Page 148 of 498

147 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* 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 multifunction display, and 
much more.
The control system relays information to 
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
1Outside temperature
2Trip odometer
3Automatic transmission program mode
4Main odometer
5Current gear selector lever position
Above illustration shows the standard 
display.
For more information on menus displayed 
in the multifunction display, see “Menus” 
(page 150).
iThe displays for the audio systems (ra-
dio, 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 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 (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second. 
     
        
        Page 160 of 498
159 Controls in detail
Control system
The table below shows what settings can 
be changed within the various menus. 
Detailed instructions on making individual 
settings can be found on the following pag-
es.INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
TIME/DATE
LIGHTING
VEHICLE
CONVENIENCE
DYNAMIC SEAT*
Select temperature dis-
play mode
Synchronizing the 
time
Set daytime running 
lamp mode 
(USA only)
Set automatic 
locking
Activate 
easy-entry/exit 
feature
Set level for dynam-
ic seat, driver
Select speedometer dis-
play mode
Set time (hours)
Set locator lighting
Set parking position 
for exterior rear 
view mirror
Set level for dynam-
ic seat, passenger
Select language
Set time (minutes)
Ambient lighting
Select display (speed dis-
play or outside tempera-
ture) for status line
Set date (month)
Exterior lamps de-
layed shut-off
Select display (speed dis-
play or outside tempera-
ture) for basic display
Set date (day)
Interior lighting 
delayed shut-off
Set date (year) 
     
        
        Page 161 of 498

160 Controls in detailControl systemInstrument cluster submenu
Access the 
Instr. cluster
 submenu via 
the 
Settings
 menu. Use the 
Instr. clus-
ter
 submenu to change the instrument 
cluster display settings. The following 
functions are available:Selecting speedometer display mode
Move the selection marker with the 
æ or çbutton to the 
Instr. 
cluster
 submenu.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly 
until you see 
Display unit 
Speed-/odometer
 in the multifunction 
display.
The selection marker is on the current 
setting.
Press button æ or ç to set 
speedometer unit to 
km or 
miles
.Selecting language
Move the selection marker with the 
æ or çbutton to the 
Instr. 
cluster
 submenu.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly 
until you see 
Language
 in the 
multifunction display.
The selection marker is on the current 
setting.
Function
Page
Select speedometer display 
mode
160
Select language
160
Select display (speed display or 
outside temperature) for status 
display
161
Select display (speed display or 
outside temperature) for basic 
display
161 
     
        
        Page 162 of 498

161 Controls in detail
Control system
Press buttonæ orç to select 
the language to be used for the multi-
function display messages.
Available languages:
German 
(Deutsch)
English 
(English)
French 
(Français)
Italian 
(Italiano)
Spanish 
(Español)
Dutch 
(Nederlands)
Danish 
(Dansk)
Swedish 
(Svenska)
Portuguese 
(Português)
Turkish 
(Türkçe)
Selecting display (speed display or out-
side temperature) for status display
Move the selection marker with the 
æ orçbutton to the 
Instr. 
cluster
 submenu.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly 
until you see 
Status line display
 in 
the multifunction display.
The selection marker is on the current 
setting.
Press buttonæ orç to select 
the status line to 
Speed 
or 
Outside 
temp.
Selecting display (speed display or out-
side temperature) for basic display
Move the selection marker with the 
æ or çbutton to the 
Instr. 
cluster
 submenu.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly 
until you see 
Basic display
 in the 
multifunction display.
The selection marker is on the current 
setting.
Press buttonæ orç to select 
the display permanently shown in the 
multifunction display.
iYou will see the status indicator when 
you have called up a different display 
from the standard display. 
     
        
        Page 488 of 498

487 Index
L
Labels 446
Lamp bulbs, exterior 411
Lamps, exterior
Front 412
Messages in display 387
Rear 412
Replacing bulbs for rear 416
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 352
Air bag Off 69
Battery (SmartKey with 
KEYLESS-GO*) 107
Battery (SmartKey) 101
Brakes 354
Coolant 357
DTR* 229, 235
Electro-hydraulic brake system 89
Engine diagnostics 355
ESP
®
353
Fog lamps 137
Front passenger front air bag off 78
Fuel reserve 358
Seat belts 358
SRS 65Language, Setting 160
LATCH child seat anchors 81
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 447
Leather upholstery, Cleaning and 
care of 350
License plate lamps 412
Messages in display 388
Replacing bulbs 416
Light alloy wheels, cleaning 348
Lighter see Cigarette lighter 258
Lighting 134
Automatic headlamp mode 135
Combination switch 138
Daytime running lamp mode 136
Door entry lamps 143
Exterior lamp switch 134
Fog lamps 137
Front fog lamps 137
High beams 138
Instrument cluster illumination 144
Interior 141
Locator lighting 136
Low beam 134
Manual headlamp mode 135
Night security illumination 136Parking lamps 134
Rear fog lamp 138
Settings (control system) 164
Trunk lamp 143
Limp-Home Mode 190
Loading 246
Instructions 247
Loading the vehicle 304
Locator lighting 136, 165
Lock button 62, 218
Locking 58, 98
Locking knob 474
Loss of SmartKey with 
KEYLESS-GO* 111
Loss of SmartKeys 103
Low beam headlamps 53
Replacing bulbs 414
Switching on 53
Lumbar support 125 
     
        
        Page 489 of 498

488 IndexM
Main Dimensions 459
Maintenance 12
Calling up the service indicator 340
Clearing service indicator 340
FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles) 339
Maintenance System 
(U.S. vehicles) 339
Messages in display 392
Service indicator 339
Service term exceeded 340
Maintenance service
Resetting maintenance service 
indicator 341
Maintenance service indicator 
message 339
Maintenance System (U.S. 
vehicles) 339, 475
Manual headlamp mode 135
Manual operations
Unlocking the driver’s door 402
Unlocking the trunk lid 403
Manual shift program (CLS 55 AMG)
Deactivating 190
Massage function 128
Maximum load rating 333Maximum loaded vehicle weight 333
Maximum tire inflation pressure 333
Mechanical key 402
Memory function 131, 475
Storing exterior rear view mirror 
parking positions 133
Storing SmartKey dependent 
settings 132
Memory function*
Recalling positions from 
memory 132
Menus
AUDIO 153
Distronic* 155, 230
In control system 150, 151
Standard display 153
Submenus 149
TEL* 172
Trip computer 171
Vehicle status message memory 156
Messages
Displaying 156
Microphone, Hands-free 29
Mirrors
Adjusting 44
Auto-dimming 191Exterior rear view mirror 44
Exterior rear view mirror parking 
positions 169, 192
Interior rear view mirror 44
Storing exterior mirror parking 
position 133
MOExtended system* 321, 429
MOExtended tires*456
MON 291
MON (Motor Octane Number) 475
Multicontour seat* 126
Multifunction display 147, 475
Selecting language 160
Multifunction display messages
ABS 365
Airmatic DC 396, 397
Batteries 369
Battery 373
Brake fluid 377
Brake pads 374
Check engine 355
Coolant 378, 379, 380
Cruise control 365
Distronic* 366
Door 382