121 Controls in detail
Seats
Multicontour seat*
The multicontour seat has a movable seat
cushion and inflatable air cushions built
into the backrest to provide additional
lumbar and side support.
The seat cushion movement, backrest
cushion height and curvature can be
continuously varied with switches on the
side of the seat after switching on ignition.
1Seat cushion depth
2Backrest bottom
3Backrest center
4Side bolster adjustment
Switch on the ignition (page 38).Seat cushion depth
Adjust the seat cushion depth to the
length of your upper leg using
switch1.
Backrest contour
Adjust the contour of the backrest to
the desired position using switches2
and3.
Backrest side bolsters
Adjust the backrest side bolsters so
that they provide good lateral support
using switch4.
iIf, after a period of time, the seat no longer
provides the desired contour, then repeat the ad-
justment procedure.
149 Controls in detail
Control system
Lap analysis
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until the AMG menu appears in the
multifunction display.
Press buttonj repeatedly until you
see the lap analysis.
1Lap number
2Lap time
3Maximum speed
4Lap length
5Average speed during lap
Press buttonk orj to see oth-
er lap analysis.
AUDIO menu
The functions in the
Audio menu operate
the audio equipment which you currently
have turned on.
If no audio equipment is currently turned
on, the message
AUDIO OFF appears in the
multifunction display.
The following functions are available:
Selecting radio station
Turn on the radio (page 214) and se-
lect radio. Vehicles with COMAND*:
Refer to separate operating instruc-
tions.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until the currently tuned station
appears in the multifunction display.1Waveband setting
2Station frequency
Press buttonk orj repeatedly
until the desired station or the desired
stored station is found.
The station search depends on the se-
lected setting in the
Vehicle submenu
of the control system (
page 163).
Pressing buttonk orj will ei-
ther start a frequency scan or select
the next stored radio station.
iThese functions are only available if you
have saved at least two laps and have stopped
the RACETIMER.
iEach lap is shown in its own submenu. The
fastest lap is indicated by flashing symbol1.
FunctionPage
Selecting radio station149
Selecting satellite radio
station* (USA only)149
Operating CD player150
iYou can only store new stations using the
corresponding feature on the radio
(
page 220).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
Refer to separate operating instructions.
You can also operate the radio in the usual
manner.
175 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Gear ranges
With the gear selector lever in drive
positionD and driving in program modeC
orS (
page 176), you can select a gear
range for the automatic transmission to
operate within.
Gear selector lever (
page 177):
You can limit the gear range by pressing
the gear selector lever to the left (D-), and
reverse the gear range limit by pressing
the gear selector lever to the right (D+).
Steering wheel gearshift control*
(
page 179):
You can limit the gear range by pulling the
left gearshift paddle on the steering wheel
gearshift control, and reverse the gear
range limit by pulling the right gearshift
paddle on the steering wheel gearshift
control.The selected gear range appears in the
multifunction display.
1Current gear rangeEffect
ïThe transmission shifts through
sixth gear only.
îThe transmission shifts through
fifth gear only.
éThe transmission shifts through
fourth gear only.
Effect
èThe transmission shifts through
third gear only.
With this selection you can use
the braking effect of the engine.
çThe transmission shifts through
second gear only.
Allows the use of engine’s
braking power when driving
on steep downgrades
in mountainous regions
under extreme operating
conditions
æThe transmission operates in
first gear only.
For maximum use of engine’s
braking effect on very steep or
lengthy downgrades.
273 Controls in detail
Loading
aStrap
Tighten strapa by pulling at the loose
end (arrow) until the skis in the ski sack
are tightly secured.bHook
cEye
Connect hookb to eyec located on
center tunnel in front of rear seat
bench.
Tighten strap by pulling at the loose
end (arrow).Unloading and folding
Loosen both straps.
Disconnect hookb from eyec.
Unload skis.
Close flap8 in trunk.
Fold and flatten ski sack lengthwise.
Place folded ski sack inside recess of
backrest.
Fasten hook and loop fastener.
Close ski sack compartment cover.
298 Controls in detail
Useful features
Programming tips
If you are having difficulty programming
the integrated remote control, here are
some helpful tips:
Check the frequency of hand-held re-
mote control5 (typically located on
the reverse side of the remote). The in-
tegrated remote control is compatible
with radio-frequency devices operating
between 280-390 MHz.
Put a new battery in hand-held remote
control5. This will increase the likeli-
hood of the hand-held remote control
sending a faster and more accurate sig-
nal to the integrated remote control.
