2000 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS warning

Our company and staff congratulate you on the purchase of your new Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demonstration of your trust in our company name. Further, it exemplifies your desire
to own an automobile that will be as easy as possible to operate and provide years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the efforts of many skilled engineers and craftsmen. To ensure your pleasure of
ownership, and for your safety and that of your passengers, we ask you to make a small investment of your time:
•Please read this manual carefully before putting it aside. Then return it to your vehicle where it will be handy for
your reference.
•Please abide by the recommendations contained in this manual. They are designed to acquaint you with the
operation of your Mercedes-Benz.
•Please abide by the warnings and cautions contained in this manual. They are designed to help improve the safety
of the vehicle operator and occupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles of safe, pleasurable driving.
DaimlerChrysler AG

1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 7
Operator’s manual ............................. 8
Where to find it ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Door control panel ....................... 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21
Dashboard ..................................... 22
Center console .............................. 24OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 28
Start lock-out .................................... 32
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 33
Central locking system ................... 34
Radio frequency and
infrared remote control ............... 34
KEYLESS-GO ................................. 38Opening and
closing windows and
sliding / pop-up roof
from outside ................................. 45
Panic button ................................. 47
Mechanical keys .......................... 47
Doors ................................................. 48
Power closing assist for
doors and trunk lid .................... 50
Central locking switch .................... 50
Automatic central locking .............. 52
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 52
Trunk ................................................. 53
Trunk lid release switch ................ 57
Trunk lid release/close switch ...... 58
Trunk lid emergency release .........61
Antitheft alarm system ................... 62
Tow-away alarm ............................... 64
Easy-entry/exit feature .................. 66
Front seat adjustment ..................... 67
Removal and installation
of front seat head restraints ..... 72
Lumbar support ............................... 73Multicontour backrest ..................... 73
Seat heater ........................................ 75
Seat ventilation system ................... 78
Rear seat head restraints ................ 80
Power head restraints, rear ............ 81
Power seats, rear .............................. 82
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 84
Seat belts ........................................... 84
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ........................... 85
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system .................... 91
Self-test BabySmart
TM
without special child
seat installed ................................. 91
Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) ............................... 92
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................. 93
Airbags .............................................. 94
Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag .................................. 100

2 Contents
Infant and child restraint
systems ....................................... 102
Steering wheel adjustment .......... 105
Rear view mirrors .......................... 106
Memory function ............................111
Instrument cluster ..........................114
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ............... 120
Trip and main odometer,
FSS, tire inflation pressure
monitor and engine oil level
indicator ..................................... 124
Audio systems ............................. 125
Radio ............................................ 125
CD player ..................................... 126
Cassette player ........................... 127
Telephone ........................................ 128
Telephone book .......................... 128
Redialing ..................................... 130
Incoming call .............................. 132
Navigation system .......................... 133
Distronic (DTR) ............................... 134
Trip computer ................................. 135Malfunction / warning
message memory ......................136
Individual settings .........................138
Setting the audio volume ............. 146
Flexible service system
(FSS) ........................................... 147
Tire inflation
pressure monitor .......................150
Engine oil level indicator ..............154
Engine oil consumption ................155
Exterior lamp switch ......................156
Night security illumination ..........158
Headlamp cleaning system ...........159
Combination switch .......................160
Hazard warning flasher
switch ..........................................163
Automatic climate control .............164
Display and controls ..................166
Basic setting ................................168
Special Settings ..........................169
Activated charcoal filter ........... 172
Economy mode ........................... 173
Residual engine heat
utilization .....................................174Switching the automatic
climate control on and off ......... 175
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation .......... 175
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation .......... 175
Rear passenger compartment
climate control .......................... 177
Power windows ............................... 181
Sliding/pop-up roof ....................... 184
Interior lighting ............................. 187
Rear window sunshade ................. 190
Rear door window sunshade ........ 191
Sun visors ....................................... 191
Vanity mirrors ................................ 192
Interior ............................................ 193
Storage compartments and
armrests ..................................... 193
Glove box ..................................... 194
Cup holder ...................................... 199
Ashtrays .......................................... 201
Lighter .............................................203
Parcel net in front
passenger footwell ....................204

4 Contents
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the
instrument cluster ....................296
On-board diagnostic system .....296
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................296
Brake warning lamp ..................298
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS)
indicator lamp .............................299
Fuel reserve warning .................299
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................300
Electronic stability
program (ESP) —
warning lamp ..............................301
Distronic (DTR) –
warning lamp ..............................301
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp ..............................302Malfunction and
indicator lamp in the
center console ........................... 302
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .... 302
Malfunction and
warning messages in the
multifunction display .............. 303
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................ 304
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR .......... 305
ENTRANCE POSITION .............. 306
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 306
BRAKE LINING WEAR .............. 307
BRAKE FLUID ............................ 307
PARKING BRAKE ....................... 308
TRUNK OPEN ............................. 308
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability
program) ..................................... 309
COOLANT (coolant level) .......... 310
COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................ 311LIGHTING SYSTEM .................... 312
LIGHT SENSOR ........................... 314
ACTIV E BO DY CO NTROL
(ABC) ............................................ 314
TIRE PRESSURE ......................... 316
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 318
CRUISE CONTROL ..................... 319
KEY ............................................... 319
DOOR ...........................................320
HOOD ...........................................320
TELE AID .....................................321
OIL TEMP.
(engine oil temperature) ...........321
CHIP-CARD (KEYLESS-GO) ......322
SELECTOR LEVER ......................323
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION .......323
WASHER FLUID .........................324
AIR SPRING (AirMatic) .............325
DISTRONIC (DTR) ......................326

