Page 117 of 464

117 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. 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
1Main odometer
2Trip odometer
3Current program mode 
(automatic transmission* only)
4Status indicator (outside tempera-
ture/digital speedometer)
5Current gear selector lever posi-
tion/gear range
iThe displays for the audio systems 
(radio, 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 118 of 464

118 Controls in detailControl systemMultifunction steering wheel
The displays in the multifunction display 
and the settings in the control system are 
controlled by the buttons on the multifunc-
tion 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 are 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 buttonèorÿ re-
peatedly, you will pass through each 
menu one after the other.
If you press buttonjork re-
peatedly, you will pass through each 
function display, one after the other, in 
the current menu.
1
Multifunction displayOperating the control system
2
Selecting the submenu or setting 
the volume:
Press buttonæup/to increaseçdown/to decrease
3
Telephone*:
Press buttonsto take a call, or
to dial a calltto end a call, or
to reject an incoming call
4
Moving within a menu:
Press buttonjfor next displaykfor previous display
5
Menu systems:
Press buttonèfor next menuÿfor previous menu 
     
        
        Page 121 of 464
121 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1
Menu2
Menu3
Menu4
Menu5
Menu6
Menu7
Standard dis-
play
AUDIO
NAV*
Vehicle status 
message 
memory
Settings
Trip computer
TEL*
(page 122)
(page 123)
(page 126)
(page 126)
(page 127)
(page 144)
(page 146)
Commands/submenusRun Flat 
Indicator*
Select radio sta-
tion
Activate route 
guidance
Call up vehicle 
malfunction, 
warning and 
system status 
messages stored 
in memory
Reset to factory 
settings
Fuel consump-
tion statistics 
after start
Load phone book
Check coolant 
temperature
Select satellite 
radio station*
(USA only)
Instrument clus-
ter submenu 
Fuel consump-
tion statistics 
since last reset
Search for name 
in phone book
Digital speedom-
eter/outside 
temperature
Operate the CD 
player
Time/Date 
submenu
Call up range
Redialing
Call up mainte-
nance service 
indicator
Lighting 
submenu
Check engine oil 
level 
(SLK 55 AMG 
only)
Vehicle submenuConvenience 
submenu 
     
        
        Page 123 of 464

123 Controls in detail
Control system
Displaying digital speedometer or 
outside temperature
Press buttonjork repeatedly 
until you see the digital speedometer.
The current vehicle speed is shown in 
the multifunction display.
AUDIO menu
The functions in the 
AUDIO
 menu operate 
the audio equipment which you currently 
have turned on. 
If no audio equipment is currently switched 
on, the message 
AUDIO off
 is shown in the 
multifunction display.
The following functions are available:
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is overheated 
can cause some fluids which may have 
leaked into the engine compartment to 
catch fire. You could be seriously 
burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can 
cause serious burns and can occur just 
by opening the hood. Stay away from 
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the car and do 
not stand near the vehicle until the engine 
has cooled down.
iYou can select either the display of the 
digital speedometer or the outside 
temperature indicator (
page 132).
Function
Page
Selecting radio station
124
Selecting satellite radio sta-
tion* (USA only)
124
Operating the CD player
125 
     
        
        Page 124 of 464
124 Controls in detailControl systemSelecting radio station
Switch on the radio (
page 197).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
Refer to the separate operating instruc-
tions.
Press buttonèorÿ repeatedly 
until you see the currently tuned 
station in the multifunction display.
1Waveband setting
2Tuned station
Press buttonjork repeatedly 
until the desired station is found.Selecting satellite radio station* 
(USA only)
The Sirius-Satellite-Radio is treated as a 
radio application.
Select satellite radio with the corre-
sponding soft key (SAT) in the radio 
menu.
1SAT mode and preset number
2Channel name or number
Press buttonjork repeatedly 
until the desired channel is found.
iYou can only store new stations using 
the corresponding feature on the radio 
(page 200).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
Refer to the separate operating 
instructions.
You can also operate the radio in the 
usual manner. 
     
        
        Page 125 of 464
125 Controls in detail
Control system
Operating the CD player
Switch on the radio and select the 
CD player (
page 208).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
Refer to the separate operating instruc-
tions.
Press buttonèorÿ repeatedly 
until the settings for the CD currently 
being played are shown in the multi-
function display.
1Current CD
(CD0
 for single CD drive in head unit, 
CD1
 through 
CD6
 for CD in 
CD changer*)
2Current track
Press buttonjork repeatedly 
until the desired track is selected.
iFeature description is based on prelim-
inary information available at time of 
printing.
For more information on satellite radio 
operation, see “Introduction to satellite 
radio* (USA only)” (
page 202).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
Refer to separate operating 
instructions.
iTo select a CD from the magazine, 
press a number on the audio system or 
the COMAND* system key pad located 
in the center dashboard. 
     
        
        Page 147 of 464

147 Controls in detail
Control system
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 Audio or 
COMAND*.
See separate operating instructions.
Press buttonèorÿ repeatedly 
until you see the 
TEL
 menu in the 
multifunction display.Which messages will appear in the multi-
function display depends on whether your 
telephone is switched on or off:
If the telephone is switched off, the 
message in the multifunction display is: PHONE off
.
If the telephone is switched on:
The telephone will then search for a 
network. During this time the multi-
function display is empty.
As soon as the telephone has found a 
network, 
READY
 is indicated in the mul-
tifunction 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 multifunction display you will see the 
message:
Audio system
COMAND*
Press buttons.
You have answered the call.
The duration of the call appears in the 
multifunction display.
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 191 of 464

191 Controls in detail
Audio system
Audio system
Audio and telephone, operation
These instructions are intended to help 
you become familiar with your 
Mercedes-Benz audio system. They con-
tain useful tips and a detailed description 
of the user functions.
Operating safety
Warning!
G
In order to avoid distraction which could 
lead to an accident, the driver should enter 
system settings with the vehicle at a 
standstill and operate the system only when 
road and traffic conditions permit. Always 
pay full attention to traffic conditions first 
before operating system controls while 
driving.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph 
(approximately 50 km/h), your car is 
covering a distance of 44 feet 
(approximately 14 m) every second.
Warning!
G
Any alterations made to electronic 
components can cause malfunctions.
The radio, amplifier, CD changer*, satellite 
radio* and telephone* are interconnected. 
When one of the components is not opera-
tional or has not been removed/replaced 
properly, the function of other components 
may be impaired.
This condition might seriously impair the 
operating safety of your vehicle.
We recommend that you have any service 
work on electronic components carried out 
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.