Symbols MERCEDES-BENZ C300 2008 W204 Owner's Manual

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 11
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle
outside the USA or Canada ............ 12
Where to find it .................................... 13
Symbols ............................................... 14
Operating safety .................................. 15
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 15
Problems with your vehicle .................. 16
Reporting safety defects...................... 17
Reporting safety defects ................ 17
Vehicle data recording ......................... 18
Information regarding electronic
recording devices ........................... 18At a glance.......................................... 19
Exterior view ......................................... 20
Storage compartments ......................... 22
Cockpit ................................................. 24
Instrument cluster ................................ 26
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 28
Center console ..................................... 29
Upper part ...................................... 29
Lower part ...................................... 30
Overhead control panel ........................ 31
Driver’s door control panel
and seat adjustment/memory*............ 32Safety and Security........................... 33
Occupant safety ................................... 34
Air bags .......................................... 36
Occupant Classification System ..... 41
Seat belts ....................................... 46
Active head restraints ..................... 50
Children in the vehicle .................... 51
Blocking of
rear door window operation............ 57
Panic alarm .......................................... 58
Driving safety systems ......................... 59
ABS ................................................. 59
Adaptive Brake ............................... 60
BAS ................................................. 60
EBP ................................................. 61
ESP
®............................................... 62
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) with the ESP
®..... 65
Anti-theft systems ................................ 66
Immobilizer ..................................... 66
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 66
Canceling the alarm ........................ 67

14 Introduction
Symbols
Trademarks:

ESP® is a registered trademark of
DaimlerChrysler.

HomeLink® is a registered trademark
of Prince, a Johnson Controls
Company.

SIRIUS and related marks are trade-
marks of SIRIUS Satellite Radio Inc.The following symbols are found in this
Operator’s Manual:
* Optional equipment is identified
with an asterisk. Since standard
equipment varies between models,
the descriptions and illustrations in
this manual may differ slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehi-
cle.
This symbol points to instructions for
you to follow.
A number of these symbols appearing
in succession indicates a multiple-step
procedure.
 page This symbol tells you where to
look for further information on a
topic.
This continuation symbol marks
a warning which is continued on
the next page.
This continuation symbol marks
a procedure which is continued
on the next page.
-> This symbol is used to indicate
cross-references to term defini-
tions.
DisplayWords appearing in the multi-
function display and COMAND
display are printed in the type
shown here.
Warning!G
Warning notices draw your attention to haz-
ards that may endanger your health or life,
or the health or life of others.
!Highlights hazards that may result in dam-
age to your vehicle.
iHelpful hints or further information you may
find useful.

230 Controls in detail
Audio system
TEL-Basic display
Press buttonh on the audio control
unit to call up the telephone mode.
When the connected phone is ready for op-
eration, the display will look like this:
The following information is displayed in
the status bar:

Actual time:
04:38

Bluetooth® device name of the con-
nected phone, in this case:
blue_mobil

Mobile phone network signal
strengthI. This information will
only be shown with suitable tele-
phones.The bars indicate the current signal
strength of the mobile phone network
for reception. Optimum reception is in-
dicated by all bars full. All bars empty
indicates very poor or no reception.

Receiver symbols ort.
The receiver symbol indicates whether
a call is being connected or is in
progress:
t - not active

READY indicates that a call is possible.

NO SERVICE indicates that the mobile
network is not available.Setting transmit and receive volume
h
Tel
Phone List.
Select an mobile phone from the list.
Select Options
Reception Volume
or
Transmission Volume.
To set the volume: Slideqmror
rotateymz the audio controller.
The volume bar moves up or down.
To confirm selection: Press n or
slideomp the audio controller.
iThese settings should normally not be
changed as the factory settings are matched to
most mobile phones. Find out about the opti-
mum settings for your mobile phone at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
iChanges may result in significant impair-
ments to the transmission quality. These set-
tings may not be changed during an active phone
call.

