2009 Mercedes-benz GL Class Owners Manual

Closing when a door window is blocked G Warning! Make sure that nobody can become trapped and be seriously or even fatally injured when closing a door window with greater force or without automatic reversal function.

If the upward movement of a door window is blocked during the closing procedure, the door window will stop and open slightly. However, the door window will exert greater force before reversing than when the door window is closed in express operation. Please exercise caution! X Immediately after the door window has

stopped because it was blocked, pull the respective switch upwards until the door window is fully closed.

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If the door window is blocked again and opens slightly: X Immediately after the door window was

blocked, pull the respective switch upwards until the door window is fully closed. G Warning! Pressing and holding the switch to close the door window immediately after it had been blocked two times will cause the door window to close without any reversal function for as long as you hold the switch.

Hinged quarter windows X Switch on the ignition. X Opening: Press switch 5 and release.

Both hinged quarter windows open completely.

X Closing: Pull switch 5 and release. Both hinged quarter windows close completely.

i When the obstruction sensor detects that a hinged quarter windows is blocked during

the closing process, they will stop and open slightly.

X Halting closing process: Press or pull switch 5 once more during the closing process. The hinged quarter windows will stop and open completely.

i For your safety, the hinged quarter

windows cannot be opened again until 4 seconds have passed.

Synchronizing door windows The door windows must be synchronized after the battery has been disconnected or if the door windows cannot be fully closed (express operation). Each door window must be synchronized separately. X Close all doors. X Switch on the ignition. X Pull and hold switch 1, 2, 3 or 4
(Y page 125) until the respective door window is closed. The door window opens again slightly.

X Pull and hold the respective switch once

more immediately until the door window is completely closed.

X Hold the respective switch for

approximately 1 second. The door window is synchronized.

sliding sunroof have reached the desired position. The vehicle unlocks.

X Release button k on the SmartKey to

interrupt the opening procedure.

Summer opening feature If the weather is warm, you can ventilate the vehicle before driving off by simultaneously: Ropening the door windows Ropening the hinged quarter windows Ropening the tilt/sliding sunroof Rswitching on the seat ventilation for the

driver’s seat

The “Summer opening” feature can only be activated via the remote control of the SmartKey. The SmartKey must be in close proximity to the driver’s outside door handle. X Aim transmitter eye of the SmartKey at the

driver’s outside door handle.

X Press and hold button k on the

SmartKey until the windows and the tilt/

Convenience closing feature When locking the vehicle, you can simultaneously close Rthe door windows Rthe hinged quarter windows Rthe tilt/sliding sunroof G Warning! When closing the windows and the tilt/ sliding sunroof, make sure there is no danger of anyone being harmed by the closing procedure. If potential danger exists, proceed as follows: RRelease button j to stop the closing

procedure. To open, press and hold button k. To continue the closing procedure after making sure that there is no danger of anyone being harmed by the

Controls in detail

Power windows closing procedure, press and hold button j.

Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: RRelease the lock button on the outside

door handle to stop the closing procedure.

RImmediately pull on the same outside

door handle and hold firmly. The windows and the tilt/sliding sunroof will open for as long as the door handle is held but the door not opened.

With SmartKey The SmartKey must be in close proximity to the driver’s outside door handle. X Aim transmitter eye of the SmartKey at the

driver’s outside door handle.

X Press and hold button j on the

SmartKey until the windows and the tilt/ sliding sunroof are completely closed. The vehicle locks.

X Release button j on the SmartKey to

interrupt the closing procedure.

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Controls in detail

Driving and parking With KEYLESS-GO The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be located outside the vehicle within approximately 3 ft (1 m) of a door. X Close all doors. X Press and hold the lock button on an

outside door handle (Y page 87) until the door windows and the tilt/sliding sunroof are completely closed.

X Release the lock button on the outside door handle to interrupt the closing procedure.

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Starting the engine G Warning! Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause unconsciousness and possible death. Do not run the engine in confined areas (such as a garage) which are not properly ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas fumes are entering the vehicle while driving, have the cause determined and corrected immediately. If you must drive under these conditions, drive only with at least one window fully open at all times.

Driving and parking Safety notes G Warning! Make sure absolutely no objects are obstructing the pedals’ range of movement. Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all obstacles. If there are any floormats or carpets in the footwell, make sure the pedals still have sufficient clearance. During sudden driving or braking maneuvers the objects could get caught between the pedals. You could then no longer brake or accelerate. This could lead to accidents and injury. G Warning! With the engine not running, there is no power assistance for the brake and steering systems. In this case, it is important to keep in mind that a considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to brake and steer the vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.

Automatic transmission

Gearshift pattern for automatic transmission 1 Button for selecting park position P Á Park position  Reverse gear À Neutral position ¿ Drive position For more information on how to operate the gear selector lever, see “Automatic transmission” (Y page 135). X Make sure the automatic transmission is in

park position P. The transmission position indicator in the multifunction display should be on P (Y page 137).

With SmartKey X Do not depress the accelerator pedal. X Gasoline engine: Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 3 (Y page 95) and release it. The engine starts automatically.

X Diesel engine: Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 2 (Y page 95). Preglow indicator lamp q in the instrument cluster comes on.

X As soon as preglow indicator lamp q goes out, turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 3 and release it. The engine starts automatically.

i If the engine is at operating temperature, preglow indicator lamp q may not stay on and you can start the engine without preglowing.

With KEYLESS-GO G Warning! As long as the SmartKey is in your vehicle, the vehicle can be started. Therefore, never leave children unattended in the vehicle, as

Controls in detail

Driving and parking they could otherwise accidentally start the engine. When leaving the vehicle, always take the SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised access to a vehicle could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury. You can start your vehicle without the SmartKey in the starter switch using the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in the starter switch. The SmartKey must be located in the vehicle.

