364 Controls in detail
Lighting
Manual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and parking
lamps can be switched on and off with the
exterior lamp switch.
Switching on low beam headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch toB.
The green indicator lampC in the
exterior lamp switch comes on.
Automatic headlamp mode
The following lamps switch on and off au-
tomatically depending on the brightness of
the ambient light:
Low beam headlamps
Tail and parking lamps
License plate lamps
Side marker lamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch to *.
With the SmartKey in starter switch po-
sition 1 or the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button pressed once, only
the parking lamps and the side marker
lamps will switch on and off automati-
cally.
When the engine is running, the low
beam headlamps, the tail and parking
lamps, the license plate lamps, and the
side marker lamps will switch on and
off automatically.
Warning!G
If the exterior lamp switch is set to*,
the headlamps may switch off unexpect-
edly when the system senses bright am-
bient light, for example light from
oncoming traffic.
the headlamps will not be automatically
switched on under foggy conditions.
To minimize risk to you and to others, acti-
vate headlamps by turning exterior lamp
switch to B when driving or when traffic
and/or ambient lighting conditions require
you to do so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only
switch from position * to B with the
vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching from * to B will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions
may result in an accident.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid to the driver. The driver is responsible for
the operation of the vehicle’s lights at all
times.
iUSA only:
With the automatic headlamp mode activated
you can switch on the high beam headlamps in
low ambient lighting conditions.
365 Controls in detail
Lighting
Daytime running lamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to
positionM or*.
When the engine is running, the low
beam headlamps are switched on.
In low ambient light conditions, the fol-
lowing lamps will switch on additional-
ly:
Tail and parking lamps
License plate lamps
Side marker lamps
Canada only
The daytime running lamp mode is manda-
tory and therefore in a constant mode.When the engine is running, and you shift
from a driving position to positionN orP,
the low beam headlamps will switch off
with a 3-minute delay.
When the engine is running, and youturn the exterior lamp switch to
positionC, the parking lamps and
the side marker lamps switch on addi-
tionally.
turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB, the manual headlamp
mode has priority over the daytime run-
ning lamp mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps
switch on (
page 363).USA only
By default, the daytime running lamp mode
is deactivated. Activate the daytime run-
ning lamp mode using the control system,
see “Setting daytime running lamp mode
(USA only)” (
page 271).
When the engine is running, and you turn
the exterior lamp switch to position C
orB, the manual headlamp mode has
priority over the daytime running lamp
mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps switch
on (
page 363).
iWith the daytime running lamp mode activat-
ed and the engine running, the low beam head-
lamps cannot be switched off manually.
iWith the exterior lamp switch in position
M or *, you cannot switch on the high
beam headlamps.
The high beam flasher is available at all times.
For nighttime driving you should turn the exterior
lamp switch to positionB to permit activa-
tion of the high beam headlamps.
iWith the daytime running lamp mode
activated and the exterior lamp switch in
position M, you cannot switch on the high
beam headlamps.
The high beam flasher is available at all times.
For nighttime driving you should turn the exterior
lamp switch to positionB or * to permit
activation of the high beam headlamps.
366 Controls in detail
Lighting
Locator lighting and night security illu-
mination
The locator lighting and night security illu-
mination are described in the COMAND ve-
hicle section under “Setting locator
lighting” (
page 236) and “Setting night
security illumination” (
page 235).
Fog lampsFront fog lampsSwitch on the low beam
headlampsB (
page 364).
Pull out exterior lamp switch to first
stop.
The front fog lamps are switched on.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
exterior lamp switch comes on
(
page 363).
Push in the exterior lamp switch.
The front fog lamps are switched off.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
exterior lamp switch goes out.Rear fog lamp (driver’s side only)
Switch on the low beam
headlampsB (
page 364).
Pull out exterior lamp switch to second
stop.
The front fog lamps and the rear fog
lamp switch on.
The yellow indicator lamp† in the
exterior lamp switch comes on
(
page 363).
Push in the exterior lamp switch to first
stop.
The rear fog lamp switches off.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
exterior lamp switch goes out.
The front fog lamps remain lit.
Warning!G
In low ambient lighting or foggy conditions,
only switch from position * to B with
the vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching from * to B will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions
may result in an accident.
iFog lamps will operate with the parking
lamps and/or the low beam headlamps on. Fog
lamps should only be used in conjunction with
low beam headlamps. Consult your State or
Province Motor Vehicle Regulations regarding
permissible lamp operation.
iFog lamps cannot be switched on manually
with exterior lamp switch in position*. To
activate the fog lamps, turn exterior lamp switch
to positionB first.
367 Controls in detail
Lighting
Switching on high beams
Combination switch
1High beam
2High beam flasher
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB (
page 363).
Push the combination switch in the di-
rection of arrow1.
The high beam indicatorA in the in-
strument cluster comes on
(
page 30).
High beam flasher: Pull the combina-
tion switch briefly in the direction of
arrow2.
Headlamp cleaning system
1Headlamp washer button
Switch on the ignition (page 336).
Press button1 up or down.
The headlamps are cleaned with a
high-pressure water jet.For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system”
(page 519).
iThe headlamps are automatically cleaned
when, at the same time,
the engine is running
the headlamps are switched on
the windshield wipers have wiped the wind-
shield with washer fluid fifteen times
When you switch off the ignition or press
button1, the automatic function is reset and
will start counting the next time from the begin-
ning.
368 Controls in detail
Lighting
Corner-illuminating lamps
The corner-illuminating lamps improve illu-
mination of the area in the direction into
which you are turning.
