Page 154 of 521

153 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 instrument cluster dis-
play, 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 156).
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, 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 (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second. 
     
        
        Page 407 of 521
406 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
G
Display malfunction 
Visit workshop 
The displays for several systems have 
malfunctioned. Some systems them-
selves may also have malfunctioned.
Continue driving with added caution.
When the display is malfunctioning, 
warnings and malfunction messages 
might not be displayed.
Have the electronic systems checked 
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.
± 
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
Certain electronic systems are unable to 
relay information to the control system. 
The following systems may have failed:
Coolant temperature display
Tachometer
Cruise control display
Have the electronic systems checked 
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.
J
 
Doors open
You are attempting to drive with one or 
more doors open.
Close the doors. 
     
        
        Page 496 of 521

495 Technical terms
FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles)
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem PLUS)
Maintenance service indicator in the 
multifunction display that informs the 
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. FSS evaluates en-
gine temperature, oil level, vehicle 
speed, engine speed, distance driven 
and the time elapsed since your last 
service, calculates other maintenance 
service work required, and calls for the 
next maintenance service accordingly. 
GAWR
(G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 354)
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to 
the automatic transmission for shifting. 
The automatic gear shifting process 
can be adapted to specific operating 
conditions using the selector lever.GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying 
geographic location information to and 
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs DVD digital maps for 
navigation.
GVW
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
(
page 354)
GVWR
(Gross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 354)
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning 
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer 
and fuel gauge.KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the 
vehicle without the use of a SmartKey.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the 
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear. 
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal 
acceleration needs.
Kilopascal (kPa)
(
page 354)
Locking knob
Knob on the door which indicates 
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the locking knob down 
on an individual door from inside will 
lock that door.