MERCEDES-BENZ CL-Class 2008 C216 Comand Manual
Page 301 of 769
300 Control systemsInstrument cluster control systemCalling up vehicle malfunction, warning 
and system status messages stored in 
memory
Use the vehicle status message memory 
menu to scan malfunction and warning 
messages that may be stored in the sys-
tem. Such messages appear in the multi-
function display and are based on 
conditions or system status the vehicle’s 
system has recorded.
The vehicle status message memory menu 
only appears if there are any messages 
stored.
Press ( or & to select the 
“Service” menu.
If conditions have occurred causing 
status messages to be recorded, the 
number of messages appears in the 
multifunction display: “2 messages”.
Press % or $ to select the mes-
sage.
Press # to confirm.Checking tire inflation pressure
For information about checking tire infla-
tion pressure (
page 572).
Calling up the maintenance service in-
dicator display
For information about calling up the main-
tenance service indicator display 
(
page 592).
Checking engine oil level (CL 600 and 
CL 65 AMG)
For information about checking engine oil 
level (
page 555).
Warning!
G
Malfunction and warning messages are only 
indicated for certain systems and are inten-
tionally not very detailed. The malfunction 
and warning messages are simply a remind-
er with respect to the operation of certain 
systems and do not replace the owner’s 
and/or driver’s responsibility to maintain 
the vehicle’s operating safety by having all 
required maintenance and safety checks
performed on the vehicle and by bringing 
the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center to address the malfunction and 
warning messages (
page 622).
i
See the “Practical hints” section for mal-
function and warning messages (
page 622).
i
If you turn the SmartKey in the starter 
switch to position0 and then back to position2, 
all messages will be deleted from the message 
memory. 
Page 302 of 769
301 Control systems
Instrument cluster control system
Settings menu
In the “Settings” menu, you can:
switch the daytime running lamps on or 
off (USA only)
switch the additional speedometer on 
or off
switch the radar sensors* on or off 
(USA only)
Setting daytime running lamp mode 
(USA only)
Press ( or & to select the “Set-
tings” menu.
Press % or $ to select the “Day-
time Running Lamps” function.
Press #.
Press # again if you would like to 
change the current status.
Depending on the previous status, the 
daytime running lamps will be switched 
on or off.
With “Daytime Running Lamps” mode se-
lected and the exterior lamp switch at po-
sition M or *, the low beam 
headlamps are switched on when the en-
gine is running.
In low ambient light conditions the follow-
ing lamps will switch on additionally:
Parking lamps
Tail lamps
License plate lamps
Side marker lamps
For more information on the daytime run-
ning lamp mode (
page 393).Showing or hiding additional 
speedometer
You can have an additional digital speed-
ometer shown on the multifunction dis-
play. The speed is shown in the unit of 
kilometers/hour (USA) or miles/hour 
(Canada).
Press ( or & to select the “Set-
tings” menu.
Press % or $ to select the “Add. 
Speedometer” function.
Press #.
Press # again if you would like to 
change the current status.
Depending on the previous status, the 
additional speedometer will be 
switched on or off.
i
The menu overview can be found on 
(
page 284).
i
This function is not available in countries 
where the daytime running lamp mode is manda-
tory and therefore in a constant mode.
i
If you turn the exterior lamp switch to anoth-
er position, the corresponding lamp(s) will 
switch on.
i
Make sure that the light switch is set 
toB or * when you switch off the day-
time running lamps while driving at night. 
Page 303 of 769
302 Control systemsInstrument cluster control systemSwitching on or off radar sensors* 
If your vehicle is equipped with DISTRONIC 
Plus*, BAS Plus*, or Park Assist* it is 
equipped with a radar sensor system
which you can switch on and off.
When travelling in Canada in a vehicle not 
registered in Canada, you must switch off 
the radar sensor system. Canadian law 
does not permit the use of the radar sensor 
system for vehicles from outside of Cana-
da. When you switch off the radar sensor 
system, the following functions are 
deactivated:
BAS Plus* (
page 68)
PRE-SAFE
® Brake* (
page 75)
DISTRONIC Plus* (
page 443)
Park Assist* (
page 467)
Advanced Parking Guidance* 
(page 471)
Blind Spot Assist* (
page 485)
Press ( or & to select the “Set-
tings” menu.
Press % or $ to select the “Ra-
dar Sensors” function.
Press #.
Press # again if you would like to 
change the current status.