The corner-illuminating lamps will operate
with the engine running and with:
the exterior lamp switch in
positionB or* (
page 363)
or
the daytime running lamp mode acti-
vated (
page 365).
Switching on corner-illuminating lamps
Switch on the left or right turn signal
(
page 363), depending on whether
you are turning left or right.or
Turn steering wheel in desired direc-
tion.
The corner-illuminating lamp on the
side of your steering direction comes
on.Switching off the corner-illuminating
lamps
The combination switch for the turn signal
resets automatically after major steering
wheel movements. This will switch off the
corner-illuminating lamps if they were acti-
vated by switching on the left or right turn
signal.
If the turn signal should stay on after mak-
ing the turn, the turn signal and corner-illu-
minating lamp can be switched off by
returning the combination switch to its
original position.
iWith the automatic headlamp mode activat-
ed: The corner-illuminating lamps will only come
on in low ambient lighting conditions.
iIf you are driving faster than 43 mph
(70 km/h), the corner-illuminating function is
not available.
iIf you have switched on the turn signal for
one side but turn the steering wheel in the other
direction, the corner-illuminating lamp comes on
for the side indicated by the turn signal.
iThe corner-illuminating lamps temporarily
come on, on both sides of the vehicle if you turn
the steering wheel in one direction and then in
the other direction shortly thereafter.
iThe corner-illuminating lamps will come on
automatically depending on the steering angle,
even if you did not switch on either turn signal. If
the corner-illuminating lamps came on automat-
ically, they will also go out automatically depend-
ing on the steering angle.
iWhen you shift the automatic transmission
in reverse gearR, the corner-illuminating lamp
opposite to your steering direction comes on.
The turn signal has no influence on the corner-il-
luminating lamp on the outside of the curve.
iIf you are driving faster than 43 mph
(70 km/h) when activating the turn signal indica-
tor, the corner-illuminating lamp function is
switched off.
iThe corner-illuminating lamp may remain lit
for a short time. The corner-illuminating lamp
comes on for no more than 20 seconds with the
vehicle standing still. It is then switched off even
if the turn signal is still switched on or you have
turned the steering wheel to full lock.
369 Controls in detail
Lighting
Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be
switched on at all times, even with the
SmartKey removed from the starter switch
or with the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
removed from the vehicle.
The hazard warning flasher is automatical-
ly switched on if
an air bag has been triggered
CL 600 and USA only: you brake the ve-
hicle strongly at a speed of more than
50 mph (70 km/h) and bring it to a
complete stop
1Hazard warning flasher switch
Switching on: Press hazard warning
flasher switch.
All turn signals will flash.
Switching off: Press hazard warning
flasher switch again.
Interior lighting
iWith the hazard warning flasher activated
and the combination switch set for either left or
right turn, only the respective left or right turn
signals will operate when the SmartKey in the
starter switch is in position1 or2 or the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button (
page 337) is
pressed once or twice.
iIf the hazard warning flasher was activated
automatically, also press hazard warning flasher
switch 1 to switch off the hazard warning flash-
er.
iEven with the SmartKey being removed from
the starter switch you can still use the lighting for
the storage compartment, glove box and vanity
mirrors, when you open a door or press one of
the interior lighting buttons. If a lamp is switched
on it will be switched off automatically after 30
minutes.
When you lock the vehicle from the outside, the
interior lighting is switched off.
370 Controls in detail
Lighting
Interior lighting in the front
The controls are located in the overhead
control panel.
1Left reading lamp on/off
2Rear interior lamps on/off
3Front interior lighting on/off
4Interior lighting control
5Right reading lamp on/off
Automatic controlDeactivating: Press button4.
The OFF indicator lamp next to the but-
ton comes on.
The interior lighting remains switched
off in darkness, even when you:
unlock the vehicle
remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch
open a door
Activating: Press button4.
The interior lighting switches on in
darkness, when you:
unlock the vehicle
remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch
open a door
The interior lighting switches off auto-
matically following an adjustable time
delay (
page 241).Manual control
Switching on/off front interior light-
ing: Press button 3.
Switching on/off rear interior light-
ing: Press button 2.
Switching on/off front reading
lamps: Press button 1 or 5.
The front reading lamps reading lamps
are located in the lower edge of the in-
terior rear view mirror.
Ambient lighting: The brightness of
the ambient lighting is adjusted via
COMAND (
page 240).
iThe interior lighting is factory-set to auto-
matic mode.
iIf the door remains open, the interior lighting
switches off automatically after approximately
5minutes.
371 Controls in detail
Lighting
Courtesy lighting
For better orientation in the dark, courtesy
lamps will illuminate the interior of your ve-
hicle as follows:
With parking lamps switched on:
the door handles
the driver and passenger footwells
With the SmartKey in the starter switch
position1:
the door handles
the center console
Door entry lamps
For better orientation in the dark, the cor-
responding door entry lamps will switch on
in darkness when you open a door and the
automatic control is activated.
The door entry lamps switch off when the
corresponding door is closed.Trunk lamp
The trunk lamp switches on if the trunk is
opened.
If the trunk remains open, the trunk light-
ing switches off automatically after ap-
proximately 10 minutes.
iIf you turn the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position0 and switch off the exterior
headlamps, the door handle lamps will remain lit
for approximately 5 minutes.
iIf you turn the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position0 and switch off the exterior
headlamps, the door entry lamps will remain lit
for approximately 5 minutes.