
4 Contents
ENGINE FAN  ...............................239
COOLANT (coolant level)  ..........240
COOLANT TEMP. 
(coolant temperature)  ................ 241
LIGHTING SYSTEM  ....................242
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................243
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST.  ...........243
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ...................244
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. 
(Electronic stability 
program)  ......................................245
REMOVE KEY  .............................245
WASHER FLUID ..........................246
TELE AID  .....................................247
Practical hintsFirst aid kit  .....................................250
Shelf below rear window  ..............250
Stowing things in 
the vehicle  ..................................250
Luggage cover .................................250
Fuses  ................................................252
Hood  .................................................254
Checking engine oil level  .............256Automatic transmission 
fluid level  ................................... 257
Coolant level ................................... 257
Adding coolant  ........................... 258
Windshield washer / headlamp 
cleaning system  ........................ 259
Windshield and headlamp 
washer fluid mixing ratio  ........ 259
Spare wheel, vehicle tools, 
storage compartment  ............... 260
Vehicle jack  .................................... 261
Wheels  ............................................ 262
Tire replacement  ....................... 262
Rotating wheels  ......................... 263
Spare wheel .................................... 264
Changing wheels  ........................... 266
Tire inflation pressure  ..................271
Battery ............................................. 272
Jump starting  ..................................274
Towing the vehicle  .........................276
Exterior lamps  ............................... 280
Headlamp assembly  .................. 281
Taillamp assemblies  .................. 283
Adjusting headlamp aim  .............. 285Changing batteries in 
the electronic key  .....................288
Synchronizing remote 
control  .........................................290
Raising soft top manually ............. 291
Antenna  ...........................................298
Manual release for 
fuel filler flap .............................299
Replacing wiper blade insert  .......299
Vehicle careCleaning and care 
of the vehicle  .............................302
Power washer ..............................303
Paintwork, painted body 
components  .................................303
Engine cleaning ..........................304
Tar stains  .....................................304
Vehicle washing  .........................304
Ornamental moldings ................304
Headlamps, taillamps, 
turn signal lenses  ......................305
Window cleaning  .......................305
Plastic and rubber parts ............305
J_A208.book Seite 4 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

68 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
3Side impact airbag
The side impact airbags are located in the doors.
The most effective occupant restraint system yet 
developed for use in production vehicles is the seat belt. 
In some cases, however, the protective effect of a seat 
belt can be further enhanced by an airbag.
In conjunction with wearing the seat belts, the driver 
and front passenger airbags can provide increased 
protection for the driver and front passenger in certain 
frontal impacts exceeding preset thresholds. Door mounted side impact airbags can provide increased 
protection to belted front passengers on the impacted 
side of the vehicle in side impacts exceeding its preset 
threshold.
Important!
The operational readiness of the airbag system is 
verified by the indicator lamp “SRS” in the instrument 
cluster when turning the electronic key in steering lock 
to position 1 or 2. If no fault is detected, the lamp will go 
out after approximately 4 seconds; after the lamp goes 
out, the system continues to monitor the components 
and circuitry of the airbag system and will indicate a 
malfunction by coming on again. If the lamp does not 
come on at all or if it fails to extinguish after 
approximately 4 seconds or if it comes on thereafter, 
a malfunction in the system has been detected.
The following system components are monitored or 
undergo a self-check: crash-sensor(s), airbag ignition 
circuits, front seat belt buckles, emergency tensioning 
retractors, seat sensor.
3
P91.60-2122-26
J_A208.book Seite 68 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

69 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Initially, when the electronic key is turned from steering 
lock position 0 to positions 1 or 2, malfunctions in the 
crash-sensor are detected and indicated (the “SRS” 
indicator lamp stays on longer than 4 seconds or does 
not come on).
Have the system checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
In the operational mode, after the indicator lamp has 
gone out following the initial check, interruptions or 
short circuits in the airbag ignition circuit and in the 
driver and front passenger seat belt buckle harnesses, 
and low voltage in the entire system are detected and 
indicated.Front airbags
The driver and front passenger front airbags are 
designed to activate only in certain frontal impacts 
exceeding a preset threshold.
The front passenger airbag deploys only if the front 
passenger seat is occupied and the indicator lamp on 
the center console is not illuminated.
Note:
Heavy objects on the front passenger seat can appear to 
the “SRS” to indicate the presence of an occupant in 
that seat which causes the passenger front airbag to 
deploy in a crash exceeding the appropriate threshold.
Wa r n i n g !
In the event a malfunction of the “SRS” is indicated 
as outlined above, the “SRS” may not be 
operational. For your safety, we strongly 
recommend that you visit an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center immediately to have the system 
checked; otherwise the “SRS” may not be activated 
when needed in an accident, which could result in 
serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy 
unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could also 
result in injury.
J_A208.book Seite 69 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 

