2010 MERCEDES-BENZ C300 4MATIC page 88

removed without putting other road users
at risk
R maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead and drive with particular care
R carefully apply the brakes at the end of a
trip and immediately after commencing a
new trip, so that salt residues are removed
from the brake disc
Brake service
! The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be too low if the red brake warning lamp in
the instrument cluster comes on while the
engine is running and an acoustic warning
sounds. Observe additional messages in
the multifunction display that may appear.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the
reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and use brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
GWarning!
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that safe
braking is substantially impaired. This could
result in an accident.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Only conduct operational or performance
tests on a two-axle dynamometer. If such
tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system or the transfer case which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Because the ESP ®
operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or
1 or KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in
position 0 or 1) when the parking brake is
being tested on a brake test dynamometer.
Active braking action through the ESP ®
may otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! Vehicles without 4MATIC:
Because the ESP ®
operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or
1 or KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in
position 0 or 1) when the parking brake is
being tested on a brake test dynamometer
or the vehicle is being towed with the front
axle raised.
Active braking action through the ESP ®
may otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
If your brake system is only subjected to
moderate loads, you should occasionally test
the effectiveness of the brakes by applying
above-normal braking pressure at higher
speeds. This will also enhance the grip of the
brake pads.GWarning!
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) ( Y page 61).
High-performance brake system
The high-performance brake system is only
available on C 63 AMG.
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Maintenance service indicator
message
Information on maintenance work and
maintenance intervals are specified in the
Maintenance Booklet. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, or visit
www.mbusa.com (USA only) for additional
information.
The maintenance service indicator message
will notify you when the next maintenance
service is required.
Starting approximately 1 month before the
next maintenance service is required, one of
the following messages will appear in the
multifunction display. The messages will
appear while you are driving or when you
switch on the ignition (example service A):
Next Service A in XXXX miles (km)
Next Service A in XX days
Service A Due
An additional number or a further letter in
combination with the maintenance type can
be indicated. This indicates that further
auxiliary maintenance work is required.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for more information.
Clearing the maintenance service
indicator message
The maintenance service indicator message
is cleared automatically
Rafter approximately 10 seconds when you
switch on the ignition
Rafter approximately 10 seconds when
reaching the service threshold while driving
Rafter approximately 30 seconds, once the
suggested maintenance service term has
passed
XClearing the maintenance service
indicator message manually: Press
button % or button a on the
multifunction steering wheel.
The standard display appears in the
multifunction display.
Maintenance service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested
maintenance service term, you will see the
following message in the multifunction
display:
Service A Exceeded by XXXXX miles
(km)
Service A Exceeded by XXX days
In addition, a signal sounds when the
message appears.
Any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
reset the maintenance service indicator
following a completed maintenance service.
Calling up the maintenance service
indicator display
iThe menu overview can be found on
(Y page 121).
You can call up the maintenance service
indicator display at any time to check when
the next maintenance service is required.
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XSwitch on the ignition.
The standard display of the control system
appears ( Y page 121).XPress button = or ; on the
multifunction steering wheel to select the
Service menu.XPress button : or 9 to select
ASSYST PLUS .XPress button a on the multifunction
steering wheel to confirm.
The maintenance service indicator display
with the maintenance service deadline
appears in the multifunction display.
i If the battery was disconnected, the days
of disconnection will not be included in the
count shown by the maintenance service
indicator. To arrive at the true maintenance
service deadline, you will need to subtract
these days from the days shown in the
maintenance service indicator message or
maintenance service indicator display.
Resetting the maintenance service
indicator
In the event that the maintenance service on
your vehicle is not carried out at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, you can have the
maintenance service indicator reset.
The automotive maintenance facility carrying
out the maintenance service will find the
information for resetting the maintenance
service indicator in the maintenance-relevant
literature for your vehicle.
Such literature is available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or directly from
Mercedes-Benz.
! If the maintenance service indicator was
reset inadvertently, have an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center correct it.
Only reset the maintenance service
indicator if the proper maintenance service
has been performed. Not following the
proper maintenance service as described
in the Maintenance Booklet will result in
engine damage and/or other vehicle
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Vehicle care
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Notes
Regular and proper care will help to maintain
the value of your vehicle.
GWarning!
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the
particular container. Always open your
vehicle’s doors or windows when cleaning the
inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and keep
them out of reach of children.
! When cleaning the vehicle, do not use
scouring agents. Never apply strong force
and only use a soft, wet cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the
surface to be cleaned.
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external
influences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the vehicle
underbody and cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by extreme
and varying climatic conditions, but also by:
R Air pollution
R Road salt
R Tar
R Gravel and stone chipping
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Be careful not to apply wax to rear view
camera lens : when waxing the vehicle. If
necessary, remove the wax using the
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo with
plenty of water.
! Do not clean the camera and the area
around the camera
R with a high-pressure cleaner
R with a dry cloth and strong pressure
R with aggressive cleaning agents
You could otherwise damage the camera.
Cleaning the windows and the wiper
blades
! The windshield wipers must be in a
vertical position before folding them away
from the windshield. They could otherwise
damage the hood.
Never open the hood when the wiper arms
are folded forward.
XMake sure the hood is fully closed.XSwitch on the ignition.XTurn combination switch to wiper setting
° (Y page 96).XWith wiper arms in vertical position, switch
off the ignition.GWarning!
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove SmartKey from starter switch before
cleaning the windshield and/or the wiper
blades. Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: Make
sure the vehicle’s on-board electronics have
status 0. Otherwise, the wiper motor could
suddenly turn on and cause injury.
! Do not pull on the wiper blade inserts.
They could tear.
XFold the wiper arms forward until they snap
into place.XClean the windshield and the wiper blade
inserts with a clean cloth and mild
detergent solution.XUse a soft, clean cloth and a mild window
cleaning solution on all outside and inside
glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is
recommended.
