2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 4MATIC instrument cluster

170 Controls in detail
Control system
Time/date submenu
Access the
Time/date submenu via the
Settings menu. Use the Time/Date
submenu to change the instrument cluster
display settings.
The following functions are available:Set the time
This function is not available if your vehicle
is equipped with the COMAND* system
and navigation module*.
Press % or $ to select the
Instr. Cluster submenu.
Press #.
Press % or $ to select the
Time/date function.
Press #.
Press % or $ to select the Time
function.
Press #.
The current time appears in the multi-
function display.
To set a new time press # again.
Press button ( or & to select
the setting you wish to change: hours
or minutes.
Press button % or $ to change
the setting which is highlighted.
Press # to store the entry.
Set the date
This function is not available if your vehicle
is equipped with the COMAND* system
and navigation module*.
Press % or $ to select the
Instr. Cluster submenu.
Press #.
Press % or $ to select the
Time/date function.
Press #.
FunctionPage
Set the time (hours)170
Set the time (minutes)170
Set the date (month)170
Set the date (day)170
Set the date (year)170
iVehicles with COMAND*:
For information on setting the time, refer to the
separate COMAND operating instructions.
iVehicles with COMAND*:
For information on setting the date, refer to the
separate COMAND operating instructions.

172 Controls in detail
Control system
Depending on the previous status, the
daytime running lamps feature will be
Enabled orDisabled.
With
Daytime Running Lamps mode En-
abled
selected and the exterior lamp
switch at position M or *, the low
beam headlamps are switched on when
the engine is running.
In low ambient light conditions the follow-
ing lamps will switch on additionally:

Parking lamps

Tail lamps

License plate lamps

Side marker lamps
also illuminates the instrument cluster.
For more information on the daytime run-
ning lamp mode (
page 110).Setting locator lighting
Press % or $ to select the
Lights submenu.
Press #.
Press % or $ to select the Sur-
round Lighting
feature.
Press #.
The current setting
Enabled
or
Disabled is shown.
Press # again if you would like to
change the current status.
Depending on the previous status, the
locator lighting feature will be
Enabled
or
Disabled.
With the locator lighting feature activated
and the exterior lamp switch in
positionU, the following lamps will
switch on during darkness when the vehi-
cle is unlocked with the SmartKey:

Parking lamps

Tail lamps

License plate lamps

Side marker lamps

Front fog lamps
also illuminates the instrument cluster.
iIf you turn the exterior lamp switch to anoth-
er position, the corresponding lamp(s) will
switch on.
iMake sure the light switch is set toB
or* when you switch off the daytime running
lamps while driving at night.
iFor safety reasons, resetting the Lights
submenu to factory settings (
page 165) while
driving will not deactivate the daytime running
lamp mode.
The following message appears in the
multifunction display:
Lighting - Cannot be completely reset
to factory settings while driving.


182 Controls in detail
Audio system
Instrument cluster multifunction
display
This section describes features and con-
trols via the audio control unit, display and
controller only.
Please refer to the “Instrument cluster
control system” section of this manual
(
page 151) for function descriptions and
operation of the instrument cluster multi-
function display and multifunction steering
wheel buttons as they relate to audio func-
tions described in this section.Audio controller
1Audio controller
The menu functions are selected on the
audio display using the audio controller.
For this purpose, a selector bar is moved.
In this way, you can open menus or lists,
move within menus or lists, and quit
menus or lists.
Operating audio controller
The audio controller features the following
options:

press briefly or press and hold n

rotate to the left or right ymz

slide to the left or right omp

slide up or down qmr
iYou cannot operate the audio system via the
audio controller when the protective cover is
closed.

301 Controls in detail
Useful features
Call priority
If other service calls such as a Roadside
Assistance call or Information call are ac-
tive, an emergency call is still possible. In
this case, the emergency call will take pri-
ority and override all other active calls.
Remote door unlock
In case you have locked your vehicle unin-
tentionally (e.g. SmartKey inside vehicle),
and the reserve SmartKey is not handy:
Contact the Mercedes-Benz Response
Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).You will be asked to provide your pass-
word which you provided when you
completed the subscriber agreement.
or
Contact the Tele Aid web page via In-
ternet using the ID and password sent
to you shortly after the completion of
your acquaintance call.
Then return to your vehicle and pull the
trunk lid handle for a minimum of
20 seconds until the SOS button is
flashing.
The message:
Call connecting ap-
pears in the multifunction display.
The Response Center will then unlock
your vehicle with the remote door un-
locking feature.
!If the indicator lamps do not start flashing
after pressing one of the buttons or remain illu-
minated (in red) at any time, the Tele Aid system
has detected a fault or the service is not current-
ly activated, and may not initiate a call. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center and have
the system checked or contact the Response
Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada) as soon as possi-
ble.
iThe indicator lamp in the respective button
flashes until the call is concluded. Calls can only
be terminated by a Response Center or Custom-
er Assistance Center representative except
Roadside Assistance and Information calls,
which can also be terminated by using the t
button on the multifunction steering wheel or the
respective button for ending a telephone call on
the audio system or the COMAND* head unit.
!If the indicator lamp continues to flash or
the system does not terminate the call at all,
contact the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada), or Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) in the USA or Customer Ser-
vice at 1-800-387-0100 in Canada.
iWhen a Tele Aid call has been initiated, the
audio system is muted. The optional cellular
phone (if installed) switches off. If you must use
this phone, the vehicle must be parked. Unplug
the telephone, switch it on and place the call.
The COMAND* navigation system (if engaged)
will continue to run. The multifunction display in
the instrument cluster is available for use, but
spoken commands are not available.
iThe remote door unlock feature is available
if the relevant telephone network is available and
data connection is possible.
The SOS button will flash and the message:
Call
connecting
appears in the multifunction dis-
play to indicate receipt of the door unlock com-
mand.


