
101 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Outside temperature indicator (17)
The temperature sensor is located in the front bumper
area. Due to its location, the sensor can be affected by
road or engine heat during idling or slow driving. This
means that the accuracy of the displayed temperature
can only be verified by comparison to a thermometer
placed next to the sensor, not by comparison to external
displays (e.g. bank signs etc.).
Adaption to ambient temperature takes place in steps
and depends on the prevailing driving conditions (stop-
and-go or moderate, constant driving) and amount of
temperature change.
Note:
The uni t for the temp erature in di cator d is play can b e set
in the individual setting menu “INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER” – “TEMP. INDICATOR” on page 121.Trip odometer (13)
To reset to “0” miles / km:
Activate the instrument cluster if it is not already
activated, see page 100.
Press button è or ÿ on the multifunction
steering wheel repeatedly until the trip odometer
appears if it is not displayed. See page 106.
Press button (1) on the instrument cluster, see page 100.
Tachometer (2)
The red marking on the tachometer denotes excessive
engine speed.
Avoid this engine speed, as it may result in serious
engine damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply is interrupted
if the engine is operated within the red marking.
Wa r n i n g !
The outside temperature indicator is not designed
to serve as an Ice-Warning Device and is therefore
unsuitable for that purpose. Indicated
temperatures just above the freezing point do not
guarantee that the road surface is free of ice.
OM_203.book Seite 101 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

156 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Basic setting – automatic mode
In the automatic mode the climate control cools or heats
the interior depending on outside temperature and the
selected interior temperature. With the automatic mode
switched off, the air volume and distribution can still be
set manually.
Press U button. Air volume and distribution are
controlled automatically.
We recommend to set the left and right temperature
to 72
°F (22
°C). Please make changes from this setting to
suit your personal requirements.
Heating mode:
To lower headroom temperature, use thumbwheel
(4, page 152).
Air conditioning mode:
Open air outlets at dashboard top center (7, page 152)
for an even air distribution.Special settings (use only for short duration)
Air distribution and air volume, manual
Press U button. The indicator lamp in the button will
go out.
Select any of the six air volume speeds and the air
distribution.
Air distribution, manual:
The air distribution for the right and left side operate
together.
hAir from the center, side, dashboard top center
and rear passenger compartment air outlets.
jAir from the windshield, side defroster and rear
passenger compartment air outlets.
kAir from the center, side, footwell, rear footwell
and rear passenger compartment air outlets.
To return to automatic mode:
Press the U button. The indicator lamp in the button
illuminates.
OM_203.book Seite 156 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

157 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Defrosting
Press the P button. The indicator lamp in the button
illuminates.
Switch off air recirculation, if selected. Press
buttonO, the indicator lamp in the button will go
out.
Close center air outlets.
Turn wheels (8, page 152) up to open left and right side
air outlets (9, page 152). Adjust side air outlets upward.
Pressing the switch again returns the system to the
previous setting.Windows fogged up on the inside
Switch off the economy mode, if selected. Press
buttonS. The indicator lamp in the button will go
out.
Switch off air recirculation, if selected. Press
buttonO. The indicator lamp in the button will go
out.
Set blower to the maximum blower speed.
Press the P button. The indicator lamp in the button
illuminates.
Increase temperature setting.
Open the side air outlets (9, page 152) and direct them
onto the side windows.
Windshield fogged up on the outside
Switch on the windshield wiper.
Close air outlet at dashboard top center (7, page 152).
Switch to manual mode.
Turn air distribution control switch to positionh
ork.
OM_203.book Seite 157 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

165 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Special settings (use only for short duration)
Air distribution, manual
Press left or right U button. The button pops out, the
h, j andk symbols are visible. Turn the
button to select the air distribution desired.
hAir from the center, side, dashboard top center
and rear passenger compartment air outlets.
jAir from the windshield, side defroster and rear
passenger compartment air outlets.
kAir from the center, side, footwell, rear footwell
and rear passenger compartment air outlets.
To return to automatic mode:
Press left or right U button. The h, j
andk symbols will no longer be visible.Air volume, manual
Seven blower speeds are available.
Press rightQ or leftM side of air volume control
switch until the requested blower speed is attained.
The display “AUTO” disappears and the automatic mode
is switched off. The selected blower speed is shown in
the display.
To return to automatic mode:
Press left or right U button until it clicks in. The
h, j andk symbols will no longer be visible.
OM_203.book Seite 165 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

