Page 145 of 522
144 Controls in detailLightingHazard 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 switches on au-
tomatically when an air bag deploys.
The hazard warning flasher switch is locat-
ed on the upper part of the center console.
1Hazard warning flasher switchSwitching on hazard warning flasher
Press the hazard warning flasher
switch1.
All turn signals lamps are flashing.Switching off hazard warning flasher
Press hazard warning flasher switch1
again.
i
With 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 ignition is switched
on.
i
If the hazard warning flasher has been acti-
vated automatically, press hazard warning flash-
er switch1 once to switch it off.
Page 149 of 522

148 Controls in detailInstrument clusterA full view illustration of the instrument
cluster can be found in the “At a glance”
section of this manual (
page 26).
1Reset button
The instrument cluster is activated when
you
open a door
switch on the ignition (
page 37)
press the reset button1
switch on the exterior lamps
You can modify the instrument cluster set-
tings in the instrument cluster submenu of
the control system (
page 169).Adjusting instrument cluster illumina-
tion
Use the reset button1 to adjust the illu-
mination brightness for the instrument
cluster.
To brighten illumination
Turn the reset button1 in the instru-
ment cluster clockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
brighten.
To dim illumination
Turn the reset button1 in the instru-
ment cluster counterclockwise.
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 mes-
sages 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.
i
The 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.
Page 150 of 522

149 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Coolant temperature indicator
Trip odometer
Make sure you are viewing the trip odome-
ter display (
page 151).
If it is not displayed, press button è
or ÿ repeatedly until the trip
odometer appears.
Press and hold the reset button1
(page 148) until the trip odometer is
reset.
Tachometer
The red marking on the tachometer de-
notes excessive engine speed.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply
is interrupted if the engine is operated
within the red marking.
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 which can occur
just by opening the engine hood. Stay
away from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
!
Excessive coolant temperature triggers the
coolant temperature warning lamp (
page 386)
and (
page 415) and a warning in the multifunc-
tion display (
page 386) and (
page 415).
The engine should not be operated with the cool-
ant temperature above 248°F (120°C). Doing so
may cause serious engine damage which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
i
During severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go traffic, the coolant temperature may
rise close to 248°F (120°C).
!
Avoid driving at excessive engine speeds, as
it may result in serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Page 151 of 522

150 Controls in detailInstrument clusterOutside temperature indicator
The outside temperature is displayed in
the instrument cluster (
page 26).The temperature sensor is located in the
front bumper area. Due to its location, the
sensor can be affected by road or engine
heat during idling or slow driving. This
means that the accuracy of the displayed
temperature can only be verified by com-
parison to a thermometer placed next to
the sensor, not by comparison to external
displays (e.g. bank signs etc.).When moving the vehicle into colder ambi-
ent temperatures (e.g. when leaving your
garage), you will notice a delay before the
lower temperature is displayed.
A delay also occurs when ambient temper-
atures rise. This prevents inaccurate tem-
perature indications caused by heat
radiated from the engine during idling or
slow driving.
Warning!
G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.
Page 152 of 522

151 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 154).
i
The 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 157 of 522
156 Controls in detailControl system
Menu6
Menu7
Menu8
Menu9
Vehicle status mes-
sage memory
1
1The vehicle status message memory menu is only displayed if there is a message stored.
Settings
Trip computer
TEL*
(page 164)
(page 166)
(page 179)
(page 181)
Commands/submenusCalling up vehicle mal-
function, warning and
system status messages
stored in memory
Resetting to factory set-
tings
Fuel consumption statis-
tics since start
Loading phone book
Instrument cluster sub-
menu
Fuel consumption statis-
tics since the last reset
Searching for name in
phone book
Time/Date submenu
Resetting fuel consump-
tion statistics
Lighting submenu
Distance to empty
Vehicle submenuConvenience submenu
i
The headings used in the menus table are
designed to facilitate navigation within the sys-
tem and are not necessarily identical to those
shown in the control system displays.
The first function displayed in each menu will au-
tomatically show you which part of the system
you are in.
Page 159 of 522

158 Controls in detailControl systemVehicle supply voltage
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until the AMG menu appears.
Press buttonj repeatedly until you
see the vehicle supply voltage.
1Gear indicator
2Vehicle supply voltageRACETIMER
The RACETIMER allows you to time and
save driving stretches in hours, minutes
and seconds.
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see the AMG menu.
Press button j repeatedly until you
see the RACETIMER.1Gear indicator
2RACETIMER
3Lap
Starting the RACETIMER
Press button æ.
The timer starts.
Warning!
G
The RACETIMER feature is only for use on
roads and in conditions where high speed
driving is permitted. Racing on public roads
is prohibited under all circumstances and
the driver is and must always remain re-
sponsible for following posted speed limits.
i
You can start the RACETIMER when the
engine is running or the starter switch is in
position2 (
page 37).
i
While the RACETIMER is being displayed,
you cannot adjust the volume using
buttonsæ or ç.
Page 165 of 522
164 Controls in detailControl systemDistronic deactivated
When Distronic is deactivated, you will see
the standard display in the multifunction
display.
1Vehicle ahead, if detected
2Actual distance to vehicle ahead
3Preset distance threshold to vehicle
ahead
4Your vehicle
5Symbol for activated distance warning
functionDistronic activated
With Distronic activated, the
Distronic
display is shown in the multifunction dis-
play and one or two segments around the
set speed are illuminated in the
speedometer.
1Distronic activated
Vehicle status message memory menu
Use the vehicle status message memory
menu to scan malfunction and warning
messages that may be stored in the sys-
tem. Such messages appear in the multi-
function display and are based on
conditions or system status the vehicle’s
system has recorded.
The vehicle status message memory menu
only appears if there are any messages
stored.