
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

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

27 Contents - Operation
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 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 ................................. 135
Malfunction / 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 ..................... 156Night 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 .....................................174
Switching 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 .......................... 177Power 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
Parcel net in trunk ........................204
Telephone, general ........................205
Garage door opener .......................206
Infrared reflecting
windshield ................................. 210

69 Seats
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 4Seat cushion tilt
Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until
your legs are lightly supported.
5Backrest tilt
Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until
your arms are slightly angled when holding the
steering wheel.
6Seat cushion depth
Press the switch fore or aft until your legs are
supported comfortably.
7Head restraint
The height of the head restraint is adjusted
automatically with the seat so that the back of the
head is supported approximately at ear level. Adjust
the head restraint using the switch if the preset
position does not support the back of your head
approximately at ear level.Adjust the head restraint angle (1) by hand. Push or pull
the head restraint in direction of arrow.
Storing seat positions
The head restraint, steering wheel and rear view mirror
position are stored together with the seat position.
See page 111 for notes on the memory function. For
recalling a stored seat / head restraint / steering wheel /
and rear view mirror position see page 112.
1

70 Seats
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should adjust
the seat height for proper vision as well as fore/aft
placement and backrest angle to insure adequate
control, reach, operation, and comfort. The head
restraint should also be adjusted for proper height. See
also airbag section on page 94 for proper seat
positioning.
In addition, also adjust the steering wheel to ensure
adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort.
Both the inside and outside rear view mirrors should be
adjusted for adequate rearward vision.Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be
seated in a properly secured restraint system that
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Stand ard 213.
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and rear view
mirror adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.

72 Seats
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Removal and installation of front seat head
restraints
Caution!
Do not remove head restraints except when mounting
seat covers. Whenever restraints have been removed be
sure to reinstall them before driving.Note:
Tilt the backrest rearward for easier removal and
installation of the head restraints.
To remove:
Press switch (1) upwards and hold until the head
restraint is fully extended. Pull head restraint out.
To i n st a l l :
Press switch (1) upwards and hold for about 5 seconds.
Press the head restraint down until it engages.
Adjust head restraint to the desired position.
1
P54.00-2002-26
Wa r n i n g !
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.Adjust head restraint to support the back of the
head approximately at ear level.Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head
restraints. Head restraints are intended to help
reduce injuries during an accident.