
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
OM_203.book  Seite 2  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

24 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console1Left front seat heater switch, see page 58
2Rear window sunshade switch (optional), see 
page 205 
3ESP (electronic stability program) control switch, 
see page 278
4Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 151
5Central locking switch, see page 39
6Rear seat head restraints switch, see page 60
7Antitheft alarm system, see page 46 
Switch for tow-away protection, see page 47
8Right front seat heater switch, see page 58
9AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp, see page 292
10COMAND system (optional), see separate 
operating instructions, or
audio system, see page 173
11Climate control (C 240), see page 152
Automatic climate control (C 320) see page 160
Rear window defroster, see page 170
P 68.10-2501-27
OM_203.book  Seite 24  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 

152 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Climate control (model C 240)
P 68.10-2164-29
OM_203.book  Seite 152  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

153 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Display and controls
2Air volume control for left center air outlet
3Center air outlet, left, adjustable
4Thumbwheel for adding outside air at air outlets for 
center, left and right sides, as well as dashboard top 
center and rear passenger compartment
5Center air outlet, right, adjustable6Air volume control for right center air outlet
7Air volume control and air outlet on dashboard top 
center
8Air volume control for side air outlet
9Side air outlet, adjustable
10Side defroster outlet, fixed
OM_203.book  Seite 153  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

154 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Display and controls
1Air volume
2Temperature control, left
3Temperature control, right
4Air distribution control switch5Rear window defroster, see page 170
6Economy mode, see page 159
Residual engine heat utilization, see page 159
7Air distribution and air volume (automatic)
8Air recirculation, see page 167
9Defrosting, see page 157
Important!
This vehicle is equipped with an air conditioning 
system that uses R-134a (HFC: hydrofluorocarbon) as a 
refrigerant. Repairs should always be performed by a 
qualified technician, and refrigerant should be collected 
in a recovery system for recycling.
P 83.30-3425-26
OM_203.book  Seite 154  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

155 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Climate control
The system is always at operational readiness, except 
when manually switched off.
The climate control only operates with the engine 
running.
The temperature selector should be left at the desired 
temperature setting. The temperature selected is 
reached as quickly as possible.
The system will not heat or cool any quicker by setting a 
higher or lower temperature.
The desired interior temperature can be selected 
separately for the left and right side of the passenger 
compartment. Adjust the temperature settings in small 
increments.
The climate control removes considerable moisture from 
the air during operation in the cooling mode. It is 
normal for water to drip on the ground through ducts in 
the underbody.
The air conditioning will not engage (no cooling) if the 
economy mode S is selected, see page 159. Notes:
Do not obstruct the air flow 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 
pl ac e. Ec on omy  mod e S cann ot be  switched  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.
OM_203.book  Seite 155  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.
OM_203.book  Seite 156  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11