296 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Note:
To signal turns while being towed with hazard warning
flasher in use, turn electronic key in steering lock to
position 2 and activate combination switch for left or
right turn signal in usual manner – only the selected
turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warning
flasher will operate again.
Caution!
The vehicle must be towed with all 4 wheels off the
ground. If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised,
the engine must be shut off (electronic key in steering
lock position 0 or 1). Otherwise, the ESP will
immediately be engaged and will apply the rear wheel
brakes. With the front wheels raised, the maximum
speed and towing distance are 30 mph and 30 miles.
Switch off the tow-away alarm, see page 41, and the
automatic center locking on page 35.Transmission selector lever, manually unlocking
In the case of power failure the transmission selector
lever can be manually unlocked, e.g. to tow the vehicle.
To do so, insert a pin (1), e.g. ball point pen, into the
covered opening below the position “D” of the shift
pattern. While pushing the pin down, move selector
lever from position “P”.
After removal of the pin from the opening, the cover will
not close fully. Only after moving the selector lever to
positions “D+” and “D–” does the cover return to its
closed position.
336 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Index
AABS (Antilock brake system) .......................................227
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 248
ABS-SYSTEM -
malfunction and warning messages ......................253
Adjusting steering wheel ................................................ 81
Air conditioner refrigerant ........................................... 330
Air distribution .............................................................. 130
Air volume ...................................................................... 130
Airbag deactivation system ............................................ 65
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ........................................249
Airbags .............................................................................. 68
Alarm system ..............................................................39, 41
Anticorrosion/antifreeze ................... 220, 275, 328, 332
Antilock brake system (ABS) .......................................227
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 248
Antitheft alarm system ................................................... 39
Aquaplaning ................................................................... 217
Armrest, rear bench ...................................................... 162
Ashtrays .......................................................................... 166
Center console, front ................................................ 166
Rear doors .................................................................. 167Audio system .................................................................. 135
Anti-theft system ....................................................... 137
Button and soft key operation ................................. 138
Cassette mode ............................................................ 143
CD changer ................................................................. 148
CD mode ..................................................................... 147
Operating and display elements ............................. 136
Operating safety ........................................................ 135
Operation – audio and telephone ........................... 135
Radio mode ................................................................ 141
Telephone operation ................................................. 151
Audio systems ................................................................... 97
Cassette player ............................................................ 99
CD player ......................................................................98
Radio .............................................................................97
Automatic central locking .............................................. 35
Automatic climate control ............................................ 126
Activated charcoal filter ........................................... 132
Air distribution .......................................................... 130
Air recirculation ........................................................ 131
Air volume .................................................................. 130
Basic setting ............................................................... 129
Defogging windows ................................................... 129
Defrosting ...................................................................129
Display and controls .................................................128
Dust filter ................................................................... 131
337 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Economy ..................................................................... 129
Front center console
compartment ventilation .................................... 133
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air outlet ............................................. 134
Rear window defroster ............................................. 130
Residual engine heat utilization (REST) ............... 132
Special settings ......................................................... 129
Automatic transmission ...............................................203
Emergency operation ............................................... 211
Fluid level ................................................................... 274
Program mode selector switch ............................... 210
Selector lever position ..............................................206
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ............................................. 296
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 65
Self-test ......................................................................... 65
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 225
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 247
Battery .............................................................................289
Battery recycling ....................................................... 290
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR -
malfunction and warning messages ......................252Block heater ....................................................................221
BRAKE ASSIST -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 253
Brake assist system (BAS) ........................................... 225
Malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 247
Brake fluid ..................................................................... 330
BRAKE FLUID -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 254
BRAKE LINING WEAR -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 254
Brake pad wear .............................................................. 254
Brake warning lamp ..................................................... 245
Brake fluid low ......................................................... 245
Brakes .................................................... 214, 225, 227, 230
Bulbs
Replacing bulbs ........................................................ 297
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .............................. 328
Cargo tie-down rings ..................................................... 178
Catalytic converter ......................................................... 198
CD changer ...................................................................... 148
Audio systems ..............................................................97
Cellular telephone .......................................................... 179
338 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Center console .................................................................. 20
Central locking switch .................................................... 34
Central locking system ................................................... 27
Automatic central locking ......................................... 35
Choosing global or selective mode ........................... 30
Electronic key .............................................................. 25
Locking and unlocking .............................................. 29
Mechanical keys .......................................................... 31
Remote control ............................................................ 25
Summer opening/convenience feature ................... 30
CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 244
Check regularly and before a long trip ...................... 241
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator ...................................117
Via oil dipstick ...........................................................273
Child restraint ..................................................... 57, 65, 77
Child seat
Infant and child restraint systems ........................... 77
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ................................. 314
Clock, setting ...................................................................110
Coin holder in glove box lid ......................................... 163
COMAND, radio, telephone and two-way radio ........ 186
Combination switch ...................................................... 122
Consumer information .................................................. 334
Control and operation of radio transmitters ............. 186COOLANT (coolant level) -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 256
Coolant level ................................................................... 274
Adding coolant .......................................................... 275
Checking ..................................................................... 274
COOLANT TEMP. -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 257
Coolant temperature gauge ............................................90
Coolants .......................................................................... 332
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity ........................ 333
Cruise control ................................................................ 222
Cup holder
In center console ....................................................... 165
In glove box lid .......................................................... 163
In rear bench armrest ............................................... 162
DDaytime running lamps ................................................120
Deep water
Driving instructions .................................................221
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................251
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................251
Display illumination ........................................................89
339 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Doors .................................................................................. 32
Drinking and Driving .................................................... 213
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel ............................................ 213
Driving instructions ...................................................... 213
