193 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Rear window defroster
The rear window defroster uses a large
amount of power. To keep battery drain to
a minimum, switch off the defroster as
soon as the rear window is clear. The de-
froster is automatically deactivated after
approximately 6 to 17 minutes of opera-
tion depending on the outside tempera-
ture.
Activating
Press buttonF (
page 185).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Deactivating
Press buttonF (
page 185) again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
Air conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while
the engine is running and cools the interior
air to the temperature set by the operator.
Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the automatic
climate control system. The air in the vehi-
cle will then no longer be cooled or dehu-
midified.
Press button± (
page 185).
The indicator lamp on the button±
comes on.
Warning!
G
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driv-
ing. Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.!If the rear window defroster switches
off too soon and the indicator lamp
starts flashing, this means that too
many electrical consumers are operat-
ing simultaneously and there is insuffi-
cient voltage in the battery. The system
responds automatically by deactivating
the rear window defroster.
As soon as the battery has sufficient
voltage, the rear window defroster au-
tomatically turns itself back on.
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.
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.
198 Controls in detailPower windows
Switch on the ignition (
page 34).
Opening the power windows
Press switch1 to 4 at the
symbolk to the resistance point.
The corresponding window will move
downwards until you release the
switch.Closing the power windows
Press switch1 to 4 at the
symbolj to the resistance point.
The corresponding window will move
upwards until you release the switch.
Fully opening the power windows
(Express-open)
Press switch1 to 4 at the
symbolk past the resistance point
and release.
The corresponding window opens com-
pletely.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.iYou can also open or close the side
windows and power tilt/sliding sunroof
using the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*, see “Summer opening
feature” (
page 200) and
“Convenience closing feature”
(
page 200).
Depending on current position, the win-
dows may also open or close when the
air recirculation button, or the
charcoal filter buttone in the
climate control panel (
page 185) is
pressed and held.
iOperating the rear side windows from
the rear is not possible if you activate
the override switch (
page 78).
iWith the SmartKey in starter switch po-
sition 0 or removed from the starter
switch, the door windows can be oper-
ated:
until you open the driver’s or pas-
senger door
for at least 5 minutes
Warning!
G
If you press and hold the switch up when
closing a door window, and upward move-
ment of the window is blocked by some ob-
struction including but not limited to arms,
hands, fingers, etc., the automatic reversal
will not operate.
199 Controls in detail
Power windows
Fully closing the power windows
(Express-close)
Press switch1 to 2 at the
symbolj past the resistance point
and release.
The corresponding window closes com-
pletely.
Stopping power windows during
Express-operation
Briefly press the respective window
switch again.
Synchronizing the power windows
The windows must be synchronized each
time
after the battery has been disconnect-
ed
if the windows cannot be fully opened
(Express-open) or closed
(Express-close)
Each window must be synchronized.
Close all doors.
Switch on the ignition (
page 34).
Press and hold switches1 to 4 at
the symbolj until the windows are
completely closed.
Hold on to switches1 to 4 for ap-
proximately 1 second.
The windows are synchronized.
Warning!
G
Driver’s door only:
If within 5 seconds you again press the
switch past the resistance point and re-
lease, the automatic reversal will not func-
tion.
!If the upward movement of the door
window is blocked during the closing
procedure, the door window will stop
and open slightly. Remove the obstruc-
tion, press the respective door window
switch at the symbolj again past
the resistance point and release. If the
door window still does not close when
there is no obstruction, press and hold
the respective door window switch at
the symbolj. The door window will
then close without the obstruction sen-
sor function.
201 Controls in detail
Power windows
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Press and hold the lock button on an
outside door handle (
page 60) until
the windows and the tilt/sliding sun-
roof are completely closed.
Release the lock button at the outside
door handle to interrupt procedure.
Warning!
G
When closing the windows and the tilt/slid-
ing sunroof, make sure that there is no dan-
ger of anyone being harmed by the closing
procedure.
If potential danger exists, proceed as fol-
lows:
Release button ‹ to stop the closing
procedure. To open, press and hold but-
ton Œ. To continue the closing after
making sure that there is no danger of
anyone being harmed by the closing pro-
cedure, press and hold button‹.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Release the lock button on the outside
door handle (
page 60) to stop the
closing procedure.
Pull on the door handle and hold firmly.
The windows and the tilt/sliding sunroof
will open for as long as the door handle
is held but the door is not opened.
202 Controls in detailPower tilt/sliding sunroofOpening and closing the power tilt/sliding sunroof
The tilt/sliding sunroof is opened and
closed electrically. The switch for the
tilt/sliding sunroof is on the overhead con-
trol panel.
1Push up to raise sunroof at rear
2Pull down to lower sunroof at rear
3Push forward to slide sunroof closed
4Push back to slide sunroof openWith the sunroof closed or tilted open, a
screen can be slid into the roof opening to
help provide shade. When sliding the sun-
roof open, the screen will also retract.
Warning!
G
When closing the tilt/sliding sunroof, make
sure that there is no danger of anyone being
harmed by the closing procedure.
The closing procedure of the tilt/sliding sun-
roof can be immediately halted by releasing
the switch or, if the switch was moved past
the resistance point and released, by mov-
ing the switch in any direction.
The tilt/sliding sunroof is made out of glass.
In the event of an accident, the glass may
shatter. This may result in an opening in the
roof.
In a vehicle rollover, occupants not wearing
their seat belts or not wearing them properly
may be thrown out of the opening. Such an
opening also presents a potential for injury
for occupants wearing their seat belts
properly as entire body parts or portions of
them may protrude from the passenger
compartment.
205 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The driving systems of your vehicle are de-
scribed on the following pages:
Cruise control and Distronic*, with
which the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed.
ABC with vehicle level control system,
with which you can change vehicle sus-
pension characteristics.
Parktronic*, which serves as a parking
assistant.
For information on the BAS, ABS, and ESP
®
driving systems, see “Driving safety sys-
tems” (
page 80).
Cruise control
Cruise control automatically maintains the
speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed over 20 mph
(30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 22).
Warning!
G
Cruise control is a convenience system de-
signed to assist the driver during vehicle op-
eration. The driver is and must remain at all
times responsible for the vehicle speed and
for safe brake operation.
Only use cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.
The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.
The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.
Deactivate cruise control when driving
in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.
207 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a higher speed
Lift cruise control lever in the direction
of arrow1 and hold it up until the de-
sired speed is reached.
Release cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Setting a lower speed
Depress cruise control lever in the di-
rection of arrow2 and hold it down
until the desired speed is reached.
Release cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip cruise control lever in the di-
rection of arrow1.
Slower
Briefly tip cruise control lever in the di-
rection of arrow2.Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly push cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow4.
The cruise control resumes the last set
speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The selected speed appears in the multi-
function display for approximately
5 seconds, and the corresponding speed-
ometer segments from the selected speed
to the vehicle maximum speed are illumi-
nated.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does
not deactivate cruise control. After
brief acceleration (e.g. for passing),
cruise control will resume the last
speed set.
iWhen you use the cruise control lever
to decelerate, the transmission will au-
tomatically downshift if the engine’s
braking power does not brake the vehi-
cle sufficiently.
Warning!
G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to the pre-
set speed could cause an accident and/or
serious injury to you and others.