
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 

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 

84 Instrument cluster
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
High beam
ABS malfunction, see page 231
Brake fluid low (except Canada), 
seepage229
Parking brake engaged, see page 229
Brake fluid low (Canada only), 
seepage229
Parking brake engaged, see page 229
BAS malfunction, see page 231
ESP malfunction, see page 231 and 245
ESP. Adjust driving to road condition, 
seepage220
Fasten seat belts, see page 232Telescoping steering column not locked, 
seepage232
SRS malfunction, see page 230
If the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction 
indicator lamp comes on when the engine is 
running, it indicates a malfunction of the 
fuel management system, emission control 
system, systems which impact emissions, or 
the fuel cap is not closed tight. In all cases, 
we recommend that you have the 
malfunction checked as soon as possible, 
seepage228.
Function indicator lamp on the center console
Front passenger airbag automatically 
switched off, see page 64.
ABSBRAKEBAS
ESP
SRSCHECK
ENGINE
J_A208.book Seite 84 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

154 Interior equipment
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Ashtray
Center console, front
By touching the bottom of the cover lightly, the ashtray 
opens automatically.Prior to removing the ashtray insert, move the gear 
selector lever to position “N”.
To   r e m ove   a s h t r ay :
Push sliding knob (1) toward the right to eject the 
insert.
To install ashtray:
Install insert into ashtray frame and push down to 
engage.
Wa r n i n g !
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle standing 
still. With the gear selector lever in position “N”, 
turn off the engine and set the parking brake. 
Otherwise the vehicle might move as a result of 
unintended contact with the gear selector lever.
J_A208.book Seite 154 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

164 Soft top
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Lowering Soft Top 
1. Engage parking brake.
2. Close luggage cover and trunk lid.
For notes on the luggage cover, see page 250.
3. Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2.
4. Press lock button (1) and fold down locking 
handle (2).
5 . Turn lock in g han dle 9 0
° c lockwis e to unlock t he soft 
top.Important!
Push soft top frame approx. 8 inches (20 cm) upward by 
the locking handle. Failing to do so will result in 
damage to the soft top folding mechanism that is not 
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Turn locking handle counterclockwise to the stop and 
fold up until it locks in place.
•The indicator lamp in the soft top switch lights up.
•The side windows lower.
P77.30-2070-26
12
P77.30-2080-26
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166 Soft top
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Note: 
For safety reasons, the soft top cannot be lowered while 
driving.
Raising Soft Top 
1. Engage parking brake. 
2. Close luggage cover and trunk lid. 
For notes on the luggage cover, see page 250.
3. Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2. 4. Press symbol side of soft top switch and hold: 
•The indicator lamp in the soft top switch lights 
up. 
Notes: 
If indicator lamp blinks slowly, a malfunction 
has occurred in the system. 
If indicator lamp blinks rapidly, the trunk lid 
and/or the luggage cover may be open, and need 
to be closed.
•The side windows lower. 
•The roll bar lowers (when in the upper position). 
•The soft top compartment cover unlocks and 
opens. 
•The soft top is raised from its storage 
compartment to the closing position. 
•The soft top storage compartment closes and the 
rear window section of the soft top lowers – a 
signal sounds.
Wa r n i n g !  
To prevent possible accidents, drive the vehicle 
only with the soft top either completely closed and 
locked, or fully lowered into its storage 
compartment. 
J_A208.book Seite 166 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

177 Contents – Driving
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of 
radio transmitters  ..................... 178
The first 1 000 miles 
(1 500 km)  ................................. 179
Maintenance  ................................... 179
Catalytic converter  ........................ 180
Emission control  ............................ 181
Tele Aid  ........................................... 182
Steering lock  ................................... 192
Starting and turning off 
the engine  .................................. 194
Automatic transmission  ............... 195
Parking brake  .................................204Driving 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  ......................... 213Cruise control  ................................. 214
Brake assist system 
(BAS)  ........................................... 216
Antilock brake system 
(ABS)  ........................................... 218
Electronic stability program 
(ESP)  ...........................................220
What you should know 
at the gas station  .......................224
Check regularly and 
before a long trip  ......................226
J_A208.book Seite 177 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

194 Starting and turning off the engine
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Starting and turning off the engine
Before starting
Ensure that parking brake is engaged and that selector 
lever is in position “P” or “N”. Turn electronic key in 
steering lock to position 2.
Starting
Do not depress accelerator.
Briefly turn electronic key in steering lock clockwise to 
the stop and release. The starter will engage until the 
engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops, 
turn electronic key completely to the left and repeat 
starting the engine.
After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system 
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.Important!
Due to the installed starter non-repeat feature, the 
electronic key must be turned completely to the left 
before attempting to start the engine again.
In areas where temperatures frequently drop below -4
°F 
(-20
°C) we recommend that an engine block heater be 
installed. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will 
advise you on this subject.
Note:
Too many unsuccessful starting attempts may discharge 
the battery.
Turning off
Turn the electronic key in the steering lock to position 0 
to stop the engine.
The electronic key can only be removed with the 
selector lever in position “P”.
J_A208.book Seite 194 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09