3 ContentsAutomatic transmission ............... 195
Parking brake .................................204
Driving instructions ......................205
Drive sensibly –
save fuel .......................................205
Drinking and driving .................205
Pedals ...........................................205
Power assistance ........................206
Brakes ..........................................206
Driving off ...................................207
Parking ........................................208
Tires .............................................208
Snow chains ................................ 211
Winter driving
instructions ................................. 211
Deep water .................................. 213
Passenger compartment ........... 213
Traveling abroad ........................ 213
Cruise control ................................. 214
Brake assist system
(BAS) ........................................... 216
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ........................................... 218Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 220
What you should know
at the gas station ...................... 224
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 226
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and
indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster .................... 228
On-board diagnostic system
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 228
Brake warning lamp .................. 229
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) indicator lamp .... 230
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ................... 230
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ............... 231
BAS/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 231ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 231
Telescoping steering column –
indicator lamp .............................232
Seat belt warning lamp .............232
Malfunction and
indicator lamps in the
center console ...........................232
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....232
Roll bar warning lamp ...............233
Malfunction and
warning messages in the
multifunction display ...............234
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(engine control unit) ..................235
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(several systems) ........................235
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR ...........236
ABS-SYSTEM ...............................237
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................237
BRAKE LINING WEAR ..............238
BRAKE FLUID .............................238
PARKING BRAKE .......................239
J_A208.book Seite 3 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09
4 Contents
ENGINE FAN ...............................239
COOLANT (coolant level) ..........240
COOLANT TEMP.
(coolant temperature) ................ 241
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................242
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................243
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. ...........243
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ...................244
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability
program) ......................................245
REMOVE KEY .............................245
WASHER FLUID ..........................246
TELE AID .....................................247
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................250
Shelf below rear window ..............250
Stowing things in
the vehicle ..................................250
Luggage cover .................................250
Fuses ................................................252
Hood .................................................254
Checking engine oil level .............256Automatic transmission
fluid level ................................... 257
Coolant level ................................... 257
Adding coolant ........................... 258
Windshield washer / headlamp
cleaning system ........................ 259
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio ........ 259
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ............... 260
Vehicle jack .................................... 261
Wheels ............................................ 262
Tire replacement ....................... 262
Rotating wheels ......................... 263
Spare wheel .................................... 264
Changing wheels ........................... 266
Tire inflation pressure ..................271
Battery ............................................. 272
Jump starting ..................................274
Towing the vehicle .........................276
Exterior lamps ............................... 280
Headlamp assembly .................. 281
Taillamp assemblies .................. 283
Adjusting headlamp aim .............. 285Changing batteries in
the electronic key .....................288
Synchronizing remote
control .........................................290
Raising soft top manually ............. 291
Antenna ...........................................298
Manual release for
fuel filler flap .............................299
Replacing wiper blade insert .......299
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle .............................302
Power washer ..............................303
Paintwork, painted body
components .................................303
Engine cleaning ..........................304
Tar stains .....................................304
Vehicle washing .........................304
Ornamental moldings ................304
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................305
Window cleaning .......................305
Plastic and rubber parts ............305
J_A208.book Seite 4 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09
26 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Start lock-out
Important!
Removing the electronic key from the steering lock
activates the start lock-out. The engine cannot be
started.
Inserting the electronic key in the steering lock
deactivates the start lock-out.
Note:
In case the engine cannot be started (vehicle’s battery is
in order), the system is not operational. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call 1-800-FOR-
MERCedes (in the USA) or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).General notes on the central locking system
If the electronic key is inserted in the steering lock, the
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with the remote
control.
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked:
•Aim transmitter eye at a receiver of either door
han d le. Check t he b atter ies of t he elec tr oni c key, se e
page 288, or synchronize the remote control, see
page 290.
•Use the mechanical key to unlock the driver’s door.
To start the engine, insert the electronic key in the
steering lock. There could be a slight delay until the
electronic key can be turned in the steering lock.
Important!
When unlocking the driver’s door 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.
J_A208.book Seite 26 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09
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 288 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 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 ‹.
If the electronic key is inserted in steering lock, the
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with the remote
control.1Transmit button
‹ Locking
Œ Unlocking
Š Opening trunk (if not separately locked)
2Lamp for battery check (see page 288 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
J_A208.book Seite 27 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09
29 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Locking and unlocking with remote control
Unlocking:
Press transmit button Œ. All turn signal lamps blink
once to indicate that the vehicle is unlocked.
The remote control can be programmed for two kinds of
unlocking modes (see below):
Selective unlocking mode –
Press transmit button Œ o nce to un lock dr iver’s d oor
and fuel filler flap.
Press transmit button Œ twice to unlock both doors,
fuel filler flap, and trunk.
Global unlocking mode –
Press transmit button Œ once to unlock both doors,
fuel filler flap, and trunk.
Notes:
If the trunk was previously locked separately, it will
remain locked, see page 37.The presently active unlocking mode (selective or
global) can only be determined by unlocking the vehicle
with the remote control (see below for changing mode).
If within 40 seconds of unlocking with the remote
control, neither door nor trunk is opened, the electronic
key is not inserted in the steering lock, or the central
locking switch is not activated, the vehicle will
automatically lock.
Locking:
Press transmit button ‹ once. All turn signal lamps
blink three times to indicate that the vehicle is locked.
If they do not blink three times, a door or trunk is not
properly closed.
Note:
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked by pressing
the transmit button, then it may be necessary to change
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 pages 288 and 290.
J_A208.book Seite 29 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09
30 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Choosing global or selective mode on remote control
Press and hold transmit buttons ‹ and Œ
simultaneously for approx. 6 seconds to reprogram the
remote control. Battery check lamp will blink two times
indicating the completed mode change.
Opening the trunk
Press transmit buttonŠ until trunk lid is released.
A minimum height clearance of 5.9 ft. (1.8 m) is
required to open the trunk lid.Important!
Do not place remote control in trunk since trunk is
locked when the lid is closed if the vehicle is centrally
locked.
Note:
If the trunk was previously locked separately, it will
remain locked, see page 37.
J_A208.book Seite 30 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09
31 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Opening and closing windows 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 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 begin to close after approx. 1 second.
To interrupt closing procedure, release transmit button.Note:
If the windows cannot be operated automatically by
pressing the transmit button of the remote control then
it may be necessary to change 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 288
and 290.
Wa r n i n g !
Never operate the windows 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.
J_A208.book Seite 31 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09
39 Trunk lamp
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Trunk lampIf the trunk is to remain open for a long period of time,
the trunk lamp can be switched off by pulling out the
plunger in the switch (arrow). This prevents the vehicle
battery from being discharged.
When the trunk lid is closed, the switch will reset and
turn on the lamp next time the lid is opened.
P82.20-2029-26
J_A208.book Seite 39 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09