118 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
For a full view illustration of the instrument
cluster, see “At a glance” (
page 24).
1Reset button
The instrument cluster is activated when
you
open a door
switch on ignition (page 32)
press reset button1
switch on the exterior lighting
You can change the instrument cluster
settings in the Instrument cluster submenu
of the control system (
page 134).Adjusting instrument cluster
illumination
Use reset button1 to adjust the
illumination brightness for the instrument
cluster.
To brighten illumination
Turn reset button1 clockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
brighten.
To dim illumination
Turn reset button1 counterclock-
wise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
dim.
Warning!G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction dis-
play is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see infor-
mation about your driving conditions, such
as speed or outside temperature,
warning/indicator lamps,
malfunction/warning messages or the
failure of any systems. Driving
characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, please do so
with added caution. Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
iThe instrument cluster illumination is
dimmed or brightened automatically to suit am-
bient light conditions.
The instrument cluster illumination will also be
adjusted automatically when you switch on the
vehicle’s exterior lamps.
125 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1Menu2Menu3Menu4Menu5Menu6Menu7
Standard
displayAUDIONAV*Vehicle status
message memorySettingsTrip computerTEL*
(page 126)(page 127)(page 129)(page 130)(page 131)(page 144)(page 146)
Commands/submenus
Run Flat
Indicator*
(Canada only)Selecting radio
stationShow route guid-
ance instructions,
current direction
traveledCall up vehicle mal-
function, warning and
system status messag-
es stored in memory
1
1The vehicle status message memory menu is only displayed if there is a message stored.
Reset to
factory
settingsFuel consumption
statistics from
startLoad phone
book
Digital speed-
ometer or out-
side temperatureSelecting satel-
lite radio sta-
tion* (USA only)Instrument
cluster sub-
menuFuel consumption
statistics since
the last resetSearch for
name in
phone book
Call up main-
tenance service
displayOperating
CD player* Time/Date
submenuDistance to
empty
Lighting
submenu
Vehicle
submenu
Convenience
submenu
155 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission*
Driving tips
Accelerator position
Your driving style influences the
transmission’s shifting behavior:
Less throttle Earlier upshifting
More throttle Later upshifting
Kickdown
Use kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.
Press the accelerator past the point of
resistance.
Depending on the engine speed the
transmission shifts into a lower gear.
Ease on the accelerator when you have
reached the desired speed.
The transmission shifts up again.Stopping
When you stop briefly, e.g. at traffic lights:
Leave the transmission in gear.
Hold the vehicle with the brake.
When you stop for a longer period of time
with the engine idling and/or on a hill:
Set the parking brake.
Move the gear selector lever to park
positionP.
Maneuvering
When you maneuver in tight areas,
e.g. when pulling into a parking space:
Control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes.
Accelerate gently.
Never abruptly step on the accelerator.Working on the vehicle
Warning!G
When working on the vehicle, set the
parking brake and move gear selector lever
to park positionP. Otherwise the vehicle
could roll away.
161 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Auto-dimming rear view mirrors*
The reflection brightness of the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side and
the interior rear view mirror will respond
automatically to glare when
the ignition is switched on
and
incoming light from headlamps falls on
the sensor in the interior rear view
mirror.
The rear view mirror will not react if
reverse gearR is engaged
the interior lighting is turned on
Sun visors
The sun visors protect you from sun glare
while driving.
Warning!G
The auto-dimming function does not react if
incoming light is not aimed directly at
sensors in the interior rear view mirror.
The interior rear view mirror and the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side do not
react, for example, if the rear window
sunshade* is in raised position.
Light hitting the mirror(s) at certain angles
(incident light) could blind you. As a result,
you may not be able to observe traffic con-
ditions and could cause an accident.
Warning!G
In the case of an accident, liquid electrolyte
may escape from the mirror housing if the
mirror glass breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not
allow the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
!Electrolyte drops coming into contact with
the vehicle paint finish can be completely re-
moved only while in the liquid state and by apply-
ing plenty of water.
Warning!G
Exercise care when using the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your
interior rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.
Warning!G
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.
Keep the vanity mirrors in the sun visors
closed while vehicle is in motion. Reflected
glare can endanger you and others.
162 Controls in detail
Good visibility
1Mounting
2Vanity mirror cover
3Vanity mirror lamp
4Sun visor
Swing sun visor4 down when you
experience glare.
To use illuminated vanity mirror, lift up
vanity mirror cover2.
Rear window sunshade*
The switch is located in the center console.
1Rear window sunshade switch
iIf sun visor4 is disengaged from
mounting1 with vanity mirror cover2 open,
vanity mirror lamp3 will switch off.
iIf sunlight enters through a side window,
close vanity mirror cover2 (if open), disengage
sun visor4 from mounting1 and pivot to the
side.
