
167 Soft top
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 5. Press lock button (1) and fold down locking 
handle (2).
6. Turn locking handle 90
° clockwise and pull soft top 
frame carefully down until it meets the windshield 
header attachment points.
Turn locking handle counterclockwise to the stop to 
lock the soft top.
Fold locking handle up until it locks in place. 
The indicator lamp in the soft top switch goes out – 
the lowering procedure is completed. If the soft top switch is held or is released and pressed 
again within approximately 2 seconds, the side 
windows will close. If the roll bar was previously in the 
upright position, it will return to that position. 
The side windows can also be closed/opened later on. 
Press/lift soft top switch twice and hold, see page 148.
However, the side windows and the roll bar can also be 
activated using their respective switches, see page 146 
and page 53.
P77.30-2070-26
12
J_A208.book Seite 167 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

169 Soft top
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index If the indicator lamp in the soft top switch blinks slowly 
while activating the switch, 
•the battery voltage may be insufficient – start 
engine and let it run while activating switch, 
•the system may be overheated (for example after 
lowering or raising the soft top approx. 5 
consecutive times) – after approx. 10 minutes the 
soft top switch may be activated again. 
If indicator lamp in the soft top switch blinks rapidly 
while activating the switch, 
•the trunk lid and/or the luggage cover may be open, 
and need to be closed, 
•the soft top is still locked during the opening 
procedure and needs to be unlocked, 
•the opening/closing procedure is interrupted.
In this case the soft top needs to be synchronized. 
Turn electronic key in steering lock back to 
position 0, and then to position 2. Activate soft top 
switch again. The soft top should now be operational 
again.
If the indicator lamp continues to blink, raise the soft 
top manually, see page 291. Have the system checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible. 
Notes: 
If the roll bar was raised automatically, the process of 
raising or lowering the soft top will take somewhat 
longer, as the roll bar must first be lowered. 
Whenever possible, park vehicle in the shade as 
continuous exposure to sun rays can prematurely 
deteriorate the soft top material. 
The soft top may become moldy and receive permanent 
creases if it is kept in the storage compartment for an 
extended period. 
Therefore, we recommend raising and airing it 
thoroughly with the side windows open (do not expose 
it to the sun) at regular intervals during the wet and 
cold seasons. 
To prevent damage, the soft top must be dry and clean 
before lowering it into the storage compartment. There 
is the possibility of sharp-edged dirt particles damaging 
the soft top or scratching the rear window.
J_A208.book Seite 169 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

170 Wind screen
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Wind screen (optional)
The wind screen is most effective when all four side 
windows are fully raised.Installation
1. Remove wind screen from its storage bag, located in 
the trunk, secured with hook and loop fasteners, 
and unfold.
2. Pull folded end sections in direction of arrow (1) and 
unfold in direction of arrow (2). 
P65.00-2016-26
1
2
J_A208.book Seite 170 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

181 Emission control
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Emission control
Certain systems of the engine serve to keep the toxic 
components of the exhaust gases within permissible 
limits required by law.
These systems, of course, will function properly only 
when maintained strictly according to factory 
specifications. Any adjustments on the engine should, 
therefore, be carried out only by qualified Mercedes-
B e n z  a ut h o r i z e d  c e n te r  te ch n i c i a n s .  E n g i n e  a d j u st m e n t s  
should not be altered in any way. Moreover, the 
specified service jobs must be carried out regularly 
according to Mercedes-Benz servicing requirements. 
For details refer to the Service Booklet.
Wa r n i n g !
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your 
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide, 
and inhaling it can cause unconsciousness and 
lead to death.Do not run the engine in confined areas (such as a 
garage) which are not properly ventilated. If you 
think that exhaust gas fumes are entering the 
vehicle while driving, have the cause determined 
and corrected immediately. If you must drive under 
these conditions, drive only with at least one 
window fully open.
J_A208.book Seite 181 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

189 Tele Aid
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
If the indicator lamp continues to flash or the system 
does not reset, contact the Response Center at 
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in 
Canada), or Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance at 
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) in the USA or 
Customer Service at 1-800-387-0100 in Canada.
Notes:
The indicator lamp in the respective button flashes until 
the call is concluded. Calls can only be terminated by a 
Response Center or Customer Assistance Center 
representative except Roadside Assistance and 
Information calls, which can also be terminated by 
pressing ìbutton on the multifunction steering 
wheel.When a Tele Aid call has been initiated, the audio 
system or the COMAND system audio (only vehicles 
with COMAND) is muted and the selected mode (radio, 
tape or CD) pauses. The optional cellular phone (if 
installed) switches off. If you must use this phone, the 
vehicle must be parked. Disconnect the coiled cord and 
place the call. The navigation system (if engaged) will 
continue to run. The display in the instrument cluster is 
available for use and spoken commands are only 
available by pressing the RPT button on the COMAND 
unit. A pop-up window will appear in the COMAND 
display to indicate that a Tele Aid call is in progress.
J_A208.book Seite 189 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

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.
J_A208.book Seite 193 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

212 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
If the vehicle is parked after being driven on salt treated 
roads, the braking efficiency should be tested as soon as 
possible after driving is resumed while observing the 
safety rules in the previous paragraph.Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
•Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil 
which is not approved for winter operation. For 
viscosity (SAE/CCMC class) and filling quantity, see 
page 318.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion/antifreeze 
concentration.
•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp 
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a 
premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze 
which is formulated for below freezing temperatures 
see page 259.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing 
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps 
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low 
ambient temperatures.
•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on 
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe 
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated 
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.
Wa r n i n g !
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure 
that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and 
from around the vehicle with engine running. 
Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may 
enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness 
and death.To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a 
window slightly on the side of the vehicle not 
facing the wind.
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249 Contents – Practical hints
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
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  .............256
Automatic transmission 
fluid level  ...................................257
Coolant level  ...................................257
Adding coolant  ...........................258Windshield 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 ............................................. 272Jump starting  .................................. 274
Towing the vehicle ......................... 276
Exterior lamps  ................................280
Headlamp assembly ................... 281
Taillamp assemblies  ..................283
Adjusting headlamp aim ...............285
Changing 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
J_A208.book Seite 249 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09