
Controls
51Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Getting in back
Before starting to drive, fold backrests
back, otherwise there is the danger of
accident due to an unexpected movement of
the seat.<
Coupe: releasing backrest
Pull the lever upward and fold the backrest for-
ward.
The lever is designed so that the safety belt can
be hooked onto it. This enables you to fasten
the safety belt more conveniently.
Convertible: releasing backrest
The belt system integrated in the seat makes it
easier to get in back.
1.Pull lever 1 up and fold the backrest for-
ward.
2.Press and hold button 2 until the seat has
moved into the desired position.
3.After passengers have entered the rear, fold
the backrest back and lock it in place.
4.Press and hold button 3 until the seat has
moved back into its previous position. If you
release button 3 before this, the seat stops
in its current position.You can lock the backrest in place when it
is folded forward. This is useful, for exam-
ple, when you get into the vehicle while it is
parked on a hill. Press the backrest until it audi-
bly locks into place. To fold it back, you do not
need to use lever 1 to release it.<
Lock backrest warning lamp:
Lights up when the backrest is not
locked. At the same time, a message is
shown on the Control Display.
Safety belts
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection,
please follow the adjustment instructions on
page47.<
Before every drive, make sure that safety belts
are being worn at all of the occupied seats. Air-
bags complement the safety belt as an addi-
tional safety device, but they do not represent a
substitute.
Fastening
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in
the belt buckle.

Driving
58
Driving
Ignition lock
Insert the remote control as far as possible into
the ignition lock.
>Radio readiness switches on.
Some electrical devices are ready for oper-
ation.
>The electric steering-wheel lock audibly
disengages.
Before moving the vehicle, insert the
remote control into the ignition lock;
otherwise, the electric steering-wheel lock will
not be unlocked and the vehicle cannot be
steered.<
Removing remote control from ignition
lock
Briefly press in the remote control; it pops out
slightly.
>The ignition is switched off if it was still
switched on.
>The electric steering-wheel lock audibly
engages.
Automatic transmission
The remote control can only be removed when
the selector lever is in position P: interlock.
Start/Stop button
Briefly pressing the Start/Stop button several
times switches the radio readiness or the igni-
tion on and off.
Briefly pressing the Start/Stop button
with the brake or clutch pedal depressed
starts the engine.<
Radio readiness
Some electrical devices are ready for operation.
The time and outside temperature are dis-
played in the instrument cluster.
Radio readiness is automatically switched off:
>when the remote control is removed from
the ignition lock
>with comfort access
* by touching the sen-
sitive surface on the door handle, refer to
Locking doors on page37
Ignition on
All current consumers are ready for operation.
The odometer and the trip odometer are dis-
played in the instrument cluster, refer to
page74.
Please switch off the ignition and the cur-
rent consumers which are not required
when the engine is not running to save the bat-
tery.<
Radio readiness and ignition off
All indicator and warning lamps in the instru-
ment cluster go out.

Driving
68 Especially on longer trips, the system can
reduce fatigue and tension, while increasing
your enjoyment of driving. Please use it safely
and responsibly.
In addition to holding a steady cruising speed,
if you encounter slower vehicles ahead, active
cruise control will, within the scope of given
possibilities, adjust your vehicle's speed auto-
matically so that you can flow with the traffic
without having to make constant adjustments.
If, for example, while cruising at the selected
speed, you begin to approach a slower vehicle
ahead of you in the same lane, the system will
reduce your vehicle's speed to the same as that
of the vehicle ahead to maintain your selected
distance setting between your vehicle and the
vehicle ahead. You can vary the distance, which
is also speed-dependent. Based on your
selected distance setting, the system automat-
ically decreases the throttle setting and lightly
applies the brakes if necessary. The vehicle
brake lamps will automatically illuminate to sig-
nal a following driver to take action. In addition,
it may be necessary for the vehicle or the driver
to downshift, depending on the kind of trans-
mission your vehicle is equipped with, to main-
tain the distance setting selected. If the vehicle
ahead speeds up or when the lane ahead
becomes clear, your vehicle will accelerate to
the speed you have selected by increasing the
throttle setting and shifting gears automatically
or with the aid of the driver as needed. Your
selected speed will be maintained when driving
downhill, too.
Active cruise control is not and must not
be used as a collision avoidance/warning
system.<
Since this active cruise control system is
a new technology and operates differ-
ently from conventional cruise control systems
which you may be accustomed to, you are
strongly urged to read all of the pages relating
to this system before use. Pay special attention
to the information contained in the Things to
know about active cruise control section begin-
ning on page71.<
Professional* navigation system
If there is a navigation DVD in the player, refer to
page124, then the system adapts the acceler-
ation and deceleration behavior of the vehicle to
the road on which you are currently driving.
To ensure that the system is informed of
the current course of the road, always use
the latest navigation DVD if possible.<
The influence exerted by the navigation system
is canceled when the vehicle position is
unknown, e.g. when it has left the mapped
region.
Brake pedal feel
>When the system brakes and you also
depress the brake pedal, a somewhat differ-
ent braking feeling results.
>Any noises produced during automatic
braking are normal.
Manual transmission
You can shift gears with the cruise control acti-
vated. If you drive for extended periods at very
high or very low engine speeds, then a shifting
command is issued or the system is deacti-
vated.
SMG
If you drive for extended periods at very high
engine speeds in Sequential mode, then a shift-
ing command is issued or the system is deacti-
vated.
In the Drive mode, the SMG acts similarly to an
automatic transmission in the D position.