Warning!G
When operating the rear window sunshade,
make sure there is no danger of anyone be-
ing harmed by the raising or lowering proce-
dure.
The raising or lowering procedure can be
immediately halted by briefly pressing the
switch.
Briefly press switch again to raise or lower
the rear window sunshade completely.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. A child’s
unsupervised access to a vehicle could
result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
221 Controls in detail
Power windows
Power windows
Opening and closing the windows
The side windows are opened and closed
electrically. The switches for all the side
windows are on the driver’s door. The
switches for the respective windows are
on the front passenger door and the rear
doors.
1Left front window
2Right front window
3Right rear window
4Left rear window
5Rear window override switch
(
page 80)
Switch on the ignition (page 32).
Warning!G
When closing the power windows, make
sure 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 switch was pulled past the resistance
point and released, by either pressing or
pulling the respective switch.
If the window encounters an obstruction
that blocks its path in a circumstance where
you pulled the switch past the resistance
point and released it to close the window,
the automatic reversal function will stop the
window and open it slightly.
If the window encounters an obstruction
that blocks its path in a circumstance where
you are closing the window by pulling and
holding the switch, by pressing and holding
button‹ on the SmartKey, or by press-
ing and holding button, ore on the
climate control panel, the automatic rever-
sal function will not operate.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. A child’s
unsupervised access to a vehicle could
result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
iYou can also open or close the power win-
dows using the SmartKey, see “Summer opening
feature” (
page 223) and “Convenience clos-
ing feature” (
page 223).
Depending on current position, the windows may
also open or close when the air recirculation
button, in the control panel of the climate
control (
page 165) or automatic climate
control* (Canada only) (
page 175), or the
charcoal filter buttone in the control panel
of the automatic climate control* (Canada only)
(
page 183) is pressed and held.
222 Controls in detail
Power windows
Opening the windows
Press switch1 to4 to the resistance
point.
The corresponding window will move
downwards until you release the
switch.
Closing the windows
Pull switch1 to4 to the resistance
point.
The corresponding window will move
upwards until you release the switch.Fully opening the windows
(Express-open)
Press switch1 to4 past the
resistance point and release.
The corresponding window opens
completely.
Fully closing the windows
(Express-close)
Pull switch1 to4 past the
resistance point and release.
The corresponding window closes
completely.Stopping windowsPress or pull respective switch again.
Synchronizing power windows
The power windows must be
resynchronized each time
after the battery has been
disconnected or discharged.
if the power windows cannot be fully
opened (Express-open) or closed
(Express-close).
Switch on the ignition (page 32).
Warning!G
If you pull and hold the switch up when
closing the window, and upward movement
of the window is blocked by some obstruc-
tion including but not limited to arms, hands,
fingers, etc., the automatic reversal will not
operate.
!If the upward movement of the window is
blocked during the closing procedure, the win-
dow will stop and open slightly.
Remove the obstruction, pull the switch again
past the resistance point and release.
If the window still does not close when there is
no obstruction, then pull and hold the switch
again. The side window will then close without
the obstruction sensor function.
Warning!G
Driver’s door only:
If within 5 seconds you again pull the switch
past the resistance point and release, the
automatic reversal will not function.
239 Controls in detail
Useful features
Parcel net in front passenger footwell
(all models, except C 280 4MATIC and
C 350 4MATIC)
A small convenience parcel net is located
in the front passenger footwell. It is for
small and light items, such as road maps,
mail, etc.Cup holders
Cup holders in front of seat armrest
Underneath the swiveling cup holder is
another stationary cup holder. You can
only use this when the swiveling cup holder
is pulled out and completely turned
outward.
Warning!G
The parcel net is intended for storing
light-weight items only.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
parcel net. In an accident, during hard brak-
ing, or sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
The parcel net cannot protect transported
goods in the event of an accident.
Warning!G
In order to help prevent spilling liquids on
vehicle occupants and/or vehicle equip-
ment, only use containers that fit into the
cup holder. Use lids on open containers and
do not fill containers to a height where the
contents, especially hot liquids, could spill
during braking, vehicle maneuvers, or an ac-
cident. Liquids spilled on vehicle occupants
may cause serious personal injury. Liquids
spilled on vehicle equipment may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
When not in use, keep the cup holder
closed. An open cup holder may cause injury
to you or others when contacted during
braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in an acci-
dent.
Keep in mind that objects placed in the cup
holder may come loose during braking, vehi-
cle maneuvers, or in an accident and be
thrown around in the vehicle interior.
Objects thrown around in the vehicle interi-
or may cause an accident and/or serious
personal injury.