! Fold the windshield wiper arms back onto
the windshield before turning the SmartKey
in the starter switch or pressing the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the wiper
arm back. If released, the force of the
impact from the tensioning spring could
crack the windshield.
! To clean the window interior, do not use
a dry cloth, abrasives, solvents or cleaners
containing solvents. Do not touch the
inside of the windows with hard objects
such as an ice scraper or ring. Doing so may
damage the windows.
Cleaning the panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel
The rear part of the tilt/sliding panel has a
protective layer on the inside.
XUse a soft, clean cloth and a mild window
cleaning solution.
An automotive glass cleaner is
recommended.
! Do not use a dry cloth, abrasives, solvents
or cleaners containing solvents. Do not
touch the protective layer with hard objects
such as an ice scraper or ring. Never apply
strong force and only use a soft, non-
scratching cloth when cleaning the rear
part of the tilt/sliding panel.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the
protective layer.
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Vehicle equipment
iThis Operator’s Manual describes all
features, standard or optional, potentially
available for your vehicle at the time of
purchase. Please be aware that your
vehicle might not be equipped with all
features described in this manual.
Where will I find ...?
First aid kit
iCheck expiration dates and contents for
completeness at least once a year and
replace missing/expired items.
Depending on the equipment configuration,
the first-aid kit will be located either in the
open storage department in the trunk or
behind the cover panel on the left-hand side
of the trunk.
XTurn lock : counterclockwise.XFold down cover ;.
The first aid kit can be removed.
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit is located in the space
underneath the trunk floor.
iVehicles without spare wheel are not
factory-equipped with the tools required for
a wheel change such as a jack or a wheel
wrench. Some tools required for a wheel
change are specific to your vehicle.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to obtain the tools approved for
your vehicle.
The vehicle tool kit includes:
RCollapsible wheel chock20
RFuse chart
RJack20
RPair of gloves20
RTowing eye bolt
RWheel wrench20
XOpen the trunk (Y page 75).XLift the trunk floor using the floor handle.XEngage the floor handle on the upper trunk
lip.
! To prevent damage, always disengage the
floor handle from the upper trunk lip and
lower the trunk floor before closing the
trunk.
:Tab;Removing vehicle tool kit box=Vehicle tool kit box cover?Opening vehicle tool kit box coverATabBVehicle tool kitCVehicle tool kit boxDLuggage bowl20Vehicles with spare wheel only.268Where will I find ...?Practical hints
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XRemoving vehicle tool kit box: Pull
tab : in direction of arrow ; and lift
vehicle tool kit box C.
XRemove vehicle tool kit box C from
luggage bowl D.
XOpening vehicle tool kit box cover: Pull
tab A in direction of arrow ? and open
vehicle tool kit box cover =.
XInstalling vehicle tool kit box: Slide
vehicle tool kit box C into the recess of
luggage bowl D.
XPush vehicle tool kit box C downward until
it engages into luggage bowl D.
Collapsible wheel chock
The collapsible wheel chock serves to secure
the vehicle, e.g. while changing a wheel.
XTake the collapsible wheel chock from the
vehicle tool kit (Y page 268).
XSetting up: Tilt both plates upward :.XFold the lower plate outward ;.XGuide the tabs of the lower plate all the way
into the openings of base plate =.
For information on where to place wheel
chocks when changing a wheel, see “Lifting
the vehicle” (Y page 318).
Jack
GWarning!
Only use the jack supplied with your vehicle
to lift the vehicle briefly for wheel changes. If
you use the jack for any other purpose, you or
others could be injured, as the jack is
designed only for the purpose of changing a
wheel.
When using the jack, observe the safety notes
in the “Mounting the spare wheel” section and
the notes on the jack.
XTake the jack from the vehicle tool kit
(Y page 268).
Storage position
XTurn the crank handle in the direction of
arrow as far as it will go.
Operational position
XTurn the crank handle clockwise.
Before placing the jack back into the vehicle
tool kit:
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Spare wheelGObserve Safety notes, see page 317.
The spare wheel is located in the space
underneath the trunk floor.
XRemoving: Open the trunk (Y page 75).XLift the trunk floor using the floor handle.XEngage the trunk floor handle on the upper
trunk lip.
! To prevent damage, always disengage the
floor handle from the upper trunk lip and
lower the trunk floor before closing the
trunk.
XRemove luggage bowl ; by turning it
counterclockwise.
XRemove spare wheel :.
Storing the spare wheel after use
XPlace spare wheel : into the spare wheel
well.
XSecure spare wheel : by turning luggage
bowl ; clockwise.
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display
Notes
Warning and malfunction messages appear in
the multifunction display located in the
instrument cluster.
Certain warning and malfunction messages
are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in this
Operator’s Manual.
High-priority messages appear in the
multifunction display in red color.
Certain messages of high priority cannot be
cleared from the multifunction display using
a or % on the multifunction steering
wheel (Y page 118).
Other messages of high priority and
messages of less immediate priority can be
cleared from the multifunction display using
a or %. They are then stored in the
vehicle status message memory
(Y page 129). Remember that clearing a
message will only make the message
disappear. Clearing a message will not
correct the condition that caused the
message to appear.
GWarning!
All categories of messages contain important
information which should be taken note of
and, where a malfunction is indicated,
addressed as soon as possible at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair the condition noted may
cause damage not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty, or result in property
damage or personal injury.
GWarning!
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see
information about your driving conditions,
such as
Rspeed
Routside temperature
Rwarning/indicator lamps
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Rmalfunction/warning messages
R failure of any systems
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, do so with added
caution. Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible.On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may appear.
For your convenience the messages are
divided into text messages ( Y page 272) and
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