2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 ignition

276 Controls in detail
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding panel*
Roller sunblinds
The roller sunblinds are designed to pro-
tect you from excessive sunlight streaming
in through the panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel.
The front roller sunblind only operates with
the tilt/sliding panel closed. The front and
rear roller sunblind cannot be operated in-
dividually.
Switch on the ignition.Operating roller sunblinds
Roof panel switch
1Extend front roller sunblinds
2Extend front roller sunblinds
3Retract front roller sunblinds
Extending or retracting: Move the
roof panel switch to the resistance
point in the required direction of
arrow1, 2 or3 until the roller sun-
blinds have reached their desired posi-
tion.
Express-extending: Move the roof
panel switch past the resistance point
in direction of arrow1 or 2 and re-
lease.
The roller sunblinds extends
completely.
Stopping during Express-extending:
Move the roof panel switch in any di-
rection.
Warning!G
When extending/retracting the roller sun-
blinds, make sure no one is in danger of be-
ing injured by the closing procedure. The
extending/retracting of the roller sunblinds
can be immediately halted by releasing the
switch or, if the switch was pressed past the
resistance point and released, by pressing
the switch in any direction.

278 Controls in detail
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding panel*
Roof panel switch
1Push up to raise at the rear
2Push back to open
3Pull down to close
Switch on the ignition.
To open, close, raise, or lower the
tilt/sliding panel, move the roof panel
switch to resistance point in the re-
quired direction of arrows1 to3.
Release the roof panel switch when the
tilt/sliding panel has reached the de-
sired position.
Express-opening: Move the roof panel
switch past the resistance point in di-
rection of arrow1 and release.
The tilt/sliding panel opens
completely.
Express-raising: Move the roof panel
switch past the resistance point in di-
rection of arrow3 and release.
The tilt/sliding panel raises
completely.
Stopping during Express-operation:
Move the roof panel switch in any di-
rection.
Synchronizing
The tilt/sliding panel and front roller sun-
blinds must be synchronized

after the tilt/sliding panel has been
closed manually

after a malfunction

if the panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel can only be opened
with a jerking motion
iIf the front roller sunblind is retracted while
being raised, it will extend first.
iYou cannot automatically close and lower
the panorama roof with power tilt/sliding panel.


279 Controls in detail
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding panel*
Tilt/sliding panel and roller sunblind
Switch on the ignition.
1Push up to raise at the rear
2Push back to open
3Pull down to close
Move and hold the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow3 until the roller
sunblinds are fully retracted.
Keep holding the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow3 for approximately
1 second.
Move and hold the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow2 until the roller
sunblinds are fully extended.
Move and hold the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow2 until the tilt/slid-
ing panel is opened approximately
4 inch (10 cm).
Move and hold the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow3 until the tilt/slid-
ing panel is fully closed.
Keep holding the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow3 for approximately
1 second.
Check the Express-open feature of the
tilt/sliding panel (
page 278).
If the tilt/sliding panel opens com-
pletely, the roof is synchronized. Other-
wise repeat the above steps.

290 Controls in detail
Useful features
Rear window sunshade*
The switch is located in the center console.
1Rear window sunshade switch
Switch on the ignition.
Always raise the sunshade fully for its sup-
port against the window frame.
Raising: Press switch1 briefly.
The sunshade is raised completely.
Stopping the raising procedure:
Press switch1 again.
The sunshade stops.
Lowering: Press switch1 briefly.
The sunshade is lowered completely.
Stopping the lowering procedure:
Press switch1 again.
The sunshade stops.
!Make sure the movement of the rear win-
dow sunshade is not restricted by objects on the
rear window shelf. Otherwise, the sunshade or
the objects could be damaged.
Warning!G
When operating the rear window sunshade,
make sure there is no danger of anyone be-
ing harmed by the raising or lowering
procedure.
The raising or lowering procedure can be
immediately halted by briefly pressing the
switch1.
Briefly press switch1 again to raise or low-
er the rear window sunshade completely.
Warning!G
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. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsu-
pervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.

292 Controls in detail
Useful features
Rear seat ashtray
1Ashtray insert
2Cover
3Button
Opening: Pull at top of cover2.
Removing ashtray insert: Push
button3 to disengage ashtray
insert1 and remove it.
Reinstalling ashtray insert: Push the
ashtray insert1 down into the retain-
er until it engages.
Push at top of cover2 to close
ashtray.
Cigarette lighter
Switch on the ignition.1Cover
2Cigarette lighter
Press cover plate1 forward until it en-
gaged.
Push in cigarette lighter2.
The cigarette lighter will pop out
automatically when hot.
Warning!G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the cigarette lighter; they are extremely hot.
Hold the knob only.
Make sure any children traveling with you do
not injure themselves or start a fire with the
hot cigarette lighter.
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. 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.

