3 ContentsPower windows ............................... 183
Sliding/pop-up roof ....................... 186
Interior lighting ............................. 189
Rear window sunshade ................. 191
Sun visors ....................................... 192
Vanity mirrors ................................ 192
Interior ............................................ 193
Storage compartments and
armrests ..................................... 193
Glove box ..................................... 194
Coat hooks ...................................... 198
Cup holder ...................................... 199
Ashtrays ..........................................202
Lighter .............................................204
Parcel net in trunk ........................205
Cargo tie-down hooks ....................206
Parcel net in
front passenger footwell ..........206
Telephone, general ........................207
Garage door opener .......................208
Infrared reflecting windshield .... 212
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters .....................214
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) .................................. 215
Maintenance ...................................215
Tele Aid ............................................ 216
Catalytic converter ........................ 226
Emission control ............................ 227
Starter switch ................................. 228
Starter switch – KEYLESS-GO ..... 230
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 233
Automatic transmission ............... 235
Parking brake ................................ 244
Driving instructions ...................... 245
Drive sensibly – save fuel ........ 245
Drinking and driving ................ 245
Pedals .......................................... 245
Power assistance ........................ 246
Brakes .......................................... 246Driving off ...................................247
Parking ........................................248
Tires .............................................249
Snow chains ................................ 251
Winter driving instructions ......252
Deep water ..................................254
Passenger compartment ...........254
Traveling abroad ........................255
Cruise control .................................256
Distronic (DTR) ..............................259
Brake assist system (BAS) ............275
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ........................................... 276
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................278
Active body control (ABC) ............282
Level control system ......................283
Parking assist
(Parktronic) ................................286
What you should know
at the gas station ....................... 291
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................294
J_OM_215.book Seite 3 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
4 Contents
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the
instrument cluster ....................296
On-board
diagnostic system .......................296
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................296
Brake warning lamp ..................298
Supplemental
restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................299
Fuel reserve warning .................299
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................300
Electronic stabilityprogram
(ESP) — warning lamp ............... 301
Distronic (DTR) —
warning lamp .............................. 301
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp ..............................302
Malfunction and indicator
lamp in the center console ......302
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....302Malfunction and
warning messages in the
multifunction display .............. 303
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(engine control unit) ................. 304
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(several systems) ....................... 304
BATTERY /ALTERNATOR ......... 305
ENTRY POSITION ...................... 306
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 306
BRAKE PAD WEAR .................... 307
BRAKE FLUID ............................ 307
PARKING BRAKE ....................... 308
TRUNK OPEN ............................. 308
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program) . 309
COOLANT (coolant level) .......... 310
COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................ 311
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................312
LAMP SENSOR ............................ 314
SEAT BELT SYSTEM ................... 314
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION ........ 315
CRUISE CONTROL ...................... 315ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
(ABC) ............................................ 316
TIRE PRESSURE ......................... 318
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ...................320
SEAT BACKREST ........................ 321
KEY ...............................................322
DOOR ...........................................322
HOOD ...........................................323
TELE AID .....................................323
WASHER FLUID .........................326
DISTRONIC (DTR) ......................327
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................330
Fuses ................................................ 331
Shelf below rear window ..............333
Hood .................................................334
Checking engine oil level .............337
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................338
Active body control
(ABC) fluid level ........................338
Coolant level ...................................339
Adding coolant ...........................339
J_OM_215.book Seite 4 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
5 ContentsWindshield and headlamp
washer system ...........................340
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio .........340
Spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage
compartment ............................. 341
Jack ...................................................342
Wheels .............................................343
Tire Replacement .......................343
Rotating wheels ..........................344
Spare wheel ....................................344
Changing wheels ...........................346
Tire inflation pressure .................. 351
Battery .............................................352
Jump starting ..................................355
Towing the vehicle .........................357
Exterior lamps ................................360
Headlamp assembly ................... 361
Taillamp assemblies ..................364
Standby bulb function ...................367Changing batteries
in the electronic key ................ 369
Synchronizing
remote control .............................371
Changing batteries in
the KEYLESS-GO-card ............. 372
Emergency engine shut-down ......374
Fuel filler flap,
manual release ..........................374
Emergency operation of
sliding/pop-up roof .................. 375
Replacing wiper blades .................376
Roof rack ......................................... 378
Vehicle careCleaning and care of
the vehicle ................................. 380
Power washer ............................. 381
Tar stains .................................... 382
Paintwork, painted body
components ................................ 382Engine cleaning ..........................382
Vehicle washing .........................382
Ornamental moldings ................383
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................383
Cleaning the Distronic
system sensor .............................384
Cleaning the parktronic
system sensors ...........................384
Wiper blades ...............................385
Light alloy wheels ......................386
Instrument cluster .....................387
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ......................387
Cup holder ...................................387
Seat belts .....................................388
Headliner and shelf
below rear window .....................388
Leather upholstery .....................388
Hard plastic trim items .............388
Plastic and rubber parts ............388
J_OM_215.book Seite 5 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
12 Introduction
We continuously strive to improve our product, and ask for your understanding that we reserve the right to make
changes in design and equipment. Therefore, information, illustrations and descriptions in this Operator’s Manual
might differ from your vehicle.
