
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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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
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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 

30 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Choosing global or selective mode on remote control
Press and hold transmit buttons ‹ and Œ 
simultaneously for approx. 6 seconds to reprogram the 
remote control. Battery check lamp will blink two times 
indicating the completed mode change.
Opening the trunk
Press transmit buttonŠ until trunk lid is released.
A minimum height clearance of 5.9 ft. (1.8 m) is 
required to open the trunk lid.Important!
Do not place remote control in trunk since trunk is 
locked when the lid is closed if the vehicle is centrally 
locked.
Note:
If the trunk was previously locked separately, it will 
remain locked, see page 37.
J_A208.book Seite 30 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

37 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Trunk
When the trunk is separately locked, it remains locked 
when centrally unlocking the vehicle.
To deny any unauthorized person access to the trunk, 
lock it separately with the mechanical key. Leave only 
the electronic key less its mechanical key with the 
vehicle.
Notes:
The mechanical key does not operate the central locking 
system or antitheft alarm system.
When unlocking the trunk with the mechanical key, the 
exterior lamps will flash and the alarm will sound.
To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the 
steering lock or press buttonŒ or‹ on the 
electronic key.0Neutral position – push to open (arrow)
1Unlocking
2Separate locking of trunk – remove mechanical key 
in this position (only vehicles built prior 09 / 01). 
The vehicle production date (e.g. 09 / 01) can be 
found on the certification label, which is located on 
the driver’s door pillar, see page 311.
The trunk lid cannot be opened by the trunk lid release 
switch or the electronic key when previously locked 
separately with the mechanical key.
J_A208.book Seite 37 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

40 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Trunk lid release switch
The switch is located on the center console.A minimum height clearance of 5.9 ft. (1.8 m) is 
required to open the trunk lid.
To open the trunk, the vehicle must be at standstill. Pull 
up on switch until trunk lid is open.
The indicator lamp in the switch remains on with trunk 
lid open.
Notes:
The trunk can also be opened by using the electronic 
key. Press Š button.
The trunk lid cannot be opened by the switch or the 
remote control when previously locked separately with 
the mechanical key. To open, see page 37.
The trunk lid cannot be opened with the trunk lid 
release switch when the vehicle was previously locked 
with the central locking switch. To unlock vehicle with 
the central locking switch, see page 35.
J_A208.book Seite 40 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

41 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Trunk lid emergency release 
(vehicles built prior to September 2001)
The emergency release button (1) is located in the trunk 
lid.
Briefly press emergency release button (1).
All doors, the fuel filler flap, and the trunk unlock; and 
the trunk lid opens.
The vehicle production date (e.g. 09 / 01) can be found 
on the certification label, which is located on the 
driver’s door pillar, see page 311.Note:
The emergency release button (1) only unlocks and 
opens the trunk while the vehicle is not in motion.
Important!
The emergency trunk lid release button (1) does not 
open the trunk lid, if the trunk has been locked using 
the mechanical key or if the vehicle battery is 
discharged or disconnected.
Illumination of the emergency release button (1):
The button will blink for 30 minutes after opening the 
trunk.
The button will blink for 60 minutes after closing the 
trunk.
1
J_A208.book Seite 41 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

42 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Trunk lid emergency release 
(vehicles built September 2001 and later)
The emergency release button (1) is located in the trunk 
lid.
Briefly press emergency release button (1).
The trunk unlocks and the trunk lid opens.
The vehicle production date (e.g. 09 / 01) can be found 
on the certification label, which is located on the 
driver’s door pillar, see page 311.Important!
The emergency trunk lid release button (1) does not 
open the trunk lid, if the vehicle battery is discharged or 
disconnected.
Illumination of the emergency release button (1):
The button will blink for 30 minutes after opening the 
trunk.
The button will blink for 60 minutes after closing the 
trunk.
1
J_A208.book Seite 42 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09