312 Operation
Driving instructions
Brakes
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 60).
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid level in
the reservoir.
The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be too low if the red brake warning lamp in
the instrument cluster comes on while the
engine is running and an acoustic warning
sounds (
page 376). Observe additional
messages in the multifunction display that
may appear (
page 387).
Warning!G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking
effect. Maintain a safe distance from
vehicles in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an
accident.
!Vehicles without 4MATIC:
Because the ESP® operates automatically, the
engine and ignition must be shut off (SmartKey
in starter switch position0 or1 or KEYLESS-GO
(Canada only) start/stop button* in position0
or1) when

the parking brake is being tested on a brake
test dynamometer

the vehicle is being towed with the front axle
raised
Active braking action through the ESP
® may oth-
erwise seriously damage the brake system.
For information on vehicles with 4MATIC, see
“Four wheel electronic traction system (4MATIC)
with the ESP®” (
page 65).
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.

344 Operation
Tires and wheels
If you wish to cancel activation:
Press button $or% to select
No.
Press button# to confirm.
The previous settings will not be
changed
or
Wait until the message
Run Flat Indicator?
Restart
disappears.
Checking tire pressure electronically
with the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS), (USA only)The TPMS only functions on wheels that
are equipped with the proper electronic
sensors. It monitors the tire inflation pres-
sure, as selected by the driver, in all four
tires. A warning is issued to alert you to a
decrease in pressure in one or more of the
tires.
iThe Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) is equipped with a combination low tire
pressure/TPMS malfunction telltale in the
instrument cluster (
page 26). Depending on
how the telltale illuminates, it indicates a low tire
pressure condition or a malfunction in the TPMS
system itself:

If the telltale illuminates continuously, one
or more of your tires is significantly underin-
flated. There is no malfunction in the TPMS.

If the telltale flashes for 60 seconds and
then stays illuminated, the TPMS system
itself is not operating properly.
iThis device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
Warning!G
The TPMS does not indicate a warning for
wrongly selected inflation pressures. Always
adjust tire inflation pressure according to
the Tire and Loading Information placard on
the driver’s door B-pillar or, if available, the
supplemental tire pressure information on
the inside of the fuel filler flap.
The TPMS is not able to issue a warning due
to a sudden dramatic loss of pressure (e.g.
tire blowout caused by a foreign object). In
this case bring the vehicle to a halt by care-
fully applying the brakes and avoiding
abrupt steering maneuvers.


374 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Lamps in instrument cluster
General information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during the
bulb self-check when switching on the igni-
tion, have the respective bulb checked and
replaced if necessary.
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
-The yellow Antilock
Brake System (ABS)
indicator lamp comes on
while the engine is
running.The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The BAS, ESP® and EBP
are also switched off (see messages in mul-
tifunction display).
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the systems specified
above.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning,
other systems such as navigation system*
or the automatic transmission* may also be
malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will lock during hard braking, re-
ducing steering capability.
Read and observe messages in the mul-
tifunction display (
page 387).
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.

387 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Vehicle status messages in the multi-
function display
Warning and malfunction messages ap-
pear in the multifunction display located in
the instrument cluster.
Certain warning and malfunction messag-
es are accompanied by an audible signal.
High-priority messages are shown in red
on the multifunction display. Messages of
lower priority are also shown in yellow or
white.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using# or L on the multifunction
steering wheel (
page 152).
Other messages of high priority and mes-
sages of less immediate priority can be
cleared from the multifunction display
using# or L. They are then stored
in the vehicle status message memory
(
page 164). Remember that clearing a
message will only make the message dis-
appear. Clearing a message will not cor-
rect the condition that caused the
message to appear.
Warning!G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction dis-
play is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see infor-
mation about your driving conditions, such
as speed or outside temperature, warn-
ing/indicator lamps, malfunction/warning
messages or the failure of any systems.
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, please do so
with added caution. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.