
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
OM_203.book  Seite 99  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

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.
OM_203.book  Seite 177  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

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 

344 Jump starting
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Note:
The gear selector lever will remain locked in 
position “P” and the electronic key can not be turned in 
the starter switch, if the vehicle battery is disconnected 
or discharged.
After reconnecting the battery also set the clock 
(vehicles with COMAND: see COMAND operator’s 
manual) resynchronize the front seat head restraints, 
the express feature of the power windows, the sliding /
pop-up roof, and the electronic stability program (see 
individual settings on page 121, head restraints on 
p a ge 5 5 ,  p owe r  w i n d ows  o n  p a ge 19 7 ,  s y n ch r o n i zi n g  t h e  
sliding / pop-up roof on page 202 and electronic stability 
program on page 278).
Battery recycling
Batteries contain materials that can harm the 
environment with improper disposal.
Large 12 Volt storage batteries contain lead.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred method of 
disposal.
Many states require sellers of batteries to accept old 
batteries for recycling.Jump starting
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to follow these directions will cause 
damage to the electronic components, and can lead 
to a battery explosion and severe injury or death.Never lean over batteries while connecting or jump 
starting, you might get injured.Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow 
this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or 
clot hin g. In  cas e i t d oes , i mm ed ia tely  f lus h a f fected  
area with water, and seek medical help if 
necessary.A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is 
flammable and very explosive. Keep flames or 
sparks away from battery, avoid improper 
connection of jumper cables, smoking etc.Read all instructions before proceeding.
OM_203.book  Seite 344  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11 

355 Exterior lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index License plate lamp
Loosen both securing screws (1), remove lamp and 
replace tubular lamp (C 5 W/4 cp).Side marker lamp, front (5 W/4 cp bulb)
Carefully slide lamp towards rear (arrow 1), and remove 
front end first (arrow 2).
Twist bulb socket counterclockwise and pull out. 
Remove bulb from socket.
Insert new bulb in socket. Reinstall bulb socket, push in 
and twist clockwise.
To reinstall lamp, set rear end of lamp in bumper and let 
front end snap into place.
2
1
OM_203.book  Seite 355  Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001  11:57 11