27 Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Coolant temperature gauge .......... 131
Flexible service system
(FSS) ............................................ 132
Engine oil level indicator .............. 135
Engine oil consumption ................ 136
Exterior lamp switch ..................... 137
Headlamp mode ............................. 138
Night security illumination ......... 140
Locator lighting .......................... 141
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 141
Combination switch ...................... 142
Rear window wiper / washer ....... 146
Hazard warning flasher
switch .......................................... 147
Automatic climate control ............ 148
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation ......... 159
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air outlets ................ 160Operation Audio and telephone ... 161
Operating safety ............................. 161
Operating and display elements ..162
Button and soft key operation ......164
Operation .........................................164
Component malfunctions ..............183
Power windows ...............................185
Sliding/pop-up roof ........................188
Interior lighting .............................. 191
Sun visors ........................................193
Vanity mirrors ................................193
Interior .............................................194
Storage compartments
and armrests ..............................194
Glove box ......................................195
Cup holder .......................................198
Ashtrays .......................................... 200
Lighter ............................................. 202Parcel net in
front passenger footwell ..........203
Ski sack ...........................................203
Parcel net in trunk ........................208
Electrical outlet ..............................209
Storage compartment
under trunk floor ......................209
Retractable luggage cover
and partition net ....................... 210
Split rear bench seat ..................... 213
Loading instructions ..................... 217
Cargo tie-down rings ..................... 218
Cellular telephone ......................... 219
Telephone, general ........................220
Garage door opener ....................... 221
S203.book Seite 27 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
57 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexSeat belt nonusage warning system
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2, a
warning sounds for a short time if the driver’s seat belt
is not fastened.
Automatic comfort-fit seat belt:
An automatic comfort-fit feature for driver and front
passenger seat belt is activated when the electronic key
in the starter switch is turned to position 1 or 2.
The retraction force of the inertia reel is reduced,
increasing the level of seat belt comfort.
Note:
For cleaning and care of the seat belts see page 359.
Wa r n i n g !
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the backrest
reclined. Sitting in an excessively reclined position
can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat
belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt
would apply force at the abdomen or neck. That
could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The
backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint
when the wearer is in an upright position and the
belt is properly positioned on the body.
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77 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Infant and child restraint systems
We recommend all infants and children be properly
restrained at all times while the vehicle is in motion. All
lap-shoulder belts except the driver seat belt have
special seat belt retractors for secure fastening of child
restraints.
To activate, pull shoulder belt out completely and let it
retract. During the seat belt retraction a ratcheting
sound can be heard to indicate that the special seat belt
retractor is activated. The belt is now locked.
To deactivate, release seat belt buckle and let seat belt
retract completely. The seat belt can again be used in
the usual manner.
Note:
For child seats with mounting fittings for tether
anchorages refer to page 79 (installation of infant and
child restraint systems).Important!
The use of infant or child restraints is required by law in
all 50 states and all Canadian provinces.
Infants and small children should be seated in an
appropriate infant or child restraint system properly
secured by a lap-shoulder belt, and that complies with
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 and
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
A statement by the child restraint manufacturer of
compliance with this standard can be found on the
instruction label on the restraint and in the instruction
manual provided with the restraint.
When using any infant or child restraint system, be sure
to carefully read and follow all manufacturer’s
instructions for installation and use.
Please read and observe warning labels affixed to inside
of vehicle and to infant or child restraints.
Wa r n i n g !
Never release the seat belt buckle while vehicle is
in motion, since the special seat belt retractor will
be deactivated.
S203.book Seite 77 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
93 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Knob for instrument cluster illumination,
seepage94
Reset knob for trip odometer, see page 95 and
individual settings, see page 115
2Tachometer
3Antilock brake system (ABS) malfunction indicator
lamp, see page 283
4Brake fluid low or parking brake engaged,
seepage290
5Speedometer
6Left turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch on page 142
7Electronic stability program (ESP) warning lamp,
system is adjusting to road conditions, see page 284
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,
seepage278
10High beam headlamp indicator,
see exterior lamp switch, page 137, and
combination switch, see page 14211Indicator 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 96.
