
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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242 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Remote door unlock
In the case you have your vehicle locked unintentionally 
(e.g. key inside vehicle), and no other key is available, 
contact the Mercedes-Benz Response Center at 
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in 
Canada). You will be asked to provide your password 
which you provided when you completed the subscriber 
agreement.
Then return to your vehicle and pull recessed handle in 
trunk lid for minimum of 20 seconds until the “SOS” 
button is flashing. The message “EMERGENCY CALL –
CALL CONNECTED” appears in the multifunction 
display.
As an alternative, you may unlock the vehicle via 
Internet using the ID and password sent to you shortly 
after the completion of your Acquaintance Call.
The Response Center will then unlock your vehicle with 
the remote door unlocking feature.Notes:
The remote door unlock feature is available if the 
relevant cellular phone network is available.
The SOS button will flash and the message 
“EMERGENCY CALL – CALL CONNECTED” will appear 
in the multifunction display to indicate receipt of the 
door unlock command.
Once the vehicle is unlocked, a Response Center 
spe cialist will attempt to establis h voic e con tact wit h t he 
vehicle occupants.
If the recessed handle in trunk lid was pulled for more 
than 20 seconds before door unlock authorization was 
received by the Response Center, you must wait 
15 minutes before pulling recessed handle again.
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243 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Stolen vehicle tracking services
In the event your vehicle was stolen, report the incident 
to the police who will issue a numbered incident report. 
Pass this number on to the Mercedes-Benz Response 
Center.
The Response Center will then attempt to covertly 
contact the vehicle’s Tele Aid system. Once the vehicle 
is located, the Response Center will contact the local 
Law Enforcement and you. The vehicle’s location will 
only be provided to Law Enforcement.
Info Services (optional-except Canada)
(only vehicles with COMAND)
Info Services categories include news, sports, stocks, 
weather and calendar reminders. Choices can be 
selected via www.mbusa.com or by calling 1-800-FOR-
MERcedes.
To request Info Services press the SVC button on the 
COMAND system, then select “SEND NEW REQUEST 
FOR INFO SERVICE”. “NEW INFO SERVICE REQUEST 
TRANSMITTED” will appear in the COMAND display 
and call status messages will appear in the 
multifunction display.Once information is available, the message “NEW INFO 
RECEIVED - READ LATER WHEN STOPPED?” will 
appear. Select “Yes”. With the vehicle stopped in a safe 
location press SVC, then select “View Info Service of 
mm.dd.yyyy hh.mm”. Messages will be retained for 
30 minutes once the ignition is switched off.
Important!
Tele Aid utilizes the cellular network for 
communication and the GPS (Global Positioning 
System) satellites for vehicle location. If either of these 
signals are unavailable, the Tele Aid system may not 
function and if this occurs, assistance must be 
summoned by other means.
Wa r n i n g !
If the indicator lamp in the “SOS” button does not 
illuminate during or remains illuminated after the 
system self-check or if the message “TELE AID –  
VISIT WORKSHOP” appears in the multifunction 
display, have the system checked at the nearest 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
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279 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
The yellow ESP warning lampv in the speedometer 
dial comes on with the electronic key in starter switch 
position 2. It should go out with the engine running.
If the ESP warning message is displayed, a malfunction 
has been detected in the system. Only partial engine 
output will be available.
Have the ESP checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
For ESP warning message, see page 292.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP is also switched 
off.
Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the 
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP 
may activate (yellow ESP warning lamp in speedometer 
d ial com es on ). For  t his reas on,  all wheels,  in cludin g t he 
spare wheel, must have the same tire size.When testing the parking brake on a brake test 
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise, 
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the 
rear wheel brakes. 
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the 
ESP is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz recommended 
M+S rated radial-ply tires and / or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery 
disconnected or empty), the ESP warning message may 
be displayed with the engine running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to 
the right. The ESP warning message should go out.
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292 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Electronic stability program (ESP) — warning lamp
The yellow ESP warning lamp in the 
speedometer dial comes on with the 
electronic key in starter switch position 2. 
It should go out with engine running.
If the ESP malfunction indicator lamp remains 
illuminated with the engine running, a malfunction has 
been detected in the system. Pressing the accelerator 
pedal will require greater effort. Only partial engine 
output will be available.
See  elec tr on ic stability  p rogram (ESP ) on  p age 27 8  if t he 
warning lamp lights up or flashes when the vehicle is 
moving.
Seat belt nonusage warning lamp
With the electronic key in starter switch 
position 2, the seat belt nonusage warning 
lamp comes on, and a warning sounds for a 
short time if the drivers seat belt is not fastened.
After starting the engine, the seat belt nonusage 
warning lamp blinks for a brief period to remind the 
driver and passengers to fasten seat belts.Malfunction and indicator lamp in the center 
console
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
The ü indicator lamp will light up for approximately 
6 seconds when you turn the electronic key in starter 
switch to position 1 or 2.
It does not light up if there is a fault in the system.
The ü indicator lamp stays lit as long as a 
Baby Smart
TM child seat is properly installed on the 
front passenger seat. It indicates that the front 
passenger airbag is switched off.
See page 70 for BabySmart
TM airbag and its deactivation 
system.
Baby Smart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
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300 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. (Electronic stability program)
* C = Category, see page 2931 The enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP and the torque 
reduction feature are unavailable.
2 This message may be displayed if the power supply was 
interrupted (battery disconnected or empty). Synchronize ESP, see 
page 279
3 The system is temporarily unavailable. The reason could be that 
the self-diagnosis has not been completed. The display will clear 
itself after driving a short distance at more than 12 mph 
(2o km/h).
4 The system is unavailable due to low voltage, e.g. battery not being 
charged.
5 A malfunction has been detected in the system. In case of ESP 
malfunction the ESP warning lamp in the instrument cluster 
illuminates and the ESP switch in the center console does not 
function. If in addition the ABS is malfunctioning, only partial 
engine output will be available.
6 The display or the system is malfunctioning. Line 1 Line 2 C*
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. NOT AVAILABLE!
1, 2, 3, 4
2
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. VISIT WORKSHOP!
1,   5
2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
6
2
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308 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION
* C = Category, see page 293.The display appears if button í or ì on the 
multifunction steering wheel is pressed and the vehicle 
is not equipped with a telephone.TELE AID
* C = Category, see page 293.
1 The Tele Aid system consists of three types of response; automatic 
and manual emergency, roadside assistance and information. With 
this message displayed, one or more functions may not be 
avai lable.
See page 234 for notes on the Tele Aid.If a malfunction is indicated as outlined above, have the 
system checked at the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as 
soon as possible.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
FUNCTION NOT AVAILABLE! 3
Line 1 Line 2 C*
TE L E   A I D V I S I T   WO R KS H O P !
1
1
OM_203.book  Seite 308  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11