
1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information  .......................... 5
Operator’s manual  ............................. 6
Where to find it  ................................ 11
Reporting Safety Defects  ................ 13Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls  ............... 16
Center console  .............................. 18
Overhead control panel  ............... 19OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 22
Remote control with 
folding master key  ...................... 22
Start lock-out  .................................... 23
General notes on the 
central locking system  ............... 23
Central locking system  ................... 24
Remote control  ............................. 24
Panic button  .................................. 26
Mechanical keys  ........................... 27Doors ................................................. 28
Central locking switch .................... 30
Automatic central locking ...............31
Emergency unlocking in 
case of accident  .......................... 32
Trunk ................................................. 33
Emergency release 
for trunk lid  ................................. 35
Antitheft alarm system ................... 35
Tow-away alarm  ............................... 37
Seats .................................................. 38
Seat heater ........................................ 42
Seat belts and 
integrated restraint system ....... 44
Seat belts  .......................................... 44
Seat belt nonusage 
warning system ............................ 45
BabySmart
TM airbag 
deactivation system  ....................51
Self-test BabySmart
TM without 
special child seat installed  ..........51
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) ............................................. 52Emergency tensioning retractor 
(ETR) ............................................. 53
Airbags .............................................. 54
Safety guidelines for the 
seat belt, emergency 
tensioning retractor 
and airbag  .................................... 61
Infant and 
child restraint systems ............... 63
Adjusting telescoping 
steering column  .......................... 65
Rear view mirrors  ............................ 66
Instrument cluster  ........................... 70
Flexible service system (FSS)  ........ 77
Checking engine oil level   .............. 79
Engine oil consumption  .................. 80
Exterior lamp switch  ....................... 81
Headlamp cleaning system  ............ 82
Combination switch  ........................ 83
Hazard warning flasher switch  ..... 85
Climate control ................................. 86
Rear window defroster  .................... 90
Audio and telephone, operation  .... 93
Power windows ................................ 111 

2 Contents
Interior lighting  ............................. 112
Night security illumination  ......... 112
Sun visors with Vanity Mirror ......113
Interior .............................................113
Cup holder and glove box  ..............114
Storage compartments  ...................115
Ashtrays ...........................................116
Coin Holder ......................................116
Lighter ..............................................117
Parcel net in passenger footwell  ..118
Shelf behind roll bars .....................118
Cellular telephone  ..........................118
Garage door opener  ........................119
Retractable hardtop  ....................... 122
Wind screen .................................... 127
Luggage cover ................................. 128
DrivingControl and operation of 
radio transmitters  ..................... 130
The first 1 000 miles 
(1 500 km)  ................................. 131
Maintenance ................................... 131Tele Aid  ............................................132
Catalytic converter  ........................ 140
Emission control ............................. 141
Steering lock  .................................. 142
Starting and turning off 
the engine  .................................. 144
Manual transmission .................... 145
Automatic transmission  ............... 147
Parking brake  .................................156
Driving instructions .......................157
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel  ........157
Drinking and driving  .................157
Pedals ...........................................157
Power assistance .........................158
Brakes ...........................................158
Driving off ....................................159
Parking .........................................159
Tires ..............................................160
Snow chains  ................................163
Winter driving instructions  ......163
Block heater .................................165
Deep water  ...................................165
Passenger compartment  ............165
Traveling abroad  .........................165Cruise control  ................................. 166
Brake assist system 
(BAS) ........................................... 169
Antilock brake system 
(ABS) ........................................... 171
Electronic stability program 
(ESP) ........................................... 173
What you should know 
at the gas station  ....................... 177
Check regularly and 
before a long trip  ...................... 179
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and 
indicator lamps in the 
instrument cluster  .................... 182
On-board diagnostic system  ..... 182
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp ............................. 182
Brake warning lamp  .................. 183
Brake pad wear 
indicator lamp ............................. 184
Seat belt nonusage 
warning lamp .............................. 184 

