2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 Transmission

318 Operation
Driving instructions
For more information on winter driving, see
“Winter driving” (
page 360).
Standing waterPassenger compartment
Driving abroad
Abroad, there is an extensive
Mercedes-Benz service network at your
disposal. If you plan to drive into areas
which are not listed in the index of your
Mercedes-Benz Center directory, you
should request pertinent information from
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure that snow is kept clear of the exhaust
pipe and from around the vehicle while the
engine is running. Otherwise, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle in-
terior resulting in unconsciousness and
death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the ve-
hicle not facing the wind.
Warning!G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose. In-
dicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice.
!Do not drive through flooded areas or water
of unknown depth. Before driving through water,
determine its depth. Never accelerate before
driving into water. The bow wave could force wa-
ter into the engine and auxiliary equipment, thus
damaging them.
If you must drive through standing water, drive
slowly to prevent water from entering the pas-
senger compartment or the engine compart-
ment. Water in these areas could cause damage
to electrical components or wiring of the engine
or transmission, or could result in water being in-
gested by the engine through the air intake caus-
ing severe internal engine damage. Any such
damage is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Warning!G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry
objects.

322 Operation
At the gas station
Refueling
The fuel filler flap is located on the
right-hand side of the vehicle towards the
rear. Locking and unlocking the vehicle
with the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only) automatically
locks and unlocks the fuel filler flap.1To open fuel filler flap
2To insert fuel filler cap
3Holder
Warning!G
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious per-
sonal injury.
Never allow sparks, flame or smoking mate-
rials near gasoline!
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid in-
haling fumes and any skin or clothing con-
tact. Extinguish all smoking materials.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the inha-
lation of fuel vapors can damage your
health.
Warning!G
C 300/C 300 4MATIC/C 300 4MATIC Sport
and 300 Sport (with automatic transmis-
sion*):
Flexible Fuel Vehicles (identified by a label
reading Premium gasoline or E85 only! on
fuel filler flap):
Ethanol fuel (E85) and its vapors are highly
flammable, poisonous and burn easily. Etha-
nol fuel can cause serious injuries if ignited
or if you come into contact with it or inhale
fumes of it. Avoid inhalation of ethanol
fumes and skin contact with ethanol. Extin-
guish all open flames before refueling. Never
smoke or create sparks close to ethanol.
iIn case that the central locking system does
not release the fuel filler flap, or the opening
mechanism is clamping, notify Roadside Assis-
tance or an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
iOnly use premium unleaded gasoline with a
minimum Posted Octane Rating of 91 (average
of 96 RON / 86 MON). Information on gasoline
quality can normally be found on the fuel pump.
C 300/C 300 4MATIC/C 300 4MATIC Sport and
300 Sport (with automatic transmission*):
Flexible Fuel Vehicles are identified by a label
reading Premium gasoline or E85 only! on the
fuel filler flap.

323 Operation
At the gas station
Turn off the engine.
Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
Move the gear selector lever to
positionP (
page 140).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Vehicles with SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*:
Turn off the engine by pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* button once.
Open the driver’s door (this puts
the starter switch in position0,
same as with the SmartKey re-
moved from the starter switch). The
driver’s door then can be closed
again.
Open the fuel filler flap by pushing at
the point indicated by arrow 1.The fuel filler flap springs open.
Turn the fuel cap counterclockwise and
hold on to it until possible pressure is
released.
Take off the fuel filler cap and set it in
the direction of arrow 2 and place it
into holder 4 located on the inside of
the fuel filler flap.
To prevent fuel vapors from escaping
into open air, fully insert filler nozzle
unit.
Only fill your tank until the filler nozzle
unit cuts out – do not top off or over-
fill.
Replace the fuel cap by turning it clock-
wise until it audibly engages.
Close the fuel filler flap.
You should hear the latch close shut.
For more information on gasoline or E85, see
“Premium unleaded gasoline” (
page 481) or
the Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet (USA only) in your vehicle literature
portfolio, or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create pres-
sure in the system which could cause a gas
discharge. This could cause the gas to spray
back out when removing the fuel pump noz-
zle, which could cause personal injury.
iMake sure to close the fuel filler flap before
locking your vehicle as the flap locking pin pre-
vents closing after you have locked the vehicle.
iLeaving the engine running and the fuel cap
open can cause the yellow engine malfunction
indicator lamp ± to illuminate.
For more information, see the “Practical hints”
section (
page 378).

