Page 181 of 474

179 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Automatic shift program
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 tachometer display
(
page 174).
Press program mode selector
switch1 repeatedly until the letter of
the desired program mode appears in
the tachometer display.
SelectCfor comfort driving:
The vehicle starts out in second
gear (both forward and reverse) for
gentler starts. This does not apply if
full throttle is applied or gear
range1 is selected.
Traction and driving stability are
improved on icy roads.
Upshifts occur earlier even when
you give more gas. The engine then
operates at lower rpms and the
wheels are less likely to spin.
!Never change the program mode when
the gear selector lever is out of
positionP. This could result in a
change of driving characteristics for
which you may not be prepared.iThe last selected program
mode (CorS) is switched on when the
engine is restarted.
Page 185 of 474

183 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Manual shift program S 55 AMG
In the manual program modeM you can
change the gears manually on the steering
wheel (
page 181) or by using the gear
selector lever (
page 175).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 tachometer display
(
page 174).Activating manual shift program
Press program mode selector
switch1 repeatedly until the
M for the
manual program modeM appears in
the tachometer 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 gearR 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 451 of 474

449 Index
Cruise control 214, 438
Canceling 215
Driving downhill 215
Driving uphill 215
Fine adjustment 216
Lever 221
Setting current speed 215
Setting to last stored speed (“Resume”
function) 216
Cruise control lever 214
Cup holder
Cleaning 335
Closing 250
In front seat armrest 248
In rear seat armrest 249
Opening 250
Curb weight 322
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 437
D
Daytime running lamp mode 133
Setting 165
Deactivating
Air conditioner (cooling) 202
Air recirculation mode 200
Alarm 88
Anti-theft alarm system 88Automatic climate control 202
Central locking (control system) 168
Charcoal filter 201
Defrost 199
Distance warning function* 226
Distronic* 224
Engine with the SmartKey 57
ESP 83
Exterior lamps 132
Hazard warning flasher 136
Headlamps 57
Immobilizer 86
Interior illumination delayed
switch-off 167
Limiting opening height of trunk
lid* 169
Manual shift program S 55 AMG 185
Rear window defroster 201
Residual heat 203
Seat heater 125, 126
Seat ventilation* 127
Tow-away alarm 89
Deceleration
With Distronic* 220
Deep water see Standing water 280
Defrosting 199Delayed switch-off
Interior illumination 167
Department of Transportation see DOT
Dialing
A number (telephone) 154
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 54
Digital clock 25
Digital speedometer 148
Direction of rotation (tires) 299
Discharged battery
Jump starting 406
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 404
Displays
Digital speedometer 148
Distronic* 219
Messages 289
Service indicator 328
Showing malfunctions 159
Vehicle status messages 347
Page 467 of 474

465 Index
Snow chains 327
Spare fuses 380
Spare wheel
Mounting 398
Speed
Setting current 215
Setting to last stored speed in Distron-
ic* (“Resume” function) 223
Speed settings
Cruise control 216
Distronic* 222, 223
To last stored speed (“Resume” func-
tion) in Cruise control 216
Speedometer
Displays 219
Settings units 163
Speedometer display mode
Selecting 163
Sporty driving style 232
SRS 68, 441
Indicator lamp 345
SRS indicator lamp 60Standing lamps 131
Replacing bulbs 390, 394
Standing water
Driving instructions 280
Starting difficulties 47
Starting the engine 46
Steering column
Height adjustment 40
Length adjustment 40
Steering wheel
Adjusting 40
Adjustment 40
Cleaning 335
Heated steering wheel* 253
Steering wheel adjustment 40
Steering wheel gearshift control S 55 AMG
Automatic transmission 181
Stolen vehicle
Recovery services 263
Stopping
Tilt/sliding sunroof 213
Windows 209Storage compartments 243
Armrest 245, 246, 247
Cup holder 248, 250
Glove box 244
In front of armrest 247
Parcel net 250
Storage compartment in front of
armrest 245
Storage tray 245, 246, 247
Under the front seats 248
Storing (Memory function*)
Positions into memory 129
Storing tires 298
Submenus
Convenience 169
For settings 145
In control system 147
Instrument cluster 163
Lighting 164
Resetting functions in Control
system 161
Selecting 161
Settings menu 161
Vehicle 168
Page 468 of 474

466 IndexSun visors 190
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) 441
Suspension tuning
For regular driving style 232
For sporty driving style 232
Setting 231
Switching off
Automatic central locking (control
system) 168
Engine 57
ESP 83
Hazard warning flasher 136
Headlamps 57
Switching on
Automatic central locking (control
system) 168
ESP 84
Front fog lamps 134
Front lamps 131
Hazard warning flasher 136
Headlamps 50
High beams 135
Parking lamps 131
Rear fog lamp 134
Windshield wipers 52Symbol (Distronic*)
Distance warning function* 156
Synchronizing
ESP 352
Power windows 209
Tilt/sliding sunroof 213
T
Tachometer 142
Overspeed range 142
Tachometer display
Displaying gear range 176
Tail lamps
Cleaning 332
Replacing bulbs 390, 395
Tar stains 331
Tele Aid 255
Emergency calls 256
Information 260
Initiating an emergency call
manually 257
Messages in display 370
Remote door unlock 262
Roadside assistance 258
Stolen Vehicle Recovery
services 263
System self-check 256Tele Aid System 255
Upgrade scenario 261
Tele Aid button 29
Tele Aid System 442
TeleAid
Messages in display 370
Telematics* 442
Telephone holder*
Storage compartment in front of
armrest 247
Telephone* 254
Answering a call 154
Dialing a number from the phone
book 154
Ending a call 154
Hands-free microphone 29
Loading phone book* 154
Messages in display 370
Operating 153
Redialing 155
Temperature
Display mode 163
Setting units in display 163
Tires 306
Tie-down hooks (Trunk) 241
Tightening torque 442