Page 6 of 350

3 Contents
DrivingControl and operation
of radio transmitters ................ 176
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 177
Maintenance ................................... 177
Tele Aid ........................................... 178
Catalytic converter ........................ 188
Emission control ............................ 189
Steering lock ................................... 190
Starting and turning
off the engine ............................ 192
Automatic transmission ............... 193
Parking brake .................................202
Driving instructions ......................203
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel .........203
Drinking and driving .................203
Pedals ...........................................203
Power assistance ........................204
Brakes ..........................................204Driving off ................................... 205
Parking ........................................ 206
Tires ............................................. 206
Snow chains ............................... 209
Winter driving instructions ..... 209
Block heater ................................. 211
Deep water ................................... 211
Passenger compartment ............ 211
Traveling abroad ......................... 211
Cruise control .................................212
Brake assist system
(BAS) ...........................................215
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................217
Four Wheel Electronic Traction
System (4MATIC) ....................... 219
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 220
Parking assist
(Parktronic) ............................... 224
What you should know
at the gas station ...................... 229
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 231
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster .........234
On-board diagnostic system .....234
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................234
Brake warning lamp ..................235
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................236
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ....................236
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............237
BAS / ESP malfunction
indicator lamp .............................237
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................238
Seat belt warning lamp .............238
Malfunction and indicator lamp
in the center console ................239
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Page 10 of 350

7 IntroductionProduct information
Kindly observe the following in your own best interest:
We recommend using Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts and accessories
explicitly approved by us for your vehicle model.
We have tested these parts to determine their reliability, safety and their special
suitability for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
We are unable to make an assessment for other products and therefore cannot be held responsible
for them, even if in individual cases an official approval or authorization by governmental or other
agencies should exist. Use of such parts and accessories could adversely affect the safety, performance
or reliability of your vehicle. Please do not use them.
Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts and accessories approved by us are available
at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center where you will receive comprehensive information, also on
permissible technical modifications, and where proper installation will be performed.
W210.book Seite 7 Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2001 11:45 11
Page 23 of 350
20 Instruments and controls
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console 1Ashtray with lighter, see page 166
2ESP control switch, see page 220
3Power window switches, front doors, see page 154
4Power window safety switch, rear doors, see
page 154
5Airbag Off indicator lamp, see page 239
6Power window switches, rear doors, see page 154
7Parktronic system deactivation switch, see page 228
8Trunk lid release switch, see page 40
9Mirror adjustment switch, see page 82
10Rear window sunshade switch, see page 160
356
643
1
7
9
10
8
2
P68.20-2279-27
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Page 36 of 350
33 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Doors
1Opening – pull handle
2Unlocking driver’s door
3Locking driver’s door
4Individual door from inside:
Push lock button down to lock.
Important!
The mechanical key does not operate the central
locking system or antitheft alarm system.5Front door from inside:
Pull handle to unlock.
When you lock the driver’s door with the mechanical
key, the door lock button should move down.
Each individual door must be locked with the respective
door lock button – the driver’s door can only be locked
when it is closed.
1
2
3
4
P72.10-2240-26
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Page 41 of 350
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.
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Page 50 of 350
47 Seats
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Synchronizing Head Restraints
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or empty), the head restraints are no
longer adjusted automatically.
To resynchronize the adjustment feature, turn
electronic key in steering lock to position 2, move the
seat completely forward and the head restraint fully
down, and hold respective buttons for approximately
two seconds.Caution!
Do not remove head restraints except when mounting
seat covers. For removal refer to Front seat head
restraints, see page 51. Whenever restraints have been
removed be sure to reinstall them before driving.
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Page 51 of 350

48 Seats
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Memory function
6Memory button
7Position buttonsStoring positions into memory
Three sets of seat / head restraint / steering wheel and
exterior rear view mirror positions may be programmed
into memory. After the seat / head restraint / steering
wheel and exterior rear view mirrors are positioned,
push memory button (6), release, and within 3 seconds
push position button “1”. A second and third set of
positions for the same seat / head restraint / steering
wheel and exterior rear view mirrors can be
programmed into memory by pushing first memory
button (6) and then “2”, respectively “3”.
Note:
For instructions on adjustment of steering wheel and
mirrors, see page 81 and 82.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not activate the memory function while driving.
Activating the memory function while driving
could cause the driver to lose the control of the
vehicle.
76
P54.00-2075-26
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Page 77 of 350

74 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
• Sit properly belted in an upright position with
your back against the backrest.• Adjust the driver’s seat as far as possible
rearward, still permitting proper operation of
vehicle controls. The distance from the center
of the driver’s breastbone to the center of the
airbag cover on the steering wheel must be at
least ten inches (25 cm) or more. You should
be able to accomplish this by a combination of
adjustments to the seat and steering wheel. If
you have any problems, please see your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.• Do not lean with your head or chest close to the
steering wheel or dashboard.• Keep hands on the outside of steering wheel
rim. Placing hands and arms inside the rim
can increase the risk and potential severity of
hand / arm injury when driver front airbag
inflates.• Adjust the front passenger seat as far as
possible rearward from the dashboard when
the seat is occupied.
• Occupants, especially children, should never
lean their heads in the area of the door where
the side airbag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should the airbag be
triggered. Always sit upright, properly use the
seatbelts and appropriate size infant or child
restraint system• Children 12 years old and under must never
ride in the front seat, except in a Mercedes-
Benz authorized Baby Smart
TM compatible
child seat, which operates with the
BabySmart
TM system installed in the vehicle to
deactivate the passenger front airbag when it
is properly installed. Otherwise they will be
struck by the airbag when it inflates in a
crash. If this happens, serious or fatal injury
can result.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe injuries to you or other occupants.
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