
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
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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
OM_203.book  Seite 5  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

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
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241 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index need to retransmit. During this time you will hear a 
chirp and voice contact will be interrupted. Voice 
contact will resume once the retransmission is 
completed. Once a call is concluded, a chirp will be 
heard and the appropriate indicator lamp will stop 
flashing. The COMAND system operation will resume 
(only vehicles with COMAND).
Important!
If the indicator lamp continues to flash or the system 
does not reset, contact the Response Center at 
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in 
Canada), or Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance at 
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) in the USA or 
Customer Service at 1-800-387-0100 in Canada.Notes:
The indicator lamp in the respective button flashes until 
the call is concluded. Calls can only be terminated by a 
Response Center or Customer Assistance Center 
representative except Roadside Assistance and 
Information calls, which can also be terminated by 
pressing ìbutton on the multifunction steering 
wheel.
When a Tele Aid call has been initiated, the audio 
system or the COMAND system audio (only vehicles 
with COMAND) is muted and the selected mode (radio, 
tape or CD) pauses. The optional cellular phone (if 
installed) switches off. If you must use this phone, the 
vehicle must be parked. Disconnect the coiled cord and 
place the call. The navigation system (if engaged) will 
continue to run. The display in the instrument cluster is 
available for use and spoken commands are only 
available by pressing the RPT button on the COMAND 
unit. A pop-up window will appear in the COMAND 
display to indicate that a Tele Aid call is in progress.
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248 Starting and turning off the enginge
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Starting and turning off the engine
Before starting
Ensure that parking brake is engaged and that selector 
lever is in position “P” or “N” (gearshift lever in 
neutral). Turn electronic key in starter switch to 
position 2.
Starting
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do n ot de pr ess  accelerato r. B rie f ly  turn  electron ic  key i n 
starter switch clockwise to the stop and release. The 
starter will engage until the engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops, 
turn electronic key completely to the left and repeat 
starting the engine.
After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system 
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.Vehicles with manual transmission:
Do not depress accelerator. Fully depress clutch pedal, 
otherwise the engine cannot be started due to the 
integrated safety interlock.
Turn electronic key in starter switch clockwise to the 
stop. Release only when the engine is firing regularly.
Important!
Due to the installed starter non-repeat feature, the 
electronic key must be turned completely to the left 
before attempting to start the engine again.
In areas where temperatures frequently drop below -4
°F 
(-20
°C) we recommend that an engine block heater be 
installed. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will 
advise you on this subject, see page 269.
Turning off
Turn the electronic key in the starter switch to 
position 0 to turn off the engine.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
The electronic key can only be removed with the 
selector lever in position “P”.
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253 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the 
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service 
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N” 
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not 
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids 
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a 
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually 
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never 
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow), 
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying 
slight partial throttle.Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the 
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to 
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the 
malfunction indication.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever 
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous. 
A ls o, w hen pa rked on a n in c li ne, pos i tion “P” a lon e 
may not prevent your vehicle from moving, 
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting 
to position “P”, see page 260 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel 
towards the road curb.Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key 
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not 
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with 
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could move 
the selector lever from position “P”, which could 
result in an accident or serious injury.
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268 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy roads is to 
drive sensibly and to avoid abrupt acceleration, braking 
and steering maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control 
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, move 
selector lever to position “N” or in case of manual 
transmission declutch. Try to keep the vehicle under 
control by corrective steering action.
Road salts and chemicals can adversely affect braking 
efficiency. Increased pedal force may become necessary 
to produce the normal brake effect. We therefore 
recommend depressing the brake pedal periodically 
when traveling at length on salt-strewn roads. This can 
bring road salt impaired braking efficiency back to 
normal. A prerequisite is, however, that this be done 
without endangering other drivers on the road.If the vehicle is parked af ter being driven on salt treated 
roads, the braking ef f iciency should be tested as soon as 
possible after driving is resumed while observing the 
safety rules in the previous paragraph.
Wa r n i n g !
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure 
that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and 
from around the vehicle with engine running. 
O t h e rw i s e ,  d e a d ly  c a r b o n  m o n ox i d e  ( CO )  ga s e s  m ay  
enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness 
and death.To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a 
window slightly on the side of the vehicle not 
facing the wind.
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274 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
If the engine does not brake the vehicle sufficiently 
while driving on a downgrade, the speed you set on the 
cruise control may be exceeded. In this case the 
following will assist in maintaining the set cruise 
controlled speed:Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Downshift occurs (max. to 3rd gear) to maintain the set 
cruise controlled speed by using the engine’s braking 
power.
As soon as the grade eases, the automatic transmission 
shifts up again dependent on the selector lever position.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
The set cruise controlled speed is switched off when 
declutching exceeds four seconds during downshifting a 
gear.
Nevertheless, in some cases you may have to step on the 
brake pedal to slow down. In this case the cruise control 
is switched off.
Use the lever to resume the previously set speed.
Wa r n i n g !
Only use the cruise control if the traffic and 
weather conditions make it advisable to travel at a 
steady speed.• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on 
winding roads or in heavy traffic because 
conditions do not allow safe driving at a steady 
speed.
• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on 
slippery roads. Rapid changes in tire adhesion 
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.The “Resume” function should only be operated if 
the driver is fully aware of the previously set speed 
and wishes to resume this particular preset speed.
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