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 102 of 376

102 Controls in detailLightingCombination switch
The combination switch is located on the 
left side of the steering column.
1High beam
2High beam flasher
Switching on high beams
Turn exterior lamp switch to 
positionB or toU (
page 98).
Push the combination switch in 
direction1.
The high beam indicatorB on the 
instrument cluster is illuminated 
(page 22).High beam flasher
Pull the combination switch briefly in 
direction2.
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.
1Hazard warning flasher switchSwitching 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 position1 or2.iIf the hazard warning flasher was acti-
vated automatically press switch1 
twice. 
     
        
        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 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 position1. 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
1Outside temperature
2Main odometer
3Trip odometer
4Automatic transmission program mode
5Current gear selector lever position
6Digital 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 110 of 376

110 Controls in detailControl systemMultifunction steering wheel
The displays in the multifunction display 
and the settings in the control system are 
controlled by the buttons on the multifunc-
tion steering wheel.Pressing any of the buttons on the multi-
function steering wheel will alter what is 
shown in the multifunction display.
The information available in the multifunc-
tion display is arranged in menus, each 
containing a number of functions or sub-
menus.
The individual functions are then found 
within the relevant menu (radio or CD op-
erations under 
AUDIO
, for example). These 
functions serve to call up relevant informa-
tion or to customize the settings for your 
vehicle.
1
Multifunction display in the speed-
ometerOperating the control system
2
Selecting the submenu or setting 
the volumeçdown / to decreaseæup / to increase
3
Telephone*íto take a callìto end a call
4
Menu systemsèfor next menuÿfor previous menu
5
Moving within a menujfor next displaykfor previous display 
     
        
        Page 130 of 376

130 Controls in detailControl systemActivating easy-entry/exit feature*
Use this function to activate and deacti-
vate the easy-entry/exit feature. When the 
feature is activated, the steering wheel and 
driver’s seat will move back to facilitate ex-
iting when you
remove the SmartKey from the starter 
switch
open the driver’s door
However, the engine must be turned off.After entering the vehicle, the steering 
wheel and seat will move into the position 
stored in memory when
the driver’s door is closed
you put the SmartKey in the starter 
switch and
press the appropriate stored position 
button on the memory switch 
(page 96)
Warning!
G
You must make sure that no one can be-
come trapped or injured by the moving 
steering wheel and the driver’s seat when 
the easy-entry/exit feature is activated and 
the driver’s door is being opened or the 
SmartKey is removed from the starter 
switch.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. 
Children could open the driver’s door and 
unintentionally activate the easy-entry/exit 
feature*, which could result in an accident 
and/or serious personal injury.
iTo cancel seat/steering wheel move-
ment, do one of the following:
Press the seat adjustment 
switch*(
page 35). 
Move the steering column stalk* 
(page 38).
Press the memory switch* 
(page 96). 
     
        
        Page 131 of 376

131 Controls in detail
Control system
Move the selection marker with 
theæ orç button to the 
CONVE-
NIENCE
 submenu.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly 
until you see this message in the 
display: 
EASY-ENTRY FEATURE ACTI-
VATE
.
The selection marker is on the current 
setting.
Pressæ orç to change the 
easy-entry/exit setting.The following settings are available for 
the easy-entry/exit feature:Setting key-dependency
Use this function to set whether the mem-
ory settings for the seats, the steering 
wheel and the mirrors should be stored 
separately for each SmartKey (
page 95).
Move the selection marker with 
theæ orç button to the 
CONVE-
NIENCE
 submenu.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly 
until you see this message in the dis-
play: 
SETTINGS KEY-DEPENDENT
.
The selection marker is on the current 
setting.
Pressæ orç to set 
key-dependency to 
ON or 
OFF
. 
OFF
The 
easy-entry/exit 
feature is 
deactivated.
STEERING COLUMN
Only the 
steering column 
is moved.
STEERING COLUMN + 
SEAT
Both the 
steering column 
and the seat are 
moved.