
At a glance
 13Reference
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Driving tips
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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
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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. 

Controls
 51Reference
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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 into 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 gotten in back, 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 
have to use lever 1 to release it.<
Lock backrest warning lamp:
Lights up when the backrest is not 
locked. At the same time, an additional 
message appears 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. 
Airbags 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.
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
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 

Driving
72 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 
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.
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
>with the ignition switched off, briefly 
display time, outside temperature, and 
odometer
With the ignition switch 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 
page83.
Outside temperature warning
If the display drops to +377/+36, a signal 
sounds and a message appears. 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 page193. 

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 in dif-
ferent combinations and colors, both in the dis-
play area1 and in the display2
 This symbol means that a Check Control 
message has been generated. The symbol 
remains visible even if the Check Control message has been hidden after a short time. 
The combinations of warning lamps and text 
messages 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.