heating MERCEDES-BENZ C280 2007 W203 User Guide

262 Operation
Driving instructions
Power assistanceBrakes
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only
subject 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.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle.
Warning!G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles
in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.
!Vehicles without 4MATIC:
Because the ESP® operates automatically, the
engine must be turned off (SmartKey in starter
switch 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
® ” (page 88).

263 Operation
Driving instructions
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 84).
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid level in
the reservoir.
The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be too low if the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on and an
acoustic warning sounds although the
parking brake is released (
page 324).
Observe additional messages in the multi-
function display that may appear
(
page 344).
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 brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
park, so that the air stream will cool down
the brakes faster.
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
operating temperature has been reached.
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.
Warning!G
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.
!When driving down long and steep grades,
relieve the load on the brakes by shifting into a
lower gear to use the engine’s braking power.
This helps prevent overheating of the brakes and
reduces brake pad wear.
!When starting 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
Warranty.
!Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brake reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake and
drivetrain wear.

322 Practical hints
What to do if …
Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during thebulb self-check when switching on the
ignition, have the respective bulb checked
and replaced if necessary.
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
-The yellow ABS indicator lamp
comes on while the engine is
running.The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The BAS and the ESP®
are also switched off (see messages in the
multifunction display).
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the systems specified
above.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning,
other systems such as the navigation
system* or the automatic transmission
may also be malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 333).
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The ABS has switched off.
The battery might not be charged suffi-
ciently.Switch off electrical consumers that are
currently not needed, e.g. seat heating*.
If necessary, have the generator and bat-
tery checked.
When the voltage is above this value again,
the ABS is operational again.

432 Index
S
Safety
Driving safety systems 82
Occupant 58
Reporting defects 18
Safety belts see Seat belts
Satellite radio* 197
Seat belt force limiter 72
Seat belts 69
Children in the vehicle 74
Cleaning 319
Fastening 43
Height adjustment 45
Proper use of 45, 70
Safety guidelines 62
Telltale 25
Seat heating* 106
Seating capacity 285Seats, 34, 101
Heating* 106
Lumbar support* 105
Manual 35, 101
Memory function*
(Power seats*) 107
Multicontour seat*
(Canada only) 105
Power* 37, 101
Rear bench seat* 233
Securing cargo 236
Selector lever see Gear selector lever
Selector lever see gear selector lever
Self-test
OCS 68
Tele Aid* 248
Service and Warranty Booklet
Loss of 397
Service and warranty information 10
Service intervals see
Maintenance service indicator 310
Service life (tires) 282
Service see Maintenance Service system
see FSS (Canada vehicles)
Service, Parts 396Settings
Control system menus
and submenus 124, 125
Date 138
Factory, SmartKey 93
Individual, SmartKey 94
Individual, Vehicle 131
Lighting (control system) 139
Memory function* 107
Menus and submenus 123
Resetting all (control system) 131
Selective, SmartKey 94
Time 136, 137
Shelf below rear window, cleaning 319
Shift lever position indicator 121
Shift program mode,
Automatic transmission* 121
Shifting
Automatic transmission* 47
Into reverse
(manual transmission) 150
Manual transmission 46, 150
Shifting, Automatic transmission* 151
Side impact air bags (front and rear*) 64