166 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Defrosting
Press the P button. The indicator lamp in the button
illuminates.
Maximum heated and automatically controlled amount
of air is directed to the defroster and windshield air
outlets.
Switch off air recirculation, if selected: Press
buttonO. The indicator lamp in the button will go
out.
The fan is set to a higher speed and the warm air is
directed to the defroster and windshield air outlets.
Pressing the P button again returns the system to
the previous setting.Windows fogged up on the inside
Switch off the economy mode, if selected:
Press buttonS. The indicator lamp in the button will
go out.
Switch off air recirculation, if selected:
Press buttonO. The indicator lamp in the button will
go out.
Set blower to the maximum blower speed.
Increase temperature setting.
Open the side air outlets and direct them onto the side
windows.
Windshield fogged up on the outside
Switch on the windshield wiper.
Close air outlet at dashboard top center (7, page 160).
Switch to manual mode.
Turn air distribution control switch to positionh
ork.
OM_203.book Seite 166 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

193 Audio system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Manual repeat dialing (redial)
The last number entered can be re-selected by pressing
the “SND” key once, and the call can be placed by
pressing the “SND” key a second time. The last dialed
telephone number is shown on the display. Using the
, , or button, the numbers stored in
the re-dial memory of the telephone can be selected.
The abbreviation L and the
number in the memory are
shown in the top line of the
display.
Automatic repeat dialing (redial)
If no call can be placed, press the “SND” key.
“REDIAL” is shown on the display and repeated
attempts will be made for the next four minutes.Abbreviated dialing from previously stored
telephone numbers
Quick-dialing
Enter the previously selected
maximum 3-digit (1 - 999)
number and press “RCL”.
The telephone number
previously stored under that number will be displayed.
Press the soft key “SND”. The call is set up.
Speed-dialing
Enter the memory location desired with buttons -
. You can enter up to 2 digits.
To correct the last digit press the soft key “CLR”.
Press the soft key “SND”. The phone number stored at
this memory location will appear on the screen and the
call is set up.
The abb rev iati on “L” an d t he n umb er in t he memo ry are
shown in the top line of the display.
0OPR
OM_203.book Seite 193 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

225 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Telephone, general
See separate instruction manual for instructions on how
to operate the telephone.
Wa r n i n g !
A driver’s attention to the road must always be his /
her primary focus when driving. For your safety
and the safety of others, we recommend that you
pull over to a safe location and stop before placing
or taking a telephone call. If you choose to use the
telephone while driving, please use the hands-free
device and only use the telephone when road and
traffic conditions permit.Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
cellular telephone while driving a vehicle.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km / h), your vehicle is covering
a distance of approximately 50 feet (approximately
14 m) every second. Never operate radio transmitters equipped with a
built-in or attached antenna (i.e. without being
connected to an external antenna) from inside the
vehicle while the engine is running. Doing so could
lead to a malfunction of the vehicle’s electronic
system, possibly resulting in an accident and
personal injury.
OM_203.book Seite 225 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

247 Starter switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
If the electronic key is left in the starter switch
position 0 for a extended period of time, it can no longer
be turn ed in t he lock . In t his cas e, rem ove electron ic key
from starter switch and reinsert.
Caution!
To prevent accelerated battery discharge and a possible
dead battery, always remove the electronic key from the
starter switch. Do not leave the electronic key in starter
switch position 0.Notes:
A warning sounds when the driver’s door is opened
with the electronic key is in starter switch position 1
or 0.
If the electronic key cannot be turned in the starter
switch, the vehicle battery may not be sufficiently
charged. See battery on page 342 or jump starting on
page 344.
With the engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the
alternator (output) is limited.
It is therefore recommended that you turn off
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in stop-
and-go traffic. This precaution helps to avoid draining of
the battery.
Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system
may be minimized by turning off the following power
consumers, for example:
Heated seats, rear window defroster. In addition, the
automatic climate air volume control should be set to
the lowest position.
OM_203.book Seite 247 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11