
4 Contents
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....239
Malfunction and warning
messages in the
multifunction display ...............240
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................ 241
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR .........242
ABS-SYSTEM ...............................243
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................243
BRAKE LINING WEAR ..............244
BRAKE FLUID .............................244
PARKING BRAKE .......................245
ENGINE FAN ...............................245
COOLANT (coolant level) ..........246
COOLANT TEMP. ........................247
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................248
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................249
REMOVE KEY .............................249
STEERING GEAR OIL .................250
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 251
WASHER FLUID ..........................252
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program) ..253
TELE AID .....................................253
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ..................................... 256
Stowing things in the vehicle ...... 256
Fuses ............................................... 257
Hood ................................................ 259
Checking engine oil level ............. 262
Automatic transmission
fluid level ................................... 263
Coolant level ................................... 263
Adding coolant ........................... 264
Windshield and headlamp
washer system .......................... 265
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio ........ 265
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ............... 266
Vehicle jack .................................... 267
Wheels ............................................ 268
Tire replacement ....................... 268
Rotating wheels ......................... 269
Spare wheel .................................... 270
Spare wheel bolts ...................... 270Spare wheel .................................... 271
Changing wheels ...........................273
Tire inflation pressure ..................278
Battery .............................................280
Jump starting ..................................282
Towing the vehicle .........................285
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ..................287
Exterior lamps ................................288
Headlamp assembly ...................289
Taillamp assemblies ..................292
Changing batteries
in the electronic main key ......294
Synchronizing
remote control ............................296
Emergency engine shut-down .....296
Rear seat cushion ..........................297
Emergency operation of
sliding / pop-up roof .................298
Manual release for
fuel filler flap .............................299
Replacing wiper blade insert .......300
Roof rack .........................................302
W210.book Seite 4 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11

19 Instruments and controls
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Parking assist warning indicators, see page 226
2Side defroster outlet
3Side air outlet, adjustable
4Air volume control for side air outlet
5Exterior lamp switch, see page 119
6Parking brake release, see page 202
7Hood lock release, see page 259
8Combination switch, see page 122
9Cruise control switch, see page 212
10Instrument cluster, see page 86
11Multifunction steering wheel, see page 92
Horn (with electronic key in steering lock
position 1 or 2),
Airbag, see page 69
12Steering lock with ignition / starter switch, see
page 190
13Voice recognition system switch, see separate
operating instructions
14Center air outlets, adjustable15Air volume control for center air outlets
16Left front seat heater switch, see page 54
Left front seat ventilation switch, see page 57
17Headlamp washer switch, see page 121
18Rear seat head restraints switch, see page 52
19Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 125
20Central locking switch, see page 35
21Tow- away alarm s witch, s ee page 4 4
Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system, see
page 43
22Right front seat heater switch, see page 54
Right front seat ventilation switch, see page 57
23Glove box (illuminated with electronic key in
steering lock position 1 or 2)
24Automatic climate control, see page 126
Rear window defroster switch
Activated charcoal filter switch
25Audio system, see page 135
26Storage / eyeglasses compartment, see page164
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43 Antitheft alarm system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Antitheft alarm system
1Indicator lamp in switch located in center console
The antitheft alarm is automatically armed or disarmed
with the remote control by locking or unlocking the
vehicle.
The antitheft alarm is armed within approximately
15 seconds after locking the vehicle.
A blinking lamp (1) indicates that the alarm is armed.Operation:
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior
vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when
someone:
•opens a door,
•opens the trunk,
•opens the hood,
•attempts to raise the vehicle.
The alarm will last approximately 3 minutes in form of
flashing exterior lamps. At the same time an alarm will
sound for 30 seconds. The alarm will stay on even if the
activating element (a door, for example) is immediately
closed. If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds,
an emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele
Aid on page 178.
Notes:
When you unlock 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.
1
W210.book Seite 43 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11