KEYLESS-GO start/stop button 1 USA only 2 Canada only

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Controls in detail

Driving and parking X Make sure the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button is inserted in the starter switch.

i If you wish to start the engine with the

SmartKey instead of the KEYLESS-GO function, remove the KEYLESS-GO start/ stop button from the starter switch and proceed as described in “With SmartKey” (Y page 129).

X Depress the brake pedal during the starting

procedure.

X Do not depress the accelerator pedal. X Gasoline engine: Press the KEYLESS-GO

start/stop button once. The engine starts automatically.

X Diesel engine: Press the KEYLESS-GO

start/stop button once. The engine preglows and starts automatically.

i If the engine is at operating temperature,

the time the engine needs to preglow is reduced.

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Starting difficulties ! Remember that extended starting

attempts can drain the battery.

The engine does not start. You can hear the starter. There could be a malfunction in the engine electronics or in the fuel supply system. Carry out the following steps: X If you are starting the engine with the

SmartKey: Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 0 and repeat the starting procedure.

X If you are starting the engine with KEYLESS- GO: Close any doors that may be open to allow for better detection of the SmartKey.

or X Remove the KEYLESS-GO start/stop

button from the starter switch.

X Start the engine with the SmartKey as radio

signals from another source may be interfering with the KEYLESS-GO function.

X Repeat the starting procedure.

If the engine does not start after several starting attempts: X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz

Center or call Roadside Assistance.

The engine does not start. You cannot hear the starter. The battery may not be sufficiently charged. X Get a jump start (Y page 410). If the engine will not start despite a jump start: X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz

Center or call Roadside Assistance.

The starter has been exposed to excessive temperatures. X Let the starter cool for about two minutes. X Repeat the starting procedure. If the engine does not start after several starting attempts: X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz

Center or call Roadside Assistance.

Driving off G Warning! On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent this type of loss of control.

! Do not run cold engine at high engine speeds. Running a cold engine at high engine speeds may shorten the service life of the engine. This is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

! If you hear a warning signal and the message Release Parking Brake appears in the multifunction display when driving off, you have forgotten to release the parking brake. Release the parking brake.

! Avoid spinning of a drive wheel. This may

cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

! Simultaneously depressing the

accelerator pedal and applying the brakes reduces engine performance and causes

premature brake and drivetrain wear which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

i Once the vehicle is in motion, the

automatic central locking system engages and the locking knobs in the doors move down. The automatic door lock feature can be deactivated (Y page 163).

Automatic transmission G Warning! It is dangerous to shift the automatic transmission out of park position P or neutral position N if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

! Only shift the automatic transmission into reverse gear R or park position P when the

Controls in detail

Driving and parking

vehicle is stopped. Otherwise the automatic transmission could be damaged.

X Depress the brake pedal.

The gear selector lever can now be used. X Shift the automatic transmission into drive

position D or reverse gear R.

i Shifting the automatic transmission out of

park position P is only possible with the brake pedal depressed. Without the brake pedal depressed, the gear selector lever can be moved up or down, but the parking pawl remains engaged, not allowing shifting to occur.

X Wait for the gear selection process to complete before setting the vehicle in motion.

X Release the brake pedal. X If engaged, release the parking brake. X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal. After a cold start, the automatic transmission shifts at a higher engine revolution. This allows the catalytic converter (gasoline engine) or the oxidation catalyst (diesel engine) to reach its operating temperature earlier.

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Controls in detail

Driving and parking For more information on driving, see “Driving instructions” (Y page 299). For information on off-road driving, see “Off- road driving” (Y page 303).

Problems while driving

The engine runs erratically and misfires RGasoline engine: An ignition cable may

be damaged.

RThe engine electronics may not be

operating properly.

RGasoline engine: Unburned gasoline may have entered the catalytic converter and damaged it.

X Give very little gas. X Have the problem checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

The coolant temperature is above 248‡ (120†) The coolant is too hot and is no longer cooling the engine.

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X Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon

as possible.

X Turn off the engine immediately. X Allow the engine and coolant to cool off. X Check the coolant level and add coolant if

necessary (Y page 271).

In case of accident If the vehicle is leaking fuel: X Do not start the engine under any

circumstances.

X Exit the vehicle at a safe distance from the

roadway.

X Notify local fire and/or police authorities. If the extent of the damage cannot be determined: X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz

Center or call Roadside Assistance. If no damage on major assemblies, fuel system, and engine mount can be determined: X Start the engine in the usual manner.

Parking G Warning! Do not park this vehicle in areas where combustible materials such as grass, hay or leaves can come into contact with the hot exhaust system, as these materials could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire. To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, or damage to the vehicle or the vehicle drivetrain, as a result of vehicle movement, always do the following before turning off the engine and leaving the vehicle: RKeep right foot on the brake pedal. REngage the parking brake. RShift the automatic transmission into

park position P.

RSlowly release the brake pedal. RWhen parked on an incline, always turn the front wheels towards the road curb. RTurn the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 0 and remove the SmartKey

from the starter switch, or press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button.

RTake the SmartKey with you and lock the

vehicle when leaving.

Parking brake G Warning! Engaging the parking brake while the vehicle is in motion can cause the rear wheels to lock up. You could lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. In addition, the vehicle’s brake lights do not light up when the parking brake is engaged. G Warning! When leaving the vehicle, always remove the SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could release the parking brake and/or shift the automatic transmission out of park position P, either of which could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

1 Release handle 2 Parking brake pedal X Releasing: Pull on release handle 1. When the ignition is switched on or the engine is running, the brake warning lamp ; (USA only) or 3 (Canada only) in the instrument cluster goes out. X Engaging: Step firmly on parking brake

pedal 2. When the engine is running, the brake warning lamp ; (USA only) or 3
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster comes on.

