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32 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Panic button
To activate press and hold button (1) for at least one 
second. An audible alarm and blinking exterior lamps 
will operate for approximately 3 minutes.
To deactivate press button (1) again, or insert electronic 
key in steering lock.Note:
For operation in the USA only: This device complies 
with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to 
the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, 
including interference that may cause undesired 
operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this device could void 
to the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Mechanical keys
The mechanical keys work only in the driver’s door, 
trunk, and storage compartment locks.
Notes:
The mechanical key does not operate the central locking 
system or antitheft alarm system.
The fuel filler flap cannot be locked or unlocked with 
the mechanical key.
P80.35-2035-26
1
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        Page 36 of 330
33 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Doors
1Opening – pull handle
2Unlocking driver’s door
3Locking driver’s door
4Individual door from inside:
•Push lock button down to lock.
•Pull inside door handle to unlock.Important!
The mechanical key does not operate the central locking 
system or antitheft alarm system.
When you lock the driver’s door with the mechanical 
key, the door lock button should move down.
The passenger door must be locked with the door lock 
button – the driver’s door can only be locked when it is 
closed.
1
1 2 3
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34 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
If the vehicle has previously been locked from the 
outside, opening a door from the inside will trigger the 
alarm. When opening a door while the central locking 
system is in the:
•selective unlocking mode, only that individual door 
is unlocked. The remaining door, the trunk and fuel 
filler flap remain locked,
•global unlocking mode, both doors, the trunk and 
fuel filler flap are unlocked.
Notes:
When opening a door, the door window lowers slightly. 
After closing the door, the window closes again.
In case of a malfunction in the central locking system 
the doors can be locked and unlocked individually.
To lock , pus h d own lock  b utton and  turn  m echan ical key  
in driver’s door lock to position 3. In addition lock the 
trunk.To unlock, pull inside door handle and turn mechanical 
key in driver’s door lock to position 2.
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.
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        Page 38 of 330

35 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Central locking switch
1Locking
2Unlocking
The central locking switch is located in the center 
console.
The doors and trunk can only be locked with the central 
locking switch, if both doors are closed.
If the vehicle was previously locked with the central 
locking switch, while in the selective remote control 
mode, only the door opened from the inside is unlocked.If the vehicle was previously locked with the central 
locking switch, while in the global remote control mode, 
the complete vehicle is unlocked when a door is opened 
from the inside.
Notes:
If the vehicle was previously locked with the remote 
control, the doors and trunk cannot be unlocked with 
the central locking switch.
If the vehicle has previously been locked from the 
outside, opening a door with the inside door handle will 
trigger the alarm. To cancel the alarm, insert the 
electronic key in the steering lock or press buttonŒ 
or‹ on the electronic key.
The fuel filler flap cannot be locked or unlocked with 
the central locking switch.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the 
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock your 
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. 
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause 
serious personal injury.
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        Page 39 of 330

36 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Automatic central locking
The central locking switch also operates the automatic 
central locking.
With the automatic central locking system activated, the 
doors and trunk are locked at vehicle speeds of approx. 
9 mph (15 km/h) or more. The fuel filler flap remains 
unlocked.
To a c ti va te :
With electronic key in steering lock position 2 hold 
upper portion of switch(1) for a minimum of 5 seconds.
To deactivate:
With electronic key in steering lock position 2 hold 
lower portion of switch(2) for a minimum of 5 seconds.
Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch 
after activating the automatic central locking, and 
neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked 
even at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or 
more.If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of approx. 
9 mph (15 km/h) or less with the automatic central 
locking activated, the door will again be automatically 
locked at speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a 
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the 
electronic key in steering lock position 2, the vehicle 
doors will lock if the left front wheel as well as the right 
rear wheel spin at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph 
(15 km/h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking, 
deactivate the automatic central locking.
Emergency unlocking in case of accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after a 
strong deceleration is detected, such as in a collision 
(this is intended to aid rescue and exit).
Driving on rough roads may cause the vehicle to unlock. 
If necessary, the vehicle can be locked again with the 
central locking switch, see page 35.
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        Page 40 of 330

37 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Trunk
When the trunk is separately locked, it remains locked 
when centrally unlocking the vehicle.
To deny any unauthorized person access to the trunk, 
lock it separately with the mechanical key. Leave only 
the electronic key less its mechanical key with the 
vehicle.
Notes:
The mechanical key does not operate the central locking 
system or antitheft alarm system.
When unlocking the trunk 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.0Neutral position – push to open (arrow)
1Unlocking
2Separate locking of trunk – remove mechanical key 
in this position (only vehicles built prior 09 / 01). 
The vehicle production date (e.g. 09 / 01) can be 
found on the certification label, which is located on 
the driver’s door pillar, see page 299.
The trunk lid cannot be opened by the trunk lid release 
switch or the electronic key when previously locked 
separately with the mechanical key.
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        Page 44 of 330

41 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Trunk lid emergency release 
(vehicles built prior to September 2001)
The emergency release button (1) is located in the trunk 
lid.
Briefly press emergency release button (1).
All doors, the fuel filler flap, and the trunk unlock; and 
the trunk lid opens.
The vehicle production date (e.g. 09 / 01) can be found 
on the certification label, which is located on the 
driver’s door pillar, see page 299.Note:
The emergency release button (1) only unlocks and 
opens the trunk while the vehicle is not in motion.
Important!
The emergency trunk lid release button (1) does not 
open the trunk lid, if the trunk has been locked using 
the mechanical key or if the vehicle battery is 
discharged or disconnected.
Illumination of the emergency release button (1):
The button will blink for 30 minutes after opening the 
trunk.
The button will blink for 60 minutes after closing the 
trunk.
1
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42 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Trunk lid emergency release 
(vehicles built September 2001 and later)
The emergency release button (1) is located in the trunk 
lid.
Briefly press emergency release button (1).
The trunk unlocks and the trunk lid opens.
The vehicle production date (e.g. 09 / 01) can be found 
on the certification label, which is located on the 
driver’s door pillar, see page 299.Important!
The emergency trunk lid release button (1) does not 
open the trunk lid, if the vehicle battery is discharged or 
disconnected.
Illumination of the emergency release button (1):
The button will blink for 30 minutes after opening the 
trunk.
The button will blink for 60 minutes after closing the 
trunk.
1
J_C208_II.book Seite 42 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10