Page 23 of 400

23 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Left turn signal indicator 
lamp
47
2
Speedometer
3
Right turn signal indicator 
lamp
47
4
Fuel gauge with:Fuel reserve warning lamp
278
5
warning lamp
60,
278
1Supplemental 
restraint system 
indicator lamp
54,
278
6
Multifunction display 
with:
113
Trip odometer
111
Main odometer
113
Item
Page
Gear selector lever 
position
44,
145
Program mode
146
Outside temperature 
indicator
111
Digital clock
113
7
?Engine malfunction 
indicator lamp
276
vElectronic Stability 
Program (ESP) 
warning lamp
74,
277
AHigh beam head-
lamp indicator
47,
106
EIndicator lamp 
without function
1
DTRIndicator lamp 
without function
1
1The indicator lamp illuminates with SmartKey in
starter switch position2. It sh ould go out when the
engine is running.
Item
Page
8
-Antilock Brake 
System (ABS) 
indicator lamp
72,
274
;Brake warning 
lamp, USA only
45,
50,
275
3Brake warning 
lamp, Canada only
45,
50,
275
9
Tachometer
111
a
Reset button for:
Resetting trip 
odometer
111
Resetting individual 
settings
124
Instrument cluster 
illumination
109 
     
        
        Page 90 of 400

90 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingSeparately unlocking the trunk
Pull the mechanical key out of the 
SmartKey (
page 305).
Insert the mechanical key in the trunk 
lid lock.
Turn the mechanical key 
counterclockwise to neutral 
position1 (
page 89).
You can now open the trunk (
page 86).
A minimum height clearance of 5.71 ft 
(1.74 m) is required to open the trunk lid.
Automatic central locking
The doors and the trunk automatically lock 
when the ignition is switched on and the 
wheels are turning at vehicle speeds of ap-
proximately 9mph (15km/h) or more.
You can open a locked door from the in-
side. Open door only when conditions are 
safe to do so.For more information on towing the vehi-
cle, see see “Towing the vehicle” 
(
page 328).
You can deactivate the automatic locking 
mode using the control system, see “Set-
ting automatic locking” (
page 133). 
iYou can only cancel the separate trunk 
locking mode by means of the mechan-
ical key.
Warning!
G
Only drive with the trunk closed. Among 
other dangers, such as your view being 
blocked, exhaust fumes may enter the 
vehicle interior.
iThe doors unlock automatically after an 
accident if the force of the impact 
exceeds a preset threshold.
The vehicle automatically locks when 
the ignition is switched on and the 
wheels are turning at vehicle speeds of 
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or 
more. You could therefore lock yourself 
out when the vehicle
is pushed or towed
is on a test stand 
     
        
        Page 109 of 400

109 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Instrument cluster
For a full view illustration of the instrument 
cluster, see “At a glance” (
page 22).
The instrument cluster is activated when 
you
open a door
turn on the ignition
press the reset button (
page 22)
switch on the exterior lamps
You can change the instrument cluster 
settings in the Instrument cluster submenu 
of the control system (
page 126).
Instrument cluster illumination
Use the reset button (
page 22) to adjust 
the illumination brightness for the instru-
ment cluster.To brighten illumination
Turn the reset button in the instrument 
cluster clockwise (
page 22).
The instrument cluster illumination will 
brighten.
To dim illumination
Turn the reset button in the instrument 
cluster counterclockwise (
page 22).
The instrument cluster illumination will 
dim.
iThe instrument cluster illumination is 
dimmed or brightened automatically to 
suit ambient light conditions.
The instrument cluster illumination will 
also be adjusted automatically when 
you switch on the vehicle’s exterior 
lamps. 
     
        
        Page 113 of 400

113 Controls in detail
Control system
Control system
The control system is activated as soon as 
the SmartKey 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 301 of 400

301 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Remove vehicle tool kit6.
3Arrow 
4Minispare wheel
5Vehicle tool kit storage well casing
6Vehicle tool kit
Wheel wrench
Vehicle jackStoring the vehicle tool kit
Place vehicle tool kit6 in vehicle tool 
kit storage well casing5.
Place storage well casing2 over the 
vehicle tool kit storage well casing5 
and turn retaining screw1 clockwise 
as far it will go to secure the Minispare 
wheel.Vehicle jackiArrow3 on vehicle tool kit storage 
well casing5 must point in the direc-
tion of travel. Otherwise you cannot 
place the storage well casing2 on top 
and secure the Minispare wheel with 
retaining screw1.!To prevent damage, always disengage 
trunk floor handle from upper edge of 
trunk and lower trunk floor before 
closing the trunk lid.
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking 
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets 
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help 
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift 
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never 
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported 
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from 
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always 
firmly set parking brake and block wheels 
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the 
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is 
always vertical (plumb line) when in use, 
especially on hills. Always try to use the jack 
on level surface. Make sure the jack arm is 
fully seated in the jack take-up bracket. Al-
ways lower the vehicle onto sufficient ca-
pacity jackstands before working under the 
vehicle. 
     
