
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 

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 

188 Tele Aid
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Tele Aid system could not initiate an Information call 
(e.g. the relevant cellular phone network is not 
available). The message “INFO – CALL FAILED” appears 
in the multifunction display.
Information calls can be terminated using the 
ìbutton on the multifunction steering wheel.
Important!
If the indicator lamps do not start flashing after 
pressing one of the buttons or remain illuminated (in 
red) at any time, the Tele Aid system has detected a fault 
or the service is not currently active, and may not 
initiate a call. Visit your Mercedes-Benz Center and 
have the system checked or contact the Response Center 
at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in 
Canada) as soon as possible.Upgrade Signals
Tele Aid system processes calls using the following 
priority.
•Automatic emergency – First priority
•Manual emergency – Second priority
•Roadside assistance – Third priority
•Information – Fourth priority
Should a higher priority call be initiated while you are 
connected, an upgrade (alternating) tone will be heard, 
and the appropriate indicator lamp will flash. If certain 
information such as vehicle identification number or 
customer information is not available, the operator may 
need to retransmit. During this time you will hear a 
chirp and voice contact will be interrupted. Voice 
contact will resume once the retransmission is 
completed. Once a call is concluded, a chirp will be 
heard and the appropriate indicator lamp will stop 
flashing. The COMAND system operation will resume 
(only vehicles with COMAND).
J_A208.book Seite 188 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

195 Automatic transmission
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Automatic transmissionThe automatic transmission selects individual gears 
automatically, dependent upon
•Selector lever position
•Program mode selector
•Accelerator position
•Vehicle speed
The gear shifting process is continuously adapted, 
dependent on the driving style, the driving situation 
and the road characteristics.
Important!
When parking the vehicle or before working on the 
vehicle with the engine running, firmly depress the 
parking brake pedal and shift the selector lever into “P”.
J_A208.book Seite 195 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

196 Automatic transmission
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Driving
The selector lever is automatically locked while in 
position “P”. To move the selector lever out of 
position “P”, the service brake pedal must be firmly 
depressed before the shift lock will release.
Shift selector lever to the desired position only when the 
engine is idling normally and the service brake is 
applied. Do not release the brake until ready to drive. 
The vehicle may otherwise start creeping when the 
selector lever is in drive or reverse position.Important!
After selecting any driving position from “N” or “P”, 
wait a moment to allow the gear to fully engage before 
accelerating, especially when the engine is cold.
Accelerator position
Partial throttle = early upshifting = normal acceleration
Full throttle = later upshifting = rapid acceleration
Kickdown (depressing the accelerator beyond full 
throttle) = downshifting to a lower gear = maximum 
ac celeration . On ce t he d es ire d s peed  is  attain ed , eas e up 
on the accelerator – the transmission shifts up again.
Wa r n i n g !
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P” 
or “N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. 
If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the 
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in 
reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and 
hit someone or something. Only shift into gear 
when the engine is idling normally and when your 
right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
J_A208.book Seite 196 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

197 Automatic transmission
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the 
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service 
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N” 
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not 
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids 
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a 
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually 
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never 
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow), 
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying 
slight partial throttle.Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the 
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to 
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the 
malfunction indication.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever 
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous. 
Also, when parked on an incline, position “P” alone 
may not prevent your vehicle from moving, 
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting 
to position “P”, see page 204 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel 
against curb.Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the 
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock the 
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. 
Children could move the gear selector lever from 
position “P”, which could result in an accident or 
serious personal injury.
J_A208.book Seite 197 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09 

198 Automatic transmission
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Selector lever position
The current selector lever position is indicated in the 
gear range indicator display. The automatic gear 
shifting process can be adapted to specific operating 
conditions using the selector lever.Park position
The park position is to be used when parking the 
vehicle. Engage only with the vehicle stopped. 
The park position is not intended to serve as a 
brake when the vehicle is parked. Rather, the 
driver should always use the parking brake in 
addition to placing the selector lever in park to 
secure the vehicle. 
Note:
The electronic key can only be removed from the 
steering lock with the selector lever in 
position “P”. With the electronic key removed, the 
selector lever is locked in position “P”.
With a malfunction in the vehicle’s electrical 
system the selector lever could remain locked in 
position “P”. To unlock the selector lever 
manually, see page 279.
Reverse gear
Shift to reverse gear only with the vehicle 
stopped.
10
J_A208.book Seite 198 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09