Depending on the previous status, the 
radar sensors will be switched on or 
off.
i
USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC as a 
“Vehicular Radar System”. The radar sensor is 
intended for use in an automotive radar system 
only. Removal, tampering, or altering of the de-
vice will void any warranties, and is not permitted 
by the FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in 
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device 
could void the user’s authority to operate the 
equipment.
i
Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry 
Canada. Operation is subject to the following 
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may 
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the device will 
void any warranties, and is not permitted. Do not 
tamper with, alter, or use in any non-approved 
way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device 
could void the user’s authority to operate the 
equipment.
i
The selected status of the radar sensors re-
mains stored in memory even if the engine is 
turned off and restarted.
i
The following message appears in the multi-
function display if the radar sensors are 
switched off and you attempt to activate 
DISTRONIC Plus*, Park Assist* or PRE-SAFE
® 
Brake*:
“Radar Sensors
(See Oper. Manual)
Disabled” 
Page 304 of 769
303 Control systems
Voice Control
Voice Control
Operating safetyWarning!
G
Please devote your attention first and fore-
most to the traffic situation you are in. While 
the system permits hands-free phone oper-
ation, attention to traffic may be diverted 
not only by physical operation of a phone, 
but also by the distraction of a phone con-
versation while driving. As such, for safety 
reasons, we encourage the driver to stop the 
vehicle in a safe place before answering or 
placing a phone call.
For safety reasons, you should only select a 
destination when the vehicle is stationary.
While the navigation system provides direc-
tional assistance, the driver must remain fo-
cused on safe driving behavior, especially 
attention to traffic and street signs, and 
should utilize the system’s audio cues while 
driving.
The navigation system does not supply any 
information on stop signs, yield signs, traffic 
regulations or traffic safety rules. Their ob-
servance always remains in the driver’s per-
sonal responsibility. DVD maps do not cover 
all areas nor all routes within an area.
Traffic regulations always have priority over 
any route recommendations given.
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 13.5 m) every second.
Warning!
G
Navigation announcements are intended to 
direct you while driving without diverting 
your attention from the road and driving.
Please always use this feature instead of 
consulting the map display for directions. 
Consulting the symbols or map display for 
directions may cause you to divert your at-
tention from driving and increase your risk 
of an accident.Warning!
G
Please do not use the Voice Control System 
in an emergency, as the tone of your voice 
may change in a stressful situation. This 
could cause a delay in completing your 
phone call in a timely manner. This could 
distract you in an emergency situation and 
cause you to be involved in an accident. 
Page 305 of 769
304 Control systemsVoice Control introductionThe Voice Control System gives you the ca-
pability to control the following systems on 
your vehicle using spoken commands:
Telephone* (
page 308)
Navigation (
page 315)
Address book (
page 325)
Audio (
page 329) (AM/FM radio, 
CD/DVD changer, MP3 player)You control these systems using spoken 
commands. Moreover, controls such as 
the buttons on the multifunction steering 
wheel (
page 306) allow you to keep your 
hands on the steering wheel.
The command vocabulary consists of 
approximately 300 ready to use phrases. 
The Voice Control System recognizes com-
mands and number sequences, irrespec-
tive of the speaker. To optimize speech 
recognition for your voice follow the indi-
vidualization process (
page 350).
You can use the Voice Control System to 
call up all of COMAND’s main menu items, 
with the exception of the main menus for 
“Vehicle” and “Navi”.The commands and digit sequences can be 
spoken without pausing between the indi-
vidual words. If an unavailable or incorrect 
command is used, the Voice Control Sys-
tem will prompt you for a new command by 
asking “Please repeat” or “Please repeat 
your entry”.
In order to provide for a safe and comfort-
able dialog, the Voice Control System ac-
knowledges important commands. 
Page 306 of 769
305 Control systems
Voice Control introduction
Spelling
You may not need to spell the entire name 
(street, intersection, city or point of inter-
est) especially if the name is lengthy. Spell-
ing the first three to five characters of the 
name should be sufficient for the system 
to recognize the name provided it is avail-
able on the navigation DVD.
The selection appearing on the COMAND 
display is sorted based on your recognized 
voice input and a matching algorithm.
You can use the commands “Next page” or 
“ Previ ous p ag e”  t o sc roll  up or  down in the  
list.
Use the command “Correction” to start 
over by again spelling the name.
Speak each character as clearly as you 
can, especially when they sound very simi-
lar (d or e).
Command types
The Voice Control System commands can 
be categorized as: 
General Commands
These are commands always available 
to you as soon as the Voice Control 
System is activated (for example 
“Help” commands). 
Local Commands
These are commands specific to the 
currently active system shown in the 
COMAND display
(for example commands to control the 
CD/DVD changer).
For a complete list of commands 
(
page 335).
Active System
The active system is the system currently 
shown in the COMAND display.
If, for example, you listen to the radio while 
the telephone system is active on the 
COMAND display, you have to switch to 
the radio using the command “Radio” be-
fore you can operate the radio.
i
During Voice Control System operation visu-
al help windows also appear in the COMAND dis-
play (page 307). 
Page 307 of 769
306 Control systemsVoice Control introductionControls
Operation via the multifunction 
steering wheelActivating Voice Control
Switch on COMAND (
page 83). 