        
        Page 314 of 400

314 Practical hintsReplacing bulbs
Twist bayonet socket5 counterclock-
wise to the stop (do not remove).
Pull the bulb out of the socket.
Insert the new bulb so that the base 
locates in the recess in bayonet 
socket5.
Twist bayonet socket clockwise until 
you hear it snap into place.
Plug the connector onto the bulb.
Align lamp cover2 and click into 
place.
Front turn signal lamp bulb
Switch off the lights.
Open the hood (
page 252).
Twist bulb socket1 counterclockwise 
and pull out.
Push bulb into socket, turn counter-
clockwise and remove.
Insert new bulb in socket, push in and 
twist clockwise.
Reinsert bulb socket in lamp and twist 
clockwise.
Parking and standing lamp bulb
Switch off the lights.
Open the hood (
page 252).
Press the clamp and remove headlamp 
cover2.
Pull out bulb socket6 with the bulb.
Pull the bulb out of bulb socket.
Insert a new bulb in the socket.
Reinstall bulb socket.
Align headlamp cover2 and click into 
place.
Side marker lamp bulb
Switch off the lights.
Carefully slide lamp towards rear.
Remove front end first.
Twist bulb socket counterclockwise 
and pull out.
Pull bulb out of the bulb socket.
Insert new bulb in socket.
Reinstall bulb socket, push in and twist 
clockwise.
To reinstall lamp, set rear end in 
bumper and let front end snap into 
place.
 
     
        
        Page 325 of 400
325 Practical hints
Battery
Reconnecting the battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Connect the positive lead and fasten its 
cover2.
Connect negative lead1.
Reinstall the filter box (
page 323).Batteries contain materials that can harm 
the environment if disposed of improperly. 
Large 12 volt storage batteries contain 
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred 
method of disposal. Many states require 
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries 
for recycling.
!NEVER invert the terminal connections!!The battery, its filler caps and the vent 
tube must always be securely installed 
when the vehicle is in operation.
iThe following procedures must be 
carried out following any interruption of 
battery power (e.g. due to reconnec-
tion):
Set the clock (
page 126).
Vehicles with COMAND*: 
See COMAND operator’s manual.
Resynchronize the ESP 
(page 282).
Resynchronize side windows 
(page 202).
Resynchronize sliding/pop-up 
roof* (
page 205). 
     
        
        Page 373 of 400

373 Index
Climate control 154
Adjusting air distribution 
and volume 157
Defogging windshield 157
Defrosting 158
Setting the temperature 156
Clock 23, 126
Closing
Glove box 216
Hood 253
Sliding/pop-up roof* 204
Sliding/pop-up roof* 
in an emergency 309
Sliding/pop-up roof* 
with SmartKey 204
Trunk lid 87
Windows 201
Windows with SmartKey 202
Cloth upholstery
Cleaning 272
Cockpit 20, 361Cockpit Management and Data System 
see COMAND*
COMAND* 362
COMAND* 
see separate operating instructions
Combination switch 105
High beam flasher 47
Turn signals 47
Windshield wipers 47
Comfort driving
Transmission program mode 146
Consumer information 359
Control and operation of radio 
transmitters 246
Control system 113, 362
AUDIO menu 118
Convenience submenu 133
Display digital speedometer 118
Functions 114, 117
Instrument cluster submenu 126
Lighting submenu 129Malfunction memory menu 122
Menus 116, 117, 363
Multifunction display 113
Multifunction steering wheel 114
NAVI* menu 121
Selecting radio system 119
Selecting satellite radio* system 119
Settings menu 123
Standard display menu 118
Submenus 115, 117
TEL* menu 138
Trip computer menu 136
Vehicle submenu 132
Controller Area Network see CAN system
Convenience submenu 133
Activating easy-entry/exit 
feature* 134
Setting key dependency 135
Setting parking position* for exterior 
rear view mirror 136