
1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information  .......................... 7
Operator’s manual  ............................. 8
Where to find it  ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects  ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls  ............... 18
Door control panel  ....................... 20
Overhead control panel  ............... 21
Dashboard  ..................................... 22
Center console  .............................. 24OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 28
Start lock-out  .................................... 30
General notes on the 
central locking system  ............... 30
Central locking system  ................... 31
Radio frequency and 
infrared remote control  ............... 31
Locking and unlocking ................ 33Choosing global or selective 
mode on remote control  ............. 33
Opening the trunk  ....................... 34
Opening and closing windows 
and sliding / pop-up roof 
from outside  ................................. 35
Panic button  ................................. 36
Mechanical keys  .......................... 36
Doors  ................................................. 37
Central locking switch .................... 39
Automatic central locking .............. 40
Emergency unlocking 
in case of accident  ...................... 40
Trunk ..................................................41
Trunk lid emergency release  ........ 43
Trunk lid emergency release  ........ 44
Trunk lid release switch  ................ 45
Trunk lamp ....................................... 45
Antitheft alarm system ................... 46
Tow-away alarm  ............................... 47
Easy-entry/exit feature  .................. 48
Front seat adjustment ..................... 49
Removal and installation of 
front seat head restraints  .......... 55Multicontour seat  ............................ 57
Heated seats  ..................................... 58
Rear seat head restraints ................ 60
Seat belts and integrated 
restraint system  .......................... 63
Seat belts ........................................... 63
Seat belt nonusage 
warning system  ........................... 64
BabySmart
TM airbag 
deactivation system  .................... 70
Supplemental Restraint 
System (SRS)  ............................... 71
Emergency tensioning 
retractor (ETR) ............................. 72
Airbags  .............................................. 73
Safety guidelines for the seat 
belt, emergency tensioning 
retractor and airbag .................... 81
Infant and child 
restraint systems ......................... 83
Steering wheel adjustment 
(manual)  ....................................... 88
Steering wheel adjustment 
(electrical)  .................................... 89
Rear view mirrors  ............................ 90
OM_203.book  Seite 1  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

3 ContentsScanning  ......................................... 185
Scanning  ......................................... 185
Dolby NR 1 
noise reduction system  ............ 185
CD mode  .......................................... 186
General notes on CD mode ........... 186
CD changer installed  ..................... 187
Loading/emptying 
the CD magazine  ....................... 187
Playing CDs  .................................... 188
Skipping tracks
forward/backward  .................... 188
Fast forward/reverse  ..................... 189
Scanning  ......................................... 189
Random play/repeat function  ...... 189
Direct track selection  .................... 190
Track and time display  ................. 190
Telephone operation  ...................... 190
Switching the telephone
on and off  ................................... 190
Adjusting the volume  .................... 191
Entering telephone number 
and starting dialing process .... 191
Calling up the phone book  ........... 191Switching between 
name search and 
number search  ........................... 191
Searching and selecting 
phone book entries 
by number  ..................................192
Placing a call  ...................................192
Manual repeat dialing
(redial) .........................................193
Automatic repeat dialing
(redial) .........................................193
Speed dialing  ..................................193
Turbo-dialing  ..................................194
Multi party call  ...............................194
Accepting incoming call in
telephone mode  .........................194
Accepting incoming call
in tape, CD or radio mode  ........194
Terminating call  .............................195
Muting a call  ...................................195
Component malfunctions ..............195
Power windows  ...............................197
Sliding/pop-up roof  ....................... 200
Interior lighting  ............................. 203Rear window sunshade  .................205
Sun visors  .......................................206
Vanity mirrors  ................................206
Interior  ............................................207
Storage compartments
and armrests  ..............................207
Glove box  .....................................208
Cup holder  ...................................... 211
Ashtrays  .......................................... 213
Lighter  ............................................. 215
Parcel net in 
front passenger footwell  .......... 216
Ski sack  ........................................... 216
Enlarged cargo area ....................... 221
Split folding rear seat bench ........ 221
Loading instructions 
(vehicle with 
enlarged cargo area)  .................223
Cellular telephone  .........................224
Telephone, general  ........................225
Garage door opener  .......................226
OM_203.book  Seite 3  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

26 Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 28
Start lock-out  .................................... 30
General notes on the 
central locking system  ............... 30
Central locking system  ................... 31
Radio frequency and 
infrared remote control  ............... 31
Locking and unlocking ................ 33
Choosing global or selective 
mode on remote control  .............. 33
Opening the trunk  ....................... 34
Opening and closing windows 
and sliding / pop-up roof 
from outside  .................................. 35
Panic button  .................................. 36
Mechanical keys  ........................... 36
Doors .................................................. 37
Central locking switch  .................... 39
Automatic central locking  .............. 40
Emergency unlocking 
in case of accident  ...................... 40
Trunk  ................................................. 41Trunk lid emergency release  ........ 43
Trunk lid emergency release  ........ 44
Trunk lid release switch  ................ 45
Trunk lamp ....................................... 45
Antitheft alarm system ................... 46
Tow-away alarm  ............................... 47
Easy-entry/exit feature  .................. 48
Front seat adjustment ..................... 49
Removal and installation of 
front seat head restraints  .......... 55
Multicontour seat  ............................ 57
Heated seats  ..................................... 58
Rear seat head restraints  ............... 60
Seat belts and integrated 
restraint system  .......................... 63
Seat belts  .......................................... 63
Seat belt nonusage 
warning system  .......................... 64
BabySmart
TM airbag 
deactivation system  ................... 70
Supplemental Restraint 
System (SRS)  ................................ 71
Emergency tensioning 
retractor (ETR)  ............................ 72Airbags  .............................................. 73
Safety guidelines for the seat 
belt, emergency tensioning 
retractor and airbag .................... 81
Infant and child 
restraint systems ......................... 83
Steering wheel adjustment 
(manual)  ....................................... 88
Steering wheel adjustment 
(electrical)  .................................... 89
Rear view mirrors  ............................ 90
Instrument cluster  ........................... 98
Multifunction steering wheel, 
multifunction display  ............... 102
Trip and main odometer
and sub menu  ............................ 106
Audio systems  ................................ 108
Radio  ............................................ 108
CD player  ..................................... 109
Cassette player  ............................110
Telephone  ......................................... 111
Navigation system ...........................116
Trip computer  ..................................117
OM_203.book  Seite 26  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

