Page 98 of 376
98 Controls in detailLighting
LightingFor information on how to switch on the
headlamps and use the turn signals, see
the “Getting started” section (
page 48).
Exterior lamp switch
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel M
Off
U Automatic headlamp mode
C Parking lamps (also side marker
lamps, tail lamps, license plate
lamps, instrument panel lamps)
Canada only: When engine is run-
ning, the low beam is also switched
on.
B Low beam plus parking lamps or
high beam headlamps (combination
switch pushed forward).
ˆ Standing lamps, right (turn left one
stop)
‚ Standing lamps, left (turn left two
stops)
iIf you drive in countries where vehicles
drive on the other side of the road than
the country where the vehicle is regis-
tered, you must have the headlamps
modified for symmetrical low beams.
Relevant information can be obtained
at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
Page 102 of 376

102 Controls in detailLightingCombination switch
The combination switch is located on the
left side of the steering column.1 High beam
2 High beam flasher
Switching on high beams
Turn exterior lamp switch to
position B or to U (
page 98).
Push the combination switch in
direction 1.
The high beam indicator B on the
instrument cluster is illuminated
(page 22). High beam flasher
Pull the combination switch briefly in
direction
2.
Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be activat-
ed with the ignition switched on or off. It is
activated automatically when an airbag is
deployed.
The switch is located on the center con-
sole.
1 Hazard warning flasher switch Switching on the hazard warning
flasher
Press the hazard warning flasher
switch.
All turn signals will flash.
Switching off the hazard warning
flasher
Press hazard warning flasher switch
again.iWith the hazard warning flasher acti-
vated and the combination switch set
for either left or right turn, only the re-
spective left or right turn signals will
operate when the SmartKey in the
starter switch is in position 1 or 2.iIf the hazard warning flasher was acti-
vated automatically press switch 1
twice.
Page 103 of 376

103
Controls in detail
Lighting
Interior lighting
The controls are located in the overhead
control panel.
1 Rear interior lights
2 Right front reading lamp
3 Rocker switch for automatic control
system
4 Left front reading lamp Activating automatic control
Press the rocker switch
3 to center
position.
Interior lamps are switched on in dark-
ness, when you
unlock the vehicle
open a door
remove the SmartKey from starter
switch
The interior lamps are switched off follow-
ing a preset time (
page 128). Deactivating automatic control
Press the
=symbol on rocker
switch 3.
The interior lighting remains switched
off, even when you
unlock the vehicle
open a door
remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch
Manual control
Switching all front interior lights on and
off
Press the Wsymbol on rocker
switch 3.
The front interior lights come on.
Press rocker switch 3 to center
postion to activate the automatic
control.
iIf the door remains open, the interior
lamps switch off automatically after ap-
proximately five minutes, when the
SmartKey is removed or in the starter
switch position 0.
An interior lamp switched on manually
does not go out automatically.
Page 106 of 376

106 Controls in detailInstrument clusterCoolant temperature displayTurn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position1 or 2.
Call up the trip odometer and main
odometer by pressing button è
or ÿ on the multifunction steering
wheel (
page 110).
Press button j ork until the
coolant temperature display appears. During severe operating conditions e.g.
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious en-
gine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated can cause some fluids which
may have leaked into the engine com-
partment to catch fire. You could be se-
riously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the engine hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until it has
cooled down.
iExcessive coolant temperature trigger
a warning in the multifunction display.
Page 109 of 376

109
Controls in detail
Control system
Control system
The control system is activated as soon as
the SmartKey in the starter switch is
turned to position 1. The control system
enables you to
call up information about your vehicle
change vehicle settings
For example, you can use the control sys-
tem to find out when your vehicle is next
due for service, to set the language for
messages in the instrument cluster dis-
play, and much more.
The control system relays information to
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
1 Outside temperature
2 Main odometer
3 Trip odometer
4 Automatic transmission program mode
5 Current gear selector lever position
6 Digital clock
iThe displays for the audio systems (ra-
dio, CD player, cassette player) will ap-
pear 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, se-
lecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions per-
mit 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 (approximate-
ly 13.5 m) every second.
Page 113 of 376
113
Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu
1
Menu2
Menu3
Menu4
Menu5
Menu6
Menu7
Commands/submenusStandard dis-
play
AUDIO
NAVI*
Malfunction
memory
Settings
Trip computer
Telephone
Coolant temper-
ature display
Select radio sta-
tion
Activate route
guidance
Call up malfunc-
tion messages
Reset to factory
settings
Fuel consumption
statistics after
start
Load phone
book
Digital speed-
ometer
Operate CD
player*
Instrument cluster
submenu
Fuel consumption
statistics since the
last reset
Search for name
in phone book
Call up FSS
Operate cas-
sette player
Lighting submenu
Call up range
Check engine oil
level
Vehicle submenuConvenience sub-
menu
Page 118 of 376

118 Controls in detailControl systemMalfunctions have occurred
If malfunctions have occurred, you will see
the number of malfunctions in the display:1 Number of malfunctions
Press button k orj .
The stored messages will now be dis-
played in order. For malfunction and
warning messages, see “Messages in
the display” (
page 264). Should any malfunctions occur while driv-
ing, the number of malfunctions will reap-
pear in the display when the SmartKey in
the starter switch is turned to position
0 or
removed from the starter switch.
Settings menu
In the
SETTINGS
menu there are two func-
tions:
The function
RESET TO FACTORY SET-
TINGS
, 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.
Press button è orÿ repeatedly
until the
SETTINGS
menu is seen in the
display.
iThe message memory will be cleared
when you turn the SmartKey in the
starter switch to position 1 or 2. You
will then only see high-priority
messages in the multifunction display
(page 264).
Page 127 of 376

127
Controls in detail
Control system
Setting night security illumination
(Exterior lamps delayed shut-off)
Use the
HEADLIGHTS DELAYED SHUT-OFF
function to set whether and for how long
you would like the exterior lamps to illumi-
nate during darkness after all doors are
closed.
When the delayed shut-off feature is acti-
vated and the exterior lamp switch is in po-
sition U, the following lamps will
remain lit after you remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch:
Parking lamps
Tail lamps
License plate lamps
Front fog lamps To activate night security illumination:
Select delayed shut-off period (see be-
low).
Turn the exterior lamp switch to posi-
tion
U .
To select delayed shut-off period:
Move the selection marker with
the æ orç button to the
LIGHT-
ING
submenu.
Press button j ork repeatedly
until you see this message in the dis-
play:
HEADLIGHTS DELAYED SHUT-OFF
.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.
Press æ orç to select the de-
sired lamp-on period.
You can select:
0 s
, the delayed shut-off feature is
deactivated
15 s
, 30 s
, 45 s
or
60 s
, the delayed
shut-off feature is activated
You can temporarily deactivate the de-
layed shut-off feature:
Before leaving the vehicle turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 0.
Then turn it to position 2 and back
to 0.
The delayed shut-off feature is deacti-
vated. It will reactivate as soon as you
reinsert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
iYou can reactivate this function within
ten minutes by opening a door.
If you do not open a door after remov-
ing the SmartKey, the lamps will auto-
matically switch off after 60 seconds.