
1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information  .......................... 7
Operator’s manual  ............................. 8
Where to find it  ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects  ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls  ............... 18
Door control panel  ....................... 20
Overhead control panel  ............... 21
Dashboard  ..................................... 22
Center console  .............................. 24OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 28
Start lock-out  .................................... 31
General notes on the
central locking system  ............... 32Central locking system  ................... 33
Radio frequency and 
infrared remote control  .............. 33
KEYLESS-GO  ................................ 37
Opening and closing
windows and 
sliding/pop-up roof 
from outside  ................................. 44
Panic button  ................................. 46
Mechanical keys  .......................... 46
Doors  ................................................. 47
Power closing assist for 
doors and trunk lid  .................... 49
Central locking switch .................... 49
Automatic central locking ...............51
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident  .......................51
Trunk ................................................. 52
Trunk lamp ....................................... 55
Trunk lid release switch  ................ 56
Trunk lid release/close switch  ...... 57
Trunk lid emergency release 
(vehicles built prior to 
September 2001)  ........................ 60Trunk lid emergency release 
(vehicles built September 2001 
and later)  ...................................... 61
Antitheft alarm system  ................... 62
Tow-away alarm ................................ 64
Easy-entry/exit feature  ................... 66
Front seat adjustment  ..................... 67
Removal and installation of
front seat head restraints  .......... 71
Backrest ............................................. 72
Lumbar support  ............................... 74
Multicontour backrest ..................... 74
Seat heater  ........................................ 76
Seat ventilation system  ................... 79
Power head restraints, rear  ............ 81
Seat belts and 
integrated restraint system  ....... 82
Seat belts ........................................... 82
Seat belt nonusage
warning system  ............................ 83
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system  .................... 88
Self-test BabySmart
TM without 
special child seat installed  ......... 89
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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
J_OM_215.book Seite 2 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14 

26 Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 28
Start lock-out  .................................... 31
General notes on the
central locking system  ............... 32
Central locking system  ................... 33
Radio frequency and 
infrared remote control  ............... 33
KEYLESS-GO  ................................. 37
Opening and closing
windows and 
sliding/pop-up roof 
from outside  .................................. 44
Panic button  .................................. 46
Mechanical keys  ........................... 46
Doors .................................................. 47
Power closing assist for 
doors and trunk lid  ..................... 49
Central locking switch  .................... 49
Automatic central locking  .............. 51
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident  ...................... 51
Trunk  ................................................. 52
Trunk lamp  ....................................... 55Trunk lid release switch  ................ 56
Trunk lid release/close switch  ...... 57
Trunk lid emergency release 
(vehicles built prior to 
September 2001)  ........................ 60
Trunk lid emergency release 
(vehicles built September 2001 
and later)  ...................................... 61
Antitheft alarm system ................... 62
Tow-away alarm  ............................... 64
Easy-entry/exit feature  .................. 66
Front seat adjustment ..................... 67
Removal and installation of
front seat head restraints  ........... 71
Backrest  ............................................ 72
Lumbar support  ................................ 74
Multicontour backrest  ..................... 74
Seat heater ......................................... 76
Seat ventilation system  .................. 79
Power head restraints, rear  ............81
Seat belts and 
integrated restraint system  ....... 82
Seat belts  .......................................... 82Seat belt nonusage
warning system  ............................ 83
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system  .................... 88
Self-test BabySmart
TM without 
special child seat installed  ......... 89
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
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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
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28 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Vehicle keys and KEYLESS-GO-cards (optional)
Included with your vehicle are: 
•2 electronic keys with integrated radio frequency 
and infrared remote controls plus removable 
mechanical key.
The locking tabs for the mechanical key portion of 
the two electronic keys are a different color to help 
distinguish each individual key.
•Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO:
2 KEYLESS-GO-cards without removable mechanical 
key.Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO:
See page 43 on how to use the electronic key together 
with the KEYLESS-GO-card.
Important!
In the case of the loss of a KEYLESS-GO-card, electronic 
keys or mechanical keys, please, contact an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in 
the USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada) as soon as 
possible to have the keys or KEYLESS-GO-card 
deactivated.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the 
electronic key from the starter switch and take the 
KEYLESS-GO-card (if so equipped) with you, and 
lock your vehicle. Do not leave children unattended 
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked 
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment 
may cause serious personal injury.
