
1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information  .......................... 7
Operator’s manual  ............................. 8
Where to find it  ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects  ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls  ............... 18
Center console  .............................. 20
Overhead control panel  ............... 21OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 24
Start lock-out  .................................... 26
General notes on the 
central locking system  ............... 26
Central locking system  ................... 27
Radio frequency and infrared 
remote control  .............................. 27
Opening and closing 
windows from outside  ................. 31Panic button  ................................. 32
Mechanical keys  .......................... 32
Doors  ................................................. 33
Central locking switch .................... 35
Automatic central locking  .......... 36
Emergency unlocking in 
case of accident  .......................... 36
Trunk ................................................. 37
Trunk lamp ....................................... 39
Trunk lid release switch  ................ 40
Trunk lid emergency release  ......... 41
Trunk lid emergency release  ........ 42
Antitheft alarm system ................... 43
Tow-away alarm  ............................... 44
Power seats, front  ............................ 45
Front head restraints  ...................51
Roll bar and head 
restraints, rear  ............................ 52
Backrest  ............................................ 54
Multicontour seat  ............................ 55
Heated seats  ..................................... 56
Seat belts and integrated 
restraint system  .......................... 58Seat belts ........................................... 58
Seat belt nonusage 
warning system  ............................ 59
BabySmart
TM airbag 
deactivation system  .................... 64
Self-test BabySmart
TM without 
special child seat installed  ......... 65
Supplemental restraint 
system (SRS)  ................................ 65
Emergency tensioning 
retractor (ETR) ............................. 66
Airbags  .............................................. 67
Safety guidelines for the 
seat belt, emergency tensioning 
retractor and airbag  ..................... 73
Infant and child 
restraint systems  .......................... 75
Adjusting telescoping 
steering column  .......................... 77
Inside rear view mirror  .................. 78
Antiglare night position  .............. 78
Exterior rear view mirrors  ............. 79
Instrument cluster  ........................... 82
Indicator lamps in the 
instrument cluster  ...................... 84
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22 Contents – Operation
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 24
Start lock-out  .................................... 26
General notes on the 
central locking system  ............... 26
Central locking system  ................... 27
Radio frequency and infrared 
remote control  .............................. 27
Opening and closing 
windows from outside  ................. 31
Panic button  .................................. 32
Mechanical keys  ........................... 32
Doors .................................................. 33
Central locking switch  .................... 35
Automatic central locking  .......... 36
Emergency unlocking in 
case of accident  ........................... 36
Trunk  ................................................. 37
Trunk lamp  ....................................... 39
Trunk lid release switch  ................. 40
Trunk lid emergency release  ......... 41
Trunk lid emergency release  ......... 42Antitheft alarm system ................... 43
Tow-away alarm  ............................... 44
Power seats, front  ............................ 45
Front head restraints  ...................51
Roll bar and head 
restraints, rear  ............................ 52
Backrest  ............................................ 54
Multicontour seat  ............................ 55
Heated seats  ..................................... 56
Seat belts and integrated 
restraint system  .......................... 58
Seat belts  .......................................... 58
Seat belt nonusage 
warning system  ............................ 59
BabySmart
TM airbag 
deactivation system  ................... 64
Self-test BabySmart
TM without 
special child seat installed  ......... 65
Supplemental restraint 
system (SRS)  ............................... 65
Emergency tensioning 
retractor (ETR)  ............................ 66Airbags  .............................................. 67
Safety guidelines for the 
seat belt, emergency tensioning 
retractor and airbag  ..................... 73
Infant and child 
restraint systems  .......................... 75
Adjusting telescoping 
steering column  .......................... 77
Inside rear view mirror  .................. 78
Antiglare night position  .............. 78
Exterior rear view mirrors  ............. 79
Instrument cluster  ........................... 82
Indicator lamps in the 
instrument cluster  ...................... 84
Multifunction steering wheel, 
multifunction display  ................. 88
Trip and main odometer 
and sub menu  .............................. 92
Audio systems  .................................. 93
Radio  .............................................. 93
CD player  ....................................... 94
Cassette player  ............................. 95
J_A208.book Seite 22 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

24 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Ve h i c l e   k e y s
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 it.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the 
electronic key from the steering lock, 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_A208.book Seite 24 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

35 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Central locking switch
1Locking
2Unlocking
The central locking switch is located in the center 
console.
The doors and trunk can only be locked with the central 
locking switch, if both doors are closed.
If the vehicle was previously locked with the central 
locking switch, while in the selective remote control 
mode, only the door opened from the inside is unlocked.If the vehicle was previously locked with the central 
locking switch, while in the global remote control mode, 
the complete vehicle is unlocked when a door is opened 
from the inside.
Notes:
If the vehicle was previously locked with the remote 
control, the doors and trunk cannot be unlocked with 
the central locking switch.
If the vehicle has previously been locked from the 
outside, opening a door with the inside door handle will 
trigger the alarm. To cancel the alarm, insert the 
electronic key in the steering lock or press buttonŒ 
or‹ on the electronic key.
The fuel filler flap cannot be locked or unlocked with 
the central locking switch.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the 
electronic key from the steering lock, 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_A208.book Seite 35 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

45 Seats
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Power seats, front
To operate the front power seat adjustment switches, 
turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2 
(with the driver’s or passenger’s door open, the power 
seats can also be operated with the electronic key 
removed or in steering lock position 0).
Wa r n i n g !
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving. 
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause the 
driver to lose control of the vehicle.Never ride in a moving vehicle with the backrest 
reclined. Sitting in an excessively reclined position 
can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat 
belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt 
would apply force at the abdomen or neck. That 
could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The 
backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint 
when the wearer is in an upright position and the 
belt is properly positioned on the body.Never place hands under seat or near any moving 
parts while a seat is being adjusted.
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.
J_A208.book Seite 45 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

53 Seats
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Switch for roll bar and head restraints, rear
The switch is located in the center console. 
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2. 
Press switch: 
1Raise roll bar
2Lower roll bar 
The lowering or raising procedure is immediately 
interrupted by releasing the roll bar switch. With the engine running and the roll bar lowered, the 
warning lamp in the roll bar switch will blink for 
approx. 15 seconds. The blinking is reminding you to 
raise the roll bar if the rear passenger seats are 
occupied. See also page 233 for roll bar warning lamp.
Important! 
The roll bar is intended to be a safety enhancement to 
the other features designed into the vehicle. No system 
in any vehicle can eliminate the possibility of serious 
injury or fatality in an accident. Properly fastened seat 
belts and child restraints must be used! 
Notes: 
If the warning lamp in the switch comes on, then a 
malfunction has been detected. In this case, drive only 
with the roll bar raised until the problem has been 
corrected. Raise the roll bar by pressing the upper half 
of the roll bar switch.
Have the system checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible. 
Items being transported in the rear passenger 
compartment should be placed in such a manner as not 
to affect the movement of the roll bar when being 
raised.
P91.59-2001-26
12
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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.
J_A208.book Seite 54 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

64 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system
Special BabySmart
TM compatible child seats, designed 
for use with the Mercedes-Benz system and available at 
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center are required for 
use with the BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system.
With the special child seat properly installed, the 
passenger front airbag will not deploy. The 7 
indicator lamp located on the center console will be 
illuminated, except with electronic key removed or in 
steering lock position 0. The system does not deactivate 
the door mounted side impact airbag.
BabySmart
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. The 
bottom of the child seat must make full contact 
with the passenger seat cushion. An incorrectly 
mounted child seat could cause injuries to the 
child in case of an accident instead of protecting 
the child.Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for 
installation of special child seats.The passenger side 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.
J_A208.book Seite 64 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09