Controls
71Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
be that conditions necessary for operation are
not currently being met. To call up Check Con-
trol messages, refer to page79.<
Warning lamps
The display2 flashes red and a sig-
nal sounds.
The system is warning you to inter-
vene by braking or executing an
evasive maneuver. The active
cruise control cannot automatically restore the
distance to the vehicle driving ahead.
This display does not, however, relieve the
driver of the responsibility for adapting desired
speed and driving style to traffic conditions.
The display2 flashes yellow.
Automatic intervention by ABS or
DSC. The active cruise control
intervenes by braking until you
actively take over.
Radar sensor
Heavy rain, dirt, snow, or ice can impair the
detection of vehicles ahead. If necessary, clean
the radar sensor under the front bumper. In
doing so, be especially careful when removing
layers of snow and ice.
If the sensor is incorrectly aligned, the active
cruise control cannot be activated.
Things to know about active cruise control
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way
diminishes or substitutes for the driver's own
personal responsibility, alertness and aware-
ness in adjusting speed, braking or otherwise
controlling the vehicle. The driver should
decide when to use the system on the basis of
road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions.
Active cruise control is intended for use on
highway-type roadways where traffic is moving
relatively smoothly. Do not use this system in
city driving; heavy traffic such as during rush
hour; on curvy, winding roads, slippery roads or
roads with sharp curves such as highway off-
ramps; during inclement weather such as snow, heavy rain or fog; or when entering inter-
changes, service/parking areas or toll booths.
It is also important to regulate your vehicle's
speed and distance setting within applicable
legal limits. Always be ready to take action or
apply the brakes if necessary, especially when
the system is actively following a vehicle in front
of you.<
Always remember that the range and abil-
ity of the system does have physical limi-
tations. It will not apply the brakes or decelerate
your vehicle when there is a slow-moving vehi-
cle, stopped vehicle or stationary object ahead
of you, as for example at a traffic light or when
approaching a parked vehicle. Also, the system

Driving
72 does not react to oncoming traffic, pedestrians
or other types of potential traffic such as a rider
on horseback. It is also possible that the system
may not detect smaller moving objects such as
motorcycles or bicycles. Be especially alert
when encountering any of these situations as
the system will neither automatically brake, nor
provide a warning to you. Also, be aware that
every decrease in the distance setting allows
your vehicle to come closer to a vehicle in front
of you and requires a heightened amount of
alertness.<
If your vehicle is actively following a vehicle in
front of you and the vehicle ahead speeds up or
the lane ahead becomes clear, then your vehi-
cle will accelerate to the speed you have
selected. Be aware that changing to a clear,
unobstructed lane will also result in your vehicle
accelerating.
Be certain to deactivate the system when
you pull into an exit lane for a highway off-
ramp.<
Also, vehicles traveling in a staggered manner
on a highway may cause a delay in the system's
reaction to a vehicle in front of you or may cause
the system to react to a vehicle actually in the
lane next to you. Always be ready to take action
or apply the brakes if necessary.
Active cruise control can only decelerate the
vehicle to approx. 20 mph/30 km/h. If the sys-
tem reduces vehicle speed below 20 mph/
30 km/h or if DSC/ABS is engaged while driving,
the system will automatically deactivate.
Remember, the system cannot stop your
vehicle. In addition, the system is deacti-
vated whenever the driver applies the vehicle
brakes, shifts into neutral, or deactivates DSC.
After any deactivation, the system will no longer
automatically activate the vehicle brakes, which
means the driver must intervene and resume
manual braking. You should then reactivate the
system only when you are fully aware of the
prior speed and distance settings.<
Active cruise control may brake when you
reduce the stored desired speed; however, the
driver must constantly monitor traffic and inter-
vene if necessary.When you switch off the engine or ignition,
active cruise control is fully switched off, too,
and any settings you have selected are can-
celed.
Swerving vehicles
When a vehicle moves from an adjacent lane
into your lane, active cruise control will not rec-
ognize this vehicle until it is fully in your lane
ahead of your vehicle.
Behavior in curves
Because of the limited range of the system, it is
possible that in curves or on the peaks and val-
leys of hilly roads, a vehicle ahead may be rec-
ognized late, or not at all. Therefore, it is up to
the driver to select a speed that is prudent in
view of the curves and terrain of the roadway.

