2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 4MATIC traction control

315 Operation
Driving instructions
Tires
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. These indicators are located in six
places on the tread circumference and be-
come visible at a tread depth of approxi-
mately
1/16in (1.6 mm), at which point the
tire is considered worn and should be
replaced.The treadwear indicator appears as a solid
band across the tread.
Specified tire inflation pressures must be
maintained. This applies particularly if the
tires are subject to extreme operating con-
ditions (e.g. high speeds, heavy loads, high
ambient temperatures).For more information, see “Tires and
wheels” (
page 331).
Hydroplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer
on the road, hydroplaning may occur, even
at low speeds and with new tires. Reduce
vehicle speed, avoid track grooves in the
road and apply brakes cautiously in the
rain.
Warning!G
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possi-
ble damage to your vehicle has occurred,
you should turn on the hazard warning flash-
ers, carefully slow down, and drive with cau-
tion to an area which is a safe distance from
the road.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle underbody
for possible damage. If the vehicle or tires
appear unsafe, have the vehicle towed to
the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center or tire
dealer for repairs.
Warning!G
Although the applicable federal motor vehi-
cle safety laws consider a tire to be worn
when the treadwear indicators (TWI) be-
come visible at approximately
1/16 in
(1.6 mm), we recommend that you do not al-
low your tires to wear down to that level. As
tread depth approaches
1/8 in (3 mm), the
adhesion properties on a wet road are
sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely.
Warning!G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire or driving at high
speed with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.

316 Operation
Driving instructions
Tire traction
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or
icy road is always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to the
condition of the road whenever the outside
temperatures are close to the freezing
point.Mercedes-Benz recommends winter tires
(
page 360) with a minimum tread depth
of approximately 1/6in (4 mm) on all four
wheels for the winter season to ensure
normal balanced handling characteristics.
On packed snow, they can reduce your
stopping distance compared to summer
tires.
Stopping distance, however, is still consid-
erably greater than when the road is not
covered with snow or ice. Exercise appro-
priate caution.
Tire speed rating
Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use pru-
dent driving speeds appropriate to prevail-
ing conditions.
Warning!G
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction
will be substantially reduced. Under such
weather conditions, drive, steer and brake
with extreme caution.
!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel. This may
cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Warning!G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the maxi-
mum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure, causing loss of vehicle control and pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others.

355 Operation
Tires and wheels
All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to
these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1
1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades rep-
resent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and ex-
cessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C corresponds to the
minimum level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
Warning!G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.Warning!G
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underin-
flation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.

380 Practical hints
What to do if …?
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
vThe yellow ESP® warning
lamp flashes while driving.The ESP® or traction system has come
into operation because of detected trac-
tion loss in at least one tire.
The cruise control is deactivated.When driving off, apply as little throttle as pos-
sible.
While driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road, weather and traffic conditions.
Do not deactivate the ESP®.
Exceptions: (
page 63).
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
4The yellow fuel tank re-
serve warning lamp in the
fuel gauge comes on while
driving.The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.Refuel at the next gas station (page 322).
comes on for a maximum
of 6 seconds after starting
the engine.The seat belt telltale reminds you and your
passengers to fasten your seat belts be-
fore driving off.Fasten your seat belts.
Regardless of whether the seat belts are fas-
tened or not, the seat belt telltale always
comes on and remains lit for 6 seconds after
starting the engine.

491 Index
D
Date display, setting 170
Daytime running lamp mode 110
Setting 171
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging
Windshield 255
Defrosting 264
Defrosting, Front 255
Delayed shut-off
Interior lighting 173
Department of Transportation see DOT
Difficulties
While driving 132
While starting 129
Digital clock see clock
Digital speedometer 158
Additional speedometer 169, 170
Permanent display 169
Dimensions, Vehicle 474
Direction of rotation, Tires 334Displays
Additional speedometer 169, 170
Digital speedometer 158
Maintenance service indicator 362
Multifunction display 151
Outside temperature 158
Permanent display 169
Vehicle status message see
Multifunction display messages
Vehicle status messages
memory 165
Distance to empty (range),
Trip computer 157
Document holder 289
Door
Control panel 32
Entry lamps 116
Inside door handle 79
Locking 72, 77
Locking with Tele Aid* 302
Messages in display 406
Opening from inside vehicle 79
Opening from outside 72, 77
Unlocking 71, 76
Unlocking with Tele Aid* 301
DOT 357Downhill driving
Cruise control 243
Drink holder see Cup holder
Drinking and driving 311
Driving 126
Abroad 318
Hydroplaning 315
In winter 317
Instructions 126, 311
Problems 132
Safety systems 59
Through standing water 318
Driving off 314
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 65
ABS 59
BAS 60
EBP 61
Electronic traction system 63
ESP
®62
Driving systems 241
Cruise control 241
Driving safety systems 59
Driving tips 142
Accelerator position 142
Kickdown 142

