
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
OM_203.book  Seite 4  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

92 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Parking position exterior rear view mirror 
(only vehicles with memory function)
The passenger side exterior mirror can be adjusted and 
programmed to assist the driver during parking 
maneuvers (e.g. to observe the curb or other objects 
close to the vehicle).
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2, and 
the exterior rear view mirror switch in the passenger 
side position, the passenger side mirror will be turned 
downward when placing the gear selector lever in “R” 
reverse.Note:
For activating the mirror adjustment, see under 
individual setting menu “CONVENIENCE” – “MIRROR 
SETTING WHEN PARKING”, on page 134.
The mirror position can now be adjusted as desired.
The passenger side mirror will return to its previous 
position:
•immediately at speeds above approx. 6 mph 
(10km/h)–independent of the engaged gear,
•after 10 seconds when shifting gear selector lever 
from “R” Reverse,
•by pressing the driver’s side mirror button%.
OM_203.book  Seite 92  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

135 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” – in this options menu you can call up 
the individual setting menu “CONVENIENCE”.
Pressing buttonæ orç on the multifunction 
steering wheel controls the selection marker.
3“EASY-ENTRY FEATURE ACTIVATE”, see page 48.
4 “SETTINGS KEY-DEPENDENT”
if setting “ON” is selected, all settings selected in 
the individual setting can be stored key-dependent 
in memory. Memory function, see page 95.
5“MIRROR SETTING WHEN PARKING” – the 
passenger side exterior mirror can be adjusted and 
programmed to assist the driver during parking 
maneuvers, see page 92.
6Returning the individual setting menu 
“CONVENIENCE” to the factory setting.
7Acknowledgment.
Press the è or ÿ button repeatedly until the 
individual setting preliminary display (1) appears.
Press the j or k button until the setting menu 
“SETTINGS” (2) is displayed.Press buttonæ orç until the individual setting 
menu “CONVENIENCE” is selected by the selection 
marker.
Press the j or k button until the required 
display (3 to 5) is displayed. Pressing the æ orç 
button controls the selection marker. The settings made 
are stored and applied immediately.
The individual setting preliminary display (1) will 
appear again after you have run through all the setting 
menus. Pressing the è or ÿ button displays the 
next or previous system.
OM_203.book  Seite 135  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

231 Contents - Driving
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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  .................................260Driving instructions ...................... 261
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel  ....... 261
Drinking and driving  ................ 261
Pedals  .......................................... 261
Power assistance ........................ 262
Brakes .......................................... 262
Driving off ................................... 263
Parking  ........................................ 264
Tires  ............................................. 265
Snow chains  ............................... 267
Winter driving 
instructions  ................................ 268
Deep water  .................................. 270
Passenger compartment  ............271
Traveling abroad  .........................271Cruise 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
OM_203.book  Seite 231  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

241 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index need to retransmit. During this time you will hear a 
chirp and voice contact will be interrupted. Voice 
contact will resume once the retransmission is 
completed. Once a call is concluded, a chirp will be 
heard and the appropriate indicator lamp will stop 
flashing. The COMAND system operation will resume 
(only vehicles with COMAND).
Important!
If the indicator lamp continues to flash or the system 
does not reset, contact the Response Center at 
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in 
Canada), or Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance at 
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) in the USA or 
Customer Service at 1-800-387-0100 in Canada.Notes:
The indicator lamp in the respective button flashes until 
the call is concluded. Calls can only be terminated by a 
Response Center or Customer Assistance Center 
representative except Roadside Assistance and 
Information calls, which can also be terminated by 
pressing ìbutton on the multifunction steering 
wheel.
When a Tele Aid call has been initiated, the audio 
system or the COMAND system audio (only vehicles 
with COMAND) is muted and the selected mode (radio, 
tape or CD) pauses. The optional cellular phone (if 
installed) switches off. If you must use this phone, the 
vehicle must be parked. Disconnect the coiled cord and 
place the call. The navigation system (if engaged) will 
continue to run. The display in the instrument cluster is 
available for use and spoken commands are only 
available by pressing the RPT button on the COMAND 
unit. A pop-up window will appear in the COMAND 
display to indicate that a Tele Aid call is in progress.
OM_203.book  Seite 241  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

262 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power assistance
BrakesExcessive use of road salt and other snow melting 
chemicals spread on roads during the winter months 
may cause a build up of moisture or residue to form on 
the braking components. This build up or residue could 
cause light corrosion of the braking components if the 
vehicle is parked with the brakes cold. Apply steady and 
even braking pressure when stopping the vehicle to 
warm up and dry the brake components.
Important!
Please pay attention to the function of the brake assist 
system (BAS), see page 275.
The condition of the parking brake system is checked 
each time the vehicle is in the shop for the required 
maintenance service.
If the parking brake is released and the brake warning 
lamp in the instrument cluster stays on, the brake fluid 
level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may be the 
reason for low brake fluid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Wa r n i n g !
When the engine is not running, the brake and 
steering systems are without power assistance. 
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort is 
necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.Wa r n i n g !
After driving in heavy rain for some time without 
applying the brakes or through water deep enough 
to wet brake components or salty road conditions, 
the first braking action may be somewhat reduced 
and increased pedal pressure may be necessary to 
obtain expected braking effect. Be sure to maintain 
a safe distance from vehicles in front.Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause 
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.It can also result in the brakes overheating thereby 
significantly reducing their effectiveness. It may 
not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time 
to avoid an accident.
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285 Contents - Instrument cluster display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps 
in the instrument cluster  .........286
On-board diagnostic system  .........286
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................286
Brake 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 .............................292Malfunction 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
SEAT BELT SYSTEM  .................. 299
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. 
(Electronic stability program)  . 300COOLANT 
(coolant level)  ............................. 301
COOLANT
(coolant temperature)  ................302
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ...................303
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................304
LAMP SENSOR  ...........................306
DOOR  ...........................................306
TRUNK OPEN  .............................307
HOOD  ...........................................307
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION  .......308
TELE AID  .....................................308
WASHER FLUID  .........................309
RESTRAINT SYSTEM  ................. 310
KEY ............................................... 310
FUEL RESERVE  ...........................311
UNDERVOLTAGE .........................311
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. ........... 312
OM_203.book  Seite 285  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11