126 Controls in detailLightingManual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and parking
lamps can be switched on and off with the
exterior lamp switch. For exterior lamp
switch, see (
page 125).Automatic headlamp mode
The following lamps switch on and off au-
tomatically depending on the brightness of
the ambient light:
Low beam headlamps
Tail and parking lamps
License plate lamps
Side marker lamps
iWith the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch or the engine turned off
with KEYLESS-GO* and the driver’s
door open, a warning sounds if the
parking lamps or low beam headlamps
are switched on.
The message
TURN OFF LIGHTS
appears in the multifunction display.
Warning!
G
If the exterior lamp switch is set toU,
the headlamps may switch off unexpect-
edly when the system senses bright am-
bient light, for example light from
oncoming traffic.
the headlamps will not be automatically
switched on under foggy conditions.
To minimize risk to you and to others, acti-
vate headlamps by turning exterior lamp
switch to B when driving or when traffic
and/or ambient lighting conditions require
you to do so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only
switch from position U to B with the
vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching from U to B will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions
may result in an accident.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid to the driver. The driver is responsible for
the operation of the vehicle’s lights at all
times.iThe front fog lamps and rear fog lamp
cannot be switched on manually with
exterior lamp switch in positionU.
To activate the fog lamps, turn exterior
lamp switch to positionB and pull
the exterior lamp switch to first or sec-
ond stop (
page 128).
128 Controls in detailLightingSwitching on fog lamps
Switching on front fog lamps
Switch on the low beam headlamps
(page 52).
Pull out exterior lamp switch to first
stop.
The front fog lamps are switched on.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
lamp switch comes on (
page 125).
Push in the exterior lamp switch.
The front fog lamps are switched off.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
lamp switch goes out (
page 125).Switching on rear fog lamp (driver’s side
only)
Switch on the front fog lamps
(page 128).
Pull out exterior lamp switch to second
stop.
The rear fog lamp is switched on.
The yellow indicator lamp† in the
lamp switch comes on (
page 125).
Push in the exterior lamp switch to first
stop.
The rear fog lamp is switched off.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
lamp switch goes out (
page 125).
The front fog lamps remain lit.
Warning!
G
In low ambient lighting or foggy conditions,
only switch from position U to B with
the vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching from U to B will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions
may result in an accident.iFog lamps will operate with the parking
lamps and/or the low beam headlamps
on. Fog lamps should only be used in
conjunction with low beam headlamps.
Consult your State or Province Motor
Vehicle Regulations regarding permis-
sible lamp operation.
iFog lamps cannot be switched on with
exterior lamp switch in position
U
.
For switching on the fog lamps, turn ex-
terior lamp switch to position
B
.
130 Controls in detailLightingHazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be
switched on at all times, even with the
SmartKey removed from the starter switch
or with the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
removed from the vehicle.
The hazard warning flasher switches on au-
tomatically when an airbag deploys.
The hazard warning flasher switch is locat-
ed on the upper part of the front center
console.
1Hazard warning flasher switchSwitching on the hazard warning
flasher
Press hazard warning flasher switch.
All turn signals will flash.Switching off the hazard warning
flasher
Press hazard warning flasher switch
again.
iWith the hazard warning flasher acti-
vated and the combination switch set
for either left or right turn, only the re-
spective left or right turn signals will
operate when the SmartKey in the
starter switch is in position 1 or 2 or
the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
(page 35) is pressed once or twice.
iIf the hazard warning flasher was acti-
vated automatically, also press hazard
warning flasher switch 1 to switch off
the hazard warning flasher.
141 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1
Standard
display
Menu2
AUDIO
Menu3
TEL*
Menu4
NAVI
Menu5
Distronic*
Menu6
Trip computer
Menu7
Vehicle status
message memory
Menu8
Settings
(page 142)
(page 142)
(page 147)
(page 149)
(page 150)
(page 151)
(page 153)
(page 154)
Commands/submenusCall up mainte-
nance service
display
Select radio
station
Load phone
book
Show route
guidance in-
structions,
current direc-
tion traveled
Call up set-
tings
Fuel consump-
tion statistics
after start
Call up vehicle mal-
function, warning
and system status
messages stored in
memory
Reset to fac-
tory settings
Check tire in-
flation pres-
sure*
Select satel-
lite radio
station*
(USA only)
Search for
name in
phone book
Fuel consump-
tion statistics
since the last
reset
Instrument
cluster
submenu
Check engine
oil level
Select CD
track
Select
number last
dialed
Call up range
Lighting
submenu
Digital speed-
ometer
Select
MP3-CD track
Vehicle
submenuConvenience
submenu
153 Controls in detail
Control system
Vehicle status message memory menu
Use the vehicle status message memory
menu to scan malfunction and warning
messages that may be stored in the sys-
tem. Such messages appear in the multi-
function display and are based on
conditions or system status the vehicle’s
system has recorded.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until the vehicle status message mem-
ory appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
No vehicle status messages
If no conditions are recorded in the memo-
ry, the message in the multifunction dis-
play is:
NO MESSAGESVehicle status messages have been re-
corded
If conditions have occurred causing status
messages to be recorded, the number of
messages appears in the multifunction dis-
play:
1Number of messages
Press buttonk orj.
