
1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information  .......................... 7
Operator’s manual  ............................. 8
Where to find it  ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects  ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls  ............... 18
Center console  .............................. 20
Overhead control panel  ............... 21OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 24
Start lock-out  .................................... 26
General notes on the central 
locking system ............................. 26
Central locking system  ................... 27
Radio frequency and infrared 
remote control  .............................. 27
Opening and closing windows 
and sliding/pop-up roof from 
outside ........................................... 30Panic button  ..................................31
Mechanical keys  ...........................31
Doors ................................................. 32
Central locking switch .................... 34
Automatic central locking .............. 35
Emergency unlocking in case of 
accident ........................................ 35
Tailgate .............................................. 36
Antitheft alarm system ................... 39
Tow-away alarm  ................................41
Power seats front  ............................. 42
Front seat head restraints .............. 48
Rear seat head restraints  ............... 49
Multicontour seat  .............................51
Seat heater ........................................ 52
Seat ventilation ................................ 55
Seat belts and integrated restraint 
system .......................................... 57
Seat belts  .......................................... 57
Seat belt nonusage warning
system .......................................... 58
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation 
system .......................................... 65Self-test BabySmart
TM without 
special child seat installed  ......... 65
Supplemental restraint 
system (SRS)  ................................ 66
Emergency tensioning 
device (ETD) ................................. 67
Airbags .............................................. 68
Safety guidelines for the seat belt, 
emergency tensioning device and 
airbag ............................................ 75
Infant and child restraint
systems ......................................... 77
Steering wheel adjustment  ............ 81
Rear view mirrors  ............................ 82
Instrument cluster  ........................... 86
Multifunction steering wheel, 
multifunction display  ................. 92
Trip and main odometer, vehicle 
speed, FSS and engine oil level 
display .......................................... 96
Audio systems  .................................. 97
Radio .............................................. 97
CD player  ....................................... 98
Cassette player  ............................. 99
Telephone ........................................ 100 

22 Contents – Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 24
Start lock-out  .................................... 26
General notes on the central 
locking system ............................. 26
Central locking system  ................... 27
Radio frequency and infrared 
remote control  .............................. 27
Opening and closing windows 
and sliding/pop-up roof from 
outside ........................................... 30
Panic button  .................................. 31
Mechanical keys  ........................... 31
Doors .................................................. 32
Central locking switch  .................... 34
Automatic central locking  .............. 35
Emergency unlocking in case of 
accident ........................................ 35
Tailgate .............................................. 36
Antitheft alarm system  ................... 39
Tow-away alarm ................................ 41
Power seats front  ............................. 42
Front seat head restraints  .............. 48Rear seat head restraints  ............... 49
Multicontour seat  .............................51
Seat heater ........................................ 52
Seat ventilation ................................ 55
Seat belts and integrated restraint 
system .......................................... 57
Seat belts  .......................................... 57
Seat belt nonusage warning
system .......................................... 58
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation 
system .......................................... 65
Self-test BabySmart
TM without 
special child seat installed  ......... 65
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS)  ............................... 66
Emergency tensioning 
device (ETD)  ................................ 67
Airbags .............................................. 68
Safety guidelines for the seat belt, 
emergency tensioning device and 
airbag ........................................... 75
Infant and child restraint
systems ........................................ 77
Steering wheel adjustment  .............81
Rear view mirrors  ........................... 82Instrument cluster  ........................... 86
Multifunction steering wheel, 
multifunction display  ................. 92
Trip and main odometer, vehicle 
speed, FSS and engine oil level 
display .......................................... 96
Audio systems  .................................. 97
Radio .............................................. 97
CD player  ....................................... 98
Cassette player  ............................. 99
Telephone ........................................ 100
Telephone book  .......................... 100
Redialing ..................................... 102
Incoming call  .............................. 104
Navigation system .......................... 105
Trip computer ................................. 106
Malfunction message memory  .... 108
Individual settings ..........................110
Setting the audio volume  ..............113
Flexible service system (FSS)  .......114
Engine oil level indicator ...............117
Engine oil consumption  .................118
Exterior lamp switch  ......................119
Night security Illumination  ......... 120 

93 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Depending on your vehicle’s equipment, you may use 
the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel to call 
up, control and set the following systems in the 
multifunction display:
1Trip odometer and main odometer, see page 96
Vehicle speed, see page 96
Flexible service system (FSS), see page 114
Engine oil level indicator, see page 117
2Audio systems, see page 97
Radio, see page 97
CD player (optional), see page 98
Cassette player, see page 99
3Navigation system (optional), see page 105
4Malfunction message memory, see page 108
5Individual settings, see page 110
6Trip computer, see page 106
After start
After reset
Fuel tank content
7Telephone (if so equipped), see page 100Press the è or ÿ button repeatedly until the 
required system is displayed.
Pressing the è button advances the display to the 
next system.
Pressing the ÿ button returns the display to the 
previous system.
You may call up additional displays within some of these 
categories by pressing the j or k button.
Wa r n i n g !
A driver’s attention to the road 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. 
Programming individual settings in the system can 
only be made while the vehicle is at standstill. 

