
At a glance
 13Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in dif-
ferent combinations and colors, both in the dis-
play area1 and in the display2
When the engine is started or the ignition is 
switched on, some lamps are checked for 
proper operation and light up briefly in the pro-
cess.
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 consult Check Control for additional 
information, e.g. regarding the cause of a mal-function or the appropriate actions to take, refer 
to page79.
In cases of corresponding urgency, this infor-
mation is immediately displayed when the 
associated lamps light up.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps in the display 
area1 indicate that certain functions are active:
Handbrake set60
Handbrake for Canadian models
Front fog lamps98
DTC Dynamic Traction Control87
High beams/headlamp flasher97
Lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC is controlling the drive 
and braking forces to maintain vehicle 
stability87 

Controls
 37Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>The engine can only be started if the vehicle 
detects that the remote control carried is 
located in the vehicle.
Special features in contrast to ordinary 
remote control
It is basically irrelevant whether you operate the 
above-mentioned functions with the comfort 
access feature or by pressing the buttons on 
the remote control. Before doing so, please 
familiarize yourself with the information on 
opening and closing, starting on page28.
The special features when using comfort 
access are described below.
Unlocking
Completely grasp a door handle, arrow1. 
This corresponds to pressing the  button.
If a remote control is detected in the interior 
after unlocking, the electric steering-wheel lock 
disengages, refer to page58.
Locking doors
Touch the surface, arrow2 on the driver's door 
or3 on the passenger door with a finger for 
approx. 1 second. This corresponds to pressing 
the button.
For comfort closing, hold a finger on the sur-
face, arrow2 or 3.
If a remote control accidentally left in the 
luggage compartment is detected inside 
the locked vehicle after the luggage compart-
ment lid has been closed, then the luggage 
compartment lid opens again. The hazard warn-
ing flashers flash and an acoustic signal
* 
sounds.<
Switching on radio readiness
By briefly pressing the Start/Stop button, you 
switch on the radio readiness, refer to page58.
When doing so, do not depress the brake 
pedal; otherwise, the engine will start 
immediately.<
Starting engine
You can start the engine or switch on the igni-
tion if a remote control is located on the interior 
of the vehicle. It need not be inserted in the igni-
tion lock, refer to page58.
If you take the remote control with you when 
leaving the vehicle with the engine running, a 
warning lamp lights up. In addition, a message 
appears on the Control Display. As long as no 
remote control is detected in the vehicle, it is 
only possible to restart the engine within 
approx. 10 seconds after it is switched off.
Switching off engine with automatic 
transmission
The engine can only be switched off in the 
selector lever position P, refer to page60.
To switch off the engine in the selector lever 
position N, the remote control must be inserted 
in the ignition lock.
Before driving into a car wash with 
automatic transmission
1.Insert the remote control into the ignition 
lock.
2.Depress brake pedal.
3.Place selector lever in position N.
4.Switch off the engine.
The vehicle can roll.
Malfunction
The comfort access function may malfunction 
due to local radio waves. If this occurs, then 
open or close the vehicle with the buttons on 
the remote control or with a key. To start the 
engine after this, insert the remote control in the 
ignition lock. 

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.
At the same time:
>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:
>the moment 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
Most indicator and warning lamps in the display 
area1 of the instrument cluster, refer to 
page13, light up for different periods.
Radio readiness and ignition off
All indicator and warning lamps in the instru-
ment cluster go out. 

Driving
60
Manual transmission
1.Briefly press the Start/Stop button with the 
vehicle stopped.
2.Shift into first gear or reverse.
3.Apply the handbrake.
SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox*
1.Apply the handbrake.
2.Move selector lever into a drive position.
3.Briefly press Start/Stop button.
If the transmission is in N when the engine is 
switched off, you will be given an optical and 
acoustic reminder.
Automatic transmission*
1.Move the selector lever into position P with 
the vehicle stopped.
2.Briefly press Start/Stop button.
Handbrake
The handbrake is primarily intended to prevent 
the vehicle from rolling while parked; it brakes 
the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up, and a sig-
nal also sounds when starting off. The 
handbrake is engaged.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Engaging
The lever engages automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upward, press the button and lower 
the lever.
If it becomes necessary under special cir-
cumstances to use the handbrake while 
driving, it must not be pulled too sharply. In 
doing so, continuously press the button of the 
handbrake lever. Otherwise strong application 
of the handbrake can lead to overbraking of the 
rear axle and associated 'fishtailing' of the vehi-
cle rear end.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally engage the hand-
brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming 
to a stop if traffic conditions permit.
The brake lamps do not light up when the hand-
brake is engaged.<
Manual transmission
When shifting into 5th/6th gear, press the 
selector-lever toward the right, otherwise 
an inadvertent shift into 3rd or 4th gear could 
lead to engine damage.< 

Controls
 61Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Reverse gear
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. 
Press the gearshift lever to the left, overcoming 
a slight resistance.
The backup lamps switch on automatically with 
the ignition switched on.
SMG Sequential Manual 
Gearbox*
The concept
The SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox is an 
automated manual transmission in which an 
electrohydraulic system handles the clutching 
and gear changes.
You operate the SMG using the selector-lever 
in the center console and two shift paddles on 
the steering wheel.
It offers the following functions:
>Choice of manual or automatic mode: 
Sequential mode or Drive mode
>Choice of two drive programs: Normal or 
Sport, refer to Dynamic Driving Control 
page64
>Automatic downshifting and protection 
against incorrect shifting even in sequential 
operation
>Acceleration assistant, refer to page64.
Selector-lever positions
The current selector-lever position is displayed 
in the center console.
>R: Reverse gear
>N: Neutral, idle>One-touch functions for Sequential mode:
+: manual upshifting
–: manual downshifting
>D: activate/deactivate the Drive mode
The transmission automatically shifts 
into N if the driver's door is opened with 
the engine running and neither the pedals, the 
shift paddles nor the selector-lever are oper-
ated.
This is indicated by an acoustic signal and the 
flashing display N in the instrument cluster.<
Gear display
R N 1 to 6
The currently engaged gear is displayed pre-
ceded by a D in Drive mode.
This display is your only way to be sure 
the desired selector lever position is actu-
ally engaged.<
Shiftlock
Press the brake pedal before shifting out of N; 
the shift command will not be executed unless 
the brake is applied.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
Sequential mode
After every engine start, as soon as the selector 
lever is pushed to the right and the brake pedal 
is pressed, the Sequential mode is activated.
You can shift up and down using the shifting 
paddles or the selector-lever. You do not need 
to remove your foot from the accelerator to 
do so. 

