
4 Contents 
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator 
lamps in the 
instrument cluster  ....................264
On-board diagnostic system  .........265
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................265
Brake warning lamp  ..................266
Supplemental restraint system 
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................267
Fuel reserve warning .................268
ABS malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................269
Electronic stability program 
(ESP) — warning lamp  ...............270
Seat belt nonusage 
warning lamp .............................270
Malfunction and indicator lamp 
in the center console  ................ 271
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ..... 271Malfunction and warning 
messages in the 
multifunction display  .............. 272
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(engine control unit)  ................. 273
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(several systems)  ....................... 273
BATTERY  / ALTERNATOR  ........274
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM  .... 275
BRAKE ASSIST ............................276
BRAKE PAD WEAR .................... 277
BRAKE FLUID  ............................ 277
PARKING BRAKE  ....................... 278
SEAT BELT SYSTEM  .................. 278
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. 
(Electronic stability program)  . 279
COOLANT 
(coolant level)  ............................. 280
COOLANT 
(coolant temperature)  ............... 281
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ................... 282LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................283
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................285
DOOR  ...........................................285
TRUNK OPEN  .............................286
HOOD  ...........................................286
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION  .......287
TELE AID  .....................................287
WASHER FLUID  .........................288
RESTRAINT SYSTEM  .................289
KEY ...............................................289
FUEL RESERVE  ..........................290
UNDERVOLTAGE ........................290
ELECTRONIC BRAKE BOOSTER 
(EBB)  ............................................ 291
ENGINE AIR FILTER  .................. 291
TC SHIFT   ....................................292
TC SHIFT CONDITIONS  ............292
TC IN NEUTRAL  .........................293
TRANSFER CASE  .......................293
J_G463.book Seite 4 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

5 Contents 
Practical hintsFirst aid kit, vehicle tools 
and jack  ......................................296
CD-changer  .....................................296
Fuses  ................................................297
Electrical outlet  .............................. 301
Stowing items in the vehicle  ........ 301
Hood  .................................................302
Checking engine oil level  .............304
Automatic transmission 
fluid level  ...................................305
Engine oil consumption  ................305
Coolant level  ...................................306
Adding coolant  ...........................306
Windshield washer/headlamp 
cleaning system .........................307
Windshield and headlamp 
washer fluid mixing ratio  .........307Vehicle jack  .................................... 308
Wheels  ............................................. 310
Tire replacement  ........................ 310
Rotating wheels  .......................... 311
Spare wheel cover  ..........................312
Spare wheel ..................................... 313
Changing wheels  ............................ 314
Tire inflation pressure  .................. 318
Battery .............................................. 319
Jump starting  ................................. 321
Towing the vehicle  ........................ 324
Transmission selector lever, 
manually unlocking  .................. 327
Stranded vehicle  ............................ 327
Exterior lamps  ............................... 328
Headlamp assembly  .................. 329
Fog lamp, front  ........................... 332
Turn signal lamp, front  ............ 334Turn signal lamp, side ...............335
Front and rear 
side marker lamps  .....................337
Taillamp assemblies  ..................339
License plate lamp  .....................340
Rear fog lamp / Backup lamp ... 341
Changing batteries in 
the electronic key  .....................343
Synchronizing 
remote control  ............................345
Emergency operation of 
sliding/pop-up roof  ...................346
Manual release for 
fuel filler flap .............................347
Replacing wiper blades .................348
J_G463.book Seite 5 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

28 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Start lock-out
Important!
Removing the electronic key from the starter switch 
activates the start lock-out. The engine cannot be 
started.
Inserting the electronic key in the starter switch 
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 Light Truck 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 starter switch, the 
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with the remote 
control.
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked:
•Check the batteries of the electronic key, see 
page 343, or synchronize the electronic key, see 
page 345.
•Use the mechanical key to unlock the vehicle. To 
start engine, insert the electronic key in the starter 
switch. There could be a slight delay until the 
electronic key can be turned in the starter switch.
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 
starter switch or press buttonŒ or‹ on the 
electronic key.
J_G463.book Seite 28 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

29 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
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 briefly – indicating that the batteries are 
in order. See page 343 for checking batteries.
The vehicle doors, tailgate and fuel filler flap can be 
centrally locked and unlocked via remote control.
Opening and closing the windows can only be done with 
the infrared portion of the remote control. Aim 
transmitter eye at the receiver of the driver’s door (6), 
press and hold transmit button Œ or ‹, 
seepage32.
If the electronic key is inserted in the starter switch, the 
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with the remote 
control.1Transmit button
‹ Locking
Œ Unlocking
2Lamp for battery check (see page 343 for changing 
batteries if it does not light up briefly)
3PANIC button
4Transmitter eye
5Locking tab for mechanical key
P80.35-2033-26
2
1
4
3
5
J_G463.book Seite 29 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

