
3 ContentsAutomatic transmission  ............... 195
Parking brake  .................................204
Driving 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  ........................ 213
Cruise control  ................................. 214
Brake assist system 
(BAS)  ........................................... 216
Antilock brake system 
(ABS)  ........................................... 218Electronic stability program 
(ESP)  ........................................... 220
What you should know 
at the gas station  ...................... 224
Check regularly and 
before a long trip  ...................... 226
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and 
indicator lamps in the 
instrument cluster .................... 228
On-board diagnostic system 
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp  ............................ 228
Brake warning lamp  .................. 229
Supplemental restraint 
system (SRS) indicator lamp  .... 230
Fuel reserve and fuel cap 
placement warning  ................... 230
Electronic stability program 
(ESP) — warning lamp  ............... 231
BAS/ESP malfunction 
indicator lamp  ............................ 231ABS malfunction 
indicator lamp ............................. 231
Telescoping steering column – 
indicator lamp .............................232
Seat belt warning lamp  .............232
Malfunction and 
indicator lamps in the 
center console  ...........................232
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....232
Roll bar warning lamp  ...............233
Malfunction and 
warning messages in the 
multifunction display  ...............234
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(engine control unit) ..................235
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(several systems)  ........................235
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR  ...........236
ABS-SYSTEM ...............................237
BRAKE ASSIST  ...........................237
BRAKE LINING WEAR  ..............238
BRAKE FLUID .............................238
PARKING BRAKE  .......................239
J_A208.book Seite 3 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

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 

26 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Start lock-out
Important!
Removing the electronic key from the steering lock 
activates the start lock-out. The engine cannot be 
started.
Inserting the electronic key in the steering lock 
deactivates the start lock-out.
Note:
In case the engine cannot be started (vehicle’s battery is 
in order), the system is not operational. Contact an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call 1-800-FOR-
MERCedes (in the USA) or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).General notes on the central locking system
If the electronic key is inserted in the steering lock, the 
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with the remote 
control.
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked:
•Aim transmitter eye at a receiver of either door 
han d le.  Check  t he b atter ies  of t he elec tr oni c key,  se e 
page 288, or synchronize the remote control, see 
page 290.
•Use the mechanical key to unlock the driver’s door. 
To start the engine, insert the electronic key in the 
steering lock. There could be a slight delay until the 
electronic key can be turned in the steering lock.
Important!
When unlocking the driver’s door 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.
J_A208.book Seite 26 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

27 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Central locking system
Radio frequency and infrared remote control
The electronic key has an integrated radio frequency 
and infrared remote control.
Due to the extended operational range of the remote 
control, it could be possible to unintentionally lock or 
unlock the vehicle by pressing the transmit button. If 
one of the transmit buttons is pressed, the battery check 
lamp lights up briefly – indicating that the batteries are 
in order. See page 288 for checking batteries.
The vehicle doors, trunk and fuel filler flap can be 
centrally locked and unlocked via remote control.
Opening and closing the windows remotely can only be 
done with the infrared portion of the remote control. 
Aim transmitter eye at a receiver (6 or 7), press and 
hold transmit button Œ or ‹.
If the electronic key is inserted in steering lock, the 
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with the remote 
control.1Transmit button
‹ Locking
Œ Unlocking
Š Opening trunk (if not separately locked)
2Lamp for battery check (see page 288 for changing 
batteries if it does not light up briefly)
3PANIC button
4Transmitter eye
5Locking tab for mechanical key
P80.35-2032-26
24
3
5
1
J_A208.book Seite 27 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

29 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Locking and unlocking with remote control
Unlocking:
Press transmit button Œ. All turn signal lamps blink 
once to indicate that the vehicle is unlocked.
The remote control can be programmed for two kinds of 
unlocking modes (see below):
Selective unlocking mode –
Press transmit button Œ  o nce  to un lock  dr iver’s  d oor 
and fuel filler flap.
Press transmit button Œ twice to unlock both doors, 
fuel filler flap, and trunk.
Global unlocking mode –
Press transmit button Œ  once to unlock both doors, 
fuel filler flap, and trunk.
Notes:
If the trunk was previously locked separately, it will 
remain locked, see page 37.The presently active unlocking mode (selective or 
global) can only be determined by unlocking the vehicle 
with the remote control (see below for changing mode).
If within 40 seconds of unlocking with the remote 
control, neither door nor trunk is opened, the electronic 
key is not inserted in the steering lock, or the central 
locking switch is not activated, the vehicle will 
automatically lock.
Locking:
Press transmit button ‹ once. All turn signal lamps 
blink three times to indicate that the vehicle is locked.
If they do not blink three times, a door or trunk is not 
properly closed.
Note:
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked by pressing 
the transmit button, then it may be necessary to change 
the batteries in the electronic key (if ok, battery check 
lamp in electronic key will light briefly when pressing 
transmit button) or to synchronize the remote control, 
see pages 288 and 290.
J_A208.book Seite 29 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 

31 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Opening and closing windows from outside
Aim transmitter eye of remote control at a door receiver.
To o pen :
Continue to press transmit button Œ after unlocking 
the vehicle.
The windows begin to open after approx. 1 second.
To interrupt opening procedure, release transmit 
button.
To c lo se:
Continue to press transmit button ‹ after locking 
the vehicle.
The windows begin to close after approx. 1 second.
To interrupt closing procedure, release transmit button.Note:
If the windows cannot be operated automatically by 
pressing the transmit button of the remote control then 
it may be necessary to change the batteries in the 
electronic key (if ok, battery check lamp in electronic 
key will light briefly when pressing transmit button), or 
to synchronize the remote control, see page 288 
and 290.
Wa r n i n g !
Never operate the windows if there is the 
possibility of anyone being harmed by the opening 
or closing procedure.In case the procedure causes potential danger, the 
procedure can be immediately halted by releasing 
the remote control button. To reverse direction of 
movement press Œ for opening or ‹ for 
closing.
J_A208.book Seite 31 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

39 Trunk lamp
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Trunk lampIf the trunk is to remain open for a long period of time, 
the trunk lamp can be switched off by pulling out the 
plunger in the switch (arrow). This prevents the vehicle 
battery from being discharged.
When the trunk lid is closed, the switch will reset and 
turn on the lamp next time the lid is opened.
P82.20-2029-26
J_A208.book Seite 39 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09