Everything under control
74
Everything under control
Odometer, outside
temperature display, clock
1Time, outside temperature, and date
2Odometer and trip odometer
3Press button:
>with ignition switched on, trip odometer
is reset
>briefly display the time, outside temper-
ature and odometer with the ignition
switched off
With the ignition lock at radio readiness or
higher the outside temperature and the time are
displayed.
To request the date:
Press the CHECK button on the turn signal
lever, refer to page79.
To set time and date, refer to page82.
You can set the unit of measure 7 or 6 on the
Control Display, refer to Units of measure on
page84.
Outside temperature warning
If the display drops to +377/+36, a signal
sounds and a warning lamp lights up. A mes-
sage appears on the Control Display. There is
an increased danger of ice.
Ice can form even at temperatures above
+377/+36. Drive carefully, especially
on bridges and shaded roadways; otherwise,
your risk of accident increases.<
Tachometer
The white-striped advance warning field,
arrow1, changes depending on the engine
temperature. The segments disappear in
sequence as the engine warms to its normal
operating temperature.
Avoid allowing the engine speed to rise as far as
the advance warning field whenever possible.
It is absolutely crucial to avoid engine speeds in
the red warning field, arrow2.
In this range, the fuel supply is interrupted to
protect the engine.
Coolant temperature
Should the coolant and therefore the engine
become too hot, a warning lamp lights up. In
addition, a message appears on the Control
Display.
Checking coolant level, refer to page197.

Controls
79Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
9.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The year is highlighted.
10.Turn the controller to make the adjustment.
11.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The date entry is stored.
To exit from the menu:
Select the arrow and press the controller.
Check Control
The concept
The Check Control monitors functions in the
vehicle and issues a message if there is a mal-
function in the monitored systems. A Check
Control message of this kind includes indicator
or warning lamps in the instrument cluster, pos-
sibly an acoustic signal, and text messages at
the bottom of the Control Display.
Indicator and warning lamps
Indicator and warning lamps can light up both in
the display area1 and in the display2 in various
combinations and colors.
This symbol means that a Check Control
message has been generated. The symbol
remains visible even if the Check Control mes-sage has been hidden after a short time. The
combinations of warning lamps and text mes-
sages are stored and can be viewed later, also
refer to page80.
Explanatory text messages
Text messages at the bottom edge of the Con-
trol Display explain the meaning of the indicator
and warning lamps displayed.
You can display supplementary information
regarding most Check Control messages, e.g.
as to the cause of a malfunction and corre-
sponding actions to be taken, see below.
In cases of corresponding urgency, this infor-
mation is immediately displayed when the
associated lamps light up.
To exit the displayed information:
Select the arrow and press the controller.
Importance of Check Control
messages
Important Check Control messages are
retained until the malfunctions have been recti-
fied. They cannot be deleted. If a number of
these malfunctions occur simultaneously, they
are displayed in succession.
Less important messages disappear after
approx. 20 seconds, but remain in the memory.

Controls
81Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Displays after completion of trip
Malfunction reports generated during the trip
are shown consecutively when you switch off
the ignition.
Before the display disappears, you can display
the messages once again. Press the CHECK
button for approx. 2 seconds. If several mes-
sages are present, you can press the CHECK
button repeatedly.
The display:
>turns off automatically after a brief period
>can be turned off at any time by pressing
the CHECK button again for approx. 2 sec-
onds
Speed limit
You can enter a speed and a Check Control
message indicates when you have reached
this speed. This enables you, for example, to
receive warnings if you exceed a speed limit in
an urban area.
You are only warned of reaching this speed a
second time if your vehicle speed falls below it
again by at least 3 mph/5 km/h.
Displaying, setting or changing limit
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Navigation".
Without navigation system
*: open "Car
Data".
3.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
4.Select "Limit" and press the controller.5.Select the speed value and press the con-
troller.
6.Turn the controller to set the limit. If neces-
sary, hold it against a slight resistance to
enter a greater difference.
7.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The limit is automatically switched on.
Applying your current speed as limit
Select "Select current speed" and press the
controller. The system applies your current
speed as the limit.
Activating limit
Select "On" and press the controller.
The limit is automatically switched on.
Stopwatch
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Navigation".
Without navigation system
*: open "Car
Data".
3.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
4.Select "Stopwatch" and press the control-
ler.
Starting, stopping, or resetting
>Select "Start" and press the controller.
The stopwatch starts at the displayed time.
>Select "Reset" and press the controller.
The stopwatch is reset and it restarts if it
was running beforehand.