Page 119 of 442
117 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Instrument cluster
For a full view illustration of the instrument 
cluster, see “At a glance” (
page 24).
1Reset button
The instrument cluster is activated when 
you
open a door
switch on ignition
press reset button1
switch on the exterior lamps
You can change the instrument cluster 
settings in the Instrument cluster submenu 
of the control system (
page 135).
Instrument cluster illumination
Use reset button1 to adjust the 
illumination brightness for the instrument 
cluster.To brighten illumination
Turn reset button1 clockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will 
brighten.
To dim illumination
Turn reset button1 counterclock-
wise.
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 123 of 442

121 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
1Trip odometer
2Main odometer
3Current program mode
4Current gear selector lever 
position/gear range
5Digital clock
6Status indicator (outside tempera-
ture/digital speedometer)
iThe displays for the audio systems 
(radio, CD 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 14 m) every second. 
     
        
        Page 124 of 442

122 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 displayOperating the control system
2
Selecting the submenu or setting 
the volume:
Press buttonæup/to increaseçdown/to decrease
3
Telephone*:
Press buttonsto take a calltto end a call
4
Menu systems:
Press buttonèfor next menuÿfor previous menu
5
Moving within a menu:
Press buttonjfor next displaykfor previous display
iC 230 Kompressor Sport, and 
C320Sport:
Steering wheel in these vehicles will 
vary from steering wheel shown. 
However, multifunction steering wheel 
symbols and feature description apply 
to Sport models as well. 
     
        
        Page 125 of 442
123 Controls in detail
Control system
It is helpful to think of the menus, and the 
functions within each menu, as being 
arranged in a circular pattern.
If you press buttonè orÿ 
repeatedly, you will pass through each 
menu one after the other.
If you press buttonk orj 
repeatedly, you will pass through each 
function display, one after the other, in 
the current menu.In the 
Settings
 menu, instead of functions 
you will find a number of submenus for 
calling up and changing settings. For 
instructions on using these submenus, see 
“Submenus in the Settings menu” 
(
page 133).The number of menus available in the sys-
tem depends on which optional equipment 
is installed in your vehicle.
The menus are described on the following 
pages. 
     
        
        Page 127 of 442
125 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1
Menu2
Menu3
Menu4
Menu5
Menu6
Menu7
Standard display
AUDIO
NAV*
Vehicle status 
message memory
Settings
Trip computer
Telephone*
(page 126)
(page 127)
(page 130)
(page 130)
(page 132)
(page 148)
(page 150)
Commands/submenusDigital speedometer 
or outside tempera-
ture
Select radio 
station
Activate route 
guidance
Call up vehicle mal-
function, warning 
and system status 
messages stored in 
memory
Reset to factory 
settings
Fuel consumption 
statistics after 
start
Load phone 
book
Call up maintenance 
service display
Select satellite 
radio station* 
(USA only)
Instrument clus-
ter submenu
Fuel consumption 
statistics since 
the last reset
Search for 
name in 
phone book
Check engine oil 
level
Operate the 
CD player* 
Time/Date 
submenu
Call up range
Lighting 
submenuVehicle 
submenuConvenience 
submenu 
     
        
        Page 131 of 442
129 Controls in detail
Control system
Press buttonk orj repeatedly 
until the desired channel is found.Operate the CD player*
Turn on the radio and select the 
CD player (
page 201). 
Vehicles with COMAND*:
Refer to separate operating 
instructions.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly 
until the settings for the CD currently 
being played appear in the 
multifunction display.
1Current CD (for CD changer*)
2Current track
Press buttonk orj repeatedly 
until the desired track is selected.
iFeature description is based on 
preliminary information available at 
time of printing.
For more information on satellite radio 
operation, see “Introduction to satellite 
radio* (USA only)” (
page 196). 
Vehicles with COMAND*: 
Refer to separate 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 134 of 442

132 Controls in detailControl systemSettings menu
In the 
Settings
 menu there are two 
functions:
The function 
Reset to factory 
settings
, with which you can reset all 
the settings to the original factory 
settings.
A collection of submenus with which 
you can make individual settings for 
your vehicle.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly 
until the 
Settings
 menu appears in the 
multifunction display.Resetting all settings
You can reset all the functions of all 
submenus to the factory settings.
Press the reset button in the 
instrument cluster (
page 117) for 
approximately three seconds.
The request to press the reset button 
once more to confirm appears in the 
multifunction display.
Press the reset button once more.
The functions of all the submenus will 
reset to factory settings.
iThe settings you have changed will not 
be reset unless you confirm the action 
by pressing the reset button a second 
time. After approximately five seconds, 
the 
Settings
 menu reappears in the 
multifunction display.
For safety reasons, the following 
functions are not reset while driving:
the 
Hdlamp mode
 function in the 
Lighting
 submenu
the 
Key dependency 
function in the 
Convenience
 submenu 
     
        
        Page 135 of 442

133 Controls in detail
Control system
Submenus in the Settings menu
Press buttonk orj.
The collection of the submenus 
appears in the multifunction display.
Press buttonç.
The selection marker moves to the next 
submenu.The submenus are arranged by hierarchy. 
Scroll down with buttonç, scroll up 
with buttonæ.
Move within the submenus with 
buttonk orj to the individual 
functions.
The settings themselves are made with 
buttonæ orç.Resetting the functions of a submenu
For each submenu you can reset all the 
functions to the factory settings.
Move to a function in the submenu.
Press the reset button (
page 117) in 
the instrument cluster for approxi-
mately three seconds.
The request to press the reset button 
once more to confirm appears in the 
multifunction display.
Press the reset button once more.
All functions of the submenu will reset 
to factory settings.iThe settings you have changed will not 
be reset unless you confirm the action 
by pressing the reset button a second 
time. After approximately five seconds, 
the 
Settings
 menu reappears in the 
multifunction display.