Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Steering-column memory
The position of the steering column in each direction of adjustment is recorded by a Hall sensor. This position is stored in the center console switch cluster (SZM). This allows the Key Memory to call up the position of the steering column for up to 4 vehicle keys.
The tilt adjustment moves to the uppermost position to make it easier to get in and out of the vehicle.
For the easy-access facility, the steering-column adjustment is automatically actuated under the following conditions:
- Terminal R OFF
- Terminal R ON and driver's door opened (via door contact)
- Terminal 15 OFF with driver's door open (via door contact)
The steering-column memory is activated under the following conditions:
- One of the two memory buttons for the seat-mirror memory and the steering-column memory on the seat is pressed (from terminal R OFF).
- Another remote control is used (personalization). Condition: The selection "Last seat position after unlocking" is activated in the "Settings" menu in the Central Information Display (CID) (from 09/2003).
In both cases, the steering-column memory will not move the steering column to the stored position until terminal 15 is switched ON.
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.