
54 Seats
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Backrest
1Release lever
Folding forward:
Lift release lever (1) and fold backrest forward. The seat
will automatically slide forward and the head restraint
will move down.
Folding back:
Lift release lever (1) and fold backrest back. The seat
and head restraint return to their previous positions.
To interrupt the procedure, activate the power seat
switch.Notes:
The automatic seat slide is provided with a safety
feature. The automatic process is interrupted, if the
backrest of the sliding seat is pushed against an
occupant or object. The seat will slide forward, stop, and
make 3 attempts sliding backward.
To halt the automatic process, activate the power seat
switch. Investigate and correct the cause of interruption.
Now use memory button or power seat switch to bring
seat into desired position.
The backrest release lever (1) also serves as a rest for
the front seat belt, bringing it within easy reach.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock your
vehicle.The power seats can also be operated with the
driver’s or 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.Never place hands under seat or near any moving
parts during a seat adjustment procedure.
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124 Automatic climate control
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Rear window defroster
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2.
To select, press F button.
To c a nc el, pr ess F button again.
Notes:
Heavy accumulation of snow and ice should be removed
before activating the defroster.
The rear window defroster consumes a large amount of
electrical power. To keep the battery drain to a
minimum, turn off the defroster as soon as the window
is clear.
The defroster is automatically turned off after a
maximum of 12 minutes of operation.
If several power consumers are turned on
simultaneously, or the battery is only partially charged,
it is possible that the defroster will automatically turn
itself off. When this happens, the indicator lamp inside
the switch starts blinking.
As soon as the battery has sufficient voltage, the
defroster automatically turns itself back on.Air distribution
TPress b button for each side repeatedly until the
requested symbol is displayed.
Press U button to return to automatic mode.
Air volume
Press – or + side of rocker switch ï until the
requested blower speed is attained. A choice of 7 blower
speeds is available.
To switch the automatic climate control off, press – side
of rocker switch ï until symbol OFF is displayed.IThe fresh air supply to the vehicle interior is shut off.
While driving, use this setting only temporarily,
otherwise the windshield could fog up.
To switch the automatic climate control on again, press
U, P or +side of ï.
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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.
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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

177 Contents – Driving
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 178
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 179
Maintenance ................................... 179
Catalytic converter ........................ 180
Emission control ............................ 181
Tele Aid ........................................... 182
Steering lock ................................... 192
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 194
Automatic transmission ............... 195
Parking brake .................................204Driving 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 ......................... 213Cruise control ................................. 214
Brake assist system
(BAS) ........................................... 216
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ........................................... 218
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................220
What you should know
at the gas station .......................224
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................226
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193 Steering lock
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
If the electronic key is left in the steering lock position 0
for an extended period of time, it can no longer be
turned in the lock. In this case, remove electronic key
from steering lock and reinsert.
Caution!
To prevent accelerated battery discharge and a possible
dead battery, always remove the electronic key from the
steering lock. Do not leave the electronic key in steering
lock position 0.Notes:
A warning sounds when the driver’s door is opened
while the electronic key is in steering lock position 1
or 0.
If the electronic key cannot be turned in the steering
lock, the vehicle battery may not be sufficiently charged.
See battery on page 272 or jump starting on page 274.
With the engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the
alternator (output) is limited.
It is therefore recommended that you turn off
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in stop-
and-go traffic. This precaution helps to avoid draining of
the battery.
Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system
may be minimized by turning off the following power
consumers, for example: Heated seats, rear window
defroster. In addition, the automatic climate air volume
control should be set to the lowest position.
The steering lock can only be unlocked with the vehicle
battery properly charged and connected.
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206 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power assistance
BrakesExcessive use of salt and other snow melting chemicals
spread on roads during the winter months may cause a
build up of moisture or residue to form on the braking
components. This build up or residue could cause light
corrosion of the braking components if the vehicle is
parked with the brakes cold. Apply steady and even
braking pressure when stopping the vehicle to warm up
and dry the brake components.
Important!
Please pay attention to the function of the brake assist
system (BAS), see page 216.
The condition of the parking brake system is checked
each time the vehicle is in the shop for the required
maintenance service at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If the parking brake is released and the brake warning
lamp in the instrument cluster stays on, the brake fluid
level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may be the
reason for low brake fluid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Wa r n i n g !
When the engine is not running, the brake and
steering systems are without power assistance.
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort is
necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.Wa r n i n g !
After driving in heavy rain for some time without
applying the brakes or through water deep enough
to wet brake components or salty road conditions,
the first braking action may be somewhat reduced
and increased pedal pressure may be necessary to
obtain expected braking effect. Be sure to maintain
a safe distance from vehicles in front.Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.It can also result in the brakes overheating thereby
significantly reducing their effectiveness. It may
not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time
to avoid an accident.
J_A208.book Seite 206 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09