Page 16 of 473

15 Introduction
Symbols
Symbols
Trademarks:
ESP® is a registered trademark of 
DaimlerChrysler.
HomeLink® is a registered trademark 
of Prince, a Johnson Controls 
Company.
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 
a warning which is continued on 
the next page.
This continuation symbol marks 
a procedure which is continued 
on the next page.
-> This symbol is used to indicate 
cross-references to term defini-
tions.
DisplayWords 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. 
     
        
        Page 122 of 473

121 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 
system to find out when your vehicle is 
next due for service, to set the language 
for messages in the instrument cluster 
display, 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 
temperature/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 
permit 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 (approximately 14 m) every second. 
     
        
        Page 123 of 473

122 Controls in detail
Control system
Multifunction 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.
Depending on the selected menu, pressing 
the buttons on the multifunction steering 
wheel will alter what appears in the multi-
function 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 
operations under 
Audio, for example). 
These functions serve to call up relevant 
information or to customize the settings 
for your vehicle.
1Multifunction display
Operating the control system
2Selecting the submenu or setting the 
volume:
Press button
æup/to increase
çdown/to decrease
3Telephone*:
Press button
sto take a call
to dial
to redial
tto end a call
to reject an incoming call
4Moving within a menu:
Press button
jfor next display
kfor previous display
5Menu systems:
Press button
èfor next menu
ÿfor previous menu 
     
        
        Page 126 of 473
125 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Table continued on next page.
Menu1Menu2Menu3Menu4
Standard displayAMG1AUDIONAV*
(page 127)(page 128)(page 133)(page 135)
Commands/submenus
Run Flat Indicator*Engine oil temperatureSelecting radio stationShow route guidance 
instructions, current direction 
traveled
Checking coolant temperatureVehicle supply voltageSelecting satellite radio 
station* (USA only)
Digital speedometer/outside 
temperatureRACETIMEROperating the CD player
Calling up maintenance 
service indicatorOverall analysis
Checking engine oil level 
(SLK 55 AMG only)Lap analysis
1AMG vehicles only. 
     
        
        Page 134 of 473

133 Controls in detail
Control system
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 appears in the 
multifunction display.
The following functions are available:Selecting radio station
Switch on the radio (page 199).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
Refer to the separate operating instruc-
tions.
Press buttonèorÿ repeatedly 
until the currently tuned station 
appears in the multifunction display.
1Waveband setting or stored memory 
position (
FM1 through FM9)
2Tuned station
Press buttonjork repeatedly 
until the desired station is found.
The station search depends on the 
selected setting in the 
Vehicle 
submenu of the control system 
(
page 146). 
Pressing buttonkorj will 
either start a frequency scan or select 
the next stored radio station.
FunctionPage
Selecting radio station133
Selecting satellite radio 
station* (USA only)134
Operating the CD player134
iYou can only store new stations using the 
corresponding feature on the radio 
(
page 201).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
Refer to the separate operating instructions. 
     
        
        Page 135 of 473

134 Controls in detail
Control system
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.Operating the CD player
Switch on the radio and select the 
CD player (
page 212).
Vehicles with COMAND*:
Refer to the separate operating instruc-
tions.
Press buttonèorÿ repeatedly 
until the settings for the CD currently 
being played appear in the multifunc-
tion 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 oper-
ation, see “Introduction to satellite radio* 
(USA only)” (
page 203).
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 147 of 473

146 Controls in detail
Control system
Vehicle submenu
Access the 
Vehicle submenu via the 
Settings... menu. Use the Vehicle sub-
menu to make general vehicle settings.
The following functions are available:
For additional information on central 
locking, see “Automatic central locking” 
(
page 102).Selecting audio search function
Use of the Audio search function to 
select a radio station (
page 133) will 
enable you to start a frequency scan 
(
Frequency) or select a radio station stored 
in memory (
Memory).
Move the selection marker with 
buttonæ orç to the 
Vehicle 
submenu.
Press buttonj ork repeatedly 
until the message 
Audio Search 
function
 appears in the multifunction 
display.
The selection marker is on the current 
setting.
Press buttonæ orç to select 
Frequency or Memory.Setting automatic locking
Use this function to activate or deactivate 
the automatic locking system. 
With the automatic locking system 
activated, the vehicle is centrally 
locked at vehicle speeds of approximately 
9mph(15km/h).
Move the selection marker with 
buttonæorç to the 
Vehicle 
submenu.
Press buttonjork repeatedly 
until the message 
Automatic door 
lock
 appears in the multifunction 
display.
The selection marker is on the current 
setting.
Press buttonæorç to set the 
automatic central locking to 
On or Off.
FunctionPage
Selecting audio search function146
Setting automatic locking146 
     
        
        Page 151 of 473

150 Controls in detail
Control system
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 the 
TEL menu appears in the 
multifunction display.Which messages will appear in the multi-
function display depends on whether your 
telephone is switched on or off:
If the telephone is switched off, the 
message in the multifunction display is: 
PHONE OFF.
If the telephone is switched on:
The telephone will then search for a 
network. During this time the multi-
function display is empty.
As soon as the telephone has found a 
network, 
Ready is indicated in the mul-
tifunction display.
This standby message indicates that your 
telephone is ready for use and you can op-
erate it using the control system.Answering a call
When your telephone is ready to receive 
calls, you can answer a call at any time. In 
the multifunction display you will see the 
message, or if available, the caller ID 
(name and number):Audio system
COMAND*
Press buttons.
You have answered the call.
The duration of the call appears in the 
multifunction display.
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.