
3 Contents 
DrivingControl and operation of 
radio transmitters  ..................... 176
The first 1 000 miles 
(1 500 km)  ................................. 177
Maintenance  ................................... 177
Catalytic converter  ........................ 178
Emission control  ............................ 179
Tele Aid  ........................................... 180
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
Deep water  ...................................210
Passenger compartment  ............ 211
Traveling abroad  ......................... 211
Cruise control  .................................212
Brake assist system 
(BAS)  ...........................................214
Antilock brake system 
(ABS)  ........................................... 216
Electronic stability program 
(ESP)  ............................................ 218
What you should know 
at the gas station  ...................... 222
Check regularly and 
before a long trip  ...................... 224
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and 
indicator lamps in the 
instrument cluster  ....................226
On-board diagnostic system 
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................226
Brake warning lamp  ..................227
Supplemental restraint system 
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................228
Fuel reserve and fuel cap 
placement warning  ....................228
Electronic stability program 
(ESP) — warning lamp  ...............229
BAS/ESP malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................229
ABS malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................229
Telescoping steering column – 
indicator lamp .............................230
Seat belt warning lamp  .............230
J_C208_II.book Seite 3 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10
ProCarManuals.com 

4 Contents 
Malfunction and 
indicator lamps in the 
center console  ........................... 231
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ..... 231
Malfunction and 
warning messages in the 
multifunction display  ...............232
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(engine control unit) ..................233
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(several systems)  ........................233
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR  ...........234
ABS-SYSTEM  ...............................235
BRAKE ASSIST  ...........................235
BRAKE LINING WEAR  ..............236
BRAKE FLUID  .............................236
PARKING BRAKE  .......................237
ENGINE FAN  ...............................237
COOLANT 
(coolant level)  .............................238
COOLANT TEMP. 
(coolant temperature)  ................239
LIGHTING SYSTEM  ....................240
LIGHT SENSOR ........................... 241STEER. WHEEL ADJUST.  .......... 241
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ................... 242
ELEC. STABIL. PROGRAM. 
(Electronic stability 
program)  ..................................... 243
REMOVE KEY  ............................. 243
WASHER FLUID  ......................... 244
TELE AID ..................................... 245
Practical hintsFirst aid kit  ..................................... 248
Shelf below rear window .............. 248
Stowing things in 
the vehicle  ................................. 248
Fuses  ............................................... 249
Hood  ................................................ 251
Checking engine oil level ............. 253
Automatic transmission 
fluid level  ................................... 254
Coolant level ................................... 254
Adding coolant  ........................... 255
Windshield washer / headlamp 
cleaning system  ........................ 256Windshield and headlamp 
washer fluid mixing ratio  .........256
Spare wheel, vehicle tools, 
storage compartment ................257
Vehicle jack .....................................258
Wheels  .............................................259
Tire replacement  ........................259
Rotating wheels  ..........................260
Spare wheel  .................................... 261
Changing wheels  ...........................262
Tire inflation pressure  ..................267
Battery  .............................................268
Jump starting  ..................................270
Towing the vehicle .........................272
Transmission selector lever, 
manually unlocking  ................... 274
Exterior lamps  ................................275
Headlamp assembly ................... 276
Taillamp assemblies  ..................278
Adjusting headlamp aim ...............280
Changing batteries in 
the electronic key  .....................283
Synchronizing remote 
control  ..........................................285
J_C208_II.book Seite 4 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10
ProCarManuals.com 

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 door 
handle. Check the batteries of the electronic key, see 
page 283 or to synchronize the remote control, see 
page 285.
•Use the mechanical key to unlock the driver’s door. 
To start the 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.
J_C208_II.book Seite 26 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10
ProCarManuals.com 

86 Instrument cluster
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
High beam
ABS malfunction, see page 229
Brake fluid low (except Canada), 
Parking brake engaged, see page 236
Brake fluid low (Canada only), 
Parking brake engaged, see page 236
BAS malfunction, see page 229
ESP malfunction, see page 229
ESP. Adjust driving to road condition, 
see page 229
Fasten seat belts, see page 230Telescoping steering column not locked, 
seepage230
SRS malfunction, see page 228
Engine malfunction indicator lamp. If the 
“CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator 
lamp comes on when the engine is running, 
it indicates a malfunction of the fuel 
management system, emission control 
system, systems which impact emissions, or 
the fuel cap is not closed tight. In all cases, 
we recommend that you have the 
m alf unc ti on che cked as s oon as  p oss ible,  s ee 
page 228
Function indicator lamp on the center console
Front passenger airbag automatically 
switched off, see page 231
ABSBRAKEBAS
ESP
SRSCHECK
ENGINE
J_C208_II.book Seite 86 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10
ProCarManuals.com 

