
Switching the rear window
defroster on/off............................ 129
Switching the ZONE function on/
off .................................................. 127
Cockpit
Overview .......................................... 28
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
PLUS
Activating/deactivating ................. 203
Display message ............................ 214
Operation/note s.............................. 62
COMAND display
Cleaning ......................................... 280
Combination switch .......................... 106
Compass
Calibrating ..................................... 267
Calling up ....................................... 267
Magnetic field zone maps .............. 268
Setting ........................................... 267
Consumption statistics (on-board
computer) .......................................... 196
Convenience closing feature .............. 83
Convenience opening feature ............ 82
Coolant (engine)
Checking the level ......................... 273
Display message ............................ 222
Filling capacity ............................... 339
Important safety notes .................. 339
Temperature gaug e........................ 192
Warning lamp ................................. 244
Cooling
see Climate control
Copyright ............................................. 26
Crash-responsive emergency light-
ing ....................................................... 109
Cruise control
Activation conditions ..................... 161
Cruise control lever ....................... 161
Deactivating ................................... 162
Display message ............................ 228
Driving system ............................... 161
Function/note s............................. 161
Important safety notes .................. 161
Setting a speed .............................. 162
Storing and maintaining current
speed ............................................. 162 Cup holder
Center console .............................. 260
Important safety notes .................. 259
Rear compartment ......................... 260
Customer Assistance Center
(CAC) ..................................................... 24
Customer Relations Department ....... 24
D
Data
see Technical data
Daytime running lamps
Display message ............................ 221
Function/note s............................. 104
Switching on/off (on-board com-
puter) ............................................. 205
Declarations of conformity ................. 23
Diagnostics connection ...................... 23
Digital speedometer ......................... 197
DIRECT SELECT lever
Automatic transmission ................. 142
Display messages
ASSYST PLUS ................................ 274
Calling up (on-board computer) ..... 207
Driving systems ............................. 225
Engine ............................................ 222
General notes ................................ 207
Hiding (on-board computer) ........... 207
Lights ............................................. 219
Safety systems .............................. 208
SmartKey ....................................... 234
Tires ............................................... 229
Vehicle ........................................... 230
Distance display (on-board com- puter) .................................................. 202
Distance recorder ............................. 196
Distance warning (warning lamp) .... 246
Distance warning function
Function/note s................................ 62
Warning lamp ................................. 246
DISTRONIC PLUS
Activation conditions ..................... 164
Cruise control lever ....................... 164
Deactivating ................................... 167
Display message ............................ 227
Displays in the multifunction dis-
play ................................................ 168
Index7

Switching on/off........................... 106
Start/Stop button
Removing ....................................... 136
Starting the engine ........................ 138
Start/stop function
see ECO start/stop function
Starting (engine) ................................ 137
Status overview (on-board com- puter) .................................................. 201
STEER CONTROL .................................. 66
Steering (display message) .............. 233
Steering assistant STEER CON- TROL
see STEER CONTROL
Steering wheel
Adjusting (manually) ........................ 97
Button overview ............................... 31
Buttons (on-board computer) ......... 193
Cleaning ......................................... 280
Important safety notes .................... 97
Paddle shifters ............................... 147
Steering wheel paddle shifters ........ 147
Stowage compartments
Armrest (front) ............................... 250
Armrest (under) ............................. 250
Center console .............................. 249
Center console (rear) ..................... 250
Cup holders ................................... 259
Eyeglasses compartment ............... 249
Glove box ....................................... 249
Important safety information ......... 249
Map pockets .................................. 251
Stowage net ................................... 251
Under driver's seat/front-
passenger sea t.............................. 250
Stowage net ....................................... 251
Summer tires ..................................... 304
Sun visor ............................................ 261
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ................................................. 130
T
Tachometer ........................................ 193
Tail lamps
Display message ............................ 220
see Lights Tailgate
Display message ............................ 232
Emergency unlocking ....................... 80
Important safety notes .................... 79
Opening dimensions ...................... 341
Opening/closing (from outside) ....... 80
Tank content
Fuel gauge ....................................... 29
Technical data
Capacities ...................................... 335
Emergency spare wheel ................. 331
Information .................................... 334
Tires/wheels ................................. 326
Vehicle data ................................... 341
Telephone
Accepting a call (multifunction
steering wheel) .............................. 200
Display message ............................ 233
Introduction ................................... 200
Menu (on-board computer) ............ 200
Number from the phone book ........ 200
Redialing ........................................ 201
Rejecting/ending a call ................. 200
Temperature
Coolant .......................................... 192
Outside temperature ...................... 193
Setting (climate control )................ 126
Through-loading feature ................... 252
Tire pressure
Checking manually ........................ 309
Display message ............................ 229
Maximum ....................................... 308
Not reached (TIREFIT) .................... 288Note s............................................. 307
Reached (TIREFIT) .......................... 288
Recommended ............................... 305
Tire pressure loss warning system
General notes ................................ 309
Important safety notes .................. 309
Restarting ...................................... 309
TIREFIT kit .......................................... 286
Tires
Aspect ratio (definition) ................. 321
Average weight of the vehicle
occupants (definition) .................... 320
Bar (definition) ............................... 319
Changing a whee l.......................... 322
Characteristics .............................. 319
16Index

