Page 129 of 464

129 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 or as soon as the 
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button is in 
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
2Trip odometer
3Automatic transmission program mode
4Main odometer
5Current gear selector lever position
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 
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 133 of 464
133 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1
Menu2
Menu3
Menu4
Menu5
Menu6
Menu7
Menu8
Commands/submenusStandard dis-
play
AUDIO
NAVI*
Distronic*
Malfunction 
memory
Settings
Trip computer
Telephone
Digital speed-
ometer
Select radio 
station
Activate 
route guid-
ance
Call up set-
tings
Call up malfunc-
tion messages
Reset to factory 
settings
Fuel consumption 
statistics after 
start
Load phone 
book
Call up FSS
Select 
satellite ra-
dio station
Instrument clus-
ter submenu
Fuel consumption 
statistics since 
the last reset
Search for 
name in 
phone book
Check engine oil 
level
Operate CD 
player*
Time submenu
Call up range
Operate cas-
sette player
Lighting sub-
menuVehicle sub-
menuConvenience 
submenu 
     
        
        Page 134 of 464

134 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 the j or k button repeat-
edly until you see the digital speedom-
eter appear in the display.
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 digital speedometer 
134
Call up FSS
303
Check engine oil level
289
Function
Page
Select radio station
135
Select satellite radio station*
135
Operate CD player*
136
Operate cassette player
136 
     
        
        Page 136 of 464

136 Controls in detailControl system
Operate the CD player*
Turn on the radio and select the CD 
player (
page 199). Vehicles with 
COMAND*: Refer to separate operat-
ing instructions.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly 
until the settings for the CD currently 
being played are shown in the display.
1Current CD (for CD changer*)
2Current track
Press buttonk orj repeatedly 
until the desired track is selected.Operate the Cassette player*
Turn on the radio and select the cas-
sette player (
page 196). Vehicles 
with COMAND*: Refer to separate op-
erating instructions.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly 
until the settings for the cassette cur-
rently being played are shown in the 
display.
1Current side
Press buttonj to fast forward to 
the next track.
Press buttonk to rewind the cas-
sette to the beginning of the current 
track.
iFeature description is based on prelim-
inary information available at time of 
printing.
For more information on satellite radio 
operation, see “Satellite radio (SAT)* 
(USA only)” (
page 192). 
Vehicles with COMAND*: Refer to sep-
arate operating instructions.
iTo select a CD from the magazine, 
press a number on the audio system or 
the COMAND* system key pad located 
in the center dashboard. 
     
        
        Page 422 of 464

422 Technical termsLine of fall
The direct line that an object moves 
downhill when influenced by the force 
of gravity alone. 
Lock button
Button on the door which indicates 
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the lock button down 
on an individual door from inside will 
lock that door.Memory function*
Used to store three individual seat, 
steering wheel and mirror positions for 
each SmartKey or, if so equipped, 
KEYLESS-GO* feature.
Menu
The control system displays are ar-
ranged in menus. Each menu contains 
a number of commands for particular 
systems. In the Audio menu, for exam-
ple, you will find the commands 
Select 
radio station 
or Operate CD player
. 
Using commands, you can directly 
change the settings for your vehicle.MON
(M
otor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline 
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline's 
ability to resist undesired detonation 
(knocking). The average of both the 
MON (Motor Octane Number) and 
->RON (Research Octane Number) is 
posted at the pump, also known as 
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Multifunction display
Display field in the speedometer used 
to present information provided by the 
control system.
Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for operat-
ing the control system. 
     
        
        Page 430 of 464

430 IndexBi-Xenon headlamps* 419
Block heater* 301
Blocking
Rear window operation 74
Bolts
For Minispare wheel 347
Brake assist system (BAS) 419
Brake fluid 412
Message in display 327
Brake lamp bulbs 373
Brake lamp, high mounted 373
Brake pads
Message in display 327
Brakes 274
Warning lamp 313
Break-in period 272Bulbs, replacing 372
Additional turn signals 373
Backup lamps 373
Brake lamps 373
Fog lamps 373
Front lamps 373
High beam (Bi-Xenon*) 373
High beam (Halogen) 373
High beam flasher (Bi-Xenon*) 373
High beam flasher (Halogen) 373
High mounted brake lamp 373
License plate lamps 373, 378
Low beam (Bi-Xenon*) 373
Low beam (Halogen) 373
Parking lamps 373, 375, 377
Rear fog lamp 373, 378
Side marker lamps 373, 377
Standing lamps 373, 375, 377
Tail lamp assemblies 373, 378
Turn signal lamps 373
Button
Audio system 186C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 420
Calling up
Distronic* settings 137
Range (distance to empty) 153
Service indicator 303
CAN system 420
Canceling
Cruise control 227
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 410
Cassette operation
Playing cassettes 196
Cassette player
Operating 136
Catalytic converter 281
CD changer* 199
CD operation 199
CD player
Operating 136
Center console 25
Lower part 26
PASS. AIRBAG OFF 
indicator lamp 319
Upper part 25 
     
        
        Page 444 of 464

444 IndexOpening from the inside
Trunk 100
Operating
Audio system 183
Cassette player 136
CD player 136
COMAND* see 
separate operating instructions
Navigation system 137
Radio 135
Radio transmitters 281
Telephone* 154, 183, 203
Vehicle outside the 
USA and Canada 13
Operating roll bar manually 353
Operating safety
Audio system 183
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings 307
Outside temperature indicator 128
Overdue service 302
Overhead control panel 27
Overspeed range 423P
Paintwork 305
Panic alarm 75
Panic button on SmartKey 75
Parcel net in 
front passenger footwell 253
Parking 52, 275
Parking assist* see Parktronic*
Parking brake 46, 53
Engaging 53
Message in display 327
Releasing 46
Parking lamps
Replacing bulbs 373, 375, 377
Switching on 119
Parking position
Exterior rear 
view mirrors 118, 151, 169
Parktronic* 241, 423
Sensor 308
Parts see Spare parts service
PASS. AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 319
Passenger airbags 63Passenger compartment 280
Fuse box in 394
Interior lighting 124
Interior rear view mirror 38
Parcel net in 
front passenger footwell 253
Storage bags, 
rear side of the front seats 252
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 273
Phone book*
Loading 155
Quick search 156
Phone number*
Dialing 155
Redialing 156
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 310
Playing
CDs 201
Poly-V-belt drive 423
Layout 401