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
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
S203.book Seite 6 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
93 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Knob for instrument cluster illumination,
seepage94
Reset knob for trip odometer, see page 95 and
individual settings, see page 115
2Tachometer
3Antilock brake system (ABS) malfunction indicator
lamp, see page 283
4Brake fluid low or parking brake engaged,
seepage290
5Speedometer
6Left turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch on page 142
7Electronic stability program (ESP) warning lamp,
system is adjusting to road conditions, see page 284
8Indicator lamp without function. It illuminates with
the electronic key in starter switch position 2. It
should go out when the engine is running.
9CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp,
seepage278
10High beam headlamp indicator,
see exterior lamp switch, page 137, and
combination switch, see page 14211Indicator lamp without function. It illuminates with
the electronic key in starter switch position 2. It
should go out when the engine is running.
12Multifunction display, see page 96.
Malfunction and warning messages in the
multifunction display, see page 285
13Trip odometer, see page 95 and 100
14Main odometer, see page 100
15Display for program mode and gear range
indicators, see page 246
16Malfunction/warning message memory,
seepage113
17Outside temperature indicator, see page 95
18Digital clock, see individual settings on page 115
19Right turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch on page 142
20Fasten seat belts, see page 284
21S upplem ental restraint system (SRS) m alfunction
indicator lamp, see page 281
22Fuel gauge with reserve and fuel cap placement
warning lamp, see page 282
S203.book Seite 93 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
254 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power assistance
BrakesExcessive use of road salt and other snow melting
chemicals spread on roads during the winter months
may cause a build up of moisture or residue to form on
the braking components. This build up or residue could
cause light corrosion of the braking components if the
vehicle is parked with the brakes cold. Apply steady and
even braking pressure when stopping the vehicle to
warm up and dry the brake components.
Important!
Please pay attention to the function of the brake assist
system (BAS), see page 267.
The condition of the parking brake system is checked
each time the vehicle is in the shop for the required
maintenance service.
If the parking brake is released and the brake warning
lamp in the instrument cluster stays on, the brake fluid
level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may be the
reason for low brake fluid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Wa r n i n g !
When the engine is not running, the brake and
steering systems are without power assistance.
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort is
necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.Wa r n i n g !
After driving in heavy rain for some time without
applying the brakes or through water deep enough
to wet brake components or salty road conditions,
the first braking action may be somewhat reduced
and increased pedal pressure may be necessary to
obtain expected braking effect. Be sure to maintain
a safe distance from vehicles in front.Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.It can also result in the brakes overheating thereby
significantly reducing their effectiveness. It may
not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time
to avoid an accident.
S203.book Seite 254 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
255 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index All checks and service work on the brake system should
be carried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid recommended by
Mercedes-Benz.Caution!
When driving down long and steep grades, relieve the
load on the brakes by shifting into a lower gear to use
the engine’s braking power. This helps prevent
overheating of the brakes and reduces brake pad wear.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive on for some
time, rather than immediately parking, so the air stream
will cool down the brakes faster.
Driving off
Apply the service brakes to test them briefly after
driving off. Perform this procedure only when the road
is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not place full load on
the engine until the operating temperature has been
reached.
When starting of f on a slippery surface, do not allow one
drive wheel to spin for an extended period with the ESP
switched off. Doing so may cause serious damage to the
drive train which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Wa r n i n g !
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake fluid
is us ed, t he b ra ki ng properti es of the vehic l e c an be
degraded to an extent that safe braking is
substantially impaired. This could result in an
accident.
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276 Check regularly and before a long trip
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system
For refilling reservoir see page 316.
2Coolant level,
see “Coolant level” on page 315
3Brake fluid (fuse box cover removed),
see “Brake fluid” on page 370.
Opening hood, see page 311.
Removing fuse box cover, see page 309.Vehicle lighting: Check function and cleanliness. For
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on
page 339.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 137.
2
3
P00.40-2005-26
S203.book Seite 276 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
277 Contents - Instrument cluster display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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 ..................280
Supplemental 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 .............................284Malfunction 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
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program) . 292
COOLANT
(coolant level) ............................. 293COOLANT
(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
S203.book Seite 277 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
280 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Brake warning lamp
Except Canada
Canada only
When the brake warning lamp and message appear
while the engine is running, this means:
•there is insufficient brake fluid in the reservoir
(engine running and parking brake released), or
•the parking brake is set (engine running).Note:
If you find that the minimum mark on the brake fluid
reservoir is reached, have the brake system checked for
brake pad thickness and leaks.
Wa r n i n g !
Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated
can result in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately if the brake warning lamp
stays on. Don’t add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir
can result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You can be
seriously burned.
S203.book Seite 280 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13