
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
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58 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Heated seats (optional)
The front seat heaters can be switched on with the 
electronic key in starter switch position 1 or 2.
The switch is located in the center console.Press switch to turn on seat heater:
1Normal seat heating mode. One indicator lamp in 
the switch lights up.
2Rapid seat heating mode. Both indicator lamps in 
the switch light up. After approximately 5 minutes 
in the rapid seat heating mode, the seat heater 
autom ati cally  s witches  to  n ormal o peration  an d  on ly 
one indicator lamp will stay on.
Turning off seat heater:
If one indicator lamp is on, press upper half of switch.
If both indicator lamps are on, press lower half of 
switch.
If left on, the seat heater automatically turns off after 
approximately 30 minutes of operation.
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59 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
When in operation, the seat heater consumes a large 
amount of electrical power. It is not advisable to use the 
seat heater longer than necessary.
The seat heaters may automatically switch off if too 
many power consumers are switched on at the same 
time, or if the battery charge is low. When this occurs, 
the indicator lamp in the switch will blink (both 
indicator lamps blink during rapid seat heating mode). 
The seat heaters will switch on again automatically as 
soon as sufficient voltage is available.If the blinking of the indicator lamps is distracting to 
you, the seat heaters can be switched off.
OM_203.book  Seite 59  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 

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”.
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270 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center.Deep water
Caution!
Do not drive through flooded areas or water of unknown 
depth.
If you must drive through deep water, drive slowly to 
prevent water from entering the engine compartment or 
passenger compartment, being ingested by the air 
intake, possibly causing damage to electrical 
components or wiring, to engine or transmission that is 
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
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390 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 70
Battery  .............................................................................342
Block heater  .................................................................... 270
Brake assist system (BAS)  ............................................ 275
Bulbs
See Replacing bulbs  ................................................. 351
CCD changer
See CD changer installed  ......................................... 187
Cellular telephone  ......................................................... 224
Center console .................................................................. 24
Central locking switch  .................................................... 39
Central locking system  ................................................... 31
Automatic central locking  ......................................... 40
Central locking switch  ............................................... 39
Choosing global or selective mode ........................... 33
Doors  ............................................................................. 37
General notes ............................................................... 30
Locking and unlocking with remote control  .......... 33
Mechanical keys .......................................................... 36
Obtaining replacement keys  ..................................... 29Summer opening/convenience feature  ...................35
Vehicle keys  ................................................................. 28
Check regularly and before a long trip ...................... 284
Child seat
See Infant and child restraint systems  .................... 83
Climate control  ............................................................... 152
Adjustable air outlets, 
rear passenger compartment  ............................. 172
Air recirculation  ........................................................ 158
Basic setting ............................................................... 156
Defrosting  ................................................................... 157
Display and controls  ................................................. 154
Dust filter  ................................................................... 155
Economy mode  .......................................................... 159
Front center console
storage compartment ventilation  ....................... 171
Residual engine heat utilization  ............................. 159
Special settings  ......................................................... 156
Windows fogged up on the inside  .......................... 157
Windows fogged up on the outside  ................ 157, 166
COMAND, radio and telephone  .................................. 232
Combination switch  ....................................................... 148
Control and operation of
radio transmitters  .................................................... 232
Coolant level  .................................................................. 322
Coolant temperature gauge  .......................................... 137
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