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).
127 Controls in detail
Lighting
Turn the exterior lamp switch to U.
With the SmartKey in starter switch po-
sition 1 or the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button pressed once, only
the parking lamps will switch on and off
automatically.
When the engine is running, the low
beam headlamps, the tail and parking
lamps, the license plate lamps, and the
side marker lamps will switch on and
off automatically.
Daytime running lamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to
positionM orU.
When the engine is running, the low
beam headlamps are switched on. In
low ambient light conditions, the fol-
lowing lamps will switch on additional-
ly:
tail and parking lamps
license plate lamps
side marker lampsFor nighttime driving you should turn the
exterior lamp switch to positionB to
permit activation of the high beam head-
lamps.
Canada only
The daytime running lamp mode is manda-
tory and therefore in a constant mode.
When the engine is running, and you shift
from a driving position to positionN orP,
the low beam headlamps will switch off
with a 3-minute delay.
When the engine is running, and you
turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionC, the parking lamps
switch on additionally.
turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB, the manual headlamp
mode has priority over the daytime run-
ning lamp mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps
switch on (
page 379).USA only
By default, the daytime running lamp mode
is deactivated. Activate the daytime run-
ning lamp mode using the control system,
see “Setting daytime running lamp mode
(USA only)” (
page 159).
When the engine is running, and you turn
the exterior lamp switch to position C
orB, the manual headlamp mode has
priority over the daytime running lamp
mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps switch
on (
page 379).
Locator lighting and night security illu-
mination
Locator lighting and night security illumi-
nation are described in the control system
section under “Setting locator lighting”
(
page 160) and “Setting night security il-
lumination” (
page 160).
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.
137 Controls in detail
Control system
Control system
The control system is activated as soon as
the SmartKey in the starter switch is
turned to position1 or as soon as the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
(page 35) is in position1. The control
system enables you to:
call up information about your vehicle
change vehicle settings
For example, you can use the control sys-
tem to find out when your vehicle is next
due for service, to set the language for
messages in the instrument cluster dis-
play, and much more.
The control system relays information to
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
1Trip odometer
2Main odometer
iThe displays for the audio systems
(radio, CD player etc.) 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, se-
lecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions per-
mit 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 (approxi-
mately 14 m) every second.
161 Controls in detail
Control system
To activate night security illumination:
Select delayed switch-off period (see
below).
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionU before turning off the en-
gine.
To select delayed switch-off period:
Move the selection marker with
theæ orç button to the LIGHTING
submenu.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until you see this message in the multi-
function display:
HEADLAMPS DELAYED
SWITCH-OFF
.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.
Pressæ orç to select the de-
sired lamp-on period.
You can select:
0 SEC.
, the delayed switch-off fea-
ture is deactivated
15 SEC.
, 30 SEC.
, 45 SEC.
, or
60 SEC.
, the delayed switch-off fea-
ture is activated
You can temporarily deactivate the de-
layed switch-off feature:
Before leaving the vehicle, turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch to
position0.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position2 and back to0.
The delayed switch-off feature is deac-
tivated. It will reactivate as soon as you
reinsert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton (
page 35) on the gear selector le-
ver.
Interior illumination delayed switch-off
Use this function to set whether and for
how long you would like the interior light-
ing to remain lit during darkness after the
SmartKey is removed from the starter
switch.
Move the selection marker with
theæ orç button to the LIGHTING
submenu.
167 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Gear selector lever position
Effect
ì
Park position
Gear selector lever position
when the vehicle is parked. Place
gear selector lever in positionP
only when vehicle is stopped.
The park position is not intended
to serve as a brake when the
vehicle is parked. Rather, the
driver should always set the
parking brake in addition to
placing the gear selector lever in
positionP to secure the vehicle.
EffectThe SmartKey can only be
removed from the starter switch
with the gear selector lever in
positionP. With the SmartKey
removed, the gear selector lever
is locked in positionP.
í
Reverse gear
Place gear selector lever in
positionR only when vehicle is
stopped.
Effect
ë
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive axle. When
the brakes are released, the
vehicle can be moved freely
(pushed or towed).
To avoid damage to the trans-
mission, never engageN while
driving.
If the ESP
® is deactivated or
malfunctioning:
Move the gear selector lever
toN only if the vehicle is in dan-
ger of skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
ê
Drive
The transmission shifts
automatically. All forward gears
are available.
176 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionActivating manual shift program
Press program mode selector
switch1 repeatedly until the
M for the
manual program modeM appears in
the tachometer display.
The transmission switches to the
manual program modeM. Automatic
shifting is switched off. The gear range
is not limited.
You can change the gears manually when
the gear selector lever is in positionD. You
can upshift or downshift through the gears
in succession.Upshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the right in theD+direction.
or
Briefly press button2 on the right
side of the steering wheel
(page 173).
The transmission shifts to the next
higher gear.Downshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in theD-direction.
or
Briefly press button1 on the left side
of the steering wheel (
page 173).
The transmission shifts to the next
lower gear.
iFor information on automatic program
modesC orS, see “Automatic shift
program” (
page 171), “Gear selector
lever one-touch gearshifting”
(
page 172), and “Steering wheel
gearshift control one-touch gear shift-
ing CL 55 AMG and CL 65 AMG”
(page 173).
iThe manual program modeM will not
be stored. When the engine is turned
off with the manual program modeM
selected, the transmission will go to
the automatic program mode (CorS)
when the engine is restarted.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.iWhen you brake or stop, the transmis-
sion shifts down to a gear from which
you can easily accelerate or take off.
177 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Kickdown
The kickdown can also be used for
maximum acceleration when driving in the
manual program modeM.
Press the accelerator past the point of
resistance.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear.
Shift up once the desired speed has
been reached.Deactivating manual shift program
Press the program mode selector
switch (
page 175) repeatedly
until
Cor
S appears in the tachometer
display.
or
Restart the engine (
page 48).
The transmission will go to the
automatic program mode (C orS).
The manual program modeM is not
stored.Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the
transmission no longer shifts, the trans-
mission is most likely operating in limp
home (emergency operation) mode. In this
mode only second gear and reverse gear
can be activated.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location.
Move the gear selector lever toP.
Turn off the engine.
Wait at least 10 seconds before
restarting.
Restart the engine (
page 48).
Move the gear selector lever to
positionD (for second gear) orR.
Have the transmission checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
iWhen driving at full throttle, the trans-
mission shifts to the next higher gear
when maximum engine speed has been
reached.