20 Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 22
Remote control with 
folding master key  ...................... 22
Start lock-out  .................................... 23
General notes on the 
central locking system  ............... 23
Central locking system  ................... 24
Remote control  ............................. 24
Panic button  .................................. 26
Mechanical keys  ........................... 27
Doors .................................................. 28
Central locking switch  .................... 30
Automatic central locking  .............. 31
Emergency unlocking in 
case of accident  ........................... 32
Trunk ................................................. 33Emergency release 
for trunk lid  ................................. 35
Antitheft alarm system ................... 35
Tow-away alarm  ............................... 37
Seats .................................................. 38
Seat heater ........................................ 42
Seat belts and 
integrated restraint system ....... 44
Seat belts  .......................................... 44
Seat belt nonusage 
warning system ............................ 45
BabySmart
TM airbag 
deactivation system  ....................51
Self-test BabySmart
TM without 
special child seat installed  ..........51
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) ............................................. 52
Emergency tensioning retractor 
(ETR) ............................................. 53Airbags .............................................. 54
Safety guidelines for the 
seat belt, emergency 
tensioning retractor 
and airbag  .................................... 61
Infant and 
child restraint systems ............... 63
Adjusting telescoping 
steering column  .......................... 65
Rear view mirrors  ............................ 66
Instrument cluster  ........................... 70
Flexible service system (FSS)  ........ 77
Checking engine oil level   .............. 79
Engine oil consumption  .................. 80
Exterior lamp switch  ....................... 81
Headlamp cleaning system  ............ 82
Combination switch  ........................ 83
Hazard warning flasher switch  ..... 85
Climate control ................................. 86 

24 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Central locking system
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.
The vehicle doors, trunk, storage compartment in 
armrest, and fuel filler flap can be centrally locked and 
unlocked via remote control.
1Transmit button
‹ Locking
Œ Unlocking
2PANIC button
3Release button for master key
4Transmitter eye and lamp for battery check 

25 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, 
storage compartment in armrest, and fuel filler flap.
Press transmit button Œ twice to unlock both doors, 
storage compartment in armrest, fuel filler flap, and 
trunk.
Global unlocking mode –
Press transmit button Œ  once to unlock both doors, 
storage compartment in armrest, fuel filler flap, and 
trunk.
Notes:
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 is opened, the key is not inserted 
in the steering lock, 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 the turn signal lamps do not blink, a door or trunk is 
not closed properly.
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 remote control (if ok, battery check 
lamp in transmitter will light briefly when transmitting) 
or to synchronize the remote control, see page 236 
and 237.
Choosing global or selective mode on remote control
Press and hold transmit buttons ‹ and Œ 
simultaneously for five seconds to reprogram the 
remote control. Battery check lamp will blink two times 
indicating the completed mode change. 

27 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Mechanical keys
The mechanical keys fit all locks on the vehicle.
Remove the protective cap from the driver’s door lock 
before inserting the mechanical key into the lock.Notes:
Use of the key does not operate the central locking 
system or arm or disarm the antitheft alarm system.
The alarm sounds when unlocking the door. Cancel 
alarm by turning key in steering lock to position 1, or 
with the remote control by pressing buttonŒ 
or‹. 

28 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Doors
1Opening – pull handle
2Unlocking
3Locking
4Individual door from inside:
•Push lock button down to lock.
•Pull inside door handle to unlock.The entire vehicle may be locked or unlocked by either 
using the master key in driver’s door or trunk locks, or 
central locking switch located in center console. The 
master key also locks or unlocks the storage 
compartment in the armrest, and the fuel filler flap.
Note:
If the fuel filler flap cannot be opened, see page 244. 

29 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index When you lock the vehicle, both door lock buttons 
should move down. If any one stays up, the respective 
door is not properly closed. 
You should then unlock the vehicle, open and reclose 
this door, and lock the vehicle again. Each individual 
door can be locked with the respective door lock button 
– the driver’s door can only be locked when it is closed.
If the vehicle has previously been locked from the 
outside, only the door being opened from the inside will 
unlock, and the alarm will come on. The other door, the 
trunk, the storage compartment in armrest, and fuel 
filler flap remain locked.Notes:
In case of a malfunction in the central locking system 
the doors can be locked and unlocked individually.
To lock, turn key in driver’s door lock to position 3 or 
push down lock buttons.
To unlock, turn key in driver’s door lock to position 2 or 
pull inside door handles.