Controls in detail

Driving and parking

Turning off the engine G Warning! Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle has come to a complete stop. With the engine not running, there is no power assistance for the brake and steering systems. In this case, it is important to keep in mind that a considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to brake and steer the vehicle.

i If the engine cannot be turned off as

described, see “Emergency engine shutdown” (Y page 417).

X Shift the automatic transmission into park

position P.

X Engage the parking brake.

i Always engage the parking brake in

addition to shifting the automatic transmission into park position P. When parked on an incline, also turn the front wheels towards the road curb.

i Observe instructions if you want the automatic transmission to remain in

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If you have started the engine with the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and cannot turn it off as described above: X Remove the KEYLESS-GO start/stop

button from the starter switch.

X Insert the SmartKey into the starter switch. The engine turns off. The starter switch is in position 0 (Y page 95).

Controls in detail

Driving and parking

neutral position N, see “Remaining in neutral position N” (Y page 136).

With SmartKey X Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to

position 0.

X Remove the SmartKey from the starter

switch. The immobilizer is activated.

If you turn off the engine using the SmartKey, and remove the SmartKey from the starter switch or open a front door, the automatic transmission will shift into park position P automatically. G Warning! Keep in mind that turning off the engine alone only will shift the automatic transmission into neutral position N automatically. Always shift the automatic transmission into park position P before turning off the engine. Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

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With KEYLESS-GO X Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button. With the driver’s door closed, the starter switch is now in position 1. With the driver’s door opened, the starter switch is set to position 0, same as the SmartKey removed from the starter switch (Y page 95).

If you turn off the engine using the KEYLESS- GO start/stop button and open a front door, the automatic transmission will shift into park position P automatically. G Warning! Keep in mind that turning off the engine alone only will shift the automatic transmission into neutral position N automatically. Always shift the automatic transmission into park position P before turning off the engine. Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

i In an emergency you can turn off the

engine while driving by pressing and holding the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button for approximately 3 seconds.

Automatic transmission Introduction For information on driving with an automatic transmission, see “Driving and parking” (Y page 128). G Warning! Make sure absolutely no objects are obstructing the pedals’ range of movement. Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all obstacles. If there are any floormats or carpets in the footwell, make sure the pedals still have sufficient clearance. During sudden driving or braking maneuvers the objects could get caught between the pedals. You could then no longer brake or accelerate. This could lead to accidents and injury.

! Allow engine to warm up under low load use. Do not place full load on the engine until the operating temperature has been reached. Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an extended period when driving off on slippery road surfaces. This may cause serious damage to the engine and the drivetrain which is not

covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

i During the brief warm-up, transmission

upshifting is delayed. This allows the catalytic converter (gasoline engine) or oxidation catalyst (diesel engine) to heat up more quickly to operating temperature.

Gear selector lever

Gearshift pattern for automatic transmission 1 Button for selecting park position P Á Park position  Reverse gear À Neutral position ¿ Drive position

Controls in detail

Automatic transmission

G Warning! It is dangerous to shift the automatic transmission out of park position P or neutral position N if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

! Only shift the automatic transmission into reverse gear R or park position P when the vehicle is stopped. Otherwise the automatic transmission could be damaged.

! The vehicle must be stopped when you

shift the automatic transmission Rdirectly between drive position D and

reverse gear R

Rdirectly between reverse gear R and

drive position D

Rdirectly into park position P Otherwise the automatic transmission could be damaged.

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Controls in detail

Automatic transmission When trying to free a vehicle stuck in mud or snow, see “Rocking the vehicle” (Y page 139). i Shifting the automatic transmission out of

park position P is only possible with the brake pedal depressed. Without the brake pedal depressed, the gear selector lever can be moved up or down, but the parking pawl remains engaged, not allowing shifting to occur.

i The gear selector lever always returns to

its original position. The current transmission position P, R, N, or D appears in the multifunction display (Y page 137).

Shifting into park position P X With the vehicle at a standstill, press button 1 on the gear selector lever to select park position P.

SmartKey: When you turn off the engine using the SmartKey, and remove the SmartKey from the starter switch or open a front door, the automatic transmission will shift into park position P automatically. KEYLESS-GO: When you turn off the engine using the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and 136

open a front door, the automatic transmission will shift into park position P automatically. G Warning! Keep in mind that turning off the engine alone only will shift the automatic transmission into neutral position N automatically. Always shift the automatic transmission into park position P before turning off the engine. Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

i Moving the gear selector lever up or down

shifts the automatic transmission out of park position P.

Shifting into neutral position N X With the vehicle at a standstill, depress the

brake pedal and move the gear selector lever up or down to the resistance point to select neutral position N.

When you turn off the engine, the automatic transmission will shift into neutral position N automatically.

SmartKey: Removing the SmartKey from the starter switch or opening a front door after turning off the engine will shift the automatic transmission into park position P automatically. KEYLESS-GO: Opening a front door after turning off the engine will shift the automatic transmission into park position P automatically. Remaining in neutral position N If you want the automatic transmission to remain in neutral position N, e.g. when taking the vehicle through an automatic conveyor- type car wash, observe the following instructions: G Warning! When leaving the SmartKey in the starter switch, do not leave children unattended in the vehicle. It is possible for children to switch on the ignition which could result in unsupervised use of vehicle equipment. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

With SmartKey: X Make sure the ignition is switched on. X With the vehicle at a standstill, depress the

brake pedal and keep it pressed.

X Shift the automatic transmission into

neutral position N.

X Release the brake pedal. X If engaged, release the parking brake. X Switch off the ignition and leave the

SmartKey in the starter switch.

