135 Audio system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Cassette mode
Note:
Vehicles equipped with the COMAND system do not
come with a factory installed cassette mechanism.
A standard 1/8” stereo phono plug for auxiliary audio
input (located in glove box) is provided for connection of
a portable battery operated cassette player or any other
portable device which uses a headphone output. Please
refer to the COMAND operating manual for information
concerning the activation of the audio input.
Playing cassettes
Press the “TAPE” button. When the eject (EJ) key is
pressed, the display folds down and the cassette slot
becomes visible. Push the cassette into the slot until it
engages. The cassette will be pulled in automatically.Note:
Do not press directly on the radio display face.
Return the display panel to its normal position by
folding it back up and pressing gently on the display
frame to lock in place.
When playing mono recorded tapes (e.g. books) through
a stereo system the sound from one track might bleed to
the other track, despite setting the balance to the full
left or full right speakers.
Important!
If the display is in the down position for more than
20 seconds, 2 successive beeps will be heard. This will
continue at 5 second intervals until the display is
returned to its normal position.
J_A208.book Seite 135 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09
147 Interior equipment
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Express opening and closing of 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.Notes:
The power windows can also be opened and closed with
the infrared remote control while 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.
The rear windows can only be opened using the express
feature.
Synchronizing power windows
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or low), the windows cannot be opened or
closed (only door windows) by the Express feature.
To r esy nchron ize t he ex pr ess fe atur e, pr es s 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 (only door
windows) 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.
J_A208.book Seite 147 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09
149 Interior equipment
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Interior lighting 1Automatic interior lighting
Press once and the automatic interior lighting is
activated.
Interior lamps are switched on, and off (soft fade)
delayed, when unlocking or locking the vehicle, or
when opening or closing a door. However, there will
be no (soft fade) delay when the electronic key is in
steering lock position 2.
Press again and interior lamps remain switched off,
even when centrally unlocking or opening a door.
2Press to switch interior and reading lamps on or off.
3Press to switch reading lamp on or off.
4Press to switch reading lamp on or off.
Entrance lamps, exit lamps in doors
The lamps are switched on and off by the door contact
switches.
Note:
To prevent the vehicle battery from being discharged,
with doors open all interior lamps go out after
approximately 5 minutes.
P68.00-2297-26
3
4
21
J_A208.book Seite 149 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09
169 Soft top
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index If the indicator lamp in the soft top switch blinks slowly
while activating the switch,
•the battery voltage may be insufficient – start
engine and let it run while activating switch,
•the system may be overheated (for example after
lowering or raising the soft top approx. 5
consecutive times) – after approx. 10 minutes the
soft top switch may be activated again.
If indicator lamp in the soft top switch blinks rapidly
while activating the switch,
•the trunk lid and/or the luggage cover may be open,
and need to be closed,
•the soft top is still locked during the opening
procedure and needs to be unlocked,
•the opening/closing procedure is interrupted.
In this case the soft top needs to be synchronized.
Turn electronic key in steering lock back to
position 0, and then to position 2. Activate soft top
switch again. The soft top should now be operational
again.
If the indicator lamp continues to blink, raise the soft
top manually, see page 291. Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Notes:
If the roll bar was raised automatically, the process of
raising or lowering the soft top will take somewhat
longer, as the roll bar must first be lowered.
Whenever possible, park vehicle in the shade as
continuous exposure to sun rays can prematurely
deteriorate the soft top material.
The soft top may become moldy and receive permanent
creases if it is kept in the storage compartment for an
extended period.
Therefore, we recommend raising and airing it
thoroughly with the side windows open (do not expose
it to the sun) at regular intervals during the wet and
cold seasons.
To prevent damage, the soft top must be dry and clean
before lowering it into the storage compartment. There
is the possibility of sharp-edged dirt particles damaging
the soft top or scratching the rear window.
J_A208.book Seite 169 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09
182 Tele Aid
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Tele Aid (optional for Canada)
Important!
The initial activation of the Tele Aid system may only be
performed by completing the subscriber agreement and
placing an acquaintance call using the “SOS” button.
Failure to complete either of these steps will result in a
system that is not activated. If the system is not
activated the indicator lamp in the “SOS” button stays
on after turning electronic key in starter switch to
position 2 and the message “TELE AID – NOT
ACTIVATED” will be shown in the multifunction display
for approx. 10 seconds.
If you have any questions regarding activation, please
call the Response Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
(Telematic Alarm Identification on Demand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three types of response;
automatic and manual emergency, roadside assistance
and information.
The Tele Aid system is operational providing that the
vehicle’s battery is charged, properly connected, not
damaged and cellular and GPS coverage is available.The speaker volume of a Tele Aid call can be adjusted
when using the volume control on the multifunction
steering wheel, for raising press buttonæ and for
lowering press buttonç.
To activate, press the “SOS” button, the Roadside
Assistance button or the Information button¡,
depending on the type of response required.
Shortly after the completion of your Acquaintance Call,
you will receive a user ID and password via first call
mail. By visiting www.mbusa.com and selecting “Tele
Aid” (USA only), you will have access to account
information, remote door unlock, Info Services* profile
and more.
* Optional – available only with COMANDSystem self-check
Initially, after turning the electronic key in starter
switch to position 2, malfunctions are detected and
indicated (the indicator lamps in the “SOS” button, the
Roadside Assistance button and the Information
button¡ stay on longer than 10 seconds or do not
come on). The message “TELE AID – VISIT
WORKSHOP” appears for approx. 10 seconds in the
multifunction display.
J_A208.book Seite 182 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09
193 Steering lock
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
If the electronic key is left in the steering lock position 0
for an extended period of time, it can no longer be
turned in the lock. In this case, remove electronic key
from steering lock and reinsert.
Caution!
To prevent accelerated battery discharge and a possible
dead battery, always remove the electronic key from the
steering lock. Do not leave the electronic key in steering
lock position 0.Notes:
A warning sounds when the driver’s door is opened
while the electronic key is in steering lock position 1
or 0.
If the electronic key cannot be turned in the steering
lock, the vehicle battery may not be sufficiently charged.
See battery on page 272 or jump starting on page 274.
With the engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the
alternator (output) is limited.
It is therefore recommended that you turn off
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in stop-
and-go traffic. This precaution helps to avoid draining of
the battery.
Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system
may be minimized by turning off the following power
consumers, for example: Heated seats, rear window
defroster. In addition, the automatic climate air volume
control should be set to the lowest position.
The steering lock can only be unlocked with the vehicle
battery properly charged and connected.
J_A208.book Seite 193 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09
194 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_A208.book Seite 194 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09
212 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
If the vehicle is parked after being driven on salt treated
roads, the braking efficiency should be tested as soon as
possible after driving is resumed while observing the
safety rules in the previous paragraph.Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
•Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil
which is not approved for winter operation. For
viscosity (SAE/CCMC class) and filling quantity, see
page 318.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion/antifreeze
concentration.
•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a
premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze
which is formulated for below freezing temperatures
see page 259.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low
ambient temperatures.
•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.
Wa r n i n g !
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure
that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and
from around the vehicle with engine running.
Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a
window slightly on the side of the vehicle not
facing the wind.
J_A208.book Seite 212 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09