
1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information  .......................... 7
Operator’s manual  ............................. 8
Where to find it  ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects  ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls  ............... 18
Door control panel  ....................... 20
Overhead control panel  ............... 21
Dashboard  ..................................... 22
Center console  .............................. 24OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 28
Start lock-out  .................................... 30
General notes on the 
central locking system  ............... 30
Central locking system  ................... 31
Radio frequency and 
infrared remote control  ............... 31
Locking and unlocking ................ 33Choosing global or selective 
mode on remote control  ............. 33
Opening the trunk  ....................... 34
Opening and closing windows 
and sliding / pop-up roof 
from outside  ................................. 35
Panic button  ................................. 36
Mechanical keys  .......................... 36
Doors  ................................................. 37
Central locking switch .................... 39
Automatic central locking .............. 40
Emergency unlocking 
in case of accident  ...................... 40
Trunk ..................................................41
Trunk lid emergency release  ........ 43
Trunk lid emergency release  ........ 44
Trunk lid release switch  ................ 45
Trunk lamp ....................................... 45
Antitheft alarm system ................... 46
Tow-away alarm  ............................... 47
Easy-entry/exit feature  .................. 48
Front seat adjustment ..................... 49
Removal and installation of 
front seat head restraints  .......... 55Multicontour seat  ............................ 57
Heated seats  ..................................... 58
Rear seat head restraints ................ 60
Seat belts and integrated 
restraint system  .......................... 63
Seat belts ........................................... 63
Seat belt nonusage 
warning system  ........................... 64
BabySmart
TM airbag 
deactivation system  .................... 70
Supplemental Restraint 
System (SRS)  ............................... 71
Emergency tensioning 
retractor (ETR) ............................. 72
Airbags  .............................................. 73
Safety guidelines for the seat 
belt, emergency tensioning 
retractor and airbag .................... 81
Infant and child 
restraint systems ......................... 83
Steering wheel adjustment 
(manual)  ....................................... 88
Steering wheel adjustment 
(electrical)  .................................... 89
Rear view mirrors  ............................ 90
OM_203.book  Seite 1  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

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 

6 Contents
Vehicle careCleaning and care 
of the vehicle  .............................366
Power washer ..............................367
Tar stains  .....................................367
Paintwork, painted body 
components  .................................367
Engine cleaning ..........................368
Vehicle washing  .........................368
Ornamental moldings ................369
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses  ......................369
Window cleaning ........................369
Wiper blade  .................................369
Light alloy wheels  ......................370
Instrument cluster  .....................370
Steering wheel and 
gear selector lever  ......................370
Cup holder ...................................370
Seat belts  ..................................... 371
Headliner and 
shelf below rear window  ........... 371
Leather upholstery  ..................... 371Hard plastic trim items ..............371
Plastic and rubber parts  ............371
Technical dataSpare parts service  ........................374
Warranty coverage  .........................374
Identification labels  ...................... 375
Layout of poly-V-belt drive  ............376
Technical data  ................................ 377
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - 
capacities  ................................... 381
Engine oils ...................................... 383
Engine oil additives  ...................... 383
Air conditioner refrigerant  .......... 383
Brake fluid ...................................... 383
Premium unleaded gasoline  ........ 384
Fuel requirements  ........................ 384
Gasoline additives  ......................... 385
Coolants  .......................................... 385
Consumer information  ................. 387
Uniform tire quality grading  ....... 387
IndexIndex  ................................................389
OM_203.book  Seite 6  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

20 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Door control panel1Door handle, pull to open, see page 37
2Memory function (for storing seat, steering wheel 
and exterior rear view mirror settings), see page 95
3Front seat adjustment switch, see page 49
4Steering wheel adjustment switch, see page 89
5Power window switch, see page 197
6Switch for rear door window override, see page 197 
and 199
7Trunk lid release switch, see page 45
OM_203.book  Seite 20  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

26 Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 28
Start lock-out  .................................... 30
General notes on the 
central locking system  ............... 30
Central locking system  ................... 31
Radio frequency and 
infrared remote control  ............... 31
Locking and unlocking ................ 33
Choosing global or selective 
mode on remote control  .............. 33
Opening the trunk  ....................... 34
Opening and closing windows 
and sliding / pop-up roof 
from outside  .................................. 35
Panic button  .................................. 36
Mechanical keys  ........................... 36
Doors .................................................. 37
Central locking switch  .................... 39
Automatic central locking  .............. 40
Emergency unlocking 
in case of accident  ...................... 40
Trunk  ................................................. 41Trunk lid emergency release  ........ 43
Trunk lid emergency release  ........ 44
Trunk lid release switch  ................ 45
Trunk lamp ....................................... 45
Antitheft alarm system ................... 46
Tow-away alarm  ............................... 47
Easy-entry/exit feature  .................. 48
Front seat adjustment ..................... 49
Removal and installation of 
front seat head restraints  .......... 55
Multicontour seat  ............................ 57
Heated seats  ..................................... 58
Rear seat head restraints  ............... 60
Seat belts and integrated 
restraint system  .......................... 63
Seat belts  .......................................... 63
Seat belt nonusage 
warning system  .......................... 64
BabySmart
TM airbag 
deactivation system  ................... 70
Supplemental Restraint 
System (SRS)  ................................ 71
Emergency tensioning 
retractor (ETR)  ............................ 72Airbags  .............................................. 73
Safety guidelines for the seat 
belt, emergency tensioning 
retractor and airbag .................... 81
Infant and child 
restraint systems ......................... 83
Steering wheel adjustment 
(manual)  ....................................... 88
Steering wheel adjustment 
(electrical)  .................................... 89
Rear view mirrors  ............................ 90
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
OM_203.book  Seite 26  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 

40 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Automatic central locking
Wit h t he autom ati c c entral lockin g s ystem ac ti vate d,  t he 
doors and trunk are locked at vehicle speeds of 
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or more. The fuel filler 
flap remains unlocked.
The automatic central locking function can be switched 
on or off in the individual setting menu “VEHICLE” – 
“AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK”, see page 131.
Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch 
after activating the automatic central locking, and 
neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked 
even at vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.
If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of 
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or less with the 
automatic central locking activated, the door will again 
be automatically locked at speeds of approximately 
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a 
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the 
electronic key in starter switch position 2, the vehicle 
doors will lock if the left front wheel as well as the right 
rear wheel spin at vehicle speeds of approximately 
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
Emergency unlocking in case of accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after an 
accident in which an airbag or emergency tensioning 
retractor deploys (this is intended to aid rescue and 
exit).
OM_203.book  Seite 40  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

48 Easy-entry/exit feature
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Easy-entry / exit feature
(only vehicles with memory function)
With the easy-entry/exit feature activated, the steering 
wheel tilts upwards and the driver’s seat moves 
rearwards.
This allows easier entry into and exit from the vehicle 
when the driver’s door is opened. However, the engine 
must be turned off.
The easy-entry /exit feature can be switched on or off in 
the individual setting menu “CONVENIENCE” –
“EASY-ENTRY FEATURE ACTIVATE”, see page 134.
When the electronic key is inserted in the starter switch 
and the driver’s door is closed, the steering wheel and 
the driver’s seat return to the last position set for it.
Wa r n i n g !
You must ensure that no one can become trapped 
or injured by the moving steering wheel and the 
driver’s seat with the easy-entry / exit feature 
activated and you open the driver’s door or remove 
the electronic key from the starter switch. Do not 
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with 
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of 
vehicle equipment may cause serious personal 
injury.
OM_203.book  Seite 48  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11