2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class Owner's Manual

30 Central locking system
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and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Electronic reserve key
The electronic reserve key is without remote control
functions, plus removable mechanical key.The electronic reserve key (1) works only in the starter
switch. There are no batteries inside the electronic
reserve key.
The mechanical key (2) works only in the driver’s door,
trunk, and storage compartment locks.
To use the mechanical key (2), remove it from its
electronic reserve key (1).
Note:
We recommend that you carry the electronic reserve
key plus mechanical key with you and keep it in a safe
place (e.g. your wallet) so that it is always handy. Never
leave the electronic reserve key in the vehicle.
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31 Central locking system
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index KEYLESS-GO-card
The KEYLESS-GO-card (1) does not have a removable
mechanical key.
The functions of the KEYLESS-GO-card (1) are identical
to those of the electronic main key. Carrying the card
with you permits the use of the vehicle.The validity of the KEYLESS-GO-card is checked every
time when grasping a door handle or pushing the trunk
lid release. Once the KEYLESS-GO-card is recognized
outside the vehicle, the doors, trunk lid and fuel filler
flap are unlocked, depending on the selected mode
(global or selective unlocking mode, see page 43).
Starter switch KEYLESS-GO, see page 228.
Starting and turning off the engine with KEYLESS-GO,
see page 231 and page 232.
Note:
In the case of a malfunction in the KEYLESS-GO-system,
we recommend that you carry the electronic key plus
mechanical key with you and keep them in a safe place
so that they are always handy. Never leave the electronic
key or a KEYLESS-GO-card in the vehicle.
Obtaining replacement keys
Your vehicle is equipped with a theft deterrent locking
system requiring a special key manufacturing process.
For security reasons, replacement keys can only be
obtained from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
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32 Central locking system
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Start lock-out
Important!
Operating with electronic key:
Removing the electronic key from the starter switch
activates the start lock-out. The engine cannot be
started.
Inserting the electronic key in the starter switch
deactivates the start lock-out.
Operating with KEYLESS-GO:
Turning off the engine with the start- / stop button on
the gear selector lever activates the start lock-out. For
turning off the engine with KEYLESS-GO, see page 232.
Starting the engine with the start- / stop button
deactivates the start lock-out, if a valid KEYLESS-GO-
card is recognized inside the vehicle. For starting the
engine with KEYLESS-GO, see page 231. The engine
cannot be started with a KEYLESS-GO-card outside the
vehicle.Note:
In case the engine cannot be started (vehicle’s battery is
in order), the system is not operational. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call 1-800-FOR-
MERCedes (in the USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).

33 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index General notes on the central locking system
If the electronic key is inserted in the starter switch, the
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with the remote
control.
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked:
•Aim transmitter eye at a receiver on either front
door handle. Check the batteries of the electronic
main key, see page 363, or synchronize the remote
control, see page 365.
•Use the mechanical key to unlock the vehicle. To
start engine, insert the electronic key in the starter
switch. There could be a slight delay until the
electronic key can be turned in the starter switch.
•Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO only:
A KEYLESS-GO-card must be recognized by the
system as being outside the vehicle to enable the
vehicle to be locked or unlocked (maximum distance
between card and doors or trunk is approx. 3 ft.
(1 m). Check the location of the KEYLESS-GO-card,
see page 38. Check the batteries of the KEYLESS-
GO-card, see page 366. The trunk lid will open
automatically if a KEYLESS-GO card is detected in
the trunk, see page 38.Note:
If neither the remote control nor KEYLESS-GO system
functions, use the mechanical key to unlock or lock the
vehicle. To start engine, insert the electronic key in the
starter switch. There could be a slight delay until the
electronic key can be turned in the starter switch.
Important!
When unlocking the driver’s door with the mechanical
key, the exterior lamps will flash and the alarm will
sound.
To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the
starter switch, or press buttonŒ or‹ on the
electronic main key; or with the optional KEYLESS-GO-
system, when carrying a KEYLESS-GO-card, by grasping
a door handle or pressing the start- / stop button on the
gear selector lever.

34 Central locking system
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Central locking system
Radio frequency and infrared remote control
The electronic main key has an integrated radio
frequency and infrared remote control.
Due to the extended operational range of the remote
control, it could be possible to unintentionally lock or
unlock the vehicle by pressing the transmit button. If
one of the transmit buttons is pressed, the battery check
lamp lights up briefly – indicating that the batteries are
in order. See page 363 for checking batteries.
The vehicle doors, trunk and fuel filler flap can be
centrally locked and unlocked via remote control.
Opening and closing the windows and sliding/pop-up
roof and switching on the driver’s seat ventilation can
only be done with the infrared portion of the remote
control. Aim transmitter eye at a receiver (6 or 7), press
and hold transmit button Œor ‹, see page 45.
With vehicle centrally locked, the trunk can also be
opened by using the remote control.
If the electronic key is inserted in starter switch, the
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked, and the trunk lid
cannot be opened with the remote control.1Transmit button
‹ Locking
ΠUnlocking
Š Opening trunk (if not separately locked)
2Lamp for battery check (see page 363 for changing
batteries if it does not light up briefly)
3PANIC button
4Transmitter eye
5Locking tab for mechanical key
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35 Central locking system
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 6Infrared receiver in driver’s door handle7Infrared receiver in front passenger door handle
6
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36 Central locking system
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Locking and unlocking with remote control
Unlocking:
Press transmit button Œ. All turn signal lamps blink
once to indicate that the vehicle is unlocked.
The remote control can be programmed for two kinds of
unlocking modes (see below):
Selective unlocking mode –
Press transmit button Œ once to unlock driver’s door
and fuel filler flap.
Press transmit button Πtwice to unlock all doors,
fuel filler flap, and trunk.
Global unlocking mode –
Press transmit button Πonce to unlock all doors,
fuel filler flap, and trunk.
Notes:
If the trunk was previously locked separately, it will
remain locked, see page 53.
The presently active unlocking mode (selective or
global) can only be determined by unlocking the vehicle
with the remote control (see below for changing mode).If within 40 seconds of unlocking with the remote
control, neither door nor trunk is opened, the electronic
key is not inserted in the starter switch, or the central
locking switch is not activated, the vehicle will
automatically lock.
Locking:
Press transmit button ‹ once. All turn signal lamps
blink three times to indicate that the vehicle is locked. If
they do not blink three times, a door or trunk is not
properly closed.
Note:
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked by pressing
the transmit button, then it may be necessary to change
the batteries in the electronic main key (if ok, battery
check lamp in electronic main key will light briefly
when pressing transmit button) or to synchronize the
remote control, see pages 363 and 365.

37 Central locking system
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Choosing global or selective mode on remote control
Press and hold transmit buttons‹ andŒ
simultaneously for five seconds to reprogram the
remote control. Battery check lamp will blink two times
indicating the completed mode change.
Opening the trunk
The trunk lid will swing open automatically. You should
always make sure there is sufficient clearance.
A minimum height clearance of 6 ft. (1.85 m) is
required to open the trunk lid.
Press transmit buttonŠ until trunk lid is open.Important!
Do not place remote control in trunk since trunk is
locked when the lid is closed if the vehicle is centrally
locked.
Notes:
If the trunk was previously locked separately, it will
remain locked, see page 53.
Vehicles with optional remote trunk lid
opening / closing system, see page 58:
The switch operated opening/closing procedure can be
immediately halted by pressing buttonŠ on the
electronic main key.