2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350S fuel

Contents
Driving and parking............................ 126
Starting the engine....................... 126
Driving off .................................... 129
Turn signals.................................. 131
Problems while driving ................. 132
Parking ......................................... 133
Turning off the engine .................. 134
Releasing seat belts ..................... 135
Manual transmission ......................... 136
Shifting into reverse ..................... 137
Automatic transmission* ................... 138
Gear selector lever ....................... 138
Shifting procedure ....................... 139
Gear selector lever positions ....... 140
Driving tips ................................... 142
Gear ranges ................................. 143
Automatic shift program .............. 144
Gear selector lever
one-touch gearshifting................. 145
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ...................... 146
Instrument cluster ............................. 147
Multifunction display .................... 147
Adjusting instrument
cluster display illumination........... 148
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 148Tachometer................................... 149
Outside temperature indicator ...... 149
Fuel gauge .................................... 150
Control system ................................... 151
Multifunction display..................... 151
Multifunction steering wheel......... 152
Menus ........................................... 154
Trip menu...................................... 156
Navi* menu ................................... 158
Audio menu................................... 158
TEL menu* .................................... 160
Service menu ................................ 164
Settings menu............................... 165
Audio system...................................... 176
Audio and telephone, operation .... 176
Audio system overview ................. 176
Operating safety ........................... 177
Audio system components............ 177
Menu............................................. 185
Operation ...................................... 188
SYS menu ..................................... 192
Radio operation ............................ 194
Satellite radio*.............................. 200
CD mode ....................................... 208
Audio Aux mode............................ 220
Telephone* ................................... 222“911” emergency call ................... 231
Phone book................................... 233
Call lists ........................................ 236
Making calls.................................. 237
Functions during a single call ....... 240
Driving systems .................................. 241
Cruise control ............................... 241
Hill start assist system................. 246
Air vents ............................................. 247
Opening and closing air vents....... 248
Dual-zone automatic climate control .. 250
Deactivating the
climate control system ................. 252
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode ........... 253
Setting the temperature ............... 253
Adjusting air distribution .............. 254
Adjusting air volume ..................... 254
Using driver-side settings for all
temperature zones (Canada only) . 254
Front defroster ............................. 255
Maximum cooling MAX COOL
(USA only) ..................................... 256
Rear window defroster.................. 256
Air recirculation mode .................. 257
Air conditioning ............................ 258

Contents
3-zone automatic climate control*
(Canada only) ..................................... 259
Deactivating
climate control system ................. 261
Operating climate control
system in automatic mode ........... 261
Setting the temperature ............... 262
Adjusting air distribution .............. 263
Adjusting air volume..................... 263
Using driver-side settings for
all temperature zones................... 263
Front defroster ............................. 264
Rear window defroster ................. 265
Air recirculation mode .................. 265
Residual engine heat
and ventilation.............................. 266
Air conditioning ............................ 267
Rear climate control ..................... 268
Trunk ................................................. 269
Opening trunk .............................. 269
Closing trunk ................................ 270
Trunk emergency release ............. 271
Valet locking ................................ 272
Power tilt/sliding sunroof .................. 273
Opening and closing
power tilt/sliding sunroof............. 273Synchronizing............................... 275
Panorama roof with
power tilt/sliding panel* ................... 276
Roller sunblinds............................ 276
Opening and closing panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel . 277
Synchronizing............................... 278
Loading and storing ........................... 280
Roof rack*.................................... 280
Split rear bench seat* .................. 281
Loading instructions..................... 282
Storage compartments ................ 283
Cup holders.................................. 287
Trunk ............................................ 288
Useful features .................................. 289
Sun visors .................................... 289
Rear window sunshade* .............. 290
Ashtrays ....................................... 291
Cigarette lighter ........................... 292
Power outlet in the glove box ....... 293
Power outlet in the
rear passenger compartment ....... 293
Floormats* ................................... 294
lTele Aid* ..................................... 295
Garage door opener* ................... 303
Operation......................................... 309
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 310
Driving instructions ........................... 311
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 311
Drinking and driving ..................... 311
Pedals .......................................... 311
Power assistance ......................... 311
Brakes.......................................... 312
Driving off .................................... 314
Parking......................................... 314
Tires ............................................. 315
Hydroplaning................................ 315
Tire traction ................................. 316
Tire speed rating .......................... 316
Winter driving instructions ........... 317
Standing water............................. 318
Passenger compartment .............. 318
Driving abroad ............................. 318
Control and operation
of radio transmitters .................... 319
Catalytic converter....................... 319
Emission control .......................... 320
Coolant temperature.................... 321

