2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 window

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.

194 Controls in detail
Audio system
Radio operation
The radio mode is interrupted by an
incoming call on the telephone*
(
page 222).
iThe language select in the Audio system is
also used for the displays and messages in the
multifunction display.
Available languages:

German

English

Spanish

French

Italian
Warning!G
Please devote your attention first and fore-
most to the traffic situation you are in.
Before your journey, please familiarize your-
self with the radio functions.
Only use the audio system when road and
traffic conditions permit you to do so. Other-
wise you could be involved in an accident in
which you or others could be injured.
!Do not attach metallic film to the inside or
outside of windows which are fitted with an aeri-
al. Obstructing the metallic aerial structure on
the window will interfere with radio reception.
Cutting the film on the window can permanently
damage the aerial wires.

250 Controls in detail
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Dual-zone automatic climate control panel
Item
1Temperature control, driver’s side
2´Automatic climate control
on/off
3MAX COOL on/off (USA only)
zAdopting driver’s side set-
tings for all zones
(Canada only)
Item
42AC cooling on/off
5yFront defroster
6Temperature control, passenger side
7,Air recirculation
8¯Rear window defroster
9QIncreasing air volume
Item
a·Decreasing air volume
bDisplay
cZAir distribution
dUAir distribution and air vol-
ume (automatic mode)

251 Controls in detail
Dual-zone automatic climate control
The dual-zone automatic climate control is
operational whenever the engine is run-
ning. You can operate the dual-zone auto-
matic 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.
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 258).
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 distribu-
tion control (
page 248) to direct the air to
air vents in the vehicle interior that are not
in the immediate area of unprotected 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.

252 Controls in detail
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Deactivating the climate control
system
Deactivating: Press button´
(
page 250).
The indicator lamp in the button comes
on.
Reactivating: Make sure the ignition is
switched on.
Press button´ (page 250) again.
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out.The previous settings are once
again in effect.
or,
Press buttonU (page 250) while
the engine is running.
The indicator lamp in the button comes
on. The air volume and air distribution
are adjusted automatically.
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.
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.

255 Controls in detail
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Front defroster
You can use this setting to defrost the
windshield, for example if it is iced up.
You can also defog the windshield and the
side windows.
Activating: Press buttony
(
page 250).
The indicator lamp in the button comes
on.
The air conditioning switches
automatically to the following func-
tions:

cooling on to dehumidify

most efficient blower speed and
heating power, depending on
outside temperature

air flows onto the windshield
and the front side windows

the air recirculation mode is
switched off
Deactivating: Press buttony
(
page 250) again.
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out. Defrosting is turned off.
The previous settings are once again in
effect.Windshield fogged on the outsideSwitch the windshield wipers on
(
page 117).
If the automatic mode of the climate con-
trol is switched off:
Press buttonZ (page 250) re-
peatedly until one of the following sym-
bols appears in displayb:a
orY (
page 250).
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield or the side windows are clear again.
iYou can adjust the temperature and the air
volume when the front defroster is switched on.
iTo switch defrosting off, you can also press
button´, U,·,Q or temperature
controls1 and6 (
page 250).
iThe cooling remains switched on.
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield is clear again.

256 Controls in detail
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Maximum cooling MAX COOL
(USA only)
You can use this setting to provide the fast-
est possible cooling of the vehicle interior
(when windows and tilt/sliding sunroof or
tilt/sliding panel* are closed).
Activating: Press button3
(
page 250).
The indicator lamp in the button comes
on.
The air conditioning switches
automatically to the following functions:

maximum cooling

maximum blowing power

the air recirculation mode is switched
on
Deactivating: Press button3
(
page 250) again.
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out. The previous settings are once
again in effect.
Rear window defroster
Activating: Switch on the ignition.
Press button¯ (page 250).
The indicator lamp in the button comes
on.
iTo switch the maximum cooling function off,
you can also press button ´, U ory
(
page 250).
Warning!G
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driv-
ing. Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.
!The rear window defroster uses a large
amount of power. To keep battery drain to a min-
imum, switch off the defroster as soon as the
rear window is clear.

257 Controls in detail
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Deactivating: Press button¯
(
page 250).
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out.
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside (e.g. before driving
through a tunnel). This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the passenger compartment.Activating: Press button,
(
page 250).
The indicator lamp in the button comes
on.
Deactivating: Press button,
(
page 250) again.
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out.
iThe rear window defroster is automatically
deactivated after some time of operation de-
pending on the outside temperature.
iIf the rear window defroster switches off too
soon and the indicator lamp goes out, this indi-
cates that too many electrical consumers are op-
erating simultaneously and the load on the
battery is reducing available voltage. The system
responds automatically by deactivating the rear
window defroster.
Warning!G
Fogged windows impair visibility, endanger-
ing you and others. If the windows begin to
fog on the inside, switching off the air
recirculation mode immediately should clear
interior window fogging. If interior window
fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning (
page 258) is activated, or
press buttony.
iThe air recirculation mode is activated auto-
matically at high outside temperatures.
The indicator lamp in 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 41°F (5°C)

after 5 minutes if the air conditioning is
turned off

after 30 minutes if the outside temperature
is above approximately 41°F (5°C)