2000 Mercedes-benz CL Class Owners Manual

1 Opening – pull handle 2 Unlocking driver’s door 3 Locking driver’s door

Important! The mechanical key does not operate the central locking system or antitheft alarm system.

4 Individual door from inside:

Push lock button down to lock.

5 Individual 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. The passenger door must be locked with the door lock button – the driver’s door can only be locked when it is closed.

To unlock, pull inside door handles or turn mechanical key in driver’s door lock to position 2. 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 button Œ or ‹ on the electronic main key.

If the vehicle has previously been locked from the outside, opening a door from the inside will trigger the alarm. When opening a door while the central locking system is in the: • selective unlocking mode, only that individual door is unlocked. The remaining door, the trunk and fuel filler flap remain locked.

• global unlocking mode, both doors, the trunk and

fuel filler flap are unlocked.

Notes: When opening a door, the door window and rear side window lower slightly. After closing the door, the windows close again. In case of a malfunction in the central locking system the doors can be locked and unlocked individually. To lock, push down lock button or turn mechanical key in driver’s door lock to position 3. In addition lock the trunk.

Central locking system

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Instruments and controls

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Instrument cluster display

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Central locking system

50

Power closing assist for doors and trunk lid The doors and the trunk lid close automatically if: • the doors are positioned against the lock, • the trunk lid is lowered against the lock.

It is not necessary to slam the door or trunk lid closed, a pneumatic power-assisted mechanism draws doors and trunk lid closed quietly and automatically once the lid or door has been latched. When the pneumatic power- assisted mechanism has stopped, doors and/or trunk can be reopened.

Warning! To prevent possible personal injury, always keep hands and fingers away from the door or trunk opening when closing a door or the trunk lid. Be especially careful when small children are around. The pneumatic power closing assist mechanism cannot be interrupted once it has been engaged. To prevent personal injury, never actuate the closing assist mechanism by tampering with the door or trunk lid latch.

Central locking switch

1 Locking 2 Unlocking

The central locking switch is located in the center console. The doors and trunk can only be locked with the central locking switch, if both doors are closed. If the vehicle was previously locked with the central locking switch, while in the selective remote control mode, only the door opened from the inside is unlocked.

Warning! When leaving the vehicle always remove the electronic key from the starter switch, take the KEYLESS-GO-card (if so equipped) with you, and lock your vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause serious personal injury.

If the vehicle was previously locked with the central locking switch, while in the global remote control mode, the complete vehicle is unlocked when a door is opened from the inside.

Notes: If the vehicle was previously locked with the remote control or the lock button at any door handle (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO) the doors and trunk cannot be unlocked with the central locking switch. The fuel filler flap cannot be locked or unlocked with the central locking switch. If the vehicle has previously been locked from the outside, opening a door from the inside will trigger the alarm. To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the starter switch or press button Œ or ‹ on the electronic main key; or (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO) when carrying the KEYLESS-GO-card, grasp the door handle or press the start-/stop button on the gear selector lever.

Central locking system

51

Instruments and controls

Operation

Driving

Instrument cluster display

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Central locking system

52

With the automatic central locking activated and the electronic key in starter switch position 2 (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: operation position, see page 224), the vehicle doors will lock if the left front wheel as well as the right rear wheel spin at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or more. To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking, deactivate the automatic central locking. See page 138 for “Individual settings”.

Emergency unlocking in case of accident The doors unlock automatically a short time after an accident in which an airbag or emergency tensioning retractor deploys (this is intended to aid rescue and exit).

Automatic central locking With the automatic central locking system activated, the doors and trunk are locked at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or more. The fuel filler flap remains unlocked. The automatic central locking function can be switched on or off. See page 138 for “Individual settings”.

Notes: If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch after activating the automatic central locking, and neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked even at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or more. If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or less with the automatic central locking activated, the door will again be automatically locked at speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.

Important! When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:

Trunk

0 Neutral position – push to open (arrow) 1 Unlocking 2 Separate locking of trunk – remove mechanical key

in this position.

The lock is located in the license plate recess. When the trunk is separately locked, it remains locked when centrally unlocking the vehicle. To deny any unauthorized person access to the trunk, lock it separately with the mechanical key. Leave only the electronic key less its mechanical key with the vehicle.

