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 wheelMOff
UAutomatic headlamp mode
CParking 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.
BLow beam plus parking lamps or
high beam headlamps (combination
switch pushed forward).
ˆStanding 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 99 of 376

99 Controls in detail
Lighting
Manual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and parking
lamps can be switched on and off with the
exterior lamp switch.
Automatic headlamp mode
The parking lamps, low beam headlamps
and license plate lamps switch on and off
automatically depending on the brightness
of the ambient light.
Turn the exterior lamp switch to U.
iIf you remove the SmartKey and open
the driver’s door while the parking
lamps or low beam headlamps are
switched on,
a warning sounds
$ appears in the multifunction
display
the message
TURN OFF LIGHTS!
appears in the multifunction display
iWith the daytime running lamp mode
activated and the engine running, the
low beam headlamps cannot be
switched off manually.
Warning!
G
If the exterior lamp switch is set toU,
the headlamps may switch off unexpect-
edly when the system senses bright am-
bient light, for example light from
oncoming traffic.
the headlamps will not be automatically
switched on under foggy conditions.
To minimize risk to you and to others, acti-
vate headlamps by turning exterior lamp
switch to
B
when driving or when traffic
and / or ambient lighting conditions require
you to do so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only
switch from position
U
to
B
with the
vehicle at a standstill. Switching from U
to
B
will briefly switch off the head-
lamps. Doing so while driving in low ambient
lighting conditions may result in an acci-
dent.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid to the driver. The driver is responsible for
the operation of the vehicle's lights at all
times.
Page 100 of 376

100 Controls in detailLighting
Daytime running lamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to
positionM orU.
When the engine is running, the low beam
headlamps are automatically switched on.
In low ambient light conditions, the parking
lamps will also switch on.
Canada only
When you shift from a driving position to
positionN orP, the low beam switches off
(with a three-minute delay).
For nighttime driving you should turn the
exterior lamp switch to positionB to
permit activation of the high beam head-
lamps.USA only
The high beam headlamps can also be ac-
tivated when driving with the daytime run-
ning lamp mode activated and exterior
lamp switch in positionM.
To activate the daytime running lamp
mode, see “Setting daytime running lamp
mode (USA only)” (
page 125).
Locator lighting and night security illu-
mination
Locator lighting and night security illumi-
nation are described in the control system
section under “Setting locator lighting”
(
page 126) and “Exterior lamps delayed
shut off” (
page 127).
iWith the daytime running lamp mode
activated, the low beam headlamps will
not be switched off automatically.iThe front fog lamps and rear fog lamp
cannot be switched on manually with
exterior lamp switch in positionU.
To activate the fog lamps, turn exterior
lamp switch to positionB and pull
the exterior lamp switch to first or sec-
ond stop.
iFor exterior lamp switch, see
(page 98).
Page 106 of 376

106 Controls in detailInstrument clusterCoolant temperature display
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position1 or2.
Call up the trip odometer and main
odometer by pressing buttonè
orÿ on the multifunction steering
wheel (
page 110).
Press buttonj 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 107 of 376

107 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Trip odometer
Make sure you are viewing the trip
odometer and main odometer
(page 109) in the multifunction dis-
play.
If it is not displayed, press buttonè
orÿ on the multifunction steering
wheel (
page 110) repeatedly until
the trip odometer appears.
Press and hold the reset button on the
instrument cluster (
page 22) until
the trip odometer is reset.
Tachometer
The red marking on the tachometer de-
notes excessive engine speed.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply
is interrupted if the engine is operated
within the red marking.
Outside temperature indicator
The outside temperature is displayed in
the instrument cluster (
page 22). For in-
formation how to select the unit of the dis-
played temperature, i.e. degrees Celsius
(°C) or degrees Fahrenheit (°F) see “Se-
lecting temperature display mode”
(
page 123).
!Avoid driving at excessive engine
speeds, as it may result in serious en-
gine damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.
Page 108 of 376
108 Controls in detailInstrument clusterThe temperature sensor is located in the
front bumper area. Due to its location, the
sensor can be affected by road or engine
heat during idling or slow driving. This
means that the accuracy of the displayed
temperature can only be verified by com-
parison to a thermometer placed next to
the sensor, not by comparison to external
displays (e.g. bank signs, etc.).When moving the vehicle into colder ambi-
ent temperatures (e.g. when leaving your
garage), you will notice a delay before the
lower temperature is displayed.
A delay also occurs when ambient temper-
atures rise. This prevents inaccurate tem-
perature indications caused by heat
radiated from the engine during idling or
slow driving.
Page 113 of 376
113 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1
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 114 of 376

114 Controls in detailControl system
Standard display menu
You can select the functions in the stan-
dard display menu with buttonk
orj.
The following functions are available:
Display digital speedometer
Press buttonj twice.
The current vehicle speed is shown in
the multifunction display.
AUDIO menu
The functions in the
AUDIO
menu operate
the audio equipment which you currently
have turned on.
If no audio equipment is currently turned
on, the message
AUDIO OFF
is shown in the
display.
The following functions are available:
iThe headings used in the menus table
are designed to facilitate navigation
within the system and are not neces-
sarily identical to those shown in the
control system displays.
The first function displayed in each
menu will automatically show you
which part of the system you are in.
Function
Page
Call up coolant temperature dis-
play
106
Call up digital speedometer
114
Call up FSS
249
Check engine oil level
238
Function
Page
Select radio station
115
Select satellite radio station*
115
Operate CD player*
116
Operate cassette player
116