31 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Locking and unlocking with remote control
Unlocking:
Press transmit button Œ. All turn signal lamps blink 
once to indicate that the vehicle is unlocked.
The remote control can be programmed for two kinds of 
unlocking modes (see below):
Selective unlocking mode –
Press transmit button Œ once to unlock driver’s door 
and fuel filler flap.
Press transmit button Œ twice to unlock all doors, 
fuel filler flap, and tailgate.
Global unlocking mode –
Press transmit button Œ once to unlock all doors, 
fuel filler flap, and tailgate.
Notes:
If the tailgate was previously locked separately, it will 
remain locked, see page 39.
The presently active unlocking mode (selective or 
global) can only be determined by unlocking the vehicle 
with the remote control (see below for changing mode).If within 40 seconds of unlocking with the remote 
control, neither door or tailgate is opened, the electronic 
key is not inserted in the starter switch, or the central 
locking switch is not activated, the vehicle will 
automatically lock.
Locking:
Press transmit button ‹ once. All turn signal lamps 
blink three times to indicate that the vehicle is locked. If 
they do not blink three times, a door or the tailgate is 
not properly closed.
Note:
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked by pressing 
the transmit button, then it may be necessary to change 
the batteries in the electronic key (if ok, battery check 
lamp in electronic key will light briefly when pressing 
transmit button) or to synchronize the remote control, 
see pages 343 and 345.
Choosing global or selective mode on remote control
Press and hold transmit buttons‹ andŒ 
simultaneously for 6 seconds to reprogram the remote 
control. Battery check lamp will blink two times 
indicating the completed mode change.
J_G463.book Seite 31 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

32 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Opening and closing windows and sliding / pop-up 
roof from outside 
(summer opening / convenience feature)
Aim transmitter eye of remote control at the driver’s 
door receiver.
Summer opening:
The sliding / pop-up roof and all side windows can be 
opened automatically.
Continue to press transmit button Œ after unlocking 
the vehicle.
The windows and sliding/pop-up roof begin to open 
after approximately 1 second.
To interrupt opening procedure, release transmit 
button.
Convenience feature:
The sliding / pop-up roof and the side windows can be 
closed.
Continue to press transmit button ‹ after locking 
the vehicle.
The windows and sliding / pop-up roof begin to close 
after approximately 1 second.To interrupt closing procedure, release transmit button.
Ensure that all side windows and the sliding / pop-up 
roof are properly closed before leaving the vehicle.
Note:
If the windows and sliding / pop-up roof cannot be 
operated automatically by pressing the transmit button 
of t he r emo te c ontr ol then  it m ay  be n ece ssar y to chan ge 
the batteries in the electronic key (if ok, battery check 
lamp in electronic key will light briefly when 
transmitting), or to synchronize the remote control, see 
page 343 and 345.
Wa r n i n g !
Never operate the windows or sliding / pop-up roof 
if there is the possibility of anyone being harmed 
by the opening or closing procedure.In case the procedure causes potential danger, the 
procedure can be immediately halted by releasing 
the remote control button. To reverse direction of 
movement press Œ for opening or ‹ for 
closing.
J_G463.book Seite 32 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

47 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Adjust the head restraint angle by hand. Push or pull 
the head restraint in direction of arrow.
For notes on inside rear view mirrors adjustment, see 
page 79;
For exterior rear view mirrors adjustment, see page 80 
and for steering wheel adjustment, see page 78.Synchronizing head restraints and 
seat adjustment fore, aft
If the power supply was interrupted (battery 
disconnected or empty), the head restraints and the seat 
adjustment fore, aft are no longer adjusted 
automatically.
To resynchronize the adjustment feature, turn 
electronic key in starter switch to position 2, move the 
seat completely forward and the head restraint fully 
down.
To recall the desired seat position push and hold 
position button (2 ) un til t he  ad justm ent has  stop ped , see  
page 48 for notes on the memory function.
Caution!
Do not remove head restraints except when mounting 
seat covers. For removal refer to head restraints, front 
on page 51. Whenever restraints have been removed be 
sure to reinstall them before driving.
P91.10-2360-26
J_G463.book Seite 47 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 

53 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
When in operation, the seat heater consumes a large 
amount of electrical power. It is not advisable to use the 
seat heater longer than necessary.
The seat heaters may automatically switch off if too 
many power-consuming devices are switched on at the 
same time, or if the battery charge is low. When this 
occurs, the indicator lamp in the switch will blink (both 
indicator lamps blink during rapid seat heating mode). 
The seat heaters will switch on again automatically as 
soon as sufficient voltage is available.
If the blinking of the indicator lamps is distracting to 
you, the seat heaters can be switched off.
J_G463.book Seite 53 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08