Notes: In case of a malfunction in the central locking system the trunk can be unlocked individually. To unlock and open the trunk lid, turn mechanical key to position 1 (see next page), hold and push to open. The mechanical key does not operate the central locking system or antitheft alarm system. When unlocking the trunk with the mechanical key, the exterior lamps will flash and the alarm will sound.

Central locking system

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Instruments and controls

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Central locking system

54

To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the starter switch or press button Œ or ‹ on the electronic main key; or (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO) when carrying the KEYLESS-GO-card, grasp the door handle or press the start-/stop button on the gear selector lever. If the fuel filler flap cannot be opened, see page 368.

Important! Do not place mechanical key inside trunk, since trunk is locked again when closing the lid if the vehicle has been previously centrally locked.

2

P88.50-2127-26

P54.25-2392-26

Vehicles without trunk lid opening/closing system: Lower trunk lid using handle (1) and close it with hands placed flat on trunk lid. Please remember to keep your fingers out of the space between the lid and the vehicle.

Vehicles with trunk lid opening/closing system: Press trunk lid button (2) briefly. The trunk lid closes automatically. The trunk lid can also be closed with the trunk lid opening/closing switch located on the driver’s door, see page 58.

Central locking system

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Instruments and controls

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Instrument cluster display

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Central locking system

56

In case of a malfunction the trunk lid can be opened and closed manually. To open, unlock trunk lid with the mechanical key and open lid by hand, see page 53. To close, lower trunk lid with hands placed flat on trunk lid. Please remember to keep your fingers out of the space between the lid and the vehicle. Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: To prevent a possible inadvertent lockout, the trunk lid will open automatically if a KEYLESS-GO-card is recognized in the area of the rear shelf or inside the trunk.

Warning! 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. Always be sure persons who might get injured are away from the trunk area when you operate the trunk lid closing button located on the vehicle door. To interrupt the hydraulic power closing assist mechanism press trunk lid close button (2) inside the trunk lid, push in trunk lid lock, or press button Š on the electronic main key.

Notes: The automatic closing process is interrupted if the trunk lid is pushed against an object. The trunk lid will reverse slightly and stop. In its final closing stage the hydraulic power closing assist mechanism releases the trunk lid which then drops into the lock by its own weight. Now the trunk lid will stop but not reverse slightly. Investigate and correct the cause of interruption. Now press trunk lid close button (2) again to close the trunk lid.

Trunk lid release switch (Vehicles without trunk lid opening/closing system)

The switch is located on the driver’s door.

The trunk lid will swing open automatically. You should always make sure there is sufficient clearance. A minimum height clearance of 6 ft. (1.85 m) is required to open the trunk lid. To open the trunk, the vehicle must be at standstill. Pull up on switch until trunk lid is open. The indicator lamp in the switch remains on with trunk lid open.

Notes: The trunk can also be opened by using the remote control. Press Š button. The trunk lid cannot be opened by the switch or the remote control when previously locked separately with the mechanical key. To open, see page 53. The trunk lid cannot be opened with the trunk lid release switch when the vehicle was previously locked with the remote control. To unlock vehicle with the remote control, see page 34.

Central locking system

57

Instruments and controls

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Central locking system

58

Trunk lid opening/closing system (optional)

The switch is located on the driver’s door.

The trunk lid will open and close automatically. You should always make sure that there is sufficient clearance. A minimum height clearance of 6 ft. (1.85 m) is required to open the trunk lid. To open and close the trunk, the vehicle must be parked and unlocked.

To open trunk lid: Pull up on switch until trunk lid begins to open. The switch can now be released, the trunk lid opens automatically. To interrupt the opening process, either pull up on switch, or push in trunk lid lock, or press button Š on the remote control. The indicator lamp in the switch remains on with trunk lid open.

To close trunk lid: Press upper half of switch until trunk lid is closed and the indicator lamp in the switch goes out.

Warning! When closing the trunk lid, be sure that there is no danger of anyone being harmed by the closing procedure. Be especially careful when small children are around. Maintain sight of trunk area while operating the door mounted switch. To interrupt the hydraulic power closing assist mechanism release trunk lid release/close switch and pull up to open.

Notes: The automatic closing process is interrupted, if the trunk lid is pushed against an object. The trunk lid will reverse slightly and stop. In its final closing stage the hydraulic power closing assist mechanism releases the trunk lid which then drops into the lock by its own weight. Now the trunk lid will stop but not reverse slightly. Investigate and correct the cause of interruption. Now press trunk lid opening/closing switch again to close the trunk lid. In case of a malfunction the trunk lid can be opened and closed manually. To open, unlock trunk lid with the mechanical key and open lid by hand, see page 53. To close, lower trunk lid with hands placed flat on trunk lid. Please remember to keep your fingers out of the space between the lid and the vehicle.

