Page 139 of 458

137 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 
(page 35) 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
1Trip odometer
2Main odometer
iThe displays for the audio systems (ra-
dio, 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, 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 14 m) every second. 
     
        
        Page 349 of 458
347 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display 
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï 
COOLANT
VISIT WORKSHOP
The cooling fan for the coolant is malfunc-
tioning.
Observe the coolant temperature display.
Have the fan replaced as soon as possi-
ble.
Î
CRUISE CONTROL
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP
Cruise control or Distronic* is malfunc-
tioning.
Have cruise control or Distronic* 
checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.
G
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP
The instrument cluster display is malfunc-
tioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
±
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP
Certain electronic systems are unable to 
relay information to the control system. 
The following systems may have failed:
Coolant temperature display
Tachometer
Cruise control display
Have the electronic systems checked by 
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
J 
DOOR OPEN
You are attempting to drive with one or 
more doors open.
Close the doors. 
     
        
        Page 423 of 458

421 Technical terms
Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer 
and placed on the cylinder block to 
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an 
oil can tolerate without becoming thin, 
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the 
better the viscosity.
ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability Pr
ogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal 
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat 
belts. 
->SRS
FSS (Canada vehicles)
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Maintenance service indicator in the 
multifunction display that informs the 
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. FSS evaluates 
engine temperature, oil level, vehicle 
speed, engine speed, distance driven 
and the time elapsed since your last 
maintenance service, and calls for the 
next maintenance service accordingly. 
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to 
the automatic transmission for shifting. 
The automatic gear shifting process 
can be adapted to specific operating 
conditions using the selector lever.GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying 
geographic location information to and 
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs DVD digital maps for 
navigation.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning 
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer, 
engine temperature and fuel gauge.
KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the 
vehicle without the use of a SmartKey.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the 
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear. 
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal 
acceleration needs.