2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 cooling

404 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
•Coolant Low
Stop Vehicle!
Turn Engine OffRestart the engine.
If this message disappears from the multi-
function display:
Drive immediately to the nearest autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If this message does not disappear from the
multifunction display:
Call Roadside Assistance.
•The cooling fan for the coolant is malfunc-
tioning.Observe the coolant temperature gauge in
the instrument cluster (
page 26).
Have the fan replaced as soon as possible.

405 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
BCheck
Coolant Level
See Operator’s Manu-
alThe coolant level is too low.Add coolant (page 329).
If you have to add coolant frequently, have
the cooling system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant level
warning. Extended driving with the message and
symbol displayed may cause serious engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.
Do not drive without a sufficient amount of cool-
ant in the cooling system. The engine will over-
heat, causing major engine damage.

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)

484 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which pro-
vides:

Corrosion protection

Freeze protection

Boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately -22°F (-30°C) and corro-
sion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-22°F (-30°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized cooling system is
reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).The coolant solution must be used year
round to provide the necessary corrosion
protection and increase boil-over protec-
tion. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for re-
placement interval.
Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification are used to
renew the coolant concentration or bring it
back up to the proper level.
For information on other Mercedes-Benz
approved products of equal specification,
refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 50% anticor-
rosion/antifreeze (equivalent to freeze
protection to approximately –35°F
[–37°C]).If you use a solution that is more than 55%
anticorrosion/antifreeze (freeze protec-
tion to approximately –49°F [–45°C]), the
engine temperature will increase due to
the lower heat transfer capability of the so-
lution. Therefore, do not use more than
this amount of anticorrosion/ antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for
signs of leakage).
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality,
consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
!Add premixed coolant solution only. Adding
water and MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
separately from each other, could cause engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.

487 Index
A
ABS 27, 59
Indicator lamp 59, 374
Messages in display 389, 398
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 142
Accessory weight 356
Accident 132
Air bags 36
Children 51
Front 39
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 29, 45
OCS 41
Safety guidelines 38
Side impact 40
Window curtain 40, 41
Air conditioning system see Climate con-
trol system
Air conditioning, Cooling 258, 267
Air conditioning, Refrigerant 478, 480
Air distribution 254, 263
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air recirculation mode 257, 265Air vents 247
Center air vents 248
Rear center console air vents 249
Air volume 254, 263, 268
Alarm
Audible alarm and flashing exterior
lamps (Panic alarm) 58
Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Antiglare
Rear view mirrors 100
Anti-theft systems 66
Alarm, visual and audible 66
Anti-theft alarm system 66
Immobilizer 66
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest 284, 286
Ashtrays 291, 292
Aspect ratio 356
Audio Aux mode 220
AUDIO menu (Control system) 158Audio system 176
“911” emergency call 231
Audio and telephone, operation 176
Audio Aux mode 220
Audio control unit 177
Audio display 180
Bluetooth
® operation 222
Call lists 236
CD changer* 208, 214
CD operation 208
CD player 160, 208
CD, fast forward/rewind 219
CD, pause function 218
CD, submenu overview 208
Components 177
Controller 182
Example, how to use 187
Functions during a single call 240
Making calls 237
On/Off 188
Operating 185
Operating and display elements 178
Operating CD player 213
Operating safety 177
Operation 188
Overview 176

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

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