Page 146 of 474
144 Controls in detailControl systemMultifunction steering wheel
The displays in the multifunction display 
and the settings in the control system are 
controlled using the buttons on the multi-
function steering wheel.
1
Multifunction display in the speed-
ometerOperating the control system
2
Selecting the submenu or setting 
the volumeæ
up/to increase
ç
down/to decrease
3
Telephone*s
to take a call
t
to end a call
4
Menu systemsè
for next menu
ÿ
for previous menu
5
Moving within a menuj
for next display
k
for previous display 
     
        
        Page 147 of 474

145 Controls in detail
Control system
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.It is helpful to think of the menus, and the 
functions within each menu, as being ar-
ranged 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 in-
structions on using these submenus, see 
“Settings menu” (page 160).
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 155 of 474

153 Controls in detail
Control system
TEL menu*
You can use the functions in the 
TEL
 menu 
to operate your telephone, provided it is 
connected to a hands-free system and 
switched on.
Switch on the telephone and COMAND.
Press buttonÿ orè on the 
steering wheel repeatedly until you see 
the 
TEL
 menu in the multifunction dis-
play.Which messages will appear in the multi-
function display field depends on whether 
your telephone is switched on or off:
If the telephone is off, the message in 
the multifunction display is: 
TEL OFF
.
If the telephone is on:
The telephone will then search for a 
network. During this time the multi-
function display reads 
NO SERVICE
.
As soon as the telephone has found a 
network, 
READY
 is indicated in the mul-
tifunction display.
The standby message indicates that your 
telephone is ready for use and you can op-
erate it using the control system.
Warning!
G
A driver’s attention to the road must always 
be his/her primary focus when driving. For 
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location 
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call. If you choose to use the tele-
phone while driving, please use the 
hands-free device and only use the tele-
phone when weather, road and traffic condi-
tions permit.
Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from 
using a cellular telephone while driving a ve-
hicle.
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.
Never operate radio transmitters equipped 
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna) 
from inside the vehicle while the engine is 
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or 
personal injury. 
     
        
        Page 171 of 474

169 Controls in detail
Control system
Limiting opening height of trunk lid*
This function is available in vehicles with 
the trunk lid opening/closing system*. 
Use this function to activate or deactivate 
the limiting opening height of trunk lid.
Move the selection marker with 
theæ orç button to 
VEHICLE
 
submenu.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly 
until you see this message in the multi-
function display:OPENING LIMITER 
TRUNK LIDThe selection marker is on the current 
setting.
Press buttonæ orç to switch 
the opening limiter for trunk lid
 ON
 or 
OFF
.Convenience submenu
Access the 
CONVENIENCE
 submenu via the 
SETTINGS
 menu. Use the 
CONVENIENCE
 sub-
menu to change the settings for a number 
of convenience features. The following 
functions are available:Setting key-dependency
Use this function to set whether the mem-
ory settings for the seats, the steering 
wheel, the mirrors, and the automatic cli-
mate control should be stored separately 
for each SmartKey (
page 128).
Move the selection marker with 
theæ orç button to 
the
CONVENIENCE
 submenu.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly 
until you see this message in the multi-
function display: 
SETTINGS KEY-DEPEN-
DENT
.
The selection marker is on the current 
setting.
Pressæ orç to set key-depen-
dency to 
ON or 
OFF
. 
Function
Page
Setting key-dependency
169
Activating easy-entry/exit fea-
ture
169
Setting parking position for exte-
rior rear view mirror
171
Setting fold-in function for exteri-
or rear view mirrors
171
Adjusting the drive-dynamic seat
172 
     
        
        Page 172 of 474

170 Controls in detailControl systemActivating easy-entry/exit feature
Use this function to activate and deacti-
vate the easy-entry/exit feature 
(page 114).
Move the selection marker with 
theæ orç button to 
the
CONVENIENCE
 submenu.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly 
until you see this message in the multi-
function display: 
EASY-ENTRY FEATURE 
ACTIVATE
.
The selection marker is on the current 
setting.
Pressæ orç to change the 
easy-entry/exit setting.
The following settings are available for the 
easy-entry/exit feature:
Warning!
G
You must make sure no one can become 
trapped or injured by the moving steering 
wheel and driver’s seat when the easy-en-
try/exit feature is activated. 
To cancel seat/steering wheel movement, 
do one of the following:
Press seat adjustment switch 
(page 38).
Move steering column stalk 
(page 40).
Press the one of the memory position 
buttons or the memory button M 
(page 129).
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. 
Children could open the driver’s door and 
unintentionally activate the easy-entry/exit 
feature, which could result in an accident 
and/or serious personal injury.
OFF
The easy-entry/exit fea-
ture is deactivated.
STEER. COL
Only the steering column 
is moved.
ST.COL+SEAT
Both the steering column 
and the driver’s seat are 
moved. 
     
        
        Page 176 of 474

174 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission1Current gear range/gear selector lever 
position
2Current program mode
The current gear range/gear selector lever 
position and program mode (
C/S) 
or (
M/C/S) appear in the tachometer 
display.When the gear selector lever is in 
positionD, you can influence transmission 
shifting by:
limiting the gear range
changing gears manually
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector 
lever out ofP orN if the engine speed is 
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not 
firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could 
accelerate quickly forward or reverse. You 
could lose control of the vehicle and hit 
someone or something. Only shift into gear 
when the engine is idling normally and when 
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
!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 177 of 474

175 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
One-touch gearshifting 
Even with an automatic transmission you 
can change the gears manually when the 
gear selector lever is in positionD.
Downshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to 
the left in theD-direction.
The transmission will shift from the current 
gear to the next lower gear as permitted by 
the shift program. This action simulta-
neously limits the gear range of the 
transmission (
page 176).Upshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to 
the right in theD+direction.
The transmission will shift from the current 
gear to the next higher gear as permitted 
by the shift program. This action simul-
taneously extends the gear range of the 
transmission.Canceling gear range limit
Press and hold the gear selector lever 
in theD+direction until
D reappears in 
the tachometer display.
The transmission will shift from the current 
gear range directly to gear rangeD.
Shifting into optimal gear range 
Press and hold the gear selector lever 
in theD-direction.
The transmission will automatically select 
the gear range suited for optimal 
acceleration and deceleration. This will 
involve shifting down one or more gears.
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.
iTo avoid overrevving the engine when 
the gear selector lever is moved to 
theD-direction, the transmission will 
not shift to a lower gear if the engine’s 
max. speed would be exceeded. 
     
        
        Page 180 of 474

178 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission
!
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 48).
When parked on an incline, turn the front 
wheels towards the road curb.
Do not park this vehicle in areas where 
combustible 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 SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 
from the starter switch, take it with you, and 
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended 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.