service indicator MERCEDES-BENZ C300 2008 W204 Owner's Manual

Contents
Driving and parking............................ 126
Starting the engine....................... 126
Driving off .................................... 129
Turn signals.................................. 131
Problems while driving ................. 132
Parking ......................................... 133
Turning off the engine .................. 134
Releasing seat belts ..................... 135
Manual transmission ......................... 136
Shifting into reverse ..................... 137
Automatic transmission* ................... 138
Gear selector lever ....................... 138
Shifting procedure ....................... 139
Gear selector lever positions ....... 140
Driving tips ................................... 142
Gear ranges ................................. 143
Automatic shift program .............. 144
Gear selector lever
one-touch gearshifting................. 145
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ...................... 146
Instrument cluster ............................. 147
Multifunction display .................... 147
Adjusting instrument
cluster display illumination........... 148
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 148Tachometer................................... 149
Outside temperature indicator ...... 149
Fuel gauge .................................... 150
Control system ................................... 151
Multifunction display..................... 151
Multifunction steering wheel......... 152
Menus ........................................... 154
Trip menu...................................... 156
Navi* menu ................................... 158
Audio menu................................... 158
TEL menu* .................................... 160
Service menu ................................ 164
Settings menu............................... 165
Audio system...................................... 176
Audio and telephone, operation .... 176
Audio system overview ................. 176
Operating safety ........................... 177
Audio system components............ 177
Menu............................................. 185
Operation ...................................... 188
SYS menu ..................................... 192
Radio operation ............................ 194
Satellite radio*.............................. 200
CD mode ....................................... 208
Audio Aux mode............................ 220
Telephone* ................................... 222“911” emergency call ................... 231
Phone book................................... 233
Call lists ........................................ 236
Making calls.................................. 237
Functions during a single call ....... 240
Driving systems .................................. 241
Cruise control ............................... 241
Hill start assist system................. 246
Air vents ............................................. 247
Opening and closing air vents....... 248
Dual-zone automatic climate control .. 250
Deactivating the
climate control system ................. 252
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode ........... 253
Setting the temperature ............... 253
Adjusting air distribution .............. 254
Adjusting air volume ..................... 254
Using driver-side settings for all
temperature zones (Canada only) . 254
Front defroster ............................. 255
Maximum cooling MAX COOL
(USA only) ..................................... 256
Rear window defroster.................. 256
Air recirculation mode .................. 257
Air conditioning ............................ 258

Contents
At the gas station .............................. 322
Refueling ...................................... 322
Check regularly and
before a long trip.......................... 324
Engine compartment ......................... 325
Hood ............................................ 325
Engine oil ..................................... 327
Transmission fluid level ................ 328
Coolant level ................................ 329
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 330
Tires and wheels ................................ 331
Important guidelines .................... 331
Tire care and maintenance........... 332
Direction of rotation ..................... 334
Loading the vehicle ...................... 334
Recommended tire
inflation pressure ......................... 339
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 341
Tire labeling.................................. 348
Load identification ....................... 352
DOT,
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ... 352
Maximum tire load ....................... 353
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 354Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) .............. 354
Tire ply material ............................ 356
Tire and loading terminology......... 356
Rotating tires ................................ 359
Winter driving ..................................... 360
Winter tires ................................... 360
Snow chains.................................. 361
Maintenance....................................... 362
Maintenance
service indicator message ............ 362
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display ............... 363
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator ........................... 363
Vehicle care........................................ 364
Cleaning and care of vehicle ......... 364
Practical hints.................................. 373
What to do if …? ................................. 374
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 374
Air bag off indicator lamp ............. 385
Vehicle status messages in
the multifunction display .............. 387
Where will I find ...? ............................ 420
First aid kit.................................... 420
Vehicle jack, vehicle tool kit,
luggage bowl, Minispare wheel ..... 420
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 424
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 424
Locking the vehicle ....................... 425
Fuel filler flap ................................ 426
Manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever ... 426
Resetting activated head restraints.... 427
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 428
Replacing bulbs .................................. 430
Bulbs............................................. 431
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 432
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 436
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 438
Removing wiper blades ................. 439
Installing wiper blades .................. 439