With KEYLESS-GO: X Make sure the ignition is switched on. X With the vehicle at a standstill, depress the

brake pedal and keep it pressed.

X Shift the automatic transmission into park

position P.

X Release the brake pedal. X Remove the KEYLESS-GO start/stop

button from the starter switch.

X Insert the SmartKey into the starter switch. X Switch on the ignition. X Depress the brake pedal and keep it

pressed.

X Shift the automatic transmission into

neutral position N.

X Release the brake pedal. X If engaged, release the parking brake. X Switch off the ignition and leave the

SmartKey in the starter switch.

Shifting into reverse gear R X With the vehicle at a standstill, depress the

brake pedal and move the gear selector lever up past the resistance point to select reverse gear R.

Shifting into drive position D X With the vehicle at a standstill, depress the

brake pedal and move the gear selector lever down past the resistance point to select drive position D.

Controls in detail

Automatic transmission

Shifting procedure The automatic transmission selects individual gears automatically, depending on: Rthe selected gear range (Y page 139) Rthe position of the accelerator pedal Rthe vehicle speed With drive position D selected, you can influence transmission shifting by limiting or extending the gear range.

Transmission positions The current transmission position appears in the multifunction display.

1 Transmission position indicator

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Controls in detail

Automatic transmission If the current transmission position does not appear in the multifunction display due to a malfunction, for example, make sure that the automatic transmission is in the desired position: X Shift the automatic transmission into drive

position D.

X Do not limit the gear range. X Drive off carefully.

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Effect

Effect

ì Park position

ë Neutral position

Shift the automatic transmission into park position P only when the vehicle is stopped. The park position is not intended to serve as a brake when the vehicle is parked. Rather, the driver should always engage the parking brake in addition to shifting the automatic transmission into park position P to secure the vehicle. If the vehicle’s electrical system is malfunctioning, the automatic transmission could remain locked in park position P. X Have the vehicle’s electrical system checked as soon as possible at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

í Reverse gear

Shift the automatic transmission into reverse gear R only when the vehicle is stopped.

No power is transmitted from the engine to the drive axle. When the brakes are released, the vehicle can be moved freely (pushed or towed). To avoid damage to the transmission, never shift the automatic transmission into neutral position N while driving. Exception: If the ESP® is deactivated or malfunctioning, shift the automatic transmission into neutral position N if the vehicle is in danger of skidding. ! Coasting the vehicle, or

driving for any other reason with the automatic transmission in neutral position N can result in transmission damage that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

ê Drive position

Effect The automatic transmission shifts automatically. All forward gears are available.

Driving tips

Kickdown Use the kickdown when you want maximum acceleration. X Fully depress the accelerator pedal. Depending on the engine speed the automatic transmission shifts into a lower gear.

Canada vehicles only: X Depress the accelerator pedal past the point of resistance to use the kickdown.

Rocking the vehicle Rocking the vehicle by shifting the automatic transmission directly between drive position D and reverse gear R can help free a vehicle stuck in mud or snow. The engine control system of this vehicle electronically limits

directly shifting the automatic transmission between drive position D and reverse gear R to very low speeds, i.e. approximately 5 mph (9 km/h). To shift the automatic transmission directly between drive position D and reverse gear R, move the gear selector lever past the resistance point up or down.

Working on the vehicle G Warning! When working on the vehicle, engage the parking brake and shift the automatic transmission into park position P. Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

Towing a trailer X When you tow a trailer, shift into a lower

gear range manually if the automatic transmission hunts between gears on inclines. A lower gear range and reduction of speed reduces the potential to overload or to overheat the engine.

For more information on trailer towing, see the “Operation” section (Y page 310).

Controls in detail

Automatic transmission

Gear ranges With the automatic transmission in drive position D, you can limit or extend the gear range, see “One-touch gearshifting” (Y page 140). The current gear range appears in the multifunction display.

1 Gear range indicator

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Controls in detail

Automatic transmission

Effect

è With this selection you can use the

braking effect of the engine.

ç Allows the use of engine’s braking

power when driving Ron steep downgrades Rin mountainous regions Runder extreme operating

conditions

æ For maximum use of engine’s braking effect on very steep or lengthy downgrades.

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One-touch gearshifting With the automatic transmission in drive position D, you can limit or extend the gear range using the steering wheel gearshift contol.

Steering wheel gearshift control 1 Limiting gear range

Downshift (in manual program mode M)

2 Extending gear range

Upshift (in manual program mode M)

i You cannot shift with the steering wheel

gearshift control when the automatic transmission is in park position P, neutral position N, or reverse gear R.

Limiting gear range G Warning! On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent this type of loss of control.

X Briefly pull left gearshift control 1.

The automatic transmission will shift into the next lower gear as permitted by the shift program. This action simultaneously limits the gear range of the automatic transmission.

i To avoid overrevving the engine when

downshifting, the automatic transmission will not shift into a lower gear if the engine’s maximum speed would be exceeded.

Extending gear range X Briefly pull right gearshift control 2.

The automatic transmission will shift into the next higher gear as permitted by the shift program. This action simultaneously extends the gear range of the automatic transmission.

i If you press on the accelerator pedal

when the engine has reached the revolution limit of the current gear range, the automatic transmission will upshift beyond any gear range limit selected.

Canceling gear range limit X Pull and hold right gearshift control 2 until the gear range indicator disappears from the multifunction display. The automatic transmission will shift from the current gear range directly into gear range D.

Shifting into optimal gear range X Pull and hold left gearshift control 1.

The automatic transmission will select the gear range suited for optimal acceleration and deceleration automatically. This will involve shifting down one or more gears.