Malfunction and warning messages in the
multifunction display, see page 285
13Trip odometer, see page 95 and 100
14Main odometer, see page 100
15Display for program mode and gear range
indicators, see page 246
16Malfunction/warning message memory,
seepage113
17Outside temperature indicator, see page 95
18Digital clock, see individual settings on page 115
19Right turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch on page 142
20Fasten seat belts, see page 284
21S upplem ental restraint system (SRS) m alfunction
indicator lamp, see page 281
22Fuel gauge with reserve and fuel cap placement
warning lamp, see page 282
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95 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Outside temperature indicator (17)
The temperature sensor is located in the front bumper
area. Due to its location, the sensor can be affected by
road or engine heat during idling or slow driving. This
means that the accuracy of the displayed temperature
can only be verified by comparison to a thermometer
placed next to the sensor, not by comparison to external
displays (e.g. bank signs etc.).
Adaption to ambient temperature takes place in steps
and depends on the prevailing driving conditions (stop-
and-go or moderate, constant driving) and amount of
temperature change.
Note:
The unit for the temperature indicator display can be set
in the individual setting menu “INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER” – “TEMP. INDICATOR” on page 115.Trip odometer (13)
To reset to “0” miles / km:
Activate the instrument cluster if it is not already
activated, see page 94.
Press button è or ÿ on the multifunction
steering wheel repeatedly until the trip odometer
appears if it is not displayed. See page 100.
Press button (1) on the instrument cluster, see page 94.
Tachometer (2)
The red marking on the tachometer denotes excessive
engine speed.
Avoid this engine speed, as it may result in serious
engine damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply is interrupted
if the engine is operated within the red marking.
Wa r n i n g !
The outside temperature indicator is not designed
to serve as an Ice-Warning Device and is therefore
unsuitable for that purpose. Indicated
temperatures just above the freezing point do not
guarantee that the road surface is free of ice.
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113 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Malfunction / warning message memory 1There are no messages stored in the system.
2Number of messages stored in the system.
3There are messages stored in the system.
Press the è or ÿ button repeatedly until the
message memory (1 or 2) is displayed.
Press the j or k button if display (2) appears.
The stored messages will now be displayed in order.
See page 285 for malfunction and warning messages.
Display (2) will reappear after you have scanned all the
malfunction and warning messages.
Should any malfunction or warning messages be stored
while driving, they will reappear in the display (2) when
the electronic key is in starter switch position 0 or
removed from the starter switch.
The malfunction or warning messages will now be
displayed for approximately 5 seconds each.
Pressing the reset knob on the instrument cluster
(see page 92) displays the malfunction and warning
messages once more.
P54.30-4644-27
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114 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
The message memory will be cleared when the
electronic key is turned in the starter switch to
position 1 or 2. Should any subsequent faults occur,
they will be displayed in the message memory.
Pressing the è or ÿ button displays the next or
previous system.Important!
Malfunction and warning messages are only indicated
for certain systems and displayed to a low level of detail.
The malfunction and warning messages are simply a
reminder with respect to the operation of certain
systems and do not replace the driver’s responsibility to
maintain the vehicle’s operating safety by having all
required maintenance and safety checks performed on
the vehicle and by bringing the vehicle to an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to address the malfunction and
warning messages. See page 285, for malfunction and
warning messages.
S203.book Seite 114 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
131 Coolant temperature gauge
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Coolant temperature gauge
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1
or 2.
Call up the trip odometer and main odometer by
pressing button è or ÿ on the multifunction
steering wheel. See page 100.
Press button j or k until the coolant
temperature gauge appears.During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to 120
°C.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant
temperature above 120
°C. Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Note:
Excessive coolant temperatures trigger a warning in the
multifunction display. See page 294.
Wa r n i n g !
• Driving when your engine is badly overheated
can cause some fluids which may have leaked
into the engine compartment to catch fire. You
could be seriously burned.• Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine if
you see or hear steam coming from it.Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do
not stand near the vehicle until it cools down.
S203.book Seite 131 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13