2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 seats

286 Controls in detail
Loading and storing
Storage compartments in rear passen-
ger compartment
Armrest with integrated storage
compartment
1Release catch
Opening: Pull down the armrest.
Pull release catch 1 and swing the
cover upward in direction of arrow.Storage pockets
Storage pockets 1 are located on the
back of the front seats.
!Before storing the armrest in the backrest,
close the storage compartment cover.
!Do not sit on or lean your body weight
against the armrest when it is folded down, as
you could otherwise damage it.
Warning!G
The storage pocket is intended for storing
light-weight items only.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
storage pocket. In an accident, during hard
braking, or sudden maneuvers, they could
be thrown around inside the vehicle and
cause injury to vehicle occupants.
The storage pocket cannot protect trans-
ported goods in the event of an accident.

356 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire ply material
1Plies in sidewall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the sidewall
and under the tread.Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least 3 hours or driv-
en no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.

372 Operation
Vehicle care
Upholstery
Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing
clothing that have the tendency to give off
coloring (e.g. when wet, etc.) may cause
the upholstery to become permanently dis-
colored. By lining the seats with a proper
intermediate cover, contact-discoloration
will be prevented.Leather upholstery
Wipe leather upholstery with a damp
cloth and dry thoroughly or clean with
Mercedes-Benz approved Leather
Care.
Exercise particular care when cleaning per-
forated leather as its underside should not
become wet.Wood trimsDampen cloth using water and use
damp cloth to clean wood trims in your
vehicle.
Warning!G
Only use seat or head restraint covers which
have been tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model.
Using other seat or head restraint covers
may interfere with or prevent the activation
of the active head restraints.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for availability.
!Do not use solvents like tar remover or
wheel cleaner nor polishes or waxes as these
may be abrasive.

427 Practical hints
Resetting activated head restraints
Resetting activated head restraints
If the active head restraints (front seats)
have been triggered in an accident, the ac-
tive head restraints must be reset. Other-
wise, the active head restraints cannot
offer any additional protection in the event
of another rear-end collision.
You can tell that the head restraints have
been triggered when they have been
moved forward and cannot be adjusted.
1Fold back
2Push back
3Push downPush the head restraint cushion by the
bottom, back as far as it will go2.
Push the head restraint cushion down
into the guide as far as it will go3.
Fold the head restraint cushion by the
top, back firmly until it engages1.
Repeat this procedure on the active
head restraints for second head re-
straint.
For information on active head restraints,
see “Active head restraints” (
page 50).
For information on head restraint adjust-
ment, see “Adjusting rear head restraints”
(
page 89).
Warning!G
For safety reasons, have the active head
restraints checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center after a rear-end
collision.
Warning!G
When pushing back the head restraint cush-
ion, take care that your fingers do not be-
come caught between the head restraint
cushion and the cover. Failing to do so may
lead to injury.
iFor your convenience, we recommend that
you have this work carried out at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

493 Index
ESP®62
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP
®65
Messages in display 389, 397, 398
Warning lamp 27, 376, 379, 380
ETD 49
Safety guidelines 38
Ethanol fuel
At the gas station 322
Switching fuels 483
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 97
Auto-dimming on the driver’s
side 99, 100
Fold-in settings 175
Power folding* 98F
Fahrenheit see Temperature display
mode 167
First aid kit 420
Flat tire 440
Lowering the vehicle 445
Mounting the Minispare wheel 441
Preparing the vehicle 440
Flexible fuel vehicles 482
At the gas station 322
Switching fuels 483
Floormats* 294
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 476,
477
Brake fluid 478, 480
Capacities 476
Engine coolant 329, 478, 484
Engine oil 328, 476, 480
Power steering fluid 478
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system 479, 486
Fog lamps 431
Messages in display 410
Replacing bulbs 431, 432, 436Four wheel electronic traction system
(4MATIC) with ESP
®65
4MATIC 65
Front air bags 39
Front lamps see headlamps
Front passenger front air bag 39
Messages in display 393
Front passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 29, 45, 385
Front seats
Heating* 91
Fuel 322, 478, 481
Additives 481
Capacity, Fuel tank 478
Cruising range 483
E85 (Ethanol fuel) 478, 483
Filling the tank 322
Fuel filler flap and cap 322
Fuel reserve warning lamp 27, 150,
380
Gauge 27, 150
Premium unleaded gasoline 478,
481
Requirements, Octane rating 482
Switching (Flexible fuel vehicle) 483

