1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 7
Operator’s manual ............................. 8
Where to find it ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Door control panel ....................... 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21
Dashboard ..................................... 22
Center console .............................. 24OperationVehicle 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 ................ 33Choosing 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 .................... 40
Emergency 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 .............................51Heated 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 .............................................. 67
Safety 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
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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
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45 Easy-entry/exit feature
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Easy-entry / exit feature
(only vehicles with memory function)
With the easy-entry/exit feature activated, the steering
wheel tilts upwards and the driver’s seat moves
rearwards.
This allows easier entry into and exit from the vehicle
when the driver’s door is opened. However, the engine
must be turned off.
The easy-entry/exit feature can be switched on or off in
the individual setting menu “CONVENIENCE” –
“EASY-ENTRY FEATURE ACTIVATE”, see page 128.
When the electronic key is inserted in the starter switch
and the driver’s door is closed, the steering wheel and
the driver’s seat return to the last position set for it.
Wa r n i n g !
You must ensure that no one can become trapped
or injured by the moving steering wheel when the
easy-entry / exit feature is activated and the
driver’s door is being opened or the electronic key
removed from the starter switch. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with access
to an unl ocked vehic l e. Uns upervi s ed us e of vehi cl e
equipment may cause serious personal injury.
S203.book Seite 45 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
46 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Front seat adjustment
To operate the front power seat adjustment switches,
turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1
or 2 (with respective front door open, the power seats
can also be operated with the electronic key removed or
in starter switch position 0).
Wa r n i n g !
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle.Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat back
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 fatal injuries. The seat back
and seat belts provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in an upright position and belts are
properly positioned on the body.Never place hands under seat or near any moving
parts while a seat is being adjusted.
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the starter switch, and lock
your vehicle. The power seats can also be operated with the
driver’s or front passenger door open. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with access
to an unl ocked vehic l e. Uns upervi s ed us e of vehi cl e
equipment may cause serious personal injury.
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49 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should check
and adjust if necessary the seat height, seat position
fore and aft, and backrest angle to insure adequate
control, reach and comfort. The head restraint should
also be adjusted for proper height. See also airbag
section on page 67 for proper seat positioning.
In addition, also adjust the steering wheel to ensure
ad eq uate con tr ol, r each, operation and com fort. B ot h the
inside and outside rear view mirrors should be adjusted
for adequate rearward vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be
seated in a properly secured restraint system that
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213.
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and rear view
mirror adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger
side front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury can result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in back seats
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child
restraint system, which is properly secured with
the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is
not properly secured in the child restraint.
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56 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Seat belts and integrated restraint system
Your vehicle is equipped with seat belts for all seats,
emergency tensioning retractors for all outboard seat
belts, dual front airbags, door mounted side impact
airbags, and head protective window curtain airbags.
Their protective functions are designed to complement
one another.
Seat belts
Important!
Laws in most states and all Canadian provinces require
seat belt use.
All states and provinces require use of child restraints
that comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213.
All child restraints systems are designed to be secured
in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a
lap-shoulder belt.
For your safety and that of your passengers we strongly
recommend their use.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger
side front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in back seats
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child
restraint system, which is properly secured with
the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is
not properly secured in the child restraint.
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63 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Wa r n i n g !
USE CHILD RESTRAINTS PROPERLY.Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger
front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury will result.According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in the back
seats and be seated in an appropriate infant or
child restraint system, which is properly secured
with the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance
with the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is
not properly secured in the child restraint.
Children too big for child restraint systems must
ride in back seats using regular seat belts. Position
shoulder belt across chest and shoulder, not face or
neck. A booster seat may be necessary to achieve
proper belt positioning.
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64 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system
Special BabySmart
TM compatible child seats, designed
for use with the Mercedes-Benz system and available at
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center are required for
use with the BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system.
With the special child seat properly installed, the
passenger front airbag will not deploy.
The ü indicator lamp located in the center console
will be illuminated, except with electronic key removed
or in starter switch position 0. The system does not
deactivate the door mounted side impact airbag.
Self-test BabySmart
TM without special child seat
installed
After turning electronic key in starter switch to
position 1 or 2, the ü indicator lamp located in the
center console comes on for approximately 6 seconds
and then extinguishes.
If the indicator lamp should not come on or is
continuously lit, the system is not functioning. You must
see an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center before seating
any child on the front passenger seat. See page 284 for
notes on the ü indicator lamp.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Wa r n i n g !
The BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system will
ONLY work with a special child seat designed to
operate with it. It will not work with child seats
which are not BabySmart
TM compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion and
child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the
effectiveness of the deactivation system. The
bottom of the child seat must make full contact
with the passenger seat cushion. An incorrectly
mounted child seat could cause injuries to the
child in case of an accident instead of protecting
the child.Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of special child seats.The passenger front airbag will not deploy only if
the ü indicator lamp remains illuminated.Please be sure to check the indicator every time
you use the special system child seat. Should the
light go out while the restraint is installed, please
check installation. If the light remains out, do not
use the BabySmart
TM restraint to transport children
on the front passenger seat until the system has
been repaired.
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