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
S203.book Seite 4 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
7 IntroductionProduct information
Kindly observe the following in your own best interest:
We recommend using Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts and accessories
explicitly approved by us for your vehicle model.
We have tested these parts to determine their reliability, safety and their special
suitability for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
We are unable to make an assessment for other products and therefore cannot be held responsible
for them, even if in individual cases an official approval or authorization by governmental or other
agencies should exist. Use of such parts and accessories could adversely affect the safety, performance
or reliability of your vehicle. Please do not use them.
Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts and accessories approved by us are available
at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center where you will receive comprehensive information, also on
permissible technical modifications, and where proper installation will be performed.
S203.book Seite 7 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
24 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console1Left front seat heater switch, see page 52
2Rear window wiper/washer, see page 146
3ESP (electronic stability program) control switch,
see page 270
4Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 147
5Central locking switch, see page 38
6Antitheft alarm system, see page 43
Switch for tow-away protection, see page 44
7Right front seat heater switch, see page 52
8AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp, see page 284
9COMAND system (optional), see separate
operating instructions, or
audio system, see page 161
10Automatic climate control, see page 148
Rear window defroster, see page 158
11Ashtray, see page 200
12Automatic transmission, see page 243
13Storage compartment, see page 196
14Armrest, see page 196
Storage compartment, see page 202
S203.book Seite 24 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
36 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Doors
1Opening – pull handle
2Unlocking driver’s door
3Locking driver’s door
Important!
The mechanical key d oes n ot o perate t he ce ntral lockin g
system or antitheft alarm system.4Individual door from inside:
Push lock button down to lock.
5Front 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.
Each individual door must be locked with the respective
door lock button – the driver’s door can only be locked
when it is closed.
2
1
3
4
5
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42 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Closing the tailgate
To close tailgate, pull down on grip (1) and swing
tailgate closed.
The rear compartment lamp will be switched off by the
contact switch only if the tailgate is fully closed.Important!
Only drive with the tailgate closed as otherwise exhaust
fumes may enter the vehicle interior.
Wa r n i n g !
To prevent possible personal injury, always keep
hands and fingers away from the tailgate opening
when closing the tailgate. Be especially careful
when small children are around.To prevent personal injury, never activate the
closing assist mechanism by tampering with the
tailgate latch.In case the closing procedure causes potential
danger, the closing procedure can be immediately
halted by pulling the outside recessed handle.
S203.book Seite 42 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
46 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Front seat adjustment
To operate the front power seat adjustment switches,
turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1
or 2 (with respective front door open, the power seats
can also be operated with the electronic key removed or
in starter switch position 0).
Wa r n i n g !
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, 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 unl ocked vehic l e. Uns upervi s ed us e of vehi cl e
equipment may cause serious personal injury.
S203.book Seite 46 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
73 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
• Occupants, especially children, should never
lean their heads in the area of the door where
the side airbag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should the airbag be
triggered.• Children 12 years old and under must never
ride in the front seat, except in a
Mercedes-Benz authorized Baby Smart
TM
compatible child seat, which operates with the
BabySmart
TM 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
can result.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe injuries to you or other occupants.
Wa r n i n g !
Accident research shows that the safest place for
children in an automobile is in the rear seat.
Should you choose to place a child 12 years old or
under in the front passenger seat of your vehicle,
you must properly use a BabySmart
TM child
restraint which will turn off the passenger side
front airbag. BabySmart
TM will not, however, turn
off the vehicle’s side impact airbag.
It should be noted that with respect to both front
and rear side impact airbags there is a possibility
for a side airbag related injury if occupants,
especially children, are not properly seated or
restrained when next to a side airbag which needs
to deploy rapidly in a side impact in order to do its
job.
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74 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
To help avoid the possibility of injury, please follow
these guidelines: (1) occupants, especially
children, should never place their bodies or lean
their heads in the area of the door where the side
airbag inflates. This could result in serious
injuries or death should the side airbag be
activated; (2) always sit upright, properly use the
seat belts and use an appropriately sized infant or
child restraint system for all children 12 years old
or under; and (3) always wear seat belts properly.
If you believe that, even with the use of these
guidelines, it would be safer for your rear seat
occupants to have both rear door mounted side
airbags deactivated, then deactivation can be
a ccompl is hed u pon your w ritten election to d o s o a t
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center at an
additional cost. Please contact your local
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call our
Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-
MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) for details.
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