Page 111 of 376

111 Controls in detail
Control system
Control system
The control system is activated as soon as 
the key in the starter switch is turned to 
position1. 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 set the language 
for messages in the instrument cluster 
display, and much more.
The control system relays information to 
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
1Outside temperature
2Main odometer
3Trip odometer
4Automatic transmission program mode
5Current gear selector lever position
6Digital clock
iThe displays for the audio systems 
(radio, CD player, cassette player) will 
appear in English, regardless of the 
language selected.
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 13.5 m) every second. 
     
        
        Page 278 of 376
278 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
#
UNDERVOLTAGE
ENGINE ON!
The battery has insufficient voltage and 
can no longer supply the convenience 
functions such as seat heater*.
Start the engine (
page 44).
UNDERVOLTAGE
SWITCH CONSUMERS OFF!
The battery is malfunctioning.
Have the battery checked at a service 
station.
G
VISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
The instrument cluster display is 
malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.
±
VISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
Certain electronic systems are unable to 
relay information to the control system. 
The following systems may have failed:
Coolant temperature display
Tachometer
Cruise control display
Have the electronic systems checked 
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center (
page 259).
W
WASHER FLUID
CHECK LEVEL!
The fluid level has dropped to about 
1/3 
of total reservoir capacity.
Add washer fluid (
page 241). 
     
        
        Page 342 of 376

342 Technical termsCOMAND*
(C
ockpit M
anagement and D
ata 
System)
Information and operating center for 
vehicle sound and communications 
systems, including the radio and navi-
gation system, as well as for other 
optional equipment (CD changer, 
telephone, etc.).
Control system
The control system is used to call up 
vehicle information and to change 
component settings. Information and 
messages appear in the multifunction 
display. The driver uses the buttons on 
the multifunction steering wheel to 
navigate through the system and to ad-
just settings.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for auto-
matically maintaining the vehicle speed 
set by the driver.Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer 
and placed on the cylinder block to 
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an 
oil can tolerate without becoming thin, 
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the 
better the viscosity.
ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability Pr
ogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal 
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat 
belts.
->SRSFSS
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Service indicator in the multifunction 
display that informs the driver when 
the next vehicle maintenance service is 
due.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to 
the automatic transmission for shifting. 
The automatic gear shifting process 
can be adapted to specific operating 
conditions using the selector lever.
GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying 
geographic location information to and 
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for 
navigation.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning 
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer 
and fuel gauge.