Page 26 of 474
25 At a glance
Cockpit
ItemPage
1Automatic transmission*:
Steering wheel gearshift
control*163
2Multifunction steering
wheel28,
122
3Horn
4Instrument cluster26,
118
5Overhead control panel31,
116
6Glove box253
CD changer*216,
253
7Center console29, 30
8Sun sensor for automatic
climate control*
9Starter switch37
ItemPage
aSteering wheel adjustment
release handle, manual43
bSteering wheel adjustment
stalk, electrical*44
Heated steering wheel
stalk* (SLK 280,
SLK 350, Canada only)276
cHood lock release lever294
dExterior lamp switch55,
109
eCombination switch
High beam55
Turn signals55
Windshield wipers56
fPower window switches235
gInside door handle98
hCruise control lever248
Page 135 of 474

134 Controls in detail
Control system
Selecting satellite radio station*
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
operation, see “Introduction to satellite radio*”
(
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 194 of 474

193 Controls in detail
Audio system
Audio system
Audio and telephone*, operation
These instructions are intended to help
you become familiar with your
Mercedes-Benz audio system. They con-
tain useful tips and a detailed description
of the user functions.Operating safety
Warning!G
In order to avoid distraction which could
lead to an accident, the driver should enter
system settings with the vehicle at a
standstill and operate the system only when
road and traffic conditions permit. Always
pay full attention to traffic conditions first
before operating system controls while
driving.
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.Warning!G
Any alterations made to electronic
components can cause malfunctions.
The radio, amplifier, CD changer*, satellite
radio* and telephone* are interconnected.
When one of the components is not opera-
tional or has not been removed/replaced
properly, the function of other components
may be impaired.
This condition might seriously impair the
operating safety of your vehicle.
We recommend that you have any service
work on electronic components carried out
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 196 of 474
195 Controls in detail
Audio system
ItemPage
1CD changer mode selector208
2Single CD mode selector 212
3Radio mode selector
4Mute function (radio)202
Pause (CD)218
5Volume distribution198
6Sound settings197
7Display
8Alphanumeric keypad
ItemPage
9Speed dialing memory (tele-
phone*) in descending order
aAccepting a call
(telephone*)224
bTelephone* mode selector219
cSpeed dialing memory (tele-
phone*) in ascending order221
dTerminating a call
(telephone*)225
eCD slot
fCD ejection212
ItemPage
gSoft keys196
hVolume196
jSwitching on/off196
kManual tuning / seek
tuning (radio)201
Track search, reverse (CD)217
lManual tuning / seek
tuning (radio)201
Track search,
fast forward (CD)217
Page 209 of 474

208 Controls in detail
Audio system
Storing stations
Tune in desired station.
Press and hold desired station
button1 to R until a brief signal
tone is heard.
The frequency is stored on the selected
station button.
The radio saves the current station at
the memory preset selected. The
memory preset selected appears in the
status line, e.g. S3.Calling up the ESN information menu
Press INF soft key.
Press ESN soft key.
The twelve-digit electronic serial
number (ESN) of the SAT tuner*
installed in your vehicle is displayed.
Press RET soft key to exit the menu.
CD mode
Safety precautions
iThere are ten presets available.
An existing entry is overwritten in the memory
list when a new entry is given.
Warning!G
The single CD player and the CD changer*
are Class 1 laser products. There is a danger
of invisible laser radiation if the housing is
opened or damaged.
Do not open the housing. The single CD
player and the CD changer* do not contain
any parts that can be serviced by the user.
For safety reasons, have any service work
which may be necessary performed only by
qualified personnel.
Page 210 of 474