J_OM_215.book Seite 28 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14 

29 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Electronic key
The electronic key has an integrated radio frequency 
and infrared remote control, plus removable mechanical 
key.
The remote control (1) operates all locks on the vehicle.
The mechanical key (2) works only in the driver’s door, 
trunk, and storage compartment locks.When using the mechanical key (2) for lock operations, 
it can be removed by sliding it out of the remote control. 
To do so, move locking tab (3) to the right and slide the 
mechanical key (2) in direction of arrow (4).
The remote control transmitter is located in the 
electronic key.
The infrared receivers are located in the door handles.
Note:
Remove the mechanical key from the electronic key 
when using valet parking service. To prevent access to 
trunk or storage compartments lock them separately 
and retain the mechanical key.
See page 52 for separate locking of trunk and page 194 
for locking of glove box.
P80.35-2031-26
1
3
4
2
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33 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Central locking system
Radio frequency and infrared remote control
The electronic key has an integrated radio frequency 
and infrared remote control.
Due to the extended operational range of the remote 
control, it could be possible to unintentionally lock or 
unlock the vehicle by pressing the transmit button. If 
one of the transmit buttons is pressed, the battery check 
lamp lights up brief ly – indicating that the batteries are 
in order. See page 369 for checking batteries.
The vehicle doors, trunk and fuel filler flap can be 
centrally locked and unlocked via remote control.
Opening and closing the windows and sliding/pop-up 
roof and switching on the driver’s seat ventilation can 
only be done with the infrared portion of the remote 
control. Aim transmitter eye at a receiver (6 or 7), press 
and hold transmit buttonŒ or‹, seepage44.
With vehicle centrally locked, the trunk can also be 
opened by using the remote control.
If the electronic key is inserted in starter switch, the 
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked, and the trunk lid 
cannot be opened with the remote control.1Transmit button
‹Locking
ŒUnlocking
ŠOpening trunk (if not separately locked)
2Lamp for battery check (see page 369 for changing 
batteries if it does not light up briefly)
3PANIC button
4Transmitter eye
5Locking tab for mechanical key
P80.35-2032-26
24
3
5
1
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37 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index KEYLESS-GO
Important!
For the KEYLESS-GO-system to function properly, the 
operator should observe the following:
•The driver should carry the KEYLESS-GO-card with 
him/her.
•To avoid radio transmission interference, never store 
the KEYLESS-GO-card together with other electronic 
items (e.g. cellular telephones, other KEYLESS-GO-
cards) or metallic objects (e.g. coins, metal foil).
•To lock or unlock the vehicle, the card must be 
recognized by the system as being located outside 
the vehicle. The card must be in close proximity to a 
door or the trunk lid (approx. 3 ft. [1 m]). To activate 
t he start/stop button function, t he KEYLE SS-GO-
card must be recognized by the system as being 
located inside the vehicle.
•If the KEYLESS-GO-card is positioned farther away 
from the vehicle (e.g. inside clothing or a briefcase) 
and can no longer be recognized by the system, the 
vehicle cannot be locked or the engine started via 
the KEYLESS-GO-system.•If the KEYLESS-GO-card is removed from the vehicle 
while the engine is running, or by placing the card 
in front of the center armrest (see page 195), the 
message “CHIP-CARD – NOT RECOGNIZED!” will 
appear repeatedly in the multifunction display, 
seepage324.
Find the card or change its present location (e.g. 
place it on the front passenger seat or insert it in 
shirt pocket).
•If the message “CHIP-CARD – NOT RECOGNIZED” 
is ignored for an extended period of time (approx.15 
minutes), the engine could stop by itself during a 
vehicle stop (e.g. traffic light). The vehicle can then 
no longer be centrally locked or the engine 
restarted. You must first find the card or change its 
present location (e.g. place it on the front passenger 
seat or insert it in shirt pocket). Start the engine 
again. See page 230.
•Do not forget, the engine can be started by anyone 
with a KEYLESS-GO-card that is left inside the 
vehicle. Leaving the chip-card behind when exiting 
and locking the vehicle, the message “CHIP-CARD –
STILL IN VEHICLE” appears in the multifunction 
display, see page 324.
J_OM_215.book Seite 37 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 2:01 14