
6 Contents
Technical dataSpare parts service  ........................390
Warranty coverage .........................390
Identification labels ....................... 391
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............393
Technical data  ................................394
Fuels, coolants, 
lubricants etc. - capacities  .......399
Engine oils  ...................................... 401
Engine oil additives  ....................... 401
Air conditioner refrigerant ........... 401
Brake fluid  ...................................... 401
Premium unleaded gasoline  ........402
Fuel requirements  .........................402
Gasoline additives  .........................403
Coolants ...........................................403
Consumer information ..................405
IndexIndex  ............................................... 407
J_OM_215.book Seite 6 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14 

9 IntroductionImportant notice for California retail buyers of Mercedes-Benz automobiles
Under California law you may be entitled to a replacement of your vehicle or a refund of the purchase price or lease 
price, if Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and / or its authorized repair or service facilities fail to fix one ore more substantial 
defects or malfunctions in the vehicle that are covered by its express warranty after a reasonable number of repair 
attempts. During the period of 18 months from original delivery of the vehicle or the accumulation of 18 000 miles on 
the odometer of the vehicle, whichever occurs first, a reasonable number of repair attempts is presumed for a retail 
buyer or lessee if one or more of the following occurs: (1) the same substantial defect or malfunction results in a 
condition that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is driven, that defect or malfunction has 
been subject to repair two or more times, and you have directly notified Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC in writing of the 
need for its repair and have given us a direct opportunity to perform a repair ourselves, (2) the same substantial defect 
or malfunction of a less serious nature than category (1) has been subject to repair four or more times and you have 
directly notified us of the need for its repair and given us the opportunity to repair ourselves, or  (3) the vehicle is out 
of service by reason of repair of the same or different substantial defects or malfunctions for a cumulative total of 
more than 30 calender days. Written notification should be sent to us, not a dealer, at Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, 
Customer Assistance Center, One Mercedes Drive, Montvale, NJ 07645-0350.
Maintenance
The Service Booklet describes all the necessary maintenance work which should be performed at regular intervals.
Always have the Service Booklet with you when you take the vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for 
service. The service advisor will record each service in the booklet for you.
J_OM_215.book Seite 9 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14 

143 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Preliminary display of the individual settings
2“SETTINGS” – the menu “INST. CLUSTER” can be 
called up in this option menu.
3Selection marker
Pressing buttonæ orç on the multifunction 
steering wheel controls the selection marker.
4“TEMP. INDICATOR” – the unit set is displayed in 
the outside temperature display in the instrument 
cluster and in the automatic air conditioner display.
5“SPEEDOMETER” – the unit set is displayed in the 
multifunction display
6“TEXT” – sets the language used in the 
multifunction display
7Returning the setting menu “INST. CLUSTER” to the 
factory setting.
8Acknowledgment
For setting clock, see separate COMAND 
operator’s manual.
Press theè or ÿbutton repeatedly until the 
individual setting preliminary display (1) appears.
Press thej or kbutton until the setting menu 
“SETTINGS” (2) is displayed.Press buttonæ orç until the menu 
“INST. CLUSTER” is selected by the selection 
marker (3).
Press thej or kbutton until the required 
display (4 to 6) is displayed. Pressing theæ orç 
button controls the selection marker. The settings made 
are stored and applied immediately.
The individual setting preliminary display (1) will 
appear again after you have run through all the setting 
menus. Pressing theè or ÿbutton displays the 
next or previous system.
To return menu “INST. CLUSTER” (4 to 6) to its 
factory setting:
•Call up menu (4 to 6).
•Press the  Jbutton in the instrument cluster for 
approximately 3 seconds. Display (7) will appear.
•Press the  Jbutton once more. The menu 
“INST. CLUSTER”  is reset to factory settings, 
acknowledged by display (8). 
The individual setting display “SETTINGS” (2) will 
appear if you do not press the  Jbutton within 
about 5 seconds. The setting menus will not be 
reset.
J_OM_215.book Seite 143 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14 

170 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Display and controls
1Defrosting
2Rear window defroster, see page 181
3Residual engine heat utilization, see page 179
4Automatic climate control on/off
5Air distribution, right (automatic, manual operation)
6Economy mode, see page 178
7Temperature control, right8Air volume (automatic, manual)
9Display
Depending on the ambient light conditions, the 
figures on the display will be shown as dark figures 
on a bright background (in daylight), or as bright 
figures on a dark background (at night).
10Temperature control, left
11Air recirculation, see page 176
12Air distribution, left (automatic, manual operation)
13Activated charcoal filter
Important!
This vehicle is equipped with an air conditioning 
system that uses R-134a (HFC: hydrofluorocarbon) as a 
refrigerant. Repairs should always be performed by a 
qualified technician, and refrigerant should be collected 
in a recovery system for recycling.
1
2
3
5
4
6
7
10
11
13
12
89
P83.40-2291-26
J_OM_215.book Seite 170 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14 

