Page 113 of 506

111 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
1Remote trunk lid switch with indicator 
lamp (vehicles with trunk lid open-
ing/closing system*)
Pull remote trunk lid switch1 until the 
trunk begins to open. 
The trunk lid opens. The indicator lamp 
in the switch comes on and remains lit 
until the trunk is closed.Limiting opening height of trunk lid*
Vehicles with trunk lid opening/closing 
system*:
The trunk lid opening height can be limited 
when transporting goods on a roof rack 
(e.g. presence of an optional MB sport lug-
gage container). When activated, the trunk 
lid opens to approximately the height of 
the roof edge.
Activate the limiting opening height of 
trunk lid using the control system 
(page 166). 
!The trunk lid swings open upwards au-
tomatically. Always make sure there is 
sufficient overhead clearance.
Vehicles with trunk lid opening/closing 
system*: To stop the opening proce-
dure, press or pull remote trunk lid 
switch1.iThe trunk can also be opened using the 
buttonŠ on the SmartKey or 
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* or from 
its inside in an emergency, see “Trunk 
lid emergency release” (
page 117). 
     
        
        Page 132 of 506

130 Controls in detailMemory function
You can store up to three different settings 
for each SmartKey or SmartKey with 
KEYLESS-GO*.
The following settings are stored when us-
ing the buttons on the driver’s door:
Driver’s seat, backrest, head restraint 
position and settings for multicontour 
seat
Steering wheel position
Exterior rear view mirror positions
These SmartKey-dependent memory set-
tings can be deactivated if desired. For in-
formation on SmartKey-dependent 
memory settings, see “Setting 
SmartKey-dependency” (
page 168).
The following settings are not 
SmartKey-dependent. They are stored 
when using the buttons on the front pas-
senger door:
Front passenger seat, backrest, head 
restraint position and settings for mul-
ticontour seat
!Prior to operating the vehicle, the driv-
er should check and adjust the seat 
height, seat position fore and aft, and 
seat backrest angle if necessary, to 
ensure adequate control, reach and 
comfort. The head restraint should also 
be adjusted for proper height. See also 
the section on air bags (
page 61) for 
more information on proper seat posi-
tioning.
In addition, adjust the steering wheel to 
ensure adequate control, reach, opera-
tion and comfort. Both the interior and 
exterior rear view mirrors should be ad-
justed for adequate rear vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small 
children should be seated in a properly 
secured restraint system that complies 
with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standards 213 and 225 and Canadian 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213 
and 210.2.
Warning!
G
Do not activate the memory function while 
driving. Activating the memory function 
while driving could cause the driver to lose 
control of the vehicle. 
     
        
        Page 148 of 506

146 Controls in detailControl systemMultifunction steering wheel
The displays in the multifunction display 
and the settings in the control system 
(page 145) are controlled by the buttons 
on the multifunction 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 display in the speed-
ometerOperating 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 
     
        
        Page 174 of 506

172 Controls in detailControl systemWhich messages will appear in the display 
field depends on whether your telephone is 
switched on or off:
If the telephone is off, the message in 
the multifunction display is: 
PHONE off
.
If the telephone is on:
The telephone will then search for a 
network. During this time the display is 
empty.
As soon as the telephone has found a 
network, 
READY
 appears in the display.
This standby message indicates that your 
telephone is ready for use and you can op-
erate it using the control system.Answering a call
When your telephone is ready to receive 
calls, you can answer a call at any time. In 
the display you will then see the message:
Press buttons.
You have answered the call. In the dis-
play you see the length of the call.Ending a call
Press buttont.
You have ended the call. In the display 
you will again see the standby mes-
sage.
Dialing a number from the phone book
If your telephone is ready to receive calls, 
you may select and dial a number from the 
phone book at any time.
Press buttonÿ orè repeatedly 
until you see the 
Tel
 menu in the dis-
play.
Press buttonj ork.
The control system reads the phone 
book which is stored in the telephone. 
This may take up to 30 seconds. In the 
display you will see the message Please wait
.
When the message 
Please wait
 disap-
pears, the phone book has been load-
ed.
iIf you do not wish to accept a call, 
press buttont. 
     
