2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 4MATIC warning

121 Controls in detail
Power windows
Switch on the ignition (page 82).
Opening: Press the desired switch1
to 4 (
page 120) to the resistance
point.
The corresponding window will move
down until you release the switch.
Closing: Pull the desired switch1 to
4 (
page 120) to the resistance
point.
The corresponding window will move
up until you release the switch.
If the window encounters an obstruction
that blocks its path in a circumstance where
you are closing the window by pressing and
holding the switch, by pressing and holding
button ‹ on the SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO*, by pressing and holding
the sensor surface (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*) on an outside door handle,
or by pressing and holding button, on
the climate control panel (Canada only), the
automatic reversal function will not operate.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised ac-
cess to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.iYou can also open or close the windows us-
ing the SmartKey, see “Summer opening fea-
ture” (
page 123) and “Convenience closing
feature” (
page 124).
iOperating the windows from the rear is not
possible if you activate the override switch
(
page 57).
iWith the SmartKey in starter switch
position0 or removed from the starter switch,
the power windows can be operated:

until you open the driver’s or front passenger
door

for approximately 5 minutes if no door was
openedWarning!G
If you press and hold the switch up when
closing the window, and upward movement
of the window is blocked by some obstruc-
tion including but not limited to arms, hands,
fingers, etc., the automatic reversal will not
operate.


122 Controls in detail
Power windows
Express-opening: Press the switch1
to4 (
page 120) past the resistance
point and release.
The corresponding window opens com-
pletely.
Express-closing: Pull the switch1
to4 (
page 120) past the resistance
point and release.
The corresponding window closes com-
pletely.
Stopping during Express-operation:
Briefly press the respective power win-
dow switch again.
Warning!G
Driver’s door only:
If within 5 seconds you again press the
switch past the resistance point and re-
lease, the automatic reversal will not oper-
ate.
Warning!G
If a window is blocked while closing and re-
opens, it can be closed with greater force if
you pull the switch to the resistance point
within 2 seconds.
If the window is blocked again and reopens,
you can close it with deactivated anti-trap
protection by pulling the switch again to the
resistance point within 2 seconds.
When closing windows with the anti-trap
protection deactivated, make sure no one
can become trapped, as this could result in
serious or fatal injuries.
!If the upward movement of the window is
blocked during the closing procedure, the win-
dow will stop and open slightly. Remove the ob-
struction, press the respective power window
switch again past the resistance point and re-
lease. If the window still does not close when
there is no obstruction, press and hold the re-
spective power window switch. The side window
will then close without the protection of the au-
tomatic reversal feature.


124 Controls in detail
Power windows
Convenience closing feature
When you lock the vehicle, you can close
the side windows and tilt/sliding sunroof
or panorama roof with tilt/sliding panel*
simultaneously.
Afterward, you can close the roller sun-
blinds* of the panorama tilt/sliding sun-
roof*.Vehicles with SmartKey
Aim transmitter eye of the SmartKey
towards the sensor in the driver’s out-
side door handle. The SmartKey must
be in close proximity to the driver’s
door handle.
Press button ‹ to lock the vehicle.
Vehicles with tilt/sliding sunroof
Press and hold button ‹ until the
side windows and the tilt/sliding sun-
roof are completely closed.
Release button ‹ to interrupt pro-
cedure.
iThe function of the SmartKey overrules the
KEYLESS-GO function.
Warning!G
When closing the windows and the tilt/slid-
ing sunroof or panorama roof with tilt/slid-
ing panel*, make sure there is no danger of
anyone being harmed by the closing proce-
dure.
If potential danger exists, proceed as fol-
lows:

Release button ‹ to stop the closing
procedure. To open, press and hold but-
ton Œ. To continue the closing after
making sure that there is no danger of
anyone being harmed by the closing pro-
cedure, press and hold button‹.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only):

Release the sensor surface on the out-
side door handle (
page 125) to stop
the closing procedure.

Immediately pull on the same outside
door handle and hold firmly. The side
windows and the tilt/sliding sunroof or
panorama roof with tilt/sliding panel*
will open for as long as the outside door
handle is held but the door is not
opened.

126 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
Starting the engine Manual transmission
Gearshift pattern for manual transmission
For more information, see “Manual trans-
mission” (
page 136).
Warning!G
Make sure absolutely no objects are ob-
structing the pedals’ range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all obsta-
cles. If there are any floormats or carpets in
the footwell, make sure the pedals still have
sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents and
injury.Warning!G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause un-
consciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive with at least one window
fully open.