328 Operation
Engine compartment
Pull out oil dipstick1 again after ap-
proximately 5 seconds to obtain accu-
rate reading.
The oil level is correct when it is between
lower mark3 (min.) and upper mark2
(max.) of the oil dipstick.
If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil (
page 328).
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 476) and
(
page 480).
For more information on messages in the
multifunction display concerning engine
oil, see the “Practical hints” section
(
page 387).Adding engine oil
1Filler cap
Unscrew filler cap1 from filler neck.
Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 476) and
(
page 480).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the transmission.
iThe filling quantity between the upper and
lower marks on the oil dipstick is approximately
2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).
!Only use approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance System.
For a listing of approved engine oils and oil fil-
ters, refer to the Factory Approved Service Prod-
ucts pamphlet (USA only) in your vehicle
literature portfolio, or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specification
other than those expressly required for the Main-
tenance System, or changing of oil and oil filter
at change intervals longer than those called for
by the Maintenance System will result in engine
or emission control system damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off.
It will cause damage to the engine and emission
control system not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


345 Operation
Tires and wheels
Warning!G
Each tire, including the Minispare, should be
checked monthly when cold and inflated to
the inflation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the Tire and
Loading Information placard or, if available,
on the tire inflation pressure label. If your ve-
hicle has tires of a different size than the
size indicated on the Tire and Loading
Information placard or, if available, the tire
inflation pressure label, you should deter-
mine the proper tire inflation pressure for
those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitor-
ing system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires is significantly underinflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illu-
minates, you should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a significant-
ly underinflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Please
note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driv-
er’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if underinflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of
the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is com-
bined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the
telltale will flash for approximately 1 minute
and then remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the mal-
function exists. When the malfunction
indicator is illuminated, the system may not
be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended.TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on
the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing
one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle
to ensure that the replacement or alternate
tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue
to function properly.
iIf a condition causing the TPMS to malfunc-
tion develops, it may take up to 10 minutes
for the system to signal a malfunction using
the TPMS telltale flashing and illumination
sequence.
The telltale extinguishes after a few minutes
driving if the malfunction has been corrected.
iOperating radio transmission equipment
(e.g. wireless headsets, two-way radios) in or
near the vehicle could cause the TPMS to
malfunction.

356 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire ply material
1Plies in sidewall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the sidewall
and under the tread.Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least 3 hours or driv-
en no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.

374 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Lamps in instrument cluster
General information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during the
bulb self-check when switching on the igni-
tion, have the respective bulb checked and
replaced if necessary.
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
-The yellow Antilock
Brake System (ABS)
indicator lamp comes on
while the engine is
running.The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The BAS, ESP® and EBP
are also switched off (see messages in mul-
tifunction display).
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the systems specified
above.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning,
other systems such as navigation system*
or the automatic transmission* may also be
malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will lock during hard braking, re-
ducing steering capability.
Read and observe messages in the mul-
tifunction display (
page 387).
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.

390 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Cruise control
- - - mph
(USA only)
You have tried to switch on cruise control
below a speed of 20 mph (30 km/h).If traffic conditions allow, drive faster than 20 mph (30 km/h)
and save the speed.
Cruise control
- - - km/h
(Canada only)
The automatic transmission* is in position
P, R or N.Move the gear selector lever to positionD (page 140).
ESP® is switched off.Switch on ESP® (page 64).
The system is overheated.Wait until the system cools down.
Cruise Control and
Speedtronic
InoperativeCruise control is malfunctioning. In addition
a warning chime sounds.Have the cruise control checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Check,
Tire Pressure
Then Restart
Run Flat Indicator
(Canada only)
There was a warning message about a loss
in tire inflation pressure and the Run Flat In-
dicator has not been restarted yet.Make sure the correct tire inflation pressure is set for each
tire (
page 339).
Then restart the Run Flat Indicator (page 343).
Run Flat
Indicator
Inoperative
(Canada only)
Run Flat Indicator is malfunctioning.Have the Run Flat Indicator checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.