2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 ESP

257 Controls in detail
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Deactivating: Press button¯
(
page 250).
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out.
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside (e.g. before driving
through a tunnel). This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the passenger compartment.Activating: Press button,
(
page 250).
The indicator lamp in the button comes
on.
Deactivating: Press button,
(
page 250) again.
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out.
iThe rear window defroster is automatically
deactivated after some time of operation de-
pending on the outside temperature.
iIf the rear window defroster switches off too
soon and the indicator lamp goes out, this indi-
cates that too many electrical consumers are op-
erating simultaneously and the load on the
battery is reducing available voltage. The system
responds automatically by deactivating the rear
window defroster.
Warning!G
Fogged windows impair visibility, endanger-
ing you and others. If the windows begin to
fog on the inside, switching off the air
recirculation mode immediately should clear
interior window fogging. If interior window
fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning (
page 258) is activated, or
press buttony.
iThe air recirculation mode is activated auto-
matically at high outside temperatures.
The indicator lamp in button, is not lit when
the air recirculation mode is automatically
switched on.
A quantity of outside air is added after approxi-
mately 30 minutes.
iThe air recirculation mode is deactivated au-
tomatically:

after 5 minutes if the outside temperature is
below approximately 41°F (5°C)

after 5 minutes if the air conditioning is
turned off

after 30 minutes if the outside temperature
is above approximately 41°F (5°C)

263 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control* (Canada only)
Adjusting air distribution
Use righta and/or lefte buttonZ
(
page 259) to adjust the air distribution
manually for each side of the passenger
compartment. The following symbols are
shown in displayd:
Press buttonsZ (page 259) re-
peatedly until you have select the de-
sired setting and the corresponding
symbol is shown in displayd.The indicator lamp in buttonU goes
out. The automatic air distribution is
switched off. The air distribution is
controlled according to the selected
control setting.
Adjusting air volume
Use buttonU (
page 259) for auto-
matic mode or button · (
page 259)
orQ (
page 259) to adjust air volume
manually.
Seven blower speeds are available for each
side of the passenger compartment.
Press button· to decrease, or
buttonQ to increase air volume to
the desired level.
The indicator lamp in buttonU
(
page 259) goes out.
The air volume is adjusted correspond-
ing to the set blower speed. The auto-
matic air distribution remains switched
on.Using driver-side settings for all tem-
perature zones
You can use the settings of the driver’s
side, such as temperature, air volume and
air distribution, for all temperature zones.
Press buttonz (page 259).
The indicator lamp in the button comes
on.
The driver-side settings are used for all
temperature zones.
SymbolFunction
{Directs air to the windshield
and the side defroster vents
aDirects air through the center,
side and rear passenger
compartment air vents
YDirects air to the footwells
iYou can also select a position between two
symbols with buttonZ.

265 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control* (Canada only)
Rear window defroster
Activating: Switch on the ignition.
Press button¯ (page 259).
The indicator lamp in the button comes
on.
Deactivating: Press button¯
(
page 259).
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out.
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside (e.g. before driving
through a tunnel). This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the passenger compartment.
!The rear window defroster uses a large
amount of power. To keep battery drain to a min-
imum, switch off the defroster as soon as the
rear window is clear.
iThe rear window defroster is automatically
deactivated after some time of operation de-
pending on the outside temperature.
Warning!G
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driv-
ing. Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.
iIf the rear window defroster switches off too
soon and the indicator lamp goes out, this indi-
cates that too many electrical consumers are op-
erating simultaneously and the load on the
battery is reducing available voltage. The system
responds automatically by deactivating the rear
window defroster.
Warning!G
Fogged windows impair visibility, endanger-
ing you and others. If the windows begin to
fog on the inside, switching off the air
recirculation mode immediately should clear
interior window fogging. If interior window
fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning (
page 267) is activated, or
press buttony.