171 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Automatic climate control
The system is always at operational readiness, except 
when manually switched off.
The automatic climate control only operates with the 
engine running.
The temperature selector should be left at the desired 
temperature setting. The temperature selected is 
reached as quickly as possible.
The system will not heat or cool any quicker by setting a 
higher or lower temperature.
The desired interior temperature and air distribution 
can be selected separately for the left and right side of 
the passenger compartment. Make the temperature 
settings in small increments.
The automatic climate control removes considerable 
moisture from the air during operation in the cooling 
mode. It is normal for water to drip on the ground 
through ducts in the underbody.
The air conditioning will not engage (no cooling) if the 
economy mode AC
OFF
 selected, see page 178. Notes:
The current settings (Temperature, Air volume, AC
OFF, 
Activated charcoal filter, ON / OFF) are stored for each 
electronic key before the electronic key is removed from 
the starter switch or when the vehicle is locked using 
the KEYLESS-GO-card (vehicles with keyless-go), see 
key dependent memory settings on page 113.
Do not obstruct the air flow by placing objects on the air 
flow-through exhaust slots below the rear window.
Also keep the air intake grill in front of the windshield 
free of snow and debris.
The storage compartment between the front seats can be 
ventilated. See page 180 for notes on ventilating the 
storage space under the armrest in the center console. 
The air conditioner switches itself off for its own 
protection if refrigerant is lost. No cooling will then take 
place. Economy mode AC
OFF
 cannot be switched off. 
Have the air conditioner checked by a Mercedes-Benz 
Center should this happen.
If the vehicle interior has been heated by direct sunlight 
and it is very hot, ventilate the interior (open door or 
windows for a short period) before driving off.
J_OM_215.book Seite 171 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14 

178 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
The activated charcoal filter should be switched off 
when windows fog up on the inside, or if the passenger 
compartment needs to be quickly heated or cooled 
down.
Switching on the activated charcoal filter and activating 
convenience closing of power windows and sliding/
pop-up roof:
The indicator lamp in the e button is not 
illuminated.
Press and hold button e until the side windows and 
the sliding / pop-up roof are closed. The indicator lamp 
in the button illuminates.
Switching off activated charcoal filter and activating 
convenience opening of power windows and sliding /
pop-up roof:
The indicator lamp in the e button is illuminated.
Press and hold button e until the side windows and 
the sliding / pop-up roof are in the desired position.
The indicator lamp in the button goes out.Economy mode
The function of this setting corresponds to the 
automatic mode. However, because the air conditioning 
compressor will not engage (fuel savings), it is not 
possible to air condition in this setting.
Press AC
OFF
button to activate. The indicator lamp in the 
button illuminates. 
Press AC
OFF
button once again to return to the previous 
setting. The indicator lamp in the button goes out.
Important!
In the mode AC
OFF 
the windows could fog up on the 
inside. Switch off ACOFF
mode.
J_OM_215.book Seite 178 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14 

181 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Rear window defroster
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
To select:
Press the Fbutton in the control panel of the 
automatic air conditioner. The indicator lamp in the 
button illuminates. 
To c a nc el:
Press the Fbutton in the control panel of the 
automatic air conditioner. The indicator lamp in the 
button goes out.
Notes:
Heavy accumulation of snow and ice should be removed 
before activating the defroster. The rear  wind ow de fr oster  us es a large amount of  power. 
To keep the battery drain to a minimum, turn off the 
defroster as soon as the rear window is clear.
The defroster is automatically turned off after 
approximately 6–17 minutes of operation depending on 
the outside temperature and vehicle speed. 
If several power consumers are turned on 
simultaneously, or the battery is only partially charged, 
it is possible that the defroster will automatically turn 
itself off. When this happens, the indicator lamp inside 
the switch starts blinking.
As soon as the battery has sufficient voltage, the 
defroster automatically turns itself back on.
J_OM_215.book Seite 181 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14 

226 Catalytic converter
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with monolithic type 
catalytic converters, an important element in 
conjunction with the oxygen sensors to achieve 
substantial control of the pollutants in the exhaust 
emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper operating 
condition by following our recommended maintenance 
instructions as outlined in your Service Booklet.
Caution!
To prevent damage to the catalytic converters, use only 
premium unleaded gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine operation should 
be repaired promptly. Otherwise, excessive unburned 
fuel may reach the catalytic converter causing it to 
overheat, which could start a fire.
Wa r n i n g !
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or operate 
this vehicle in areas where combustible materials 
such as grass, hay or leaves can come into contact 
with the hot exhaust system, as these materials 
could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
J_OM_215.book Seite 226 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14