63 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Unfastening of seat belts
Push the release button (3) in the belt buckle (2).
Allow t he retractor to completely rewind t he seat belt by
guiding the latch plate (1).
Operation
The inertia reel stops the belt from unwinding during
sudden vehicle stops or when quickly pulling on the
belt. The locking function of the reel may be checked by
quickly pulling out the belt.
Wa r n i n g !
USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY.• Seat belts can only work when used properly.
Never wear seat belts in any other way than as
described in this section, as that could result
in serious injuries in case of an accident.• Each occupant should wear their seat belt at all
times, because seat belts help reduce the
likelihood of and potential severity of injuries
in accidents, including rollovers. The
integrated restraint system includes “SRS”
(driver airbag, front passenger airbag, front
and rear door mounted side impact airbags,
head protection window curtain airbags for
side windows), “ETR” (seat belt emergency
tensioning retractors), and front seat knee
bolsters. The system is designed to enhance
the protection offered to properly belted
occ upan ts in c erta i n fron tal (front ai rb ags ) a nd
side (side impact and window curtain airbags)
impacts which exceed preset deployment
thresholds.
W210.book Seite 63 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11

90 Instrument cluster
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Coolant temperature gauge (3)
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to the red
marking.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant
temperature in the red zone. Doing so may cause
serious engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Outside temperature indicator (5)
The temperature sensor is located in the front bumper
area. Due to its location, the sensor can be affected by
road or engine heat during idling or slow driving. This
means that the accuracy of the displayed temperature
can only be verified by comparison to a thermometer
placed next to the sensor, not by comparison to external
displays (e.g. bank signs etc.).
Adaption to ambient temperature takes place in steps
and depends on the prevailing driving conditions
(stop-and-go or moderate, constant driving) and amount
of temperature change.
Wa r n i n g !
• Driving when your engine is badly overheated
can cause some fluids which may have leaked
into the engine compartment to catch fire. You
could be seriously burned.• Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine if
you see or hear steam coming from it.Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do
not stand near the vehicle until it cools down.
Wa r n i n g !
The outside temperature indicator is not designed
to serve as an Ice-Warning Device and is therefore
unsuitable for that purpose. Indicated
temperatures just above the freezing point do not
guarantee that the road surface is free of ice.
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217 Driving systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Antilock brake system (ABS)
Important!
The ABS improves steering control of the vehicle during
hard braking maneuvers.
The ABS prevents the wheels from locking up above a
vehicle speed of approximately 5 mph (8 km / h)
independent of road surface conditions.At the instant one of the wheels is about to lock up, a
slight pulsation can be felt in the brake pedal,
indicating that the ABS is in the regulating mode. Keep
firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while
experiencing the pulsation.
Continuous steady brake pedal pressure results in
applying the advantages of the ABS, namely braking
power and ability to steer the vehicle.
In the case of an emergency brake maneuver keep
continuous full pressure on the brake pedal. In this
manner only can the ABS be most effective.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will respond even
with light brake pedal pressure because of the
increased likelihood of locking wheels. The pulsating
brake pedal can be an indication of hazardous road
conditions and functions as a reminder to take extra
care while driving.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not pump the brake pedal, rather use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure. Pumping the brake
pedal defeats the purpose for ABS and significantly
reduces braking effectiveness.
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231 Check regularly and before a long trip
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Check regularly and before a long trip
E 320 shown1Windshield washer system
For refilling reservoir see page 265.
2Headlamp cleaning system
Auxiliary tank connected to windshield washer
reservoir. Open filler caps on both reservoirs during
refilling.
3Coolant level
See “Adding coolant”, page 264.
4Engine oil level
See “Checking engine oil level”, page 262.
5Brake fluid
See “Brake fluid”, page 324.
Opening hood, see page 259.
Ve h i c l e l i g h t i n g : Check function and cleanliness. For
replacement of light bulbs, see “Lamps, exterior” on
page 288.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 119.
3
2
4
1
5
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247 Malfunction and warning messages
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index COOLANT TEMP.
1 Observe the coolant temperature gauge. See page 90.
Check coolant level, see page 263.
This may indicate that the poly-V-belt has broken. Should this
con dition o ccur, the poly-V-belt must be repla ced befo re co ntin uin g
to operate the vehicle. Otherwise, the engine will overheat due to
an inoperative water pump which may result in damage to the
engine. Do not continue to drive the vehicle with this message
displayed. Doing so could result in serious engine damage that is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city
traf f ic, the coolant temperature may rise close to the red
marking.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant
temperature in the red zone. Doing so may cause
serious engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Line 1 Line 2
COOLANT TEMP. VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
Wa r n i n g !
Driving when your engine is badly overheated can
cause some fluids which may have leaked into the
engine compartment to catch fire. You could be
seriously burned.Steam from an overheated engine can cause serious
burns and can occur just by opening the engine
hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it.Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do
not stand near the vehicle until it cools down.
W210.book Seite 247 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11