27 Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Malfunction/warning 
message memory  .......................119
Individual settings ......................... 121
Setting the audio volume .............. 136
Coolant temperature gauge  .......... 137
Flexible service system 
(FSS) ............................................ 138
Engine oil level indicator .............. 141
Engine oil consumption  ................ 142
Exterior lamp switch  ..................... 143
Headlamp mode  ............................. 144
Night security illumination  ......... 146
Locator lighting  .......................... 147
Headlamp cleaning system  .......... 147
Combination switch  ...................... 148
Hazard warning flasher 
switch .......................................... 151Climate control  ...............................152
Automatic climate control .............160
Front center console storage 
compartment ventilation  .......... 171
Rear passenger compartment 
adjustable air outlets  ............... 172
Operation Audio and telephone  .. 173
Operating safety  ............................ 173
Operating and display elements  .. 174
Button and soft key operation  ...... 176
Component malfunctions ..............195
Power windows  ...............................197
Sliding/pop-up roof  ....................... 200
Interior lighting  ............................. 203
Rear window sunshade  ................ 205
Sun visors  ....................................... 206
Vanity mirrors  ............................... 206Interior  ............................................207
Storage compartments
and armrests  ..............................207
Glove box  .....................................208
Cup holder  ...................................... 211
Ashtrays  .......................................... 213
Lighter  ............................................. 215
Parcel net in 
front passenger footwell  .......... 216
Ski sack  ........................................... 216
Enlarged cargo area ....................... 221
Split folding rear seat bench ........ 221
Loading instructions 
(vehicle with 
enlarged cargo area)  .................223
Cellular telephone  .........................224
Telephone, general  ........................225
Garage door opener  .......................226
OM_203.book  Seite 27  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

50 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power seat
The switches are located in each front door.
We recommend to adjust the power seat in the following 
order:
1Seat, up / down
Press the switch (up / down direction) until 
comfortable seating position with still sufficient 
headroom is reached.2Seat adjustment, fore / aft
Press the switch (fore / aft direction) until a 
comfortable seating position is reached that still 
allows you to reach the accelerator / brake pedal 
safely. The position should be as far rearward as 
possible, consistent with ability to properly operate 
controls.
3Seat cushion tilt
Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until 
your legs are lightly supported. 
4Backrest tilt
Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until 
your arms are slightly angled when holding the 
steering wheel.
5Head restraint
The height of the head restraint is adjusted 
automatically with the seat so that the back of the 
head is supported approximately at ear level. Adjust 
the head restraint using the switch to support the 
back of your head approximately at ear level.
For exterior rear view mirrors, see page 91;
inside rear view mirror, see page 90;
steering wheel adjustment, see page 89.
OM_203.book  Seite 50  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

54 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should check 
and adjust if necessary the seat height, seat position 
fore and aft, and backrest angle to insure adequate 
control, reach and comfort. The head restraint should 
also be adjusted for proper height. See also airbag 
section on page 73 for proper seat positioning.
In addition, also adjust the steering wheel to ensure 
ad eq uate  con tr ol, r each,  operation  and  com fort. B ot h the  
inside and outside rear view mirrors should be adjusted 
for adequate rearward vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be 
seated in a properly secured restraint system that 
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 213.
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and rear view 
mirror adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts 
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in 
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz 
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat, 
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system 
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger 
side front airbag when it is properly installed. 
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it 
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal 
injury can result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer 
when properly restrained in the rear seating 
positions than in the front seating positions. 
Infants and small children must ride in back seats 
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child 
restraint system, which is properly secured with 
the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the 
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is 
significantly increased if the child restraints are 
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is 
not properly secured in the child restraint.
OM_203.book  Seite 54  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

90 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Rear view mirrors
Inside rear view mirror
Manually adjust the inside rear view mirror.
Inside rear view mirror, automatic antiglare
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2, the 
mirror reflection brightness responds to changes in 
light sensitivity.
With the gear selector lever in position “R”, or with the 
interior light switched on, the mirror brightness does 
not respond to changes in light sensitivity.Note:
The automatic antiglare function does not react, if 
incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors in the 
mirror.
The automatic antiglare function will not react for 
example, if the rear window sun shade is in the raised 
position.
Wa r n i n g !
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte may 
escape the mirror housing when the mirror glass 
breaks.Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not allow the 
liquid to come into contact with eyes, skin, 
clothing, or respiratory system. In cases it does, 
immediately flush affected area with water, and 
seek medical help if necessary.
OM_203.book  Seite 90  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
OM_203.book  Seite 91  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11