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

58 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Heated seats (optional)
The front seat heaters can be switched on with the 
electronic key in starter switch position 1 or 2.
The switch is located in the center console.Press switch to turn on seat heater:
1Normal seat heating mode. One indicator lamp in 
the switch lights up.
2Rapid seat heating mode. Both indicator lamps in 
the switch light up. After approximately 5 minutes 
in the rapid seat heating mode, the seat heater 
autom ati cally  s witches  to  n ormal o peration  an d  on ly 
one indicator lamp will stay on.
Turning off seat heater:
If one indicator lamp is on, press upper half of switch.
If both indicator lamps are on, press lower half of 
switch.
If left on, the seat heater automatically turns off after 
approximately 30 minutes of operation.
OM_203.book  Seite 58  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

144 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Headlamp mode
Manual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and parking lamps can be 
switched on and off with the exterior lamp switch. For 
exterior lamp switch, see above.
Note:
With the daytime running lamp mode activated and the 
engine running, the low beam headlamps can not be 
switched off manually.Automat ic headlamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionU.
•Electronic key in starter switch position 1:
The parking lamps switch on and off automatically 
depending on the brightness of the ambient light.
•Electronic key in starter switch position 2 and the 
engine running:
The low beam headlamps and parking lamps are 
switched on and off automatically depending on the 
brightness of the ambient light.
The low beam headlamps and parking lamps can 
still be switched on and off manually using the 
exterior lamp switch.
Note:
With the daytime running lamp mode activated, the low 
beam headlamps can not be switched off manually.
The headlamps will not be automatically switched on 
under foggy conditions.
Front fog lamps and rear fog lamp can not be switched 
on manually with exterior lamp switch in positionU. 
To activate the fog lamps turn exterior switch to 
positionB.
Wa r n i n g !
The driver is responsible for the operation of the 
vehicle’s lights at all times. The automatic 
headlamp feature is only an aid to the driver. 
Switch on the vehicle lights by hand when driving 
or traffic conditions require you to do so.
OM_203.book  Seite 144  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

203 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Interior lighting
1Rear interior lights 
Press the button to switch the rear passenger 
compartment lights on / off.
2Right front reading lamp
Press the button to switch the reading lamp on or 
off. The right reading lamp will be switched on or 
off.
3To switch off automatic function:
Press the rocker switch.The interior lighting remains switched off, even 
when centrally unlocking the vehicle or opening a 
door or the electronic key is removed from the 
starter switch.
4To select automatic function:
Press the rocker switch to the center position.
Interior lamps are switched on in darkness, when 
unlocking the vehicle, opening a door or removing 
the electronic key from starter switch.
Interior lamps are switched off (soft fade) delayed, 
when locking the vehicle, closing the doors or 
inserting the electronic key in starter switch. 
However, there will be no delay when the electronic 
key is in starter switch position 2.
5Interior lamps, front:
Press rocker switch in to switch front interior lamps 
on. The interior lighting stays on while the rocker 
switch is pressed in.
Switching off the front interior lighting:
Press rocker switch to position (3) or (4).
6Left front reading lamp:
Press the button to switch the reading lamp on or 
off. The left reading lamp will be switched on or off.
OM_203.book  Seite 203  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

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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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.
OM_203.book  Seite 292  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

304 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
LIGHTING SYSTEM
Line 1 Line 2 C*
LOW BEAM,L CHECK LAMPS! 2
LOW BEAM,R CHECK LAMPS! 2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
2
TURN SIGNAL, L CHECK LAMPS! 2
TURN SIGNAL, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
L. TURN SIG. RFLECTR CHECK LAMPS! 2
R. TURN SIG. RFLECTR CHECK LAMPS! 2
TURN SIGNAL F, L CHECK LAMPS! 2
TURN SIGNAL F, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
BRAKE LIGHT
2
VISIT WORKSHOP! 2
BRAKE LIGHT, L
3
CHECK LAMPS! 2
BRAKE LIGHT, R
3
CHECK LAMPS! 2
3RD STOP LAMP
3
CHECK LAMPS! 2
HIGH BEAM, L CHECK LAMPS! 2
HIGH BEAM, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
LICENSE PLATE L, L CHECK LAMPS! 2
LICENSE PLATE L, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
LIGHTS SWITCH OFF LIGHTS! 1
AUTOM. LIGHT ON REMOVE KEY! 1
FRONT FOGLAMP, L CHECK LAMPS! 2
FRONT FOGLAMP, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
REAR FOGLAMP CHECK LAMPS! 2 Line 1 Line 2 C*
OM_203.book  Seite 304  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

315 Fuses
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Fuses
Most of your vehicle’s electrical components are fused 
with safety fuses. With the exception of the brake lights, 
all individual lighting system components are 
electronically fused. Before replacing a blown safety 
fuse, determine the cause of the short circuit. Always 
observe amperage and color of fuse.
The circuit for components is protected by a cycled 
circuit breaker interrupted if too much current is being 
drawn. The circuit closes automatically after a short 
time; the circuit is broken again if the malfunction 
reoccurs.
A lways  us e a new fus e for  re placeme nt. Never atte mp t to  
repair or bridge a blown fuse.
A fuse chart is located in fuse box (1).
A fuse extractor is located in the auxiliary fuse box in 
the trunk, see page 317.Fuse box in the passenger compartment
1Fuse box in passenger compartment
To gain access to fuse box, pull cover away from fuse 
box (arrow) and remove rearward.
OM_203.book  Seite 315  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11