2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 reset

241 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The driving systems of your vehicle are de-
scribed on the following pages:

Cruise control, with which the vehicle
can maintain a preset speed.

Hill start assist system which helps you
to start off smoothly on a hill.
For information on the ABS, Adaptive
Brake, BAS, EBP, ESP
®, and 4MATIC, see
“Driving safety systems” (
page 59).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
The use of the cruise control is recom-
mended for driving at a constant speed for
extended periods of time.
You can set or resume the cruise control at
any speed over 20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
Warning!G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road,
traffic, and weather conditions make it
advisable to travel at a steady speed.

The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on winding roads or in heavy
traffic because conditions do not allow
safe driving at a steady speed.

The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid
changes in tire traction can result in
wheel spin and loss of control.

Deactivate the cruise control when
driving in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be
operated if the driver is fully aware of the
previously set speed and wishes to resume
this particular preset speed.
Warning!G
The cruise control brakes automatically so
that the set speed is not exceeded. The
brake pedal depresses when the cruise con-
trol engages the brakes.
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times, in-
cluding the area under the brake pedal. Ob-
jects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement which could interfere with the
braking ability of the cruise control system.
Do not place your foot under the brake pedal
– your foot could become caught.
Keep in mind that the cruise control is a con-
venience system designed to assist the driv-
er during vehicle operation. The driver is and
must always remain responsible for the ve-
hicle’s speed and for safe brake operation.

245 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a lower speed
You can reduce the set speed in two ways.Adjustment in 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h)
increments
Briefly press the cruise control lever
down to the resistance point in direc-
tion of arrow2 (
page 242).
Release the cruise control lever.
The vehicle set speed decreases in in-
crements 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h).
Adjustment in 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h) increments
Briefly press the cruise control lever
down past the resistance point in
direction of arrow2 (
page 242).
Release the cruise control lever.
The vehicle set speed decreases in in-
crements 5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Warning!G
If you decrease the set vehicle speed, keep
in mind that it may take a brief moment until
the vehicle has the vehicle has reached the
set speed.
Decelerate the set vehicle speed to a value
that the prevailing road conditions and legal
speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden and
unexpected deceleration of the vehicle
could cause an accident and/or serious in-
jury to you and others.
iWhen you use the cruise control lever to de-
celerate, the brake system will automatically
brake the vehicle if the engine’s braking power
does not brake the vehicle sufficiently.
iThe set speed value is decreased in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments each time you
press the cruise control lever down to the resis-
tance point.
iThe set speed value is decreased in 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h) increments each time you
press the cruise control lever down past the re-
sistance point.
iThe new speed is set and the vehicle will de-
celerate. Keep in mind that it may take a brief
moment until the vehicle has reached the set
speed.
Warning!G
The set speed stored in memory should only
be set again if prevailing road conditions
permit. Possible acceleration or decelera-
tion differences arising from returning to the
preset speed could cause an accident
and/or serious injury to you and others.

363 Operation
Maintenance
Maintenance service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested main-
tenance service term, you will see the fol-
lowing message in the multifunction
display:
Service A Exceeded by XXXX miles (km)
Service A Exceeded by XXX days
In addition, a signal sounds when the mes-
sage appears.
Any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
reset the maintenance service indicator
following a completed maintenance
service.
Calling up the maintenance service
indicator display
You can call up the maintenance service in-
dicator display at any time to check when
the next maintenance service is due.
Switch on the ignition.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 156).
Press ( or & on multifunction
steering wheel to select
Service menu.
Press % or $ to select the main-
tenance service indicator display.
Press #.
The service deadline appears in the
multifunction display.Resetting the maintenance service
indicator
In the event that the maintenance service
on your vehicle is not carried out at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, you can
have the maintenance service indicator
reset. The automotive maintenance facility
carrying out the maintenance service will
find the information for resetting the
maintenance service indicator in the
maintenance-relevant information for your
vehicle. Such information is available from
either your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or directly from Mercedes-Benz.
iThe menu overview can be found on
(
page 154).
iIf the battery is disconnected, the days of
disconnection will not be included in the count
shown by the maintenance service indicator.
To arrive at the true maintenance service
deadline, you will need to subtract these days
from the days shown in the maintenance service
indicator message or maintenance service
indicator display.
iIf the maintenance service indicator was
inadvertently reset, have an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center correct it.
Only reset if the proper maintenance service has
been performed. Resetting the system without
performing the proper service as called for by
the maintenance service indicator will result in
engine damage and/or other vehicle damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