268 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control* (Canada only)
Rear climate control
The rear climate control panel is located in
the rear center console.
Setting temperature
Use temperature control 5 to adjust the
air temperature in the rear passenger com-
partment. You should raise or lower the
temperature setting in small increments,
preferably starting at 22°C (72°F). The cli-
mate control will adjust to the set temper-
ature as fast as possible.Increasing/decreasing: Press the re-
spective temperature control
button5.
The 3-zone automatic climate control
system will correspondingly adjust the
temperature in the rear passenger
compartment.
Adjusting air volume
Use button· orQ (
page 268) to
adjust the air volume.
Press button· to decrease, or
buttonQ to increase air volume to
the desired level.
The air volume is adjusted correspond-
ing to the set blower speed.
Warning!G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling as given in the instructions
for the front 3-zone automatic climate con-
trol (
page 259). Otherwise the windows
could fog up, impairing visibility for the driv-
er and endangering you and others.
Item
1Decreasing/increasing air volume
for rear center air vents
2Right rear center air vent, adjustable
3Decreasing/increasing air volume
for rear center air vents
4Display
5Temperature control
6Left rear center air vent, adjustable
iAt low outside temperatures or if you have
switched off the cooling function, you cannot
cool the rear passenger compartment.
iIf you have switched off the cooling function
with the front 3-zone automatic climate control
panel, the cooling of the rear passenger com-
partment is also switched off. Adjusting with the
rear control panel is not possible.

270 Controls in detail
Trunk
Closing trunk Closing trunk from outside manually
1Handles
Lower trunk lid by pulling firmly on
handles1 or2.
Close the trunk with hands placed flat
on the trunk lid.
iDo not place the SmartKey in the open
trunk. You may lock yourself out.
iIf the vehicle was previously centrally
locked, the trunk will lock automatically after
closing it. All turn signal lamps flash three times
and an acoustic signal sounds three times to
confirm locking.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only): To
prevent a possible inadvertent lockout, the trunk
will open automatically if a SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only) is recognized
inside the vehicle or in the trunk.
The vehicle is only locked when the turn signals
flash three times and an acoustic signal sounds
three times. If you are carrying a second
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only) with
you, you can still lock the vehicle.
Warning!G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the trunk
lid opening when closing the trunk. Be espe-
cially careful when small children are
around.
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 re-
sult in an accident and/or serious personal
injury.

282 Controls in detail
Loading and storing
Setting up rear seat backrest
1Rear seat backrests
Fold backrest1 rearward until it en-
gages.
Check for secure locking by pushing
and pulling on the backrest.
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle
occupants and luggage/cargo should not
exceed the load limit or vehicle capacity
weight as indicated on the corresponding
placard located on the driver’s door B-pillar
(
page 334).
The handling characteristics of a fully load-
ed vehicle depend greatly on the load dis-
tribution. It is therefore recommended to
load the vehicle according to the illustra-
tions shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
!Take care not to clamp the seat belt.
Warning!G
Always lock backrest in its upright position
when rear seat bench is occupied, or the ex-
tended trunk compartment is not in use.
Check for secure locking by pushing and
pulling on the backrest.
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.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when transporting cargo.
iTo prevent unauthorized persons from ac-
cess to the trunk, always lock backrest in its up-
right position.

287 Controls in detail
Loading and storing
Cup holders
Cup holder in front center console
1Cup holderCup holder in rear center armrest
1Release button
2Cup holder
Opening: Pull down the armrest.
Pull the release catch and swing the
armrest storage compartment cover
upward.
Press release button1.
Cup holder2 swing out and open au-
tomaticaly.
Warning!G
In order to help prevent spilling liquids on
vehicle occupants and/or vehicle equip-
ment, only use containers that fit into the
cup holder. Use lids on open containers and
do not fill containers to a height where the
contents, especially hot liquids, could spill
during braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in an
accident. Liquids spilled on vehicle occu-
pants may cause serious personal injury.
Liquids spilled on vehicle equipment may
cause damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
When not in use, keep the cup holders
closed. An open cup holder may cause injury
to you or others when contacted during
braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in an
accident.
Keep in mind that objects placed in the cup
holder may come loose during braking, vehi-
cle maneuvers, or in an accident and be
thrown around in the vehicle interior.
Objects thrown around in the vehicle interi-
or may cause an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
iYou can now close the armrest storage
compartment.

294 Controls in detail
Useful features
Floormats*
1Eyelet
2Retainer pinRemoving
Pull floormat off of retainer pins2.
Remove the floormat.
Installing
Lay down the floormat in the respective
footwell.
Press the floormat eyelets1 onto re-
tainer pins2.
Warning!G
Whenever you are using floormats, make
sure there is enough clearance and that the
floormats are securely fastened.
Floormats should always be securely fas-
tened using the eyelets and the retainer
pins.
Before driving off, check that the floormats
are securely in place and adjust them if nec-
essary. A loose floormat could slip and
hinder proper functioning of the pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of
each other as this may impair pedal move-
ment.
iTo install or remove the floormat more easi-
ly, move the driver’s seat or front passenger seat
as far to the rear as possible (
page 85).