2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 Key go

84 Controls in detail
Starter switch positions
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located in the vehicle.
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
toP.
Do not depress the brake pedal.
1KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
(Canada only)
Position 0
Before you press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button, the vehicle’s on-board
electronics have status 0 (as with
SmartKey removed).Position 1
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton once.
This supplies power for some electrical
consumers, such as seat adjustment.
Ignition (or position 2)
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton twice.
This supplies power for all electrical
consumers.
All lamps (except high beam headlamp
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator
lamps unless activated) in the instru-
ment cluster come on. If a lamp in the
instrument cluster fails to come on
when the ignition is switched on, have
it checked and replaced if necessary. If a lamp in the instrument cluster re-
mains on after starting the engine or
comes on while driving, refer to “Lamps
in instrument cluster” (
page 374).
For information on starting the engine us-
ing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button,
see “Starting: Make sure KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button is inserted in the starter
switch (e page 83).” (
page 128).
iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button

once again, the ignition (position2) is
switched on

twice, the power supply is again switched off
iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button once, the power supply is
again switched off.
iWhen you switch on the ignition, the indica-
tor and warning lamps (except high beam head-
lamp indicator lamp and turn signal indicator
lamps unless activated) in the instrument cluster
come on. The indicator and warning lamps (ex-
cept high beam headlamp indicator lamp and
turn signal indicator lamps if activated) should go
out when the engine is running. This indicates
that the respective systems are operational.


85 Controls in detail
Seats
Seats
Seat adjustment
Warning!G
All seat, head restraint adjustments, as well
as fastening of seat belts, must be done be-
fore the vehicle is put into motion.
Warning!G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
back in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide un-
der the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the seat belt would apply force at
the abdomen or neck. That could cause se-
rious or fatal injuries. The seat backrest and
seat belts provide the best restraint when
the wearer is in a position that is as upright
as possible and seat belts are properly posi-
tioned on the body.
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt.
Observe the following points:

Adjust the seat backrest until your arms
are slightly angled when holding the
steering wheel.

Adjust the seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely. The po-
sition should be as far back as possible
with the driver still able to properly oper-
ate controls.

Adjust the head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible and the
center of the head restraint supports
the back of the head at eye level.

Never place hands under the seat or
near any moving parts while a seat is be-
ing adjusted.
Failure to do so could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
Warning!G
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.
Even with the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only) removed from
the starter switch or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only) removed from
the vehicle, the power seats can be
operated.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. A child’s unsupervised access to a
vehicle could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.

86 Controls in detail
Seats
For additional information about children
in the vehicle, see “Children in the vehicle”
(
page 51).Power seat adjustment
The seat adjustment switch is located on
the entry side of each front seat base.
The seat adjustment switch for Canada ve-
hicles with memory function* are located
on the front doors.
1Seat cushion tilt
2Seat height
3Seat fore and aft
4Seat backrest tilt
Vehicles without memory function*:
Adjust the head restraint height manu-
ally (
page 87).
Driver’s door (Canada only)
1Seat cushion tilt
2Seat height
3Seat fore and aft
4Seat backrest tilt
5Head restraint height (
page 87)
Warning!G
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing position. Thus, we strongly recommend
that children be placed in the rear seats
whenever possible. Regardless of seating
position, children 12 years old and under
must be seated and properly secured in an
appropriately sized infant restraint, toddler
restraint, or booster seat recommended for
the size and weight of the child.
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and
the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
iAfter unlocking the vehicle or turning off the
engine, the seat adjustment can be operated for
up to approximately 3 minutes with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only) in
starter switch position0 or removed from the
starter switch.
Vehicles with memory function* (Canada only):
The memory function* is operational at any time.
Seat and steering wheel adjustment is always
possible.

87 Controls in detail
Seats
If it is not possible to adjust the seat with
the seat adjustment switch:
Insert the SmartKey or the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button*
(Canada only) into the starter switch.
or
With SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*
(Canada only) in starter switch
position0. Turn the SmartKey in
starter switch to position1 or press
the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button*
(Canada only) once.
or
Open the driver’s or front passenger
door.
Seat cushion tilt: Press the switch up
or down in the direction of
arrow1until your upper legs are
lightly supported.
Seat height: Press the switch up or
down in the direction of arrow2.
Seat fore and aft: Press the switch for-
ward or backward in the direction of
arrow3.
Seat backrest tilt: Press the switch
forward or backward in the direction of
arrow4.Adjusting front seat head restraints
You cannot remove the active head re-
straint on the driver’s and front passen-
ger’s seat.
For removal contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
For information on active head restraints,
see “Active head restraints” (
page 50).
iCanada only:
The memory function* (
page 102) lets you
store the settings for the seat positions together
with the settings for the steering wheel and the
exterior rear view mirrors.
!When moving the seat, make sure there are
no items in the footwell or behind the seats. Oth-
erwise you could damage the seats.
Warning!G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible and the center
of the head restraint supports the back of
the head at eye level. This will reduce the po-
tential for injury to the head and neck in the
event of an accident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.

