vehicle 445
Lubricants 476
Lumbar support* 91