47 Getting started
Driving
More information on driving can be found
in the “Operation” section (
page 223).
Switching on headlampsExterior lamp switch1Off
2Low beam headlamps on
Turn the switch to
B
.
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (page 98).
Turn signals and high beam
The combination switch is on the left of the
steering column.Combination switch1Turn signals, right
2Turn signals, left
Press the combination switch up1 or
down2.
Warning!
G
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out
ofP or N if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the en-
gine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 47 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
98 Controls in detailLighting
LightingFor notes on how to switch on the head-
lamps and use the turn signals, see the
“Getting started” section (
page 47).
Exterior lamp switch
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel
M
Off
U
Automatic headlamp mode
C
Parking lamps (also side marker
lamps, tail lamps, license plate
lamps, instrument panel lamps)
Canada only: When engine is run-
ning, the low beam is also switched
on.
B
Low beam plus parking lamps or
high beam headlamps (combination
switch pushed forward).
ˆ
Standing lamps, right (turn left one
stop)
‚
Standing lamps, left (turn left two
stops)
iIf you remove the key and open the
driver’s door while the parking lamps or
low beam headlamps are switched on,
then
a warning sounds
$
appears in the multifunction
display
the message
TURN OFF LAMPS
ap-
pears in the multifunction display
iWith the daytime running lamp mode
activated and the engine running, the
low beam headlamps cannot be
switched off manually.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 98 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
99 Controls in detail
Lighting
Manual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and parking
lamps can be switched on and off with the
exterior lamp switch. For exterior lamp
switch, see above.
Automatic headlamp mode
The parking lamps, low beam headlamps
and license plate lamps switch on and off
automatically depending on the brightness
of the ambient light.
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
U
.
Warning!
G
In automatic headlamp mode, the head-
lamps will not be automatically switched on
under foggy conditions. To minimize risk to
you and to others, activate headlamps by
turning exterior lamp switch to
B
.
The driver is responsible for the operation of
the vehicle’s lights at all times. The automat-
ic headlamp feature is only an aid to the driv-
er. Switch on the vehicle lights manually
when driving or when traffic conditions re-
quire you to do so.
iWith the daytime running lamp mode
activated, the low beam headlamps will
not be switched off automatically.
iFront fog lamps and rear fog lamp can
not be switched on manually with exte-
rior lamp switch in position
U
. To
activate the fog lamps, turn exterior
lamp switch to position
B
.
iIf you drive in countries where vehicles
drive on the other side of the road than
the country where the vehicle is regis-
tered, you must have the headlamps
modified for symmetrical low beams.
Relevant information can be obtained
at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 99 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
100 Controls in detailLightingDaytime running lamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to
position
M
or
U
.
When the engine is running, the low beam
headlamps are automatically switched on.
In low ambient light conditions the parking
lamps will also switch on.
Canada only
When you shift from a driving position to
positionN orP, the low beam switches off
(with a three-minute delay).
For nighttime driving you should turn the
exterior lamp switch to position
B
to
permit activation of the high beam head-
lamps.
USA only
The high beam headlamps can also be ac-
tivated when driving with the daytime run-
ning lamp mode activated and exterior
lamp switch in position
M
.To activate the daytime running lamp
mode, see “Setting daytime running lamp
mode” (
page 121).
Locator lighting and night security illu-
mination
Locator lighting and night security illumi-
nation are described in the control system
section under “Setting locator lighting”
(
page 122) and “Setting night security il-
lumination” (
page 122).
Switching on front fog lamps
Make sure that the low beam head-
lamps are switched on.
Pull out exterior lamp switch to first
stop.
The green indicator lamp
‡
in the
lamp switch lights up.Switching on rear fog lamp
Make sure that the low beam head-
lamps are switched on.
Pull out exterior lamp switch to second
stop.
The yellow indicator lamp
†
in the
lamp switch lights up.
iSee notes on the exterior lamp switch
(page 98).
iFog lamps will operate with the parking
lamps and/or the low beam headlamps
on. Fog lamps should only be used in
conjunction with low beam headlamps.
