heating MERCEDES-BENZ C300 2008 W204 User Guide

312 Operation
Driving instructions
Brakes
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 sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally 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.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 60).
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 red brake warning lamp in
the instrument cluster comes on while the
engine is running and an acoustic warning
sounds (
page 376). Observe additional
messages in the multifunction display that
may appear (
page 387).
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
effect. 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
accident.
!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®” (
page 65).
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.

313 Operation
Driving instructions
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 can cool down
the brakes faster.
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 using the engine’s braking power, a drive
wheel may not spin for an extended period of
time, e.g. on slippery road surfaces.This may cause serious damage to the drivetrain
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.

493 Index
ESP®62
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP
®65
Messages in display 389, 397, 398
Warning lamp 27, 376, 379, 380
ETD 49
Safety guidelines 38
Ethanol fuel
At the gas station 322
Switching fuels 483
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 97
Auto-dimming on the driver’s
side 99, 100
Fold-in settings 175
Power folding* 98F
Fahrenheit see Temperature display
mode 167
First aid kit 420
Flat tire 440
Lowering the vehicle 445
Mounting the Minispare wheel 441
Preparing the vehicle 440
Flexible fuel vehicles 482
At the gas station 322
Switching fuels 483
Floormats* 294
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 476,
477
Brake fluid 478, 480
Capacities 476
Engine coolant 329, 478, 484
Engine oil 328, 476, 480
Power steering fluid 478
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system 479, 486
Fog lamps 431
Messages in display 410
Replacing bulbs 431, 432, 436Four wheel electronic traction system
(4MATIC) with ESP
®65
4MATIC 65
Front air bags 39
Front lamps see headlamps
Front passenger front air bag 39
Messages in display 393
Front passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 29, 45, 385
Front seats
Heating* 91
Fuel 322, 478, 481
Additives 481
Capacity, Fuel tank 478
Cruising range 483
E85 (Ethanol fuel) 478, 483
Filling the tank 322
Fuel filler flap and cap 322
Fuel reserve warning lamp 27, 150,
380
Gauge 27, 150
Premium unleaded gasoline 478,
481
Requirements, Octane rating 482
Switching (Flexible fuel vehicle) 483

502 Index
Seats 85
Adjustment 85
Easy entry/exit feature*
(Canada only) 95
Head restraints 89
Heating*, front seats 91
Lumbar support 91
Memory function* (Canada only) 102
Split rear bench seat* 281
Selector lever see Gear selector lever*
Self-test
OCS 45
Tele Aid* 296
Service and warranty information 10
Service intervals see Maintenance service
indicator
Service life, Tires 332
Service menu 164
Service see Maintenance
Service system see Maintenance, Mainte-
nance System
Service, Parts 460Setting
Cruise control 242
Higher speed in cruise control 244
Lower speed in cruise control 245
Temperature (interior) 262
To last stored speed (“Resume” func-
tion) in cruise control 245
Setting current speed 242
Settings
Control system menus and
submenus 154, 155
Date 170
Daytime running lamp mode 171
Individual, Vehicle 165
Lighting (control system) 171
Menus and submenus 153
Resetting all (control system) 166
Resetting values in trip menu 157
Shelf below rear window, Cleaning and
care of 371
Shift lever position indicator 151
Shift program mode,
Automatic transmission* 144, 151Shifting
Into reverse
(manual transmission) 137
Manual transmission 126, 137
Shifting, Automatic transmission* 138
Side impact air bags 40
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses 367
Messages in display 412
Replacing bulbs 431
Side windows see Power windows
Sidewall 358
SIRIUS satellite radio* see Satellite radio*
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
(Canada only) see Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only)
Snow chains 361
Spare wheel see Minispare wheel
Speed settings
Cruise control 244, 245
Setting current 242
To last stored speed
(“Resume” function) in Cruise
control 245
Speedometer 168