roof rack MERCEDES-BENZ C300 2008 W204 Owner's Manual

Contents
3-zone automatic climate control*
(Canada only) ..................................... 259
Deactivating
climate control system ................. 261
Operating climate control
system in automatic mode ........... 261
Setting the temperature ............... 262
Adjusting air distribution .............. 263
Adjusting air volume..................... 263
Using driver-side settings for
all temperature zones................... 263
Front defroster ............................. 264
Rear window defroster ................. 265
Air recirculation mode .................. 265
Residual engine heat
and ventilation.............................. 266
Air conditioning ............................ 267
Rear climate control ..................... 268
Trunk ................................................. 269
Opening trunk .............................. 269
Closing trunk ................................ 270
Trunk emergency release ............. 271
Valet locking ................................ 272
Power tilt/sliding sunroof .................. 273
Opening and closing
power tilt/sliding sunroof............. 273Synchronizing............................... 275
Panorama roof with
power tilt/sliding panel* ................... 276
Roller sunblinds............................ 276
Opening and closing panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel . 277
Synchronizing............................... 278
Loading and storing ........................... 280
Roof rack*.................................... 280
Split rear bench seat* .................. 281
Loading instructions..................... 282
Storage compartments ................ 283
Cup holders.................................. 287
Trunk ............................................ 288
Useful features .................................. 289
Sun visors .................................... 289
Rear window sunshade* .............. 290
Ashtrays ....................................... 291
Cigarette lighter ........................... 292
Power outlet in the glove box ....... 293
Power outlet in the
rear passenger compartment ....... 293
Floormats* ................................... 294
lTele Aid* ..................................... 295
Garage door opener* ................... 303
Operation......................................... 309
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 310
Driving instructions ........................... 311
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 311
Drinking and driving ..................... 311
Pedals .......................................... 311
Power assistance ......................... 311
Brakes.......................................... 312
Driving off .................................... 314
Parking......................................... 314
Tires ............................................. 315
Hydroplaning................................ 315
Tire traction ................................. 316
Tire speed rating .......................... 316
Winter driving instructions ........... 317
Standing water............................. 318
Passenger compartment .............. 318
Driving abroad ............................. 318
Control and operation
of radio transmitters .................... 319
Catalytic converter....................... 319
Emission control .......................... 320
Coolant temperature.................... 321

280 Controls in detail
Loading and storing
Roof rack*
1CoversFlip the covers1 upward in direction
of arrow.
Vehicles with panorama roof with
tilt/sliding panel*: Open the cover 1
carefully in the opposite direction to
that indicated by the arrow.
Only attach the roof-rack system to the
anchorage points under the covers.
Observe manufacturer’s instructions
for installation.
Warning!G
Only use roof racks approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to
avoid damage to the vehicle.
Follow the manufacturer’s installation
instructions. Otherwise, an improperly
attached roof rack system or its load could
become detached from the vehicle.
Do not exceed the maximum roof load of
220 lb (100 kg).
Take into consideration that when the roof
rack is loaded, the handling characteristics
are different from those when operating the
vehicles without the roof rack loaded.
!Load the roof rack in such a way that the ve-
hicle cannot be damaged while driving.
Make sure

you can fully raise tilt/sliding sunroof or the
panorama roof with tilt/sliding panel*

you can fully open the trunk

311 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent,
depends on driving habits and operating
conditions.
To save fuel you should:

Keep tires at the recommended tire
inflation pressures.

Remove unnecessary loads.

Remove roof rack when not in use.

Allow engine to warm up under low
load use.

Avoid frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.

Have all maintenance work performed
at the intervals specified in the Mainte-
nance Booklet and as required by the
Maintenance System. Contact an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driv-
ing in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic,
on short trips, and in hilly area.
Drinking and drivingPedals
Power assistance
Warning!G
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs
and driving are very dangerous combina-
tions. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal ac-
cident are greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Warning!G
Make sure absolutely no objects are ob-
structing the pedals’ range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all obsta-
cles. If there are any floormats or carpets in
the footwell, make sure the pedals still have
sufficient clearance. Otherwise this could
lead to accidents or injury.
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 ve-
hicle.

357 Operation
Tires and wheels
DOT (Department of Transportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross Axle Weight Rating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
GVW (G
ross Vehicle Weight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GVW must never exceed the
GVWR indicated on the certification label
located on the driver’s door B-pillar.GVWR (G
ross Vehicle Weight Rating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on certi-
fication label located on the driver’s door
B-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kilopascals (kPa) to 1 psi; another
metric unit for air pressure is bars. There
are 100 kilopascals (kPa) to 1 bar.
Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
total load limit, and production options
weight.Maximum tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire
under normal driving conditions.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by
68 kilograms (150 lbs).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.
Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed
regular production options weighing over
5 lbs (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.

