Page 215 of 406
212 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
2Cup holder in rear seat armrestTo o p e n :
Push front of sliding compartment – the cup holder
slides out.
To c l o s e :
Push the sliding compartment back until it engages.
Wa r n i n g !
Keep the cup holder closed while traveling. Place
only containers that fit into the cup holder to
prevent spills. Do not fill containers to a height
where the contents could spill during vehicle
maneuvers, especially hot liquids.
OM_203.book Seite 212 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 218 of 406

215 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Lighter
1Center console lighter
The lighter is located in the center console compartment
in front of the armrest, see page 209.Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1
or 2.
Push in lighter in (1); it will pop out automatically when
hot.
Note:
The lighter can be operated with electronic key in
starter switch position 1 or 2.
The lighter socket can be used to accommodate
electrical accessories up to a maximum 85 W.
P 68.00-2714-26
Wa r n i n g !
Never touch the heating element or sides of the
lighter, they are extremely hot, hold at knob only.When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the starter switch. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with access
to an unl ocked vehic l e. Uns upervi s ed us e of vehi cl e
equipment may cause serious personal injury.
OM_203.book Seite 215 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 220 of 406
217 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 3. Open hook and loop strap (2) and pull ski sack into
passenger compartment and unfold.4. Open flap in trunk by pulling handle (3).
OM_203.book Seite 217 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 223 of 406
220 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
5. Close ski sack compartment cover.Removal of ski sack
For removal of the ski sack we recommend that you
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Note:
To prevent unauthorized persons from access to the
trunk, always close the pass-through.
Wa r n i n g !
Never drive vehicle with trunk lid open while the
ski sack is removed. Deadly carbon monoxide (CO)
gases may enter vehicle interior resulting in
unconsciousness and death.
OM_203.book Seite 220 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 234 of 406

231 Contents - Driving
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters .....................232
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) .................................233
Maintenance ...................................233
Tele Aid ...........................................234
Catalytic converter ........................244
Emission control ............................245
Starter switch .................................246
Starting and turning off
the engine ..................................248
Manual transmission ....................249
Automatic transmission ............... 251
Parking brake .................................260Driving instructions ...................... 261
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ....... 261
Drinking and driving ................ 261
Pedals .......................................... 261
Power assistance ........................ 262
Brakes .......................................... 262
Driving off ................................... 263
Parking ........................................ 264
Tires ............................................. 265
Snow chains ............................... 267
Winter driving
instructions ................................ 268
Deep water .................................. 270
Passenger compartment ............271
Traveling abroad .........................271Cruise control .................................272
Brake assist system (BAS) ............275
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ........................................... 276
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................278
What you should know
at the gas station .......................282
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................284
OM_203.book Seite 231 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 273 of 406
270 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Deep water
Caution!
Do not drive through flooded areas or water of unknown
depth.
If you must drive through deep water, drive slowly to
prevent water from entering the engine compartment or
passenger compartment, being ingested by the air
intake, possibly causing damage to electrical
components or wiring, to engine or transmission that is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
OM_203.book Seite 270 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 274 of 406
271 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Passenger compartment Traveling abroad
Abroad, there is a widely-spread Mercedes-Benz service
network at your disposal. If you plan to travel into areas
which are not listed in the index of your Mercedes-Benz
Center directory, you should request pertinent
information from your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Wa r n i n g !
Always fasten items being carried as securely as
possible.In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle, and cause injury to vehicle
occupants unless the items are securely fastened in
the vehicle.The trunk is the preferred place to carry objects.
OM_203.book Seite 271 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
Page 290 of 406

287 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index may still drive the vehicle, however, in all cases, we
recommend that you have the system checked at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
If the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp comes on continuosly
and / or the vehicle is not driving normally (e.g.
malfunction of the fuel management system or running
out of fuel), serious damage can occur to the emission
system. Please contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately.
The Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection (SFI) control
module monitors emission control components that
either provide input signals to or receive output signals
from the control module. Malfunctions resulting from
interruptions or failure of any of these components are
indicated by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster and are
simultaneously stored in the SFI control module.If the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp
comes on, have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
With some exceptions, the control module switches off
the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp if the
condition, causing the lamp to come on, no longer exists
during three consecutive cycles.
An on-board diagnostic connector is located in the
passenger compartment near to the parking brake
pedal, allowing the accurate identification of system
malfunctions through the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes.
OM_203.book Seite 287 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11