While performing step 3, hold
hand-held remote control5 at differ-
ent lengths and angles from the signal
transmitter button (2, 3 or4) you
are programming. Attempt varying an-
gles at the distance of 2 to 5 inches
(5 to 12 cm) away or the same angle at
varying distances.
If another hand-held remote control is
available for the same device, try the
programming steps again using that
other hand-held remote control. Make
sure new batteries are in the hand-held
remote control before beginning the
procedure.
Straighten the antenna wire from the
garage door opener assembly. This
may help improve transmitting and/or
receiving signals.
iCertain types of garage door openers are in-
compatible with the integrated remote control. If
you should experience further difficulties with
programming the integrated remote control,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, or
call Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center (in the USA only) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer Service (in
Canada) at 1-800-387-0100.
iUSA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
iCanada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
308 Operation
Driving instructions
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to position N. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.Road salts and chemicals can adversely af-
fect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal braking effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking efficien-
cy should be tested as soon as possible af-
ter driving is resumed.
For more information, see “Winter driving”
(
page 351).
iFor information on driving with snow chains,
see “Snow chains” (
page 352).
Warning!G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.
Warning!G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe
and from around the vehicle with the engine
running. Otherwise, deadly carbon monox-
ide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior re-
sulting in unconsciousness and death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the ve-
hicle not facing the wind.
Warning!G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose. In-
dicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice.
354 Operation
Maintenance
Clearing the maintenance service
indicator message
The maintenance service indicator mes-
sage is automatically cleared after approx-
imately 30 seconds when you switch on
the ignition or when reaching the mainte-
nance service threshold while driving.
You can also clear it yourself.
1Reset button
Press reset button 1 on the
instrument cluster.The maintenance service indicator
message is cleared and the standard
display appears in the multifunction
display (
page 145).
Maintenance service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested
maintenance service term, you will see the
following message in the multifunction
display:
Service A exceeded by XXXXX miles (km)
Service A exceeded by XXX days
In addition, a signal sounds when the
message appears.
Any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
reset the maintenance service indicator
following a completed maintenance
service.
iVehicles equipped with FSS (Flexible Ser-
vice S
ystem) only (Canada vehicles, depending
on vehicle production date):
FSS evaluates engine temperature, oil level,
vehicle speed, engine speed, distance driven
and the time elapsed since your last service
and calculates other maintenance service
work required.
The interval between maintenance services
depends on your driving habits. A gentle
driving style, moderate engine speeds and
the avoidance of short-distance trips will
lengthen the interval between services.
359 Operation
Vehicle care
Soft top
Frequent cleaning reduces the
dirt-repellent effect of the soft top.
Intensive cleaning with Mercedes-Benz
car-care products for convertible soft tops
can help to restore the dirt-repellent
effect. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for detailed
information.
Light colored soft tops should be cleaned
frequently to prevent spots and dirt from
setting in, which could stain and discolor
the soft top material permanently.
Incorrect cleaning and care, as well as
ageing, can cause the soft-top seams to
leak. Have the soft-top seams sealed at a
Mercedes-Benz Center.Clean soft top with soft top raised and
locked. Lower the soft top into the storage
compartment only if the soft top is
completely dry.
Dry cleaning:
Brush the dry top with a soft-bristled
brush.
Brush top always from front to rear.
!Make sure that the windshield wiper switch
is set to0 (
page 55). Otherwise, e.g. the rain
sensor could activate and cause the wipers to
move unintentionally. This may lead to vehicle
damage.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in exterior
rear view mirrors prior to running the vehicle
through an automatic car wash to prevent
damage to the mirrors.
iAfter running the vehicle through an
automatic car wash, wipe any wax off of the
windshield (
page 362). This will prevent
smears and reduce wiping noise which can be
caused by residual wax on the windshield.
When leaving the car wash, make sure that the
mirrors are folded out. Otherwise they may
vibrate.
iIf the soft top is kept in the storage
compartment for a lengthy period, raise it and air
out with the windows open about every
4months.
Place a suitable cover over the soft top if you are
leaving the vehicle parked in the open for an
extended period of time.
!Remove bird droppings immediately. The
organic acid damages the material and causes
the soft top to leak.
Never use a power washer to clean the soft top,
as you may damage the soft top material.
Do not use sharp-edged instruments for the
removal of ice and snow.
Never use hot-wax when you run the vehicle
through an automatic car wash, as you may
damage the soft top material.
iDepending on the operation mode of the car
wash, there is the possibility of water drops
entering the vehicle’s interior. This is not an
indication of a defect or malfunction in
the soft top.