369 Operation
Vehicle care
Cleaning the panorama roof with
tilt/sliding panel*
The rear part of the tilt/sliding panel has a
protective layer on the inside.
Use a soft, clean cloth and a mild
window cleaning solution.
An automotive glass cleaner is recom-
mended.Chrome-plated exhaust tip*
Regular cleaning and care of chrome-plat-
ed exhaust tips will help to maintain their
shine and the classy appearance.Use Mercedes-Benz approved Chrome
Polishing Paste each time the vehicle
has been washed, especially during the
winter.
!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 (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*
(Canada only)).
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 con-
taining solvents. Do not touch the inside of the
front, rear or side windows with hard objects
such as an ice scraper or ring. Doing so may
damage the windows.
!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 clean-
ing the rear part of the tilt/sliding panel.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the pro-
tective layer.!Do not use alkaline cleaners such as wheel
cleaners as they could cause corrosion.

475 Technical data
Main dimensions and weights
Weights
ModelC 300 Sport
C 300 4MATIC Sport
C 350 SportC 3501
1Canada only.
C 350 4MATIC1C 230 4MATIC1
C 230 4MATIC Sport1
Overall vehicle length182.3 in (4 630 mm)182.3 in (4 630 mm)180.6 in (4 586 mm)
Overall vehicle width (exterior
rear view mirrors folded out)79.5 in (2 020 mm)79.5 in (2 020 mm)79.5 in (2 020 mm)
Overall vehicle width (exterior
rear view mirrors folded in)69.7 in (1770 mm)69.7 in (1770 mm)69.7 in (1770 mm)
Overall vehicle height56.3 in (1 429 mm)57.0 in (1 448 mm)57.1 in (1 449 mm)
Wheelbase124.6 in (2 760 mm)124.6 in (2 760 mm)124.6 in (2 760 mm)
Track, front60.4 in (1 533 mm)60.4 in (1 533 mm)60.4 in (1 533 mm)
Track, rear59.6 in (1 514 mm)60.5 in (1 536 mm)60.5 in (1 536 mm)
Max. roof load 220 lb (100 kg)
Max. trunk load220 lb (100 kg)

501 Index
Replacing bulbs 430
Additional turn signals 431
Backup lamps 431, 436
Brake lamps 431
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamp* 431
Fog lamps 431, 436
Headlamp bulbs 432
Headlamps 431
High beam flasher
(Bi-Xenon*) 431, 435
High beam flasher
(Halogen) 431, 433
High beam headlamps
(Bi-Xenon*) 431
High beam headlamps
(Halogen) 431, 433
High mounted brake lamp 431
License plate lamps 431, 437
Low beam headlamps
(Bi-Xenon*) 431
Low beam headlamps
(Halogen) 431, 433
Parking lamps 431, 434, 436
Side marker lamps 431
Standing lamps 431, 434, 436Tail lamps 431, 436
Turn signal lamps 431
Turn signal lamps (Bi-Xenon*) 436
Turn signal lamps (Halogen) 434
Reporting safety defects 17
Reset to factory settings
(Audio system) 193
Residual engine heat and ventilation 266
Restraint systems
Messages in display 416
See Children in the vehicle
See SRS
Reverse gear position, Automatic
transmission* 138, 140
Reverse gear position,
Manual transmission 126
Rims 358
And Tires 467
Tires and wheels 331
Roadside Assistance 12
Roadside Assistance*
Tele Aid* 299
RON 478
Roof rack* 280
Rubber parts, cleaning 370
Run Flat Indicator* (Canada only) 342S
Safety
Driving safety systems 59
Occupant 34
Reporting defects 17
Safety belts see Seat belts
Satellite radio*
Calling SIRIUS Service Center 207
Channel update 207
Operation 200
Selecting program category 203
Showing program info 206
Storing channels 206
Submenu overview 200
Tuning in channels 204
Seat belts 46
Children in the vehicle 51
Cleaning 371
Fastening 46, 105
Force limiter 49
Messages in display 416
Proper use of 47, 106
Safety guidelines 38
Telltale 27, 48, 380
Seating capacity 335

506 Index
Washing 364, 366
Weights 475
With flexible fuel 482
Vehicle data recording 18
Vehicle jack 421
Vehicle loading 280, 334
Instructions 282
Load limit 335
Roof rack* 280
Split rear bench seat* 281
Terminology 356
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 359
Vehicle Recovery services, Stolen
(Tele Aid*) 302
Vehicle status message memory 164
Vehicle tool kit 420
VIN 463W
Warning sounds
Drivers seat belts 48
Seat belt telltale 381
Warranty coverage 461
Washing the vehicle 364
Wear pattern, Tires 359
Weights, Vehicle 475
Wheels
Change 440
Collapsible wheel chock 423
Minispare wheel 422, 471
Removing 444
Rims and Tires 467
Sizes 467
Tightening torque 445
Tires and wheels 331
Window curtain air bags 40, 41
Windows see Power windows
Windshield
Cleaning 368
Cleaning wiper blades 368
Defogging 255Windshield washer fluid 479, 486
Mixing ratio 486
Refilling 330
Wiping with 119
Windshield wipers 117
Cleaning wiper blades 368
Replacing wiper blades 438
Single wipe 118
Winter driving 360
Snow chains 361
Tires 360
Winter driving instructions 317
Winter tires 360
Wood trims, Cleaning 372
Wrench, wheel (vehicle tool kit) 420