Page 155 of 506

153 Controls in detail
Control system
Distronic activated
When Distronic is activated,
Distronic
and the set speed are seen in the display.
1Distronic activated
Vehicle status message memory menu
Use the vehicle status message memory
menu to scan malfunction and warning
messages that may be stored in the sys-
tem. Such messages appear in the multi-
function display and are based on
conditions or system status the vehicle’s
system has recorded.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until the vehicle status message mem-
ory appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
No vehicle status messages
If no conditions are recorded in memory,
the message in the multifunction display
is:
NO MESSAGESVehicle status messages have been re-
corded
If conditions have occurred, causing status
messages to be recorded the number of
messages appears in the multifunction dis-
play:
Warning!
G
Malfunction and warning messages are only
indicated for certain systems and are inten-
tionally not very detailed. The malfunction
and warning messages are simply a remind-
er with respect to the operation of certain
systems and do not replace the owner’s
and/or driver’s responsibility to maintain
the vehicle’s operating safety by having all
required maintenance and safety checks
performed on the vehicle and by bringing
the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to address the malfunction and
warning messages (
page 367).
Page 181 of 506

179 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Automatic shift programm
The program mode selector switch is
located on the lower part of the center
console.
1Program mode selector switch
C Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving
The current gear selector lever position
and the selected program mode (
C/S) are
indicated in the multifunction display
(
page 174).
!Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any
other reason with gear selector lever
inN can result in transmission damage
that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear
selector lever not fully engaged in positionP
is dangerous. Also, positionP alone is not
intended to or capable of preventing your
vehicle from moving, possibly hitting people
or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 55).
When parked on an incline, turn the front
wheels towards the road curb.
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* from the starter switch, take
it with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Children
could move the gear selector lever from
positionP, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
Page 185 of 506

183 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Manual shift program E 55 AMG
In the manual program mode M you can
change the gears manually on the steering
wheel (
page 181) or by using the gear
selector lever (
page 176).The program mode selector switch is
located on the lower part of the center
console.
1Program mode selector switch
M Manual For manual gear shifting
C Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving
The current gear selector lever position
and the selected program mode (
M/C/S)
are indicated in the multifunction display
(
page 174).Activating manual shift program
Press program mode selector
switch1 repeatedly until the
M for
manual shift program mode M appears
in the multifunction display.
The transmission switches to the
manual program modeM. Automatic
shifting is switched off. The gear range
is not limited.
You can change the gears manually when
the gear selector lever is in positionD. You
can upshift or downshift through the gears
in succession.
!Allow engine to warm up under low
load use. Do not place full load on the
engine until the operating temperature
has been reached.
Shift into reverse gear R or parking
positionP only when the vehicle is
stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period when driving off on
slippery road surfaces. This may cause
serious damage to the drive train which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Page 187 of 506
185 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Kickdown
Using the kickdown when driving in the
manual program modeM is not possible.
Deactivating manual shift program
Press the program mode selector
switch (
page 179) repeatedly
until
Cor
S appears in the multifunction
display.
or
Restart the engine.
The transmission will go to the
automatic program mode (C orS).
The manual program modeM is not
stored.Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the
transmission no longer shifts, the trans-
mission is most likely operating in limp
home (emergency operation) mode. In this
mode only second gear and reverse gear
can be activated.
Stop the vehicle.
Move gear selector lever toP.
Turn off the engine.
Wait at least ten seconds before
restarting.
Restart the engine.
Move gear selector lever to positionD
(for second gear) orR.
Have the transmission checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Page 191 of 506

189 Controls in detail
Good visibility
1Mounting
2Additional visor*
3Sun visor
If sunlight enters through a side window:
Disengage sun visor from mounting1.
Pivot sun visor to the side.
The sun visors are extendable.
Adjust the sun visors by pushing or
pulling in the direction of the arrows.
Rear window sunshade*
The switch is located in the center console.
Switch on the ignition (
page 33).
Press the switch briefly at 1 to raise
the sunshade.
Press the switch briefly at 1 to lower
the sunshade.Always raise the sunshade fully for its sup-
port against the window frame.iIf sunlight enters through a side win-
dow, disengage sun visor from
mounting1 and pivot to the side.
Mirror lamp3 will switch off.
Warning!
G
When operating the rear window sunshade,
be sure that there is no danger of anyone be-
ing harmed by the raising or lowering proce-
dure.
The raising or lowering procedure can be im-
mediately halted by briefly pressing
switch1. To reverse direction of move-
ment, press switch1 again.
Page 195 of 506
193 Controls in detail
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Rear air vents
1
Climate control panel
2
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for left center air vent
3
Left center air vent, adjustable
4
Center air vent, fixed
5
Right center air vent, adjustable
6
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for right center air vent
7
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for side air vent
8
Side defroster vent, fixed
9
Side air vent, adjustable
iFor draft-free ventilation, move the
sliders for the center vents 3 and 5
to the middle position.
1
Left rear center air vent, adjustable
2
Right rear center air vent, adjust-
able
3
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for right rear center air vent
4
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for left rear center air vent
Page 200 of 506

198 Controls in detailDual-zone automatic climate controlAdjusting air distribution
Adjusting manually
Use air distribution control4
(page 194) or (
page 195) to adjust the
air distribution.
Press air distribution rocker switch4
(page 194) or (
page 195) until the
display shows the desired setting.
The indicator lamp on the buttonU
goes out and the current air distribu-
tion appears in the air distribution
display9 (
page 194) or 8
(
page 195).Adjusting automatically
Press button U(
page 194) or
(
page 195).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on. The air distribution is adjust-
ed automatically.
Adjusting center air vents:
The thumbwheels for left2 and right6
(
page 192) center air vents are automat-
ically positioned for optimum interior air-
flow. In this position, center air vent4
(page 192) and adjustable left and right
center vents3 and5 (
page 192) are
fully opened.
Windshield fogged on the outside
Switch the windshield wipers on
(page 52).
Press button U(
page 194) or
(
page 195).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Adjusting air volume
Adjusting manually
Five blower speeds are available.
Press to decrease orQ to in-
crease air volume (
page 194) or
(
page 195) to the desired level.
The indicator lamp on the Ubutton
(page 194) or (
page 195) goes
out. The selected blower speed is
shown in the display.
Adjusting automatically
Press the U button (
page 194) or
(
page 195).
The indicator lamp on the Ubutton
comes on. The air volume is adjusted
automatically.
Symbol
Function
a
Directs air through the center,
side and rear passenger com-
partment air vents
Z
Directs air to the windows
X
Directs air into the entire
vehicle interior
Y
Directs air to the footwells
Page 204 of 506

202 Controls in detailDual-zone automatic climate control
Residual heat and ventilation* (avail-
able on climate control panel design A only)
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.
Activating
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0or1, or remove it from
the starter switch.
Press buttonT (
page 194).
The indicator lamp on button comes
on.Deactivating
Press buttonT (
page 194).
The indicator lamp on button goes out.
The residual heat is automatically turned
off:
when the ignition is switched on
after about 30 minutes
if the battery voltage drops
!If the air conditioning cannot be turned
on again, this indicates that the air con-
ditioning is losing refrigerant. The com-
pressor has turned itself off.
Have the air conditioning checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
iHow long the system will provide heat-
ing depends on the coolant tempera-
ture and the temperature set by the
operator. The blower will run at speed
setting 1 regardless of the air distribu-
tion control setting.