95 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Press the è or ÿ button repeatedly until the 
required system is displayed.
Pressing the è button advances the display to the 
next system.
Pressing the ÿ button returns the display to the 
previous system.
You may call up additional displays in some systems by 
pressing the j or k button.Note:
The displays in the multifunction display can be set to 
German, English, French, Italian or Spanish language. 
See the “TEXT” individual setting on page 110 for 
instructions on changing the language setting.
The displays for the audio systems (radio, CD player, 
cassette player) will appear in English, regardless of the 
language selected. 

98 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
CD player (optional)1Audio system is switched off.
2The CD player is switched on.
3The number of the CD currently playing is displayed 
if you are using a CD changer.
4Track number.
The radio must be switched on.
The CD player must be switched on.
Press the è or ÿ button repeatedly until 
display (2) appears.
Press the j or k button repeatedly until the 
required track number (4) is displayed.
Pressing the è or ÿ button displays the next or 
previous system.
Note:
To select a CD from the magazine, press a number on 
the audio or the (optional) COMAND system located in 
center dashboard. 

99 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Cassette player1Audio system is switched off.
2The cassette player is switched on.
3Side being played.
The radio must be switched on.
The cassette player must be switched on.
Press the è or ÿ button repeatedly until 
display (2) appears.
Pressing the j button fast forwards on to the next 
track.
Pressing the k button rewinds the cassette to the 
beginning of the current track.
Pressing the è or ÿ button displays the next or 
previous system.
Note:
To select the reverse side of the tape, press button below 
track number on the audio system display, or enter 
request on the (optional) COMAND system located in 
center dashboard. 

143 Audio system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Cassette mode 
Note:
Vehicles equipped with the COMAND system do not 
come with a factory installed cassette mechanism. 
A standard 1/8” stereo phono plug for auxiliary audio 
input (located in glove box) is provided for connection of 
a portable battery operated cassette player or any other 
portable device which uses a headphone output. Please 
refer to the COMAND operating manual for information 
concerning the activation of the audio input.Playing cassettes
Press the “TAPE” button. When the eject (EJ) key is 
pressed, the display folds down and the cassette slot 
becomes visible. Push the cassette into the slot until it 
engages. The cassette will be pulled in automatically.
Notes:
Do not press directly on the radio display face.
Return the display panel to its normal position by 
folding it back up and pressing gently on the display 
frame to lock in place. 
When playing mono recorded tapes (e.g. books) through 
a stereo system the sound from one track might bleed to 
the other track, despite setting the balance to the full 
left or full right speakers. 

336 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Index
AABS (Antilock brake system)  .......................................227
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 248
ABS-SYSTEM - malfunction and warning
messages .................................................................... 253
Adjusting steering wheel  ................................................ 81
Air conditioner refrigerant ........................................... 330
Air distribution  .............................................................. 130
Air volume  ...................................................................... 130
Airbag deactivation system  ............................................ 65
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp  ........................................249
Airbags .............................................................................. 68
Alarm system ..............................................................39, 41
Anticorrosion/antifreeze  ................... 220, 275, 328, 332
Antilock brake system (ABS)  .......................................227
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 248
Antitheft alarm system  ................................................... 39
Aquaplaning ................................................................... 217
Armrest, rear bench  ...................................................... 162
Ashtrays .......................................................................... 166
Center console, front  ................................................ 166
Rear doors  .................................................................. 167Audio system  .................................................................. 135
Anti-theft system ....................................................... 137
Button and soft key operation  ................................. 138
Cassette mode ............................................................ 143
CD changer ................................................................. 148
CD mode  ..................................................................... 147
Operating and display elements  ............................. 136
Operating safety  ........................................................ 135
Operation – audio and telephone  ........................... 135
Radio mode  ................................................................ 141
Telephone operation  ................................................. 151
Audio systems ................................................................... 97
Cassette player  ............................................................ 99
CD player  ......................................................................98
Radio .............................................................................97
Automatic central locking  .............................................. 35
Automatic climate control  ............................................ 126
Activated charcoal filter  ........................................... 132
Air distribution  .......................................................... 130
Air recirculation  ........................................................ 131
Air volume .................................................................. 130
Basic setting ............................................................... 129
Defogging windows ................................................... 129
Defrosting ...................................................................129
Display and controls  .................................................128
Dust filter  ................................................................... 131