
99 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Knob for instrument cluster illumination, 
seepage100
Reset knob for trip odometer, see page 101 and 
individual settings, see page 121
2Tachometer
3Antilock brake system (ABS) malfunction indicator 
lamp, see page 291
4Brake fluid low or parking brake engaged, 
seepage298
5Speedometer
6Left turn signal indicator lamp, see combination 
switch on page 148
7Electronic stability program (ESP) warning lamp, 
system is adjusting to road conditions, see page 292
8Indicator lamp without function. It illuminates with 
the electronic key in starter switch position 2. It 
should go out when the engine is running.
9CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp, 
seepage286
10High beam headlamp indicator, 
seeexterior lamp switch, page143, and 
combination switch, see page 14811Indicator lamp without function. It illuminates with 
the electronic key in starter switch position 2. It 
should go out when the engine is running.
12Multifunction display, see page 102.
Malfunction and warning messages in the 
multifunction display, see page 293
13Trip odometer, see page 101 and 106
14Main odometer, see page 106
15Display for program mode and gear range 
indicators, see page 254
16Malfunction/warning message memory, 
seepage119
17Outside temperature indicator, see page 101
18Digital clock, see individual settings on page 121
19Right turn signal indicator lamp, see combination 
switch on page 148
20Fasten seat belts, see page 292
21Supplemental restraint system (SRS) malfunction 
indicator lamp, see page 289
22Fuel gauge with reserve and fuel cap placement 
warning lamp, see page 290
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100 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Activating instrument cluster display
The instrument cluster is activated by:
•Opening the door
1.
•Pressing button (1) on the instrument cluster
1.
•Turning the electronic key in starter switch to 
position 1 or 2.
•Switching on the exterior lamps.
Instrument cluster illumination
The instrument cluster illumination is dimmed or 
brightened automatically to suit daylight lighting 
conditions.
The instrument cluster illumination will also be 
adjusted when the vehicle’s exterior lamps are switched 
on.
1 The instrument cluster is activated for approximately 30 seconds.
Display illumination, changing basic settings for driving 
at dusk or in darkness:
Rotate adjusting knob (1) clockwise – instrument lamp 
intensity increases.
Rotate adjusting knob (1) counterclockwise – 
instrument lamp intensity decreases.
Note:
It is not possible to select a basic brightness setting in 
daylight – the intensity is adjusted automatically.
OM_203.book  Seite 100  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

125 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Preliminary display of the individual settings
2“SETTINGS” – the individual setting menu 
“INSTRUMENT CLUSTER” can be called up in this 
options menu.
Pressing buttonæ orç on the multifunction 
steering wheel controls the selection marker.
3“SET TIME HOURS:”
4“SET TIME MINUTES:”
1
5“12/24 O’CLOCK” – the unit set is displayed in the 
instrument cluster display
6“TEMP. INDICATOR” – the unit set is displayed in 
the outside temperature display, in the instrument 
cluster and in the automatic air conditioner display.
7“DISPLAY VALUES IN” – the unit set is displayed in 
the multifunction display (except speedometer).
8“TEXT” – sets the language used in the 
multifunction display1 Only vehicles without COMAND.
Vehicles with COMAND, see separate operator’s manual.
9“SELECT DISPLAY” – The selection “SPEED DISP.” 
respectively “OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE” is 
permanently displayed in the multifunction display. 
“SPEED DISP.” can be used to display, for instance, 
the present speed in km/h if the setting menu (7) 
“DISPLAY VALUES IN” is set to indicate km.
10See page 127 for instructions on returning the 
individual setting menu “INSTRUMENT CLUSTER” 
to the factory setting.
11Acknowledgment.
Note:
Vehicles with COMAND:
For setting clock and speedometer units, see separate 
COMAND operator’s manual.
OM_203.book  Seite 125  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

