
Our company and staff congratulate you on the purchase of your new Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demonstration of your trust in our company name. Further, it exemplifies your desire 
to own an automobile that will be as easy as possible to operate and provide years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the efforts of many skilled engineers and craftsmen. To ensure your pleasure of 
ownership, and for your safety and that of your passengers, we ask you to make a small investment of your time:
•Please read this manual carefully before putting it aside. Then return it to your vehicle where it will be handy for 
your reference.
•Please abide by the recommendations contained in this manual. They are designed to acquaint you with the 
operation of your Mercedes-Benz.
•Please abide by the warnings and cautions contained in this manual. They are designed to help improve the safety 
of the vehicle operator and occupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles of safe, pleasurable driving.
DaimlerChrysler AG
J_C208_II.book Seite 3 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

2 Contents 
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
Telephone  .......................................... 98
Telephone book  ............................ 98
Redialing  ..................................... 100
Incoming call  .............................. 102
Navigation system .......................... 103
Trip computer  ................................. 104
Malfunction message 
memory  ...................................... 106
Individual settings ......................... 108
Setting the audio volume ...............110
Flexible service system (FSS)  ....... 111
Engine oil level indicator ...............114
Engine oil consumption  .................115Exterior lamp switch ...................... 116
Night security illumination  .......... 117
Headlamp cleaning system  ........... 118
Combination switch  ....................... 119
Hazard warning flasher 
switch  ..........................................121
Automatic climate control ............ 122
Display and controls  ................. 124
Basic setting - 
automatic mode  ......................... 124
Economy ...................................... 125
Special settings  .......................... 125
Rear window defroster  .............. 126
Air recirculation  ........................ 127
Residual engine 
heat utilization  ........................... 127
Dust filter  .................................... 128
Audio and telephone, 
operation  .................................... 129
Power windows  .............................. 147
Sliding/pop-up roof  ....................... 149Interior lighting  ............................. 151
Rear window sunshade  ................. 152
Sun visors  ....................................... 152
Illuminated vanity mirrors ........... 153
Interior  ............................................ 153
Storage compartments, 
armrest and cup holder  ........... 153
Glove box  ..................................... 154
Ashtrays  .......................................... 157
Lighter  ............................................. 159
Enlarged cargo area – split folding 
rear seat backrest  ..................... 160
Loading instructions  ..................... 162
Cargo tie down rings  ..................... 163
Parcel net in front 
passenger footwell  .................... 164
Telephone, general  ........................ 164
Cellular telephone  ......................... 165
Garage door opener  ....................... 166
Ski sack  ........................................... 170
J_C208_II.book Seite 2 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

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
J_C208_II.book Seite 3 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 

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
J_C208_II.book Seite 5 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

11 IntroductionOperating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign countries, please be aware that:
•Service facilities or replacement parts may not be readily available,
•unleaded gasoline for vehicles with catalytic converters may not be available; the use of leaded fuels will damage 
the catalysts,
•gasoline may have a considerably lower octane rating, and improper fuel can cause engine damage.
Certain Mercedes-Benz models are available for delivery in Europe under our European Delivery Program. For details, 
consult your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or write to:
In the USA: In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
849 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario M4G 2L5
J_C208_II.book Seite 11 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

23 Contents – Operation
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Telephone  .......................................... 98
Telephone book  ............................ 98
Redialing  ..................................... 100
Incoming call  .............................. 102
Navigation system .......................... 103
Trip computer  ................................. 104
Malfunction message memory  .... 106
Individual settings ......................... 108
Setting the audio volume ...............110
Flexible service system (FSS)  ....... 111
Engine oil level indicator ...............114
Engine oil consumption  .................115
Exterior lamp switch  ......................116
Night security illumination  ..........117
Headlamp cleaning system  ...........118
Combination switch  .......................119
Hazard warning flasher 
switch .......................................... 121Automatic climate control ............ 122
Display and controls  ................. 124
Basic setting - 
automatic mode  ......................... 124
Economy ...................................... 125
Special settings  .......................... 125
Rear window defroster  .............. 126
Air recirculation  ........................ 127
Residual engine 
heat utilization  ........................... 127
Dust filter  .................................... 128
Audio and telephone, 
operation  .................................... 129
Power windows  .............................. 147
Sliding/pop-up roof  ....................... 149
Interior lighting  .............................. 151
Rear window sunshade  .................152
Sun visors  ........................................152Illuminated vanity mirrors ........... 153
Interior  ............................................ 153
Storage compartments, 
armrest and cup holder  ........... 153
Glove box  ..................................... 154
Ashtrays  .......................................... 157
Lighter  ............................................. 159
Enlarged cargo area – split folding 
rear seat backrest  ..................... 160
Loading instructions  ..................... 162
Cargo tie down rings  ..................... 163
Parcel net in front 
passenger footwell  .................... 164
Telephone, general  ........................ 164
Cellular telephone  ......................... 165
Garage door opener  ....................... 166
Ski sack  ........................................... 170
J_C208_II.book Seite 23 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

26 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Start lock-out
Important!
Removing the electronic key from the steering lock 
activates the start lock-out. The engine cannot be 
started.
Inserting the electronic key in the steering lock 
deactivates the start lock-out.
Note:
In case the engine cannot be started (vehicle’s battery is 
in order), the system is not operational. Contact an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call 1-800-FOR-
MERCedes (in the USA) or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).General notes on the central locking system
If the electronic key is inserted in the steering lock, the 
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with the remote 
control.
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked:
•Aim transmitter eye at a receiver of either door 
handle. Check the batteries of the electronic key, see 
page 283 or to synchronize the remote control, see 
page 285.
•Use the mechanical key to unlock the driver’s door. 
To start the engine, insert the electronic key in the 
steering lock. There could be a slight delay until the 
electronic key can be turned in the steering lock.
Important!
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.
J_C208_II.book Seite 26 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10