
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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20 Instruments and controls
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console1ESP control switch, see page 220
2Program mode selector switch, see page 200
3Switch for rear window sunshade, see page 152
4AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp, see page 231
5Left power window switch, see page 147
6Trunk lid release switch, see page 40
7Mirror adjustment switch, see page 81
8Right power window switch, see page 147
P68.10-2192-27
2
5
1
6
7
8
43
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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
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37 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Trunk
When the trunk is separately locked, it remains locked 
when centrally unlocking the vehicle.
To deny any unauthorized person access to the trunk, 
lock it separately with the mechanical key. Leave only 
the electronic key less its mechanical key with the 
vehicle.
Notes:
The mechanical key does not operate the central locking 
system or antitheft alarm system.
When unlocking the trunk 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.0Neutral position – push to open (arrow)
1Unlocking
2Separate locking of trunk – remove mechanical key 
in this position (only vehicles built prior 09 / 01). 
The vehicle production date (e.g. 09 / 01) can be 
found on the certification label, which is located on 
the driver’s door pillar, see page 299.
The trunk lid cannot be opened by the trunk lid release 
switch or the electronic key when previously locked 
separately with the mechanical key.
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40 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Trunk lid release switch
The switch is located on the center console.A minimum height clearance of 5.9 ft. (1.8 m) is 
required to open the trunk lid.
To open the trunk, the vehicle must be at standstill. Pull 
up on switch until trunk lid is open.
The indicator lamp in the switch remains on with trunk 
lid open.
Notes:
The trunk can also be opened by using the remote 
control. Press Š button.
The trunk lid cannot be opened by the switch or the 
remote control when previously locked separately with 
the mechanical key. To open, see page 37.
The trunk lid cannot be opened with the trunk lid 
release switch when the vehicle was previously locked 
with the remote control. To unlock vehicle with the 
remote control, see page 27.
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41 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Trunk lid emergency release 
(vehicles built prior to September 2001)
The emergency release button (1) is located in the trunk 
lid.
Briefly press emergency release button (1).
All doors, the fuel filler flap, and the trunk unlock; and 
the trunk lid opens.
The vehicle production date (e.g. 09 / 01) can be found 
on the certification label, which is located on the 
driver’s door pillar, see page 299.Note:
The emergency release button (1) only unlocks and 
opens the trunk while the vehicle is not in motion.
Important!
The emergency trunk lid release button (1) does not 
open the trunk lid, if the trunk has been locked using 
the mechanical key or if the vehicle battery is 
discharged or disconnected.
Illumination of the emergency release button (1):
The button will blink for 30 minutes after opening the 
trunk.
The button will blink for 60 minutes after closing the 
trunk.
1
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42 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Trunk lid emergency release 
(vehicles built September 2001 and later)
The emergency release button (1) is located in the trunk 
lid.
Briefly press emergency release button (1).
The trunk unlocks and the trunk lid opens.
The vehicle production date (e.g. 09 / 01) can be found 
on the certification label, which is located on the 
driver’s door pillar, see page 299.Important!
The emergency trunk lid release button (1) does not 
open the trunk lid, if the vehicle battery is discharged or 
disconnected.
Illumination of the emergency release button (1):
The button will blink for 30 minutes after opening the 
trunk.
The button will blink for 60 minutes after closing the 
trunk.
1
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148 Interior equipment
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Express opening and closing of front door windows
Press switch k or j past resistance point and 
release — window opens or closes completely. 
To interrupt procedure, briefly press k or j.
If the upward movement of the window is blocked 
during the closing procedure, the window will stop 
during the last few inches before closure and open 
slightly. 
When pressing and holding the switch j to close the 
window, and upward movement of the window is 
blocked during the last few inches before closure, it will 
stop but not
 open slightly.Note:
The power windows can also be opened or closed with 
the infrared remote control while unlocking or locking 
the vehicle doors or trunk, see page 31.
If the express closing function of the door windows is 
interrupted, press and hold the switch j to close the 
window completely.
The automatic full closing procedure of the window 
should now be reactivated.
Synchronizing power windows
If the power supply was interrupted (battery 
disconnected or low), the windows cannot be opened or 
closed by the express feature.
To resynchronize the express feature, press j si de of  
power window switch until the window is completely 
closed and hold for additional 2 seconds. Repeat 
procedure for each window.
The automatic full opening and closing procedure of the 
windows should now be restored.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the 
electronic key from the steering lock and lock the 
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. 
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment can cause 
serious personal injury.
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