
Our company and staff congratulate you on the purchase of your new Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demonstration of your trust in our company name. Further, it exemplifies your desire
to own an automobile that will be as easy as possible to operate and provide years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the efforts of many skilled engineers and craftsmen. To ensure your pleasure of
ownership, and for your safety and that of your passengers, we ask you to make a small investment of your time:
•Please read this manual carefully before putting it aside. Then return it to your vehicle where it will be handy for
your reference.
•Please abide by the recommendations contained in this manual. They are designed to acquaint you with the
operation of your Mercedes-Benz.
•Please abide by the warnings and cautions contained in this manual. They are designed to help improve the safety
of the vehicle operator and occupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles of safe, pleasurable driving.
DaimlerChrysler AG
S203.book Seite 3 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13

2 Contents
Trip and main odometer
and sub menu ............................ 100
Audio systems ................................ 102
Radio ............................................ 102
CD player ..................................... 103
Cassette player ........................... 104
Telephone ........................................ 105
Navigation system ...........................110
Trip computer ..................................111
Malfunction/warning
message memory .......................113
Individual settings ..........................115
Setting the audio volume .............. 130
Coolant temperature gauge .......... 131
Flexible service system
(FSS) ............................................ 132
Engine oil level indicator .............. 135
Engine oil consumption ................ 136
Exterior lamp switch ..................... 137
Headlamp mode ............................. 138
Night security illumination ......... 140
Locator lighting .......................... 141
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 141
Combination switch ...................... 142Rear window wiper / washer ...... 146
Hazard warning flasher
switch ......................................... 147
Automatic climate control ............ 148
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation ..........159
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air outlets ................160
Operation Audio and telephone ... 161
Operating safety ............................. 161
Operating and display elements ..162
Button and soft key operation ......164
Operation .........................................164
Switching on and off ......................164
Adjusting the volume ....................165
Audio functions ..............................165
Bass ..................................................165
Treble ...............................................165
Balance .............................................166
Centering all audio functions .......166
Audio system tone level selection 167
Radio mode ......................................167
Selecting radio mode .....................167
Selecting the band .........................167Manual tuning ................................ 168
Seek tuning ..................................... 168
Scan tuning ..................................... 168
Weather Band ................................. 169
Station memory .............................. 169
Storing stations automatically
(Autostore) ................................. 169
Storing stations .............................. 170
Retrieving a station
from memory ............................. 170
Direct frequency
input AM and FM only ............. 170
Cassette mode ................................ 170
Playing cassettes ............................ 170
Cassette eject .................................. 171
Track selection ............................... 172
Track search
forwards/backwards ................. 172
Fast forward/reverse ..................... 172
Scanning ......................................... 173
Scanning ......................................... 173
Dolby NR 1
noise reduction system ............ 173
CD mode .......................................... 174
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4 Contents
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters .....................226
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) .................................227
Maintenance ...................................227
Tele Aid ...........................................228
Catalytic converter ........................238
Emission control ............................239
Starter switch .................................240
Starting and turning off
the engine ..................................242
Automatic transmission ...............243
Parking brake .................................252
Driving instructions ......................253
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ........253
Drinking and driving .................253
Pedals ...........................................253
Power assistance ........................254
Brakes ..........................................254
Driving off ...................................255
Parking ........................................256
Tires .............................................257Snow chains ............................... 259
Winter driving
instructions ................................ 260
Deep water .................................. 262
Passenger compartment ........... 263
Traveling abroad ........................ 263
Cruise control ................................ 264
Brake assist system (BAS) ............ 267
Antilock brake system
(ABS) .......................................... 268
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 270
What you should know
at the gas station .......................274
Check regularly and
before a long trip .......................276
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster ............. 278
On-board diagnostic system ........ 278
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 278
Brake warning lamp .................. 280Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp .................. 281
Fuel reserve warning .................282
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................283
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............284
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp ............................284
Malfunction and indicator
lamp in the center console ......284
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....284
Malfunction and warning
messages in the
multifunction display ...............285
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................287
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR ........288
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ....289
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................289
BRAKE PAD WEAR ....................290
BRAKE FLUID .............................290
PARKING BRAKE ....................... 291
SEAT BELT SYSTEM ................... 291
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5 ContentsELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program) ..292
COOLANT
(coolant level) .............................293
COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................294
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ...................295
STEERING GEAR OIL .................296
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................297
LAMP SENSOR ...........................299
DOOR ............................................299
TRUNK OPEN .............................300
HOOD ...........................................300
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION ....... 301
TELE AID ..................................... 301
