
2 Contents
Trip and main odometer
and sub menu ............................ 100
Audio systems ................................ 102
Radio ............................................ 102
CD player ..................................... 103
Cassette player ........................... 104
Telephone ........................................ 105
Navigation system ...........................110
Trip computer ..................................111
Malfunction/warning
message memory .......................113
Individual settings ..........................115
Setting the audio volume .............. 130
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 ...................... 142Rear 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 ................160
Operation Audio and telephone ... 161
Operating safety ............................. 161
Operating and display elements ..162
Button and soft key operation ......164
Operation .........................................164
Switching on and off ......................164
Adjusting the volume ....................165
Audio functions ..............................165
Bass ..................................................165
Treble ...............................................165
Balance .............................................166
Centering all audio functions .......166
Audio system tone level selection 167
Radio mode ......................................167
Selecting radio mode .....................167
Selecting the band .........................167Manual tuning ................................ 168
Seek tuning ..................................... 168
Scan tuning ..................................... 168
Weather Band ................................. 169
Station memory .............................. 169
Storing stations automatically
(Autostore) ................................. 169
Storing stations .............................. 170
Retrieving a station
from memory ............................. 170
Direct frequency
input AM and FM only ............. 170
Cassette mode ................................ 170
Playing cassettes ............................ 170
Cassette eject .................................. 171
Track selection ............................... 172
Track search
forwards/backwards ................. 172
Fast forward/reverse ..................... 172
Scanning ......................................... 173
Scanning ......................................... 173
Dolby NR 1
noise reduction system ............ 173
CD mode .......................................... 174
S203.book Seite 2 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13

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 52
2Rear window wiper/washer, see page 146
3ESP (electronic stability program) control switch,
see page 270
4Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 147
5Central locking switch, see page 38
6Antitheft alarm system, see page 43
Switch for tow-away protection, see page 44
7Right front seat heater switch, see page 52
8AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp, see page 284
9COMAND system (optional), see separate
operating instructions, or
audio system, see page 161
10Automatic climate control, see page 148
Rear window defroster, see page 158
11Ashtray, see page 200
12Automatic transmission, see page 243
13Storage compartment, see page 196
14Armrest, see page 196
Storage compartment, see page 202
S203.book Seite 24 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13

26 Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 28
Start lock-out .................................... 30
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 30
Central locking system ................... 31
Radio frequency and
infrared remote control ............... 31
Locking and unlocking ................ 33
Choosing global or selective
mode on remote control .............. 33
Opening and closing windows
and sliding / pop-up roof
from outside .................................. 34
Panic button .................................. 35
Mechanical keys ........................... 35
Doors .................................................. 36
Central locking switch .................... 38
Automatic central locking .............. 39
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 39
Tailgate .............................................. 40
Opening the tailgate .................... 40Emergency unlocking
the tailgate .....................................41
Closing the tailgate ..................... 42
Antitheft alarm system ................... 43
Tow-away alarm ............................... 44
Easy-entry/exit feature .................. 45
Front seat adjustment ..................... 46
Removal and installation of
front seat head restraints .......... 50
Multicontour seat .............................51
Heated seats ..................................... 52
Rear seat head restraints ............... 53
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 56
Seat belts .......................................... 56
Seat belt nonusage
warning system .......................... 57
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system ................... 64
Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) ............................... 65
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................ 66
Airbags .............................................. 67Safety guidelines for the seat
belt, emergency tensioning
retractor and airbag .................... 75
Infant and child
restraint systems ......................... 77
Steering wheel adjustment
(electrical) .................................... 83
Rear view mirrors ............................ 84
Instrument cluster ........................... 92
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................. 96
Trip and main odometer
and sub menu ............................ 100
Audio systems ................................ 102
Radio ............................................ 102
CD player ..................................... 103
Cassette player ........................... 104
Telephone ........................................ 105
Navigation system ...........................110
Trip computer .................................. 111
Malfunction/warning
message memory .......................113
Individual settings ..........................115
Setting the audio volume ............. 130
S203.book Seite 26 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13

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

97 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Depending on your vehicle’s equipment, you may use
the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel to call
up, control and set the following systems in the
multifunction display:
1Trip odometer and main odometer, see page 95 and
page 100
Flexible service system (FSS), see page 132
Vehicle speed, see page 100
Coolant temperature gauge, see page 131
Engine oil level indicator, see page 135
2Audio systems, see page 102
Radio, see page 102
CD player, see page 103
Cassette player, see page 1043Navigation system, see page 110
4Malfunction message memory, see page 113
5Individual settings, see page 115
6Trip computer, seepage111
After start
After reset
Fuel tank content
7Telephone, see page 105
Press the è or ÿ button repeatedly until the
required system is displayed.
The display advances by one system each time the
button is pressed.
You may call up add ition al d is plays wit hin som e of t hes e
categories by pressing the j or k button.
S203.book Seite 97 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13

98 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Note:
The displays in the multifunction display can be set to
German, English, French, Italian or Spanish language.
See the individual setting menu “INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER” – “TEXT” on page 115 for instructions on
changing the language setting.
The displays for the audio systems (radio, CD player,
cassette player) will appear in English, regardless of the
language selected.
Wa r n i n g !
A driver’s attention to the road must always be his /
her primary focus when driving. For your safety and the safety of others, selecting
features through the multifunction steering wheel
should only be done by the driver when traffic and
road conditions permit it to be done safely.Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is covering
a distance of approximately 50 feet (approximately
14 m) every second.
S203.book Seite 98 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13

102 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Audio systems
Radio1Audio system is switched off.
2The radio is switched on.
3Wave band setting and memory location number,
where appropriate.
4Station name setting or station frequency.
5This only appears when “MEMORY” rather than
“STATION SEARCH” has been selected in the
individual setting menu “VEHICLE” – “PRESS
BUTTON IN AUDIO MODE”. See page 125.
The radio must be switched on.
Press the è or ÿ button repeatedly until
display (2) appears.
Press button j or k repeatedly until the required
station or frequency is displayed.
Use the j of k button to select a stored station or
station frequency. This depends on the selection made
in the individual setting menu “VEHICLE” – “PRESS
BUTTON IN AUDIO MODE”. See individual settings,
page 125.
Pressing the è or ÿ button displays the next or
previous system.
P54.30-3634-27
S203.book Seite 102 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13

103 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index CD player1Radio system is switched off.
2The CD player is switched on.
3The number of the CD currently playing is displayed
if you are using a CD changer.
4Track number.
“TITLE” appears on vehicles with COMAND system.
“TRACK” appears on vehicles with audio system.
The radio must be switched on.
The CD player must be switched on.
Press the è or ÿ button repeatedly until
display (2) appears.
Press the j or k button repeatedly until the
required track number (4) is displayed.
Pressing the è or ÿ button displays the next or
previous system.
Note:
To select a CD from the magazine, press a number on
the audio system or the (optional) COMAND system key
pad located in the center dashboard.
P54.30-3635-27
S203.book Seite 103 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13