2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class ECO mode

95 Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index come on at all or if it fails to extinguish after
approximately 4 seconds or if it comes on thereafter, a
malfunction in the system has been detected.
The following system components are monitored or
undergo a self-check: crash-sensor(s), airbag ignition
circuits, front seat belt buckles, emergency tensioning
retractors, seat sensor.
Initially, when the electronic key is turned from starter
switch position 0 to position 1 or 2, malfunctions in the
crash sensor are detected and indicated (the “SRS”
indicator lamp stays on longer than 4 seconds or does
not come on).
Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
In the operational mode, after the indicator lamp has
gone out following the initial check, interruptions or
short circuits in the airbag ignition circuit and in the
driver and front passenger seat belt buckle harnesses,
and low voltage in the entire system are detected and
indicated.Note:
See page 299 for information on the Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) indicator lamp.
The driver and passenger front airbags are designed to
activate only in certain frontal impacts exceeding a
preset threshold. The front passenger airbag deploys
only if the front passenger seat is occupied and the
7 indicator lamp on the center console is not
illuminated.
Note:
Heavy objects on the front passenger seat can appear to
the “SRS” to indicate the presence of an occupant in
that seat which causes the passenger front airbag to
deploy in a crash exceeding the appropriate threshold.
Wa r n i n g !
In the event a malfunction of the “SRS” is indicated
as outlined above, the “SRS” may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly recommend
that you visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately to have the system checked; otherwise the
“SRS” may not be activated when needed in an
accident, which could result in serious or fatal injury,
or it might deploy unexpectedly and unnecessarily
which could also result in injury.

143 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Preliminary display of the individual settings
2“SETTINGS” – the menu “LIGHTING” can be called
up in this option menu.
3Selection marker
Pressing buttonæ orç on the multifunction
steering wheel controls the selection marker.
4“LIGHT CIRCUIT HEADLAMP MODE”
1, see
page 157.
5“LOCATOR LIGHTING”, see page 159.
6“HEADLAMPS DELAYED SWITCH-OFF”, see “Night
security illumination” on page 158.
7“INT. ILLUMINATION DELAYED SWITCH-OFF”, see
“Interior lighting” on page 187.
8Returning the setting menu “LIGHTING” to the
factory setting.
9Acknowledgment
1Except CanadaPress the è or ÿ button repeatedly until the
individual setting preliminary display (1) appears.
Press the j or k button until the setting menu
“SETTINGS” (2) is displayed.Press buttonæ orç until the menu “LIGHTING”
is selected by the selection marker (3).
Press the j or k button until the required
display (4 to 7) is displayed. Pressing the æ orç
button controls the selection marker. The settings made
are stored and applied immediately.
The individual setting preliminary display (1) will
appear again after you have run through all the setting
menus. Pressing the è or ÿ button displays the
next or previous system.
To return menu “LIGHTING” (4 to 7) to its factory
setting:
•Call up menu (4 to 7).
•Press the Jbutton in the instrument cluster for
approximately 3 seconds. Display (8) will appear.
•Press the Jbutton once more. The menu
“LIGHTING” is reset to factory settings,
acknowledged by display (9).
The individual setting display “SETTINGS” (2) will
appear if you do not press the Jbutton within
about 5 seconds. The setting menus will not be
reset.

156 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Exterior lamp switch
MOff
UAutomatic headlamp mode, see below.
CParking lamps (also side marker lamps, taillamps,
licence plate lamps, instrument panel lamps)
Canada only: When the engine is running, the low
beam is additionally switched on.
BParking lamps plus low beam or high beam
headlamps (combination switch pushed forward).ˆStanding lamps, right (turn left one stop)
‚Standing lamps, left (turn left two stops)
‡Front fog lamps (pull out one stop) with parking
lamps and/or low beam headlamps on. Green
indicator in lamp switch comes on.
†Rear fog lamp (pull out to second detent) in
addition to the front fog lamps. Yellow indicator in
lamp switch comes on.
Note:
With the electronic key removed and the driver’s door
open, a warning sounds if the vehicle’s exterior lamps
(except standing lamps) are not switched off.
Fog lamps will operate with the parking lamps and / or
the low beam headlamps on. Fog lamps should only be
used in conjunction with low beam headlamps. Consult
your State or Province Motor Vehicle Regulations
regarding allowable lamp operation.
Fog lamps are automatically switched off when the
exterior lamp switch is turned to position M or U.

