2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 volume

260 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control* (Canada only)
The 3-zone automatic climate control is
operational whenever the engine is run-
ning. You can operate the 3-zone automat-
ic climate control system in either the
automatic or manual mode. The system
cools or heats the interior depending on
the selected interior temperature and the
current outside temperature.
It can only function optimally when you are
driving with the windows and the tilt/slid-
ing sunroof/panorama sunroof* closed.It is possible to completely deactivate the
3-zone automatic climate control system
(
page 261).
Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the A/C mode is deactivated
(
page 267).
Warning!G
When operating the climate control, the air
that enters the passenger compartment
through the air vents can be very hot or very
cold (depending on the set temperature).
This may cause burns or frostbite on unpro-
tected skin in the immediate area of the air
vents. Always keep sufficient distance be-
tween unprotected parts of the body and the
air vents. If necessary, use the air
distribution control (page 248) to direct
the air to air vents in the vehicle interior that
are not in the immediate area of unprotect-
ed skin.
Warning!G
Severe conditions (e.g. strong air pollution)
may require replacement of the filter before
its scheduled interval. A clogged filter will
reduce the air volume to the interior and the
windows could fog up, impairing visibility
and endangering you and others. Have a
clogged filter replaced as soon as possible
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
iKeep the air intake grille in front of the wind-
shield free of snow and debris.
Do not obstruct air flow by placing objects on the
air flow-through exhaust slots below the rear
window.
iIf the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate the in-
terior before driving off, see “Summer opening
feature” (
page 123). The climate control will
then adjust the interior temperature to the set
value much faster.

261 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control* (Canada only)
Deactivating climate control system
Deactivating: Press button´
(
page 259).
The indicator lamp in the button comes
on.
Reactivating: Make sure the ignition is
switched on.
Press button´ (page 259) again.
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out.The previous settings are once
again in effect.
or,
Press buttonU (page 259) while
the engine is running.
The indicator lamp in the button comes
on. The air volume and air distribution
are adjusted automatically.Operating climate control system in
automatic mode
Activating: Press buttonU
(
page 259) while the engine is run-
ning.
The indicator lamp in the button comes
on. The air volume and air distribution
are adjusted automatically.
Use temperature controls1 and8
(
page 259) to separately adjust the
air temperature on each side of the
passenger compartment.
The temperature of the vehicle interior
is adjusted automatically.
Warning!G
When the climate control is switched off, the
outside air supply and circulation are also
switched off. Only choose this setting for a
short time. Otherwise the windows could
fog up, impairing visibility and endangering
you and others.
iWhen operating the climate control system
in automatic mode, you will only rarely need to
adjust the temperature, air volume and air distri-
bution.
In automatic mode, cooling with dehumidify is
switched on. This function can be switched off if
necessary.

262 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control* (Canada only)
Deactivating: Press buttonU
(
page 259) again.
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out. The automatic operation of air vol-
ume and air distribution switches off.
The symbols of air distribution and air
volume appear in displayd.
Adjust air distribution (page 263).
Adjust air volume (page 263).
Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls1 and/or8
(
page 259) to separately adjust the air
temperature on each side of the passenger
compartment. You should raise or lower
the temperature setting in small incre-
ments, preferably starting at 72°F (22°C).
The climate control will adjust to the set
temperature as fast as possible.
Increasing: Turn temperature
control1 and/or8 (
page 259)
slightly clockwise.
The climate control system will corre-
spondingly adjust the interior air tem-
perature.
Decreasing: Turn temperature
control1 and/or8 (
page 259)
slightly counterclockwise.
The climate control system will corre-
spondingly adjust the interior air tem-
perature.
iYou can also adjust the temperature in the
rear passenger compartment (
page 268).
iIf you turn the temperature control fully
clockwise for one side of the vehicle, you are in-
creasing the temperature for the other side of
the vehicle as well.
iIf you turn the temperature control fully
counterclockwise for one side of the vehicle, you
are decreasing the temperature for the other
side of the vehicle as well.

263 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control* (Canada only)
Adjusting air distribution
Use righta and/or lefte buttonZ
(
page 259) to adjust the air distribution
manually for each side of the passenger
compartment. The following symbols are
shown in displayd:
Press buttonsZ (page 259) re-
peatedly until you have select the de-
sired setting and the corresponding
symbol is shown in displayd.The indicator lamp in buttonU goes
out. The automatic air distribution is
switched off. The air distribution is
controlled according to the selected
control setting.
Adjusting air volume
Use buttonU (
page 259) for auto-
matic mode or button · (
page 259)
orQ (
page 259) to adjust air volume
manually.
Seven blower speeds are available for each
side of the passenger compartment.
Press button· to decrease, or
buttonQ to increase air volume to
the desired level.
The indicator lamp in buttonU
(
page 259) goes out.
The air volume is adjusted correspond-
ing to the set blower speed. The auto-
matic air distribution remains switched
on.Using driver-side settings for all tem-
perature zones
You can use the settings of the driver’s
side, such as temperature, air volume and
air distribution, for all temperature zones.
Press buttonz (page 259).
The indicator lamp in the button comes
on.
The driver-side settings are used for all
temperature zones.
SymbolFunction
{Directs air to the windshield
and the side defroster vents
aDirects air through the center,
side and rear passenger
compartment air vents
YDirects air to the footwells
iYou can also select a position between two
symbols with buttonZ.