The stored messages will now be dis-
played in the order in which the mal-
functions have occurred. See the
“Practical hints” section for malfunc-
tion and warning messages
(page 337).
Should the vehicle’s system record any
conditions while driving, the number of
messages will reappear in the multifunc-
tion display when the SmartKey in the
starter switch is turned to position0 or re-
moved from the starter switch. If you press
the reset buttonJ in the instrument clus-
ter (
page 134), the next message will be
displayed immediately.
Warning!
G
Malfunction and warning messages are only
indicated for certain systems and are inten-
tionally not very detailed. The malfunction
and warning messages are simply a remind-
er with respect to the operation of certain
systems and do not replace the owner’s
and/or driver’s responsibility to maintain
the vehicle’s operating safety by having all
required maintenance and safety checks
performed on the vehicle and by bringing
the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to address the malfunction and
warning messages (
page 337).
iThe vehicle status message memory
will be cleared when you switch off the
ignition. You will then only see high-pri-
ority messages in the multifunction dis-
play. These are highlighted in red color
(page 337).
169 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Driving tips
Accelerator position
Your driving style influences the
transmission’s shifting behavior:
Less throttle Earlier upshifting
More throttle Later upshifting
Kickdown
Use kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.
Press the accelerator past the point of
resistance.
The transmission shifts into a lower
gear.
Ease on the accelerator when you have
reached the desired speed.
The transmission shifts up again.Stopping
When you stop briefly, e.g. at traffic lights:
Leave the transmission in gear.
Hold the vehicle with the brake.
When you stop longer with the engine
idling and/or on a hill:
Set the parking brake.
Move the gear selector lever to
positionP.Maneuvering
When you maneuver in tight areas,
e.g. when pulling into a parking space:
Control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes.
Accelerate gently.
Never abruptly step on the accelerator.
Working on the vehicleWarning!
G
When working on the vehicle, set the
parking brake and move the gear selector le-
ver to positionP. Otherwise the vehicle
could roll away.
179 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Warning!
G
The auto-dimming function does not react if
incoming light is not aimed directly at sen-
sors in the interior rear view mirror.
The interior rear view mirror and the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side do not
react, for example, if the rear window sun-
shade is in raised position.
Glare can endanger you and others.
Warning!
G
In case of an accident, liquid electrolyte may
escape from the mirror housing if the mirror
glass breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not al-
low the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
!Electrolyte drops coming into contact
with the vehicle paint finish can be
completely removed only while in the
liquid state by applying plenty of water.Warning!
G
Exercise care when using the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your in-
side rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.
197 Controls in detail
Power windows
Power windows
Opening and closing the power windows
The side windows are opened and closed
electrically. The switches for all side win-
dows are on the driver’s door. The switch
for the front passenger door window is on
the front passenger door.
1Left door window
2Right door window
3Right rear side window
4Left rear side window
5Rear side windows override switch
(
page 78)The additional switches for the rear side
windows are on the rear center console.
6Left rear side window
7Right rear side window
Warning!
G
When closing the windows, make sure that
there is no danger of anyone being harmed
by the closing procedure.
The closing of the door windows can be im-
mediately halted by releasing the switch or,
if the switch was pressed past the resis-
tance point and released, by pressing the re-
spective switch.
The closing of the rear side windows can be
immediately halted by releasing the switch.
The door windows are equipped with the ex-
press-close and automatic reversal func-
tion. If a door window encounters an
obstruction that blocks its path in a circum-
stance where you pressed the switch past
the resistance point and released it to close
the door window, the automatic reversal
function will stop the door window and open
it slightly.
If the door window encounters an obstruc-
tion that blocks its path in a circumstance
where you are closing the door window by
pressing and holding the switch, by pressing
and holding button ‹ on the SmartKey,
by pressing and holding the lock button
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*) on an outside
door handle, or by pressing and holding
button
,
or button
e
on the climate
control panel, the automatic reversal func-
tion will not operate.