
3 ContentsAutomatic transmission  ............... 195
Parking brake  .................................204
Driving instructions  ......................205
Drive sensibly – 
save fuel  .......................................205
Drinking and driving .................205
Pedals  ...........................................205
Power assistance  ........................206
Brakes  ..........................................206
Driving off  ...................................207
Parking  ........................................208
Tires  .............................................208
Snow chains  ................................ 211
Winter driving 
instructions  ................................. 211
Deep water  .................................. 213
Passenger compartment  ........... 213
Traveling abroad  ........................ 213
Cruise control  ................................. 214
Brake assist system 
(BAS)  ........................................... 216
Antilock brake system 
(ABS)  ........................................... 218Electronic stability program 
(ESP)  ........................................... 220
What you should know 
at the gas station  ...................... 224
Check regularly and 
before a long trip  ...................... 226
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and 
indicator lamps in the 
instrument cluster .................... 228
On-board diagnostic system 
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp  ............................ 228
Brake warning lamp  .................. 229
Supplemental restraint 
system (SRS) indicator lamp  .... 230
Fuel reserve and fuel cap 
placement warning  ................... 230
Electronic stability program 
(ESP) — warning lamp  ............... 231
BAS/ESP malfunction 
indicator lamp  ............................ 231ABS malfunction 
indicator lamp ............................. 231
Telescoping steering column – 
indicator lamp .............................232
Seat belt warning lamp  .............232
Malfunction and 
indicator lamps in the 
center console  ...........................232
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....232
Roll bar warning lamp  ...............233
Malfunction and 
warning messages in the 
multifunction display  ...............234
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(engine control unit) ..................235
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(several systems)  ........................235
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR  ...........236
ABS-SYSTEM ...............................237
BRAKE ASSIST  ...........................237
BRAKE LINING WEAR  ..............238
BRAKE FLUID .............................238
PARKING BRAKE  .......................239
J_A208.book Seite 3 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

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_A208.book Seite 7 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

20 Instruments and controls
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console1Soft top switch, see page 162
2ESP control switch, see page 222
3Program mode selector switch, see page 202
4Left power window switch (front), see page 146
5Right power window switch (front), see page 146
6Left power window switch (rear), see page 146
7Trunk lid release switch, see page 40
8Mirror adjustment switch, see page 79
9Right power window switch (rear), see page 146
10AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp, see page 232
ESP ESP
P68.10-2555-2710
12
3
6
7
8
9
5
4
J_A208.book Seite 20 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

48 Seats
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Memory storing and recalling
6Memory button
7Position buttonsStoring
Three sets of seat/head restraint positions may be 
programmed into memory.
Together with the driver’s seat position you can store 
the exterior rear view mirror positions.
After the seat/head restraint and exterior rear view 
mirrors are positioned, push memory button (6), 
release, and within 3 seconds push position button “1”. 
A second and third set of positions for the same seat/
head restraint and exterior rear view mirrors can be 
programmed into memory by pushing first memory 
button (6) and then “2”, respectively “3”.
Note:
See page 79 for instructions on adjustment of mirrors.
J_A208.book Seite 48 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

49 Seats
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Recalling
To recall a seat/head restraint and exterior rear view 
mirror position, push and hold position button “1”, “2” 
or “3” until seat/head restraint and exterior rear view 
mirror movement has stopped. The seat/head restraint 
and exterior rear view mirror movement stops when the 
position button is released.
Caution!
Do not operate the power seats using the memory 
button if the backrest is in an excessively reclined 
position. Doing so could cause damage to front or rear 
seats.
First move the backrest to an upright position.Synchronizing power seats and head restraints
If the power supply was interrupted (battery 
disconnected or empty), the power seats and head 
restraints are no longer adjusted automatically.
To resynchronize the adjustment feature, turn 
electronic key in steering lock to position 2, move the 
seat completely forward and the head restraint fully 
down, and hold respective buttons for approx. 
2seconds.
J_A208.book Seite 49 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

72 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
• Sit properly belted in an upright position with 
your back against the backrest.• Adjust the driver seat as far as possible 
rearward, still permitting proper operation of 
vehicle controls. The distance from the center 
of the driver’s breastbone to the center of the 
airbag cover on the steering wheel must be at 
least ten inches (25 cm) or more. You should be 
able to accomplish this by a combination of 
adjustments to the seat and steering wheel. If 
you have any problems, please see your 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.• Do not lean with your head or chest close to the 
steering wheel or dashboard.• Keep hands on the outside of steering wheel 
rim. Placing hands and arms inside the rim 
can increase the risk and potential severity of 
hand/arm injury when the driver front airbag 
inflates.• Adjust the front passenger seat as far as 
possible rearward from the dashboard when 
the seat is occupied.
• Occupants, especially children, should never 
lean their heads in the area of the door 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 front airbag when it 
is properly installed. Otherwise they will be 
struck by the ai rba g w hen it i nf l ates in  a  c ras h. 
If this happens, serious or fatal injury can 
result.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in 
severe or fatal injuries to you or other occupants.
J_A208.book Seite 72 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

73 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexSafety guidelines for the seat belt, 
emergency tensioning retractor and airbag
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 
front airbag. BabySmart
TM will not, however, turn 
off the passenger’s side impact airbag. 
It should be noted however that 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.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 door 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.
Wa r n i n g !
• Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly 
stressed in an accident must be replaced and 
their anchoring points must also be checked. 
Use only belts installed or supplied by an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.• Do not pass belts over sharp edges.• Do not make any modification that could 
change the effectiveness of the belts.• Airbags and ETR’s are designed to function on 
a one-time-only basis. An airbag or emergency 
tensioning retractor (ETR) that was activated 
must be replaced.
J_A208.book Seite 73 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

78 Rear view mirrors
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Inside rear view mirror
Manually adjust the inside mirror.
Use your inside mirror to determine the size and 
distance of objects seen in the passenger side convex 
mirror.
Antiglare night position
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the 
mirror reflection brightness responds to changes in 
light sensitivity.
With gear selector lever in position “R”, or with the 
interior lamp 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 wind screen is installed.
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 to 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_A208.book Seite 78 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09