293 Controls in detail
Useful features
Tap the front of the cover plate1.
The cover will retract and the ashtray
will close.Power outlet in the glove box
1Power outlet
Switch on the ignition.
Open the glove box (page 284).
Flip cover from power outlet1 to the
right and insert electrical plug (ciga-
rette lighter type).Power outlet in the rear passenger
compartment
1Power outlet
2Cover
Switch on the ignition.
Pull at top of cover2.
Flip cover from power outlet1 to the
left and insert electrical plug (cigarette
lighter type).
!The lighter socket can accommodate 12V
DC electrical accessories (up to a maximum of
85 W) designed for use with the standard “ciga-
rette lighter” plug type. Keep in mind, however,
that connecting accessories to the lighter socket
(for example extensive connecting and discon-
necting, or using plugs that do not fit properly)
can damage the lighter socket. With the socket
damaged, the lighter may no longer be able to be
placed in the heating (pushed-in) position, or the
lighter may pop out too early with the lighter not
hot enough.
To help avoid damaging the cigarette lighter
socket, we recommend connecting 12V DC elec-
trical accessories designed for use with the stan-
dard “cigarette lighter” plug type to the 12V
power outlet (
page 293) in your vehicle when-
ever possible.
iThe power outlet1 can be used to
accommodate electrical consumers (e.g. air
pump, auxiliary lamps) up to a maximum
of 180 W.
iThe power outlet1 can be used to
accommodate electrical consumers (e.g. air
pump, auxiliary lamps) up to a maximum
of 180 W.

296 Controls in detail
Useful features
System self-check
Initially, after switching on the ignition,
malfunctions are detected and indicated.
If a malfunction is detected, the indicator
lamps in the SOS button, the Roadside As-
sistance button*b and the Information
button*} stay on longer than
10 seconds or do not come on. The mes-
sage
Tele Aid not activated or Tele Aid
inoperative
appears in the multifunction
display.Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated
automatically following an accident in
which the emergency tensioning devices
(ETDs) or air bags deploy.
An emergency call can also be initiated
manually by opening the cover next to the
interior rear view mirror labeled SOS, then
briefly pressing the button located under
the cover. For instructions on initiating an
emergency call manually (
page 298).
Once the emergency call is in progress, the
indicator lamp in the SOS button will begin
to flash. The message:

Connecting call appears in the multi-
function display
and the audio system is muted. When the
connection is established, the message:

Call connected appears in the multi-
function display
Warning!G
If the indicator lamps in the SOS button, in
the Roadside Assistance button*b
and/or in the Information button*}do
not come on during the system self-check,
or if any of these indicators remain illuminat-
ed continuously in red and/or the message
Tele Aid not activated or Tele Aid
inoperative
is displayed in the multifunc-
tion display after the system self-check, a
malfunction in the system has been detect-
ed.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined
above, the system may not operate as ex-
pected. Have the system checked at the
nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.

299 Controls in detail
Useful features
Roadside Assistance button*b
The Roadside Assistance buttonb is
located in the overhead control panel.
1Roadside Assistance buttonb
Press and hold Roadside Assistance
button b (for longer than
2 seconds).
A call to a Mercedes-Benz Roadside As-
sistance dispatcher will be initiated.
The button will flash while the call is in
progress. The message:

Connecting call appears in the
multifunction display
and the audio system is muted.When the connection is established, the
message:

Call connected appears in the multi-
function display
The Tele Aid system will transmit data gen-
erating the vehicle identification number,
model, color and location (subject to avail-
ability of cellular and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants
of the vehicle will be established.
Describe the nature of the need for as-
sistance.
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such
as labor and/or towing, charges may ap-
ply. Refer to the Roadside Assistance Man-
ual for more information.
These programs are only available in the
USA:

Sign and Drive services: Services such
as jump start, a few gallons of fuel or
the replacement of a flat tire with the
vehicle spare tire are obtainable.
iThe indicator lamp in the Roadside Assis-
tance buttonb remains illuminated in red for
approximately 10 seconds during the system
self-check after switching on the ignition (togeth-
er with the SOS button and the Information
button*}).
See system self-check (
page 296) if the indi-
cator lamp does not come on in red or stays on
longer than approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Roadside Assistance
buttonb is flashing continuously and no
voice connection to the Response Center was
established, the Tele Aid system could not ini-
tiate a Roadside Assistance call (e.g. the relevant
telephone network is not available). The mes-
sage:

Call failed appears in the multifunction
display for approximately 10 seconds
Roadside Assistance calls can be terminated us-
ing the t button on the multifunction steer-
ing wheel or the respective button for ending a
telephone call on the audio system or the
COMAND* head unit.