128 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only)
You can start your vehicle without the
SmartKey in the starter switch using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button on the
starter switch.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located in the vehicle.1KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
(Canada only)
Starting: Make sure KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button is inserted in the
starter switch (
page 83).
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
toP.
Depress the brake pedal during the
starting procedure.
Do not depress the accelerator.
Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
once.
The engine starts if the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO is in the vehicle.For information on turning off the engine
with KEYLESS-GO, see “Turning off the en-
gine” (
page 134).
Warning!G
As long as the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
is in your vehicle, the vehicle can be started.
Therefore, never leave children unattended
in the vehicle, as they could otherwise acci-
dentally start the engine.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised ac-
cess to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
iYou can also start the engine with the auto-
matic transmission set to N.
iIf you wish to start the vehicle with the
SmartKey instead of the KEYLESS-GO feature,
remove the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button from
the starter switch and proceed as described in
“Starting with the SmartKey” (
page 127).

129 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
Starting difficulties
The engine does not start. You can hear
the starter.
There could be a malfunction

in the engine electronics, or

in the fuel supply system
Carry out the following steps:
If you are starting the engine with the
SmartKey: Turn SmartKey in starter
switch to position0 and repeat starting
procedure (
page 126).
If you are starting the engine with
KEYLESS-GO*: Close any doors that
may be open to allow for better detec-
tion of the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.
or
Remove the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button from starter switch.
Start the engine with the SmartKey as
radio signals from another source may
be interfering with the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.
Repeat the starting procedure
(
page 126).
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts:
Call Roadside Assistance.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
The engine does not start. You cannot
hear the starter.
The battery may not be sufficiently
charged.
Get a jump start (page 451).
If the engine will not start despite a jump
start:
Call Roadside Assistance.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Driving off
!Remember that extended starting attempts
can drain the battery.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
(Canada only) from the starter switch, take
it with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Children
could release the parking brake, which
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Warning!G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.

130 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
1Release handle
2Parking brake pedal
Release the parking brake by pulling on
release handle1.
The indicator lamp; (USA only)
or3 (Canada only) in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.Manual transmission
Fully depress the clutch pedal.
Move gearshift lever to first gear to
drive forward, or to reverse gear to
drive in reverse.
Release the brake pedal.
Simultaneously slowly release the
clutch pedal and carefully depress the
accelerator pedal.
!If you hear a warning signal, the red indica-
tor lamp 0 (USA only) or ! (Canada only)
in the instrument cluster flashes and the mes-
sage
Release Parking Brake appears in the
multifunction display when driving off, you have
forgotten to release the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.
iAt vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km/h), the automatic central locking system
engages and the locking knobs in the doors drop
down.
The automatic door lock feature can be deacti-
vated (
page 173).
You can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to do
so.
!Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brakes reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake and
drivetrain wear.
!Do not run a cold engine at high engine
speeds as this may shorten its service life.
!In order to avoid damage to the transmis-
sion, place the gearshift lever to reverse gear
only when the vehicle is stopped.
!Shift gear in a timely manner and do not ex-
ceed the maximum permissible engine speed for
each gear.
Do not allow the wheels to spin as this could
damage the drive train.

131 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
Automatic transmission*
Depress the brake pedal.
The gear selector lever can now be
used.
Release the parking brake by pulling on
release handle1.
The indicator lamp; (USA only)
or3 (Canada only) in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Shift automatic transmission toD orR.
Release the brake pedal.
Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.
After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts at a higher engine revolution.
This allows the catalytic converter to reach
its operating temperature earlier.
For more information, see “Driving instruc-
tions” (
page 311).
Turn signals
Combination switch
1Turn signals, right
2Turn signals, left
Press the combination switch in the
direction of arrow1 or2.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lampL orK in the instrument
cluster flashes (
page 26).
The combination switch resets automati-
cally after major steering wheel move-
ments.
Warning!G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector le-
ver out of P or N if the engine speed is high-
er than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accel-
erate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
iShifting from gear positionP to positionR,
N, or D is only possible with the brake pedal de-
pressed. Without the brake pedal depressed, the
gear selector lever can be moved, but the park-
ing pawl remains engaged, not allowing shifting
to occur.
iWait for the gear selection process to com-
plete before setting the vehicle in motion.
!Shift the automatic transmission toP orR
only when the vehicle is stopped in order to avoid
damaging the transmission.