clock MERCEDES-BENZ C300 2008 W204 Owner's Manual

27 At a glance
Instrument cluster
ItemPage
1Combination gauge with:
Fuel gauge
4Fuel tank reserve
warning lamp
Coolant temperature gauge
ÌCoolant temperature
warning lamp
Indicator/warning lamps:
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator lamp
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
380
112
374
382
378
;
USA only
3
Canada onlyBrake warning
lamp376
2LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp131
ItemPage
3vElectronic Stability
Program (ESP®)
warning lamp
380
4Speedometer
5Multifunction display
6KRight turn signal
indicator lamp131
7Tachometer with:
HCombination low tire
pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale,
USA only380
=SRS indicator lamp382
-Antilock Brake System
(ABS) indicator lamp59
8Outside temperature
(manual transmission)
Outside temperature /
additional speedometer
(automatic transmission*)149
149,
169
ItemPage
9Outside temperature
(automatic transmission*)149,
169
aSelected program mode
indicator
(automatic transmission*)140
bGear position/range
indicator
(automatic transmission*)
Additional speedometer
(manual transmission)143
169
cDigital clock151
dInstrument cluster
illumination148

148 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Adjusting instrument cluster display
illumination
1Dimmer
Brightening illumination: Turn
dimmer1 clockwise.
Dimming illumination: Turn
dimmer1 counterclockwise.
Coolant temperature gauge
The coolant temperature gauge is on the
left side in the instrument cluster
(
page 26).
iThe instrument cluster illumination is
dimmed or brightened automatically to suit am-
bient light conditions.
The instrument cluster illumination will also be
adjusted automatically when you switch on the
vehicle’s exterior lamps.
Warning!G

Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.

Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the hood. Stay away from
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle
until the engine has cooled down.

151 Controls in detail
Control system
Control system
The control system is activated as soon as
the SmartKey in the starter switch is
turned to position2 or as soon as the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button (Canada
only) is in position 2. The control system
enables you to:

call up information about your vehicle

change vehicle settings
For example, you can use the control
system to find out when your vehicle is
next due for service, to call up statistical
data on your vehicle, and much more.
The control system relays information to
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
1Text field
2Line for main menus
3Temperature
4Current program mode
(automatic transmission*)
5Current gear selector lever
position/gear range
(automatic transmission*)
Additional speedometer
(manual transmission)
6Digital clock
Settings, functions, submenus as well as
any malfunctions are shown to you in the
text field.
Warning!G
A driver’s attention to the road and traffic
conditions must always be his/her primary
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others,
selecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions
permit it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 14 m) every second.

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).

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.

272 Controls in detail
Trunk
Valet lockingClose the trunk (page 270).
Remove the mechanical key from the
SmartKey (
page 424).
Insert the mechanical key in the trunk
lid lock.
Turn the mechanical key clockwise to
position 2 to lock the trunk.
Remove the mechanical key from the
trunk lid lock.
The trunk remains locked even when the
vehicle is centrally unlocked.
Insert the mechanical key in the trunk
lid lock.
Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise to neutral position 1 to unlock the
trunk.
You can now open the trunk
(
page 269).
iTo deny any unauthorized person access to
the trunk, e.g. when you valet park the vehicle,
lock it separately with the mechanical key. Leave
only the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only) less its mechanical
key with the vehicle.
1Neutral position
2Locked
iYou can only cancel the separate trunk lock-
ing mode by means of the mechanical key.

284 Controls in detail
Loading and storing
Storage compartments in the front pas-
senger compartment
Glove box
1Glove box lid release
The glove box can be unlocked and locked
with the mechanical key (
page 424).
Opening: Pull glove box lid release1.
Closing: Push the lid up until it
engaged.
Locking: Insert the mechanical key
into the glove box lock and turn it
clockwise to position2.
Unlocking: Insert the mechanical key
into the glove box lock and turn it coun-
terclockwise to position1.Storage compartments in the front
armrest
1Right button for storage compartments
2Left button for large storage compart-
ments
1Unlocking glove box
2Locking glove box

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).

329 Operation
Engine compartment
Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.
1Cap
2Coolant expansion tank
3Fluid level bridgeUsing a rag, turn cap1 slowly approx-
imately a half-turn counterclockwise to
release any excess pressure.
Continue turning the cap1 counter-
clockwise and remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level

for cold coolant: reaches the white
marking (plastic bridge)3 inside the
coolant expansion tank2

for warm coolant: is approximately
0.6 in (1.5 cm) higher
Add coolant as required.
Replace and tighten cap1.
For more information on coolant, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 484).
Warning!G
In order to avoid potentially serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.

Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.

Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately a half-turn to relieve excess
pressure. If opened immediately, scald-
ing hot fluid and steam will be blown out
under pressure.

Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.

420 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
First aid kit
Depending on the equipment configura-
tion, 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.
1Rotary handle
2Cover
Opening: Turn the handle1 counter-
clockwise.
Fold the cover2 downward.
Remove the first aid kit.Vehicle jack, vehicle tool kit, luggage
bowl, Minispare wheel
The vehicle jack, Minispare wheel, vehicle
tool kit, and the luggage bowl are stored in
the compartment underneath the trunk
floor.
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit includes:

One towing eye bolt

One wheel wrench

Collapsible wheel chock

One pair of gloves
iCheck expiration dates and contents for
completeness at least once a year and replace
missing/expired items.