
30 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
KEYLESS-GO-card
The KEYLESS-GO-card (1) does not have a removable
mechanical key.
The functions of the KEYLESS-GO-card (1) are identical
to those of the electronic key. Carrying the card with
you permits the use of the vehicle.The validity of the KEYLESS-GO-card is checked every
time when grasping a door handle or pushing the trunk
lid release. Once the KEYLESS-GO-card is recognized
outside the vehicle, the doors, trunk lid and fuel filler
flap are unlocked, depending on the selected mode
(global or selective unlocking mode, see page 42).
Starter switch KEYLESS-GO, see page 230.
Starting and turning off the engine with KEYLESS-GO,
see page 234 and page 234.
Note:
In the case of a malfunction in the KEYLESS-GO-system,
we recommend that you carry the electronic key plus
mechanical key with you and keep them in a safe place
so t hat t hey are always han d y. Never leave t he electro nic
key or a KEYLESS-GO-card in the vehicle.
Obtaining replacement keys
Your vehicle is equipped with a theft deterrent locking
system requiring a special key manufacturing process.
For security reasons, replacement keys or the KEYLESS-
GO-card can only be obtained from your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
P80.30-2029-26
1
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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 Start lock-out
Important!
Operating with electronic key:
Removing the electronic key from the starter switch
activates the start lock-out. The engine cannot be
started.
Inserting the electronic key in the starter switch
deactivates the start lock-out.
Operating with KEYLESS-GO:
Turning off the engine with the start-/stop button on the
gear selector lever activates the start lock-out. For
turning off the engine with KEYLESS-GO, see page 234.
Starting the engine with the start-/stop button
deactivates the start lock-out, if a valid KEYLESS-GO-
card is recognized inside the vehicle. For starting the
engine with KEYLESS-GO, see page 234. The engine
cannot be started with a KEYLESS-GO-card outside the
vehicle.Note:
In case the engine cannot be started (vehicle’s battery is
in order), the system is not operational. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call 1-800-FOR-
MERCedes (in the USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
J_OM_215.book Seite 31 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14

32 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
General notes on the central locking system
If the electronic key is inserted in the starter switch, the
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with the remote
control or a KEYLESS-GO-card.
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked:
•Aim transmitter eye at a receiver on either door
handle. Check the batteries of the electronic key, see
page 369, or synchronize the remote control,
seepage371.
•Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO only:
A KEYLESS-GO-card must be recognized by the
system as being outside the vehicle to enable the
vehicle to be locked or unlocked (maximum distance
between card and doors or trunk is approximately
3 ft. (1 m). Check the location of the KEYLESS-GO-
card, see page 37. Check the batteries of the
KEYLESS-GO-card, see page 372. The trunk lid will
ope n automatically if a KEYLESS -GO c ar d is detected
in the trunk, see page 38.Note:
If neither the remote control nor KEYLESS-GO system
functions, use the mechanical key to unlock or lock the
vehicle. To start engine, insert the electronic key in the
starter switch. There could be a slight delay until the
electronic key can be turned in the starter switch.
Important!
When unlocking the driver’s door with the mechanical
key, the exterior lamps will flash and the alarm will
sound.
To cancel the alarm:
•insert the electronic key in the starter switch,
•press buttonŒ or‹ on the electronic key or
•vehicles with KEYLESS-GO:
when carrying the KEYLESS-GO-card, grasp the
door handle or press the start-/stop button on the
gear selector lever.
J_OM_215.book Seite 32 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14

37 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index KEYLESS-GO
Important!
For the KEYLESS-GO-system to function properly, the
operator should observe the following:
•The driver should carry the KEYLESS-GO-card with
him/her.
•To avoid radio transmission interference, never store
the KEYLESS-GO-card together with other electronic
items (e.g. cellular telephones, other KEYLESS-GO-
cards) or metallic objects (e.g. coins, metal foil).
•To lock or unlock the vehicle, the card must be
recognized by the system as being located outside
the vehicle. The card must be in close proximity to a
door or the trunk lid (approx. 3 ft. [1 m]). To activate
t he start/stop button function, t he KEYLE SS-GO-
card must be recognized by the system as being
located inside the vehicle.
•If the KEYLESS-GO-card is positioned farther away
from the vehicle (e.g. inside clothing or a briefcase)
and can no longer be recognized by the system, the
vehicle cannot be locked or the engine started via
the KEYLESS-GO-system.•If the KEYLESS-GO-card is removed from the vehicle
while the engine is running, or by placing the card
in front of the center armrest (see page 195), the
message “CHIP-CARD – NOT RECOGNIZED!” will
appear repeatedly in the multifunction display,
seepage324.
Find the card or change its present location (e.g.
place it on the front passenger seat or insert it in
shirt pocket).
•If the message “CHIP-CARD – NOT RECOGNIZED”
is ignored for an extended period of time (approx.15
minutes), the engine could stop by itself during a
vehicle stop (e.g. traffic light). The vehicle can then
no longer be centrally locked or the engine
restarted. You must first find the card or change its
present location (e.g. place it on the front passenger
seat or insert it in shirt pocket). Start the engine
again. See page 230.
•Do not forget, the engine can be started by anyone
with a KEYLESS-GO-card that is left inside the
vehicle. Leaving the chip-card behind when exiting
and locking the vehicle, the message “CHIP-CARD –
STILL IN VEHICLE” appears in the multifunction
display, see page 324.
J_OM_215.book Seite 37 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14