        
        Page 175 of 506

173 Controls in detail
Control system
Press buttonj ork repeatedly 
until the desired name appears in the 
display.
The stored names are displayed in as-
cending or descending alphabetical or-
der.
Press buttons.
The system dials the selected phone 
number.
If the connection is successful, the 
name of the party you called and 
the duration of the call will appear 
in the display.
If no connection is made, the con-
trol system stores the dialed num-
ber in the redial memory.
Redialing
The control system stores the most recent-
ly dialed phone numbers. This eliminates 
the need to search through your entire 
phone book.
Press buttonÿ orè repeatedly 
until you see the 
Tel
 menu in the dis-
play.
Press buttons.
In the display you see the first number 
in the redial memory.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly 
until the desired name appears in the 
display.
Press buttons.
The control system dials the selected 
phone number.
iIf you press and holdj ork for 
longer than one second, the system 
scrolls rapidly through the list of names 
until you release the button again.
Cancel the quick search mode by 
pressingt. 
     
        
        Page 183 of 506

181 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Working on the vehicle
Steering wheel gearshift control (Speedshift) E 55 AMG 
When driving in the automatic program 
modes C, S or in the manual program 
mode M you can change the gears manual-
ly on the steering wheel or by using the 
gear selector lever (
page 176).The steering wheel gearshift buttons are 
located to the left and right of the steering 
wheel.
1Left button: downshift
2Right button: upshift
Warning!
G
When working on the vehicle, set the 
parking brake and move gear selector lever 
to positionP. Otherwise the vehicle could 
roll away.iTo avoid overrevving the engine when 
downshifting with steering wheel 
gearshift buttons, the transmission will 
not shift to a lower gear if the engine’s 
max. speed would be exceeded.
!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 drivetrain which 
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz 
Limited Warranty. 
     
        
        Page 184 of 506

182 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission
Downshifting
Press button1 on the left side of the 
steering wheel.
The transmission will shift to the next 
lower gear as permitted by the shift 
program. This action simultaneously limits 
the gear range of the transmission 
(
page 177) when you are driving in the 
automatic program mode (CorS).Upshifting
Press button2 on the right side of the 
steering wheel.
The transmission will shift to the next high-
er gear as permitted by the shift program. 
This action simultaneously extends the 
gear range of the transmission when you 
are driving in the automatic program 
mode (CorS).
iYou cannot shift with the steering 
wheel gearshift buttons when the gear 
selector lever is in positionP,N orR.
The manual program modeM will not 
be stored. When the engine is turned 
off with the manual program modeM 
selected, the transmission will go to 
the automatic program mode (CorS) 
when the engine is restarted.
The last selected program 
mode (CorS) is switched on when the 
engine is restarted in the automatic 
program mode.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift 
in order to obtain braking action. This could 
result in drive wheel slip and reduced 
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not 
prevent this type of loss of control. 
     
        
        Page 189 of 506

187 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Activating exterior rear view mirror 
parking position
Follow these steps to activate the mirror 
parking position so that the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror will be 
turned downward to the stored position.
The buttons are located on the driver’s 
door.
1Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror 
button
2Passenger-side exterior rear view 
mirror button
Make sure you have stored a parking 
position for the passenger-side exterior 
rear view mirror (
page 132).
Make sure the 
Mirror adjustment 
parking aid function in the 
Conve-
nience
 submenu of the control system 
is switched to 
on (page 168).
Switch on the ignition (
page 33).
Press button2 for the passenger-side 
exterior rear view mirror.
Place the gear selector lever in reverse 
gearR.
The passenger-side exterior rear view 
mirror will be turned downward to the 
stored position.
The exterior rear view mirror returns to its 
previously stored driving position:
ten seconds after you put the gear se-
lector lever out of positionR
immediately once you exceed a vehicle 
speed of approx. 6 mph (10 km/h)
immediately when you press button1 
for driver’s side mirror.
!Electrolyte drops coming into contact 
with the vehicle paint finish can be 
completely removed only while in the 
liquid state by applying plenty of water.Warning!
G
Exercise care when using the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror 
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface 
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror 
are closer than they appear. Check your in-
terior rear view mirror or glance over your 
shoulder before changing lanes.