The trunk can also be opened by using the remote control. Press Š button. The trunk lid cannot be opened by the switch or the remote control when previously locked separately with the mechanical key. To open, see page 53. The trunk lid cannot be opened with the trunk lid opening/closing switch when the vehicle was previously locked with the central locking switch. To unlock vehicle with the central locking switch, see page 50. Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: To prevent a possible inadvertent lockout, the trunk lid will open automatically if a KEYLESS-GO-card is recognized in the area of rear shelf or inside the trunk.

Central locking system

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Instruments and controls

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Central locking system

60

Note: To fully open the trunk lid while opening height restriction activated, deactivate it.

Opening height restriction of trunk lid The trunk lid opening height can be restricted when transporting goods on a roof rack (e.g. presence of an MB sport luggage container). When activated, the trunk lid opens to below the roof line of the vehicle. To activate: Press upper half of trunk lid opening/closing switch for a minimum of 5 seconds. To deactivate: Press upper half of trunk lid opening/closing switch for a minimum of 5 seconds.

Trunk lid emergency release

The emergency release button (1) is located in the trunk lid. Briefly press emergency release button (1). All doors, the fuel filler flap, and the trunk unlock; and the trunk lid opens.

Note: The emergency release button (1) only unlocks and opens the trunk while the vehicle is standing.

Important! The emergency trunk lid release button (1) does not open the trunk lid, if: • the vehicle battery is discharged or disconnected, • the trunk lid was previously locked separately with

the mechanical key, see page 53.

Illumination of the emergency release button (1): The button will blink for 30 minutes after opening the trunk. The button will blink for 60 minutes after closing the trunk.

Central locking system

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Instruments and controls

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Antitheft alarm system

62

Antitheft alarm system

1 Indicator lamp in switch located in center console The antitheft alarm is automatically armed or disarmed with the remote control or the KEYLESS-GO-function, by locking or unlocking the vehicle.

The antitheft alarm is armed within approx. 10 seconds after locking the vehicle with the remote control or the lock button at each door handle (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO). A blinking lamp (1) indicates that the alarm is armed.

Operation: Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when someone: • opens a door, • opens the trunk, • opens the hood, • attempts to raise the vehicle. The alarm will last approximately 21/2 minutes in form of flashing exterior lamps. At the same time an alarm will sound for 30 seconds. The alarm will stay on even if the activating element (a door for example) is immediately closed. If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds, an emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele Aid on page 210.

Notes: We recommend that you carry the electronic reserve key plus mechanical key with you and keep it in a safe place (e.g. your wallet) so that it is always handy. Never leave the electronic reserve key in the vehicle. When you unlock 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 button Œ or ‹ on the electronic main key; or (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO) when carrying the KEYLESS-GO-card, grasp the door handle or press the start-/stop button on the gear selector lever.

Antitheft alarm system

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Instruments and controls

Tow-away alarm

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Tow-away alarm

The switch is located in the center console.

1 Press to switch off 2 Indicator lamp

64

Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when someone attempts to raise the vehicle. The alarm will last approximately 21/2 minutes in form of flashing exterior lamps. At the same time an alarm will sound for 30 seconds. The alarm will stay on even if the vehicle is immediately lowered. To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the starter switch or press button Œ or ‹ on the electronic main key; or (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO) when carrying the KEYLESS-GO-card, grasp the door handle or press the start-/stop button on the gear selector lever. If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds, an emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele Aid on page 210.

To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm feature, switch off the tow-away alarm before towing the vehicle, or when parking on a surface subject to movement, such as a ferry or auto train. To do so, turn electronic key in starter switch to position 1 or 0, or remove electronic key from starter switch. Press tow-away alarm switch (1). The indicator lamp (2) illuminates briefly.

Exit vehicle, and lock vehicle with the electronic main key or (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO) the lock button at each door handle. The tow-away alarm remains switched off until the vehicle is locked again with the electronic main key or the lock button at each door handle (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO) at which time it is automatically reactivated.

Tow-away alarm

Instruments and controls

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65

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Easy-entry/exit feature

66

Easy-entry/exit feature

The switch is located on the steering column adjustment lever.

Turn the switch in direction:

1 to switch on 2 to switch off

With the easy-entry/exit feature activated, the steering wheel tilts upwards to allow easier entry into and exit from the vehicle when the driver’s door is opened. However, the engine must be turned off. When the electronic key is inserted in the starter switch or, with a valid KEYLESS-GO-card, when pressing the start-/stop button on the gear selector lever, and if the driver’s door is closed, the steering wheel returns to the last position set for it.

Warning! You must ensure that no one can become trapped or injured by the moving steering wheel with the easy-entry/exit feature activated and you open the driver’s door or remove the electronic key from the starter switch. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause serious personal injury.

Front seat adjustment

Warning! Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving. Adjusting the seat while driving could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat back reclined. Sitting in an excessively reclined position can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt would apply force at the abdomen or neck. That could cause serious or fatal injuries. The seat back and seat belts provide the best restraint when the wearer is in an upright position and belts are properly positioned on the body. Never place hands under seat or near any moving parts while a seat is being adjusted.

When leaving the vehicle always remove the electronic key from the starter switch, take the KEYLESS-GO-card (if so equipped) with you, and lock your vehicle. The power seats can also be operated with the driver’s or front passenger door open. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause serious personal injury.

To operate the front power seat adjustment switches, turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1 or 2 (with a front door open, the power seats can also be operated with the electronic key removed or in starter switch position 0).

Seats

Instruments and controls

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67

Instruments and controls

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68

Note: Do not move the front passenger seat completely forward if objects are stored in the parcel net in the front passenger side footwell. Items in the net may be damaged.

2 Seat, up/down

Press the switch (up/down direction) until comfortable seating position with still sufficient headroom is reached.

3 Seat cushion tilt

Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until your legs are slightly supported.

4 Backrest tilt

Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until your arms are slightly angled when holding the steering wheel.

5 Seat cushion depth

Press the switch fore or aft until your legs are supported comfortably.

4 2

The switches are located in both doors. We recommend to adjust the power seat in the following order:

1 Seat adjustment, fore/aft

Press the switch (fore/aft direction) until a comfortable seating position is reached that still allows you to reach the accelerator/brake pedal safely. The position should be as far rearward as possible, consistent with ability to properly operate controls.

6

6 Head restraint

The height of the head restraint is adjusted automatically with the seat so that the back of the head is supported approximately at ear level. Adjust the head restraint using the switch if the preset position does not support the back of your head approximately at ear level. Only minor personal adjustments, as described below, should then be required. For steering wheel adjustment, see page 105; inside rear view mirror, see page 106; exterior rear view mirrors, see page 107.

Adjust the head restraint angle (7) by hand. Push or pull the head restraint in direction of arrow.

Storing seat positions The head restraint, steering wheel and rear view mirror positions are stored together with the seat position. See page 111 for notes on the memory function. For recalling a stored seat/head restraint/steering wheel/ and rear view mirror position see page 112.

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70

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 on page 92 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. 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.

Warning! Children 12 years old and under must never ride in the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmartTM compatible child seat, which operates with the BabySmartTM system installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger side 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 will result. According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating positions. Infants and small children must ride in back seats and be seated in an appropriate infant or child restraint system, which is properly secured with the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the child seat manufacturer’s instructions. A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is significantly increased if the child restraints are not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is not properly secured in the child restraint.

Removal and installation of front seat head restraints

P91.16-2030-26

Caution! Do not remove head restraints except when mounting seat covers. Whenever restraints have been removed be sure to reinstall them before driving.

Note: Tilt the backrest rearward for easier removal and installation of the head restraints. To remove: Press switch (1) downwards and hold until the head restraint is fully retracted. Pull head restraint out with one strong jerking movement. To install: Press switch (1) downwards and hold for about 5 seconds. Press the head restraint down until it engages. Adjust head restraint to the desired position.

Warning! For your protection, drive only with properly positioned head restraints. Adjust head restraint to support the back of the head approximately at ear level. Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head restraints. Head restraints are intended to help reduce injuries during an accident.

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71

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72

Warning! The seat belts provide protection only with the backrest locked in place and, therefore, must be locked in place with the vehicle in motion. Do not drive the vehicle when the backrest is not locked in place. If the warning message “SEAT BACKREST LEFT – LOCK!” or “SEAT BACKREST RIGHT – LOCK!” is displayed in the multifunction display, then the respective backrest is not engaged in its lock. Carefully slow down, and drive with caution to an area which is in a safe distance from the roadway. Always provide sufficient room behind the backrest and fold the backrest all the way back until it locks in place. The warning message is no longer displayed as soon as the backrest is locked in place. If both backrests are locked in place and the warning message is still displayed, have the system checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.

Backrest

Folding forward: Lift release lever and fold backrest forward. The seat will automatically slide forward and the head restraint will move down. Folding back: Lift release lever and fold backrest back. The seat and head restraint return to their previous positions. To interrupt the procedure, activate the power seat switch located in the front door.

When leaving the vehicle always remove the electronic key from the starter switch, take the KEYLESS-GO-card (if so equipped) with you, and lock your vehicle. The power seats can also be operated with the driver’s or passenger door open. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause serious personal injury. Never place hands under seat or near any moving parts during a seat adjustment procedure.

Notes: The automatic seat slide is provided with a safety feature. The automatic process is interrupted, if the backrest of the sliding seat is pushed against an occupant or object. The seat will slide forward and stop. Investigate and correct the cause of interruption. Now use memory button (page 112) or power seat switch (page 68) to bring seat into desired position. When folding the backrest forward from a reclined position, and then folding it back, the backrest stops in a more upright position for the safety of any rear-seat passenger. Adjust the backrest until your arms are slightly angled when holding the steering wheel, see page 68.

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73

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74

Lumbar support (optional)

Multicontour backrest (optional)

The switch clusters are located on the sides of the front seats.

1 Lumbar region 2 Center section 3 Backrest side cushions 4 Massage function (PULSE)

P91.10-2089-26

The thumbwheels are located on the sides of the front seats. The seats have an inflatable air cushion built into the backrest to provide additional lumbar support. Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 2. The inflation pressure of the air cushion can be continuously varied between position “0” (no pressure) and position “5” (maximum pressure) by changing the pressure regulator (1) setting.

Some models may be equipped with multicontour seats. These seats have inflatable air cushions built into the backrests to provide additional lumbar and side support. Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 2 to operate. We recommend that you make the basic settings in the following order:

1 Lumbar region

Press j or k to select a lumbar region. Press and hold æ or ç to inflate or deflate the selected lumbar support.

2 Center section

Press æ or ç side of switch and hold; the air cushion will be inflated or deflated. Release the switch in the desired position.

3 Backrest side cushions

The lateral support increases or decreases as you press the button to the right or left. Adjust the side cushions to provide good lateral support.

4 Massage function (PULSE)

The multicontour backrest is equipped with a massage function to help prevent fatigue during longer journeys. The PULSE function inflates and deflates the air cushions in the lumbar region rhythmically. An indicator lamp on the switch lights up when the PULSE function is switched on. The PULSE function switches off automatically after approximately 8 minutes.

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75

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76

Seat heater The seat heaters can be switched on with the electronic key in starter switch positions 1 or 2. The buttons are located on each door.

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 consumers are switched on at the same time or if the battery charge is low. In this case, one or both indicator lamps will blink. The seat heaters switch back 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.

Vehicles without seat ventilation function: Normal heating mode: Press button (1). One indicator lamp in the switch lights up. The seat heater will be automatically switched off after approximately 30 minutes. Rapid heating mode: Press button (2). Both indicator lamps in the switch light up. The system switches over to normal heating mode automatically after approximately 5 minutes. Turning off the heater: Press button (1) or (2) again. The indicator lamps go out. The seat heater is switched off.

P54.25-2131-26

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78

Vehicles with seat ventilation function: Rapid heating mode: Press button (3) once. Both red indicator lamps above the button light up. The system switches over to normal heating mode automatically after approximately 5 minutes. Normal heating mode: Press button (3) twice. One red indicator lamp above the button lights up. The seat heater will be automatically switched off after approximately 30 minutes. Turning off the heater: Press the button (3) again. The indicator lamps go out. The seat heater is switched off.

P54.25-2132-26

Seat ventilation system

The buttons are located on each door. Seat ventilation can be activated manually with the electronic key in starter switch positions 1 or 2, or by the summer opening function, see page 45.

Notes: When in operation, the seat ventilation system consumes a large amount of electrical power. It is not advisable to use the seat ventilator longer than necessary.

The seat ventilators may automatically switch off if too many power consumers are switched on at the same time or if the battery charge is low. In this case, one or more indicator lamps will blink. The seat ventilation switch back on again automatically as soon as sufficient voltage is available. If the blinking of the indicator lamps is distracting to you, the seat ventilators can be switched off. The maximum ventilation level (level 3) is automatically selected if the driver’s seat ventilation is activated by the summer opening function, see page 45.

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79

Instruments and controls

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80

Level 2 ventilation setting (middle): Press button (1) again. Two blue indicator lamps above the button light up. Level 1 ventilation setting (minimum): Press button (1) again. One blue indicator lamp above the button lights up. Turning off the seat ventilation: Press button (1) again. The indicator lamps go out. The seat ventilation is switched off.

P54.25-2133-26

Manual activation: Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1 or 2. Level 3 ventilation setting (maximum): Press button (1). Three blue indicator lamps above the button light up. The level of ventilation is decreased one step approximately every 10 minutes.

Important! For safety reasons, always drive with the rear head restraints in the upright position when the rear seats are occupied. Keep the area around head restraints clear of articles (e.g. clothing) to not obstruct the folding operation of the head restraints.

Notes: Both head restraints fold up or back together. The head restraints will position themselves automatically when the seats are occupied (seat belt buckled).

Power head restraints, rear

The switches are located on the front and rear center console. Turn electronic key in starter switch to position 1 or 2.

Activate switch:

1 Place head restraints upright. 2 Fold head restraints backward.

Seats

Instruments and controls

Operation

Driving

Instrument cluster display

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81

Instruments and controls

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Driving

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Restraint systems

82

Seat belts and integrated restraint system

Your vehicle is equipped with seat belts for all seats, emergency tensioning retractors, dual front airbags, side impact airbags for driver, front and rear passengers, and head protective window curtain airbags. Their protective functions are designed to complement one another.

Seat belts

Important! Laws in most states and all Canadian provinces require seat belt use. All states and provinces require use of child restraints that comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. All child restraints systems are designed to be secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a lap-shoulder belt. For your safety and that of your passengers we strongly recommend their use.

Warning! Children 12 years old and under must never ride in the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmartTM compatible child seat, which operates with the BabySmartTM system installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger side 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 will result. According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating positions. Infants and small children must ride in back seats and be seated in an appropriate infant or child restraint system, which is properly secured with the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the child seat manufacturer’s instructions. A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is significantly increased if the child restraints are not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is not properly secured in the child restraint.

Warning! The seat belts provide protection only with the backrest locked in place. Do not drive the vehicle when the backrest is not locked in place. If the warning message “SEAT BACKREST LEFT – LOCK!” or “SEAT BACKREST RIGHT – LOCK!” is displayed in the multifunction display, then the respective backrest is not engaged in its lock. For backrest see page 72. Never ride in a moving vehicle with the backrest reclined. Sitting in an excessively reclined position can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt would apply force at the abdomen or neck. That could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint when the wearer is in an upright position and the belt is properly positioned on the body.

Seat belt nonusage warning system With the electronic key in starter switch position 2, a warning sounds for a short time if the driver’s seat belt is not fastened.

Automatic comfort-fit seat belt: An automatic comfort-fit feature for driver and front passenger seat belt is activated when the electronic key in the starter switch is turned to position 1 or 2. The retraction force of the inertia reel is reduced, increasing the level of seat belt comfort.

Note: For cleaning and care of the seat belts see page 382.

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Instruments and controls

Operation

Driving

Instrument cluster display

Practical hints

Car care

Technical

data

Index

Instruments and controls

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Instrument cluster display

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Restraint systems

84

Warning! Never let more people ride in the vehicle than there are seat belts available. Be sure everyone riding in the vehicle is correctly restrained with a separate seat belt.

Warning! Failure to wear and properly fasten and position your seat belt greatly increases your risk of injuries and their likely severity in an accident. You and your passengers should always wear seat belts. If you are ever in an accident, your injuries can be considerably more severe without your seat belt properly buckled. Without your seat belt buckled, you are much more likely to hit the interior of the vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously injured or killed. In the same crash, the possibility of injury or death is lessened if you are wearing your seat belt.

Fastening seat belts

P91.40-2001-27
P91.40-2063-27

1 Latch plate 2 Buckle 3 Release button

Push the latch plate (1) into the buckle (2) until it clicks. Do not twist the belt. A twisted seat belt may cause injury. To help avoid severe or fatal injuries, the lap belt should be positioned as low as possible on your hips and not across the abdomen.

Warning! Always fasten your seat belt before driving off. Always make sure your passengers are properly restrained – even those sitting in the rear.

Tighten the lap portion to a snug fit by pulling shoulder portion up.

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Instruments and controls

Operation

Driving

Instrument cluster display

Practical hints

Car care

Technical

data

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Instruments and controls

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Instrument cluster display

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Restraint systems

86

Operation of seat belts The inertia reel stops the belt from unwinding during sudden stops or when quickly pulling on the belt. The locking function of the reel may be checked by quickly pulling out the belt.

Caution! For safety reasons, avoid adjusting the seat or seat back into positions which could affect the correct seat belt positioning.

Unfastening of seat belts Press release button (3) in the belt buckle (2). Allow the retractor to completely rewind the seat belt by guiding the latch plate (1).

Warning! USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY.

• Seat belts can only work when used properly. Never wear seat belts in any other way than as described in this section, as that could result in serious injuries in case of an accident.

• Each occupant should wear their seat belt at all

times, because seat belts help reduce the likelihood of and potential severity of injuries in accidents, including rollovers. The integrated restraint system includes “SRS” (driver airbag, front passenger airbag, side impact airbags, head protection window curtain airbags for side windows), “ETR” (seat belt emergency tensioning retractors), and front seat knee bolsters. The system is designed to enhance the protection offered to properly belted occupants in certain frontal (front airbags) and side (side impact and window curtain airbags) impacts which exceed preset deployment thresholds.

• Never wear the shoulder belt under your arm,

against your neck or off your shoulder. In a crash, your body would move too far forward. That would increase the chance of head and neck injuries. The belt would also apply too much force to the ribs or abdomen, which could severely injure internal organs such as your liver or spleen.

• Never wear belts over rigid or breakable

objects in or on your clothing, such as eyeglasses, pens, keys etc., as these might cause injuries.

• Position the lap belt as low as possible on your hips and not across the abdomen. If the belt is positioned across your abdomen, it could cause serious injuries in a crash.

• Each seat belt should never be used for more

than one person at a time. Do not fasten a seat belt around a person and another person or other objects.

• Belts should not be worn twisted. In a crash, you wouldn’t have the full width of the belt to manage impact forces. The twisted belt against your body could cause injuries.

• Pregnant women should also use a lap-

shoulder belt. The lap belt portion should be positioned as low as possible on the hips to avoid any possible pressure on the abdomen.

• Never place your feet on the instrument panel

or on the seat. Always keep both feet on the floor in front of the seat.

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Instruments and controls

Operation

Driving

Instrument cluster display

Practical hints

Car care

Technical

data

Index

Instruments and controls

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Restraint systems

88

Warning! USE CHILD RESTRAINTS PROPERLY. Children 12 years old and under must never ride in the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmartTM compatible child seat, which operates with the BabySmartTM 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 will result. According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating positions. Infants and small children must ride in the back seats and be seated in an appropriate infant or child restraint system, which is properly secured with the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the child seat manufacturer’s instructions. A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is significantly increased if the child restraints are not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is not properly secured in the child restraint.

Children too big for child restraint systems must ride in back seats using regular seat belts. Position shoulder belt across chest and shoulder, not face or neck. A booster seat may be necessary to achieve proper belt positioning.

BabySmartTM airbag deactivation system Special BabySmartTM compatible child seats, designed for use with the Mercedes-Benz system and available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center are required for use with the BabySmartTM airbag deactivation system. With the special child seat properly installed, the passenger front airbag will not deploy. The 7 indicator lamp located on the center console will be illuminated, except with electronic key removed or in starter switch position 0. The system does not deactivate the door mounted side impact airbag.

BabySmartTM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.

Self-test BabySmartTM without special child seat installed After turning electronic key in starter switch to position 1 or 2, the 7 indicator lamp located on the center console comes on for approx. 6 seconds and then extinguishes. If the indicator lamp should not come on or is continuously lit, the system is not functioning. You must see an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center before seating any child on the front passenger seat. See page 296 for notes on the 7 indicator lamp.

Warning! The BabySmartTM airbag deactivation system will ONLY work with a special child seat designed to operate with it. It will not work with child seats which are not BabySmartTM compatible. Never place anything between seat cushion and child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the effectiveness of the deactivation system. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation of special child seats. The passenger front airbag will not deploy only if the 7 indicator lamp remains illuminated. Please be sure to check the indicator every time you use the special system child seat. Should the light go out while the restraint is installed, please check installation. If the light remains out, do not use the BabySmartTM restraint to transport children on the front passenger seat until the system has been repaired.

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BabySmartTM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.

Instruments and controls

Operation

Driving

Instrument cluster display

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Car care

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data

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Instruments and controls

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Restraint systems

90

Supplemental restraint system (SRS) Airbags are intended as a supplement to seat belts. Airbags alone cannot protect as well as airbags plus seat belts in impacts for which the airbags were designed to operate, and do not afford any protection whatsoever in crashes for which the airbags are not designed to deploy. The SRS uses two crash severity levels (thresholds) to activate either the emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) or front airbag or both. Activation depends on the direction and severity of the impact exceeding the preset thresholds and whether the seat belt is fastened.

Seat belt fastened • first threshold exceeded: ETR activates • second threshold exceeded: airbag also activates Seat belt not fastened Front seats: • first threshold exceeded: airbag activates, not ETR Rear seats: • first threshold exceeded: ETR activates Driver and front passenger and rear seat systems operate independently of each other.

Emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) The seat belts for the front and rear seats are equipped with emergency tensioning retractors. These tensioning retractors are located in each belt’s inertia reel and become operationally ready with the electronic key in starter switch position 1 or 2. The emergency tensioning retractors are designed to activate only when the seat belts are fastened during frontal impacts exceeding the first threshold of the SRS

and in rear impacts exceeding a preset severity level. They remove slack from the belts in such a way that the seat belts fit more snugly against the body restricting its forward movement as much as possible. In cases of other frontal impacts, angled impacts, roll- overs, certain side impacts, or other accidents without sufficient frontal or rear impact forces, the emergency tensioning retractors will not be activated. The driver and passengers will then be protected by the fastened seat belts and inertia reel in the usual manner.

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Instruments and controls

Operation

Driving

Instrument cluster display

Practical hints

Car care

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92

Airbags Front airbags

1 Driver airbag 2 Front passenger airbag The most effective occupant restraint system yet developed for use in production vehicles is the seat belt. In some cases, however, the protective effect of a seat belt can be further enhanced by an airbag. In conjunction with wearing the seat belts, the driver and front passenger airbags can provide increased protection for the driver and front passenger in certain frontal impacts exceeding preset thresholds. Side impact and head protection window curtain airbags can provide increased protection to belted occupants on the impacted side of the vehicle in side impacts exceeding its preset threshold. The operational readiness of the airbag system is verified by the indicator lamp “SRS” in the instrument cluster when turning the electronic key in starter switch to position 1 or 2. If no fault is detected, the lamp will go out after approximately 4 seconds; after the lamp goes out, the system continues to monitor the components and circuitry of the airbag system and will indicate a malfunction by coming on again. If the lamp does not

come on at all or if it fails to extinguish after approximately 4 seconds or if it comes on thereafter, a malfunction in the system has been detected. The following system components are monitored or undergo a self-check: crash-sensor(s), airbag ignition circuits, front seat belt buckles, emergency tensioning retractors, seat sensor. Initially, when the electronic key is turned from starter switch position 0 to position 1 or 2, malfunctions in the crash sensor are detected and indicated (the “SRS” indicator lamp stays on longer than 4 seconds or does not come on). Have the system checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.

In the operational mode, after the indicator lamp has gone out following the initial check, interruptions or short circuits in the airbag ignition circuit and in the driver and front passenger seat belt buckle harnesses, and low voltage in the entire system are detected and indicated.

Warning! In the event a malfunction of the “SRS” is indicated as outlined above, the “SRS” may not be operational. For your safety, we strongly recommend that you visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have the system checked; otherwise the “SRS” may not be activated when needed in an accident, which could result in serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could also result in injury.

Note: See page 293 for information on the supplemental restraint system (SRS) indicator lamp.

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Instruments and controls

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Driving

Instrument cluster display

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Car care

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Instruments and controls

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Restraint systems

94

The driver and passenger front airbags are designed to activate only in certain frontal impacts exceeding a preset threshold. The front passenger airbag deploys only if the front passenger seat is occupied and the 7 indicator lamp on the center console is not illuminated.

Note: Heavy objects on the front passenger seat can appear to the “SRS” to indicate the presence of an occupant in that seat which causes the passenger front airbag to deploy in a crash exceeding the appropriate threshold.

Side impact airbags, window curtain airbags