373 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Where will I find ...?
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Resetting activated head restraints
Replacing SmartKey batteries
Replacing bulbs
Replacing wiper blades
Flat tire
Battery
Jump starting
Towing the vehicle
Fuses

426 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Fuel filler flap
Open the fuse box in the trunk
(
page 458).
1Release cable
Pull on the release cable1.
Open the fuel filler flap.Manually unlocking the transmission
gear selector lever
In case of power failure, the transmission
gear selector lever can be manually un-
locked, e.g. to tow the vehicle.
1Selector lever cover
2Unlocking mechanism
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Push the selector lever cover1 to the
left and pull it up and off.
Push the unlocking mechanism2
down and move the selector lever out
of positionP at the same time.The selector lever can now move freely
until reset to positionP.
iThis procedure does not arm the anti-theft
alarm system nor does it lock the fuel filler flap.
iThe gear selector lever is locked again when
moving it to positionP.


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.

450 Practical hints
Battery
Reconnecting the battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO* (Canada
only):
Open the driver’s door.
Connect the battery positive lead and
fasten its cover (
page 448).
Connect the battery negative lead
(
page 448).
Make sure that the ventilation hose4
is attached to the battery.
Reinstall filter box (page 447).
!Always connect the starter battery in the or-
der described below. Otherwise, the vehicle’s
electronics could be damaged.
!Never invert the terminal connections.
!Make sure the battery has a plug where the
ventilation hose
4 is attached to it.
iThe following procedures must be carried
out following any interruption of battery power
(e.g. due to reconnecting):

Reset the automatic exterior mirror fold in
function (
page 99).

Set the clock (page 170).
Vehicles with COMAND*: see COMAND op-
erator’s manual.

488 Index
Phone cook 233
Radio operation 194
Satellite radio* operation 200
Sound settings 189
Surround sound* (Canada only) 190
SYS menu 192
SYS menu, Bluetooth
® settings 192
SYS menu, display settings 192
SYS menu, language settings 193
SYS menu, reset to factory
settings 193
Telephone menu* 222
Volume 189
Auto-dimming*, Rear view mirrors 100
Automatic central locking 80
Activating/deactivating
(Control system) 173
Automatic climate control (3-zone) see Cli-
mate control system
Automatic headlamp mode 109, 172
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 115
Automatic shift program 144Automatic transmission
Accelerator position 142
Emergency operation (limp-home
mode) 146
Fluid 476, 477
Fluid level 328
Gear ranges 143
Gear shifting malfunctions 146
Hill start assist system 246
Kickdown 142
Shifting procedure 139
Starting the engine 127
Transmission fluid 328
Automatic transmission*
Automatic shift program 144
Gear selector lever 138
Gear selector lever control one-touch
gearshifting 145
Gear selector lever positions 140
Program mode selector switch 144
Aux socket 220B
Backrest 281
Backup lamps
Replacing bulbs 430, 431
Bar 356
BAS 60
Batteries, SmartKey
Checking battery condition 78
Replacing 428
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
(Canada only)
Checking battery condition 78
Replacing 428
Battery 448
Battery, vehicle 446
Charging 449
Discharged, Jump starting 451
Disconnecting 448
Message in display 399
Reconnecting 450
Removing 449
Bead 356
Beverage holder see Cup holder