72 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Backrest
Folding forward:
Lift release lever and fold backrest forward. The seat
will automatically slide forward and the head restraint
will move down.
Folding back:
Lift release lever and fold backrest back. The seat and
head restraint return to their previous positions.
To interrupt the procedure, activate the power seat
switch located in the front door.
Wa r n i n g !
The seat belts provide protection only with the
backrest locked in place and, therefore, must be
locked in place with the vehicle in motion. Do not
drive the vehicle when the backrest is not locked in
place. If the warning message “SEAT BACKREST
LEFT – LOCK!” or “SEAT BACKREST RIGHT –
LOCK!” is displayed in the multifunction display,
then the respective backrest is not engaged in its
lock. Carefully slow down, and drive with caution
to an area which is in a safe distance from the
roadway. Always provide sufficient room behind
the backrest and fold the backrest all the way back
until it locks in place.The warning message is no longer displayed as
soon as the backrest is locked in place. If both
backrests are locked in place and the warning
message is still displayed, have the system checked
at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the starter switch, take the
KEYLESS-GO-card (if so equipped) with you, and
lock your vehicle.
J_OM_215.book Seite 72 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
83 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexSeat belt nonusage warning system
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2,
a warning sounds for a short time if the driver’s seat
belt is not fastened.
Automatic comfort-fit seat belt:
An automatic comfort-fit feature for driver and front
passenger seat belt is activated when the electronic key
in the starter switch is turned to position 1 or 2.
The retraction force of the inertia reel is reduced,
increasing the level of seat belt comfort.
Note:
For cleaning and care of the seat belts see page 388.
Wa r n i n g !
The seat belts provide protection only with the
backrest locked in place. Do not drive the vehicle
when the backrest is not locked in place. If the
warning message “SEAT BACKREST LEFT – LOCK!”
or “SEAT BACKREST RIGHT – LOCK!” is displayed
in the multifunction display, then the respective
backrest is not engaged in its lock. For backrest see
page 72.Never ride in a moving vehicle with the backrest
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 even fatal injuries. The
backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint
when the wearer is in an upright position and the
belt is properly positioned on the body.
J_OM_215.book Seite 83 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
98 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
• Occupants, especially children, should never
lean their heads in the area of the door or rear
quarter interior trim panel where the side
airbag inflates. This could result in serious
injuries or death should the airbag be
triggered. Always sit upright, properly use the
seat belts and appropriate size infant or child
restraint system.• 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.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe injuries to you or other occupants.
Wa r n i n g !
Accident research shows that the safest place for
children in an automobile is in the rear seat.
Should you choose to place a child 12 years old or
under in the front passenger seat of your vehicle,
you must properly use a BabySmart
TM
child
restraint which will turn off the passenger side
airbag. BabySmart
TM will not, however, turn off any
side impact airbag.
It should be noted that with respect to both front
and rear side impact airbags there is a possibility
for a side airbag related injury if occupants,
especially children, are not properly seated or
restrained when next to a side airbag which needs
to deploy rapidly in a side impact in order to do its
job.
J_OM_215.book Seite 98 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
99 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
To help avoid the possibility of injury, please follow
these guidelines: (1) occupants, especially
children, should never place their bodies or lean
their heads in the area of the front door or rear
quarter trim panels where the side airbag inflates.
This could result in serious injuries or death
should the side airbag be activated; (2) always sit
upright, properly use the seat belts and use an
appropriately sized infant or child restraint system
for all children 12 years old or under; and (3)
always wear seat belts properly.
If you believe that, even with the use of these
guidelines, it would be safer for your rear seat
occupants to have both rear quarter trim panel
mounted side airbags deactivated, then
deactivation can be accomplished upon your
written election to do so at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center at an additional cost. Please
contact your local authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call our Customer Assistance Center at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) for details.
J_OM_215.book Seite 99 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
106 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Rear view mirrors
Inside rear view mirror
Manually adjust the inside rear view mirror.
Storing inside rear view mirror positions
The inside rear view mirror position is stored in
memory with the seat / steering wheel / exterior rear
view mirror positions and can be recalled when
necessary. See page 111 for notes on the memory
function.
Inside rear view mirror, automatic antiglare
Antiglare mode:
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2, the
mirror reflection brightness responds to changes in
light sensitivity.
With the gear selector lever in position “R”, or with the
interior light switched on, the mirror brightness does
not respond to changes in light sensitivity.Note:
The automatic antiglare function does not react, if
incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors in the
inside rear view mirror.
The automatic antiglare function will not react for
example, if the rear window sun shade is in raised
position.
Wa r n i n g !
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte may
escape the mirror housing when the mirror glass
breaks.Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not allow the
liquid come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing,
or respiratory system. In cases it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek medical
help if necessary.
J_OM_215.book Seite 106 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
110 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror, antiglare
mode
Antiglare mode:
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2, the
mirror reflection brightness responds to changes in
light sensitivity.
With the gear selector lever in position “R”, or with the
interior light switched on, the mirror brightness does
not respond to changes in light sensitivity.
Note:
The automatic antiglare function does not react, if
incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors in the
inside rear view mirror.
The automatic antiglare function will not react for
example, if the rear window sun shade is in raised
position.Important!
Electrolyte drops coming into contact with the vehicle
paint finish can only be completely removed while in
their liquid state, by applying plenty of water.
Wa r n i n g !
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte may
escape the mirror housing when the mirror glass
breaks.Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not allow the
liquid come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing,
or respiratory system. In cases it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek medical
help if necessary.
J_OM_215.book Seite 110 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
139 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The message memory will be cleared when the
electronic key is turned in the starter switch to
position 1 or 2. Should any subsequent faults occur,
they will be displayed in the message memory.
Pressing theè or ÿbutton displays the next or
previous system.Important!
Malfunction and warning messages are only indicated
for certain systems and displayed to a low level of detail.
The malfunction and warning messages are simply a
reminder with respect to the operation of certain
systems and do not replace the driver’s responsibility to
maintain the vehicle’s operating safety by having all
required maintenance and safety checks performed on
the vehicle and by bringing the vehicle to an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to address the malfunction and
warning messages. See page 303.
J_OM_215.book Seite 139 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14