charging MERCEDES-BENZ C300 4MATIC 2008 W204 Owner's Manual

Contents
Flat tire .............................................. 440
Preparing the vehicle.................... 440
Mounting the Minispare wheel ..... 441
Battery ............................................... 446
Disconnecting the battery ............ 448
Removing the battery ................... 449
Charging and reinstalling
the battery.................................... 449
Reconnecting the battery ............. 450
Jump starting ..................................... 451
Towing the vehicle ............................. 453
Installing towing eye bolt.............. 455
Fuses ................................................. 456
Fuse box
in passenger compartment .......... 457
Fuse box
in engine compartment ................ 457
Fuse box
in the trunk................................... 458
Technical data................................. 459
Parts service ...................................... 460
Warranty coverage............................. 461
Loss of Service and
Warranty Information Booklet ...... 461
Identification labels ........................... 462
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 464
C 300/C 350 ............................... 464
Engine................................................ 465
Rims and tires.................................... 467
Same size tires ............................. 468
Mixed size tires ............................ 469
Minispare wheel ........................... 471
Electrical system ............................... 473
Main dimensions and weights............ 474
Main dimensions .......................... 474
Weights ........................................ 475
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 476
Capacities .................................... 476
Engine oils.................................... 480
Engine oil additives ...................... 480
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 480
Brake fluid .................................... 480
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 481
Gasoline additives ........................ 481Fuel requirements ........................ 482
Flexible Fuel Vehicles (USA only) . 482
Coolants ...................................... 484
Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system* .. 486
Index................................................. 487

375 Practical hints
What to do if …?
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
-The yellow Antilock
Brake System (ABS)
indicator lamp comes on
while the engine is
running.The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The ABS has switched off. The
BAS, ESP
® and EBP are also switched off
(see messages in the multifunction display)
The battery may not be charged sufficiently.
Switch off electrical consumers that are
currently not needed, e.g. seat heat-
ing*.
If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
When the voltage is above this value again,
the ABS is operational again and the ABS in-
dicator lamp should go out.
-The yellow ABS indicator
lamp comes on while the
engine is running.The ABS is temporarily not available. The
ESP®, BAS and EBP are also unavailable.
The system’s self-diagnosis may not be
completed yet.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the systems specified
above.
Drive a short distance with added
caution at a vehicle speed of above
12 mph (20 km/h).
When the ABS indicator lamp goes out,
the ABS, ESP
®, BAS and EBP are avail-
able again.
If the ABS indicator lamp does not go out:
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of an accident.

389 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Text messages
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
ABS and ESP
Currently Unavailable
See Operator’s ManualABS and ESP® are not available due to a malfunction.
BAS and the hill start assist are also switched off. It
is possible that the self-diagnostics have not yet
been completed.
The brake system still functions normally.Drive a short distance with gentle turns above a
speed of 12 mph (20 km/h).
The message disappears when ABS and ESP
®
are again available.
The ABS and ESP® were deactivated because of in-
sufficient power supply. The charging voltage has
fallen below 10 volts. BAS and the hill start assist are
also deactivated.
The brake system still functions normally but without
the ABS and ESP
® available.
When the voltage is above this value again, the ABS
and ESP® are operational again and the message in
the multifunction display should disappear.
If the message in the multifunction display does not
disappear:
Have the generator (alternator) and the battery
checked.
ABS and ESP
Inoperative
See Operator’s ManualABS and ESP® are switched off due to a malfunction.
BAS and the hill start assist are also switched off.
The brake system still functions normally but without
the ABS and ESP
® available.
Continue driving with added caution. Wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing steering
capability.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.

397 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Symbol messages
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
-ABS and ESP
Currently Unavailable
See Operator’s ManualABS and ESP® are not available due to a
malfunction. BAS and the hill start assist
are also switched off. It is possible that the
self-diagnostics have not yet been complet-
ed.
The brake system still functions normally.Drive a short distance with gentle turns
above a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h).
The message disappears when ABS and
ESP
® are again available.
The ABS and ESP® were deactivated be-
cause of insufficient power supply. The
charging voltage has fallen below 10 volts.
BAS and the hill start assist are also deacti-
vated.
The brake system still functions normally
but without the ABS and ESP
® available.
When the voltage is above this value again,
the ABS and ESP® are operational again and
the message in the multifunction display
should disappear.
If the message in the multifunction display
does not disappear:
Have the generator (alternator) and the
battery checked.

399 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
#The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

alternator malfunctioning

broken poly-V-belt
Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe loca-
tion and check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise the en-
gine will overheat due to an inoperative water
pump which may result in damage to the en-
gine.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:
Drive immediately to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
There is a malfunction in the electronic sys-
tem.Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
2Check
Brake Pad WearThe brake pads have reached their wear
limit.Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the intervals
specified in the Maintenance Booklet.

449 Practical hints
Battery
Removing the battery
Remove the screw securing the
battery.
Remove the battery support and
bracket.
Pull out the battery ventilation hose4
from the battery (depending on battery
arrangement in your vehicle model, the
ventilation hose is located either on the
left or right side of the battery).
Take out the battery.
Charging and reinstalling the batteryCharge battery in accordance with the
instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.
Reinstall the charged battery. Follow
the previously described steps in
reverse order.
iFor your convenience, have the starter bat-
tery removed by a Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
An accessory battery charge unit specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available, permitting the charging of the bat-
tery in its installed position. Contact an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information and availability. Charge battery
in accordance with the separate instruc-
tions for the accessory battery charger.
!Only use charging devices with a maximum
charging voltage of 14.8 V.
!The battery, its filler caps and the ventilation
hose
4 must always be securely installed when
the vehicle is in operation.

488 Index
Phone cook 233
Radio operation 194
Satellite radio* operation 200
Sound settings 189
Surround sound* (Canada only) 190
SYS menu 192
SYS menu, Bluetooth
® settings 192
SYS menu, display settings 192
SYS menu, language settings 193
SYS menu, reset to factory
settings 193
Telephone menu* 222
Volume 189
Auto-dimming*, Rear view mirrors 100
Automatic central locking 80
Activating/deactivating
(Control system) 173
Automatic climate control (3-zone) see Cli-
mate control system
Automatic headlamp mode 109, 172
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 115
Automatic shift program 144Automatic transmission
Accelerator position 142
Emergency operation (limp-home
mode) 146
Fluid 476, 477
Fluid level 328
Gear ranges 143
Gear shifting malfunctions 146
Hill start assist system 246
Kickdown 142
Shifting procedure 139
Starting the engine 127
Transmission fluid 328
Automatic transmission*
Automatic shift program 144
Gear selector lever 138
Gear selector lever control one-touch
gearshifting 145
Gear selector lever positions 140
Program mode selector switch 144
Aux socket 220B
Backrest 281
Backup lamps
Replacing bulbs 430, 431
Bar 356
BAS 60
Batteries, SmartKey
Checking battery condition 78
Replacing 428
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
(Canada only)
Checking battery condition 78
Replacing 428
Battery 448
Battery, vehicle 446
Charging 449
Discharged, Jump starting 451
Disconnecting 448
Message in display 399
Reconnecting 450
Removing 449
Bead 356
Beverage holder see Cup holder