Emergency operation (limp-home mode) If vehicle acceleration becomes less responsive or sluggish or the automatic transmission no longer shifts, the automatic transmission is most likely operating in limp- home (emergency operation) mode. In this mode only second gear and reverse gear R can be selected. X Stop the vehicle in a safe location. X Shift the automatic transmission into park

position P.

X Turn off the engine. X Wait at least 10 seconds before restarting. X Restart the engine. X Shift the automatic transmission into drive position D (for second gear) or reverse gear R.

X Have the automatic transmission checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

Controls in detail

Transfer case

Transfer case

The vehicle is equipped with all-wheel drive (4MATIC). Both the front and rear axles are powered at all times when the vehicle is being operated. ! Only conduct operational or performance tests on a two-axle dynamometer. If such tests are necessary, contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. You could otherwise seriously damage the brake system or the transfer case which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

! Because the ESP® operates

automatically, the engine and ignition must be shut off (SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or 1 or KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in position 0 or 1) when the parking brake is being tested on a brake test dynamometer. Such testing should be no longer than 10 seconds. Active braking action through the ESP® may otherwise seriously damage the brake system which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

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Controls in detail

Transfer case LOW RANGE mode (Canada only) The LOW RANGE mode is available on vehicles with enhanced off-road package. In the following situations you should switch to the LOW RANGE mode: Rduring off-road driving Rbefore driving through water Rwhen towing up or down on steep gradients With LOW RANGE selected, the engine’s power delivery and the shifting behavior of the automatic transmission are adjusted. Furthermore, the ABS, the ESP®, and the 4-ETS functions especially adapted to off- road travel are activated. For more information on off-road driving, see “Off-road driving” (Y page 303). For information on driving safety systems during LOW RANGE mode, see “Driving safety systems” (Y page 75).

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Gear ranges There are two possible settings. HIGH RANGE

Road position for all normal driving situations. (LOW RANGE mode off)

LOW RANGE

Off-road position for traveling on rough terrain. (LOW RANGE mode on) Also use the off-road position when driving on- road on steep gradients, especially when towing a trailer. LOW RANGE acts by raising the engine’s gear ratio. The vehicle travels at roughly third the speed compared to when in HIGH RANGE position, leading to an increase in the engine’s drive power.

G Warning! Always wait until the procedure of shifting from HIGH RANGE to LOW RANGE – and from LOW RANGE to HIGH RANGE – has

been entirely completed. During this procedure do not turn off the engine or shift the automatic transmission into another gear. If you do not wait until the shifting procedure has been entirely completed then it might not be correctly performed. The transfer case might be in neutral, thus interrupting the transfer of power between the engine and the drive axle. The vehicle is then freely movable, even if a gear has been selected, and could unintentionally be set into motion – particularly on up – or downhill grades. This could lead to an accident and cause injury to yourself and others. Please observe related messages appearing in the multifunction display.

Switching LOW RANGE mode

1 LOW RANGE switch 2 Indicator lamp

3 LOW RANGE indicator

Switching LOW RANGE mode on (switching from HIGH RANGE to LOW RANGE) ! The shifting procedure can only be

performed when the following conditions are met: RThe engine is running. RThe automatic transmission is in neutral

position N.

RThe vehicle speed does not exceed

25 mph (40 km/h).

i There is no reset to HIGH after the ignition

has been switched off.

X Press LOW RANGE switch 1.

Indicator lamp 2 flashes. If the system senses that all conditions are met, it will switch from HIGH RANGE to LOW RANGE. A chime sounds and LOW RANGE indicator 3 appears in the multifunction display. Indicator lamp 2 on LOW RANGE switch 1 comes on continuously, indicating that the LOW RANGE mode has been activated.

Controls in detail

Transfer case i You can cancel the procedure by pressing

the LOW RANGE switch again while the indicator lamp is flashing.

Switching LOW RANGE mode off (switching from LOW RANGE to HIGH RANGE) ! The shifting procedure can only be

performed when the following conditions are met: RThe engine is running. RThe automatic transmission is in neutral

position N.

RThe vehicle speed does not exceed

43 mph (70 km/h).

i There is no reset to LOW after the ignition

has been switched off.

X Press LOW RANGE switch 1.

Indicator lamp 2 flashes. If the system senses that all conditions are met, it will switch from LOW RANGE to HIGH RANGE. A chime sounds and LOW RANGE indicator 3 disappears from the multifunction display.

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Controls in detail

Differential locks (Canada only)

Indicator lamp 2 on LOW RANGE switch 1 goes out, indicating that the LOW RANGE mode has been deactivated.

i You can cancel the procedure by pressing

the LOW RANGE switch again while the indicator lamp is flashing.

For messages in the multifunction display, see the “Practical hints” section (Y page 352).

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Differential locks (Canada only)

Vehicles with enhanced off-road package are equipped with automatic locks for the center and rear axle differential to improve vehicle traction. The center differential compensates for differences in wheel rotation between the front and rear axle. The rear axle differential compensates differences between the rear wheels. i At the front axles, the 4-ETS system

compensates for any traction problems.

For more information on off-road driving, see “Off-road driving” (Y page 303).

