2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 ignition

409 Practical hints
What to do if …?
ITake Your Key
From IgnitionYou have forgotten to remove the
SmartKey.Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
.AUTO Lamp Function
InoperativeThe light sensor is malfunctioning. Daytime
driving lamps are switched on.In the instrument cluster control system, set
lamp operation to manual mode.
Switch on headlamps using the exterior lamp
switch.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Check
Center Brake LampThe high mounted brake lamp is malfunc-
tioning. This message will only appear if all
light emitting diodes have stopped working.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Check
Left Brake LampThe left brake lamp is malfunctioning.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 436).
Check
Right Brake LampThe right brake lamp is malfunctioning.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 436).
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution

454 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning!G
Without the engine running, there is no pow-
er assistance for the brake and steering sys-
tems. In this case, it is important to keep in
mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
iWhen towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, please note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
(Canada only) in starter switch position 2, the ve-
hicle doors lock if the left front wheel as well as
the right rear wheel are turning at vehicle speeds
of approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle doors from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking
(
page 173).
!If the vehicle is towed with the front axle
raised (not permissible for vehicles with
4MATIC), the gear selector lever must be in
positionN (manual transmission: gear shift lever
in neutral position) and the engine must be shut
off (SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
(Canada only) in starter switch position0 or1).
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system.
While towing, the battery must be connected and
charged. Otherwise:

you will not be able to switch on the ignition

you will not be able to engage the automatic
transmission* in positionN (
page 127)
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the gear selector lever must be in
positionN (manual transmission: gear shift lever
in neutral position) and the SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only)
must be in starter switch position2.
!Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the properly installed towing eye bolt.
Never attach tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to
vehicle chassis, frame or suspension parts.
iTo signal turns while being towed with the
hazard warning flasher in use, turn SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only) in
starter switch to position2 and activate the
combination switch for the left or right turn sig-
nal in the usual manner – only the selected turn
signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher will operate again.
!Make sure the parking brake is released.
iIf the battery is disconnected or discharged

the SmartKey or SmartKey with KEY-
LESS-GO* (Canada only) will not turn in the
starter switch

Vehicles with automatic transmission*: the
gear selector lever will remain locked in
positionP (
page 127).
For more information see “Battery”
(
page 446) and see “Jump starting”
(
page 451).

483 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Switching fuels
For best performance and driveability it is
recommended to use either one or the oth-
er fuel. A refueling pattern that alternates
between the two different fuels should be
avoided if possible.
When switching fuels, make sure:

Fuel level is below half full.

Fuel level is above reserve (reserve
warning lamp is not lit).

Amount of added fuel is more than
5 gallons (20 liters).

Ignition is off during refill.

Immediately after refueling engine is
started and operated for at least five
minutes.
These precautions and recommendations
are supposed to prevent any difficulties
when starting and operating the engine
which otherwise may be experienced
before the engine has fully adapted to the
different fuel.If in spite of these recommendations the
engine does not perform properly, adding
more gasoline (at least 3 gallons
[12 liters]) to the fuel may improve the
engine behavior.
Cruising range
E85 fuel contains less energy per gallon
than gasoline. To ensure that engine per-
formance with Ethanol fuel is similar to
that when using gasoline, the engine must
burn more Ethanol fuel. As a result, it is to
be expected that the fuel consumption will
increase when using E85 compared to
gasoline operation.
Maintenance
Please inform your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center if you use or have
used E85 fuel when your vehicle is deliv-
ered for maintenance or repairs.Cold weather performance
It is possible that starting times will signif-
icantly increase at temperatures below
32°F (0°C). At low temperatures the use
of a block heater is recommended (see an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for fur-
ther information). Rough idling may also be
experienced at such temperatures before
the engine is fully warmed up.
Hot weather performance
At ambient temperatures above 95°F
(35°C) start times may increase and be
accompanied by a rough idle following the
start.iUse of E85 may reduce your driving range.
!E85 fuel is unsuitable for use when ambient
temperatures fall below 14°F (-10°C).

495 Index
H
Halogen headlamp see Headlamps
Hands-free microphone 31
Hard plastic trim items, cleaning 370
Hazard warning flasher 114
Head restraints 89
Active head restraints 50
Adjustment 89
Front seat 89
Rear seat, Removing and
installing 90
Resetting activated active head
restraints 427
Headlamp cleaning system 112, 330
Washer fluid 479, 486
Headlamps
Automatic control 109
Automatic headlamp mode 172
Cleaning lenses 367
Cleaning system 330
Halogen 432
Manual headlamp mode 172
Messages in display 411
Refilling washer fluid 330
Replacing bulbs 431, 432Headliner and shelf below rear window,
Cleaning and care of 371
High beam flasher 112
Replacing bulbs (Bi-Xenon*) 431,
435
Replacing bulbs (Halogen) 431, 433
High beam headlamps
Indicator lamp 27
Replacing bulbs (Bi-Xenon*) 431
Replacing bulbs (Halogen) 431, 433
Replacing bulbs for high beam flasher
(Bi-Xenon*) 435
High mounted brake lamp 431
Hood 325
Message in display 406
Opening 325
Horn 25
Hot weather performance 483
HVAC see Climate control system
Hydroplaning 315I
Identification labels 462
Identification Number, Vehicle (VIN) 463
Ignition 82, 84, 127
Switching on 82
Switching on, KEYLESS-GO* 84
Immobilizer 66
Infant and child restraint systems see Chil-
dren in the vehicle
Inside door handle 79
Instrument cluster 26, 147
Coolant temperature gauge 27, 148
Fuel gauge 27, 150
Illumination 148
Lamps 374
Multifunction display 151
Outside temperature indicator 149
Setting the language (Audio
system) 193
Interior lighting 114
Activating automatic control 115
Deactivating automatic control 115
Delayed shut-off 173
In the rear 116
Reading lamps in the front 115, 116
Reading lamps in the rear 116

496 Index
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 97
Auto-dimming 99, 100
Interior storage spaces see
Storage compartments
J
Jack 421
Jump starting 451K
Key, Mechanical 424
Loss of 79
Key, SmartKey 70
Battery check lamp 70, 72
Factory setting 71
Global locking and unlocking 71
Lock button 70
Locking and unlocking 70
Loss of 79
Messages in display 408
Opening button for trunk 70
Panic button 58
Remote control 70
Restoring to factory setting 73
Selective setting 72
Starting the engine 127
Steering wheel lock 82
Switching on ignition with 82
Turning off engine 135
Unlock button 70Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 73
Battery check lamp 73, 77
Closing, Trunk 269
Factory setting 76
Global locking and unlocking 77
Important notes on using
KEYLESS-GO* 75
Locking and unlocking 73
Opening button for trunk 73
Panic button 58
Restoring to factory setting 78
Selective setting 77
Starting the engine 128
Switching on ignition with 84
Unlock button 73
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
(Canada only)
Lock button 73
Loss of 79
Messages in display 407
Remote control 73
Turning off engine 135
Kickdown 142
Kilopascal 357