114 Engine oil level indicator
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Engine oil level indicator
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level 
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check oil level approximately 5 minutes after stopping 
the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the oil pan.Turn the electronic key in steering lock to position 2.
To call up the trip odometer and main odometer, press 
button è or ÿ on the multifunction steering 
wheel until the display appears. See page 94.
Press button j or k on the multifunction 
steering wheel repeatedly until the “MEASUREMENT 
CORRECT – ONLY IF VEH. LEVEL” engine oil level 
indicator appears. This indicator is only a reminder. 
Measurement can be cancelled by pressing button j 
or k if the vehicle is not parked on level ground. An 
incorrect reading will be displayed if you do not cancel 
the measurement. Move the vehicle to level ground and 
measure again.
The electronic key in steering lock is not in position 2 if 
the “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – SWITCH ON IGNITION” 
message appears.
The “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – MEASURING NOW” 
message is displayed after approximately 3 seconds.
J_C208_II.book Seite 114 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10
ProCarManuals.com 

115 Engine oil level indicator
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index One of the following messages will subsequently appear 
on the indicator:
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – O.K.”
No oil needs to be added.
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 1.0 QUART”
(Canada: 1.0 L)
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 1.5 QUART”
(Canada: 1.5 L)
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 2.0 QUART”
(Canada: 2.0 L)
See page 253 for instructions on adding engine oil.
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – REDUCE OIL LEVEL”
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be siphoned or drained off. It could 
cause damage to the engine and catalytic converter not 
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The message “MEASURING NOT POSSIBLE” will be 
displayed if a proper oil level check cannot be 
performed. The engine oil level check can be repeated 
after a short time.Perform the engine oil level check with the dipstick, if it 
cannot be completed via the multifunction display. 
Seepage253.
In this case we recommend that you have the system 
checked at a Mercedes-Benz Center.
Note:
See malfunction and warning messages on page 232 
and page 242 if an engine oil level indicator appears on 
the multifunction display when the engine is running.
The engine oil level cannot be checked while the engine 
is running. The “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – NOT WHEN 
ENGINE ON” message will appear.
Engine oil consumption
Engine oil consumption checks should only be made 
after the break-in period. During the break-in period, 
higher oil consumption may be noticed and is normal. 
Frequent driving at high engine speeds results in 
increased consumption.
J_C208_II.book Seite 115 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10
ProCarManuals.com 

175 Contents – Driving
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of 
radio transmitters  ..................... 176
The first 1 000 miles 
(1 500 km)  ................................. 177
Maintenance  ................................... 177
Catalytic converter  ........................ 178
Emission control  ............................ 179
Tele Aid  ........................................... 180
Steering lock  ................................... 190
Starting and turning off 
the engine  .................................. 192
Automatic transmission  ............... 193
Parking brake  .................................202Driving instructions ...................... 203
Drive sensibly – save fuel  ........ 203
Drinking and driving  ................ 203
Pedals  .......................................... 203
Power assistance ........................ 204
Brakes .......................................... 204
Driving off ................................... 205
Parking  ........................................ 206
Tires  ............................................. 206
Snow chains  ............................... 209
Winter driving 
instructions  ................................ 209
Deep water  ...................................210
Passenger compartment  ............ 211
Traveling abroad  ......................... 211Cruise control  ................................. 212
Brake assist system 
(BAS)  ........................................... 214
Antilock brake system 
(ABS)  ........................................... 216
Electronic stability program 
(ESP)  ........................................... 218
What you should know 
at the gas station  .......................222
Check regularly and 
before a long trip  ......................224
J_C208_II.book Seite 175 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10
ProCarManuals.com 

192 Starting and turning off the engine
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Starting and turning off the engine
Before starting
Ensure that parking brake is engaged and that selector 
lever is in position “P” or “N”. Turn electronic key in 
steering lock to position 2.
Starting
Do not depress accelerator.
Briefly turn electronic key in steering lock clockwise to 
the stop and release. The starter will engage until the 
engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops, 
turn electronic key completely to the left and repeat 
starting the engine.
After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system 
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.Important!
Due to the installed starter non-repeat feature, the 
electronic key must be turned completely to the left 
before attempting to start the engine again.
In areas where temperatures frequently drop below -4
°F 
(-20
°C) we recommend that an engine block heater be 
installed. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will 
advise you on this subject.
Note:
Too many unsuccessful starting attempts may discharge 
the battery.
Turning off
Turn the electronic key in the steering lock to position 0 
to stop the engine.
The electronic key can only be removed with the 
selector lever in position “P”.
J_C208_II.book Seite 192 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10
ProCarManuals.com