2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 ECU

62 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
ESP®
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) is
operational as soon as the engine is run-
ning and monitors the vehicle’s traction
(force of adhesive friction between the
tires and the road surface) and handling.
The ESP
® recognizes when a wheel is spin-
ning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By ap-
plying brakes to the appropriate wheel and
by limiting the engine output, the ESP
®
works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP® is
especially useful while driving off and on
wet or slippery road surfaces. The ESP
®
also stabilizes the vehicle during braking
and steering maneuvers.
The ESP
® warning lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster flashes when the ESP® is en-
gaged.
The ESP
® warning lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster comes on when you switch on
the ignition (
page 82). It goes out when
the engine is running.
Warning!G
Never switch off the ESP® when you see the
ESP® warning lamp v flashing in the in-
strument cluster. In this case proceed as fol-
lows:

While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.

While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor.

Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP
® cannot prevent accidents result-
ing from excessive speed.
Warning!G
The ESP® cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
®
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ESP
® equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.
iThe cruise control is switched off when the
ESP® engages.
iThe ESP® will only function properly if you
use wheels of the recommended tire size
(
page 467).

63 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
section (
page 380) and (page 387).Electronic traction system
The electronic traction system is a compo-
nent of ESP
®.
The electronic traction system improves
the vehicle’s ability to utilize available trac-
tion, especially under slippery road condi-
tions by applying the brakes to a spinning
wheel.
When you switch off the ESP
®, the elec-
tronic traction system is still enabled.Switching off the ESP
®
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch
off the ESP® in driving situations where it
would be advantageous to have the drive
wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for
better grip such as:

when driving with snow chains

in deep snow

in sand or gravel
!Vehicles without 4MATIC:
Because the ESP® operates automatically, the
engine and ignition must be shut off (SmartKey
in starter switch position0 or1 or KEYLESS-GO
(Canada only) start/stop button* in position0
or1) when

the parking brake is being tested on a brake
test dynamometer

the vehicle is being towed with the front axle
raised
Active braking action through the ESP
® may oth-
erwise seriously damage the brake system.
For information on vehicles with 4MATIC, see
“Four wheel electronic traction system (4MATIC)
with the ESP
®” (e page 65).
Warning!G
If you are driving too fast, the electronic
traction system cannot reduce the risk of an
accident.
The electronic traction system cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle.
Warning!G
The ESP® should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a
Minispare wheel is mounted.

64 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
When you switch off the ESP®

the ESP® does not stabilize the vehicle

the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and
thus cut into surfaces for better grip

the electronic traction system will still
apply the brakes to a spinning wheel

the ESP® continues to operate when
you are braking

you cannot activate the cruise control

the cruise control switches off if
currently activated1ESP
® off/on
With the engine running, press ESP®
switch1 until the ESP® warning
lampv in the instrument cluster
comes on.
The ESP
® is switched off.Switching on the ESP
®
Press ESP® switch1.
The ESP
® warning lampv in the in-
strument cluster goes out.
You are now again in normal driving
mode with the ESP
® switched on.
Warning!G
Switch on the ESP® immediately if the afore-
mentioned circumstances do not apply any-
more. Otherwise the ESP
® will not stabilize
the vehicle when it is starting to skid or a
wheel is spinning.
iWhen the ESP® is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ESP® warn-
ing lampv in the instrument cluster flashes.
However, the ESP
® will then not stabilize the ve-
hicle.
Warning!G
When the ESP® warning lampv is illumi-
nated continuously, the ESP® is switched off
or is not operational due to a malfunction.
Vehicle stability in standard driving maneu-
vers reduces.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP
®.
!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an ex-
tended period with the ESP® switched off. This
may cause serious damage to the drivetrain
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.

65 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Four wheel electronic traction system
(4MATIC) with the ESP®
Models with all-wheel-drive only.
The 4MATIC improves vehicle’s ability to
use available traction, e.g. during winter
operation in mountains under snowy
conditions, by applying power to all four
wheels.
Warning!G
If you see the ESP® warning lampv
flashing in the instrument cluster, proceed
as follows:

While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible

While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor

Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP
® cannot prevent accidents result-
ing from excessive speed.
!Do not tow with one axle raised.
Otherwise the transfer case can be damaged,
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
!Performance testing must only be conduct-
ed on a two-axle dynamometer.
Otherwise the transfer case can be damaged,
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
!Because the ESP® operates automatically,
the engine must be shut off (SmartKey in starter
switch position0 or1 or KEYLESS-GO (Canada
only) start/stop button* in position0 or1) when
the parking brake is being tested on a brake test
dynamometer.
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the front or rear axle
brake system.
Operational tests with the engine running can
only be conducted on a two-axle dynamometer.
iAt highly demanding operating conditions,
the electronic traction system may temporarily
switch off to prevent overheating of the drive
wheel brakes. The message
Currently Un-
available See Operator’s Manual
will
then appear in the multifunction display while
the ESP
® warning lampv is flashing. The
ESP® is still functioning normally.

66 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
(Canada only) with you and lock the
vehicle. The engine can be started by
anyone with a valid SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only) that is
left inside the vehicle.
Activating
With the SmartKey: Remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch.
With the KEYLESS-GO* (Canada
only): Turn off the engine and open the
driver’s door.
Deactivating
Switch on the ignition.
Anti-theft alarm system
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens:

a door

the trunk

the hood
The alarm will stay on even if the activating
element (a door, for example) is immedi-
ately closed.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when

the vehicle is opened with the
mechanical key.

a door is opened from the inside.

the trunk is opened with the
emergency release button.
To cancel the alarm after it has been trig-
gered, see “Canceling the alarm”
(
page 67).
1Indicator lamp
iStarting the engine will also deactivate the
immobilizer.
In case the engine cannot be started (yet the
vehicle’s battery is charged), the system is not
operational. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA), or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response Center is
initiated automatically by the Tele Aid* system
(
page 295) provided Tele Aid* service was
subscribed to and properly activated, and that
necessary mobile phone, power supply and GPS
coverage are available.

67 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Arming: Lock the vehicle with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO* (Canada
only).
The turn signal lamps flash three times,
and an acoustic signal sounds three
times, to indicate that the alarm sys-
tem is armed.
Indicator lamp1 begins to flash after
approximately 15 seconds after arming
the alarm system.
Disarming: Unlock your vehicle with
the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*
(Canada only).
The turn signal lamps flash once, and
an acoustic signal sounds once, to
indicate that the alarm system is
disarmed.
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm, do one of the
following:
Insert the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only) in the
starter switch.
or
Press the Œ or ‹ button on the
SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only).
In vehicles with KEYLESS-GO* (Canada
only):
Grasp an outside door handle.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
(Canada only) must be within 3 ft (1 m)
of the vehicle.
or
Press the KEYLESS-GO (Canada only)
start/stop button (
page 84).
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
(Canada only) must be inside the vehi-
cle.
iIf the turn signal lamps do not flash three
times, and the acoustic signal does not sound
three times, one of the following elements may
not be properly closed:

a door

the trunk
the alarm system is armed.
With a door open, close the door and lock the ve-
hicle again. The turn signal lamps flash three
times, and an acoustic signal sounds three
times, to indicate that the alarm system is armed
and the vehicle is locked. If you open the un-
locked door again the alarm system will be trig-
gered.With the trunk open, close the trunk lid. The ve-
hicle will lock and the turn signal lamps flash
three times, and an acoustic signal sounds three
times, to indicate that the alarm system is armed
and the vehicle is locked.
iThe vehicle will lock and the alarm system
will rearm automatically after approximately 40
seconds if neither a door nor the trunk lid was
opened.

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.

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.