A few words about differentials and differential locks When a vehicle negotiates a turn, wheels on the outside of the curve must travel farther and rotate faster than the inside wheels. The differential, the operation of a set of gears that allows the powered wheels in a vehicle to turn at different speeds, makes this essential function possible. The drawback is that the differential also sends most of the engine’s power to the

wheel with the least load or strain on it. For example, if one of a vehicle’s powered wheels sits on a patch of snow and spins because there is no traction, all of the engine’s power will go to that wheel because the power will take the path of least resistance. Meanwhile, the opposite wheel, sitting on dry pavement where it could get enough grip to start the vehicle moving, sits idle because it receives no power. The 4-ETS addresses this problem and provides for good control and steering ability by automatically slowing the slipping wheel and thus increasing the power to the other non-slipping drive wheels to get the vehicle moving. The ESP® and the 4-ETS in this vehicle feature such intelligent limited-slip differential technology, ideally suited for on- road and light off-road driving. Transfer case position LOW (Y page 142) also enhances off- road driving capabilities. More extreme off-road conditions may call for another solution, engaging a differential lock or preventing the differential from operating altogether. This vehicle comes with two differential locks: transfer case (center) and rear. Each can be engaged simply by operating the rotary switch located on the center console (Y page 145). When the transfer case (center) differential is locked,

the combined (or average) speed of the front wheels is identical to the combined rear wheel speed. When the rear differential is locked, both rear wheels turn at the same speed, independent of the individual torque. Please be aware that engaging the differential locks will significantly reduce the steering ability of the vehicle. For your safety and the safety of others and to prevent damage to the vehicle, the differential locks must not be engaged when driving on paved roads. It is important to understand that during on-road/paved driving, differentials are absolutely necessary for providing the essential control and steering ability of the vehicle. The differential locks, therefore, must not be engaged when driving on paved roads and should only be used to the extent necessary to negotiate off- road conditions which cannot be handled by the systems (the 4-ETS, the ESP®, and the transfer case in LOW RANGE mode) this vehicle comes equipped with.

Switching differential locks ! If the differential locks are engaged,

accelerate gently when setting the vehicle in motion. Only operate the vehicle on a single axle dynamometer if the axle not being driven is jacked up or the associated propeller shaft is disconnected. Otherwise the transmission could be damaged.

You can select between three locking modes.

Controls in detail

Differential locks (Canada only)

( Center and rear axle differential are

completely locked

AUTO mode The AUTO mode is adequate for most driving situations since the center differential is locked and released as required. i At speeds up to 19 mph (30 km/h), it is possible to manually lock the differential locks for driving on rough terrain.

X Start the engine.

The center differential lock is in AUTO mode. The indicator lamp on adjustment ring 1 above symbol U is on.

Rotary switch for differential locks 1 Rotatable outer adjustment ring with

indicator lamp

% AUTO mode: center differential is

automatically locked

& Center differential is completely locked

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differences between the individual wheel rotation speeds will not be compensated for.

i The differential locks are reset to AUTO mode after the ignition has been switched off for longer than 10 seconds.

Controls in detail

Differential locks (Canada only) Center and rear axle differential locks G Warning! Never drive on a paved surface with the center and rear axle differential locks manually engaged. Ability to steer the vehicle is greatly reduced when the differential locks are manually engaged, increasing the risk of an accident. For safety reasons, the locks are automatically released at a vehicle speed above 31 mph (50 km/h). Nevertheless, you should only manually lock the differential if absolutely necessary because engaged locks will restrict the vehicle drivetrain while cornering and cause the vehicle to chatter. This could cause you to lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident.

! The differential locks must not be

engaged manually when towing the vehicle or spinning the wheels.

The differential locks should only be engaged manually if traction is insufficient in AUTO mode. The differential locks can be engaged in the sequence &, ( (Y page 145) up to a speed of 19 mph (30 km/h).

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Engage differential locks: Rfor off-road driving Rfor driving through water Rwhen driving on deep snow and icy or

fouled surfaces X Start the engine. X To select the desired locking mode, rotate

adjustment ring 1 to position & or ( (Y page 145). The indicator lamp on adjustment ring 1
at the respective symbol comes on.

A message indicating that the respective differential is completely locked appears in the multifunction display.

Example illustration 5 Center differential completely locked

! If the differential locks have been

manually engaged, the tires will scuff on the road surface when cornering because the

Instrument cluster Introduction For a full view illustration of the instrument cluster, see “Instrument cluster” (Y page 32). G Warning! No messages will be displayed if either the instrument cluster or the multifunction display is inoperative. As a result, you will not be able to see information about your driving conditions, such as speed or outside temperature, warning/indicator lamps, malfunction/ warning messages or the failure of any systems. Driving characteristics may be impaired. If you must continue to drive, please do so with added caution. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

Controls in detail

Instrument cluster For information on changing the instrument cluster settings, e.g. the language, see (Y page 158).

Adjusting the instrument cluster illumination i The instrument cluster illumination is

dimmed or brightened automatically to suit ambient light conditions. The instrument cluster illumination will also be adjusted automatically when you switch on the vehicle’s exterior lamps.

i With the exterior lighting switched on, the

brightness of the switches in the center console will also be adjusted when using button 1 or 3.

X To brighten illumination: Press and hold

button 3 until the desired level of illumination is reached.

X To dim illumination: Press and hold

button 1 until the desired level of illumination is reached.

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1 To dim instrument cluster illumination 2 Reset button 3 To brighten instrument cluster

illumination

Activating the instrument cluster The instrument cluster is activated when you Ropen a front door Rswitch on the ignition Rpress reset button 2
Rswitch on the exterior lamps

i Opening a front door or pressing the reset button without switching on the ignition or the exterior lamps activates the instrument cluster illumination only for 30 seconds.

Multifunction steering wheel The displays in the multifunction display and the settings in the control system are controlled by the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel.

Controls in detail

Control system Resetting trip odometer X Make sure you are viewing the standard display (Y page 152) in the multifunction display.

X Press and hold the reset button in the

instrument cluster (Y page 147) until the trip odometer is reset.

Tachometer The red marking on the tachometer (Y page 35) denotes excessive engine speed. ! Avoid driving at excessive engine speeds, as it may result in serious engine damage that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

To help protect the engine, the fuel supply is interrupted if the engine is operated within the red marking.

