
2 Contents
Instrument cluster ........................... 98
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ............... 102
Trip and main odometer
and sub menu ............................ 106
Audio systems ................................ 108
Radio ............................................ 108
CD player ..................................... 109
Cassette player ............................110
Telephone .........................................111
Navigation system ...........................116
Trip computer ..................................117
Malfunction/warning
message memory .......................119
Individual settings ......................... 121
Setting the audio volume .............. 136
Coolant temperature gauge .......... 137
Flexible service system
(FSS) ............................................ 138
Engine oil level indicator .............. 141
Engine oil consumption ................ 142
Exterior lamp switch ..................... 143
Headlamp mode ............................. 144Night security illumination ......... 146
Locator lighting .......................... 147
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 147
Combination switch ...................... 148
Hazard warning flasher
switch .......................................... 151
Climate control ...............................152
Automatic climate control .............160
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation .......... 171
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air outlets ............... 172
Operation Audio and telephone .. 173
Operating safety ............................ 173
Operating and display elements .. 174
Button and soft key operation ...... 176
Operation ......................................... 176
Switching on and off ...................... 176
Adjusting the volume ................... 177
Audio functions ............................. 177
Bass ................................................. 177
Treble .............................................. 177
Balance ............................................ 178
Centering all audio functions ...... 178Audio system
tone level selection ................... 179
Radio mode ..................................... 179
Selecting radio mode ..................... 179
Selecting the band ......................... 179
Manual tuning ................................ 180
Seek tuning ..................................... 180
Scan tuning ..................................... 180
Weather Band ................................. 181
Station memory .............................. 181
Storing stations automatically
(Autostore) ................................. 181
Storing stations .............................. 182
Retrieving a station
from memory ............................. 182
Direct frequency input
AM and FM only ....................... 182
Cassette mode ................................ 182
Playing cassettes ............................ 182
Cassette eject .................................. 183
Track selection ............................... 184
Track search
forwards/backwards ................. 184
Fast forward/reverse ..................... 184
OM_203.book Seite 2 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

3 ContentsScanning ......................................... 185
Scanning ......................................... 185
Dolby NR 1
noise reduction system ............ 185
CD mode .......................................... 186
General notes on CD mode ........... 186
CD changer installed ..................... 187
Loading/emptying
the CD magazine ....................... 187
Playing CDs .................................... 188
Skipping tracks
forward/backward .................... 188
Fast forward/reverse ..................... 189
Scanning ......................................... 189
Random play/repeat function ...... 189
Direct track selection .................... 190
Track and time display ................. 190
Telephone operation ...................... 190
Switching the telephone
on and off ................................... 190
Adjusting the volume .................... 191
Entering telephone number
and starting dialing process .... 191
Calling up the phone book ........... 191Switching between
name search and
number search ........................... 191
Searching and selecting
phone book entries
by number ..................................192
Placing a call ...................................192
Manual repeat dialing
(redial) .........................................193
Automatic repeat dialing
(redial) .........................................193
Speed dialing ..................................193
Turbo-dialing ..................................194
Multi party call ...............................194
Accepting incoming call in
telephone mode .........................194
Accepting incoming call
in tape, CD or radio mode ........194
Terminating call .............................195
Muting a call ...................................195
Component malfunctions ..............195
Power windows ...............................197
Sliding/pop-up roof ....................... 200
Interior lighting ............................. 203Rear window sunshade .................205
Sun visors .......................................206
Vanity mirrors ................................206
Interior ............................................207
Storage compartments
and armrests ..............................207
Glove box .....................................208
Cup holder ...................................... 211
Ashtrays .......................................... 213
Lighter ............................................. 215
Parcel net in
front passenger footwell .......... 216
Ski sack ........................................... 216
Enlarged cargo area ....................... 221
Split folding rear seat bench ........ 221
Loading instructions
(vehicle with
enlarged cargo area) .................223
Cellular telephone .........................224
Telephone, general ........................225
Garage door opener .......................226
OM_203.book Seite 3 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

4 Contents
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 .................................260
Driving instructions ...................... 261
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ........ 261
Drinking and driving ................. 261
Pedals ........................................... 261
Power assistance ........................262
Brakes ..........................................262
Driving off ...................................263
Parking ........................................264Tires ............................................. 265
Snow chains ............................... 267
Winter driving
instructions ................................ 268
Deep water .................................. 270
Passenger compartment ............271
Traveling abroad .........................271
Cruise 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
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster ........ 286
On-board diagnostic system ........ 286
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 286Brake warning lamp ..................288
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) indicator lamp ....289
Fuel reserve warning .................290
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 291
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............292
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp ............................292
Malfunction and
indicator lamp in
the center console .....................292
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....292
Malfunction and
warning messages in the
multifunction display ...............293
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................295
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR ........296
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ....297
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................297
BRAKE PAD WEAR ....................298
BRAKE FLUID .............................298
PARKING BRAKE .......................299
OM_203.book Seite 4 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