86 Instrument cluster
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Coolant temperature gauge (3)
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city 
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to the red 
marking.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant 
temperature in the red zone. Doing so may cause 
serious engine damage which is not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Outside temperature indicator (5)
The temperature sensor is located in the front bumper 
area. Due to its location, the sensor can be affected by 
road or engine heat during idling or slow driving. This 
means that the accuracy of the displayed temperature 
can only be verified by comparison to a thermometer 
placed next to the sensor, not by comparison to external 
displays (e.g. bank signs etc.).
Adaptation to ambient temperature takes place in steps 
and depends on the prevailing driving conditions (stop-
and-go or moderate, constant driving) and amount of 
temperature change.
Wa r n i n g !
• Driving when your engine is badly overheated 
can cause some fluids which may have leaked 
into the engine compartment to catch fire. You 
could be seriously burned.• Steam from an overheated engine can cause 
serious burns and can occur just by opening 
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine if 
you see or hear steam coming from it.Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do 
not stand near the vehicle until it cools down.
Wa r n i n g !
The outside temperature indicator is not designed 
to serve as an Ice-Warning Device and is therefore 
unsuitable for that purpose. Indicated 
temperatures just above the freezing point do not 
guarantee that the road surface is free of ice.
J_A208.book Seite 86 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

118 Combination switch
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
6Control for windshield wiper/washer system:
Push briefly for single wipe without adding washer 
fluid (use only when windshield is wet).
Push past detent and hold to activate wiper and 
washer.
Notes:
The windshield washer reservoir, hoses and nozzles are 
automatically heated.
See page 259 for refilling windshield washer / headlamp 
cleaning system.7Windshield wiper
0Wiper off
I Intermittent wiping 
(optional rain sensor: One initial wipe, pauses 
between wipes are automatically controlled by a 
rain sensor monitoring the wetness of the 
windshield.)
Notes:
With switch in this position, one wipe occurs 
when turning the electronic key in steering lock 
from position 0. However, this might cause 
scr atches  on  a d r y win d shie ld . Turn c omb ination  
switch to Off position before turning the 
electronic key in steering lock from position 0. 
Optional rain sensor: 
Do not leave in intermittent setting when vehicle 
is taken to an automatic car wash or during 
windshield cleaning. Wiper will operate in 
presence of water spray at windshield, and wiper 
may be damaged as a result.
II Normal wiper speed
III Fast wiper speed
P54.25-2033-26
6
7
J_A208.book Seite 118 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

119 Hazard warning flasher
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Vehicles without rain sensor: 
If the vehicle is standing still, the wiper will switch back 
to setting I, intermittent wiping.
Windshield wiper smears
If the windshield wiper smears the windshield, even 
during rain, activate the washer system as often as 
necessary. The fluid in the washer reservoir should be 
mixed in the correct ratio, see page 259.
Blocked windshield wiper
If the windshield wiper becomes blocked (for example, 
due to snow), switch off the wiper.
For safety reasons before removing ice or snow, remove 
electronic key from steering lock. Remove blockage.
Activate combination switch again (electronic key in 
steering lock position 1).Hazard warning flasher switch
The hazard warning flasher can be activated with the 
switch located in the dashboard.
To activate hazard warning flasher, press switch once. 
To deactivate, press switch again.
Note:
With the hazard warning flasher activated, the 
combination switch in position for either left or right 
turn, and the electronic key in steering lock position 2, 
only the respective left or right side turn signals will 
operate.
J_A208.book Seite 119 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

180 Catalytic converter
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with monolithic type 
catalytic converters, an important element in 
conjunction with the oxygen sensors to achieve 
substantial control of the pollutants in the exhaust 
emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper operating 
condition by following our recommended maintenance 
instructions as outlined in your Service Booklet.Caution!
To prevent damage to the catalytic converters, use only 
premium unleaded gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine operation should 
be repaired promptly. Otherwise, excessive unburned 
fuel may reach the catalytic converter causing it to 
overheat, which could start a fire.
Wa r n i n g !
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or operate 
this vehicle in areas where combustible materials 
such as grass, hay or leaves can come into contact 
with the hot exhaust system, as these materials 
could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
J_A208.book Seite 180 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09