Press !.
An audible tone (beep) confirms the 
activation of the system. 
Speak a command.
Cancelling Voice Control
Press L.
or
Speak the command “Cancel” 
(except for speaking voice entries, 
entering a city or carrying out individu-
alization).
or
Press any COMAND button.
Item
1
!to activate Voice Control
to accept a call
2
Lto cancel Voice Control
3
æto increase volumeçto decrease volumesto take a call
to dial
to redialtto end a call
to reject an incoming call
i
Voice Control can be cancelled at any time, 
even during a dialog. Please note that if the Voice 
Control System is cancelled during a dialog, then 
the complete procedure is stopped and Voice 
Control is cancelled. 
Page 308 of 769
307 Control systems
Voice Control introduction
Setting volume level
Activate Voice Control.
Speak a command, for example “Help”.
Pressæ orç. The volume is in-
creased or decreased during voice out-
put.
or
Set volume for voice output using the 
COMAND volume thumbwheel on the 
lower part of the front central console 
(page 94).
Displays
COMAND Display
In addition to the acoustic help function, 
a visual help function (
page 257) is avail-
able on the COMAND display.
Upon activating the Voice Control, the 
most important available commands for 
the currently active system appear on the 
COMAND display.When the Voice Control System requires 
additional information from the user, a se-
lection list is shown on the COMAND dis-
play in the address book and navigation 
system.
1COMAND display
Multifunction display
For example: telephone numbers are 
shown on the multifunction display while 
dialing when the main “Telephone” menu 
is selected in the instrument cluster con-
trol system.1Multifunction display
Symbols
The following symbols are found in follow-
ing Voice Control System pages:s
This symbol stands for commands 
and voice entries you are speaking.
t
This symbol stands for voice output 
by the system.
u
This symbol indicates that informa-
tion is available on the COMAND 
display. 
Page 309 of 769
308 Control systemsVoice Control telephone
Telephone operation
The Voice Control System gives you the 
following capabilities:
Enter a telephone unlock code
Dial a phone number by speaking the 
telephone number
Store names and numbers in the 
COMAND address book
Dial a phone number by speaking the 
name of an COMAND address book en-
try
Delete an address book entry from the 
address book
Have the system read out the phone 
book of the address book entry by en-
try
Manage and access an automated an-
swering system/voice mail box
Redial names and numbers
Warning!
G
Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from 
using a mobile telephone while driving. 
Whether or not prohibited by law, for safety 
reasons, the driver should not use the mo-
bile telephone while the vehicle is in motion. 
Stop the vehicle in a safe location before 
placing or answering a call.
If you nonetheless choose to use the mobile 
phone while driving, please use the hands-
free feature and be sure to pay attention to 
the traffic situation at all times. Use the mo-
bile phone only when road, weather and traf-
fic conditions permit. Otherwise, you may 
not be able to observe traffic conditions and 
could endanger yourself and others.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph 
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is 
covering a distance of 44 feet (approxima-
tely 14 m) every second.
Warning!
G
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.i
Various mobile phone cradles can be in-
stalled in the front center armrest, see separate 
installation instructions for the mobile phone 
cradle. These mobile phone cradles can be ob-
tained from an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter. For more information about telephone 
(
page 519). 
Page 310 of 769
309 Control systems
Voice Control telephone
The Voice Control System detects whether
your telephone is switched on
the corresponding mobile network is 
logged in
it is possible to dial
If dialing is not possible, the Voice Control 
System will advise you accordingly.
Before you can operate the telephone us-
ing the Voice Control System, you have to 
activate the Voice Control (
page 306).
Telephone commands
For a complete list of commands 
(page 335).
“Telephone”
Use the command “Telephone” to activate 
the telephone main menu. Use this com-
mand if you want the digits you are enter-
ing to appear on the COMAND display.
“Help telephone”
The Voice Control System features a com-
prehensive help function.
Use the command “Help telephone” and 
the Voice Control System will read out an 
option list of available functions and com-
mands that can be used in conjunction 
with the telephone (
page 257).
“Enter PIN”Use the command “Enter PIN” to input the 
code to unlock your telephone. After 
speaking the command, you are prompted 
to enter the code.
Speak the code
as a continuously spoken string of dig-
its, or
in digit blocks of three to five digits.
Digits from “Zero” to “Nine” may be used. 
After each digit block (separate the digit 
blocks by using an approximately 
0.5 second pause), the Voice Control Sys-
tem repeats the recognized digits and 
waits until you continue speaking. 
Sample dialog:
s
Enter PIN
t
Please say the PIN
s
Zero zero one one
t
Zero zero one one
s
OK
i
You can continue operating your mobile 
phone using the telephone keypad or keypad on 
your phone.
i
The PIN (only GSM mobile phones) prompt 
starts automatically whenever the phone is 
locked and you wish to use it.