Driving
68 fares. 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 maintaining a steady cruising 
speed, active cruise control will, within the 
scope of given possibilities, adjust your vehi-
cle's speed automatically if you encounter 
slower vehicles ahead, thus allowing you to flow 
with the traffic without having to make frequent 
interventions. For example, if, 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 main-
tain your selected distance setting between 
your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. You can 
vary the distance, which is also speed-depen-
dent. Based on your selected distance setting, 
the system automatically decreases the throttle 
setting and lightly applies the brakes if neces-
sary. The vehicle brake lamps will automatically 
illuminate to signal 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 transmission your vehicle is 
equipped with, to maintain the distance setting 
selected. If the vehicle ahead speeds up or 
when the lane ahead becomes clear, your vehi-
cle 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 
page120, then the system adapts the acceler-
ation and deceleration behavior of the vehicle to 
the road on which you are currently driving.
The influence exerted by the navigation system 
is canceled when the vehicle position is 
unknown, e.g. when it has left the mapped 
region.
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.
Operating active cruise control
1Store and increase desired speed
2Store and decrease desired speed
3Deactivate system, refer to page70
4Resume stored desired speed and dis-
tance, refer to page70
5Select following distance to vehicle ahead, 
refer to page69 

Controls
 69Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Maintaining current speed
Briefly press lever, arrow1, or briefly pull, 
arrow2, at a driving speed of more than approx. 
20 mph or 30 km/h.
The speed currently being driven is stored and 
maintained. It is indicated on the speedometer 
and briefly in the instrument cluster.
The controlled speed can drop on uphill grades 
if the engine output is insufficient. If the 
engine's braking action is not sufficient on a 
downhill grade, the system lightly brakes the 
vehicle.
Setting desired speed
Adjust your desired speed to the traffic 
conditions and remain ready to brake at 
all times; otherwise, there is a danger of acci-
dents. The system is unable to compensate for 
great differences between your speed and that 
of the vehicle ahead, e.g. when quickly 
approaching a truck or when another vehicle 
swerves into your lane.<
Increasing in steps
Briefly press the lever repeatedly up to the 
resistance point or past the resistance point, 
arrow1, until the desired speed is displayed.
>Each time the lever is briefly pressed up to 
the resistance point, the desired speed 
increases by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is briefly pressed 
beyond the resistance point, the desired 
speed is increased by a maximum of 5 mph 
or 10 km/h until the maximum speed of 
110mph or 180km/h is reached.
The speed then displayed is stored and 
reached on clear roads.
Increasing without intermediate steps
Press the lever up to the resistance point or 
past the resistance point, arrow1, until the 
desired speed is reached.
The speed then displayed is stored and 
reached on clear roads.
Decreasing without intermediate steps
Briefly pull the lever repeatedly up to the resis-
tance point or past the resistance point, 
arrow2, until the desired speed is displayed.
>Each time the lever is pulled up to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed decreases 
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is pulled beyond the 
resistance point, the desired speed is 
decreased by a maximum of 5 mph or 
10 km/h until the minimum speed of 
20 mph or 30 km/h is reached.
The speed then displayed is stored and 
reached on clear roads.
Select distance
>Rotary switch downward: 
Increase distance
>Rotary switch upward: 
Decrease distance 

Driving
70 The selected distance is displayed in the instru-
ment cluster.
Use good judgment to select the appro-
priate following distance given road con-
ditions, traffic, applicable laws and driving rec-
ommendations for safe following distance.<
Deactivate system
Press the lever up or down. The displays in the 
instrument cluster disappear.
You also deactivate the system when you apply 
the brakes, shift very slowly, or shift into neutral. 
In addition, the system is deactivated automati-
cally:
>when you activate the DTC Dynamic 
Traction Control
>when you deactivate the DSC Dynamic 
Stability Control>when the system does not recognize any 
objects for a longer time, e. g. on infre-
quently traveled roads without a shoulder or 
guard rails, or if the radar sensor is covered 
with dirt, refer to page71
>when the speed is reduced to below 
20 mph/30 km/h due to a traffic situation
The system deactivates automatically 
when the speed is set to below 20 mph/
30 km/h. A signal sounds and a message 
appears in the Control Display. The active inter-
vention of the driver is required, otherwise there 
is the danger of an accident.<
Resume stored desired speed and 
distance
Press button 4. 
The displays appear in the instrument cluster.
When you switch off the ignition, the stored 
desired speed is deleted.
Displays in instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed
2Lights up yellow: vehicle driving ahead is 
detected
Flashes red and a signal sounds: the system 
cannot establish the distance, you must 
apply the brakes
Flashes yellow: driving stability control sys-
tems intervene and the active cruise control 
is deactivated
3Selected distance to vehicle driving ahead: 
lights up as soon as the system is activated
4Selected desired speed appears briefly Distance 1
Distance 2
Distance 3 
This distance is set when the 
system is used for the first time 
after starting the engine.
Distance 4