
1 Contents 
IntroductionProduct information  .......................... 7
Operator’s manual  ............................. 8
Where to find it  ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects  ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls  ............... 18
Center console  .............................. 20
Overhead control panel  ............... 21OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 24
Start lock-out  .................................... 26
General notes on the 
central locking system  ............... 26
Central locking system  ................... 27
Radio frequency and 
infrared remote control  ............... 27
Opening and closing 
windows and sliding/pop-up 
roof from outside  .......................... 31Panic button  ................................. 32
Mechanical keys  .......................... 32
Doors  ................................................. 33
Central locking switch .................... 35
Automatic central locking  .......... 36
Emergency unlocking in 
case of accident  .......................... 36
Trunk ................................................. 37
Trunk lamp ....................................... 39
Trunk lid release switch  ................ 40
Trunk lid emergency release  ......... 41
Trunk lid emergency release  ........ 42
Antitheft alarm system ................... 43
Tow-away alarm  ............................... 44
Power seats, front  ............................ 45
Front head restraints  ...................51
Rear head restraints  .................... 52
Backrest  ............................................ 54
Multicontour seat  ............................ 55
Heated seats  ..................................... 56
Seat belts and integrated 
restraint system  .......................... 58Seat belts ........................................... 58
Seat belt nonusage 
warning system  ............................ 59
BabySmart
TM airbag 
deactivation system  .................... 65
Self-test BabySmart
TM without 
special child seat installed  ......... 66
Supplemental restraint 
system (SRS)  ................................ 66
Emergency tensioning 
retractor (ETR) ............................. 67
Airbags  .............................................. 68
Safety guidelines for the 
seat belt, emergency tensioning 
retractor and airbag  ..................... 74
Infant and child 
restraint systems  .......................... 76
Adjusting telescoping 
steering column  .......................... 79
Inside rear view mirror  .................. 80
Exterior rear view mirrors  ............. 81
Instrument cluster  ........................... 84
Indicator lamps in the 
instrument cluster  ...................... 86
J_C208_II.book Seite 1 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

4 Contents 
Malfunction and 
indicator lamps in the 
center console  ........................... 231
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ..... 231
Malfunction and 
warning messages in the 
multifunction display  ...............232
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(engine control unit) ..................233
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(several systems)  ........................233
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR  ...........234
ABS-SYSTEM  ...............................235
BRAKE ASSIST  ...........................235
BRAKE LINING WEAR  ..............236
BRAKE FLUID  .............................236
PARKING BRAKE  .......................237
ENGINE FAN  ...............................237
COOLANT 
(coolant level)  .............................238
COOLANT TEMP. 
(coolant temperature)  ................239
LIGHTING SYSTEM  ....................240
LIGHT SENSOR ........................... 241STEER. WHEEL ADJUST.  .......... 241
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ................... 242
ELEC. STABIL. PROGRAM. 
(Electronic stability 
program)  ..................................... 243
REMOVE KEY  ............................. 243
WASHER FLUID  ......................... 244
TELE AID ..................................... 245
Practical hintsFirst aid kit  ..................................... 248
Shelf below rear window .............. 248
Stowing things in 
the vehicle  ................................. 248
Fuses  ............................................... 249
Hood  ................................................ 251
Checking engine oil level ............. 253
Automatic transmission 
fluid level  ................................... 254
Coolant level ................................... 254
Adding coolant  ........................... 255
Windshield washer / headlamp 
cleaning system  ........................ 256Windshield and headlamp 
washer fluid mixing ratio  .........256
Spare wheel, vehicle tools, 
storage compartment ................257
Vehicle jack .....................................258
Wheels  .............................................259
Tire replacement  ........................259
Rotating wheels  ..........................260
Spare wheel  .................................... 261
Changing wheels  ...........................262
Tire inflation pressure  ..................267
Battery  .............................................268
Jump starting  ..................................270
Towing the vehicle .........................272
Transmission selector lever, 
manually unlocking  ................... 274
Exterior lamps  ................................275
Headlamp assembly ................... 276
Taillamp assemblies  ..................278
Adjusting headlamp aim ...............280
Changing batteries in 
the electronic key  .....................283
Synchronizing remote 
control  ..........................................285
J_C208_II.book Seite 4 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

20 Instruments and controls
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console1ESP control switch, see page 220
2Program mode selector switch, see page 200
3Switch for rear window sunshade, see page 152
4AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp, see page 231
5Left power window switch, see page 147
6Trunk lid release switch, see page 40
7Mirror adjustment switch, see page 81
8Right power window switch, see page 147
P68.10-2192-27
2
5
1
6
7
8
43
J_C208_II.book Seite 20 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

