
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 

23 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Hood lock release, see page 318
2Parking brake pedal, see page 260
3Steering wheel adjustment (manual), see page 88
4Parking brake release, see page 260
5Exterior lamp switch, see page 143
6Combination switch, see page 148
7Exterior mirror adjustment switch, see page 91
8Headlamp washer button, see page 147
9Cruise control switch, see page 27210Multifunction steering wheel, see page 102
Horn (with electronic key in starter switch 
position 1 or 2)
11Instrument cluster, see page 98
12Voice recognition system switch, see separate 
operating instructions
13Starter switch, see page 246
14Glove box lid release, see page 208
15Glove box lock, see page 208
OM_203.book  Seite 23  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 

30 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Start lock-out
Important!
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.
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).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 of either front door 
handle. Check the batteries of the electronic key, see 
page 357, or synchronize the electronic key, see 
page 359.
•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.
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 key.
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36 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Panic button
To activate press and hold button (1) for at least one 
second. An audible alarm and blinking exterior lamps 
will operate for approximately 3 minutes.
To deactivate press button (1) again, or insert electronic 
key in starter switch.Note:
For operation in the USA only: This device complies 
with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to 
the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, 
including interference that may cause undesired 
operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this device could void 
the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Mechanical keys
The mechanical keys work only in driver’s door, trunk, 
and glove box locks.
Notes:
The mechanical key does not operate the central locking 
system or antitheft alarm system.
The fuel filler flap cannot be locked or unlocked with 
the mechanical key.
If the fuel filler flap cannot be opened, see page 360.
P 80.35-2035-26
1
OM_203.book  Seite 36  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

38 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
If the vehicle has previously been locked from the 
outside, opening a door from the inside will trigger the 
alarm. When opening a front door while the central 
locking system is in the:
•selective unlocking mode, only that individual door 
is unlocked. The remaining doors, the trunk and 
fuel filler flap remain locked.
•global unlocking mode, all doors, the trunk and fuel 
filler flap are unlocked.
Notes:
In case of a malfunction in the central locking system 
the doors can be locked and unlocked individually.
To lock, push down lock buttons or turn mechanical key 
in driver’s door lock to position 3. In addition lock the 
trunk.To unlock, pull inside door handles or turn mechanical 
key in driver’s door lock to position 2.
Rear doors can only be opened from inside by first 
pulling up the door lock button.
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 key.
OM_203.book  Seite 38  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

41 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Trunk
The lock is located next to the recessed handle.
When the trunk is separately locked, it remains locked 
when centrally unlocking the vehicle.
To deny any unauthorized person access to the trunk, 
lock it separately with the mechanical key. Leave only 
the electronic key less its mechanical key with the 
vehicle.
Notes:
In case of a malfunction in the central locking system 
the trunk can be unlocked individually.
To unlock and open the trunk lid, turn mechanical key 
to position 2, hold and push to open.
The mechanical key does not operate the central locking 
system or antitheft alarm system.
When unlocking the trunk 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 key.
If the fuel filler flap cannot be opened, see page 360.0Neutral position
1Separate locking of trunk – remove mechanical key 
in this position.
2Unlocking
Important!
Do not p lac e m echan ical key in sid e tr un k , s in ce tr unk  is  
locked again when closing the lid if the vehicle has been 
previously centrally locked.
OM_203.book  Seite 41  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

46 Antitheft alarm system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Antitheft alarm system
1Indicator lamp in switch located in center console
The antitheft alarm is automatically armed or disarmed 
with the remote control by locking or unlocking the 
vehicle.
The antitheft alarm is armed within approximately 
10 seconds after locking the vehicle.
A blinking lamp (1) indicates that the alarm is armed.Operation:
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior 
vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when 
someone:
•opens a door,
•opens the trunk,
•opens the hood,
•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 
activating element (a door, for example) is immediately 
closed. If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds, 
an emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele 
Aid on page 234.
Notes:
When you unlock 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 key.
OM_203.book  Seite 46  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11