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
23 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Hood lock release, see page 311
2Parking brake pedal, see page 252
3Parking brake release, see page 252
4Exterior lamp switch, see page 137
5Combination switch, see page 142
6Exterior mirror adjustment switch, see page 85
7Headlamp washer button, see page 141
8Cruise control switch, see page 2649Multifunction steering wheel, see page 96
Horn (with electronic key in starter switch
position 1 or 2)
10Instrument cluster, see page 92
11Voice recognition system switch, see separate
operating instructions
12Starter switch, see page 240
13Glove box lid release, see page 195
14Glove box lock, see page 195
S203.book Seite 23 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
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200 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Ashtrays
Center console
To o pen :
Briefly touch the mark on the cover, the ashtray opens
automatically.
To remove ashtray insert from center console:
Prior to removing the ashtray insert, move the gear
selector lever to position “N”.Slide ashtray insert in direction of arrow (1) until the
insert disengages. Grip ashtray insert at indents (left
and right arrows) and remove from ashtray frame.
To replace insert:
Install insert into ashtray frame and push down to
engage into place.
Wa r n i n g !
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. With the gear selector lever in position “N”,
turn off the engine and set the parking brake.
Otherwise the vehicle might move as a result of
unintended contact with the gear selector lever.
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225 Contents - Driving
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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 .................................252Driving instructions ...................... 253
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ....... 253
Drinking and driving ................ 253
Pedals .......................................... 253
Power assistance ........................ 254
Brakes .......................................... 254
Driving off ................................... 255
Parking ........................................ 256
Tires ............................................. 257
Snow chains ............................... 259
Winter driving
instructions ................................ 260
Deep water .................................. 262
Passenger compartment ........... 263
Traveling abroad ........................ 263Cruise 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
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242 Starting and turning off the enginge
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Starting and turning off the engine
Before starting
Ensure that parking brake is engaged and that selector
lever is in position “P” or “N”. Turn electronic key in
starter switch to position 2.
Starting
Do n ot de pr ess accelerato r. B rie f ly turn electron ic key in
starter switch clockwise to the stop and release. The
starter will engage until the engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops,
turn electronic key completely to the left and repeat
starting the engine.
After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.Important!
Due to the installed starter non-repeat feature, the
electronic key must be turned completely to the left
before attempting to start the engine again.
In areas where temperatures frequently drop below -4
°F
(-20
°C) we recommend that an engine block heater be
installed. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
advise you on this subject, see page 261.
Turning off
Turn the electronic key in the starter switch to
position 0 to turn off the engine.
The electronic key can only be removed with the
selector lever in position “P”.
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243 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Automatic transmissionThe automatic transmission selects individual gears
automatically, dependent upon
•Selector lever position
•Program mode selector
•Accelerator position
•Vehicle speed
The gear shifting process is continuously adapted,
dependent on the driving style, the driving situation
and the road characteristics.
Important!
When parking the vehicle or before working on the
vehicle with the engine running, firmly depress the
parking brake pedal and shift the selector lever into “P”.
P27.00-2070-27
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245 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N”
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
slight partial throttle.Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the
malfunction indication.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous.
A ls o, w hen pa rked on a n in c li ne, pos i tion “P” a lon e
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting
to position “P”, see page 252 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
towards the road curb.Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could move
the selector lever from position “P”, which could
result in an accident or serious injury.
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