Page 4 of 290

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 
     
        
        Page 22 of 290
19 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Overhead control panel 1Hands-free microphone for Tele Aid, telephone and 
voice recognition system
2Interior lighting, see page 112
3Tele Aid (emergency call system), see page 132
4Garage door opener, see page 119
5Rear view mirror, see page 66 
     
        
        Page 23 of 290

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 
     
        
        Page 44 of 290

41 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should adjust 
the seat height for proper vision as well as fore / aft 
placement and backrest angle to insure adequate 
control, reach, operation, and comfort. The head 
restraint should also be adjusted for proper height. See 
also airbag section for proper seat positioning.
In addition also adjust the steering wheel to ensure 
adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort.Both the inside and outside rear view mirrors should be 
adjusted for adequate rearward vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be 
seated in a properly secured restraint system that 
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 213.1.
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel and rear view 
mirror adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts 
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.  
     
        
        Page 69 of 290

66 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Rear view mirrors
Inside rear view mirror
Manually adjust the inside rear view mirror.
Use your inside rear view mirror to determine the size 
and distance of objects seen in the passenger-side 
exterior mirror.
Inside rear view mirror, antiglare mode
With the key in steering lock position 2, the mirror 
reflection brightness responds to changes in light 
sensitivity.
With gear selector lever (manual transmission: gearshift 
lever) in position “R”, or with the interior lamp switched 
on, the mirror brightness does not respond to changes 
in light sensitivity.Note:
The automatic antiglare function does not react, if 
incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors in the 
inside rear view mirror.
The automatic antiglare function will not react for 
example, if the wind screen is installed.
Wa r n i n g !
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte may 
escape the mirror housing when the mirror glass 
breaks.Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not allow the 
liquid to come into contact with eyes, skin, 
clothing, or respiratory system. In cases it does, 
immediately flush affected area with water, and 
seek medical help if necessary. 
     
        
        Page 70 of 290

67 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Exterior rear view mirrors
The switch is located on the center console.Exterior rear view mirror adjustment
Turn key in steering lock to position 2.
First select the mirror to be adjusted – turn switch:
1Left mirror
2Right mirror
To adjust, toggle the switch forward, backward or to 
either side.
Notes:
The exterior mirrors have electrically heated glass. The 
heater switches on automatically, depending on outside 
temperature.
If an exterior mirror housing is forcibly pivoted from its 
normal position, it must be repositioned by applying 
firm pressure until it snaps into place.
Wa r n i n g !
Exercise care when using the passenger-side 
exterior mirror. The passenger-side exterior mirror 
is convex (outwardly curved surface for a wider 
field of view). Objects in mirror are closer than 
they appear. Check your inside rear view mirror or 
glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.
P68.20-2167-26 
     
        
        Page 71 of 290
68 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Driver’ s side exterior rear view mirror, antiglare 
mode 
With the key in steering lock position 2, the driver’s 
side mirror reflection brightness responds to changes in 
light sensitivity.
With gear selector lever (manual transmission: gearshift 
lever) in position “R”, or with the interior lamp switched 
on, the driver’s side mirror brightness does not respond 
to changes in light sensitivity.Note:
The automatic antiglare function does not react, if 
incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors in the 
inside rear view mirror.
The automatic antiglare function will not react for 
example, if the wind screen is installed. 
     
        
        Page 72 of 290
69 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexImportant!
Electrolyte drops coming into contact with the vehicle 
paint finish can only be completely removed while in 
their liquid state, by applying plenty of water.
Wa r n i n g !
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte may 
escape the mirror housing when the mirror glass 
breaks.Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not allow the 
liquid come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing, 
or respiratory system. In cases it does, immediately 
flush affected area with water, and seek medical 
help if necessary.