Instrument cluster
Displays and controls
FunctionPage
:Speedometer
Speedometer segments193
;Multifunction display195
=Tachometer193
?Coolant temperature192
FunctionPage
AFuel gage
Fuel filler flap location indi-
catoræ: the fuel filler
cap is on the left.
BInstrument cluster lighting192
iInformation on the display of the outside
temperature in the multifunction display
can be found under "Outside temperature
display" ( Ypage 193).
Instrument cluster29
At a glance

Useful information
iThis Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional equip- ment of your vehicle available at the time of
publication of the Operator's Manual.
Country-specific differences are possible.
Please note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all features described. This
also applies to safety-related systems and
functions.
iRead the information on qualified special-
ist workshops ( Ypage 24).
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you operate information systems and com-
munication equipment integrated in the vehi-
cle while driving, you will be distracted from
traffic conditions. You could also lose controlof the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Only operate the equipment when the traffic
situation permits. If you are not sure that this
is possible, park the vehicle paying attention
to traffic conditions and operate the equip-
ment when the vehicle is stationary.
You must observe the legal requirements for
the country in which you are currently driving when operating the on-board computer.
GWARNING
If the instrument cluster has failed or mal-
functioned, you may not recognize function
restrictions in systems relevant to safety. The operating safety of your vehicle may be
impaired. There is a risk of an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have the vehicle checked
at a qualified specialist workshop immedi-ately.
The on-board computer only shows messages
or warnings from certain systems in the mul- tifunction display. You should therefore make sure your vehicle is operating safely at all
times.
If the operating safety of your vehicle is
impaired, pull over as soon as it is safe to do
so. Contact a qualified specialist workshop.
For an overview, see the instrument panel
illustration (
Ypage 29).
Displays and operation
Instrument cluster lighting
The light sensor in the instrument cluster
automatically controls the brightness of the
multifunction display. In daylight, the displays
in the instrument cluster are not illuminated.
The lighting in the instrument cluster, in the
displays and the controls in the vehicle inte-
rior can be adjusted using the brightness con- trol knob.
The brightness control knob is located on the
bottom left of the instrument cluster ( Y page 29).
X Turn the brightness control knob clockwise
or counter-clockwise.
If the light switch is set to Ã,T or
L , the brightness is dependent upon
the brightness of the ambient light.
Coolant temperature display
GWARNING
Opening the hood when the engine is over-
heated or when there is a fire in the engine
compartment could expose you to hot gases
or other service products. There is a risk of
injury.
Let an overheated engine cool down before
opening the hood. If there is a fire in the
engine compartment, keep the hood closed
and contact the fire department.
!A display message is shown if the coolant
temperature is too high.
192Displays and operation
On-board computer and displays