Driving off ....................................................................... 215
EELEC. STABIL. PROG. -
malfunction and warning messages ......................263
Electrical outlet .............................................................. 269
Electronic key ................................................................... 25
Changing batteries ................................................... 304
Electronic main key
Synchronizing remote control ................................ 306
Electronic stability program (ESP) .............................. 230
Control switch ...........................................................232
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 247
Synchronizing ........................................................... 231
Warning lamp ............................................................247
Emergency call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 188
Emergency engine shut-down ..................................... 306
Emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) ......................... 67
SRS indicator lamp ................................................... 246Emergency unlocking in case of accident ...................35
Emission control ............................................................ 199
Emission control label .................................................. 324
Engine compartment .................................................... 270
ENGINE FAN -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 255
Engine malfunction
CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp ............................... 244
Engine oil additives ...................................................... 330
Engine oil consumption ................................................ 118
Engine oil level
Checking ............................................................. 117, 273
Warning ...................................................................... 261
ENGINE OIL LEVEL -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 261
Engine oil level indicator .............................................. 117
Engine oils ..................................................................... 330
ESP (Electronic Stability Program) ............................ 230
Control switch .......................................................... 232
Malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 247
Synchronizing ........................................................... 231
Warning lamp ........................................................... 247
ETR (Emergency tensioning retractor) .........................67
SRS indicator lamp .................................................. 246
340 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Express opening and closing
Power windows .......................................................... 154
Exterior lamp switch ......................................................119
Exterior lamps ................................................................ 297
Additional turn signals
on the exterior mirror .........................................303
Headlamp assembly ................................................. 298
High mounted stop lamp .........................................303
License plate lamps .................................................. 302
Low and high beam .................................................. 299
Parking lamps .................................................. 300, 301
Replacing bulbs ......................................................... 297
Side marker lamp, front ........................................... 303
Standing lamps ................................................. 300, 301
Taillamp assemblies ................................................. 301
Turn signal lamps ............................................ 300, 301
FFirst aid kit ..................................................................... 266
Flat tire
Changing wheels ......................................................282
Flexible service system (FSS) .......................................114
Four wheel
electronic traction system (4MATIC)
with electronic stability program (ESP) ................229Fuel .................................................................................. 239
Gasoline additives .................................................... 332
Premium unleaded gasoline .................. 239, 329, 331
Fuel cap placement warning ....................................... 246
Fuel requirements ......................................................... 331
Fuel reserve warning .................................................... 246
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities .............. 328
Fuse box
Fuses .......................................................................... 267
Fuses, electrical ............................................................. 267
GGarage door opener ....................................................... 180
Gasoline
Additives .................................................................... 332
Fuel requirements .................................................... 331
Premium unleaded ................................................... 331
General notes on the
central locking system ............................................... 26
Global locking
Central locking ............................................................ 27
Glove box ......................................................................... 163
341 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
HHazard warning flasher switch ................................... 125
Head restraints
Front seat ..................................................................... 48
Rear seat ....................................................................... 49
Rear seat head restraint, storage .............................. 50
Synchronizing ............................................................. 44
Headlamp cleaning system .......................................... 121
Headlights ........................................................................119
Heated seats ..................................................................... 52
High beams
Combination switch .................................................. 122
Hood ................................................................................. 270IIdentification labels ....................................................... 323
Illuminated vanity mirrors ........................................... 161
Indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster .................................. 88, 244
Individual settings ..........................................................110
Infant and child restraint systems ................................ 77
Information call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 188Instrument cluster ........................................................... 86
Activating .....................................................................89
Illumination ................................................................. 89
Indicator lamps ............................................................ 88
Instruments and controls ............................................... 18
Interior
General notes ............................................................. 162
Interior lighting .............................................................. 159
JJump starting ..................................................................291KKeys, changing batteries .............................................. 304
Keys, vehicle .....................................................................24LLamps, exterior
Fog lamps ........................................................... 119, 301
Headlamps ........................................ 119, 258, 298, 316
Parking lamps ........................................... 119, 300, 301
342 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Replacing bulbs ......................................................... 297
Side marker lamp, front ................................... 119, 303
Standing lamps ......................................... 119, 300, 301
Taillamps ........................................... 119, 258, 301, 316
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............................................ 324
LIGHT SENSOR -
malfunction and warning messages ......................259
Lighter ............................................................................. 168
LIGHTING SYSTEM -
malfunction and warning messages ......................258
Limp home mode ........................................................... 211
Loading instructions ..................................................... 177
Locking and unlocking ................................................... 29
Low beams
Exterior lamps ...........................................................297
MMaintenance ................................................................... 187
Malfunction and indicator lamp
in the center console ................................................249
Malfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster .........................................244
Malfunction and warning messages ...........................250
ABS-SYSTEM ............................................................. 253
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR .......................................252BRAKE ASSIST ......................................................... 253
BRAKE FLUID ........................................................... 254
BRAKE LINING WEAR ............................................ 254
COOLANT (coolant level) ........................................ 256
COOLANT TEMP. ...................................................... 257
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit) .........251
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems) ................251
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. .............................................. 263
ENGINE FAN ............................................................. 255
ENGINE OIL LEVEL .................................................. 261
LIGHT SENSOR ......................................................... 259
LIGHTING SYSTEM .................................................. 258
PARKING BRAKE ..................................................... 255
REMOVE KEY ........................................................... 259
STEERING GEAR OIL ............................................... 260
TELE AID ................................................................... 263
WASHER FLUID ........................................................ 262
Malfunction message memory .................................... 108
Manual release for fuel filler flap .............................. 308
Mechanical keys ............................................................... 31
Memory ................................................................ 45, 81, 84
Recalling ....................................................................... 46
Storing ...........................................................................45
Mirror, exterior, adjusting .............................................. 83
Mirror, exterior, rear view .............................................. 83
Mirror, inside, rear view .................................................82