Page 96 of 370

102 Controls in detailLightingInterior lighting
The controls are located in the overhead 
control panel.
1Rear interior lights
2Right front reading lamp
3Rocker switch: Automatic control off
4Rocker switch: Automatic control on
5Rocker switch: Front interior lights on
6Left front reading lampActivating automatic control
Press the rocker switch to the center 
position4.
Interior lamps are switched on in dark-
ness, when
unlocking the vehicle
opening a door
removing the SmartKey from start-
er switch
opening the tailgate
The interior lamps are switched off follow-
ing an adjustable time delay (
page 124).Deactivating automatic control
Press the rocker switch to the right 
position3.
The interior lighting remains switched 
off, even when
centrally unlocking the vehicle
opening a door 
removing the SmartKey from the 
starter switch
opening the tailgate
Manual control
Switching rear interior lights on and off
Press button1.
The lights in the rear passenger com-
partment go on.
Press button1 again.
The lights in the rear passenger com-
partment go out.
iIf the door remains open, the interior 
lamps switch off automatically after ap-
proximately five minutes, when the key 
is removed or in the starter switch 
position0.
An interior lamp switched on manually 
does not go out automatically.
S203 MY03_A.book  Page 102  Tuesday, January 28, 2003  2:22 PM 
     
        
        Page 97 of 370

103 Controls in detail
Lighting
Switching right front reading lamp on 
and off
Press button2.
The right reading lamp goes on.
Press button2 again.
The right reading lamp goes off.
Switching left front reading lamp on and 
off
Press button6.
The left reading lamp goes on.
Press button6 again.
The left reading lamp goes off.Switching all front interior lights on and 
off
Press button5.
The front interior lamps go on.
Press rocker switch to position3 or4.
The front interior lamps go out.
Door entry lamps
The appropriate door entry lamp switches 
on if a door is opened in darkness and if 
the interior lighting is switched to automat-
ic function.
The entry lamp switches off automatically 
when the door is closed.
iThe setting selected for the interior 
lighting is used for the cargo compart-
ment lighting as well.
If you leave the tailgate open for an ex-
tended period of time, the cargo com-
partment lighting will switch off 
automatically after approximately ten 
minutes
iIf you turn the key in the starter switch 
to position0 and switch off the exterior 
headlamps, the door entry lamps will 
remain lit for approximately five min-
utes.
S203 MY03_A.book  Page 103  Tuesday, January 28, 2003  2:22 PM 
     
        
        Page 144 of 370

150 Controls in detailClimate controlAir conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while 
the engine is running and cools the interior 
air to the temperature set by the operator.
Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the climate 
control system. The air in the vehicle will 
then no longer be cooled or dehumidified.
Press buttonAC
OFF
 (page 145). 
The indicator lamp on the 
buttonAC
OFF
 lights up.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can 
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.
PressAC
OFF
 again (
page 145). 
The indicator lamp on the 
buttonAC
OFF
 goes out.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant 
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFC’s 
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Ventilated storage compartment
The front center console storage compart-
ment has its own air vent that allows for 
cooling ventilation when the automatic cli-
mate control system is activated.
1Lever
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and 
not an indication of a malfunction.
!If the air conditioning cannot be turned 
on again, this indicates that the air con-
ditioning is losing refrigerant. The com-
pressor has turned itself off.
Have the air conditioning checked at 
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.
iYou should keep this air vent closed 
when outside temperatures are low.
S203 MY03_A.book  Page 150  Tuesday, January 28, 2003  2:22 PM 
     
        
        Page 150 of 370

156 Controls in detailAutomatic climate control*Maximum cooling MAXCOOL
If the left and right air distribution controls 
as well as the airflow volume control are 
set to
U
 and there is a high need for 
cooling, the display “AUTO MAXCOOL” ap-
pears.
This provides the fastest possible cooling 
of the vehicle interior (when windows and 
sliding/pop-up roof* are closed).
DefrostingActivating
Press button
P
 (page 153). 
The indicator lamp on the button lights 
up.
or
Switch off air recirculation, if selected.
Press button
O
 (page 153). 
The indicator lamp on the button goes 
out.
Close center air vents.
Adjust side air vents upwards.
Deactivating
Press button
P
 (page 153).
The indicator lamp on the button goes 
out. Defrosting is turned off.
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent 
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle 
from the outside. This setting cuts off the 
intake of outside air and recirculates the 
air in the passenger compartment.
Activating
Press button
O
 (page 153).
The indicator lamp on the button lights 
up.
iThese settings should only be selected 
for a short time.
Warning!
G
When the outside temperature is below 
41°F (5°C), only switch to air recirculation 
mode for short periods to prevent window 
fogging.
S203 MY03_A.book  Page 156  Tuesday, January 28, 2003  2:22 PM 
     
        
        Page 153 of 370

159 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control*
Air conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while 
the engine is running and cools the interior 
air to the temperature set by the operator.
Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the automatic 
climate control system. The air in the vehi-
cle will then no longer be cooled or dehu-
midified.
Press buttonAC
OFF
 (page 153). 
The indicator lamp on the 
buttonAC
OFF
 lights up.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can 
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.
PressAC
OFF
 again (
page 153). 
The indicator lamp on the 
buttonAC
OFF
 goes out.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant 
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs 
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Residual heat and ventilation*
With the engine switched off, it is possible 
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior 
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes 
use of the residual heat produced by the 
engine.
Activating
Turn the key in the starter switch to 
position1 o r  r e m o v e  i t  f r o m  t h e  s t a r t e r  
switch.
Press button
T
 (page 153).
The indicator lamp on button
T
 
comes on.
Deactivating
Press button
T
.
The indicator lamp on button
T
 
goes off.
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and 
not an indication of a malfunction.
!If the air conditioning cannot be turned 
on again, this indicates that the air con-
ditioning is losing refrigerant. The com-
pressor has turned itself off.
Have the air conditioning checked at 
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.
S203 MY03_A.book  Page 159  Tuesday, January 28, 2003  2:22 PM