177 Audio system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Adjusting the volume
Turning the control knob clockwise will increase the 
volume, counterclockwise will decrease the volume.
Note:
The volume setting can be selected separately for the 
telephone, audio system and voice recognition system.
Audio fu nctions
The “AUD” key is used to select the BASS, TREBLE, 
FADER and BALANCE functions. Settings for bass and 
treble are stored separately for the radio, cassette and 
CD modes. Tone level settings are identified by the 
vertical bars. The center (flat) setting is shown by one 
longer bar in the center of the display.Bass
Press the “AUD” key 
repeatedly until “BASS” 
appears on the display.
Press the “+” key to increase 
or the “-” key to decrease the level.
Pressing the “+” and “-” keys simultaneously resets the 
Bass to its center (flat) level.
Treble
Press the “AUD” key 
repeatedly until “TREBLE” 
appears on the display.
Press the “+” key to increase 
or the “-” key to decrease the level.
Pressing the “+” and “-” keys simultaneously resets the 
Treble to its center (flat) level.
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191 Audio system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Adjusting the volume
Turning the control knob clockwise will increase the 
volume, counterclockwise will decrease the volume.
Note:
The volume setting can be selected separately for the 
telephone, audio system and voice recognition system.
Entering telephone number and starting dialing 
process
Enter the desired telephone 
number using the alpha-
numeric keypad. The number 
can have up to 32 digits, but 
only 13 of these can be 
displayed. The dialing process is started by pressing the 
“SND” key. The entered number can be corrected using 
the “CLR” key.
Press the “CLR” key briefly, and the last digit will be 
deleted.
Press and hold the “CLR” key, and the complete number 
will be deleted.Calling up the telephone book
The numbers stored in the telephone number memory 
can be called up via either name or number entries. The 
memory contents from the portable telephone must 
contain numbers and names in at least one memory 
location and the portable telephone must be connected 
to the vehicle coil cord in order to call up the telephone 
book. Refer to the “Memory download” section of the 
cellular telephone operation guide for more information.
Switching between name search and number search
Press “ABC” key - Name search
Press “NUM” key - Number search
OM_203.book  Seite 191  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

248 Starting and turning off the enginge
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Starting and turning off the engine
Before starting
Ensure that parking brake is engaged and that selector 
lever is in position “P” or “N” (gearshift lever in 
neutral). Turn electronic key in starter switch to 
position 2.
Starting
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do n ot de pr ess  accelerato r. B rie f ly  turn  electron ic  key i n 
starter switch clockwise to the stop and release. The 
starter will engage until the engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops, 
turn electronic key completely to the left and repeat 
starting the engine.
After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system 
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.Vehicles with manual transmission:
Do not depress accelerator. Fully depress clutch pedal, 
otherwise the engine cannot be started due to the 
integrated safety interlock.
Turn electronic key in starter switch clockwise to the 
stop. Release only when the engine is firing regularly.
Important!
Due to the installed starter non-repeat feature, the 
electronic key must be turned completely to the left 
before attempting to start the engine again.
In areas where temperatures frequently drop below -4
°F 
(-20
°C) we recommend that an engine block heater be 
installed. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will 
advise you on this subject, see page 269.
Turning off
Turn the electronic key in the starter switch to 
position 0 to turn off the engine.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
The electronic key can only be removed with the 
selector lever in position “P”.
OM_203.book  Seite 248  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

316 Fuses
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Fuse box in engine compartment
2Cover
3Screw
4Retainer
To remove cover:
Twist screws (3) 90˚ counterclockwise. Pull up cover (2) 
and slide out retainer (4) and remove it by pulling cover 
towards front. Install in reverse order.5Fuse box in engine compartment, left-hand side
6Clamps
To gain access to fuse box:
Release clamps (6) and remove the cover.
To close the fuse box:
Ensure that the sealing rubber is properly positioned 
when you replace the cover. Press the cover down by 
hand and secure with clamps (6).
OM_203.book  Seite 316  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

325 Spare wheel
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage compartment
1Vehicle tool kit, towing eye bolt, wheel bolts and 
jack
2Spare wheel 
3Storage trayLift trunk floor and engage handle in upper edge of 
trunk.
Always lower trunk floor before closing trunk lid.
To remove the spare wheel: 
Take out the vehicle tool kit tray.
Turn  t he luggage b owl coun ter clock wise an d re move t he 
spare wheel.
To store spare wheel:
Place spare wheel in wheel well and secure it with 
luggage bowl. Turn luggage bowl clockwise to its stop.
Place vehicle tool kit tray in luggage bowl.
OM_203.book  Seite 325  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11