Page 25 of 330

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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Page 26 of 330

23 Contents – Operation
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Telephone .......................................... 98
Telephone book ............................ 98
Redialing ..................................... 100
Incoming call .............................. 102
Navigation system .......................... 103
Trip computer ................................. 104
Malfunction message memory .... 106
Individual settings ......................... 108
Setting the audio volume ...............110
Flexible service system (FSS) ....... 111
Engine oil level indicator ...............114
Engine oil consumption .................115
Exterior lamp switch ......................116
Night security illumination ..........117
Headlamp cleaning system ...........118
Combination switch .......................119
Hazard warning flasher
switch .......................................... 121Automatic climate control ............ 122
Display and controls ................. 124
Basic setting -
automatic mode ......................... 124
Economy ...................................... 125
Special settings .......................... 125
Rear window defroster .............. 126
Air recirculation ........................ 127
Residual engine
heat utilization ........................... 127
Dust filter .................................... 128
Audio and telephone,
operation .................................... 129
Power windows .............................. 147
Sliding/pop-up roof ....................... 149
Interior lighting .............................. 151
Rear window sunshade .................152
Sun visors ........................................152Illuminated vanity mirrors ........... 153
Interior ............................................ 153
Storage compartments,
armrest and cup holder ........... 153
Glove box ..................................... 154
Ashtrays .......................................... 157
Lighter ............................................. 159
Enlarged cargo area – split folding
rear seat backrest ..................... 160
Loading instructions ..................... 162
Cargo tie down rings ..................... 163
Parcel net in front
passenger footwell .................... 164
Telephone, general ........................ 164
Cellular telephone ......................... 165
Garage door opener ....................... 166
Ski sack ........................................... 170
J_C208_II.book Seite 23 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10
Page 27 of 330
24 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Ve h i c l e k e y s
Included with your vehicle are 2 electronic keys with
integrated radio frequency and infrared remote controls
plus removable mechanical key.
The locking tabs for the mechanical key portion of the
two electronic keys are a different color to help
distinguish it.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock your
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause
serious personal injury.
J_C208_II.book Seite 24 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10
Page 28 of 330

25 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Electronic key
The electronic key has an integrated radio frequency
and infrared remote control, plus removable mechanical
key.
The remote control (1) operates all locks on the vehicle.
The mechanical key (2) works only in the driver’s door,
trunk, and glove box lock.When using the mechanical key (2) for lock operations,
it can be removed by sliding it out of the remote control.
To do so, move locking tab (3) to the right and slide the
mechanical key (2) in direction of arrow (4).
The remote control transmitter is located in the
electronic key.
The infrared receivers are located in the door handles.
Notes:
Remove the mechanical key from the electronic key
when using valet parking service. To prevent access to
trunk or storage compartments lock them separately
and retain the mechanical key.
See page 37 for separate locking of trunk and page 154
for locking of glove box.
Obtaining replacement keys
Your vehicle is equipped with a theft deterrent locking
system requiring a special key manufacturing process.
For security reasons, replacement keys can only be
obtained from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
P80.35-2031-26
1
3
4
2
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Page 29 of 330

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
handle. Check the batteries of the electronic key, see
page 283 or to synchronize the remote control, see
page 285.
•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.
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Page 30 of 330

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 283 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 and sliding/pop-up
roof 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 ‹.
With vehicle centrally locked, the trunk can also be
opened by using the remote control.
If the electronic key is inserted in steering lock, the
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked, and the trunk lid
cannot be opened with the remote control.1Transmit button
‹ Locking
Œ Unlocking
Š Opening trunk (if not separately locked)
2Lamp for battery check (see page 283 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
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Page 31 of 330
28 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
6Infrared receiver in driver’s door handle7Infrared receiver in passenger door handle
J_C208_II.book Seite 28 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10
Page 32 of 330

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 or 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 page 283 and 285.
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