Page 14 of 417

13 Introduction
Product information
Product information
Please observe the following in your own 
best interest:
We recommend using genuine 
Mercedes-Benz parts as well as conversion 
parts and accessories explicitly approved 
by us for your vehicle model.
We have tested these parts to determine 
their reliability, safety and special suitabili-
ty for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.We are unable to make an assessment for 
other products and therefore cannot be 
held responsible for them, even if in indi-
vidual cases an official approval or authori-
zation by governmental or other agencies 
should exist. Use of such parts and acces-
sories could adversely affect the safety, 
performance or reliability of your vehicle. 
Please do not use them.Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts as well as 
conversion parts and accessories ap-
proved by us are available at an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center where you will re-
ceive comprehensive information, also on 
permissible technical modifications, and 
where proper installation will be per-
formed. 
     
        
        Page 89 of 417

88 Safety and SecurityPerformance enhancement systemThe Airbrake switch is on the upper part of 
the center console.Airbrake modes1Manual 
2Automatic 
3Test 
4Airbrake switch
Switch on the ignition (
page 40).
The system runs a self-test to ensure 
correct operation of the Airbrake.Test mode
The test mode allows you to check that the 
Airbrake is functioning correctly.
This mode can only be activated when the 
vehicle is at standstill.
Slide Airbrake switch4 to 
position3.
The Airbrake swings upwards to an an-
gle of 62°.
Release the Airbrake switch.
The Airbrake returns to its initial posi-
tion.Manual mode
In this mode, the Airbrake is set to an angle 
of 30°. The driver downforce mode en-
hances handling in all conditions.
Slide the Airbrake switch4 to 
position1.
The Airbrake swings upwards to an an-
gle of 30° and stays in this position.iIn manual mode, the Airbrake automat-
ic function is activated in an emergency 
braking situation, see “Automatic 
mode” (
page 89). 
!Before deactivating manual mode, 
check the Airbrake for any objects 
which may have become lodged, e.g. 
branches or leaves, and remove them.
Otherwise the Airbrake can no longer 
function correctly. 
     
        
        Page 118 of 417

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
The multifunction display consists of the 
display fields in the speedometer and the 
tachometer. In its default state, the left 
display field shows the trip and main 
odometer, while the present outside tem-
perature appears in the right display field. 
This default setting is referred to as the 
standard display.Standard display1Main odometer
2Trip odometer
3Current gear selector lever posi-
tion/gear range
4Outside temperature
5Automatic transmission shift program 
mode
6Clock
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 127 of 417

126 Controls in detailControl systemResetting all settings
You can reset all the functions of all sub-
menus to the factory settings.
Press the reset button in the instru-
ment cluster for approximately three 
seconds.
In the right display you will see the re-
quest to press the reset button again to 
confirm.
Press the reset button again.
The functions of all the submenus will 
reset to factory settings.Submenus in the Settings menu
Press button k or j.
In the right display you see the collec-
tion of submenus. 
Press button ç.
The selection marker moves to the next 
submenu. 
The submenus are arranged by hierarchy. 
Scroll down with the ç button, scroll up 
with the æ button.
Move within the submenus with the k 
or j button to the individual functions.
The settings themselves are made with 
button æ or ç.Resetting the functions of a submenu
For each submenu you can reset all the 
functions to the factory settings.
Move to a function in the submenu.
Press the reset button in the instru-
ment cluster for approximately three 
seconds.
In the right display you will see the re-
quest to press the reset button again to 
confirm.
Press the reset button again.
All functions of the submenu will reset 
to factory settings.
iThe settings you have changed will not 
be reset unless you confirm the action 
by pressing the reset button a second 
time. After approximately five seconds, 
the 
Settings...
 menu reappears in 
the multifunction display.
For safety reasons, the
 Light circuit 
Headlamp mode
 in the 
Lighting
 sub-
menu is not reset while driving. 
     
        
        Page 142 of 417

141 Controls in detail
Control system
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 button ÿ or è repeatedly 
until you see the 
TEL
 menu in the left 
display.
In the right display you will see the 
standby message.
Press button j or k.
The control system reads the phone 
book which is stored in the telephone. 
This may take up to 30 seconds. In the 
right display you will see the message Please wait!
.
When the message 
Please wait!
 dis-
appears, the phone book has been 
loaded.
Press button j or k repeatedly 
until the desired name appears in the 
right display.
The stored names are displayed in 
ascending or descending alphabetical 
order.
Press button í.
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 control 
system stores the dialed number in the 
redial memory. 
iIf you press and hold j or k 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 
pressing ì. 
     
        
        Page 149 of 417
148 Controls in detailAudio systemBalance
Regardless of operating mode, press 
the
AUD
 key repeatedly until
BALANCE
 
appears on the display.
Press
L or
R key to shift sound accord-
ingly to the left or right speakers.
or
Press both
L and
R keys simultaneously 
to reset the Balance to its center level.Returning audio functions to factory 
settings
Regardless of operating mode, press 
and hold
AUD
 key longer than two 
seconds. 
RESET
 will appear on the 
display.
All settings for bass, treble and balance 
are returned to the center level and the 
volume is set to a predefined level.Audio system sound selection (EXT)*
Regardless of operating mode, press 
the
AUD
 key.
The sound settings menu appears on 
the display.
Press the
EXT
 key.
Press one of the function keys. 
     
        
        Page 153 of 417

152 Controls in detailAudio systemWeather band
Press the
WB key.
The weather band station last selected 
is tuned in.
Select the desired weather band 
station with buttons4 to7.
If a station cannot be tuned in, a scan 
is automatically started.
Pressf or ebutton. The next 
receivable weather band station is 
tuned in.
Cassette operation
Playing cassettes
Press3 button.
The display panel folds down and the 
cassette compartment becomes ac-
cessible.
Insert cassette into the cassette com-
partment until it engages and tap it 
gently.
The cassette will be pulled in automati-
cally. The system switches to cassette 
mode. Side 1 will be played and 
SIDE 1
 
appears in the display. Side 1 is the 
side of the cassette which is facing up-
ward. The cassette deck will automati-
cally detect the type of tape. 
Fold display panel back up and press 
gently on the display panel frame to 
lock it in place.
or
If a cassette is already in the 
mechanism, pressj button.!Do not press directly on the display 
face. Otherwise the display will be 
damaged. 
     
        
        Page 154 of 417

153 Controls in detail
Audio system
Track selection
Press the
TRK
 key.
The current track will be displayed as 
SIDE 1
 or 
SIDE 2
.
You can switch sides at any time.
The side will be changed automatically 
at the end of the tape.Cassette eject
Press eject button3.
The display folds down and the cas-
sette is ejected. The system will switch 
back to radio mode automatically.
Fold display panel back up and press 
gently on the display panel frame to 
lock it.Track search
Track search forward
Pressf button.SEEK FWD
 will appear in the display. 
Track search will run the tape forward 
to the start of the next track and switch 
to Play.
iA warning signal will sound after 20 
seconds if the display panel is left in 
the down position. Fold display panel 
back up. If the display panel is not 
closed, a warning signal will sound and 
the radio will be muted.
!Do not press directly on the display 
face. Otherwise the display will be 
damaged.iThe cassette will not be ejected when 
the system is switched off or switched 
to another operating mode.
iThe beginning of a track can only be 
found if there is pause of at least 
four seconds between tracks.