5 ContentsSEAT BELT SYSTEM ...................299
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program) ..300
COOLANT
(coolant level) ............................. 301
COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................302
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ...................303
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................304
LAMP SENSOR ...........................306
DOOR ............................................306
TRUNK OPEN .............................307
HOOD ...........................................307
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION .......308
TELE AID .....................................308
WASHER FLUID ..........................309
RESTRAINT SYSTEM ................. 310
KEY ............................................... 310
FUEL RESERVE .......................... 311
UNDERVOLTAGE ........................ 311
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. ........... 312
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ...................................... 314
Stowing things in the vehicle ....... 314
Fuses ................................................ 315
Hood ................................................. 318
Adding engine oil .......................... 321
Automatic transmission
fluid level ................................... 322
Coolant level ................................... 322
Adding coolant ........................... 323
Windshield and
headlamp washer system ........ 323
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ............... 325
TIREFIT, vehicle tools,
storage compartment
(C 32 AMG only) ....................... 326
Vehicle jack .................................... 327
Wheels ............................................ 328
Tire replacement ....................... 328
Rotating wheels ......................... 329Spare wheel ....................................330
Spare wheel bolts .......................330
Changing wheels ........................... 331
TIREFIT ...........................................337
Tire inflation pressure .................. 341
Battery .............................................342
Jump starting ..................................344
Towing the vehicle .........................347
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ...................350
Exterior lamps ................................ 351
Replacing bulbs .......................... 351
Standby bulb function ...................356
Changing batteries in the
electronic main key ..................357
Synchronizing
remote control ............................359
Emergency engine shut-down .....359
Fuel filler flap, manual release ...360
Replacing wiper blade insert .......362
Roof rack .........................................363
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25 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 12Ashtray, see page 213
13Automatic transmission, see page 251
or Manual transmission, see page 24914Storage compartment, see page 209
15Armrest, see page 209
Storage compartment, see page 215
OM_203.book Seite 25 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

27 Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Malfunction/warning
message memory .......................119
Individual settings ......................... 121
Setting the audio volume .............. 136
Coolant temperature gauge .......... 137
Flexible service system
(FSS) ............................................ 138
Engine oil level indicator .............. 141
Engine oil consumption ................ 142
Exterior lamp switch ..................... 143
Headlamp mode ............................. 144
Night security illumination ......... 146
Locator lighting .......................... 147
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 147
Combination switch ...................... 148
Hazard warning flasher
switch .......................................... 151Climate control ...............................152
Automatic climate control .............160
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation .......... 171
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air outlets ............... 172
Operation Audio and telephone .. 173
Operating safety ............................ 173
Operating and display elements .. 174
Button and soft key operation ...... 176
Component malfunctions ..............195
Power windows ...............................197
Sliding/pop-up roof ....................... 200
Interior lighting ............................. 203
Rear window sunshade ................ 205
Sun visors ....................................... 206
Vanity mirrors ............................... 206Interior ............................................207
Storage compartments
and armrests ..............................207
Glove box .....................................208
Cup holder ...................................... 211
Ashtrays .......................................... 213
Lighter ............................................. 215
Parcel net in
front passenger footwell .......... 216
Ski sack ........................................... 216
Enlarged cargo area ....................... 221
Split folding rear seat bench ........ 221
Loading instructions
(vehicle with
enlarged cargo area) .................223
Cellular telephone .........................224
Telephone, general ........................225
Garage door opener .......................226
OM_203.book Seite 27 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

29 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Electronic key
The electronic key has an integrated radio frequency
and infrared remote control, plus removable mechanical
key.
The remote control (1) operates all locks on the vehicle.
The mechanical key (2) works only in the driver’s door,
trunk, and glove box lock.When using the mechanical key (2) for lock operations,
it can be removed by sliding it out of the remote control.
To do so, move locking tab (3) to the right and slide the
mechanical key (2) in direction of arrow (4).
The remote control transmitter is located in the
electronic key.
The infrared receivers are located in the front door
handles.
Note:
Remove the mechanical key from the electronic key
when using valet parking service. To prevent access to
trunk or storage compartments lock them separately
and retain the mechanical key.
See page 41 for separate locking of trunk and page 208
for locking of glove box.
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.
P 80.35-2031-26
1
3
4
2
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60 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Rear seat head restraints
Folding head restraints back with switch in the center
console:
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1
or 2.
Folding head restraints back:
Press the symbol-side on the rocker switch to release
the head restraints. The head restraints will fold
backward for increased visibility.Folding head restraints back in the rear passenger
compartment:
Push lock button (1). The head restraints will fold
backward.
OM_203.book Seite 60 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11