
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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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
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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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21 Instruments and controls
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Overhead control panel1Interior lighting, see page 151
2Sliding/pop-up roof, see page 149
3Tele Aid (emergency call system), see page 180
4Hands-free microphone for Tele Aid, telephone and 
voice recognition system.
5Rear view mirror, see page 80
6Garage door opener, see page 166
1
1
6
P82.00-2049-27
5
2
3
4
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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 

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
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27 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Central locking system
Radio frequency and infrared remote control
The electronic key has an integrated radio frequency 
and infrared remote control.
Due to the extended operational range of the remote 
control, it could be possible to unintentionally lock or 
unlock the vehicle by pressing the transmit button. If 
one of the transmit buttons is pressed, the battery check 
lamp lights up briefly – indicating that the batteries are 
in order. See page 283 for checking batteries.
The vehicle doors, trunk and fuel filler flap can be 
centrally locked and unlocked via remote control.
Opening and closing the windows and sliding/pop-up 
roof remotely can only be done with the infrared portion 
of the remote control. Aim transmitter eye at a 
receiver (6 or 7), press and hold transmit button Œ 
or ‹.
With vehicle centrally locked, the trunk can also be 
opened by using the remote control.
If the electronic key is inserted in steering lock, the 
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked, and the trunk lid 
cannot be opened with the remote control.1Transmit button
‹ Locking
Œ Unlocking
Š Opening trunk (if not separately locked)
2Lamp for battery check (see page 283 for changing 
batteries if it does not light up briefly)
3PANIC button
4Transmitter eye
5Locking tab for mechanical key
P80.35-2032-26
24
3
5
1
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31 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Opening and closing windows and 
sliding/pop-up roof from outside
Aim transmitter eye of remote control at a door receiver.
To o pen :
Continue to press transmit button Œ after unlocking 
the vehicle.
The windows and sliding/pop-up roof begin to open 
after approx. 1 second.
To interrupt opening procedure, release transmit 
button.
To c lo se:
Continue to press transmit button ‹ after locking 
the vehicle.
The windows and sliding/pop-up roof begin to close 
after approx. 1 second.
To interrupt closing procedure, release transmit button.Note:
If the windows and sliding/pop-up roof cannot be 
operated automatically by pressing the transmit button 
of t he r emo te c ontr ol then  it m ay  be n ece ssar y to chan ge 
the batteries in the electronic key (if ok, battery check 
lamp in electronic key will light briefly when pressing 
transmit button), or to synchronize the remote control, 
see page 283 and 285.
Wa r n i n g !
Never operate the windows or sliding/pop-up roof if 
there is the possibility of anyone being harmed by 
the opening or closing procedure.In case the procedure causes potential danger, the 
procedure can be immediately halted by releasing 
the remote control button. To reverse direction of 
movement press Œ for opening or ‹ for 
closing.
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