Page 16 of 481

15 Introduction
Symbols
Symbols
Trademarks:
ESP
® is a registered trademark of 
DaimlerChrysler.
HomeLink
® is a registered trademark 
of Prince, a Johnson Controls 
Company.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of 
Siemens Automotive Corp.
SIRIUS and related marks are trade-
marks of Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.The following symbols are found in this 
Operator’s Manual:
* Optional equipment is identified 
with an asterisk. Since standard 
equipment varies between models, 
the descriptions and illustrations in 
this manual may differ slightly from 
the actual equipment of your 
vehicle.
This symbol points to instructions for 
you to follow.
A number of these symbols appearing 
in succession indicates a multiple-step 
procedure.
 Page This symbol tells you where to 
look for further information on a 
topic.
This continuation symbol marks 
an interrupted procedure which 
will be continued on the next 
page.
-> In the glossary of technical 
terms, this symbol is used to in-
dicate cross-references to term 
definitions.
Display
Words appearing in the multi-
function display are printed in 
the type shown here.
Warning!
G
Warning notices draw your attention to haz-
ards that may endanger your health or life, 
or the health or life of others.!Highlights hazards that may result in 
damage to your vehicle.iHelpful hints or further information you 
may find useful. 
     
        
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123 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. 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
1Main odometer
2Trip odometer
3Current program mode 
(automatic transmission* only)
4Status indicator (outside tempera-
ture/digital speedometer)
5Current gear selector lever posi-
tion/gear range 
(automatic transmission* only)
iThe displays for the audio systems 
(radio, 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 125 of 481

124 Controls in detailControl systemMultifunction steering wheel
The displays in the multifunction display 
and the settings in the control system are 
controlled by the buttons on the multifunc-
tion steering wheel.Pressing any of the buttons on the multi-
function steering wheel will alter what is 
shown in the multifunction display.
The information available in the multifunc-
tion display are arranged in menus, each 
containing a number of functions or sub-
menus.
The individual functions are then found 
within the relevant menu (radio or CD op-
erations under 
Audio
, for example). These 
functions serve to call up relevant informa-
tion or to customize the settings for your 
vehicle.
It is helpful to think of the menus, and the 
functions within each menu, as being ar-
ranged in a circular pattern.
If you press buttonèorÿ re-
peatedly, you will pass through each 
menu one after the other.
If you press buttonjork re-
peatedly, you will pass through each 
function display, one after the other, in 
the current menu.
1
Multifunction displayOperating the control system
2
Selecting the submenu or setting the 
volume:
Press buttonæup/to increaseçdown/to decrease
3
Telephone*:
Press buttonsto take a call, or
to dial a calltto end a call, or
to reject an incoming call
4
Moving within a menu:
Press buttonjfor next displaykfor previous display
5
Menu systems:
Press buttonèfor next menuÿfor previous menu 
     
        
        Page 128 of 481

127 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1
Menu2
Menu3
Menu4
Menu5
Menu6
Menu7
Standard display
AUDIO
NAV*
Vehicle status 
message 
memory
1
Settings
Trip computer
TEL*
(page 128)
(page 129)
(page 132)
(page 132)
(page 134)
(page 149)
(page 151)
Commands/submenusRun Flat Indicator*
Select radio 
station
Show route 
guidance in-
structions, 
current direc-
tion traveled
Call up vehicle 
malfunction, 
warning and 
system status 
messages 
stored in 
memory
Reset to factory 
settings
Fuel consump-
tion statistics 
after start
Load phone book
Check coolant 
temperature
Select satellite 
radio station*
(USA only)
Instrument clus-
ter submenu 
Fuel consump-
tion statistics 
since last reset
Search for name 
in phone book
Digital speedome-
ter/outside tem-
perature
Operate the CD 
player
Time/Date 
submenu
Call up range
Redialing
Call up mainte-
nance service 
indicator
Lighting 
submenu
Check engine oil 
level (SLK 55 AMG 
only)
Vehicle submenuConvenience 
submenu
1The vehicle status message memory menu is only displayed if there is a message stored. 
     
        
        Page 130 of 481

129 Controls in detail
Control system
Displaying digital speedometer or 
outside temperature
Press buttonjork repeatedly 
until you see the digital speedometer.
The current vehicle speed is shown 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 switched 
on, the message 
AUDIO off
 is shown in the 
multifunction display.
The following functions are available:
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is overheated 
can cause some fluids which may have 
leaked into the engine compartment to 
catch fire. You could be seriously 
burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can 
cause serious burns and can occur just 
by opening the hood. Stay away from 
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the car and do 
not stand near the vehicle until the engine 
has cooled down.
iYou can select either the display of the 
digital speedometer or the outside 
temperature indicator (
page 138).
Function
Page
Selecting radio station
130
Selecting satellite radio 
station* (USA only)
130
Operating the CD player
131 
     
        
        Page 131 of 481
130 Controls in detailControl systemSelecting radio station
Switch on the radio (
page 209).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
Refer to the separate operating instruc-
tions.
Press buttonèorÿ repeatedly 
until you see the currently tuned 
station in the multifunction display.
1Waveband setting
2Tuned station
Press buttonjork repeatedly 
until the desired station is found.Selecting satellite radio station* 
(USA only)
The Sirius satellite radio is treated as a 
radio application.
Select satellite radio with the corre-
sponding soft key (SAT) in the radio 
menu.
1SAT mode and preset number
2Channel name or number
Press buttonjork repeatedly 
until the desired channel is found.
iYou can only store new stations using 
the corresponding feature on the radio 
(page 212).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
Refer to the separate operating 
instructions. 
     
        
        Page 132 of 481
131 Controls in detail
Control system
Operating the CD player
Switch on the radio and select the 
CD player (
page 222).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
Refer to the separate operating instruc-
tions.
Press buttonèorÿ repeatedly 
until the settings for the CD currently 
being played are shown in the multi-
function display.
1Current CD
(CD0
 for single CD drive in head unit, 
CD1
 through 
CD6
 for CD in 
CD changer*)
2Current track
Press buttonjork repeatedly 
until the desired track is selected.
iFor more information on satellite radio 
operation, see “Introduction to satellite 
radio* (USA only)” (
page 214).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
Refer to separate operating 
instructions.
iTo select a CD from the magazine, 
press a number on the audio system or 
the COMAND* system key pad located 
in the center dashboard. 
     
        
        Page 152 of 481

151 Controls in detail
Control system
Calling up range (distance to empty)
Press buttonèorÿ repeatedly 
until you see the first function of the 
trip computer menu.
Press buttonjork repeatedly 
until you see 
Range:
 in the multifunc-
tion display.
In the multifunction display you will see 
the calculated range based on the cur-
rent fuel tank level.
TEL menu*
You can use the functions in the 
TEL
 menu 
to operate your telephone, provided it is 
connected to a hands-free system and 
switched on.
Switch on the telephone and Audio or 
COMAND*.
See separate operating instructions.
Press buttonèorÿ repeatedly 
until you see the 
TEL
 menu in the 
multifunction display.
Warning!
G
A driver’s attention to the road must always 
be his/her primary focus when driving. For 
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location 
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call. If you choose to use the tele-
phone while driving, please use the 
hands-free device and only use the tele-
phone when weather, road, and traffic con-
ditions permit.
Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from 
using a cellular telephone while driving a ve-
hicle.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph 
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is 
covering a distance of 44 feet 
(approximately 14 m) every second.
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 
personal injury.