
19 Instruments and controls
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index For more detailed descriptions see index on page 313.
For adjustment of air outlets, refer to automatic climate 
control, see page 122.
1Side air outlet, adjustable
2Air volume control for side air outlet
3Exterior lamp switch, see page 116
4Parking brake release, see page 202
5Parking brake pedal, see page 202
6Hood lock release, see page 251
7Combination switch, see page 119
8Cruise control switch, see page 212
9Multifunction steering wheel, see page 90
Horn (with electronic key in steering lock 
position 1 or 2)
10Instrument cluster, see page 84
11Voice recognition system switch, see separate 
operating instructions
12Steering lock with ignition/starter 
switch, see page 19013Center air outlets, adjustable
14Air volume control for center air outlets
15Left front seat heater switch, see page 56
16Headlamp washer switch, see page 118
17Switch for rear seat head restraints, see page 52
18Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 121
19Central locking switch, see page 35
20Switch for tow-away alarm, see page 44
Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system, see 
page 43
21Right front seat heater switch, see page 56
22Automatic climate control, see page 122 
Rear window defroster switch, see page 126
23Glove box (illuminated with electronic key in 
steering lock position 1 or 2), see page 154
24Audio system, see page 129
25Storage compartment
26Ashtray with lighter, see page 157
J_C208_II.book Seite 19 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

56 Seats
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Heated seats (front) 
(optional on model CLK 430)
The front seat heater switches are located in the center 
console.
The front seat heaters can be switched on with the 
electronic key in steering lock positions 1 or 2.Press switch to turn on seat heater:
1Normal seat heating mode. One indicator lamp in 
the switch lights up.
2Rapid seat heating mode. Both indicator lamps in 
the switch light up.
After approximately 5 minutes in the rapid seat 
heating mode, the seat heater automatically 
switches to normal operation and only one indicator 
lamp will stay on.
Turning off seat heater:
If one indicator lamp is on, press upper half of switch.
If both indicator lamps are on, press lower half of 
switch.
If left on, the seat heater automatically turns off after 
approximately 30 minutes of operation.
P54.25-2036-26
12
J_C208_II.book Seite 56 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

57 Seats
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
When in operation, the seat heater consumes a large 
amount of electrical power. It is not advisable to use the 
seat heater longer than necessary.
The seat heaters may automatically switch off if too 
many power consumers are switched on at the same 
time, or if the battery charge is low. When this occurs, 
the indicator lamp in the switch will blink (both 
indicator lamps blink during rapid seat heating mode). 
The seat heaters will switch on again automatically as 
soon as sufficient voltage is available.
If the blinking of the indicator lamps is distracting to 
you, the seat heaters can be switched off.
J_C208_II.book Seite 57 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

81 Rear view mirrors
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Exterior rear view mirrors
The switch is located on the center console.
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2.
First select the mirror to be adjusted – press button:
%Left mirror
&Right mirror
To adjust, toggle the switch forward, backward or to 
either side.With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the 
driver’s side mirror reflection brightness responds to 
changes in light sensitivity.
With gear selector lever in position “R”, or with the 
interior lamp switched on, the driver’s side mirror 
brightness does not respond to changes in light 
sensitivity.
Notes:
The exterior mirrors have electrically heated glass. The 
heater switches on automatically, depending on outside 
temperature.
If an exterior mirror housing is forcibly pivoted from its 
normal position, it must be repositioned by applying 
firm pressure until it snaps into place.
Wa r n i n g !
Exercise care when using the passenger-side 
mirror. The passenger-side exterior mirror is 
convex (outwardly curved surface for a wider field 
of view). Objects in mirror are closer than they 
appear. Check your inside rear view mirror or 
glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.
J_C208_II.book Seite 81 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

192 Starting and turning off the engine
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Starting and turning off the engine
Before starting
Ensure that parking brake is engaged and that selector 
lever is in position “P” or “N”. Turn electronic key in 
steering lock to position 2.
Starting
Do not depress accelerator.
Briefly turn electronic key in steering lock clockwise to 
the stop and release. The starter will engage until the 
engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops, 
turn electronic key completely to the left and repeat 
starting the engine.
After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system 
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.Important!
Due to the installed starter non-repeat feature, the 
electronic key must be turned completely to the left 
before attempting to start the engine again.
In areas where temperatures frequently drop below -4
°F 
(-20
°C) we recommend that an engine block heater be 
installed. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will 
advise you on this subject.
Note:
Too many unsuccessful starting attempts may discharge 
the battery.
Turning off
Turn the electronic key in the steering lock to position 0 
to stop the engine.
The electronic key can only be removed with the 
selector lever in position “P”.
J_C208_II.book Seite 192 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

211 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Passenger compartment Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Traveling abroad
Abroad, there is a widely-spread Mercedes-Benz service 
network at your disposal. If you plan to travel into areas 
which are not listed in the index of your Mercedes-Benz 
Center directory, you should request pertinent 
information from your authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.
Wa r n i n g !
Always fasten items being carried as securely as 
possible.In an accident, during hard braking or sudden 
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around 
inside the vehicle, and cause injury to vehicle 
occupants unless the items are securely fastened in 
the vehicle.The trunk is the preferred place to carry objects.
J_C208_II.book Seite 211 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

314 Index
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Basic setting  .............................................................. 124
Defogging windows  .................................................. 125
Defrosting ................................................................... 125
Display and controls  ................................................. 124
Dust filter  ................................................................... 128
Economy  ..................................................................... 125
Rear window defroster  ............................................. 126
Residual engine heat utilization (REST)  ............... 127
Special settings  ......................................................... 125
Automatic transmission  ............................................... 193
Emergency Operation  .............................................. 201
Fluid level ...................................................................254
Program mode selector switch  ............................... 200
Selector lever position .............................................. 196
Transmission selector lever, 
manually unlocking ............................................. 274
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 65
Self-test  ......................................................................... 66
Backrest, front seat .......................................................... 54
BAS (Brake assist system)  ............................................ 214
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 229Battery  ............................................................................ 268
Battery recycling  ...................................................... 269
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR - 
malfunction and warning messages  ..................... 234
Block heater  .................................................................... 211
BRAKE ASSIST - malfunction 
and warning messages  ............................................ 235
Brake assist system (BAS)  ............................................ 214
Malfunction indicator lamp  .................................... 229
Brake fluid  .................................................... 204, 227, 307
Capacity  ..................................................................... 305
BRAKE FLUID - malfunction 
and warning messages  ............................................ 236
BRAKE LINING WEAR - malfunction 
and warning messages  ............................................ 236
Brake pad wear .............................................................. 236
Brake warning lamp  ..................................................... 227
Brake fluid low  ......................................................... 227
Brakes  .................................................... 202, 204, 214, 219
Bulbs
See Replacing bulbs ................................................. 275
J_C208_II.book Seite 314 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10