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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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
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3 ContentsGeneral notes on CD mode ........... 174
CD changer installed ..................... 175
Loading/emptying
the CD magazine ....................... 175
Playing CDs .................................... 176
Skipping tracks
forward/backward .................... 176
Fast forward/reverse ..................... 177
Scanning ......................................... 177
Random play/repeat function ...... 177
Direct track selection .................... 178
Track and time display ................. 178
Telephone operation ...................... 178
Switching the telephone
on and off ................................... 178
Adjusting the volume .................... 179
Entering telephone number and
starting dialing process ........... 179
Calling up the phone book ........... 179
Switching between
name search and
number search .......................... 179Searching and selecting
phone book entries
by number ..................................180
Placing a call ...................................180
Manual repeat dialing
(redial) ......................................... 181
Automatic repeat dialing
(redial) ......................................... 181
Speed dialing .................................. 181
Turbo-dialing ..................................182
Multi party call ...............................182
Accepting incoming call
in telephone mode .....................182
Accepting incoming call
in tape, CD or radio mode ........182
Terminating call .............................183
Muting a call ...................................183
Component malfunctions ..............183
Power windows ...............................185
Sliding/pop-up roof ........................188
Interior lighting .............................. 191
Sun visors ........................................193
Vanity mirrors ................................193Interior ............................................ 194
Storage compartments
and armrests .............................. 194
Glove box ..................................... 195
Cup holder ...................................... 198
Ashtrays ..........................................200
Lighter .............................................202
Parcel 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
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4 Contents
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters .....................226
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) .................................227
Maintenance ...................................227
Tele Aid ...........................................228
Catalytic converter ........................238
Emission control ............................239
Starter switch .................................240
Starting and turning off
the engine ..................................242
Automatic transmission ...............243
Parking brake .................................252
Driving instructions ......................253
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ........253
Drinking and driving .................253
Pedals ...........................................253
Power assistance ........................254
Brakes ..........................................254
Driving off ...................................255
Parking ........................................256
Tires .............................................257Snow chains ............................... 259
Winter driving
instructions ................................ 260
Deep water .................................. 262
Passenger compartment ........... 263
Traveling abroad ........................ 263
Cruise control ................................ 264
Brake assist system (BAS) ............ 267
Antilock brake system
(ABS) .......................................... 268
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 270
What you should know
at the gas station .......................274
Check regularly and
before a long trip .......................276
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster ............. 278
On-board diagnostic system ........ 278
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 278
Brake warning lamp .................. 280Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp .................. 281
Fuel reserve warning .................282
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................283
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............284
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp ............................284
Malfunction and indicator
lamp in the center console ......284
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....284
Malfunction and warning
messages in the
multifunction display ...............285
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................287
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR ........288
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ....289
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................289
BRAKE PAD WEAR ....................290
BRAKE FLUID .............................290
PARKING BRAKE ....................... 291
SEAT BELT SYSTEM ................... 291
S203.book Seite 4 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
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28 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Vehicle keys
Included with your vehicle are 2 electronic keys with
integrated radio frequency and infrared remote controls
plus removable mechanical key.
The locking tabs for the mechanical key portion of the
two electronic keys are a different color to help
distinguish it.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the starter switch, and lock
your vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause
serious personal injury.
S203.book Seite 28 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
29 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Electronic key
The electronic key has an integrated radio frequency
and infrared remote control, plus removable mechanical
key.
The remote control (1) operates all locks on the vehicle.
The mechanical key (2) works only in the driver’s door,
tailgate, and glove box lock.When using the mechanical key (2) for lock operations,
it can be removed by sliding it out of the remote control.
To do so, move locking tab (3) to the right and slide the
mechanical key (2) in direction of arrow (4).
The remote control transmitter is located in the
electronic key.
The infrared receivers are located in the front door
handles.
Note:
Remove the mechanical key from the electronic key
when using valet parking service. To prevent access to
storage compartments lock them separately and retain
the mechanical key.
See page 41 for separate locking of tailgate and page 195
for locking of glove box.
Obtaining replacement keys
Your vehicle is equipped with a theft deterrent locking
system requiring a special key manufacturing process.
For security reasons, replacement keys can only be
obtained from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
P80.35-2030-26
1
3
4
2
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31 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Central locking system
Radio frequency and infrared remote control
The electronic key has an integrated radio frequency
and infrared remote control.
Due to the extended operational range of the remote
control, it could be possible to unintentionally lock or
unlock the vehicle by pressing the transmit button. If
one of the transmit buttons is pressed, the battery check
lamp lights up briefly – indicating that the batteries are
in order. See page 346 for checking batteries.
The vehicle doors, tailgate and fuel filler flap can be
centrally locked and unlocked via remote control.
Opening and closing the windows and sliding/pop-up
roof can only be done with the infrared portion of the
remote control. Aim transmitter eye at a receiver (6
or 7), press and hold transmit button Œ or ‹,
seepage34.
If the electronic key is inserted in starter switch, the
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked.1Transmit button
‹ Locking
Œ Unlocking
2Lamp for battery check (see page 346 for changing
batteries if it does not light up briefly)
3PANIC button
4Transmitter eye
5Locking tab for mechanical key
P80.35-2033-26
2
1
4
3
5
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