
65 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Self-test BabySmart
TM
without special child seat installed
After turning electronic key in steering lock to
position 1 or 2, the 7 indicator lamp located on the
center console comes on for approx. 6 seconds and then
extinguishes.
If the indicator lamp should not come on or is
continuously lit, the system is not functioning. You must
see an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center before seating
any child on the front passenger seat.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Supplemental restraint system (SRS)
Airbags are intended as a supplement to seat belts.
Airbags alone cannot protect as well as airbags plus
seat belts in impacts for which the airbags were
designed to operate, and do not afford any protection
whatsoever in crashes for which the airbags are not
designed to deploy.
The SRS uses two crash severity levels (thresholds) to
activate either the emergency tensioning retractor (ETR)
or front airbag or both. Activation depends on the
direction and severity of the impact exceeding the
preset thresholds and whether the seat belt is fastened.
Seat belt fastened
•first threshold exceeded: ETR activates
•second threshold exceeded: airbag also activates
Seat belt not fastened
•first threshold exceeded:
airbag activates, but not ETR
Driver and front passenger systems operate
independently of each other.
J_A208.book Seite 65 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09

75 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Infant and child restraint systems
We recommend all infants and children be properly re-
strained at all times while the vehicle is in motion. All
lap-shoulder belts except the driver’s seat belt have
special seat belt retractors for secure fastening of child
restraints.
To activate, pull shoulder belt out completely and let it
retract. During the seat belt retraction a ratcheting
sound can be heard to indicate that the special seat belt
retractor is activated. The belt is now locked.
To deactivate, release seat belt buckle and let seat belt
retract completely. The seat belt can again be used in
the usual manner.Important!
The use of infant or child restraints is required by law in
all 50 states and all Canadian provinces.
Infants and small children should be seated in an
appropriate infant or child restraint system properly
secured by a lap-shoulder belt, and that complies with
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 and
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
A statement by the child restraint manufacturer of
compliance with this standard can be found on the
instruction label on the restraint and in the instruction
manual provided with the restraint.
When using any infant or child restraint system, be sure
to carefully read and follow all manufacturer’s
instructions for installation and use.
Please read and observe warning labels affixed to inside
of vehicle and to infant or child restraints.
Wa r n i n g !
Never release the seat belt buckle while vehicle is
in motion, since the special seat belt retractor will
be deactivated.
J_A208.book Seite 75 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09

146 Interior equipment
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power windows
Power window switches are located on center console.
1left, front
2left, rear
3right, front
4right, rearTurn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2.
Press switch in to resistance point:
kto open
jto close
Release switch when window is in desired position.
Wa r n i n g !
When closing the windows, be sure that there is no
danger of anyone being harmed by the closing
procedure.In case of obstruction, the automatic reversal will
not operate if a window is being closed by pressing
the switch to its resistance point and holding it
there, or when using the remote control.The c los in g proc ed ure c an b e im m edi ately reversed
by either pressing the switch k or pressing
button Œ on the remote control, and holding it.When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock the
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment can cause
serious personal injury.
J_A208.book Seite 146 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09

147 Interior equipment
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Express opening and closing of door windows
Press switch k or j past resistance point and
release — window opens or closes completely.
To interrupt procedure, briefly press k or j.
If the upward movement of the window is blocked
during the closing procedure, the window will stop
during the last few inches before closure and open
slightly.
When pressing and holding the switch j to close the
window, and upward movement of the window is
blocked during the last few inches before closure, it will
stop but not
open slightly.Notes:
The power windows can also be opened and closed with
the infrared remote control while locking the vehicle
doors or trunk, see page 31.
If the express closing function of the door windows is
interrupted, press and hold the switch j to close the
window completely.
The automatic full closing procedure of the window
should now be reactivated.
The rear windows can only be opened using the express
feature.
Synchronizing power windows
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or low), the windows cannot be opened or
closed (only door windows) by the Express feature.
To r esy nchron ize t he ex pr ess fe atur e, pr es s j si de of
power window switch until the window is completely
closed and hold for additional 2 seconds. Repeat
procedure for each window.
The automatic full opening and closing (only door
windows) procedure of the windows should now be
restored.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock and lock the
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment can cause
serious personal injury.
J_A208.book Seite 147 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09

148 Interior equipment
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power windows – operated with soft top switch
Soft top switch is located on center console.
In addition to the power window switches, the windows
can also be opened or closed with the soft top switch. The soft top handle must be in the locked position to
operate the power windows.
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2.
To o p e n :
Lift soft top switch quickly twice and hold.
To c l o s e :
Press soft top switch quickly twice and hold.
Release switch when windows are in desired position.
Wa r n i n g !
When closing the windows, be sure that there is no
danger of anyone being harmed by the closing
procedure.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock the
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment can cause
serious personal injury.
J_A208.book Seite 148 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09

155 Interior equipment
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index LighterTurn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2.
Push in lighter (1); it will pop out automatically when
hot.
The lighter socket can be used to accommodate
electrical accessories up to maximum 85 W.
Wa r n i n g !
Never touch the heating element or sides of the
lighter, they are extremely hot, hold at knob only.When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock. 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_A208.book Seite 155 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09

192 Steering lock
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Steering lock
0The electronic key can be withdrawn in this position
only. The steering is locked when the electronic key
is removed from the steering lock. If necessary,
move steering wheel slightly to allow the locking
mechanism to engage. The electronic key can only
be removed with the selector lever in position “P”.
After removing the electronic key or with the
electronic key in steering lock position 0, the
selector lever is locked in position “P”.1Steering is unlocked.
(If necessary, move steering wheel slightly to allow
the electronic key to be turned clockwise to
position 1.) Most electrical consumers can be
operated. For detailed information see respective
subjects.
2Driving position.
Gear selector lever is unlocked.
To move the selector lever out of position “P”, firmly
depress the service brake pedal.
3Starting position.
See page 194 for starting and turning off the engine.
P82.00-2073-26
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock the
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_A208.book Seite 192 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09

197 Automatic transmission
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N”
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
slight partial throttle.Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the
malfunction indication.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, position “P” alone
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting
to position “P”, see page 204 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
against curb.Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock the
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could move the gear selector lever from
position “P”, which could result in an accident or
serious personal injury.
J_A208.book Seite 197 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09