If the coolant temperature is over 248 ‡
(120 †), do not continue driving. The
engine will otherwise be damaged.
The coolant temperature gage is in the instru- ment cluster on the right-hand side( Y page 29).
Under normal operating conditions and with
the specified coolant level, the coolant tem-
perature may rise to 248 ‡ (120 †).
Tachometer
!
Do not drive in the overrevving range, as
this could damage the engine.
The red band in the tachometer indicates the engine's overrevving range.
The engine is limited within a range to protect
the engine when the red band is reached.
Outside temperature display
You should pay special attention to road con- ditions when temperatures are around freez-
ing point.
Bear in mind that the outside temperature
display indicates the temperature measured
and does not record the road temperature.
The outside temperature display is in the mul-
tifunction display ( Ypage 195).
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Speedometer with segments
The speedometer is divided into segments
only on vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS.
The segments in the speedometer indicate
which speed range is available.
R DISTRONIC PLUS activated ( Ypage 163):
One or two segments in the set speed
range light up.
R DISTRONIC PLUS detects a vehicle in front
that is driving at a slower speed than the
stored speed: The segments between the speed of the
vehicle in front and the stored speed lightup.
Operating the on-board computer
:Multifunction display
;Right control panel
=Left control panel
X To activate the on-board computer: turn
the SmartKey to position 1in the ignition
lock.
You can control the multifunction display and
the settings in the on-board computer using
the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel.
Displays and operation193
On-board computer and displays
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
b
Active Headlamps
Inoperative
The light sensor is defective.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
b
Switch Off Lights
The lights are still switched on when you leave the vehicle. A
warning tone also sounds.
X Turn the light switch to Ã.
Engine
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and MSolutions
+
Check Coolant
Level See OperaZ
tor's Manual
The coolant level is too low.
!Avoid making long journeys with too little coolant in the engine
cooling system. The engine will otherwise be damaged.
X Add coolant, observing the warning notes before doing so (Y page 273).
X If coolant needs to be added more often than usual, have the
engine coolant system checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
?The fan motor is faulty. XAt coolant temperatures below 248 ‡ (120 †), drive to the
nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid subjecting the engine to heavy loads, e.g. driving in moun-
tainous terrain, and stop-and-go traffic.
222Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
?
Coolant Too Hot
Stop Vehicle Turn
Engine Off
The coolant is too hot.
A warning tone also sounds.
GWARNING
Do not drive when your engine is overheated. This can cause some
fluids which may have leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire.
Steam from the overheated engine can also cause serious burns
which can occur just by opening the hood.
There is a risk of injury. X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Ypage 152).
X Wait until the engine has cooled down.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by snow, slush or ice.
X Do not start the engine again until the display message goes out
and the coolant temperature is below 248 ‡ (120 †). Other-
wise, the engine could be damaged.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature display.
X If the temperature increases again, visit a qualified specialist
workshop immediately.
Under normal operating conditions and with the specified coolant
level, the coolant temperature may rise to 248 ‡ (120 †).
#
SeeOperator'sManZ
ual
The battery is not being charged.
A warning tone also sounds.
Possible causes are: R a defective alternator
R a torn poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronics
!Do not continue driving. The engine could otherwise overheat.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Ypage 152).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Display messages223
On-board computer and displays
Z

Engine
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
;
The yellow Check
Engine warning lamp
lights up while the
engine is running.There may be a malfunction, for example:
R in the engine management
R in the fuel injection system
R in the exhaust system
R in the ignition system
R in the fuel system
The emission limit values may be exceeded and the engine may be
in emergency mode.
X Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop.
iIn some states, you must immediately visit a qualified special-
ist workshop as soon as the yellow Check Engine warning lamp
lights up. This is due to the legal requirements in effect in these
states. If in doubt, check whether such legal regulations apply in the state in which you are currently driving.
æ
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp lights up
while the engine is run-
ning.The fuel level has dropped into the reserve range.
X Refuel at the nearest gas station.
æ
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp flashes
while the vehicle is in
motion.
In addition, the ;
Check Engine warning
lamp may light up.The fuel system pressure is too low. The fuel filler cap is not closed
correctly or the fuel system is leaking.
X Check that the fuel filler cap is correctly closed.
X If the fuel filler cap is not correctly closed: close the fuel filler
cap.
X If the fuel filler cap is closed: visit a qualified specialist work-
shop.
?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the engine is running
and the coolant tem-
perature gauge is at the start of the scale.The temperature sensor for the coolant temperature gauge is
defective.
The coolant temperature is no longer being monitored. There is arisk of engine damage if the coolant temperature is too high.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue
driving under any circumstances.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Ypage 152).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
244Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays