
19 Instruments and controls
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index For more detailed descriptions see Index on page 326.
For adjustment of air outlets, refer to automatic climate 
control, see page 120.
1Side air outlet, adjustable
2Air volume control for side air outlet
3Exterior lamp switch, see page 114
4Parking brake release, see page 204
5Parking brake pedal, see page 204
6Hood lock release, see page 254
7Combination switch, see page 117
8Cruise control switch, see page 214
9Multifunction steering wheel, see page 88
Horn (with electronic key in steering lock 
position 1 or 2)
10Instrument cluster, see page 82
11Voice recognition system switch, see separate 
operating instructions
12Steering lock with ignition/starter 
switch, see page 19213Center air outlets, adjustable
14Air volume control for center air outlets
15Left front seat heater switch, see page 56
16Headlamp washer switch, see page 116
17Roll bar switch, see page 53 
Roll bar warning lamp, see page 233
18Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 119
19Central locking switch, see page 35
20Switch for tow-away alarm, see page 44
Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system, see 
page 43
21Right front seat heater switch, see page 56
22Automatic climate control, see page 120 
Rear window defroster switch, see page 124
23Glove box (illuminated with electronic key in 
steering lock position 1 or 2), see page 151
24Audio system, see page 127
25Storage compartment
26Ashtray with lighter, see page 154
J_A208.book Seite 19 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 

112 Engine oil level indicator
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Engine oil level indicator
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level 
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check oil level approximately 5 minutes after stopping 
the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the oil pan.Turn the electronic key in steering lock to position 2.
To call up the trip odometer and main odometer, press 
button è or ÿ on the multifunction steering 
wheel until the display appears. See page 92.
Press button j or k on the multifunction 
steering wheel repeatedly until the “MEASUREMENT 
CORRECT – ONLY IF VEH. LEVEL” engine oil level 
indicator appears. This indicator is only a reminder. 
Measurement can be cancelled by pressing button j 
or k if the vehicle is not parked on level ground. An 
incorrect reading will be displayed if you do not cancel 
the measurement. Move the vehicle to level ground and 
measure again.
The electronic key in steering lock is not in position 2 if 
the “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – SWITCH ON IGNITION” 
message appears.
The “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – MEASURING NOW” 
message is displayed after approximately 3 seconds.
J_A208.book Seite 112 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

131 Audio system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Operation
Switching on and off
Press the control knob  .
The radio is switched off when the ignition key is turned 
to position 0 or removed from the ignition. The radio is 
switched on again when the ignition key is turned to 
position 1 or 2.
Note:
The radio can also be switched on even if the ignition 
key is not inserted, but will switch itself off 
automatically after one hour to conserve vehicle battery 
power.
Adjusting the volume
Turn the control knob - turning the knob clockwise will 
increase the volume, counterclockwise will decrease the 
volume.Audio functions
The AUD key is used to select the BASS, TREBLE and 
BALANCE functions. Settings for bass and treble are 
stored separately for the cassette and CD modes. Tone 
level settings are identified by the vertical bars. The 
center (flat) setting is shown by one longer bar in the 
center of the display.
Bass
Press the AUD key repeatedly 
until “BASS” appears in the 
display.
Treble
Press the AUD key repeatedly 
un til “ TREB LE”  ap pears  in  the 
display.
Press the “+” key to increase 
or the “-” key to decrease the level.
J_A208.book Seite 131 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

191 Tele Aid
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Stolen vehicle tracking services
In the event your vehicle was stolen, report the incident 
to the police who will issue a numbered incident report. 
Pass this number on to the Mercedes-Benz Response 
Center.
The Response Center will then attempt to covertly 
contact the vehicle’s Tele Aid system. Once the vehicle 
is located, the Response Center will contact the local 
Law Enforcement and you. The vehicle’s location will 
only be provided to Law Enforcement.
Info Services (optional, except Canada)
(only vehicles with COMAND)
Info Services categories include news, sports, stocks, 
weather and calendar reminders. Choices can be 
selected via www.mbusa.com or by calling 1-800-FOR-
MERcedes.
To request Info Services press the SVC button on the 
COMAND system, then select “SEND NEW REQUEST 
FOR INFO SERVICE”. “NEW INFO SERVICE REQUEST 
TRANSMITTED” will appear in the COMAND display 
and call status messages will appear in the 
multifunction display.Once information is available, the message “NEW INFO 
RECEIVED - READ LATER WHEN STOPPED?” will 
appear. Select “Yes”. With the vehicle stopped in a safe 
location press SVC, then select “View Info Service of 
mm.dd.yyyy hh.mm”. Messages will be retained for 
30 minutes once the ignition is switched off.
Important!
Tele Aid utilizes the cellular network for 
communication and the GPS (Global Positioning 
System) satellites for vehicle location. If either of these 
signals are unavailable, the Tele Aid system may not 
function and if this occurs, assistance must be 
summoned by other means.
Wa r n i n g !
If the indicator lamp in the “SOS” button does not 
illuminate during or remains illuminated after the 
system self-check or if the message “TELE AID – 
VISIT WORKSHOP” appears in the multifunction 
display, have the system checked at the nearest 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
J_A208.book Seite 191 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

254 Engine compartment
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Hood
Wa r n i n g !
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of 
moving parts when the hood is open and the engine 
is running. Be sure the hood is properly closed 
before driving. When closing hood, use extreme 
caution not to catch hands or fingers.The radiator fan may continue to run for 
approximately 30 seconds or even restart after the 
engine has been turned off. Stay clear from fan 
blades.
The engine is equipped with a transistorized 
ignition system. Because of the high voltage it is 
dangerous to touch any components (ignition coils, 
spark plug sockets, diagnostic socket) of the 
ignition system
• with the engine running,
• while starting the engine,
• if ignition is “on” and the engine is turned 
manually.If you see flames, steam or smoke coming from the 
engine compartment, or if the coolant temperature 
gauge indicates that the engine is overheated, do 
not open the hood. Move away from vehicle and do 
not open the hood until the engine has cooled. If 
necessary, call a fire department.
J_A208.book Seite 254 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09