
47 Tow-away alarm
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Tow - away   a l a r m
The switch is located in the center console.
1Press to switch off tow-away alarm
2Indicator lamp
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior 
vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when 
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.The alarm will last approximately 3 minutes in form of 
flashing exterior lamps. At the same time an alarm will 
sound for 30 seconds. The alarm will stay on even if the 
vehicle is immediately lowered. To cancel the alarm, 
insert the electronic key in the starter switch or press 
buttonŒ or‹ on the electronic key.
If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds, an 
emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele Aid 
on page 234.
To pr even t tr igger in g t he tow-away alarm  feature,  switch 
off the tow-away alarm before towing the vehicle, or 
when parking on a surface subject to movement, such 
as a ferry or auto train.
To do so, turn electronic key in starter switch to 
position 1 or 0, or remove electronic key from starter 
switch. Press tow-away alarm switch (1). The indicator 
lamp (2) illuminates briefly.
Exit vehicle, and lock vehicle with the electronic key.
The tow-away alarm remains switched off until the 
vehicle is locked again with the electronic key, at which 
time it is automatically reactivated.
2
OM_203.book  Seite 47  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

91 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Exterior rear view mirrors
The buttons are located above the exterior lamp switch. 
The memory button (4) is located on the driver’s door.Exterior rear view mirror adjustment
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1 
or 2.
Push button to select mirror to be adjusted:
Driver’s side – Push button (1).
Passenger side – Push button (2).
Push the adjustment button (3) up, down, left or right 
according to the setting desired.
Notes:
The exterior rear view mirrors have electrically heated 
glass. The heater switches on automatically, depending 
on outside temperature.
If an exterior mirror housing is forcibly pivoted from its 
normal position, it must be repositioned by applying 
firm pressure until it snaps into place.
Storing exterior rear view mirror positions
(only vehicles with memory function)
The exterior rear view mirror positions are stored in 
memory with the seat / steering wheel adjustment and 
can be recalled when necessary. See page 95 for notes 
on the memory function.
Wa r n i n g !
Exercise care when using the passenger side 
exterior mirror. The mirror surface is convex 
(outwardly curved surface for a wider field of 
view). Objects in mirror are closer than they 
appear. Check your inside rear view mirror or 
glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.
0
PAuto
OM_203.book  Seite 91  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

99 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Knob for instrument cluster illumination, 
seepage100
Reset knob for trip odometer, see page 101 and 
individual settings, see page 121
2Tachometer
3Antilock brake system (ABS) malfunction indicator 
lamp, see page 291
4Brake fluid low or parking brake engaged, 
seepage298
5Speedometer
6Left turn signal indicator lamp, see combination 
switch on page 148
7Electronic stability program (ESP) warning lamp, 
system is adjusting to road conditions, see page 292
8Indicator lamp without function. It illuminates with 
the electronic key in starter switch position 2. It 
should go out when the engine is running.
9CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp, 
seepage286
10High beam headlamp indicator, 
seeexterior lamp switch, page143, and 
combination switch, see page 14811Indicator lamp without function. It illuminates with 
the electronic key in starter switch position 2. It 
should go out when the engine is running.
12Multifunction display, see page 102.
Malfunction and warning messages in the 
multifunction display, see page 293
13Trip odometer, see page 101 and 106
14Main odometer, see page 106
15Display for program mode and gear range 
indicators, see page 254
16Malfunction/warning message memory, 
seepage119
17Outside temperature indicator, see page 101
18Digital clock, see individual settings on page 121
19Right turn signal indicator lamp, see combination 
switch on page 148
20Fasten seat belts, see page 292
21Supplemental restraint system (SRS) malfunction 
indicator lamp, see page 289
22Fuel gauge with reserve and fuel cap placement 
warning lamp, see page 290
OM_203.book  Seite 99  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

100 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Activating instrument cluster display
The instrument cluster is activated by:
•Opening the door
1.
•Pressing button (1) on the instrument cluster
1.
•Turning the electronic key in starter switch to 
position 1 or 2.
•Switching on the exterior lamps.
Instrument cluster illumination
The instrument cluster illumination is dimmed or 
brightened automatically to suit daylight lighting 
conditions.
The instrument cluster illumination will also be 
adjusted when the vehicle’s exterior lamps are switched 
on.
1 The instrument cluster is activated for approximately 30 seconds.
Display illumination, changing basic settings for driving 
at dusk or in darkness:
Rotate adjusting knob (1) clockwise – instrument lamp 
intensity increases.
Rotate adjusting knob (1) counterclockwise – 
instrument lamp intensity decreases.
Note:
It is not possible to select a basic brightness setting in 
daylight – the intensity is adjusted automatically.
OM_203.book  Seite 100  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

143 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a 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 positionM orU.
OM_203.book  Seite 143  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

144 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Headlamp mode
Manual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and parking lamps can be 
switched on and off with the exterior lamp switch. For 
exterior lamp switch, see above.
Note:
With the daytime running lamp mode activated and the 
engine running, the low beam headlamps can not be 
switched off manually.Automat ic headlamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionU.
•Electronic key in starter switch position 1:
The parking lamps switch on and off automatically 
depending on the brightness of the ambient light.
•Electronic key in starter switch position 2 and the 
engine running:
The low beam headlamps and parking lamps are 
switched on and off automatically depending on the 
brightness of the ambient light.
The low beam headlamps and parking lamps can 
still be switched on and off manually using the 
exterior lamp switch.
Note:
With the daytime running lamp mode activated, the low 
beam headlamps can not be switched off manually.
The headlamps will not be automatically switched on 
under foggy conditions.
Front fog lamps and rear fog lamp can not be switched 
on manually with exterior lamp switch in positionU. 
To activate the fog lamps turn exterior switch to 
positionB.
Wa r n i n g !
The driver is responsible for the operation of the 
vehicle’s lights at all times. The automatic 
headlamp feature is only an aid to the driver. 
Switch on the vehicle lights by hand when driving 
or traffic conditions require you to do so.
OM_203.book  Seite 144  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

145 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Daytime running lamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionM orU.
When the engine is running, the low beam headlamps 
are automatically switched on. In low ambient light 
conditions the parking lamps will also switch 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.
To activate the daytime running lamp mode, see the 
individual setting menu “LIGHTING” – “LIGHT 
CIRCUIT HEADLAMP MODE” on page 128.
Note:
See page 143 for notes on the exterior lamp switch.
OM_203.book  Seite 145  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

146 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Night security illumination
At low ambient light conditions and with the engine 
having been switched off, the exterior lamps (fog lamps 
and parking lamps) switch on for added illumination, 
(except in daytime running mode). After the last door 
has been closed the lamp-on time period commences.
See the individual setting menu  “LIGHTING” –
“HEADLAMPS DELAYED SWITCH–OFF” on page 128, 
for instructions on how to activate the function.
The lamp-on time period for night security illumination 
can be set at several different timed levels from 0 (off) to 
60 seconds, see the individual setting menu 
“LIGHTING” – “HEADLAMPS DELAYED SWITCH–OFF” 
on page 128.Notes:
Within 10 minutes after closing the last door the night 
security illumination can be reactivated by opening a 
door.
If after switching the engine off, no doors are opened or 
if after opening the doors they are not closed, the night 
security illumination will switch off automatically 
after 60 seconds.
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.
OM_203.book  Seite 146  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11