Does anybody know what this button does? Is it a new feature?

 

Not sure. It is apparently something else that the seat can do. I can see buttons for the seat heaters and ventilation, so it could be for seat cooling (actual refrigerated air), vibrating, or some sort of active seat cushion if the car is so equipped.

 

I think you're definitely right that the other two buttons are for heating and cooling (ventilation) of the seats. However, that leaves the question - what is button 3? I don't think it is multi-contour or massage because that is controlled through COMAND (at least in the past). What could it be? Something new?

 

I've seen a better photo of it which shows an R over the seat on the last button. My guess is that it controls the Rear seat.

 

So you think it is a rear-seat heating button from the front? That could be useful.

 

It's a button to control the front passenger seat. I have it in my S.

 

So it's a 'let me get that for you' button. How thoughtful.

 

Cool! Mystery solved

 

It is indeed for controlling the Right (passenger) seat. The intention is for the "limo" driver to adjust the front seat to offer more room for the rear passenger. I believe it was first introduced on the S (W221) as those cars were often used as limos or "black cars". I guess MB anticipates that limo companies/independent car services will start using the new E as a comparable replacement to the larger S. This is especially true as the E is getting larger inside and the S is getting to be more expensive (and maybe too large for some crowded urban markets).

 

If it is anything like the new C class, that button is for the heated seats. I had A LOANER C CLASS LAST WEEK AND THAT IS AN EXACT REPLICA OF the heated seat control in that car.

 

i reckon the first 2 buttons are for the heated/ventilated seat. talking about the 3rd button with the letter R(?) on top.

 

it actually does come in handy sometimes

 

Where are the memory buttons?

 

Look at the picture again. All the way to left you'll see buttons for a 1, 2, 3. Those are the memory buttons.

 

You guys are still talking about it? It's been answered already...

 

What does it control? A front passenger seat in my car has a button on back allowing a rear passenger move it to front. I can understand it. However if a driver will start doing same from his seat, it is a bit scary.

 

It's a courtesy button.

It is assumed that the driver of a car knows how to control all settings and can adjust the seat for the passenger which may not be sitting there often.

How many times have you seen a passenger try to find the door handle? In a BMW, that button is literally called the Gentleman's function

 

funny thing: I was in my car today and decided the passenger's headrest was too high! good thing I have that button.....I lowered that sucker right down

 

It's a great party trick!

 

This is the most pointless button I have ever had on a Mercedes!! All it dose is control the heated seat for the passanger? So, when activated, for a short time it overides the passanger heater controls?? WHY?? The only reason I can see for this being useful is if you want to warm a seat before you passanger gets in? Absolutely Pointless!

 

The button controls the passenger seat's position; including fore, aft, height, reclining angle, and the head rest.

 

Manual (see 4)...

 

When you Press the 3RD button, you can control MOST of the functions of the Passenger Seat using your Seat control buttons, just as ADD0415 stated. So you do not have to reach over to move the seat back if someone left it way out of position.

 

I have the R button in my S550, and I found it useful.

Not only it can adjust the passenger seat positions, it can also access the Memory functions of the passenger seat (Program & Call-up the 3 memory seat positions.)

 

mine controls the rotation of the moon and sun, don't know what you guys are talking about


no but really, do you W213 cats have the massage seats?