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
S203.book Seite 5 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.
S203.book Seite 30 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
31 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Central locking system
Radio frequency and infrared remote control
The electronic key has an integrated radio frequency
and infrared remote control.
Due to the extended operational range of the remote
control, it could be possible to unintentionally lock or
unlock the vehicle by pressing the transmit button. If
one of the transmit buttons is pressed, the battery check
lamp lights up briefly – indicating that the batteries are
in order. See page 346 for checking batteries.
The vehicle doors, tailgate and fuel filler flap can be
centrally locked and unlocked via remote control.
Opening and closing the windows and sliding/pop-up
roof can only be done with the infrared portion of the
remote control. Aim transmitter eye at a receiver (6
or 7), press and hold transmit button Œ or ‹,
seepage34.
If the electronic key is inserted in starter switch, the
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked.1Transmit button
‹ Locking
Œ Unlocking
2Lamp for battery check (see page 346 for changing
batteries if it does not light up briefly)
3PANIC button
4Transmitter eye
5Locking tab for mechanical key
P80.35-2033-26
2
1
4
3
5
S203.book Seite 31 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
33 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Locking and unlocking with remote control
Unlocking:
Press transmit button Œ. All turn signal lamps blink
once to indicate that the vehicle is unlocked.
The remote control can be programmed for two kinds of
unlocking modes (see below):
Selective unlocking mode –
Press transmit button Œ once to unlock driver’s door
and fuel filler flap.
Press transmit button Œ twice to unlock all doors,
fuel filler flap, and tailgate.
Global unlocking mode –
Press transmit button Œ once to unlock all doors,
fuel filler flap, and tailgate.
Notes:
If the tailgate was previously locked separately, it will
remain locked, see page 41.
The presently active unlocking mode (selective or
global) can only be determined by unlocking the vehicle
with the remote control (see below for changing mode).If within 40 seconds of unlocking with the remote
control, neither door or tailgate is opened, the electronic
key is not inserted in the starter switch, or the central
locking switch is not activated, the vehicle will
automatically lock.
Locking:
Press transmit button ‹ once. All turn signal lamps
blink three times to indicate that the vehicle is locked. If
they do not blink three times, a door or tailgate is not
properly closed.
Note:
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked by pressing
the transmit button, then it may be necessary to change
the batteries in the electronic key (if ok, battery check
lamp in electronic key will light briefly when pressing
transmit button) or to synchronize the remote control,
see pages 346 and 348.
Choosing global or selective mode on remote control
Press and hold transmit buttons‹ andŒ
simultaneously for five seconds to reprogram the
remote control. Battery check lamp will blink two times
indicating the completed mode change.
S203.book Seite 33 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
34 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Opening and closing windows and
sliding / pop-up roof from outside
(summer opening / convenience feature)
Aim transmitter eye of remote control at the door
receiver.
Summer opening:
The sliding / pop-up roof and all side windows can be
opened automatically.
Continue to press transmit button Œ after unlocking
the vehicle.
The windows and sliding/pop-up roof begin to open
after approximately 1 second.
To interrupt opening procedure, release transmit
button.
Convenience feature:
The sliding / pop-up roof and the side windows can be
closed.
Continue to press transmit button ‹ after locking
the vehicle.
The windows and sliding / pop-up roof begin to close
after approximately 1 second.To interrupt closing procedure, release transmit button.
Ensure that all side windows and the sliding / pop-up
roof are properly closed before leaving the vehicle.
Note:
If the windows and sliding / pop-up roof cannot be
operated automatically by pressing the transmit button
of t he r emo te c ontr ol then it m ay be n ece ssar y to chan ge
the batteries in the electronic key (if ok, battery check
lamp in electronic key will light briefly when
transmitting), or to synchronize the remote control, see
page 346 and 348.
Wa r n i n g !
Never operate the windows or sliding / pop-up roof
if there is the possibility of anyone being harmed
by the opening or closing procedure.In case the procedure causes potential danger, the
procedure can be immediately halted by releasing
the remote control button. To reverse direction of
movement press Œ for opening or ‹ for
closing.
S203.book Seite 34 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
133 Flexible service system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The service indicator disappears automatically after
30 seconds or if the knob for instrument cluster
illumination, see page 92, in the instrument cluster is
pressed.
Calling up service indicator manually:
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1
or 2.
Call up the trip odometer and main odometer by
pressing button è or ÿ on the multifunction
steering wheel until the display appears. See page 100.
Press button j or k until the FSS indicator
appears.
The next or previous system is displayed by pressing
button è or ÿ.
Important!
The FSS indicator is not an engine oil level indicator.
See page 135 for engine oil level indicator.Note:
When disconnecting vehicle battery for one or more
days at a time, such days will not be counted. Any such
days not counted by the FSS can be added by your
Mercedes-Benz Center.
The interval between services is determined by the type
of driving for which the vehicle is used. For example,
driving at extreme speeds, and cold starts combined
wit h short distan ce d r iving in which the e ngin e d oes not
reach operating normal temperature, reduce the interval
between services.
S203.book Seite 133 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
157 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Economy mode
The function of this setting corresponds to the
automatic mode. However, because the air conditioning
compressor will not engage (fuel savings), it is not
possible to air condition in this setting.
Press S button to activate. The indicator lamp in the
button illuminates.
Press S button once again to return to the previous
setting. The indicator lamp in the button goes out.
Important!
In the S mode the windows could fog up on the
inside. Switch off S mode.
Automatic climate control - OFF/ON
To switch the automatic climate control off, set the air
volume control switch to position 0.
The fresh air supply to the vehicle interior is shut off.
While driving, use this setting only temporarily,
otherwise the windshield could fog up.To switch the automatic climate control on again, press
the U or Pbutton, or set air volume control
switch to any speed.
Residual engine heat utilization
With the engine switched off, it is possible to continue
to heat or ventilate the interior for a short while. Air
volume and distribution are controlled automatically.
To s e l e c t :
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1
or 0 or remove it altogether.
Press button T. The indicator lamp in the button
illuminates.
This function selection will not activate if the battery
level is insufficient.
The function switches off automatically:
•if the electronic key in starter switch is turned to
position 2,
•after approximately 30 minutes,
•if the battery voltage drops.
S203.book Seite 157 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
158 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Rear window defroster
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
To select:
Press the F button in the control panel of the
automatic air conditioner. The indicator lamp in the
button illuminates.
To c a nc el:
Press the F button in the control panel of the
automatic air conditioner. The indicator lamp in the
button goes out.
Note:
Heavy accumulation of snow and ice should be removed
before activating the defroster. The rear window defroster uses a large amount of power.
To keep the battery drain to a minimum, turn off the
defroster as soon as the rear window is clear.
The defroster is automatically turned off after
approximately 6–17 minutes of operation depending on
the outside temperature and vehicle speed.
If several power consumers are turned on
simultaneously, or the battery is only partially charged,
it is possible that the defroster will automatically turn
itself off. When this happens, the indicator lamp inside
the switch starts blinking.
As soon as the battery has sufficient voltage, the
defroster automatically turns itself back on.
S203.book Seite 158 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13