WASHER FLUID ..........................302
RESTRAINT SYSTEM .................303
KEY ...............................................303
FUEL RESERVE ..........................304
UNDERVOLTAGE ........................304
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ..................................... 306
Stowing things in the vehicle ...... 307
Fuses ............................................... 307
Hood ................................................. 311
Adding engine oil ........................... 314
Automatic transmission
fluid level .................................... 315
Coolant level .................................... 315
Adding coolant ............................ 316
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ........................... 316
Spare wheel,
storage compartment ................ 318
Vehicle tools .................................... 319
Vehicle jack .................................... 320
Wheels ............................................ 321
Tire replacement ....................... 321
Rotating wheels ......................... 322Spare wheel ....................................323
Spare wheel bolts .......................323
Changing wheels ...........................324
Tire inflation pressure ..................329
Battery .............................................330
Jump starting ..................................332
Towing the vehicle .........................335
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ...................338
Exterior lamps ................................339
Replacing bulbs ..........................339
Standby bulb function ...................345
Changing batteries in the
electronic main key ..................346
Synchronizing
remote control ............................348
Emergency engine shut-down .....348
Fuel filler flap, manual release ...349
Replacing wiper blade insert ....... 351
Roof rack .........................................352
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6 Contents
Vehicle careCleaning and care of the vehicle .354
Power washer ..............................355
Tar stains .....................................355
Paintwork, painted body
components .................................355
Engine cleaning ..........................356
Vehicle washing .........................356
Ornamental moldings ................357
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................357
Window cleaning ........................357
Wiper blade .................................357
Light alloy wheels ......................358
Instrument cluster .....................358
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ......................358
Cup holder ...................................358
Seat belts .....................................359
Headliner and
shelf below rear window ...........359Leather upholstery .................... 359
Hard plastic trim items ............. 359
Plastic and rubber parts ........... 359
Technical dataSpare parts service ....................... 362
Warranty coverage ........................ 362
Identification labels ...................... 363
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ........... 364
Technical data ................................ 365
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities ................................... 368
Engine oils ...................................... 370
Engine oil additives ...................... 370
Air conditioner refrigerant .......... 370
Brake fluid ...................................... 370
Premium unleaded gasoline .........371
Fuel requirements .........................371
Gasoline additives ......................... 372
Coolants .......................................... 372
Consumer information ..................374
Uniform tire quality grading ........374
IndexIndex ................................................ 376
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11 IntroductionOperating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign countries, please be aware that:
•Service facilities or replacement parts may not be readily available,
•unleaded gasoline for vehicles with catalytic converters may not be available; the use of leaded fuels will damage
the catalysts,
•gasoline may have a considerably lower octane rating, and improper fuel can cause engine damage.
Certain Mercedes-Benz models are available for delivery in Europe under our European Delivery Program. For details,
consult your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or write to:
In the USA: In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
849 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario M4G 2L5
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27 Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Coolant temperature gauge .......... 131
Flexible service system
(FSS) ............................................ 132
Engine oil level indicator .............. 135
Engine oil consumption ................ 136
Exterior lamp switch ..................... 137
Headlamp mode ............................. 138
Night security illumination ......... 140
Locator lighting .......................... 141
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 141
Combination switch ...................... 142
Rear window wiper / washer ....... 146
Hazard warning flasher
switch .......................................... 147
Automatic climate control ............ 148
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation ......... 159
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air outlets ................ 160Operation Audio and telephone ... 161
Operating safety ............................. 161
Operating and display elements ..162
Button and soft key operation ......164
Operation .........................................164
Component malfunctions ..............183
Power windows ...............................185
Sliding/pop-up roof ........................188
Interior lighting .............................. 191
Sun visors ........................................193
Vanity mirrors ................................193
Interior .............................................194
Storage compartments
and armrests ..............................194
Glove box ......................................195
Cup holder .......................................198
Ashtrays .......................................... 200
Lighter ............................................. 202Parcel net in
front passenger footwell ..........203
Ski sack ...........................................203
Parcel net in trunk ........................208
Electrical outlet ..............................209
Storage compartment
under trunk floor ......................209
Retractable luggage cover
and partition net ....................... 210
Split rear bench seat ..................... 213
Loading instructions ..................... 217
Cargo tie-down rings ..................... 218
Cellular telephone ......................... 219
Telephone, general ........................220
Garage door opener ....................... 221
S203.book Seite 27 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13

30 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Start lock-out
Important!
Removing the electronic key from the starter switch
activates the start lock-out. The engine cannot be
started.
Inserting the electronic key in the starter switch
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 starter switch, 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 front door
handle. Check the batteries of the electronic key, see
page 346, or synchronize the electronic key, see
page 348.
•Use the mechanical key to unlock the vehicle. To
start engine, insert the electronic key in the starter
switch. There could be a slight delay until the
electronic key can be turned in the starter switch.
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
starter switch or press buttonŒ or‹ on the
electronic key.
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