Coding Radio

Anti-theft system

The Mercedes-Benz AM and FM stereo radio with cassette player and CD compatibility is fitted with a built-in system designed to help render it inoperative in case of theft. If the radio or battery is disconnected, the radio will automatically be disabled. To indicate this state, the word CODE will appear on the radio's display. To render the radio operable again, the correct five digit code must be entered into the radio via its numbered station-recall buttons. A code is preassigned to each radio and supplied to the owner on two wallet-sized cards.

Recoding sequence

To recede a radio, follow this procedure:
1. Turn ignition key to lock position one.
2. Turn on the radio. The word CODE appears on the display with the letter "C" flashing.
3. Enter the first digit of the radio's antitheft code as it appears on the code card. The word CODE will disappear and the first number that you have entered will be displayed, followed by four dashes 1_ _ _ _
4. Enter the rest of the five digit antitheft code. Each number will be displayed when it is keyed in.
5. When all five antitheft code numbers have been correctly entered, the first number in the code flashes, alerting you to confirm the code. Press the Scan (SC), Seek or Tune button to confirm the code. Radio operation will now resume.

Incorrect Code:
If an incorrect antitheft code digit is entered, continue to enter numbers until the five-digit code is correctly entered and displayed. If an incorrect code is confirmed, the word CODE will appear again. The system allows two more receding attempts. After the third incorrect attempt, the word WAIT is displayed. A period of 10 minutes must pass and the word CODE must again be displayed before receding can be successful. The radio must be left on during this period. This measure is meant to prevent receding of the radio by randomly entering numbers.

If the correct antitheft code has not been entered after nine separate attempts -and therefore after two 10-minute wait intervals- the radio will lock for 24 hours to prevent any further receding attempts. The radio must be left on with the ignition key in position 1 during this period in order for it to reenter the code mode. Code cards should not be stored in the glove compartment. During vehicle service at an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer, we recommend that you leave one card with your service advisor. Thus, if the battery is disconnected, the service advisor can recede the radio before the car is returned to you. If the car is equipped with a Mercedes-Benz antitheft alarm system, the alarm will sound should the radio be removed from the console while the alarm system is armed.

If you have difficulty reprogramming the radio or if the reprogramming function fails to operate, please contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer.