
1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 7
Operator’s manual ............................. 8
Where to find it ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Center console .............................. 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21OperationVehicle 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 the trunk ....................... 30
Opening and closing windows
and sliding/pop-up roof
from outside .................................. 31Panic 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 ................ 40
Trunk lid emergency release ......... 41
Trunk lid emergency release ........ 42
Antitheft alarm system ................... 43
Tow-away alarm ............................... 44
Power seats front ............................. 45
Front seat head restraints ...............51
Rear seat head restraints ............... 52
Multicontour seat ............................ 53
Seat heater ........................................ 54
Seat ventilation ................................ 57
Seat belts and
integrated restraint system ....... 59
Seat belts .......................................... 59Seat belt nonusage
warning system ........................... 60
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system .................... 66
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ......... 66
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) ............................................. 67
Emergency tensioning retractor
(ETR) ............................................. 68
Airbags .............................................. 69
Safety guidelines for the seat belt,
emergency tensioning retractor
and airbag .................................... 75
Infant and child
restraint systems ......................... 77
Steering wheel adjustment ............ 81
Rear view mirrors ............................ 82
Instrument cluster ........................... 86
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................. 92
Trip and main odometer, FSS
and engine oil level display ....... 96
W210.book Seite 1 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11

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 the trunk ....................... 30
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 ................. 40
Trunk lid emergency release ......... 41Trunk lid emergency release ........ 42
Antitheft alarm system ................... 43
Tow-away alarm ............................... 44
Power seats front ............................. 45
Front seat head restraints ...............51
Rear seat head restraints ............... 52
Multicontour seat ............................ 53
Seat heater ........................................ 54
Seat ventilation ................................ 57
Seat belts and
integrated restraint system ....... 59
Seat belts .......................................... 59
Seat belt nonusage
warning system .......................... 60
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system ................... 66
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ......... 66
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) ............................................. 67
Emergency tensioning retractor
(ETR) ............................................. 68
Airbags .............................................. 69Safety guidelines for the seat belt,
emergency tensioning retractor
and airbag .................................... 75
Infant and child
restraint systems ......................... 77
Steering wheel adjustment ............ 81
Rear view mirrors ............................ 82
Instrument cluster ........................... 86
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................. 92
Trip and main odometer, FSS
and engine oil level display ....... 96
Audio systems .................................. 97
Radio .............................................. 97
CD player ....................................... 98
Cassette player ............................. 99
Telephone ........................................ 100
Telephone book .......................... 100
Redialing ..................................... 102
Incoming call .............................. 104
Navigation system .......................... 105
Trip computer ................................. 106
Malfunction message memory .... 108
Individual settings ..........................110
W210.book Seite 22 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11

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.
W210.book Seite 24 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11

35 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Central locking switch
1Locking
2Unlocking
The central locking switch is located in the center
console.
The doors and trunk can only be locked with the central
locking switch if both front doors are closed.
If the vehicle was previously locked with the central
locking switch, while in the selective remote control
mode, only the door opened from the inside is unlocked.If the vehicle was previously locked with the central
locking switch, while in the global remote control mode,
the complete vehicle is unlocked when a front door is
opened from the inside.
Notes:
If the vehicle was previously locked with the remote
control, the doors and trunk cannot be unlocked with
the central locking switch.
The fuel filler flap cannot be locked or unlocked with
the central locking switch.
If the vehicle has previously been locked from the
outside, opening a door from the inside will trigger the
alarm. To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in
the steering lock or press buttonŒ or‹ on the
electronic key.
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.
W210.book Seite 35 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11

38 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Lower trunk lid using handle (3) or recessed grip (4)
and close it with grip molding (5). Please remember to
keep your fingers out of the space between the lid and
the vehicle.Important!
Do not place mechanical key inside trunk, since trunk
is locked again when the lid is closed if the vehicle has
been previously centrally locked.
Wa r n i n g !
To prevent possible personal injury, always keep
hands and fingers away from the trunk opening
when closing the trunk lid. Be especially careful
when small children are around.
W210.book Seite 38 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11

45 Seats
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Power seats front
To operate the front power seat adjustment switches,
turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2
(with the driver’s or front passenger’s door open, the
power seats can also be operated with the electronic key
removed or in steering lock position 0).
Wa r n i n g !
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle.Never ride in a moving vehicle with the backrest
reclined. Sitting in an excessively reclined position
can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat
belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt
would apply force at the abdomen or neck. That
could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The
backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint
when the wearer is in an upright position and the
belt properly positioned on the body.Never place hands under seat or near any moving
parts while a seat is being adjusted.
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock
your vehicle.The power seats can also be operated with the
driver’s or front passenger door open. 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.
W210.book Seite 45 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11

66 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system
Special BabySmart
TM compatible child seats, designed
for use with the Mercedes-Benz system and available at
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center are required for
use with the BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system.
With the special child seat properly installed, the
passenger front airbag will not deploy. The 7
indicator lamp located on the center console will be
illuminated, except with electronic key removed or in
steering lock position 0. The system does not deactivate
the door mounted side impact airbag and the window
airbag.
Self-test BabySmart
TM
without special child seat installed
After turning electronic key in steering lock to
position 1 or 2, the 7 indicator lamp located on the
center console comes on for approximately 6 seconds
and then extinguishes.
If the indicator lamp should not come on or is
continuously lit, the system is not functioning. You
must see an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center before
seating any child on the front passenger seat.BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Wa r n i n g !
The BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system will
ONLY work with a special child seat designed to
operate with it. It will not work with child seats
which are not BabySmart
TM compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion and
child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the
effectiveness of the deactivation system.The
bottom of the child seat must make full contact
with the passenger seat cushion. An incorrectly
mounted child seat could cause injuries to the
child in case of ar accident instead of protecting
the child.Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of special child seats.The passenger front airbag will not deploy only if
the 7 indicator lamp remains illuminated.Please be sure to check the indicator every time
you use the special system child seat.
Should the light go out while the restraint is
installed, please check installation. If the light
remains out, do not use the BabySmart
TM restraint
to transport children on the front passenger seat
until the system has been repaired.
W210.book Seite 66 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11

77 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Infant and child restraint systems
We recommend all infants and children be properly re-
strained at all times while the vehicle is in motion. All
lap-shoulder belts except the driver’s seat belt have
special seat belt retractors for secure fastening of child
restraints.
To activate, pull shoulder belt out completely and let it
retract. During the seat belt retraction a ratcheting
sound can be heard to indicate that the special seat belt
retractor is activated. The belt is now locked.
To deactivate, release seat belt buckle and let seat belt
retract completely. The seat belt can again be used in
the usual manner.Note:
For child seats with mounting fittings for tether
anchorages refer to page 80 (installation of infant and
child restraint systems).
Wa r n i n g !
Never release the seat belt buckle while vehicle is
in motion, since the special seat belt retractor will
be deactivated.
W210.book Seite 77 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11