
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 

19 Instruments and controls
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index For more detailed descriptions see Index on page 326.
For adjustment of air outlets, refer to automatic climate 
control, see page 120.
1Side air outlet, adjustable
2Air volume control for side air outlet
3Exterior lamp switch, see page 114
4Parking brake release, see page 204
5Parking brake pedal, see page 204
6Hood lock release, see page 254
7Combination switch, see page 117
8Cruise control switch, see page 214
9Multifunction steering wheel, see page 88
Horn (with electronic key in steering lock 
position 1 or 2)
10Instrument cluster, see page 82
11Voice recognition system switch, see separate 
operating instructions
12Steering lock with ignition/starter 
switch, see page 19213Center air outlets, adjustable
14Air volume control for center air outlets
15Left front seat heater switch, see page 56
16Headlamp washer switch, see page 116
17Roll bar switch, see page 53 
Roll bar warning lamp, see page 233
18Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 119
19Central locking switch, see page 35
20Switch for tow-away alarm, see page 44
Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system, see 
page 43
21Right front seat heater switch, see page 56
22Automatic climate control, see page 120 
Rear window defroster switch, see page 124
23Glove box (illuminated with electronic key in 
steering lock position 1 or 2), see page 151
24Audio system, see page 127
25Storage compartment
26Ashtray with lighter, see page 154
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177 Contents – Driving
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of 
radio transmitters  ..................... 178
The first 1 000 miles 
(1 500 km)  ................................. 179
Maintenance  ................................... 179
Catalytic converter  ........................ 180
Emission control  ............................ 181
Tele Aid  ........................................... 182
Steering lock  ................................... 192
Starting and turning off 
the engine  .................................. 194
Automatic transmission  ............... 195
Parking brake  .................................204Driving 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  ......................... 213Cruise control  ................................. 214
Brake assist system 
(BAS)  ........................................... 216
Antilock brake system 
(ABS)  ........................................... 218
Electronic stability program 
(ESP)  ...........................................220
What you should know 
at the gas station  .......................224
Check regularly and 
before a long trip  ......................226
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211 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Snow chains
Use only snow chains that are tested and recommended 
by Mercedes-Benz. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center will be glad to advise you on this subject.
Chains should only be used on the rear wheels. Follow 
the manufacturer’s mounting instructions.
Snow chains should only be driven on snow covered 
roads at speeds not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). 
Remove chains as soon as possible when driving on 
roads without snow.
When driving with snow chains, press the ESP control 
switch to OFF, refer to page 222.
Important!
Use of snow chains is not permissible with tire sizes 
225 / 45 R17 and 245 / 40 R17.Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy roads is to 
drive sensibly and to avoid abrupt acceleration, braking 
and steering maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control 
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, move 
selector lever to position “N”. Try to keep the vehicle 
under control by corrective steering action.
Road salts and chemicals can adversely affect braking 
efficiency. Increased pedal force may become necessary 
to produce the normal brake effect. We therefore 
recommend depressing the brake pedal periodically 
when traveling at length on salt-strewn roads. This can 
bring road salt impaired braking efficiency back to 
normal. A prerequisite is, however, that this be done 
without endangering other drivers on the road.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which tires are 
rated can lead to sudden tire failure causing loss of 
vehicle control and resulting in personal injury 
and possible death.
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214 Driving systems
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Cruise control
The cruise control allows you to drive in a more relaxed 
manner, for example over long distances, as it 
automatically maintains the set speed by actively 
regulating the throttle setting.
Any given speed above approximately 25 mph 
(40 km/h) can be maintained with the cruise control by 
operating the lever.1Accelerate and set:
Lift lever briefly to set speed. 
Hold lever up to accelerate.
2Decelerate and set:
Depress lever briefly to set speed. 
Hold lever down to decelerate.
Normally the vehicle is accelerated to the desired 
speed with the accelerator.
Speed is set by briefly pushing the lever to 
position 1 or 2. The accelerator can then be 
released.
The speed can be increased (e.g. for passing) by 
using the accelerator. After the accelerator is 
released, the previously set speed will be resumed 
automatically.
If a set speed is to be increased or decreased 
slightly, e. g. to adapt to the traffic flow, hold lever in 
position 1 or 2 until the desired speed is reached, or 
briefly tip the lever in the appropriate direction for 
increases or decreases in 0.6 mph (1 km/h) 
increments. When the lever is released, the newly 
set speed remains.
1
4
2
3
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215 Driving systems
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 3Canceling
To cancel the cruise control, briefly push lever to 
position 3.
When you step on the brake pedal or the vehicle 
speed drops below approx. 25 mph (40 km/h), for 
example when driving upgrade, the cruise control 
will be canceled.
If the cruise control cancels by itself and remains 
inoperative until the engine is restarted, have the 
system checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible.
4Resume
If the lever is briefly pushed to position 4 when 
driving at a speed exceeding approx. 25 mph 
(40 km/h), the vehicle resumes the speed which 
was set prior to the cancellation of the cruise 
control. The last memorized speed is canceled when 
the electronic key in the steering lock is turned to 
position 1 or 0.Important!
Moving gear selector lever to position “N” switches the 
cruise control off.
Wa r n i n g !
Only use the cruise control if the traffic and 
weather conditions make it advisable to travel at a 
steady speed.• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on 
winding roads or in heavy traffic because 
conditions do not allow safe driving at a steady 
speed.
• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on 
slippery roads. Rapid changes in tire adhesion 
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.The “Resume” function should only be operated if 
the driver is fully aware of the previously set speed 
and wishes to resume this particular preset speed.
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216 Driving systems
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
If the engine does not brake the vehicle sufficiently 
while driving on a downgrade, the speed you set on the 
cruise control may be exceeded. In this case the 
automatic transmission shifts down (max. to 3rd gear) 
to maintain the set cruise control speed by using the 
engine’s braking power.
As soon as the grade eases, the automatic transmission 
shifts up again dependent on the selector lever position.
Nevertheless, in some cases you may have to step on the 
brake pedal to slow down. In this case the cruise control 
is switched off.
Use the lever to resume the previously set speed.Brake assist system (BAS)
The BAS is designed to maximize the vehicle’s braking 
capability during emergency braking maneuvers by 
having maximum power boost applied to the brakes 
more quickly in emergency braking conditions than 
might otherwise be afforded solely by the driver’s 
braking style. This can help reduce braking distances 
over what ordinary driving and braking style might do. 
The BAS complements the antilock brake system (ABS).
Wa r n i n g !
BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics 
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase 
braking efficiency beyond that afforded by the 
condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the 
traction afforded. The BAS cannot prevent 
accidents, including those resulting from excessive 
speed in turns, following another vehicle too 
closely, or aquaplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and 
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The 
capabilities of a BAS 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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235 Malfunction and warning messages
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit)
This message is displayed to indicate that the 
information being relayed by the engine control unit is 
no longer complete. The coolant temperature gauge, 
tachometer, or the cruise control may have failed.DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems)
The displays for several systems have failed. Some 
systems themselves may also have failed.
Line 1 Line 2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
Line 1 Line 2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
J_A208.book Seite 235 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09