2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 Practical hints

Contents
At the gas station .............................. 322
Refueling ...................................... 322
Check regularly and
before a long trip.......................... 324
Engine compartment ......................... 325
Hood ............................................ 325
Engine oil ..................................... 327
Transmission fluid level ................ 328
Coolant level ................................ 329
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 330
Tires and wheels ................................ 331
Important guidelines .................... 331
Tire care and maintenance........... 332
Direction of rotation ..................... 334
Loading the vehicle ...................... 334
Recommended tire
inflation pressure ......................... 339
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 341
Tire labeling.................................. 348
Load identification ....................... 352
DOT,
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ... 352
Maximum tire load ....................... 353
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 354Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) .............. 354
Tire ply material ............................ 356
Tire and loading terminology......... 356
Rotating tires ................................ 359
Winter driving ..................................... 360
Winter tires ................................... 360
Snow chains.................................. 361
Maintenance....................................... 362
Maintenance
service indicator message ............ 362
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display ............... 363
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator ........................... 363
Vehicle care........................................ 364
Cleaning and care of vehicle ......... 364
Practical hints.................................. 373
What to do if …? ................................. 374
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 374
Air bag off indicator lamp ............. 385
Vehicle status messages in
the multifunction display .............. 387
Where will I find ...? ............................ 420
First aid kit.................................... 420
Vehicle jack, vehicle tool kit,
luggage bowl, Minispare wheel ..... 420
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 424
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 424
Locking the vehicle ....................... 425
Fuel filler flap ................................ 426
Manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever ... 426
Resetting activated head restraints.... 427
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 428
Replacing bulbs .................................. 430
Bulbs............................................. 431
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 432
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 436
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 438
Removing wiper blades ................. 439
Installing wiper blades .................. 439

13 Introduction
Where to find it
Where to find it
This Operator’s Manual is designed to pro-
vide comprehensive support information
for you, the vehicle operator. Each section
has its own reference color.
At a glance
Here you will find an overview of your vehi-
cle’s interior and exterior main features.
Safety and Security
Here you will find descriptions of the safety
and security features of your vehicle.
Controls in detail
Here you will find detailed information
about the equipment installed in your vehi-
cle. This section also describes technical
innovations.
Operation
Here you will find all the information you
need for the proper operation of your vehi-
cle.
Practical hints
This section provides fast assistance for
dealing with problems you may encounter.
Technical data
All important technical data for your vehi-
cle can be found in this section.
Indexes
The table of contents and the index are de-
signed to help you find information quickly
and easily.
The following publications are part of your
vehicle documentation:

this Operator’s Manual

the Maintenance Booklet
Separate operating instructions will be
provided as required depending on the
equipment options installed in your vehi-
cle.

46 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
For more information, see the “Practical
hints” section (
page 385).
Seat belts
The use of seat belts and infant and child
restraint systems is required by law in all
50 states, the District of Columbia, the
U.S. territories and all Canadian provinces.
Even where this is not the case, all vehicle
occupants should have their seat belts fas-
tened whenever the vehicle is in motion.
For more information, see “Fastening the
seat belts” (
page 105).
Warning!G
Never place anything between seat cushion
and child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces
the effectiveness of the Occupant Classifi-
cation System. The bottom of the child seat
must make full contact with the passenger
seat cushion. An incorrectly mounted child
seat could cause injuries to the child in case
of an accident, instead of increasing protec-
tion for the child.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of child seats.
iFor information on infants and children trav-
eling with you in the vehicle and restraint sys-
tems for infants and children, see “Children in
the vehicle” (
page 51).
Warning!G
Always fasten your seat belt before driving
off. Always make sure all of your passengers
are properly restrained.
Failure to wear and properly fasten and po-
sition your seat belt greatly increases your
risk of injuries and their likely severity in an
accident. You and your passengers should
always wear seat belts.
If you are ever in an accident, your injuries
can be considerably more severe without
your seat belt properly buckled.
Without your seat belt buckled, you are
much more likely to hit the interior of the ve-
hicle or be ejected from it. You can be seri-
ously injured or killed.
In the same crash, the possibility of injury or
death is lessened if you are properly wearing
your seat belt. Air bags can only protect as
they are designed for, if the occupants are
properly wearing their seat belts.

49 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
intensity for a maximum of 60 seconds
or until the driver’s and the front
passenger’s seat belt are fastened.
If you and/or your front passenger
release the seat belt during driving, the
seat belt telltale< starts flashing
and a warning chime sounds as
described before.
If the driver’s or the front passenger’s
seat belt remains unfastened after
60 seconds, the warning chime stops
sounding, the seat belt telltale<
stops flashing but continues to be
illuminated.
After a vehicle standstill, the warning
chime reactivates and the seat belt
telltale< flashes again when the
vehicle speed exceeds 15 mph
(25 km/h).
The seat belt telltale< will only go out
if both the driver’s and the front passen-
ger’s seat belt (with the front passenger
seat occupied) are fastened, or the vehicle
is standing still and a front door is opened.For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 380).
Emergency tensioning device (ETD),
seat belt force limiter
The seat belts are equipped with Emergen-
cy Tensioning Devices (ETDs) and seat belt
force limiters.
The ETD is designed to activate in the
following cases:

in frontal or rear-end impacts exceed-
ing the system deployment threshold

in certain vehicle rollovers

if the restraint systems are operational
and functioning correctly,
see=indicator lamp (
page 382)In an impact, the ETDs remove slack from
the seat belts in such a way that the seat
belts fit more snugly against the body. Seat
belt force limiters, when activated, are em-
ployed to help reduce the peak force exert-
ed by the seat belts on occupants during a
crash.
iThe ETDs for the front seats will only acti-
vate if the front seat belt is fastened (latch plate
properly inserted into buckle).
The ETDs for the rear seats will activate with or
without the respective seat belt fastened.
iETDs do not correct an incorrect seat posi-
tion or incorrectly worn seat belts.
ETDs do not pull occupants back toward the
backrest.
Warning!G
A pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning Device
(ETD) that was activated must be replaced.
When disposing of the pyrotechnic Emer-
gency Tensioning Device (ETD), our safety
instructions must be followed. These are
available at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

60 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.
Emergency brake maneuver
Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 374).
Adaptive Brake
Adaptive Brake provides a high level of
braking safety as well as increased braking
comfort. It is coupled with ABS, ESP
® and
BAS. Adaptive Brake takes driver and vehi-
cle characteristics into consideration, thus
achieving an optimal braking effect.
BAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing the braking distance.
Apply continuous full braking pressure
until the emergency braking situation is
over.
The ABS will prevent the wheels from
locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
Warning!G
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the BAS
EBP, ESP® and hill start assist are also
switched off.
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability and extending the brak-
ing distance.
Warning!G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency
beyond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction
afforded. The ABS cannot prevent acci-
dents, including those resulting from exces-
sive speed in turns, following another
vehicle too closely, or hydroplaning.
Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dan-
gerous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.


61 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
section (
page 374).
EBP
The Electronic Brake Proportioning (EBP)
enhances braking effectiveness by allow-
ing the rear brakes to supply a greater pro-
portion of the braking effort in straight line
braking without a loss of vehicle stability.
Warning!G
When the BAS is malfunctioning, the brake
system is still functioning normally, but with-
out the additional brake boost available that
BAS would normally provide in an emergen-
cy braking maneuver. Therefore, the braking
distance may increase.
Warning!G
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking efficiency beyond that af-
forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes
and tires or the traction afforded. The BAS
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, fol-
lowing another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of a BAS equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dan-
gerous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.
Warning!G
If the EBP malfunctions, the ABS, BAS, ESP®
and hill start assist are also switched off.
If the EBP is malfunctioning, the brake sys-
tem will still function with full brake boost.
However, the rear wheels could lock up dur-
ing emergency braking situations, for exam-
ple. You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident. Adapt your driving style
to the changed driving characteristics.

63 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
section (
page 380) and (page 387).Electronic traction system
The electronic traction system is a compo-
nent of ESP
®.
The electronic traction system improves
the vehicle’s ability to utilize available trac-
tion, especially under slippery road condi-
tions by applying the brakes to a spinning
wheel.
When you switch off the ESP
®, the elec-
tronic traction system is still enabled.Switching off the ESP
®
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch
off the ESP® in driving situations where it
would be advantageous to have the drive
wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for
better grip such as:

when driving with snow chains

in deep snow

in sand or gravel
!Vehicles without 4MATIC:
Because the ESP® operates automatically, the
engine and ignition must be shut off (SmartKey
in starter switch position0 or1 or KEYLESS-GO
(Canada only) start/stop button* in position0
or1) when

the parking brake is being tested on a brake
test dynamometer

the vehicle is being towed with the front axle
raised
Active braking action through the ESP
® may oth-
erwise seriously damage the brake system.
For information on vehicles with 4MATIC, see
“Four wheel electronic traction system (4MATIC)
with the ESP
®” (e page 65).
Warning!G
If you are driving too fast, the electronic
traction system cannot reduce the risk of an
accident.
The electronic traction system cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle.
Warning!G
The ESP® should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a
Minispare wheel is mounted.

165 Controls in detail
Control system
Press ( or & to select the
Service menu.
If conditions have occurred causing status
messages to be recorded, the number of
messages appears in the multifunction
display:
1Number of messages
Press % or $ to select the mes-
sage.
Press # to confirm.
The stored messages will now be
displayed in the order in which they
have occurred.
Use % or $ to scroll through the
messages.Checking tire inflation pressure
For information about checking tire infla-
tion pressure (
page 339).
Activating Run Flat Indicator
(Canada only)
For information about activating Run Flat
Indicator (
page 342).
Calling up the maintenance service
indicator display
For information about calling up the main-
tenance service indicator display
(
page 362).
Settings menu
In the
Settings menu there are two
functions:

The function Reset to factory
settings
, with which you can reset all
the settings to the original factory
settings.

A collection of submenus with which
you can make individual settings for
your vehicle.
iSee the “Practical hints” section for mal-
function and warning messages (
page 387).
iIf you turn the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position0 and then back to position2,
all messages will be deleted from the message
memory.