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Control system Introduction The control system is activated as soon as the starter switch is in position 1 (Y page 95). The control system enables you to call up information about your vehicle and to change vehicle settings. For example, you can use the control system to find out when your vehicle is next due for maintenance service, to set the language for messages in the instrument cluster display, and much more. G Warning! 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, selecting 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. The control system relays information to the multifunction display.

1 Multifunction display

2 Press button

s to take a call

to dial6
to redial6

t to end a call

to reject an incoming call

Press button æ ç

to select submenus in the Settings menu to set values to set the volume

Press button ! to turn Voice Control System on7, see separate operating instructions

3 Press button

to select next or previous menu

è ÿ

Press button briefly

to move within a menu Within Audio/DVD menu to select previous or next track, scene or stored station. Within Telephone menu to switch to the phone book and select a name or number.

Press and hold button

Within Audio/DVD menu to select previous or next track with quick search or to select previous or next station in station list or wave band. Within Telephone menu to start the quick search in the phone book.

Press button 0 to turn Voice Control System off7, see separate operating instructions

6 Function only available in telephone menu. 7 Vehicles without Voice Control System: Button without function.

Controls in detail

Control system Depending on the selected menu, pressing the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel will alter what appears in the multifunction display. The information available in the multifunction display is arranged in menus and accompanying functions and submenus. The individual functions are then found within the relevant menu (radio or CD operations under Audio/DVD menu, for example). These functions serve to call up relevant information or to customize the settings for your vehicle. It is helpful to think of the menus, and the functions within each menu, as being arranged in a circular pattern. X Press button è or ÿ repeatedly to

pass through each menu one after the other.

X Press button k or j repeatedly to pass through each function display, one after the other, in the current menu.

In the Settings menu, instead of functions, you will find a number of submenus for calling up and changing settings. For instructions on

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Controls in detail

Control system using these submenus, see “Settings menu” (Y page 157). The number of menus available in the system depends on which optional equipment is installed in your vehicle.

Multifunction display

2 Main odometer 3 Transmission position/gear range

indicator

4 Outside temperature or digital

speedometer

For more information on menus displayed in the multifunction display, see “Menus and submenus” (Y page 151).

1 Trip odometer

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Menus and submenus

Controls in detail

Control system

151

Controls in detail

Control system i The headings used in the menus table are designed to facilitate navigation within the system and are not necessarily identical to those shown in the multifunction display. The first function displayed in each menu will automatically show you which part of the system you are in.

Function

1 Standard display menu

(Y page 152)

2 Audio/DVD menu (Y page 153) 3 Navigation menu (Y page 155) 4 Off-road menu (Y page 155) 5 Distronic menu (Y page 156) 6 Vehicle status message memory8

menu (Y page 156)

7 Settings menu (Y page 157) 8 Vehicle configuration menu

(Y page 164)

Function

9 Trip computer menu (Y page 165) a Telephone menu (Y page 167)

Standard display menu In the standard display, the main odometer and the trip odometer appear in the multifunction display.

Standard display 1 Trip odometer 2 Main odometer X If you see another display, press button

è or ÿ repeatedly until the standard display appears.

X Press button j or k to select the functions in the Standard display menu.

The following functions are available: RChecking tire inflation pressure

(Y page 281)

RChecking coolant temperature

(Y page 152)

RCalling up digital speedometer or outside

temperature (Y page 153)

RCalling up maintenance service indicator

display (Y page 317)

Checking coolant temperature G Warning! 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. Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from other traffic. Turn off the engine, get

8 The vehicle status message memory menu is only displayed if there is a message stored. 152

out of the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle until the engine has cooled down.

X Press button j or k repeatedly until

the coolant temperature appears in the multifunction display.

During severe operating conditions, e.g. stop- and-go traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to 248‡ (120†). ! Excessive coolant temperature triggers a

warning in the multifunction display. The engine should not be operated with a coolant temperature above 248‡ (120†). Doing so may cause serious engine damage which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

Calling up digital speedometer or outside temperature You can select whether the digital speedometer or the outside temperature appears in the multifunction display (Y page 159). G Warning! The outside temperature indicator is not designed to serve as an ice-warning device and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose. Indicated temperatures just above the freezing point do not guarantee that the road surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy, especially in wooded areas or on bridges.

X Press button j or k repeatedly until

the digital speedometer or the outside temperature appears in the multifunction display.

Controls in detail

Control system

Digital speedometer

Outside temperature

Audio/DVD menu The functions in the Audio/DVD menu operate the audio or video equipment which you have currently turned on. If no audio equipment is currently turned on, the message AUDIO Off appears in the multifunction display.

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Controls in detail

Control system The following functions are available: RSelecting radio station (Y page 154) ROperating audio devices/audio media

(Y page 154)

ROperating video DVD (Y page 155)

Selecting radio station The HD-radio with SIRIUS satellite radio is treated as a radio application. For more information on HD-radio with SIRIUS satellite radio, refer to separate COMAND system operating instructions. Additional optional satellite radio equipment and a subscription to satellite radio service provider are required for satellite radio operation. Contact an authorized Mercedes- Benz Center for details and availability for your vehicle. X Turn on the COMAND system and select radio. Refer to separate COMAND system operating instructions.

X Press button è or ÿ repeatedly until the currently tuned station appears in the multifunction display.

154

Operating audio devices/audio media X Turn on the COMAND system and select the audio device or audio media. Refer to separate COMAND system operating instructions.

X Press button è or ÿ repeatedly until

the Audio/DVD menu appears in the multifunction display.

Example illustration 1 Disc number 2 Current track X Selecting previous or next track: Press

button k or j briefly.