93 Controls in detail
Steering wheel
Steering wheel
Make sure

you can reach the steering wheel with
your arms slightly bent at the elbows

you can move your legs freely

all displays (including malfunction and
indicator lamps) on the instrument
cluster are clearly visible
Steering wheel adjustment, manualThe handle for steering wheel adjustment
is located below the steering column.
1Steering wheel adjustment release
handle
2Steering wheel up/down
3Steering wheel in/out
To unlock the steering wheel, pull
handle1 down to its stop limit.
The steering wheel is unlocked
Move steering wheel to the desired
position.
Warning!G
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driv-
ing. Adjusting the steering wheel while driv-
ing, or driving without the steering wheel
adjustment feature locked could cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle.
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.
Even with the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only) removed from
the starter switch or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only) removed from
the vehicle, the electrical steering wheel ad-
justment feature can be operated. There-
fore, do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehi-
cle. A child’s unsupervised access to a vehi-
cle could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.
Warning!G
Only adjust the steering wheel with the
vehicle at a standstill with the parking brake
engaged and make sure the steering wheel
is securely locked in place before driving off.
Driving without the steering wheel locked
may cause unexpected steering wheel
movement which could result in the driver
losing control of the vehicle. Make sure the
steering wheel is securely locked by trying
to move it up and down, and in and out be-
fore driving off.


95 Controls in detail
Steering wheel
Easy-entry/exit feature* (Canada only)
This feature allows for easier entry into and
exit from the vehicle. When entering and
exiting the vehicle, the steering wheel is in
its uppermost position.
The easy-entry/exit feature can be activat-
ed or deactivated in the
Convenience sub-
menu of the control system (
page 174).With the easy-entry/exit feature activated
the steering wheel tilts upwards when you:

remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch,
or

open the driver’s door with the
SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1 or the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button in position1
Warning!G
You must make sure no one can become
trapped or injured by the moving steering
wheel when the easy-entry/exit feature is
activated.
To stop steering wheel movement, do one of
the following:

Move steering wheel adjustment stalk.

Press one of the memory position but-
tons or the memory buttonM.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could open the driver’s door and
unintentionally activate the easy-entry/exit
feature, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
Warning!G
Let the system complete the adjustment
procedure before setting the vehicle in mo-
tion. All steering wheel adjustments must be
completed before setting the vehicle in mo-
tion. Driving off with the steering wheel still
adjusting could cause the driver to lose con-
trol of the vehicle.
iIf the current position for the steering wheel
is in the uppermost tilt position, the steering
wheel will no longer be able to move upward
when the easy-entry/exit feature is activated.
The adjustment procedure is briefly interrupted
when the engine is started.

96 Controls in detail
Steering wheel
With the easy-entry/exit feature activated,
the steering wheel will return to their last
set memory position when you:

close the driver’s door with the ignition
switched on,
or

insert the SmartKey into the starter
switch or press the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button once with the driv-
er’s door closed.
iThe last set steering wheel positions are
stored when

the ignition is switched off

the position is stored in memory
(
page 102)

108 Controls in detail
Lighting
Exterior lamp switch
Low beam headlamps
The low beam headlamps can be switched
on and off with the exterior lamp switch us-
ing the manual headlamp mode.
Switching on: Turn the exterior lamp
switch to positionB.
The green indicator lampC in the
exterior lamp switch comes on.
iIf you drive in countries where vehicles drive
on the other side of the road than the country in
which the vehicle is registered, you must have
the headlamps modified for symmetrical low
beams. Relevant information can be obtained at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.1‚Standing lamps, left (turn left two
stops)
2ˆStanding lamps, right (turn left
one stop)
3MOff
Daytime running lamp mode
(
page 110)
4*Automatic headlamp mode
Daytime running lamp mode
(
page 110)
5CParking lamps (also side marker
lamps, tail lamps, license plate
lamps, instrument panel lamps)
6BLow beam headlamps or high
beam headlamps
7‡Front fog lamps
8†Rear fog lamp
iIf you hear a warning signal you have
forgotten to switch off the low beam headlamps
or the parking lamps before opening the driver’s
door.
In addition the message
Switch Off Lights
appears in the multifunction display.
Switch off the low beam headlamps or the park-
ing lamps.
If the message
Switch Off Lights or Re-
move Key
appears in the multifunction display
remove the SmartKey from the starter switch or
switch off the automatic headlamp mode.
!Failure to switch off the exterior lamps when
leaving the vehicle may result in a discharged
battery.