8 Introduction
Operator’s manual
This Operator’s Manual contains a great deal of useful information. We urge you to read it carefully and familiarize
yourself with the vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life of the vehicle, we urge you to follow the instructions and warnings
contained in this manual. Ignoring them could result in damage to the vehicle or personal injury to you or others.
Vehicle damage caused by failure to follow instructions is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the equipment described in this manual. Therefore, you may find explanations
for optional equipment not installed in your vehicle. If you have any questions about the operation of any equipment,
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad to demonstrate the proper procedures.
Service and warranty information
The Service and Warranty Information Booklet contains detailed information about the warranties covering your
Mercedes-Benz, including:
•New Car Limited Warranty,
•Emission System Warranty,
•Emission Performance Warranty,
•California, Massachusetts, and Vermont Emission Control System Warranty
(California, Massachusetts, and Vermont only),
•State Warranty Enforcement Laws (Lemon Laws).

13 IntroductionWhere to find it
The Operator’s Manual is divided into eight sections:
• Instruments and controls: An overview of all the controls that can be operated from the driver’s seat.
•Operation: Information on the vehicle’s equipment and its operation.
•Driving: Important information on driving.
• Instrument cluster display: Displays and indicator lamps on the instrument cluster with brief instructions.
• Practical hints: Assistance and instructions in the event of an emergency.
•Car care: Instructions on caring for your vehicle.
• Technical data: All the important technical data for your vehicle as well as consumer information such as fuels,
coolants, lubricants etc. is contained here.
•Index: Key terms to help you find a topic quickly.
Other documents may also be supplied, depending on your vehicle’s equipment.
Explanation of color used:
Warning notices for the protection of yourself and
others appear on red background.

24 Instruments and controls
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console1ESP (Electronic Stability Program) control switch,
see page 274
2ADS (Adaptive Damping System), see page 283
Level control for vehicles with ABC (Active Body
Control), see page 278
3Level control for vehicles with Airmatic,
seepage279
ABC (Active Body Control), see page 278
4Rear seat head restraints, see page 80
Rear seat head restraints, automatic, see page 81
5Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 163
6Central locking switch, see page 50
7Antitheft Alarm System, see page 62
Switch for Tow-Away Protection, see page 64
8Parking assist (Parktronic system) deactivation
(optional), see page 285
9Rear window sunshade, see page 190
10COMAND system, see separate operating
instructions
11Automatic climate control, see page 164
Rear window defroster, see page 180
P68.20-2314-27

26 Contents - Operation
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 28
Start lock-out .................................... 32
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 33
Central locking system ................... 34
Radio frequency and
infrared remote control ............... 34
KEYLESS-GO ................................. 38
Opening and
closing windows and
sliding / pop-up roof
from outside .................................. 45
Panic button .................................. 47
Mechanical keys ........................... 47
Doors .................................................. 48
Power closing assist for
doors and trunk lid ..................... 50
Central locking switch .................... 50
Automatic central locking .............. 52
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 52
Trunk ................................................. 53
Trunk lid release switch ................. 57Trunk lid release/close switch ...... 58
Trunk lid emergency release .........61
Antitheft alarm system ................... 62
Tow-away alarm ............................... 64
Easy-entry/exit feature .................. 66
Front seat adjustment ..................... 67
Removal and installation
of front seat head restraints ..... 72
Lumbar support ............................... 73
Multicontour backrest .................... 73
Seat heater ........................................ 75
Seat ventilation system .................. 78
Rear seat head restraints ............... 80
Power head restraints, rear ............ 81
Power seats, rear ............................. 82
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 84
Seat belts .......................................... 84
Seat belt nonusage
warning system .......................... 85
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system ....................91Self-test BabySmart
TM
without special child
seat installed ................................. 91
Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) ............................... 92
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................. 93
Airbags .............................................. 94
Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag .................................. 100
Infant and child restraint
systems ....................................... 102
Steering wheel adjustment .......... 105
Rear view mirrors .......................... 106
Memory function ............................ 111
Instrument cluster ..........................114
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ............... 120
Trip and main odometer,
FSS, tire inf lation pressure
monitor and engine oil level
indicator ..................................... 124
Audio systems ............................. 125