42 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Both driver and the front passenger should
always use the 5/indicator lamp
as an indication of whether or not the front
passenger is properly positioned.
iIf your seat, including your trim cover and
cushion needs to be serviced in any way, take
the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Only seat accessories approved by
Mercedes-Benz may be used.Warning!G
If the 5/indicator lamp illuminates
when an adult or someone larger than a
small individual is in the front passenger
seat, have the front passenger re-position
himself or herself in the seat until the
5/indicator lamp goes out, or check
whether objects are caught under or around
the seat.
In the event of a collision, the air bag control
unit will not allow front passenger front air
bag deployment when the OCS classified
the front passenger seat occupant as being
up to or less than the weight of a typical
12-month-old child in a standard child
restraint or if the front passenger seat is
sensed as being empty.
When the OCS senses that the front passen-
ger seat occupant is classified as being up
to or less than the weight of a typical
12-month-old child in a standard child
restraint, the 5/indicator lamp will
illuminate when the engine is started and
remain illuminated, indicating that the front
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front passen-
ger seat is classified as being empty, the
5/indicator lamp will illuminate
when the engine is started and remain
illuminated, indicating that the front
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front passen-
ger seat occupant is classified as being
heavier than the weight of a typical
12-month-old child seated in a standard
child restraint or as being a small individual
(such as a young teenager or a small adult),
the 5/indicator lamp will illuminate
for approximately 6 seconds when the
engine is started and then, depending on
occupant weight sensor readings from the
seat, remain illuminated or go out. With the
5/indicator lamp illuminated, the
front passenger front air bag is deactivated.
With the 5/indicator lamp out, the
front passenger front air bag is activated.

66 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
(Canada only) with you and lock the
vehicle. The engine can be started by
anyone with a valid SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* (Canada only) that is
left inside the vehicle.
Activating
With the SmartKey: Remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch.
With the KEYLESS-GO* (Canada
only): Turn off the engine and open the
driver’s door.
Deactivating
Switch on the ignition.
Anti-theft alarm system
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens:

a door

the trunk

the hood
The alarm will stay on even if the activating
element (a door, for example) is immedi-
ately closed.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when

the vehicle is opened with the
mechanical key.

a door is opened from the inside.

the trunk is opened with the
emergency release button.
To cancel the alarm after it has been trig-
gered, see “Canceling the alarm”
(
page 67).
1Indicator lamp
iStarting the engine will also deactivate the
immobilizer.
In case the engine cannot be started (yet the
vehicle’s battery is charged), the system is not
operational. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA), or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response Center is
initiated automatically by the Tele Aid* system
(
page 295) provided Tele Aid* service was
subscribed to and properly activated, and that
necessary mobile phone, power supply and GPS
coverage are available.

130 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
1Release handle
2Parking brake pedal
Release the parking brake by pulling on
release handle1.
The indicator lamp; (USA only)
or3 (Canada only) in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.Manual transmission
Fully depress the clutch pedal.
Move gearshift lever to first gear to
drive forward, or to reverse gear to
drive in reverse.
Release the brake pedal.
Simultaneously slowly release the
clutch pedal and carefully depress the
accelerator pedal.
!If you hear a warning signal, the red indica-
tor lamp 0 (USA only) or ! (Canada only)
in the instrument cluster flashes and the mes-
sage
Release Parking Brake appears in the
multifunction display when driving off, you have
forgotten to release the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.
iAt vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km/h), the automatic central locking system
engages and the locking knobs in the doors drop
down.
The automatic door lock feature can be deacti-
vated (
page 173).
You can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to do
so.
!Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brakes reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake and
drivetrain wear.
!Do not run a cold engine at high engine
speeds as this may shorten its service life.
!In order to avoid damage to the transmis-
sion, place the gearshift lever to reverse gear
only when the vehicle is stopped.
!Shift gear in a timely manner and do not ex-
ceed the maximum permissible engine speed for
each gear.
Do not allow the wheels to spin as this could
damage the drive train.

155 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1Menu2Menu3Menu4Menu5Menu6
Trip computerNavi*AudioTel*ServiceSettings
(page 156)(page 158)(page 158)(page 160)(page 164)(page 165)
Commands/submenus
Standard displayShow route guid-
ance instructions,
current direction
traveledSelecting radio
stationTo take a callCall up vehicle mal-
function, warning and
system status mes-
sages stored in mem-
ory
1
1The vehicle status message memory menu is only displayed if there is a message stored.
Reset to factory
settings
Fuel consumption
statistics since startSelecting satellite
radio station*Select a phone
book entryTire Pressure Monitor-
ing System (TPMS)
(USA only)Instrument cluster
submenu
Fuel consumption
statistics since the
last resetOperating
CD player* RedialRun Flat Indicator
(Canada only)
Distance to emptyCall up maintenance
service display
Digital speed-
ometer or outside
temperature

164 Controls in detail
Control system
Service menu
The
Service menu is used for

calling up messages

checking tire inflation pressure elec-
tronically with the TPMS (standard on
U.S. vehicles)

activating Run Flat Indicator (standard
on Canada vehicles)

calling up the maintenance service in-
dicator displayCalling up vehicle malfunction, warning
and system status messages stored in
memory
Use the vehicle status message memory
menu to scan malfunction and warning
messages that may be stored in the
system. Such messages appear in the
multifunction display and are based on
conditions or system status the vehicle’s
system has recorded.
The vehicle status message memory menu
only appears if there are any messages
stored.
Warning!G
Malfunction and warning messages are only
indicated for certain systems and are inten-
tionally not very detailed. The malfunction
and warning messages are simply a remind-
er with respect to the operation of certain
systems and do not replace the owner’s
and/or driver’s responsibility to maintain
the vehicle’s operating safety by having all
required maintenance and safety checks
performed on the vehicle and by bringing
the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to address the malfunction and
warning messages (
page 387).