Consult your State or Province Motor
Vehicle Regulations regarding allow-
able lamp operation.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 100 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
121 Controls in detail
Control system
Lighting submenu
Access the
LIGHTING
submenu via the
SET-
TINGS
menu. Use the
LIGHTING
submenu
to change the lamp and lighting settings on
your vehicle. The following functions are
available:Setting daytime running lamp mode
(USA only)
Move the selection marker with
the
æ
or
ç
button to the
LIGHT-
ING
submenu.
Press button
j
or
k
repeatedly
until you see this message in the dis-
play:
LAMP CIRCUIT HEADLAMP MODE
.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.
Press
æ
or
ç
to select manual
or daytime running lamp (constant)
mode. This function is not available in
countries where daytime running
lamps are mandatory.With daytime running lamp mode se-
lected and the exterior lamp switch at
position0, the following lamps will
come on automatically when the en-
gine is turned on:
Parking lamps and low beam head-
lamps
License plate lamps (in low ambient
light conditions)
Function
Page
Set daytime running lamp mode
(USA only)
see
below
Set locator lighting
122
Exterior lamps delayed
switch-off
122
Interior lighting delayed shut-off
124
iIf you turn the exterior lamp switch to
another position, the corresponding
lamp(s) will switch on.
For safety reasons, resetting the LIGHTING
submenu to factory settings
(
page 117) will not reset the daytime
running lamp mode.
In the display you will then see the mes-
sage:
LIGHTING – CANNOT BE COM-
PLETELY RESET TO FACTORY SETTINGS
WHILE DRIVING!
.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 121 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
272 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
.
LOW BEAM, L
CHECK LAMP!
The left low beam lamp is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
LOW BEAM, R
CHECK LAMP!
The right low beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The display for the lamps or the system is
malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
TURN SIGNAL, LR
CHECK LAMP!
The left rear turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
TURN SIGNAL, RR
CHECK LAMP!
The right rear turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning.
Replace the bulb as soon as possi-
ble.
TURN SIG. IN MIRROR, L
CHECK LAMP!
The left turn signal in the side mirror is
malfunctioning. This message will only
appear if all light emitting diodes have
stopped working.
Have the LEDs replaced as soon as
possible.
TURN SIG. IN MIRROR, R
CHECK LAMP!
The right turn signal in the side mirror is
malfunctioning. This message will only
appear if all light emitting diodes have
stopped working.
Have the LEDs replaced as soon as
possible.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 272 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
292 Practical hintsReplacing bulbs
Replacing bulbsSafe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling. It is there-
fore essential that all bulbs and lamp as-
semblies are in good working order at all
times.
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. See your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for headlamp
adjustment.
Bulbs Front lamps
iBackup bulbs will be brought into use
when the following lamps malfunction:
Standing lamps
Tail lamps
Lamp
Type
1
Additional turn
signal
LED
2
Turn signal lamp
Halogen
Turn signal lamp
Bi-Xenon*
1156 A
2357 A
3
Low beam Halogen
Low and high beam*
H7 (55 W)
Bi-Xenon*
4
High beam
H7 (55 W)
Parking and
standing lamps
W5W
5
Fog lamp
HB4/9006
(55 W)
6
Side marker lamp
W5W
S203 MY03_A.book Page 292 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
294 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsReplacing bulbs for front lamps
Halogen headlamps
1Bulb socket for turn signal lamp
2Headlamp cover for high beam head-
lamp and for parking and standing
lamp
3Headlamp cover for low beam head-
lamp4Low beam bulb
5High beam bulb
6Bulb socket for parking and standing
lamp
Low and high beam bulb
Switch off the lights.
Open the hood (
page 234).
Press the clamp and remove headlamp
cover2 or 3.
Pull electrical connector off.
Unclip the retainer springs and take out
the bulb.
Insert the new bulb so that the base
locates in the recess on the holder.
Clip the retainer springs and plug the
connector onto the bulb.
Align headlamp cover2 or 3 and click
into place.
Front turn signal lamp bulb
Switch off the lights.
Open the hood (
page 234).
Twist bulb socket1 counterclockwise
and pull out.
Push bulb into socket, turn counter-
clockwise and remove.
Insert new bulb in socket, push in and
twist clockwise.
Reinsert bulb socket in lamp and twist
clockwise.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 294 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM