Page 152 of 498
151 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1
Menu2
Menu3
Menu4
Menu5
Standard display
AUDIO
NAV*
Distronic*
Vehicle status mes-
sage memory
1
1The vehicle status message memory menu is only displayed if there is a message stored.(page 153)
(page 153)
(page 155)
(page 155)
(page 156)
Commands/submenusDigital speedometer
Select radio station
Show route guidance 
instructions, current 
direction traveled
Call up settings
Call up vehicle malfunc-
tion, warning and system 
status messages stored 
in memory
Call up maintenance 
system display
Select satellite radio 
station*
Checking tire inflation 
pressure
Operate CD player
Check engine oil level 
     
        
        Page 154 of 498

153 Controls in detail
Control system
Standard display menu
Press buttonk orj repeatedly 
to select the functions in the standard 
display menu.
The following functions are available:
Display digital speedometer
Press buttonk orj repeatedly 
until the digital speedometer appears 
in the multifunction display.
AUDIO 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 
is shown in the 
multifunction display.
The following functions are available:Select radio station
Turn on COMAND and select radio. 
Refer to separate COMAND operating 
instructions.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly 
until you see the currently tuned sta-
tion in the multifunction display.
1Waveband setting
2Station frequency
Press buttonk orj repeatedly 
until the desired station is found.
Function
Page
Call up digital speedometer
153
Call up maintenance display
339
Checking tire inflation pressure
313
Check engine oil level
295
Function
Page
Select radio station
153
Select satellite radio station*
154
Operate CD player
154 
     
        
        Page 191 of 498

190 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionDownshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to 
the left in theD-direction.
or
Briefly press button2 on the left side 
of the steering wheel (
page 186).
The transmission shifts to the next 
lower gear.Kickdown
Using the kickdown when driving in the 
manual program modeM is not possible.
Deactivating manual shift program
Press the program mode selector 
switch (
page 188) repeatedly until 
Cor
S appears in the multifunction 
display.
or
Restart the engine.
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 becomes less re-
sponsive or sluggish or the transmission 
no longer shifts, the transmission is most 
likely operating in limp-home (emergency 
operation) mode. In this mode only second 
gear and reverse gear can be selected.
Stop the vehicle.
Move gear selector lever toP.
Turn off the engine.
Wait at least 10 seconds before 
restarting.
Restart the engine.
Move gear selector lever to positionD 
(for second gear) orR.
Have the transmission checked at an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as 
soon as possible.
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. 
     
        
        Page 210 of 498

209 Controls in detail
4-zone automatic climate control
Air conditioning
The cooling function, only operational 
when the engine is running, cools the vehi-
cle interior down to the selected tempera-
ture. The cooling function also 
dehumidifies the air in the vehicle interior, 
thus preventing the windows from fogging 
up.Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the climate 
control system. The air in the vehicle will 
then no longer be cooled or dehumidified.
Press button2 (
page 198) or 
(
page 199).
The indicator lamp on the button goes 
out. The cooling function switches off 
after a short delay.
Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can 
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.
Press button2 (
page 198) or 
(
page 199) again. 
The indicator lamp on the button 
comes on.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant 
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs 
which are harmful to the ozone layer.Residual heat and ventilation 
(Canada only)
With the engine switched off, it is possible 
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior 
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes 
use of the residual heat produced by the 
engine.
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and 
not an indication of a malfunction.Warning!
G
If you turn off the cooling function, the 
vehicle will not be cooled when weather 
conditions are warm. The windows can fog 
up more quickly. Window fogging may 
impair visibility and endanger you and 
others.
!If the air conditioning cannot be turned 
on again, this indicates that the air con-
ditioning is losing refrigerant. The com-
pressor has turned itself off.
Have the air conditioning checked at 
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.iIf you switch on the residual heat 
function when temperatures are high, 
only the ventilation will be switched on. 
     
        
        Page 261 of 498

260 Controls in detailUseful featuresFloormats
1Retainer pins
2EyeletsRemoving
Pull floormats off of retainer pins1.
Remove the floormats.
Installing
Lay down the floormat.
Press the floormat eyelets2 onto re-
tainer pins1.
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only 
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on 
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by 
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for informa-
tion on the installation of an approved 
external antenna. Refer to the radio trans-
mitter operation instructions regarding use 
of an external antenna.
iAn additional power outlet is located on 
the left side in the trunk.iTo install or remove the floormat more 
easily, move the driver’s seat or front 
passenger seat as far to the rear as 
possible (
page 40).
Warning!
G
Whenever you are using floormats, make 
sure there is enough clearance and that the 
floormats are securely fastened.
Floormats should always be securely fas-
tened using eyelets2 and retainer pins1.
Before driving off, check that the floormats 
are securely in place and adjust them if nec-
essary. A loose floormat could slip and 
hinder proper functioning of the pedals.
Warning!
G
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, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious 
personal injury. 
     
        
        Page 282 of 498

281 Operation
Driving instructions
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after 
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly 
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the 
vehicle with considerable force prior to 
parking. The heat generated serves to dry 
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the 
brakes by applying above-normal braking 
pressure at higher speeds. This will also 
enhance the grip of the brake pads.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist 
System (BAS) (
page 86).If the parking brake is released and the 
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on, there is a malfunction in the 
electro-hydraulic brake system 
(
page 89) or the brake fluid level in the 
reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may 
be the reason for low brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Have the brake system inspected by quali-
fied technicians immediately. Contact an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
All checks and service work on the brake 
system should be carried out by qualified 
technicians only. Contact an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid 
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive 
on for some time, rather than immediately 
park, so that the air stream will cool down 
the brakes faster.
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road 
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are 
installed, or other than recommended brake 
fluid is used, the braking properties of the 
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that 
safe braking is substantially impaired. This 
could result in an accident.
Be certain to read and observe the warning 
notices on brake pad replacement 
(page 374).!When driving down long and steep 
grades, relieve the load on the brakes 
by shifting into a lower gear to use the 
engine’s braking power. This helps pre-
vent overheating of the brakes and 
reduces brake pad wear. 
     
        
        Page 292 of 498

291 Operation
At the gas station
Replace fuel cap by turning it clockwise 
until it audibly engages.
Close the fuel filler flap.
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Windshield washer and headlamp 
cleaning system*
For more information on refilling the 
reservoir, see “Windshield washer sys-
tem and headlamp cleaning system*” 
(
page 300).
2Brake fluid
For more information on brake fluid, 
see “Brake fluid” (
page 464).
3Coolant level
For more information on the coolant 
level, see “Coolant level” (
page 297).
Warning!
G
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create pres-
sure in the system which could cause a gas-
oline fuel discharge. This could cause the 
gasoline fuel to spray back out when remov-
ing the fuel pump nozzle, which could cause 
personal injury.iLeaving the engine running and the fuel 
cap open can cause the yellow fuel 
tank reserve warning lamp to flash and 
the úmalfunction indicator lamp 
(USA only) or the ±malfunction 
indicator lamp (Canada only) to illumi-
nate.
See also “Practical hints” section 
(page 355).
iOnly use premium unleaded gasoline 
with a minimum Posted Octane Rating 
of 91 (average of 96 RON/86 MON). 
Information on gasoline quality can 
normally be found on the fuel pump.
For more information on gasoline, see 
the Factory Approved Service Products 
pamphlet. 
     
        
        Page 293 of 498
292 OperationAt the gas station
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil level, 
see “Engine oil” (
page 294).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more 
information on replacing light bulbs, see 
the “Practical hints” section (
page 411).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp 
switch” (
page 134).Tire inflation pressure
For more information, see “Checking tire 
inflation pressure” (
page 313).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the 
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the 
minimum mark or below, have the 
brake system checked for brake pad 
thickness and leaks immediately. 
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center immediately. Do not add brake 
fluid as this will not solve the problem. 
For more information, see “Practical 
hints” (
page 354).