165 Controls in detail
Control system
Press ( or & to select the
Service menu.
If conditions have occurred causing status
messages to be recorded, the number of
messages appears in the multifunction
display:
1Number of messages
Press % or $ to select the mes-
sage.
Press # to confirm.
The stored messages will now be
displayed in the order in which they
have occurred.
Use % or $ to scroll through the
messages.Checking tire inflation pressure
For information about checking tire infla-
tion pressure (
page 339).
Activating Run Flat Indicator
(Canada only)
For information about activating Run Flat
Indicator (
page 342).
Calling up the maintenance service
indicator display
For information about calling up the main-
tenance service indicator display
(
page 362).
Settings menu
In the
Settings menu there are two
functions:

The function Reset to factory
settings
, with which you can reset all
the settings to the original factory
settings.

A collection of submenus with which
you can make individual settings for
your vehicle.
iSee the “Practical hints” section for mal-
function and warning messages (
page 387).
iIf you turn the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position0 and then back to position2,
all messages will be deleted from the message
memory.

297 Controls in detail
Useful features
All information relevant to the emergency,
such as the location of the vehicle (deter-
mined by the GPS satellite location sys-
tem), vehicle model, identification number
and color are generated.
A voice connection between the Response
Center and the occupants of the vehicle
will be established automatically soon af-
ter the emergency call has been initiated.
The Response Center will attempt to deter-
mine more precisely the nature of the acci-
dent provided they can speak to an
occupant of the vehicle.The Tele Aid system is available if

it has been activated and is operation-
al. Activation requires a subscription
for monitoring services, connection,
and cellular air time

the relevant cellular phone network
and GPS signals are available and pass
the information on to the Response
Center

there is sufficient voltage in the vehicle
batteries
iDuring the emergency call message Emer-
gency Call Activated
is displayed, opera-
tion from audio system or COMAND* is not
possible. The automatic climate control can be
still adjusted using the switches on the climate
control panel.
iIf no vehicle occupant responds, an ambu-
lance will be sent to the vehicle immediately.
iLocation of the vehicle on a map is only pos-
sible if the vehicle is able to receive signals from
the GPS satellite network and pass the informa-
tion on to the Response Center.
Warning!G
If the indicator lamp in the SOS button is
flashing continuously and there was no
voice connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system could
not initiate an emergency call (e.g. the rele-
vant telephone network is not available).
The message
Call failed appears in the
multifunction display for approximately
10 seconds.
Should this occur, assistance must be sum-
moned by other means.
iDuring the emergency call the telephone is
switched off automatically and must be switched
back on to make a call.
iThe “911” emergency call system is a public
service. Using it without due cause is a criminal
offense.

299 Controls in detail
Useful features
Roadside Assistance button*b
The Roadside Assistance buttonb is
located in the overhead control panel.
1Roadside Assistance buttonb
Press and hold Roadside Assistance
button b (for longer than
2 seconds).
A call to a Mercedes-Benz Roadside As-
sistance dispatcher will be initiated.
The button will flash while the call is in
progress. The message:

Connecting call appears in the
multifunction display
and the audio system is muted.When the connection is established, the
message:

Call connected appears in the multi-
function display
The Tele Aid system will transmit data gen-
erating the vehicle identification number,
model, color and location (subject to avail-
ability of cellular and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants
of the vehicle will be established.
Describe the nature of the need for as-
sistance.
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such
as labor and/or towing, charges may ap-
ply. Refer to the Roadside Assistance Man-
ual for more information.
These programs are only available in the
USA:

Sign and Drive services: Services such
as jump start, a few gallons of fuel or
the replacement of a flat tire with the
vehicle spare tire are obtainable.
iThe indicator lamp in the Roadside Assis-
tance buttonb remains illuminated in red for
approximately 10 seconds during the system
self-check after switching on the ignition (togeth-
er with the SOS button and the Information
button*}).
See system self-check (
page 296) if the indi-
cator lamp does not come on in red or stays on
longer than approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Roadside Assistance
buttonb is flashing continuously and no
voice connection to the Response Center was
established, the Tele Aid system could not ini-
tiate a Roadside Assistance call (e.g. the relevant
telephone network is not available). The mes-
sage:

Call failed appears in the multifunction
display for approximately 10 seconds
Roadside Assistance calls can be terminated us-
ing the t button on the multifunction steer-
ing wheel or the respective button for ending a
telephone call on the audio system or the
COMAND* head unit.