492 Index
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Maximum cooling MAX COOL 256
Dual-zone automatic climate control see
Climate control system
E
Easy-entry/exit feature*
(Canada only) 95, 174
EBP 61
Electrical fuses see Fuses
Electrical outlet
Glove box 293
Rear passenger compartment 293
Electrical system, Technical Data 473
Electronic Brake Proportioning see EBP
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Electronic traction system 63
Emergency call system 295
Emergency calls, Tele Aid* 296
Emergency operation (Limp-Home
Mode) 146Emergency operations
Gear selector lever*, Unlocking 426
Locking the vehicle 424
Releasing from inside 271
Remote door lock* 302
Remote door unlock* 301
Unlocking the trunk 425
Unlocking the vehicle 424
Emergency tensioning device see ETD
Emergency, In case of
Battery, Jump starting 451
First aid kit 420
Flat tire 440
Fuses 456
Instrument cluster, Indicator
lamps 374–383
Roadside Assistance 12
Roadside Assistance* (Tele
Aid*) 299
Towing the vehicle 453
Emission control 320
Emission control information label 463
Emission control system warranties 10Engine
Adding engine oil 328
Belt layout 464
Cleaning 366
Compartment 325
Coolant 329, 478, 484
Malfunction indicator lamp 27, 378
Number 462, 463
Oil 327, 476, 480
Residual heat and ventilation 266
Starting 127
Technical data 465
Turning off 134
Engine coolant see Coolant
Engine oil 327
Adding 328
Additives 480
Checking level (Dipstick) 327
Consumption 327
Dipstick 327
Filler neck 327, 328
Recommended engine oils and oil
filters 476

504 Index
services 302
System self-check 296
Telephone* 28, 152
“911” emergency call
(Audio system) 231
Answering/ending a call 163
Hands-free microphone 31
Operation 160
Operation (Audio system) 222
Phone book 162
Redialing 163
Redialing (Instrument cluster control
system) 163
Switching on/off (Audio system) 226
Temperature
Display mode 158
Interior temperature 253
Outside temperature indicator 27
Tires 340
Tightening torque, Wheel bolts 445
Tilt/sliding sunroof see Power tilt/sliding
sunroof
Time 170
TIN 358
Tire and Loading Information
Placard 335Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure
Air pressure 339, 356
Checking tire pressure electronically,
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS), (USA only) 344
Tires 331
And Rims 467
And Wheels 331
Care and maintenance 332
Chains 361
Cleaning 333
Cold tire inflation pressure 356
Direction of rotation 334
Driving instructions 315
Important notes on tire inflation
pressure 340
Inflation pressure 339
Information placard 335
Inspection 332
Load rating 349, 358
Load rating, Maximum 353, 357
Low tire pressure telltale 383
Minispare wheel 422, 471
Ply composition and material
used 358Problems under-/overinflation 339
Retreads 331
Rotating 359
Run Flat Indicator*
(Canada only) 342
Service life 332
Sizes 467
Snow 360
Speed rating 316, 350, 358
Storing 333
Temperature 340, 355
Terminology 356
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)*, (USA only) 344
Total load limit 358
TPMS* (USA only) malfunction
telltale 383
Traction 316, 358
Tread depth 333
Tread depth, Winter 360
Treadwear indicators 358
Vehicle maximum load on 359
Wear pattern 359
Winter 360

505 Index
Tools 420
Top tether
Children in the vehicle 54
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit) 420,
455
Towing the vehicle 453
Tow-start 451, 453
TPMS, Tire Pressure Monitoring System*
(USA only) 344
Traction 316, 355, 358
Transmission gear selector lever see
Gear selector lever*
Transmission see Automatic
transmission*
Traveling abroad 318
Tread 358
Tread depth, Tires 333
Tread depth, Winter tires 360
Treadwear indicators 358
Trip computer 156
Trip odometer
Resetting 157Trunk
Closing 269, 424
Closing trunk from inside 269
Closing trunk from outside 269
Emergency release 271
Lighting 116
Message in display 419
Opening from inside 269
Opening from outside 269
Unlocking in an emergency 424
Valet locking 272
Tumbler holder see Cup holder
Turn signal lamps
Cleaning lenses 367
Replacing bulbs (Bi-Xenon*) 436
Replacing bulbs (Halogen) 434
Replacing bulbs (rear) 436
Turn signals 131
Additional in mirrors 431
Bulbs 431
Bulbs (Bi-Xenon) 436
Bulbs (Halogen) 434
Indicator lamp 27
Messages in display 413U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 359
Units, Setting
Speedometer 168
Uphill driving
Cruise control 243
Upholstery
Cleaning 372
Useful features 289
V
Valet locking 272
Vanity mirrors
In the sun visor 289
Vehicle
Battery 446
Breaking-in period 310
Care 364
Dimensions 474
Individual settings 165, 166
Locking/unlocking 70, 73
Locking/unlocking in an
emergency 424
Lowering 445
Service battery 446
Towing 453