253 Controls in detail
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Operating the climate control system
in automatic mode
Activating: Press buttonU
(
page 250) while the engine is run-
ning.
The indicator lamp in the button comes
on. The air volume and air distribution
are adjusted automatically.
Use temperature controls1 and6
(
page 250) to separately adjust the
air temperature on each side of the
passenger compartment.
The temperature of the vehicle interior
is adjusted automatically.
Deactivating: Press buttonU
(
page 250) again.
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out. The automatic operation of air vol-
ume and air distribution switches off.
The symbols of air distribution and air
volume appear in displayb.
Adjust air distribution (page 254).
Adjust air volume (page 254).
Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls1 and6
(
page 250) to separately adjust the air
temperature on each side of the passenger
compartment. You should raise or lower
the temperature setting in small incre-
ments, preferably starting at 72°F (22°C).
The climate control will adjust to the set
temperature as fast as possible.
Increasing: Turn temperature
control1 and/or6 (
page 250)
slightly clockwise.
The climate control system will corre-
spondingly adjust the interior air tem-
perature.
Decreasing: Turn temperature
control1 and/or6 (
page 250)
slightly counterclockwise.
The climate control system will corre-
spondingly adjust the interior air tem-
perature.
iWhen operating the climate control system
in automatic mode, you will only rarely need to
adjust the temperature, air volume and air distri-
bution.
In automatic mode, cooling with dehumidify is
switched on. This function can be switched off if
necessary (
page 258).

254 Controls in detail
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Adjusting air distribution
Use buttonZ (
page 250) to adjust
the air distribution manually. The following
symbols are shown in displayb:
Press buttonZ (page 250) re-
peatedly until you have select the de-
sired setting and the corresponding
symbol is shown in displayb.
The indicator lamp in buttonU goes
out. The automatic air distribution is
switched off. The air distribution is
controlled according to the selected
control setting.
Adjusting air volume
Seven blower speeds are available.
Press button· to decrease
orQ (
page 250) to increase air
volume to the desired level.
The indicator lamp in buttonU
(
page 250) goes out.
The air volume is adjusted correspond-
ing to the set blower speed. The auto-
matic air distribution remains switched
on.Using driver-side settings for all tem-
perature zones (Canada only)
You can use the settings of the driver’s
side, such as temperature, air volume and
air distribution, for all temperature zones.
Activating: Press buttonz
(
page 250).
The indicator lamp in the button comes
on.
The driver-side settings are used for all
temperature zones.
Deactivating: Press buttonz
(
page 250) again.
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out.
SymbolFunction
{Directs air to the windshield
and the side defroster vents
aDirects air through the center,
side and rear passenger
compartment air vents
YDirects air to the footwells
iYou can also select a position between two
symbols with buttonZ.

262 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control* (Canada only)
Deactivating: Press buttonU
(
page 259) again.
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out. The automatic operation of air vol-
ume and air distribution switches off.
The symbols of air distribution and air
volume appear in displayd.
Adjust air distribution (page 263).
Adjust air volume (page 263).
Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls1 and/or8
(
page 259) to separately adjust the air
temperature on each side of the passenger
compartment. You should raise or lower
the temperature setting in small incre-
ments, preferably starting at 72°F (22°C).
The climate control will adjust to the set
temperature as fast as possible.
Increasing: Turn temperature
control1 and/or8 (
page 259)
slightly clockwise.
The climate control system will corre-
spondingly adjust the interior air tem-
perature.
Decreasing: Turn temperature
control1 and/or8 (
page 259)
slightly counterclockwise.
The climate control system will corre-
spondingly adjust the interior air tem-
perature.
iYou can also adjust the temperature in the
rear passenger compartment (
page 268).
iIf you turn the temperature control fully
clockwise for one side of the vehicle, you are in-
creasing the temperature for the other side of
the vehicle as well.
iIf you turn the temperature control fully
counterclockwise for one side of the vehicle, you
are decreasing the temperature for the other
side of the vehicle as well.

263 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control* (Canada only)
Adjusting air distribution
Use righta and/or lefte buttonZ
(
page 259) to adjust the air distribution
manually for each side of the passenger
compartment. The following symbols are
shown in displayd:
Press buttonsZ (page 259) re-
peatedly until you have select the de-
sired setting and the corresponding
symbol is shown in displayd.The indicator lamp in buttonU goes
out. The automatic air distribution is
switched off. The air distribution is
controlled according to the selected
control setting.
Adjusting air volume
Use buttonU (
page 259) for auto-
matic mode or button · (
page 259)
orQ (
page 259) to adjust air volume
manually.
Seven blower speeds are available for each
side of the passenger compartment.
Press button· to decrease, or
buttonQ to increase air volume to
the desired level.
The indicator lamp in buttonU
(
page 259) goes out.
The air volume is adjusted correspond-
ing to the set blower speed. The auto-
matic air distribution remains switched
on.Using driver-side settings for all tem-
perature zones
You can use the settings of the driver’s
side, such as temperature, air volume and
air distribution, for all temperature zones.
Press buttonz (page 259).
The indicator lamp in the button comes
on.
The driver-side settings are used for all
temperature zones.
SymbolFunction
{Directs air to the windshield
and the side defroster vents
aDirects air through the center,
side and rear passenger
compartment air vents
YDirects air to the footwells
iYou can also select a position between two
symbols with buttonZ.

