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
7 IntroductionProduct information
Kindly observe the following in your own best interest:
We recommend using Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts and accessories
explicitly approved by us for your vehicle model.
We have tested these parts to determine their reliability, safety and their special
suitability for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
We are unable to make an assessment for other products and therefore cannot be held responsible
for them, even if in individual cases an official approval or authorization by governmental or other
agencies should exist. Use of such parts and accessories could adversely affect the safety, performance
or reliability of your vehicle. Please do not use them.
Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts and accessories approved by us are available
at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center where you will receive comprehensive information, also on
permissible technical modifications, and where proper installation will be performed.
J_OM_215.book Seite 7 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
24 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console1ESP (electronic stability program) control switch,
seepage280
2Level control switch for vehicles with ABC, (Active
Body Control), see page 283
3ABC (active body control) switch, see page 282
4Switch for rear seat head restraints switch,
automatic, see page 81
5Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 167
6Central locking switch, see page 49
7Antitheft alarm system, see page 62
Switch for tow-away alarm, see page 64
8Parking assist (parktronic system) deactivation
switch (optional), see page 286
9Switch for rear window sunshade, see page 191
10COMAND system, see separate operating
instructions
11Automatic climate control, see page 168
Rear window defroster switch, see page 181
J_OM_215.book Seite 24 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
49 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Power closing assist for doors and trunk lid
The doors and the trunk lid close automatically if:
•the doors are positioned against the lock,
•the trunk lid is lowered against the lock.
It is not necessary to slam the door or trunk lid closed, a
pneumatic power-assisted mechanism draws doors and
trunk lid closed quietly and automatically once the lid
or door has been latched. When the pneumatic power-
assisted mechanism has stopped, doors and /or trunk
can be reopened.Central locking switch
1Locking
2Unlocking
The central locking switch is located in the center
console.
The doors and trunk can only be locked with the central
locking switch, if the passenger door is closed.
Wa r n i n g !
To prevent possible personal injury, always keep
hands and fingers away from the door or trunk
opening when closing a door or the trunk lid. Be
especially careful when small children are around.The pneumatic power closing assist mechanism
cannot be interrupted once it has been engaged.To prevent personal injury, never actuate the
closing assist mechanism by tampering with the
door or trunk lid latch.
J_OM_215.book Seite 49 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
55 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
The automatic closing process is interrupted if the
trunk lid is pushed against an object. The trunk lid will
reverse slightly and stop. In its final closing stage the
hydraulic power closing assist mechanism releases the
trunk lid which then drops into the lock by its own
weight. Now the trunk lid will stop but not reverse
slightly.
Investigate and correct the cause of interruption.
Now press trunk lid close button (2) again to close the
trunk lid.In case of a malfunction the trunk lid can be opened and
closed manually.
To open, unlock trunk lid with the mechanical key and
open lid by hand, see page 52.
To close, lower trunk lid with hands placed f lat on trunk
lid. Please remember to keep your fingers out of the
space between the lid and the vehicle.
Ve h i c l e s w i t h K E Y L E S S - G O :
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.
Trunk lamp
The trunk lamp will switch off after approximately
10 minutes if the trunk lid is left open.
Wa r n i n g !
To prevent possible personal injury, always keep
hands and fingers away from the trunk opening
when closing the trunk lid. Be especially careful
when small children are around.Always be sure persons who might get injured are
away from the trunk area when you operate the
trunk lid closing button located on the vehicle door.To interrupt the hydraulic power closing assist
mechanism press trunk lid close button (2) inside
the trunk lid, push in trunk lid lock, or press
buttonŠ on the electronic key.
J_OM_215.book Seite 55 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
57 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Trunk lid opening/closing system (optional)
The switch is located on the driver’s door.
The trunk lid will open and close automatically. You
should always make sure that there is sufficient
clearance.
A minimum height clearance of 6 ft. (1.85 m) is
required to open the trunk lid.
To open and close the trunk, the vehicle must be parked
and unlocked. To o p e n t r u n k l i d :
Pull up on switch until trunk lid begins to open. The
switch can now be released, the trunk lid opens
automatically.
To interrupt the opening process, either pull up on
switch, or push in trunk lid lock, or press buttonŠ
on the remote control.
The indicator lamp in the switch remains on with trunk
lid open.
To close trunk lid:
Press upper half of switch until trunk lid is closed and
the indicator lamp in the switch goes out.
Wa r n i n g !
When closing the trunk lid, be sure that there is no
danger of anyone being harmed by the closing
procedure. Be especially careful when small
children are around. Maintain sight of trunk area
while operating the door mounted switch.To interrupt the hydraulic power closing assist
mechanism release trunk lid release/close switch
and pull up to open.
J_OM_215.book Seite 57 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
67 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Front seat adjustment
To operate the front power seat adjustment switches,
turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1
or 2 (with a front door open, the respective power seats
can also be operated with the electronic key removed or
in starter switch position 0).
Wa r n i n g !
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle.Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat back
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 fatal injuries. The seat back
and seat belts provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in an upright position and belts are
properly positioned on the body.
Never place hands under seat or near any moving
parts while a seat is being adjusted.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. The power seats can also be operated with the
driver’s or front passenger door open. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with access
to an unl ocked vehic l e. Uns upervi s ed us e of vehi cl e
equipment may cause serious personal injury.
J_OM_215.book Seite 67 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14