209 Controls in detail
Audio system
General notes
The system may not be able to play audio
CDs with copy protection.
Playing copied CDs may cause
malfunctions during playback.Should excessively high or low tempera-
tures occur while in CD changer mode*,
CD TEMP will appear in the display, and the
CD will be muted until the temperature has
reached an acceptable level for the system
to continue operation.
The single CD player and the CD changer*
play audio CDs.
Warning!G
In order to avoid distraction which could
lead to an accident, the driver should insert
CDs with the vehicle at a standstill and
operate the audio system only if permitted
by road, weather and traffic conditions.
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.
iThe audio system plays both CD-Rs and
CD-RWs with audio data.
!If you affix stickers to the CDs, they can be-
come warped due to the heat that develops in
the CD drive or CD changer.
In certain situations, the CDs can then no longer
be ejected and cause damage to the drive. Such
damage is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
!Your CD drive or CD changer has been
designed to play CDs which correspond to the
EN 60908 standard. You can therefore only use
CDs with a maximum thickness of 1.3 mm.
If you insert thicker data carriers, e.g. ones that
have data on both sides (one side with DVD data,
the other side with audio data), they cannot be
ejected and will damage the drive.
!Do not use CDs with an 8 cm diameter, not
even with a CD adapter. Attempting to play CDs
with an 8 cm diameter or playing such CDs with
an adapter may cause damage to the CD drive.
Such damage is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Page 211 of 474

210 Controls in detail
Audio system
Tips on handling CDs
Handle CDs carefully to prevent
interference during playback.
Avoid scratches, fingerprints and dust
on the CDs.
Do not write on CDs or apply any labels
or other material to them.
Clean CDs from time to time with a
commercially available cleaning cloth.
Never wipe the CD in a circular motion;
instead, wipe it in a straight line start-
ing in the center and moving outward.
Do not use solvents, anti-static sprays,
etc. for cleaning.
Replace the CD in its case after use.
Protect CDs from heat and direct
sunlight.MP3
The CD changer* can play audio CDs as
well as CDs with MP3 files.
Information on MP3 data carriersCompatible MP3 data carriers
The CD changer can read the following
data carriers in MP3 mode:
CD-DA
CD-R
CD-RW
Compatible file systems and compres-
sion methods
Use Romeo or Joliet. Depending on file
format used, up to 128 characters are
possible.
The following compression methods are
compatible:
MP3
WMA
WAV
iCD media, CD burning software and CD
writers are available in great variety. Due to
this variety, it cannot be guaranteed that the
CD changer will be able to play every
user-written CD.
The burning process can lead to data errors and
aging of the medium may result in data loss.
Therefore, the CD changer may be restricted in
its ability to play MP3 data carriers; it may play
them with reduced sound quality, or it may not
be able to play them at all.
Problems may be encountered during playback
of user-written CDs with a storage capacity of
more than 700 MB. These CDs do not meet valid
standards as of this printing.
Page 212 of 474

211 Controls in detail
Audio system
Compatible bit and sampling rates
Fixed and variable bit rates of up to
320 kBit/s are possible.
The following table lists possible sampling
rates:Information on copyright
The music tracks that you create for use in
MP3 mode or that you play in MP3 mode
are subject to copyright laws under appli-
cable international and national regula-
tions.
In many countries, the reproduction of
copyrighted materials is not permitted,
even if only for personal use, without the
express prior consent of the copyright
holder.
Please check the current copyright laws
for your country and comply with them.
These restrictions do not apply, for exam-
ple, to your own compositions and record-
ings, or for recordings for which
authorization has been obtained from the
copyright holder.MP3 playback
You can play an MP3 CD on the
CD changer* as you would any standard
audio CD. All of the functions described for
the CD changer also apply for the playback
of MP3 CDs. Keep in mind that the single
CD player in the audio system unit is not
able to read MP3 CDs.
The first 99 tracks on the CD, including
tracks in subdirectories, are recognized
and played. Any additional tracks will not
be played.
MPEG1
Audio Layer344.1 KHz, 48 KHz,
32 KHZ
MPEG2
Audio Layer322.5 KHz, 24 KHz,
16 KHz
MPEG2.5
Audio Layer311.025 KHz,
12 KHz, 8 KHz
WMA32 KHz, 44.1 KHz,
48 KHz
iOnly use MP3 tracks with a bit rate of
128 kBit/s or higher and with the specified
sampling rates.
The use of rates other than those specified may
lead to noticeably inferior sound quality.
iDue to the branched data structure, play-
back of the first track may be delayed slightly.