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

Contents
Flat tire .............................................. 440
Preparing the vehicle.................... 440
Mounting the Minispare wheel ..... 441
Battery ............................................... 446
Disconnecting the battery ............ 448
Removing the battery ................... 449
Charging and reinstalling
the battery.................................... 449
Reconnecting the battery ............. 450
Jump starting ..................................... 451
Towing the vehicle ............................. 453
Installing towing eye bolt.............. 455
Fuses ................................................. 456
Fuse box
in passenger compartment .......... 457
Fuse box
in engine compartment ................ 457
Fuse box
in the trunk................................... 458
Technical data................................. 459
Parts service ...................................... 460
Warranty coverage............................. 461
Loss of Service and
Warranty Information Booklet ...... 461
Identification labels ........................... 462
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 464
C 300/C 350 ............................... 464
Engine................................................ 465
Rims and tires.................................... 467
Same size tires ............................. 468
Mixed size tires ............................ 469
Minispare wheel ........................... 471
Electrical system ............................... 473
Main dimensions and weights............ 474
Main dimensions .......................... 474
Weights ........................................ 475
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 476
Capacities .................................... 476
Engine oils.................................... 480
Engine oil additives ...................... 480
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 480
Brake fluid .................................... 480
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 481
Gasoline additives ........................ 481Fuel requirements ........................ 482
Flexible Fuel Vehicles (USA only) . 482
Coolants ...................................... 484
Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system* .. 486
Index................................................. 487

12 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Roadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program provides factory trained technical
help in the event of a breakdown. Calls to
the toll-free Roadside Assistance number
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA)
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada)
will be answered by Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Representatives
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
For additional information refer to the
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Pro-
gram brochure in your vehicle literature
portfolio.
Change of address or ownership
If you change your address, be sure to
send in the “Change of Address Notice”
found in the Service and Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet, or simply call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center (in the USA) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer Service (in Canada) at 1-800-387-0100. It
is in your own interest that we can contact
you should the need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all
literature with the vehicle to make it avail-
able to the next operator.
If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to
send in the “Notice of Purchase of Used
Car” found in the Service and Warranty In-
formation Booklet, or call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Cen-
ter (in the USA) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes,
or Customer Service (in Canada) at
1-800-387-0100.
Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that:

service facilities or replacement parts
may not be readily available,

unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat-
alytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts,

gasoline may have a considerably low-
er octane rating, and improper fuel can
cause engine damage.
Certain Mercedes-Benz models are avail-
able for delivery in Europe under our Euro-
pean Delivery Program. For details, consult
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9

21 At a glance
Exterior view
ItemPage
1Trunk

Unlocking

Opening and closing

Minispare wheel

Vehicle tool kit
269
269
441
420
2Rear lamps431
3Rear window, defrosting265
4Fuel filler flap
Refueling
Gasoline322
322
481
5Doors

Locking and unlocking

Opening and closing

Unlocking/locking in an
emergency
70
70
424
6Exterior rear view mirror

Adjusting97
ItemPage

Auto-dimming rear view
mirrors*

Power folding exterior rear
view mirrors*

Parking position*
(Canada only)
97
100
98
101
7Tires and wheels

Checking tire inflation
pressure

Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS), (USA only)

Run Flat Indicator (Canada
only)

General information

Minispare wheel

Flat tire
331
341
344
342
331
422
440
8Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt453
455
ItemPage
9Headlamp cleaning system*112
aFront lamps431
bHood, opening
Engine oil
Coolant
Battery325
327
329
446
cWindshield wipers
Wiper blades, replacing
Wiper blades, cleaning117
438
368
dWindshield
Front window, defrosting
Cleaning with wiper fluid
Cleaning
264
119
368
eRoofs

Power tilt/sliding sunroof

Panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel*
273
276

27 At a glance
Instrument cluster
ItemPage
1Combination gauge with:
Fuel gauge
4Fuel tank reserve
warning lamp
Coolant temperature gauge
ÌCoolant temperature
warning lamp
Indicator/warning lamps:
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator lamp
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
380
112
374
382
378
;
USA only
3
Canada onlyBrake warning
lamp376
2LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp131
ItemPage
3vElectronic Stability
Program (ESP®)
warning lamp
380
4Speedometer
5Multifunction display
6KRight turn signal
indicator lamp131
7Tachometer with:
HCombination low tire
pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale,
USA only380
=SRS indicator lamp382
-Antilock Brake System
(ABS) indicator lamp59
8Outside temperature
(manual transmission)
Outside temperature /
additional speedometer
(automatic transmission*)149
149,
169
ItemPage
9Outside temperature
(automatic transmission*)149,
169
aSelected program mode
indicator
(automatic transmission*)140
bGear position/range
indicator
(automatic transmission*)
Additional speedometer
(manual transmission)143
169
cDigital clock151
dInstrument cluster
illumination148

70 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
SmartKey
Your vehicle comes supplied with two
SmartKeys, each with remote control and
a removable mechanical key.
The SmartKey provides an extended oper-
ating range. To prevent theft, however, it is
advisable to only unlock the vehicle when
you are in close proximity to it.
The SmartKey centrally locks and unlocks,
when set to factory settings (
page 71):

the doors

the trunk

the fuel filler flap
SmartKey with remote control
1‹ Lock button
2ŠOpening button for trunk
(
page 269)
3Mechanical key locking tab
4ŒUnlock button
5Battery check lamp
6ÂPanic button (
page 58)
!To prevent possible malfunction, avoid ex-
posing the SmartKey to high levels of electro-
magnetic radiation.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey 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
result in an accident and/or serious person-
al injury.
Warning!G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the door
or trunk lid opening when closing a door or
the trunk. Be especially careful when small
children are around.
Before closing doors, make sure there is no
possibility of someone getting caught in a
door during closing.