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
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3 Contents
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 176
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 177
Maintenance ................................... 177
Catalytic converter ........................ 178
Emission control ............................ 179
Tele Aid ........................................... 180
Steering lock ................................... 190
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 192
Automatic transmission ............... 193
Parking brake .................................202
Driving instructions ......................203
Drive sensibly – save fuel .........203
Drinking and driving .................203
Pedals ...........................................203
Power assistance ........................204
Brakes ..........................................204Driving off ................................... 205
Parking ........................................ 206
Tires ............................................. 206
Snow chains ............................... 209
Winter driving
instructions ................................ 209
Deep water ...................................210
Passenger compartment ............ 211
Traveling abroad ......................... 211
Cruise control .................................212
Brake assist system
(BAS) ...........................................214
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ........................................... 216
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ............................................ 218
What you should know
at the gas station ...................... 222
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 224
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and
indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster ....................226
On-board diagnostic system
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................226
Brake warning lamp ..................227
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................228
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ....................228
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............229
BAS/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp .............................229
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................229
Telescoping steering column –
indicator lamp .............................230
Seat belt warning lamp .............230
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5 Contents Emergency operation of
sliding/pop-up roof ...................286
Manual release for
fuel filler flap .............................287
Replacing wiper
blade insert ................................287
Roof rack .........................................289
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle .............................292
Power washer ..............................293
Tar stains .....................................293
Paintwork, painted body
components .................................293
Engine cleaning ..........................294
Vehicle washing .........................294
Ornamental moldings ................294
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................294Window cleaning ....................... 295
Wiper blade ................................ 295
Light alloy wheels ..................... 295
Instrument cluster ..................... 295
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ..................... 295
Cup holder .................................. 296
Seat belts ..................................... 296
Hard plastic trim items ............. 296
Headliner and shelf
below rear window .................... 296
Upholstery .................................. 296
Plastic and rubber parts ........... 296
Technical dataSpare parts service ....................... 298
Warranty coverage ........................ 298
Identification labels ...................... 299
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ........... 300
Technical data ................................ 301Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. –
capacities ...................................305
Engine oils ......................................307
Engine oil additives .......................307
Air conditioner refrigerant ...........307
Brake fluid ......................................307
Premium unleaded gasoline ........308
Fuel requirements .........................308
Gasoline additives .........................309
Coolants ...........................................309
Consumer information ...................311
IndexIndex ................................................ 313
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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
45 Seats
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Power seats, front
To operate the front power seat adjustment switches,
turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2
(with the driver’s or passenger’s door open, the power
seats can also be operated with the electronic key
removed or in steering lock position 0).
Wa r n i n g !
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle.Never ride in a moving vehicle with the backrest
reclined. Sitting in an excessively reclined position
can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat
belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt
would apply force at the abdomen or neck. That
could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The
backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint
when the wearer is in an upright position and the
belt is properly positioned on the body.Never place hands under seat or near any moving
parts while a seat is being adjusted.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock your
vehicle.The power seats can also be operated with the
driver’s or passenger door open. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle or with access
to an unl ocked vehic l e. Uns upervi s ed us e of vehi cl e
equipment may cause serious personal injury.
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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.
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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
59 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Note:
For cleaning and care of the seat belts, see page 296.
Seat belt nonusage warning system
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, a
warning sounds for a short time if the driver’s seat belt
is not fastened. See also seat belt warning lamp on
page 230.
Wa r n i n g !
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the backrest
reclined. Sitting in an excessively reclined position
can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat
belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt
would apply force at the abdomen or neck. That
could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The
backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint
when the wearer is in an upright position and the
belt is properly positioned on the body.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to wear and properly fasten and position
your seat belt greatly increases your risk of
injuries and their likely severity in an accident.
You and your passengers should always wear seat
belts.If you are ever in an accident, your injuries can be
considerably more severe without your seat belt
properly buckled. Without your seat belt buckled,
you are much more likely to hit the interior of the
vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously
injured or killed.In the same crash, the possibility for injury or
death is lessened if you are wearing your seat belt.Wa r n i n g !
Never let more people ride in the vehicle than there
are seat belts available. Be sure everyone riding in
the vehicle is correctly restrained with a separate
seat belt.
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