500 Index
Passenger compartment 318
Electrical outlet, glove box 293
Electrical outlet, rear seat
ashtray 293
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 311
Performance
Cold weather 483
Hot weather 483
Phone* see Telephone*
Plastic parts, cleaning 370
Poly-V-belt drive 464
Layout 464
Potential problems associated with under-
inflated and overinflated tires 347
Power assistance 311
Power folding exterior rear view
mirrors* 98
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 273
Opening/closing 273
Synchronizing 275
Power washer 365
Power windows 120
Blocking of rear window operation 57
Cleaning 368
Opening/closing 120Practical hints 420
Premium unleaded gasoline 478, 481
Problems
While driving 132
With vehicle 16
Product information 9
Production options weight 357
Program mode 151
Program mode see Automatic transmis-
sion*, Automatic shift program
Program mode selector switch*
Automatic shift program 144
Proper use of the vehicle 15
PSI 358
Push-start see Tow-start
R
Radio
Operation 188, 189, 192, 193, 194,
222
Satellite radio*, operation 200
Selecting stations
(Control system) 159
Radio transmitters, control and
operation 319
Range (distance to empty) 157
Reading lamps in the front 115, 116Reading lamps in the rear 116
Rear bench seat, foldable* 281
Rear climate control 268
Rear door window
Blocking operation 57
Rear fog lamp see Fog lamps
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear seat ashtray see Ashtray
Rear seats
Adjustment 85
Head restraints 89
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 256, 265
Recommended inflation pressure 358
Recovery services, Stolen vehicle
(Tele Aid*) 302
Refrigerant, Air conditioning 478, 480
Refueling 322
Regular checks 324
Remote
Door lock with Tele Aid* 302
Door unlock with Tele Aid* 301
Trunk opening/closing* switch 269
Remote control, SmartKey 70
Remote control, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only) 73

502 Index
Seats 85
Adjustment 85
Easy entry/exit feature*
(Canada only) 95
Head restraints 89
Heating*, front seats 91
Lumbar support 91
Memory function* (Canada only) 102
Split rear bench seat* 281
Selector lever see Gear selector lever*
Self-test
OCS 45
Tele Aid* 296
Service and warranty information 10
Service intervals see Maintenance service
indicator
Service life, Tires 332
Service menu 164
Service see Maintenance
Service system see Maintenance, Mainte-
nance System
Service, Parts 460Setting
Cruise control 242
Higher speed in cruise control 244
Lower speed in cruise control 245
Temperature (interior) 262
To last stored speed (“Resume” func-
tion) in cruise control 245
Setting current speed 242
Settings
Control system menus and
submenus 154, 155
Date 170
Daytime running lamp mode 171
Individual, Vehicle 165
Lighting (control system) 171
Menus and submenus 153
Resetting all (control system) 166
Resetting values in trip menu 157
Shelf below rear window, Cleaning and
care of 371
Shift lever position indicator 151
Shift program mode,
Automatic transmission* 144, 151Shifting
Into reverse
(manual transmission) 137
Manual transmission 126, 137
Shifting, Automatic transmission* 138
Side impact air bags 40
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses 367
Messages in display 412
Replacing bulbs 431
Side windows see Power windows
Sidewall 358
SIRIUS satellite radio* see Satellite radio*
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
(Canada only) see Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only)
Snow chains 361
Spare wheel see Minispare wheel
Speed settings
Cruise control 244, 245
Setting current 242
To last stored speed
(“Resume” function) in Cruise
control 245
Speedometer 168