2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350S automatic transmission

168 Controls in detail
Control system
Instrument cluster submenu
Access the
Instr. Cluster submenu via
the
Settings menu. Use the Instr. Clus-
ter
submenu to change the instrument
cluster display settings.
The following functions are available:
Select speedometer display mode
Press % or $ to select the
Instr. Cluster submenu.
Press #.
Press % or $ to select Display
Unit Speed-/odometer
function.The selection marker is on the current
setting.
Press % or $ to set speedome-
ter unit to
km ormiles.
Press # to confirm the setting.
The selected display unit is valid for:

Odometer and trip odometer

Trip computer

Digital speedometer in the trip menu

Cruise controlSelect language
Selecting the language for the multifunc-
tion display is only possible with the Audio
system (
page 193) or with COMAND*.
Vehicles with COMAND*: Refer to sepa-
rate operating instructions.
The language select in the Audio system or
COMAND* is also used for the displays
and messages in the multifunction display.
Available languages:

German

English

Spanish

French

Italian
FunctionPage
Select speedometer display
mode168
Switch the additional speedome-
ter on or off (vehicles with manu-
al transmission)169
Permanent display (vehicles with
automatic transmission*)169

242 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Setting current or higher speed
Adjustment in 1 mph increments (to re-
sistance point) or 5 mph increments
(past resistance point)
(Canada: 1 km/h or 10 km/h)
2Setting current or lower speed
Adjustment in 1 mph increments (to re-
sistance point) or 5 mph increments
(past resistance point)
(Canada: 1 km/h or 10 km/h)
3Cancel cruise control
4Resume to last set speedActivating cruise control
You can activate the cruise control if the
vehicle speed is above 20 mph (30 km/h).
In the following cases you cannot activate
the cruise control:

when you brake

the vehicle is secured with the parking
brake

Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
when the gear selector lever is set to
positionP, R, or N

when ESP® is switched offSetting current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
Briefly lift the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1 or depress in
direction of arrow2.
The current speed is set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The cruise control is activated.

The last set speed appears in the
multifunction display for approxi-
mately 5 seconds.

The corresponding speedometer
segments from the selected speed
to the vehicle maximum speed in
the multifunction display are illumi-
nated.iThe vehicle speed displayed in the speedom-
eter can briefly vary from the speed setting for
the cruise control system.

243 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1SegmentsCanceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel the cruise
control:
Step on the brake pedal.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
or
Briefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow3 (
page 242).
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
iOn uphill grades, the cruise control may not
be able to maintain the set speed. Once the
grade eases, the set speed will be resumed.
On downhill grades, the cruise control maintains
the set speed by braking with the vehicle’s
braking system. In addition, on longer downhill
grades the automatic transmission* will down-
shift automatically.
iVehicles with manual transmission:
If you depress the clutch pedal when shifting into
another gear, the engine speed may increase.

Always drive at sufficient, but not excessive,
engine speed.

Shift gear in a timely manner.

Avoid shifting down more than one gear if at
all possible.
iThe last stored set speed is canceled when
the engine is turned off.
iThe cruise control switches off
automatically and the segments in the multifunc-
tion display go out when

you step on the brake pedal.

you press the parking brake pedal.
The cruise control switches off automatically,
the segments in the multifunction display go out
and an acoustic warning sounds when

the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(30 km/h).

the ESP® is in operation or switched off with
the ESP® switch (page 63).

Vehicles with manual transmission:
you engage neutral or depress the clutch
pedal for more than 6 seconds during shift-
ing into another gear.

Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
you move the gear selector lever to
positionN while driving.
Observe additional messages in the
multifunction display that may appear.

244 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a higher speed
You can increase the set speed in two
ways.
Adjustment in 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h)
incrementsBriefly lift the cruise control lever to the
resistance point in direction of
arrow1 (
page 242).
Release the cruise control lever.
The vehicle set speed increases in in-
crements 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h).
Adjustment in 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h) increments
Briefly lift the cruise control lever past
the resistance point in direction of
arrow1 (
page 242).
Release the cruise control lever.
The vehicle set speed increases in in-
crements 5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
Setting the automatic transmission toN while
driving cancels the cruise control. However, the
gear selector lever should not be moved to
positionN while driving except to coast when
the vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g. on icy
roads).
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the cruise control. After brief acceler-
ation (e.g. for passing), the cruise control will re-
sume the last speed set.
Warning!G
If you increase the set vehicle speed, keep in
mind that it may take a brief moment until
the vehicle has reached the set speed.
Increase the set vehicle speed to a value
that the prevailing road conditions and legal
speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden and
unexpected acceleration of the vehicle
could cause an accident and/or serious
injury to you and others.
iThe set speed value is increased in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments each time you lift
the cruise control lever up to the resistance
point.
iThe set speed value is increased in 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h) increments each time you lift
the cruise control lever up past the resistance
point.
iThe new speed is set and the vehicle will ac-
celerate. Keep in mind that it may take a brief
moment until the vehicle has reached the set
speed.

246 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Briefly pull the cruise control lever in
the direction of arrow4 (
page 242).
The cruise control resumes to the last
set speed or if no speed is stored, it will
set and store the current speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The last set speed appears in the multi-
function display for approximately
5 seconds, and the corresponding
speedometer segments from the se-
lected speed to the vehicle maximum
speed are illuminated.
Hill start assist system
On uphill grades with a gradient angle of
more than 5°, the hill start assist system
maintains the pressure in the brake sys-
tem for approximately 1 second after you
have released the brake pedal. Therefore,
you can start off smoothly without the
vehicle moving immediately after releasing
the brake pedal.
Depress the brake pedal
Manual transmission: Engage for-
ward or reverse gear.
Slowly release the clutch pedal, remov-
ing your foot from the brake pedal at
the same time, and carefully depress
the accelerator pedal.
Automatic transmission*: Move the
gear selector lever to position Dor R.
Remove your foot from the brake pedal
and carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.
The hill start assist system is inactive

when starting off on a level road or
downhill grades

vehicles with automatic transmission*
with the gear selector lever in
positionN

with the parking brake depressed

if the ESP® has switched off due to a
malfunction
iThe last stored set speed is deleted when
the engine is turned off.
Warning!G
The hill start assist system is not designed
to function as an parking brake and does not
prevent the vehicle from moving when
parked on an incline.
Always depress the parking brake in
addition to shifting to park positionP.
iWhen you remove your foot from the accel-
erator, the vehicle will remain stationary for ap-
prox. 1 second.

314 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving off
Apply the brakes to test them briefly after
driving off. Perform this procedure only
when the road is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not
place full load on the engine until the oper-
ating temperature has been reached.Parking
!When driving off on a slippery surface, do
not allow a drive wheel to spin for an extended
period with the ESP
® switched off. Doing so may
cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited War-
ranty.
!Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brakes reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake and
drivetrain wear.
Warning!G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where
combustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, or
damage to the vehicle or the vehicle
drivetrain, as a result of vehicle movement,
always do the following before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.

Manual transmission: Move the gear
shift lever to neutral position (no gear
selected).

Firmly depress the parking brake.

Manual transmission: Move the gear
shift lever into first or reverse gear.

Automatic transmission*: Move the
gear selector lever to positionP.

Slowly release brake pedal.

When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards the road curb.

Turn the SmartKey or the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only) to
starter switch position0 and remove, or
press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop but-
ton.

Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO
* with you and lock the
vehicle when leaving.

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).