2 Contents
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ................................ 90
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................. 91
Airbags .............................................. 92
Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag .................................. 100
Infant and
child restraint systems ............. 102
Steering wheel adjustment .......... 105
Rear view mirrors .......................... 106
Rear view mirror,
automatic antiglare ................... 106
Memory function ............................111
Key dependent
memory settings ........................113
Instrument cluster ..........................114
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ............... 120
Trip and main odometer
and sub menu ............................ 124Audio 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 ................158
Exterior lamp switch ......................159
Headlamp mode ..............................160
Night security illumination ..........162Headlamp 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 .......... 180
Rear window defroster .................. 181
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air outlets ................ 182
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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
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
51 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Automatic central locking
Wit h t he autom ati c c entral lockin g s ystem ac ti vate d, t he
doors and trunk are locked at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or more. The fuel filler
flap remains unlocked.
The automatic central locking function can be switched
on or off in the individual setting menu “VEHICLE” –
“AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK”, see page 147.
Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch
after activating the automatic central locking, and
neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked
even at vehicle speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or less with the
automatic central locking activated, the door will again
be automatically locked at speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
When a door is opened from the inside, the complete
vehicle is unlocked, if the vehicle is previously unlocked
in the global remote control mode.Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
electronic key in starter switch position 2 (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO: operation position, see page 230), the
vehicle doors will lock if the left front wheel as well as
the right rear wheel spin at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
Emergency unlocking in case of accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after an
accident in which an airbag or emergency tensioning
retractor deploys (this is intended to aid rescue and
exit).
J_OM_215.book Seite 51 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14
86 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Operation of seat belts
The inertia reel stops the belt from unwinding during
sudden stops or when quickly pulling on the belt.
The locking function of the reel may be checked by
quickly pulling out the belt.
Caution!
For safety reasons, avoid adjusting the seat or seat back
into positions which could affect the correct seat belt
positioning.
Unfastening of seat belts
Press release button (3) in the belt buckle (2).
Allow the retractor to completely rewind the seat belt by
guiding the latch plate (1).
Wa r n i n g !
USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY.• Seat belts can only work when used properly.
Never wear seat belts in any other way than as
described in this section, as that could result
in serious injuries in case of an accident.• Each occupant should wear their seat belt at all
times, because seat belts help reduce the
likelihood of and potential severity of injuries
in accidents, including rollovers. The
integrated restraint system includes “SRS”
(driver airbag, front passenger airbag, side
impact airbags, head protection window
curtain airbags for side windows), “ETR” (seat
belt emergency tensioning retractors), and
front seat knee bolsters. The system is
designed to enhance the protection offered to
properly belted occupants in certain frontal
(front airbags) and side (side impact and
window curtain airbags) impacts which exceed
preset deployment thresholds.
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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
295 Contents - Instrument cluster display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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 ..............................302Malfunction and indicator
lamp in the center console ...... 302
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .... 302
Malfunction 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) . 309COOLANT (coolant level) .......... 310
COOLANT
(coolant temperature) .................311
LIGHTING SYSTEM .................... 312
LAMP SENSOR ........................... 314
SEAT BELT SYSTEM ................... 314
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION ....... 315
CRUISE CONTROL ..................... 315
ACTIVE 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
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302 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Seat belt nonusage warning lamp
With the electronic key in starter switch
position 2, the seat belt nonusage warning
lamp comes on, and a warning sounds for a
short time if the driver’s seat belt is not fastened.
After starting the engine, the seat belt nonusage
warning lamp blinks for a brief period to remind the
driver and passengers to fasten seat belts.
Malfunction and indicator lamp in the center
console
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
The 7 indicator lamp will light up for approximately
6 seconds when you turn the electronic key in starter
switch to position 1 or 2.
It does not light up if there is a fault in the system.
The 7 indicator lamp stays lit as long as a
BabySmart
TM child seat is properly installed on the front
passenger seat. It indicates that the front passenger
airbag is switched off.See page 88 for BabySmart
TM airbag and its deactivation
system.
Baby Smart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Wa r n i n g !
The BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system will
ONLY work with a special child seat designed to
operate with it. It will not work with child seats
which are not BabySmart
TM compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion and
child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the
effectiveness of the deactivation system.Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of special child seats.The passenger front airbag will not deploy only if
the 7 indicator lamp remains illuminated.Please be sure to check the indicator every time
you use the special system child seat. Should the
light go out while the restraint is installed, please
check installation. If the light remains out, do not
use the BabySmart
TM restraint to transport children
on the front passenger seat until the system has
been repaired.
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