X Selecting a track from the track list (quick search): Press and hold button k or j.

The current track does not appear during Audio AUX mode operation.

Example illustration 1 Wave band setting and stored memory

position

2 Station frequency X Select next or previous stored station:

Press k or j briefly to select a stored station.

X Select next or previous station in the

station list: Press and hold k or j to select a station.

X Select next or previous station in wave

band (Only if no station list is available): Press and hold k or j to select a station.

You can only store new stations using the corresponding feature on the radio. Refer to separate COMAND system operating instructions. You can also operate the radio in the usual manner.

Operating video DVD X Turn on the COMAND system and select DVD-Video. Refer to separate COMAND system operating instructions.

X Press button è or ÿ repeatedly until

the Audio/DVD menu appears in the multifunction display.

1 Disc number 2 Current scene X Press button k or j to select a

scene.

Navigation menu The Navigation menu contains the functions needed to operate your navigation system. X Press button è or ÿ repeatedly until

the Navigation menu appears in the multifunction display. The message shown in the multifunction display depends on the status of the navigation system: RWith the COMAND system switched off,

the message NAV off appears in the multifunction display.

RWith the COMAND system switched on

but route guidance not activated, the direction of travel and, if applicable, the name of the street currently traveled on appear in the multifunction display.

RWith the COMAND system switched on

and route guidance activated, the direction of travel and maneuver instructions appear in the multifunction display.

Please refer to the COMAND system operating instructions for instructions on how to activate the route guidance system.

Controls in detail

Control system

Off-road menu The Off-road menu displays the messages for air suspension, differential locks and the direction into which you are currently driving. X Press button è or · repeatedly until one of the following messages appears in the multifunction display. Vehicles with air suspension:

Vehicles with air suspension and differential locks:

For information on air suspension, see “Air suspension program” (Y page 185). For information on differential locks, see “Differential locks” (Y page 144).

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Controls in detail

Control system For information on the compass, see “Vehicle submenu” (Y page 163) and “Compass” (Y page 260).

Distronic menu Use the Distronic menu to display the current settings for your Distronic system. The information shown in the multifunction display depends on whether the Distronic system is activated or deactivated. Please refer to the “Driving systems” section of this manual (Y page 172) for instructions on how to activate Distronic.

Vehicle status message memory menu Use the Vehicle status message memory menu to scan malfunction and warning messages that may be stored in the memory. Such messages appear in the multifunction display and are based on conditions or system status the vehicle’s system has recorded. The Vehicle status message memory menu only appears if messages have been stored.

156

G Warning! Malfunction and warning messages are only indicated for certain systems and are intentionally not very detailed. The malfunction and warning messages are simply a reminder with respect to the operation of certain systems. They do not replace the owner’s and/or driver’s responsibility to maintain the vehicle’s operating safety. Have all required maintenance and safety checks performed on the vehicle. Bring the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center to address the malfunction and warning messages.

X Press button è or ÿ repeatedly until

the Vehicle status message memory menu appears in the multifunction display. If conditions have occurred causing status messages to be recorded, the number of messages appears in the multifunction display:

X Press button j or k.

The stored messages will now be displayed in the order in which they have occurred. For malfunction and warning messages, see “Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display” (Y page 330). i After you have scrolled through all recorded status messages, the first recorded message appears again.

Should the vehicle’s system record any conditions while driving, the number of messages will reappear in the multifunction display when the SmartKey in the starter switch is turned to position 0 or removed from the starter switch. With KEYLESS-GO, the number of messages will reappear when you turn off the engine by pressing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and open the driver’s door.

Except for high-priority messages, the vehicle status message memory will be cleared when you switch off the ignition.

Settings menu

Introduction In the Settings menu there are two functions: The function To reset, press reset button for 3 seconds, with which you can reset all the settings to the original factory settings and a collection of submenus with which you can make individual settings for your vehicle. The following settings and submenus are available in the Settings menu: RResetting to factory settings (Y page 157) RSubmenus in the Settings menu

(Y page 158)

RInstrument cluster submenu (Y page 158) RTime/Date submenu (Y page 160) RLighting submenu (Y page 160) RVehicle submenu (Y page 163) RComfort submenu (Y page 163)

Resetting to factory settings You can reset the functions of all submenus to the factory settings. For safety reasons, the function Lamp Circuit Headlamp in the Lighting submenu cannot be reset while driving. The following message appears in the multifunction display: Settings Cannot be completely reset to factory settings while driving. X Press button è or ÿ repeatedly until

the Settings menu appears in the multifunction display.

Controls in detail

Control system

X Press the reset button in the instrument

cluster for approximately 3 seconds. The request to press the reset button once more to confirm appears in the multifunction display.

X Press the reset button once more.

The functions of all the submenus will be reset to factory settings.

The settings you have changed will not be reset unless you confirm the action by pressing the reset button a second time. After approximately 5 seconds, the Settings menu reappears in the multifunction display.

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Controls in detail

Control system Submenus in the Settings menu X Press button è or ÿ repeatedly until

the Settings menu appears in the multifunction display.

X Press button j.

The collection of the submenus appears in the multifunction display. There are more submenus than can be simultaneously displayed.

X Press button ç.

The selection marker moves to the next submenu.

X Scroll down with button ç, scroll up

with button æ.

X With the selection marker on the desired submenu, use button j to access the individual functions within that submenu.

X Once within the submenu, use button

j to move to the next function or button

158

k to move to the previous function within that submenu.

X Use button æ or ç to change the

settings of the respective function.

The following lists show what settings can be changed within the various menus. Detailed instructions on making individual settings can be found on the following pages. Instrument cluster submenu RSelecting speedometer display mode

(Y page 159)

RSelecting language (Y page 159)