
21 Instruments and controls
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Overhead control panel 1Interior lighting, see page 159
2Sliding / pop-up roof, see page 157
3Rear view mirror, see page 82
4Garage door opener, see page 171
5Tele Aid (emergency call system), see page 178
6Hands free microphone for Tele Aid, telephone and 
voice recognition system
5
6
W210.book Seite 21 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 

23 Contents – Operation
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Setting the audio volume ...............113
Flexible service system (FSS)  .......114
Engine oil level indicator ...............117
Engine oil consumption  .................118
Exterior lamp switch  ......................119
Night security illumination  ......... 120
Headlamp cleaning system  .......... 121
Combination switch  ...................... 122
Hazard warning 
flasher switch  ............................ 125
Automatic climate control  ............ 126
Display and controls  .................. 128
Basic setting ................................ 129
Special settings  .......................... 129
Defogging windows .................... 129
Defrosting  .................................... 129
Rear window defroster  .............. 130
Air distribution  ........................... 130
Air volume ................................... 130Air recirculation  ......................... 131
Dust filter  ..................................... 131
Activated charcoal filter  ............132
Residual engine 
heat utilization  ............................132
Front center console 
compartment ventilation  ...........133
Rear passenger compartment 
adjustable air outlet  ...................134
Audio and telephone, 
operation  .....................................135
Power windows  ...............................154
Sliding / pop-up roof ......................157
Interior lighting  ..............................159
Entrance lamps, 
exit lamps in doors ....................159
Reading lamps 
rear compartment ......................160
Rear window sunshade  .................160
Sun visors  ........................................ 161Illuminated vanity mirrors ........... 161
Interior  ............................................ 162
Armrest, rear bench  ...................... 162
Cup holder 
in rear bench armrest  .............. 162
Glove box ......................................... 163
Cup holder and coin holder 
in glove box lid  ........................... 163
Storage compartment above 
ashtray in center console  ........ 164
Storage compartments 
in center console  ....................... 164
Cup holder in center console  ....... 165
Ashtrays  .......................................... 166
Lighter  ............................................. 168
Cargo tie-down hooks .................... 169
Parcel net 
in front passenger footwell  ..... 169
Cellular telephone  ......................... 170
Shelf below rear window  .............. 170
Garage door opener  ....................... 171
W210.book Seite 23 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 

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 storage compartment locks.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 front door 
handles.
Note:
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 163 
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
W210.book Seite 25 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11 

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 front door 
handle. Check the batteries of the electronic key, 
see page 294 or to synchronize the remote control, 
see page 296.
•Use the mechanical key to unlock the vehicle. To 
start 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.
W210.book Seite 26 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11 

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 brief ly – indicating that the batteries are 
in order. See page 294 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 294 for changing 
batteries if it does not light up briefly)
3PA N I C   b u t t o n
4Transmitter eye
5Locking tab for mechanical key
P80.35-2032-26
24
3
5
1
W210.book Seite 27 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11 

28 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
6Infrared receiver in driver’s door handle7Infrared receiver in front passenger door handle
6
P80.30-2137-26
7
P80.30-2138-26
W210.book Seite 28 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11