Page 16 of 474

15 Introduction
Symbols
Symbols
Trademarks:
ESP
® is a registered trademark of 
DaimlerChrysler.
HomeLink
® is a registered trademark 
of Prince, a Johnson Controls 
Company.
SIRIUS and related marks are trade-
marks of Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.
The following symbols are found in this 
Operator’s Manual:
* Optional equipment is identified 
with an asterisk. Since standard 
equipment varies between models, 
the descriptions and illustrations in 
this manual may differ slightly from 
the actual equipment of your vehi-
cle.
This symbol points to instructions for 
you to follow. 
A number of these symbols appearing 
in succession indicates a multiple-step 
procedure.
 Page This symbol tells you where to 
look for further information on a 
topic.
This continuation symbol marks 
an interrupted procedure which 
will be continued on the next 
page.
-> In the glossary of technical 
terms, this symbol is used to 
indicate cross-references to 
term definitions. 
Display
Words appearing in the multi-
function display are printed in 
the type shown here.
Warning!
G
Warning notices draw your attention to haz-
ards that may endanger your health or life, 
or the health or life of others.!Highlights hazards that may result in 
damage to your vehicle.iHelpful hints or further information you 
may find useful. 
     
        
        Page 131 of 474

130 Controls in detailControl systemThe 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 
system to find out when your vehicle is 
next due for service, to set the language 
for messages in the instrument cluster 
display, and much more.
The control system relays information to 
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
1Trip odometer
2Main odometer
3Current program mode (automatic 
transmission*)
4Current gear selector lever 
position/gear range (automatic trans-
mission*)
5Digital clock
6Status indicator (outside tempera-
ture/digital speedometer)
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, 
selecting features through the multifunction 
steering wheel should only be done by the 
driver when traffic and road conditions 
permit 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 
(approximately 14 m) every second. 
     
        
        Page 132 of 474

131 Controls in detail
Control system
Multifunction 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 is 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.
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 calltto end a call
4
Menu systems:
Press buttonèfor next menuÿfor previous menu
5
Moving within a menu:
Press buttonjfor next displaykfor previous display
iC 230 Sport and C 350 Sport:
Steering wheel in these vehicles will 
vary from steering wheel shown. 
However, multifunction steering wheel 
symbols and feature description apply 
to Sport models as well. 
     
        
        Page 135 of 474

134 Controls in detailControl systemMenus, submenus and functions
Menu1
Menu2
Menu3
Menu4
Menu5
Menu6
Menu7
Standard 
display
AUDIO
NAV*
Vehicle status 
message memory
Settings
Trip computer
Telephone*
(page 135)
(page 136)
(page 138)
(page 138)
(page 140)
(page 155)
(page 157)
Commands/submenusRun Flat 
Indicator* 
(Canada only)
Select radio 
station
Show route guid-
ance instructions, 
current direction 
traveled
Call up vehicle malfunc-
tion, warning and sys-
tem status messages 
stored in memory
1
1The vehicle status message memory menu is only displayed if there is a message stored.
Reset to 
factory 
settings
Fuel consumption 
statistics after 
start
Load phone 
book
Digital speed-
ometer or out-
side temperature
Select satellite 
radio station* 
(USA only)
Instrument 
cluster sub-
menu
Fuel consumption 
statistics since 
the last reset
Search for 
name in 
phone book
Call up main-
tenance service 
display
Operate 
CD player* 
Time/Date 
submenu
Call up range
Lighting 
submenuVehicle 
submenuConvenience 
submenu 
     
        
        Page 137 of 474
136 Controls in detailControl systemAUDIO menu
The functions in the 
AUDIO
 menu operate 
the audio equipment which you currently 
have turned on.
If no audio equipment is currently turned 
on, the message 
Audio off
 appears in the 
multifunction display.
The following functions are available:Select radio station
Turn on the radio (
page 202). 
Vehicles with COMAND*: 
Refer to separate operating 
instructions.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly 
until the currently tuned station 
appears in the multifunction display.
1Waveband setting
2Station frequency
Press buttonk orj repeatedly 
until the desired station is found.
Function
Page
Select radio station
136
Select satellite radio station* 
(USA only)
137
Operate CD player*
137
iYou can only store new stations using 
the corresponding feature on the radio 
(page 210). 
Vehicles with COMAND*: 
Refer to separate operating 
instructions.
You can also operate the radio in the 
usual manner. 
     
        
        Page 138 of 474
137 Controls in detail
Control system
Select satellite radio station* 
(USA only)
The satellite radio is treated as a radio 
application.
Select satellite radio with the 
corresponding soft key (SAT) in the 
radio menu.
1SAT mode and preset number
2Channel name or number
Press buttonk orj repeatedly 
until the desired channel is found.Operate the CD player*
Turn on the radio and select the 
CD player or the CD Changer 
(page 216). 
Vehicles with COMAND*:
Refer to separate operating 
instructions.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly 
until the settings for the CD currently 
being played appear in the 
multifunction display.
1Current CD (for CD changer*)
2Current track
iFor more information on satellite radio 
operation, see “Introduction to satellite 
radio* (USA only)” (
page 211). 
Vehicles with COMAND*: 
Refer to separate operating 
instructions.
 
     
        
        Page 158 of 474

157 Controls in detail
Control system
TEL menu*
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*.
Press buttonÿ orè on the 
steering wheel repeatedly until the 
message
TEL
 appears in the 
multifunction display.
Which messages will appear in the 
multifunction display depends on whether 
your telephone is switched on or off:
If the telephone is off, the message Phone off
 appears in the multifunction 
display.
If the telephone is 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, the message 
READY
 appears in 
the multifunction display.
This standby message indicates that your 
telephone is ready for use and you can 
operate it using the control system.
Warning!
G
A driver’s attention to the road must always 
be his/her primary focus when driving. For 
your safety and the safety of others, we 
recommend that you pull over to a safe 
location and stop before placing or taking a 
telephone call. If you choose to use the 
telephone while driving, please use the 
hands-free device and only use the 
telephone when weather, road and traffic 
conditions permit.
Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from 
using a cellular telephone while driving a 
vehicle.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph 
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is 
covering a distance of 44 feet 
(approximately 14 m) every second.
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, 
possibly resulting in an accident and 
personal injury. 
     
        
        Page 200 of 474

199 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.