158 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Daytime running lamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionM.
When the engine is running, the low beam headlamps
(includes parking lamps and license plate lamps) are
automatically switched on.
Canada only:
When shifting from a driving position to position “N”
or “P”, the low beam switches off (3 minutes delay).
For nighttime driving the exterior lamp switch should
be turned to position B to permit activation of the
high beam headlamps.
USA only:
The high beam headlamps can also be activated when
driving with the daytime running lamp mode activated
and exterior lamp switch in positionM.
See page 156 for notes on the exterior lamp switch.
To activate the daytime running lamp mode, see
“Individual settings” – “LIGHTING” on page 142.Night security illumination
When turning off the engine, the exterior lamps switch
on for added illumination, if they were previously
switched on (except in daytime running mode). After
the last door has been closed the lamp-on time period
commences.
The lamp-on time period for night security illumination
can be set at several different timed levels from 0 (off) to
60 seconds.
Notes:
Within 10 minutes after closing the last door the night
security illumination can be reactivated by opening a
door.
See “Individual settings” – “LIGHTING” on page 142 for
instructions on how to activate the function.
Deactivating night security illumination temporarily:
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 0
then to position 2 and back to position 0 again before
getting out of the vehicle. The night security
illumination will not be activated when the door is
opened.

165 Automatic climate control
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Center air outlet, left, adjustable
2Fixed air outlet, left
3Air volume control for left center air outlet
To open: Turn the thumbwheel upward.
■: The left center air outlet is fully open.
■■: The left center and fixed air outlets are
opened.
4Air temperature control
To lower temperature: Turn thumbwheel towards
the blue marking.
Automatic mode: Turn thumbwheel to position A.
The indicator lamp above the thumbwheel will
illuminate. The airflow and temperature for the
center air outlets are regulated automatically.
5Air volume control for right center air outlet.
To open: Turn the thumbwheel upward
■: The right center air outlet is fully open.
■■: The right center and fixed air outlets are
opened.6Center air outlet, right, adjustable
7Fixed air outlet, right
8Side defroster outlet, left and right, fixed
9Side air outlet, left and right, adjustable
10Air volume control for side air outlets
To open: Turn thumbwheel outwards
■: The side air outlet is fully opened.
■■: The side and door air outlets are opened.
11Door air outlet, left and right
12Display and controls
Note:
We recommend that the sliders for the air
outlets (1, 6, 9) be clicked to the automatic position to
provide practically draft free ventilation.

166 Automatic climate control
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Display and controls
1Defrosting
2Rear window defroster, see page 180
3Residual engine heat utilization, see page 174
4Automatic climate control on / off
5Air distribution, right (automatic, manual operation)
6Economy mode, see page 173
7Temperature control, right8Air volume (automatic, manual)
9Display
Depending on the ambient light conditions, the
figures on the display will be shown as dark figures
on a bright background (in daylight), or as bright
figures on a dark background (at night).
10Temperature control, left
11Air recirculation, see page 171
12Air distribution, left (automatic, manual operation)
13Activated charcoal filter
Important!
This vehicle is equipped with an air conditioning
system that uses R-134a (HFC: hydrofluorocarbon) as a
refrigerant. Repairs should always be performed by a
qualified technician, and refrigerant should be collected
in a recovery system for recycling.
1
2
3
4
6
7
10
11
13
12
98
5P83.40-0485-26

167 Automatic climate control
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Automatic climate control
The system is always at operational readiness, except
when manually switched off.
The automatic climate control only operates with the
engine running.
The temperature selector should be left at the desired
temperature setting. The temperature selected is
reached as quickly as possible.
Th e system w il l not hea t or c ool a ny q uicker by setting a
higher or lower temperature.
The desired interior temperature and air distribution
can be selected separately for the left and right side of
the passenger compartment.
The automatic climate control removes considerable
moisture from the air during operation in the cooling
mode. It is normal for water to drip on the ground
through ducts in the underbody.
The air conditioning will not engage (no cooling) if the
economy mode S is selected, see page 173. Notes:
Do not obstruct the air flow by placing objects on the air
flow-through exhaust slots below the rear window.
Also keep the air intake grill in front of the windshield
free of snow and debris.
The storage compartment between the front seats can be
ventilated. See page 175 for notes on ventilating the
storage space under the armrest in the center console.
The air conditioner switches itself off for its own
protection if refrigerant is lost. No cooling will then take
place. Economy mode S cannot be switched off. Have
the air conditioner checked by a Mercedes-Benz Center
should this happen.
Dust filter
Nearly all dust particles and pollen are filtered out
before outside air enters the passenger compartment
through the air distribution system.

168 Automatic climate control
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Basic setting – automatic mode
There are three basic settings for the automatic mode:
•Automatic air volume control
•Automatic air outlet control, left and right
•Automatic air outlet control, center, see page 165
We recommend these settings to be used all year round.Air volume and distribution are controlled
automatically.
Set the temperature switches on the left and right to
72°F (22°C). This provides for comfortable conditions in
the vehicle.
Automatic airf low regulation:
Press the A on the air volume switch. The display shows
“AUTO”.
Automatic air distribution:
Press on both U knobs until they click in. The h,
j and k symbols will no longer be visible.
The economy mode and air recirculation functions will
be switched off. The automatic blower will be activated
at the same time.