
139 Flexible service system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The service indicator disappears automatically after
30 seconds or if the knob for instrument cluster
illumination, see page 98, in the instrument cluster is
pressed.
Calling up service indicator manually:
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1
or 2.
Call up the trip odometer and main odometer by
pressing button è or ÿ on the multifunction
steering wheel until the display appears. See page 106.
Press button j or k until the FSS indicator
appears.
The next or previous system is displayed by pressing
button è or ÿ.
Important!
The FSS indicator is not an engine oil level indicator.
See page 141 for engine oil level indicator.Note:
When disconnecting vehicle battery for one or more
days at a time, such days will not be counted. Any such
days not counted by the FSS can be added by your
Mercedes-Benz Center.
The interval between services is determined by the type
of driving for which the vehicle is used. For example,
driving at extreme speeds, and cold starts combined
wi t h short di stan ce d r ivi ng in which the e ngin e d oes not
reach operating normal temperature, reduce the interval
between services.
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140 Flexible service system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Following a completed A or B service the Mercedes-Benz
Center sets the counter mileage to 10 000 miles
(Canada: 15 000 km).
The counter can also be set by any individual. To do so:
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
To call up the trip odometer and main odometer, press
button è or ÿ on the multifunction steering
wheel until the display appears. See page 106.
Press button j or k until the FSS indicator
appears.
Press the reset knob on the instrument cluster, see
page 98, for approximately 4 seconds.The multifunction display will show the question:
“DO YOU WANT TO RESET SERVICE INTERVAL? –
CONFIRM BY PRESSING R”
Press the reset knob on the instrument cluster again for
approximately 4 seconds to reset the service indicator
until a signal sounds.
The new service indicator is displayed with the reset
distance of 10 000 miles (Canada 15 000 km).
If the FSS counter was inadvertently reset, have a
Mercedes-Benz Center correct it.
However you choose to set your reference numbers, the
scheduled services as posted in the Service Booklet
must be followed to properly care for your vehicle.
OM_203.book Seite 140 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

141 Engine oil level indicator
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Engine oil level indicator
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check oil level approximately 5 minutes after stopping
the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the oil pan.
The message “OBSERVE WAITING PERIOD” will be
displayed if the required waiting period has not been
observed after stopping the engine:
•with engine at operational temperature
approximately 5 minutes.•with engine not at operational temperature up to
approximately 30 minutes.
The engine oil level check can be repeated after a short
time.
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
To call up the trip odometer and main odometer, press
button è or ÿ on the multifunction steering
wheel until the display appears. See page 106.
With the multifunction display showing the trip
odometer and main odometer, press button j or
k on the multifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the “MEASUREMENT CORRECT ONLY IF VEH.
LEVEL” engine oil level indicator appears. This indicator
is only a reminder. Measurement can be cancelled by
pressing button j or k if the vehicle is not
parked on level ground. An incorrect reading will be
recorded if you do not cancel the measurement. Move
the vehicle to level ground and measure again.
The electronic key in starter switch is not in position 2 if
the “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – SWITCH ON IGNITION!”
message appears.
The “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – MEASURING NOW!”
message is displayed after approximately 3 seconds.
P 54.30-4461-26
OM_203.book Seite 141 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 11:57 11

147 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Locator lighting
After unlocking the vehicle with the electronic key
during darkness the fog lamps and parking lamps
switch for approximately 40 seconds.
The exterior lamps will be switched off when opening
the driver’s door.
See the individual setting menu “LIGHTING” –
“LOCATOR LIGHTING” on page 128, for instructions on
how to activate the function.Headlamp cleaning system
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1.
The headlamps will be cleaned with a high-pressure
water jet when you press the headlamp washer
button (1).
See page 323 for instructions on filling up the
windshield/headlamp washer reservoir.
OM_203.book Seite 147 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.
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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.
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158 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Air recirculation
Select air recirculation:
The indicator lamp in the O button is not
illuminated.
Press button O briefly. The indicator lamp in the
button illuminates.
To switch off the air recirculation:
The indicator lamp in the O button is illuminated.
Press button O briefly. The indicator lamp in the
button goes out.
Switching on air recirculation and activating
convenience closing of power windows and sliding /
pop-up roof:
The indicator lamp in the O button is not
illuminated.
Press button O for more than 2 seconds, the side
windows and the sliding / pop-up roof will be closed. The
indicator lamp in the button illuminates.Switching off air recirculation and activating
convenience opening:
The indicator lamp in the O button is illuminated.
Press button O for more than 2 seconds, the side
windows and the sliding / pop-up roof return to the
position they were in before closing.
A window or the sliding / pop-up roof opened manually
after convenience closing will no longer be returned to
the position it was in before closing when convenience
opening is selected.
The system automatically switches from air
recirculation to fresh air:
•after 30 minutes if the outside temperature is above
about 40
°F(5
°C),
•after 5 minutes if the outside temperature is below
about 40
°F(5
°C),
•after 5 minutes if economy mode S is selected.
The system switches automatically to air recirculation at
high outside temperatures. A quantity of outside air is
added after a maximum of 30 minutes.
If the windows should fog up from the inside, switch
from recirculated air back to fresh air.
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159 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Economy mode
The function of this setting corresponds to the
automatic mode. However, because the air conditioning
compressor will not engage (fuel savings), it is not
possible to air condition in this setting.
Press S button to activate. The indicator lamp in the
button illuminates.
Press S button once again to return to the previous
setting. The indicator lamp in the button goes out.
Important!
In the S mode the windows could fog up on the
inside. Switch off S mode.
Climate control - OFF/ON
To switch the climate control off, set the air volume
control switch to position 0.
The fresh air supply to the vehicle interior is shut off.
While driving, use this setting only temporarily,
otherwise the windshield could fog up.
To switch the climate control on again, set air volume
control switch to any speed.Residual engine heat utilization
With the engine switched off, it is possible to continue
to heat or ventilate the interior for a short while,
dependent of the temperature setting of the automatic
climate control. Air volume and distribution are
controlled automatically.
To s e l e c t :
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1
or 0 or remove it altogether.
Press button T. The indicator lamp in the button
illuminates.
This function selection will not activate if the battery
level is insufficient.
The function switches off automatically:
•if the electronic key in starter switch is turned to
position 2,
•after approximately 30 minutes,
•if the battery voltage drops.
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