Page 120 of 442
120 Controls in detailLighting
Manual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and parking
lamps can be switched on and off with the
exterior lamp switch (
page 119).
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, then
a warning sounds
$ appears in the multifunction
display
the message
Switch 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 121 of 442
121 Controls in detail
Lighting
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 gear 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” (
page 146).
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 147) and “Setting night security il-
lumination” (
page 148).
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 (
page 122).
iSee notes on the exterior lamp switch
(page 119).
Page 122 of 442
122 Controls in detailLightingSwitching on fog lamps
Switching on front fog lamps
Make sure the low beam headlamps
are switched on.
Pull out exterior lamp switch to first
stop.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
lamp switch comes on.Switching on rear fog lamps
Make sure the low beam headlamps
are switched on.
Pull out exterior lamp switch to second
stop.
The yellow indicator lamp† in the
lamp switch comes on.
Warning!
G
In low ambient lighting or foggy 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.iFog lamps will operate with the parking
lamps and / or the low beam head-
lamps on. Fog lamps should only be
used in conjunction with low beam
headlamps. Consult your State or Prov-
ince Motor Vehicle Regulations regard-
ing allowable lamp operation.
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 (
page 119).
Page 123 of 442
123 Controls in detail
Lighting
Combination 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 (
page 119).
Push the combination switch in
direction1.
The high beam indicatorA 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 switch
Page 124 of 442
124 Controls in detailLightingSwitching 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.
Interior lighting
1Switch for reading lamp, left
2Switch for rear compartment lighting
3Switch for automatic function
4Switch for interior lighting in front
5Switch for reading lamp, right
6Ambient lighting
7Interior lighting
8Reading lampsThe controls are located in the overhead
control panel.
Activating automatic control
Press the switch3.
Interior lamps are switched on in dark-
ness, when you
unlock the vehicle
open a door
remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch
The interior lamps are switched off follow-
ing an adjustable time delay (
page 149).
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.
iIf the door remains open, the interior
lamps switch off automatically after ap-
proximately five minutes when the
SmartKey is removed or in starter
switch position0.
An interior lamp switched on manually
does not go out automatically.
Page 125 of 442
125 Controls in detail
Lighting
Deactivating automatic control
Press the switch3.
The interior lighting remains switched
off, even when you
centrally unlock the vehicle
open a door
remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch
Manual control
Switching rear interior lights on and off
Press button2.
The lights in the rear passenger com-
partment go on.
Press button2 again.
The lights in the rear passenger com-
partment go out.Switching left front reading lamp on and
off
Press button1.
The left reading lamp goes on.
Press button1 again.
The left reading lamp goes out.
Switching right front reading lamp on
and off
Press button5.
The right reading lamp goes on.
Press button5 again.
The right reading lamp goes out.
Door entry lamps
The appropriate door entry lamp switches
on if a door is opened in darkness and if
the interior lighting is switched to the auto-
matic function.
The entry lamp goes out automatically
when the door is closed.Trunk lamp
The trunk lamp switches on if the trunk lid
is opened.
If you leave the trunk open for an extended
period of time, the trunk lamp will switch
off automatically after approximately ten
minutes.
iIf you turn the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position0 or remove the
SmartKey, the door entry lamps will re-
main lit for approximately five minutes.
Page 126 of 442
126 Controls in detailInstrument cluster
Instrument clusterA full view illustration of the instrument
cluster can be found in the “At a glance”
section of this manual (
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 set-
tings in the instrument cluster submenu of
the control system (
page 141).
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 133 of 442
133 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1
Menu2
Menu3
Menu4
Menu5
Menu6
Menu7
Menu8
Standard dis-
play
AUDIO
NAVI*
Distronic*
Malfunction
memory
Settings
Trip computer
Telephone
Commands/submenusDigital 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
PLUS
Operate CD
player
Instrument clus-
ter submenu
Fuel consumption
statistics since
the last reset
Search for
name in
phone book
Check tire pres-
sure*
Time/Date sub-
menu
Call up range
Check engine oil
level
Lighting sub-
menuVehicle sub-
menuConvenience
submenuDynamic seat*
submenu