266 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control* (Canada only)
Activating: Press button,
(
page 259).
The indicator lamp in the button comes
on.
Deactivating: Press button,
(
page 259) again.
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out.
Residual engine heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for approximately 30 minutes. This feature
makes use of the residual heat produced
by the engine.
Activating: Switch off the ignition.
Press buttonT (page 259).
The indicator lamp in the button comes
on.
Deactivating: Press buttonT
(
page 259) again.
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out.
iThe air recirculation mode is activated auto-
matically at high outside temperatures.
The indicator lamp on button, is not lit when
the air recirculation mode is automatically
switched on.
A quantity of outside air is added after approxi-
mately 30 minutes.
iThe air recirculation mode is deactivated au-
tomatically:

after 5 minutes if the outside temperature is
below approximately 7°C (45°F)

after 5 minutes if the air conditioning is
turned off

after 30 minutes if the outside temperature
is above approximately 5°C (41°F)
iIf you switch on the residual heat function
when outside temperatures are high, only the
ventilation will be switched on.
iRegardless of the selected air volume, the
blower operates at low speed when heating. In
case of ventilation the blower operates at higher
speed.
iHow long the system will provide heating de-
pends on

the coolant temperature

the temperature set by the operator
iThe residual heat is automatically turned off:

when the ignition is switched on

after approximately 30 minutes

if the battery voltage drops

if the coolant temperature is too low

268 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control* (Canada only)
Rear climate control
The rear climate control panel is located in
the rear center console.
Setting temperature
Use temperature control 5 to adjust the
air temperature in the rear passenger com-
partment. You should raise or lower the
temperature setting in small increments,
preferably starting at 22°C (72°F). The cli-
mate control will adjust to the set temper-
ature as fast as possible.Increasing/decreasing: Press the re-
spective temperature control
button5.
The 3-zone automatic climate control
system will correspondingly adjust the
temperature in the rear passenger
compartment.
Adjusting air volume
Use button· orQ (
page 268) to
adjust the air volume.
Press button· to decrease, or
buttonQ to increase air volume to
the desired level.
The air volume is adjusted correspond-
ing to the set blower speed.
Warning!G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling as given in the instructions
for the front 3-zone automatic climate con-
trol (
page 259). Otherwise the windows
could fog up, impairing visibility for the driv-
er and endangering you and others.
Item
1Decreasing/increasing air volume
for rear center air vents
2Right rear center air vent, adjustable
3Decreasing/increasing air volume
for rear center air vents
4Display
5Temperature control
6Left rear center air vent, adjustable
iAt low outside temperatures or if you have
switched off the cooling function, you cannot
cool the rear passenger compartment.
iIf you have switched off the cooling function
with the front 3-zone automatic climate control
panel, the cooling of the rear passenger com-
partment is also switched off. Adjusting with the
rear control panel is not possible.

295 Controls in detail
Useful features
lTele Aid*
The Tele Aid system
(Tele
matic Alarm Identification on De-
mand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response:

automatic and manual emergency

Roadside Assistance, and

informationThe Tele Aid system is operational provid-
ing that the vehicle’s battery is charged,
properly connected, not damaged and
telephone phone and GPS coverage are
available.
The speaker volume of a Tele Aid call can
be adjusted when using the volume control
on the multifunction steering wheel. To
raise, press buttonæ and to lower,
press buttonç or use the audio system
rotary control button (
page 189).
To activate, press the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button*b or
the Information button*}, depend-
ing on the type of response required.
Shortly after the completion of your
Tele Aid acquaintance call, you will receive
a user ID and password. By visiting
www.mbusa.com and selecting “Tele Aid”
(USA only), you will have access to account
information, remote door unlock and
more.
!The initial activation of the Tele Aid system
may only be performed by completing the sub-
scriber agreement and placing an acquaintance
call using the Information button*}. Failure
to complete either of these steps will result in a
system that is not activated.
If you have any questions regarding activation,
please call the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
iThe Tele Aid system utilizes the telephone
network for communication and the GPS (Global
Positioning System) satellites for vehicle loca-
tion. If either of these signals are unavailable, the
Tele Aid system may not function and if this oc-
curs, assistance must be summoned by other
means.
iThe SOS button, the Roadside Assistance
button*b, and the Information
button*} are located in the overhead con-
trol panel (
page 31).

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