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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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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31 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Central locking system
Radio frequency and infrared remote control
The electronic key has an integrated radio frequency
and infrared remote control.
Due to the extended operational range of the remote
control, it could be possible to unintentionally lock or
unlock the vehicle by pressing the transmit button. If
one of the transmit buttons is pressed, the battery check
lamp lights up brief ly – indicating that the batteries are
in order. See page 357 for checking batteries.
The vehicle doors, trunk and fuel filler flap can be
centrally locked and unlocked via remote control.
Opening and closing the windows and sliding/pop-up
roof can only be done with the infrared portion of the
remote control. Aim transmitter eye at a receiver (6
or 7), press and hold transmit button Œ or ‹,
seepage35.
With vehicle centrally locked, the trunk can also be
opened by using the remote control.
If the electronic key is inserted in starter switch, the
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked, and the trunk lid
cannot be opened with the remote control.1Transmit button
‹ Locking
Œ Unlocking
Š Opening trunk (if not separately locked)
2Lamp for battery check (see page 357 for changing
batteries if it does not light up briefly)
3PANIC button
4Transmitter eye
5Locking tab for mechanical key
P 80.35-2032-26
24
3
5
1
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33 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Locking and unlocking with remote control
Unlocking:
Press transmit button Œ. All turn signal lamps blink
once to indicate that the vehicle is unlocked.
The remote control can be programmed for two kinds of
unlocking modes (see below):
Selective unlocking mode –
Press transmit button Œ once to unlock driver’s door
and fuel filler flap.
Press transmit button Œ twice to unlock all doors,
fuel filler flap, and trunk.
Global unlocking mode –
Press transmit button Œ once to unlock all doors,
fuel filler flap, and trunk.
Notes:
If the trunk was previously locked separately, it will
remain locked, see page 41.
The presently active unlocking mode (selective or
global) can only be determined by unlocking the vehicle
with the remote control (see below for changing mode).If within 40 seconds of unlocking with the remote
control, neither door or trunk is opened, the electronic
key is not inserted in the starter switch, or the central
locking switch is not activated, the vehicle will
automatically lock.
Locking:
Press transmit button ‹ once. All turn signal lamps
blink three times to indicate that the vehicle is locked. If
they do not blink three times, a door or trunk is not
properly closed.
Note:
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked by pressing
the transmit button, then it may be necessary to change
the batteries in the electronic key (if ok, battery check
lamp in electronic key will light briefly when pressing
transmit button) or to synchronize the remote control,
see pages 357 and 359.
Choosing global or selective mode on remote control
Press and hold transmit buttons‹ andŒ
simultaneously for five seconds to reprogram the
remote control. Battery check lamp will blink two times
indicating the completed mode change.
OM_203.book Seite 33 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
35 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Opening and closing windows and
sliding / pop-up roof from outside
(summer opening / convenience feature)
Aim transmitter eye of remote control at the door
receiver.
Summer opening:
The sliding / pop-up roof and all side windows can be
opened automatically.
Continue to press transmit button Œ after unlocking
the vehicle.
The windows and sliding/pop-up roof begin to open
after approximately 1 second.
To interrupt opening procedure, release transmit
button.
Convenience feature:
The sliding / pop-up roof and the side windows can be
closed.
Continue to press transmit button ‹ after locking
the vehicle.
The windows and sliding / pop-up roof begin to close
after approximately 1 second.To interrupt closing procedure, release transmit button.
Ensure that all side windows and the sliding / pop-up
roof are properly closed before leaving the vehicle.
Note:
If the windows and sliding / pop-up roof cannot be
operated automatically by pressing the transmit button
of t he r emo te c ontr ol then it m ay be n ece ssar y to chan ge
the batteries in the electronic key (if ok, battery check
lamp in electronic key will light briefly when
transmitting), or to synchronize the remote control, see
page 357 and 359.
Wa r n i n g !
Never operate the windows or sliding / pop-up roof
if there is the possibility of anyone being harmed
by the opening or closing procedure.In case the procedure causes potential danger, the
procedure can be immediately halted by releasing
the remote control button. To reverse direction of
movement press Œ for opening or ‹ for
closing.
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70 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system
Special BabySmart
TM compatible child seats, designed
for use with the Mercedes-Benz system and available at
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center are required for
use with the BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system.
With the special child seat properly installed, the
passenger front airbag will not deploy.
The ü indicator lamp located in the center console
will be illuminated, except with electronic key removed
or in starter switch position 0. The system does not
deactivate the door mounted side impact airbag.
Self-test BabySmart
TM without special child seat
installed
After turning electronic key in starter switch to
position 1 or 2, the ü indicator lamp located in the
center console comes on for approximately 6 seconds
and then extinguishes.
If the indicator lamp should not come on or is
continuously lit, the system is not functioning. You must
see an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center before seating
any child on the front passenger seat. See page 292 for
notes on the ü indicator lamp.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Wa r n i n g !
The BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system will
ONLY work with a special child seat designed to
operate with it. It will not work with child seats
which are not BabySmart
TM compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion and
child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the
effectiveness of the deactivation system. The
bottom of the child seat must make full contact
with the passenger seat cushion. An incorrectly
mounted child seat could cause injuries to the
child in case of an accident instead of protecting
the child.Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of special child seats.The passenger front airbag will not deploy only if
the ü indicator lamp remains illuminated.Please be sure to check the indicator every time
you use the special system child seat. Should the
light go out while the restraint is installed, please
check installation. If the light remains out, do not
use the BabySmart
TM restraint to transport children
on the front passenger seat until the system has
been repaired.
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74 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
If the lamp does not come on at all or if it fails to
extinguish or if it comes on thereafter, a malfunction in
the system has been detected.
The following system components are monitored or
undergo a self-check: crash-sensor(s), airbag ignition
circuits, front seat belt buckles, emergency tensioning
retractors, seat sensor.
Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
In the operational mode, after the indicator lamp has
gone out following the initial check, interruptions or
short circuits in the airbag ignition circuit and in the
driver and front passenger seat belt buckle harnesses,
and low voltage in the entire system are detected and
indicated.Note:
See page 289 for information on the supplemental
restraint system (SRS) indicator lamp.
Wa r n i n g !
In the event a malfunction of the “SRS” is indicated
as outlined above, the “SRS” may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly
recommend that you visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have the
system checked; otherwise the “SRS” may not be
activated when needed in an accident, which could
result in serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy
unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could also
result in injury.
OM_203.book Seite 74 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11
91 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Exterior rear view mirrors
The buttons are located above the exterior lamp switch.
The memory button (4) is located on the driver’s door.Exterior rear view mirror adjustment
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1
or 2.
Push button to select mirror to be adjusted:
Driver’s side – Push button (1).
Passenger side – Push button (2).
Push the adjustment button (3) up, down, left or right
according to the setting desired.
Notes:
The exterior rear view mirrors have electrically heated
glass. The heater switches on automatically, depending
on outside temperature.
If an exterior mirror housing is forcibly pivoted from its
normal position, it must be repositioned by applying
firm pressure until it snaps into place.
Storing exterior rear view mirror positions
(only vehicles with memory function)
The exterior rear view mirror positions are stored in
memory with the seat / steering wheel adjustment and
can be recalled when necessary. See page 95 for notes
on the memory function.
Wa r n i n g !
Exercise care when using the passenger side
exterior mirror. The mirror surface is convex
(outwardly curved surface for a wider field of
view). Objects in mirror are closer than they
appear. Check your inside rear view mirror or
glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.
0
PAuto
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