Optional equipment is also described in this manual, including operating instructions wherever necessary. Since they
are special-order items, the descriptions and illustrations herein may vary slightly from the actual equipment of your
vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are not shown or described in this Operator’s Manual, your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad to inform you of correct care and operating procedures.
The Operator’s Manual and Service Booklet are important documents and should be kept with the vehicle.
J_OM_215.book Seite 12 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
21 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Overhead control panel1Interior lighting switches, see page 189
2Sliding/pop-up roof switch, see page 186
3Tele Aid (emergency call system) switch,
seepage216
4Hands-free microphone for Tele Aid, telephone and
voice recognition system
5Rear view mirror, see page 106
6Garage door opener, see page 208
P82.00-2030-27
123
456
J_OM_215.book Seite 21 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
25 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 12Ashtray, see page 202
Lighter, see page 204
13Start-/Stop button
Starter switch for KEYLESS-GO only, see page 230
14Automatic transmission, see page 23515AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp, see page 302
16Distronic (DTR) – switch for distance warning
function, seepage271
17Distronic (DTR) – thumbwheel for setting distance,
seepage271
J_OM_215.book Seite 25 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
27 Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ............... 120
Trip and main odometer
and sub menu ............................ 124
Audio systems ................................ 126
Radio ............................................ 126
CD player ..................................... 127
Cassette player ........................... 128
Telephone ........................................ 129
Telephone book .......................... 129
Redialing ..................................... 131
Incoming call .............................. 133
Navigation system .......................... 134
Distronic (DTR) ............................... 135
Trip computer ................................. 136
Malfunction/warning
message memory ...................... 138
Individual settings ......................... 140
Setting the audio volume .............. 149
Flexible service system (FSS) ...... 150
Tire inflation pressure
monitor ....................................... 153
Engine oil level indicator .............. 157
Engine oil consumption ................ 158Exterior lamp switch ......................159
Headlamp mode ..............................160
Night security illumination ..........162
Headlamp cleaning system ...........163
Combination switch .......................164
Hazard warning flasher
switch ..........................................167
Automatic climate control .............168
Display and controls ................. 170
Dust filter .................................... 172
Automatic maximum
cooling ......................................... 172
Basic setting ............................... 173
Special settings ........................... 174
Air recirculation ......................... 176
Activated charcoal filter ........... 177
Economy mode ........................... 178
Residual engine
heat utilization ........................... 179
Switching the
automatic climate control
on and off .....................................180
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation ...........180Rear window defroster .................. 181
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air outlets ................ 182
Power windows ............................... 183
Sliding/pop-up roof ....................... 186
Interior lighting ............................. 189
Rear window sunshade ................. 191
Sun visors ....................................... 192
Vanity mirrors ................................ 192
Interior ............................................ 193
Storage compartments and
armrests ..................................... 193
Glove box ..................................... 194
Coat hooks ...................................... 198
Cup holder ...................................... 199
Ashtrays ..........................................202
Lighter .............................................204
Parcel net in trunk ........................205
Cargo tie-down hooks ....................206
Parcel net in
front passenger footwell ..........206
Telephone, general ........................207
Garage door opener .......................208
Infrared reflecting windshield .... 212
J_OM_215.book Seite 27 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