38 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
•Opening the driver’s door with the engine shut off
and no electronic key in the starter switch, the
message “CHIP-CARD – DO NOT FORGET” appears
as a reminder, see page 324.
Important
In the case of a malfunction in the KEYLESS-GO-system,
we recommend that you carry the electronic key plus
mechanical key with you and keep them in a safe place
s o t hat t hey ar e always han dy. Never leave t he e le ctron ic
key in the vehicle.Notes:
The KEYLESS-GO-function also permits closing of
windows and sliding/pop-up roof (convenience feature),
see page 45.
With the KEYLESS-GO-card in close proximity
(approx. 3 ft. [1 m]) of the vehicle, aiming a jet of water
at a door handle (e.g. when washing the vehicle) or
cleaning snow from a door, could lock or unlock the
vehicle inadvertently.
To prevent a possible inadvertent lockout, the trunk lid
will open automatically if a KEYLESS-GO-card is
recognized in the area of the rear shelf or inside the
trunk.
J_OM_215.book Seite 38 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14

43 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Simultaneous use of electronic key and
KEYLESS-GO-card
When using the electronic key and the KEYLESS-GO-
card at the same time, the electronic key overrules the
KEYLESS-GO-card.
If the engine is started with the start-/stop button on the
gear selector lever, and afterwards the electronic key is
inserted in the starter switch, the engine continues to
run with the gear selector lever in positions “R”, “N”,
“D” plus ranges “4”, “3”, “2”, “1” until it is stopped by
using the start-/stop button on the gear selector lever.If the electronic key is inserted in the starter switch
while the gear selector lever is in position “P”, the
electronic key takes over. The vehicle operates
according to the electronic key position in the starter
switch (see page 228), eventually even stopping the
engine.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the starter switch, take the
KEYLESS-GO-card with you, and lock your vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause
serious personal injury.
J_OM_215.book Seite 43 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14

66 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
The switch is located on the steering column adjustment
lever.
Turn the switch in direction:
1to switch on
2to switch offWith the easy-entry/exit feature activated, the steering
wheel tilts upwards to allow easier entry into and exit
from the vehicle when the driver’s door is opened.
However, the engine must be turned off.
When the electronic key is inserted in the starter switch
or, with a valid KEYLESS-GO-card, when pressing the
start-/stop button on the gear selector lever, and if the
driver’s door is closed, the steering wheel returns 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 with the
easy-entry/exit feature activated and you open the
driver’s door or remove the electronic key from the
starter switch. 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.
J_OM_215.book Seite 66 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14

115 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Knob for instrument cluster illumination,
seepage116
2Engine malfunction indicator lamp, see page 296
3Brake fluid low or parking brake engaged,
seepage307
4Supplemental restraint system (SRS) malfunction
indicator lamp, see page 299
5Coolant temperature gauge, see page 117
6Outside temperature indicator, see page 117
7Fuel gauge with reserve warning lamp, see page 299
8Left turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch on page 164
9Speedometer, see page 118
10Electronic stability program (ESP) warning lamp,
system is adjusting to road conditions, see page 301
11Distance warning lamp – vehicles with Distronic
(DTR), distance to the vehicle ahead is insufficient,
see page 270 and page 301.
Vehicles without Distronic: It illuminates with the
electronic key in starter switch position 2. It should
go out when the engine is running.12Multifunction display, see page 120
Malfunction and warning messages in the
multifunction display, see page 303
13Trip odometer, see page 119 and 124
14Main odometer, see page 124
15Right turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch on page 164
16Tachometer, see page 119
17Gear range indicator display, see selector lever
positions on page 238
18Digital clock
To set the time, see COMAND operator’s manual
19Antilock brake system (ABS) malfunction indicator
lamp, see page 300
20High beam headlamp indicator,
see exterior lamp switch, page 159, and
combination switch, page 164
21Fasten seat belts, see page 302
22Reset buttonJ, s e e p a g e s 116 , 119
J_OM_215.book Seite 115 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14