
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
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2 Contents
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
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  ............................. 144Night security illumination  ......... 146
Locator lighting .......................... 147
Headlamp cleaning system  .......... 147
Combination switch  ...................... 148
Hazard warning flasher 
switch  .......................................... 151
Climate 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
Operation  ......................................... 176
Switching on and off  ...................... 176
Adjusting the volume  ................... 177
Audio functions  ............................. 177
Bass  ................................................. 177
Treble  .............................................. 177
Balance ............................................ 178
Centering all audio functions ...... 178Audio system 
tone level selection  ................... 179
Radio mode  ..................................... 179
Selecting radio mode ..................... 179
Selecting the band  ......................... 179
Manual tuning ................................ 180
Seek tuning ..................................... 180
Scan tuning ..................................... 180
Weather Band  ................................. 181
Station memory .............................. 181
Storing stations automatically 
(Autostore)  ................................. 181
Storing stations  .............................. 182
Retrieving a station 
from memory  ............................. 182
Direct frequency input
AM and FM only  ....................... 182
Cassette mode  ................................ 182
Playing cassettes ............................ 182
Cassette eject .................................. 183
Track selection  ............................... 184
Track search
forwards/backwards ................. 184
Fast forward/reverse  ..................... 184
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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
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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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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
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28 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Vehicle keys
Included with your vehicle are 2 electronic keys with 
integrated radio frequency and infrared remote controls 
plus removable mechanical key.
The locking tabs for the mechanical key portion of the 
two electronic keys are a different color to help 
distinguish it.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the 
electronic key from the starter switch, and lock 
your vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in 
the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. 
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause 
serious personal injury.
OM_203.book  Seite 28  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

29 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Electronic key
The electronic key has an integrated radio frequency 
and infrared remote control, plus removable mechanical 
key.
The remote control (1) operates all locks on the vehicle.
The mechanical key (2) works only in the driver’s door, 
trunk, and glove box lock.When using the mechanical key (2) for lock operations, 
it can be removed by sliding it out of the remote control. 
To do so, move locking tab (3) to the right and slide the 
mechanical key (2) in direction of arrow (4).
The remote control transmitter is located in the 
electronic key.
The infrared receivers are located in the front door 
handles.
Note:
Remove the mechanical key from the electronic key 
when using valet parking service. To prevent access to 
trunk or storage compartments lock them separately 
and retain the mechanical key.
See page 41 for separate locking of trunk and page 208 
for locking of glove box.
Obtaining replacement keys
Your vehicle is equipped with a theft deterrent locking 
system requiring a special key manufacturing process. 
For security reasons, replacement keys can only be 
obtained from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
P 80.35-2031-26
1
3
4
2
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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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