264 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control* (Canada only)
Front defroster
You can use this setting to defrost the
windshield, for example if it is iced up. You
can also defog the windshield and the side
windows.
Activating: Press buttony
(
page 259).
The indicator lamp in the button comes
on.
The air conditioning switches
automatically to the following functions:

cooling on to dehumidify

most efficient blower speed and
heating power, depending on out-
side temperature

air flows onto the windshield and
the front side windows

the air recirculation mode is
switched off
Deactivating: Press buttony
(
page 259) again.
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out. Defrosting is turned off.
The previous settings are once again in
effect.Windshield fogged on the outsideSwitch the windshield wipers on
(
page 118).
If the automatic mode of the climate con-
trol is switched off:
Press righta and/or lefte air distri-
bution buttonZ (
page 259) re-
peatedly until one of the following
symbols appears in
displayd:aorY
(
page 259).
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield is clear again.
iYou can adjust the air distribution when the
front defroster is switched on.
iTo switch defrosting off, you can also press
button´, U,·,Q or temperature
controls1 and8 (
page 259).
iThe cooling remains switched on.
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield is clear again.

353 Operation
Tires and wheels
Manufacturer’s identification mark
The manufacturer’s identification mark2
(
page 352) denotes the tire
manufacturer.
New tires have a mark with two symbols.
Retreaded tires have a mark with four sym-
bols. For more information on retreaded
tires (
page 331).
Tire size
The code3 (
page 352) indicates the
tire size.
Tire type code
The code4 (
page 352) may, at the
option of the manufacturer, be used as a
descriptive code for identifying significant
characteristics of the tire.
Date of manufacture
The date of manufacture5 (
page 352)
identifies the week and year of manufac-
ture. The first two figures identify the week,
starting with “01” to represent the first full
week of the calendar year. The second two
figures represent the year.
For example, “3202” represents the 32nd
week of 2002.
Maximum tire load
1Maximum tire load rating
The maximum tire load is the maximum
weight the tires are designed to support.For more information on tire load rating
(
page 349).
For information on calculating total and
cargo load capacities (
page 336).
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.
Warning!G
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit or total load limit as indi-
cated on the Tire and Loading Information
placard located on the driver’s door B-pillar
(
page 334). Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.
Overloading the tires can also result in han-
dling or steering problems, or brake failure.

503 Index
SRS 47
Indicator lamp 27, 382
Messages in display 416
Standing lamps 434, 436
Replacing bulbs 431
Standing water, Driving through 318
Starter switch 82
Positions 82
Starting difficulties, Engine 129
Starting, Engine 126
Steering wheel 93, 94
Adjustment, electrical 94
Adjustment, manual 93
Buttons 28
Cleaning 371
Easy entry/exit feature*
(Canada only) 95
Power steering fluid 478
Stolen Vehicle Recovery services 302
Storage compartments 283
Cup holder 287
Front armrest 284
Parcel net 285
Rear armrest 286
Storage compartment in front
armrest 284Storage pockets 286
Storing tires 333
Submenus see Control system submenus
Summer opening feature 123
Sun visors 289
Sunroof see Power tilt/sliding sunroof
Sunshade
Extending/retracting rear window
sunshade 290
Switching
Fuel (Flexible fuel vehicle) 483
Symbols used in this operator’s
manual 14
System settings
Bluetooth
® (Audio system) 192
Display (Audio system) 192
Setting the system language 193
System settings (Audio system)
Menu overview 192
Reset to factory settings 193
Setting the system language 193T
Tachometer 149
Overspeed range 149
Tail lamps
Cleaning lenses 367
Replacing bulbs 431, 436
Tar stains 365
Technical data
Flexible fuel vehicles 482
Tele Aid* 295
Automatic Maintenance Call 302
Call priority 301
Emergency calls 296
Hands-free microphone 31
Information 300
Information button* 300
Initiating an emergency call
manually 298
Messages in display 418
Remote door lock 302
Remote door unlock* 301
Roadside Assistance button* 299,
300
Roadside Assistance* 299
SOS button 298
Stolen Vehicle Recovery