
81 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Safety guidelines for the seat belt, emergency 
tensioning retractor and airbag
Wa r n i n g !
• Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly 
stressed in an accident must be replaced and 
their anchoring points must also be checked. 
Use only belts installed or supplied by an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.• Airbags and “ETR’s” are designed to function 
on a one-time-only basis. An airbag or 
emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) that was 
activated must be replaced.
• No modifications of any kind may be made to 
any components or wiring of the “SRS”. This 
includes changing or removing any component 
or part of the “SRS”, the installation of 
additional trim material, badges etc. over the 
steering wheel hub, front passenger airbag 
cover, door trim panels, or door frame trims, 
and installation of additional electrical /
electronic equipment on or near “SRS” 
components and wiring. Keep area between 
airbags and occupants free from objects (e.g. 
packages, purses, umbrellas, etc).• Do not pass belts over sharp edges.• Do not make any modification that could 
change the effectiveness of the belts.
OM_203.book  Seite 81  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

101 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Outside temperature indicator (17)
The temperature sensor is located in the front bumper 
area. Due to its location, the sensor can be affected by 
road or engine heat during idling or slow driving. This 
means that the accuracy of the displayed temperature 
can only be verified by comparison to a thermometer 
placed next to the sensor, not by comparison to external 
displays (e.g. bank signs etc.).
Adaption to ambient temperature takes place in steps 
and depends on the prevailing driving conditions (stop-
and-go or moderate, constant driving) and amount of 
temperature change.
Note:
The uni t for  the  temp erature in di cator  d is play  can  b e set 
in the individual setting menu “INSTRUMENT 
CLUSTER” – “TEMP. INDICATOR” on page 121.Trip odometer (13)
To reset to “0” miles / km:
Activate the instrument cluster if it is not already 
activated, see page 100.
Press button è or ÿ on the multifunction 
steering wheel repeatedly until the trip odometer 
appears if it is not displayed. See page 106.
Press button (1) on the instrument cluster, see page 100.
Tachometer (2)
The red marking on the tachometer denotes excessive 
engine speed.
Avoid this engine speed, as it may result in serious 
engine damage that is not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. 
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply is interrupted 
if the engine is operated within the red marking.
Wa r n i n g !
The outside temperature indicator is not designed 
to serve as an Ice-Warning Device and is therefore 
unsuitable for that purpose. Indicated 
temperatures just above the freezing point do not 
guarantee that the road surface is free of ice.
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109 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index CD player1Radio system is switched off.
2The CD player is switched on.
3The number of the CD currently playing is displayed 
if you are using a CD changer.
4Track number.
“TITLE” appears on vehicles with COMAND system.
“TRACK” appears on vehicles with audio system.
The radio must be switched on.
The CD player must be switched on.
Press the è or ÿ button repeatedly until 
display (2) appears.
Press the j or k button repeatedly until the 
required track number (4) is displayed.
Pressing the è or ÿ button displays the next or 
previous system.
Note:
To select a CD from the magazine, press a number on 
the audio system or the (optional) COMAND system key 
pad located in the center dashboard.
P 54.30-3635-27
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148 Combination switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Combination switch
1Low beam
(exterior lamp switch position B)
2High beam
(exterior lamp switch position B)
3High beam flasher (high beam available 
independent of exterior lamp switch position)
4Turn signals, right
5Turn signals, leftTo signal minor directional changes, such as changing 
lanes on a highway, move combination switch briefly to 
the point of resistance only and release. The turn 
signals blink three times.
To operate the turn signals continuously, move the 
combination switch past the point of resistance (up or 
down). The switch is automatically canceled when the 
steering wheel is turned to a large enough degree.
Turn signal failure
If one of the turn signals fails, the turn signal indicator 
system flashes and sounds at a faster than normal rate.
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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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164 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
Do not obstruct the air f low by placing objects on the air 
flow-through exhaust slots below the rear window.
Also keep the air intake grill in front of the windshield 
free of snow and debris.
The storage compartment between the front seats can be 
ventilated. See page 171 for notes on ventilating the 
storage space under the armrest in the center console.
The air conditioner switches itself off for its own 
protection if refrigerant is lost. No cooling will then take 
place. Economy mode S can n ot be s witched  of f. Have 
the air conditioner checked by a Mercedes-Benz Center 
should this happen.
If the vehicle interior has been heated by direct sunlight 
and is very hot, ventilate the interior (open door or 
windows for a short period) before driving off.
Dust filter
Nearly all dust particles and pollen are filtered out 
before outside air enters the passenger compartment 
through the air distribution system.Basic setting – automatic mode
In the automatic mode the automatic climate control 
cools or heats the interior depending on the direction 
and strength of the sunlight, outside temperature and 
the selected interior temperature of the vehicle. With 
the automatic mode switched off, the air volume and 
distribution can still be set manually.
Briefly press left or right U button. The h, j 
and k symbols will no longer be visible.
The economy mode and air recirculation functions will 
be switched off. The automatic blower will be activated 
at the same time.
We recommend to set the temperature switches on the 
left and right 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 160).
Air conditioning mode:
Open air outlets at dashboard top center (7, page 160) 
for an even air distribution.
OM_203.book  Seite 164  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

269 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
•Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil 
which is not approved for winter operation. For 
viscosity (SAE / CCMC class) and filling quantity, 
seepage383.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion / antifreeze 
concentration.
•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp 
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a 
premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze 
which is formulated for below freezing 
temperatures, see page 323.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing 
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps 
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low 
ambient temperatures.
•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on 
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe 
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated 
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the 
antilock brake system (ABS) and electronic stability 
program (ESP) can only be achieved with M+S rated 
radial-ply tires and / or snow chains recommended by 
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
OM_203.book  Seite 269  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

274 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
If the engine does not brake the vehicle sufficiently 
while driving on a downgrade, the speed you set on the 
cruise control may be exceeded. In this case the 
following will assist in maintaining the set cruise 
controlled speed:Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Downshift occurs (max. to 3rd gear) to maintain the set 
cruise controlled speed by using the engine’s braking 
power.
As soon as the grade eases, the automatic transmission 
shifts up again dependent on the selector lever position.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
The set cruise controlled speed is switched off when 
declutching exceeds four seconds during downshifting a 
gear.
Nevertheless, in some cases you may have to step on the 
brake pedal to slow down. In this case the cruise control 
is switched off.
Use the lever to resume the previously set speed.
Wa r n i n g !
Only use the cruise control if the traffic and 
weather conditions make it advisable to travel at a 
steady speed.• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on 
winding roads or in heavy traffic because 
conditions do not allow safe driving at a steady 
speed.
• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on 
slippery roads. Rapid changes in tire adhesion 
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.The “Resume” function should only be operated if 
the driver is fully aware of the previously set speed 
and wishes to resume this particular preset speed.
OM_203.book  Seite 274  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11