22 Contents – Operation
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 24
Start lock-out  .................................... 26
General notes on the 
central locking system  ............... 26
Central locking system  ................... 27
Radio frequency and 
infrared remote control  ............... 27
Opening and closing 
windows and sliding/pop-up 
roof from outside  .......................... 31
Panic button  .................................. 32
Mechanical keys  ........................... 32
Doors .................................................. 33
Central locking switch  .................... 35
Automatic central locking  .......... 36
Emergency unlocking in 
case of accident  ........................... 36
Trunk  ................................................. 37
Trunk lamp  ....................................... 39
Trunk lid release switch  ................. 40Trunk lid emergency release  ......... 41
Trunk lid emergency release  ........ 42
Antitheft alarm system ................... 43
Tow-away alarm  ............................... 44
Power seats, front  ............................ 45
Front head restraints  ...................51
Rear head restraints  .................... 52
Backrest  ............................................ 54
Multicontour seat  ............................ 55
Heated seats  ..................................... 56
Seat belts and integrated 
restraint system  .......................... 58
Seat belts  .......................................... 58
Seat belt nonusage 
warning system  ............................ 59
BabySmart
TM airbag 
deactivation system  ................... 65
Self-test BabySmart
TM without 
special child seat installed  ......... 66
Supplemental restraint 
system (SRS)  ............................... 66
Emergency tensioning 
retractor (ETR)  ............................ 67Airbags  .............................................. 68
Safety guidelines for the 
seat belt, emergency tensioning 
retractor and airbag  ..................... 74
Infant and child 
restraint systems  .......................... 76
Adjusting telescoping 
steering column  .......................... 79
Inside rear view mirror  .................. 80
Exterior rear view mirrors  ............. 81
Instrument cluster  ........................... 84
Indicator lamps in the 
instrument cluster  ...................... 86
Multifunction steering wheel, 
multifunction display  ................. 90
Trip and main odometer 
and sub menu  .............................. 94
Audio systems  .................................. 95
Radio  .............................................. 95
CD player  ....................................... 96
Cassette player  ............................. 97
J_C208_II.book Seite 22 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

50 Seats
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should adjust 
the seat height for proper vision as well as fore/aft 
placement and backrest angle to insure adequate 
control, reach, operation, and comfort. The head 
restraint should also be adjusted for proper height. See 
also airbag section on page 68 for proper seat 
positioning.
In addition, also adjust the steering wheel to ensure 
adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort.
Both the inside and outside rear view mirrors should be 
adjusted for adequate rearward vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be 
seated in a properly secured restraint system that 
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 213.
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and rear view 
mirror adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts 
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in 
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz 
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat, 
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system 
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger 
side front airbag when it is properly installed. 
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it 
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal 
injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer 
when properly restrained in the rear seating 
positions than in the front seating positions. 
Infants and small children must ride in back seats 
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child 
restraint system, which is properly secured with 
the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the 
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is 
significantly increased if the child restraints are 
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is 
not properly secured in the child restraint.
J_C208_II.book Seite 50 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

58 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Seat belts and integrated restraint system
Your vehicle is equipped with seat belts for all seats, 
emergency tensioning retractors for the front seat belts, 
dual front airbags, door mounted side impact airbags 
and knee bolsters for driver and front passenger. Their 
protective functions are designed to complement one 
another.
Seat belts
Important!
Laws in most states and all Canadian provinces require 
seat belt use.
All states and provinces require use of child restraints 
that comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 213.
All child restraint systems are designed to be secured in 
vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a lap-
shoulder belt.
For your safety and that of your passengers we strongly 
recommend their use.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in 
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz 
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat, 
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system 
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger 
front airbag when it is properly installed. 
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it 
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal 
injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer 
when properly restrained in the rear seating 
positions than in the front seating positions. 
Infants and small children must ride in back seats 
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child 
restraint system, which is properly secured with 
the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the 
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is 
significantly increased if the child restraints are 
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is 
not properly secured in the child restraint.
J_C208_II.book Seite 58 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

62 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Unfastening of seat belts
Push the release button (3) in the belt buckle (2). Allow 
the retractor to completely rewind the seat belt by 
guiding the latch plate (1).
Operation
The inertia reel stops the belt from unwinding during 
sudden vehicle stops or when quickly pulling on the 
belt. The locking function of the reel may be checked by 
quickly pulling out the belt.
1
2
3
Wa r n i n g !
USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY.• Seat belts can only work when used properly. 
Never wear seat belts in any other way than as 
described in this section, as that could result 
in serious injuries in case of an accident.• Each occupant should wear their seat belt at all 
times, because seat belts help reduce the 
likelihood of and potential severity of injuries 
in accidents, including rollovers. The 
integrated restraint system includes “SRS” 
(driver airbag, front passenger airbag, door 
mounted side impact airbags), “ETR” (seat belt 
emergency tensioning retractors), and front 
seat knee bolsters. The system is designed to 
enhance the protection offered to properly 
belted occupants in certain frontal (front 
airbags) and side (side impact airbags) impacts 
which exceed preset deployment thresholds. • Never wear belts over rigid or breakable 
objects in or on your clothing, such as 
eyeglasses, pens, keys etc., as these might 
cause injuries.
J_C208_II.book Seite 62 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

64 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Wa r n i n g !
USE CHILD RESTRAINTS PROPERLY.Children 12 years old and under must never ride in 
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz 
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat, 
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system 
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger 
front airbag when it is properly installed. 
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it 
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal 
injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer 
when properly restrained in the rear seating 
positions than in the front seating positions. 
Infants and small children must ride in back seats 
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child 
restraint system, which is properly secured with 
the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the 
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is 
significantly increased if the child restraints are 
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is 
not properly secured in the child restraint.Children too big for child restraint systems must 
ride in back seats using regular seat belts. Position 
shoulder belt across chest and shoulder, not face or 
neck. A booster seat may be necessary to achieve 
proper belt positioning.
J_C208_II.book Seite 64 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10