
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
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36 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Automatic central locking
The central locking switch also operates the automatic 
central locking.
With the automatic central locking system activated, the 
doors and trunk are locked at vehicle speeds of approx. 
9 mph (15 km/h) or more. The fuel filler flap remains 
unlocked.
To a c ti va te :
With electronic key in steering lock position 2 hold 
upper portion of switch(1) for a minimum of 5 seconds.
To deactivate:
With electronic key in steering lock position 2 hold 
lower portion of switch(2) for a minimum of 5 seconds.
Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch 
after activating the automatic central locking, and 
neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked 
even at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or 
more.If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of approx. 
9 mph (15 km/h) or less with the automatic central 
locking activated, the door will again be automatically 
locked at speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a 
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the 
electronic key in steering lock position 2, the vehicle 
doors will lock if the left front wheel as well as the right 
rear wheel spin at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph 
(15 km/h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking, 
deactivate the automatic central locking.
Emergency unlocking in case of accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after a 
strong deceleration is detected, such as in a collision 
(this is intended to aid rescue and exit).
Driving on rough roads may cause the vehicle to unlock. 
If necessary, the vehicle can be locked again with the 
central locking switch, see page 35.
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44 Tow-away alarm
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Tow-away alarm
The switch is located in the center console.
1Press to switch off
2Indicator lamp
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior 
vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when 
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.The alarm will last approximately 3 minutes in form of 
flashing exterior lamps. At the same time an alarm will 
sound for 30 seconds. The alarm will stay on even if the 
vehicle is immediately lowered. The tow-away alarm 
system is switched off automatically if the vehicle is 
unlocked with the electronic key.
If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds, an 
emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele Aid 
on page 180.
To pr even t tr igger in g t he tow-away alarm  feature,  switch 
off the tow-away alarm before towing the vehicle, or 
when parking on a surface subject to movement, such 
as a ferry or auto train.
To do so, turn electronic key in steering lock to 
position 1 or 0, or remove electronic key from steering 
lock. Press tow-away alarm switch(1). The indicator 
lamp (2) illuminates briefly.
Exit vehicle, and lock vehicle with the remote control.
The tow-away alarm remains switched off until the 
vehicle is locked again with mechanical key or remote 
control, at which time it is automatically reactivated.
J_C208_II.book Seite 44 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

153 Interior equipment
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Illuminated vanity mirrors
With the visor engaged in its inner mounting, the lamp 
is switched on by opening the cover.
The lamp goes out automatically after approximately 
5minutes.Interior
Storage compartments, armrest and cup holder
Wa r n i n g !
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.
Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or 
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing 
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if 
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than 
the seat backs. Do not place anything on the shelf 
below the rear window.Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy objects.Wa r n i n g !
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help to 
prevent stored objects from being thrown about 
and injuring vehicle occupants during an accident 
and sudden maneuvers.
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163 Interior equipment
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexCargo tie down rings
1Ring
Carefully secure cargo by applying even load on all four 
rings with rope of sufficient strength to hold down the 
cargo.
Wa r n i n g !
In an accident, during hard braking or sudden 
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around 
inside the vehicle, and can cause injury to vehicle 
occupants unless the items are securely fastened in 
the vehicle.To help avoid personal injury during a collision or 
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing 
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if 
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than 
the seat backs. Do not place anything on the shelf 
below the rear window.Never drive vehicle with trunk lid open while pass-
through is  not c los ed a nd  sea t ba ckrest sec tion s n ot 
locked in their upright positions. Deadly carbon 
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior 
resulting in unconsciousness and death.
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184 Tele Aid
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Roadside Assistance button 
Located below the center armrest cover is the Roadside 
Assistance button. Pressing and holding the 
button (for longer than 2 seconds) will initiate a call to a 
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher. The 
button will flash while the call is in progress. The 
message “ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE – CONNECTING 
CALL” will appear in the multifunction display. When 
the connection is established, the message “ROADSIDE 
ASSISTANCE – CALL CONNECTED” appears in the 
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system will transmit 
data generating the vehicle identification number, 
model, color and location (subject to availability of 
cellular and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Roadside Assistance 
dispatcher and the occupants of the vehicle will be 
established. When a voice connection is established the 
audio system mutes and the message “TELE AID – 
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CALL ACTIVE” appears in the 
multifunction display. The nature of the need for 
assistance can then be described. The Mercedes-Benz 
Roadside assistance dispatcher will either dispatch a 
qualified Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to tow 
your vehicle to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such as labor and/or towing charges may apply. 
Refer to the Roadside Assistance manual for more 
information.
These programs are only available in the USA:
•S ign  an d  Drive s erv ices : Ser vi ces  such as  jump start,  
a few gallons of fuel or the replacement of a flat tire 
with the vehicle spare tire are obtainable,
•Remote Vehicle Diagnostics: This function permits 
the Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher 
to download malfunction codes and actual vehicle 
data.
Notes:
The indicator lamp in the Roadside Assistance 
button remains illuminated in red for approx. 
10 seconds during the system self-check after turning 
electronic key in starter switch to position 2 (together 
with the “SOS” button and the Information 
button¡).
See system self-check on page 180 when the indicator 
lamp does not light up in red or stays on longer than 
approximately 10 seconds.
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218 Driving systems
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Electronic stability program (ESP)
The ESP enhances directional control and reduces 
driving wheel spin of the vehicle under various driving 
conditions.
Over/understeering of the vehicle is counteracted by 
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel to create a 
countervailing vehicle movement. Engine torque is also 
limited. The ESP warning lamp, located in the 
speedometer dial, starts to flash when ESP is in 
operation.Important!
If the ESP warning lampv flashes:
•During take-off apply as little throttle as possible.
•While driving ease up on the accelerator.
•Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road 
conditions.
•Do not switch off the ESP.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (see 
towing the vehicle on page 272), the engine must be 
shut off (electronic key in steering lock position 0 or 1). 
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be engaged and 
will apply the rear wheel brakes.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics 
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the 
traction afforded. The ESP cannot prevent 
ac c id ent s, i nc l udi ng t hose resul tin g from  exc es si ve 
speed in turns, or aquaplaning. Only a safe, 
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents. 
The capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must 
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous 
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or 
the safety of others.
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247 Contents – Practical hints
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
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 .........................256
Windshield and headlamp 
washer fluid mixing ratio  .........256Spare 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  .................. 278Adjusting headlamp aim ...............280
Changing batteries in 
the electronic key  .....................283
Synchronizing remote 
control  ..........................................285
Emergency operation of 
sliding/pop-up roof  ...................286
Manual release for 
fuel filler flap .............................287
Replacing wiper 
blade insert  ................................287
Roof rack  .........................................289
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