Page 251 of 370
257 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
3
;
(Canada only)
(USA only)The red brake warning lamp
lights up while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
You are driving with the parking brake set.
Release the parking brake (
page 46).
The red brake warning lamp
lights up while driving.
There is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir.
Risk of accident! Carefully stop the
vehicle and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not add
brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi-
nated 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 sys-
tem. 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.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 257 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 252 of 370
258 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
?
The yellow “CHECK ENGINE”
malfunction indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
There is a malfunction in:
The fuel management system
The ignition system
The emission control system
Systems which affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the engine
to its Limp-home (emergency operation)
mode.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is
used by the service station to link the
vehicle to the shop diagnostics sys-
tem. It allows the accurate identifica-
tion of system malfunctions through
the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes. It is located in the front left
area of the footwell next to the park-
ing brake pedal.
The fuel cap is not closed tight.
Check the fuel cap.
Your gas tank is empty.
After refuelling start the engine three
or four times in succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You do
not need to have your vehicle checked.
<
The red seat belt warning lamp
blinks for a brief period after
starting the engine.
The warning lamp reminds you to fasten seat
belts.
Fasten your seat belt.
The yellow fuel tank reserve warning lamp
lights up while driving.
The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.
Refuel at the next gas station
(page 232).
S203 MY03_A.book Page 258 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 253 of 370
259 Practical hints
What to do if …
Lamp in center consoleProblem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
7
The indicator lamp lights up.
A BabySmart
TM child seat is installed on the
front passenger seat. Therefore the front
passenger airbag is switched off.
The system is malfunctioning when there is
no BabySmart
TM child seat installed on the
front passenger seat.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
7
The indicator lamp does not light
up with a BabySmart
TM child
seat properly installed on the
front passenger seat.
The system is malfunctioning.
Make sure that there is nothing be-
tween seat cushion and child seat and
check installation of the child seat.
If the light remains out, have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not use the BabySmart
TM restraint
to transport children on the front pas-
senger seat until the system has been
repaired.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 259 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 269 of 370
275 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
.
TAIL LAMP, R
CHECK LAMP!
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The right tail lamp is malfunctioning. A
backup bulb is being used.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
SIDE MARKER LAMP, LF
CHECK LAMP!
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The left parking lamps are malfunctioning.
A backup bulb is being used.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
SIDE MARKER LAMP, RF
CHECK LAMP!
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The right parking lamps are malfunction-
ing. A backup bulb is being used.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
LIGHTS
TURN OFF LAMPS!
This display appears if the driver’s door is
opened with the engine shut off and no
key in the starter switch.
Insert key in the starter switch.
Switch off lights.
AUTOM. LIGHT ON
REMOVE KEY!
Key in the starter switch position1 or2.
Remove key from the starter switch.
!
(Canada only)
;
(USA only)
PARKING BRAKE
RELEASE PARKING BRAKE!
You are driving with the parking brake set.
Release the parking brake
(page 46).
<
SEAT BELT SYSTEM
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The seat belt system is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 275 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 287 of 370
293 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Rear lamps Notes on bulb replacement
Use only 12 volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.
Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.
Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.
Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.
If the newly installed bulb does not light
up, visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Have the LEDs and bulbs for the follow-
ing lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center:
Additional turn signals in the
exterior rear view mirrors
High mounted brake lamp
Xenon lamps
Front fog lamps
Lamp
Type
7
High mounted brake
lamp
LED
8
Brake lamp
P21W
9
Turn signal lamp
PY 21 W
10
Backup lamp
P21W
11
Tail, parking, stand-
ing and side marker
lamp
P21/4W
12
License plate lamps
C5W
13
Rear fog lamp,
driver’s side
P21/4W
Warning!
G
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot. Al-
low the lamp to cool down before changing
a bulb.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas.
A bulb can explode if you:
touch or move it when hot
drop the bulb
scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 293 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 288 of 370
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
Page 289 of 370
295 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Parking and standing lamp bulb
Switch off the lights.
Open the hood (
page 234).
Press the clamp and remove headlamp
cover2.
Pull out the bulb socket6 with the
bulb.
Pull the bulb out of the bulb socket.
Insert a new bulb in the socket.
Reinstall the bulb socket.
Align headlamp cover2 and click into
place.Bi-Xenon* headlamps
1Bulb socket for turn signal lamp
2Headlamp cover for high beam bulb,
parking and standing lamp
3Headlamp cover for Bi-Xenon lamp4High beam headlamp bulb
5Bayonet socket for high beam head-
lamp bulb
6Bulb socket for parking and standing
lamp
High beam bulb
Switch off the lights.
Open the hood (
page 234).
Press the clamp and remove headlamp
cover2.
Pull electrical connector4 off.
Warning!
G
Do not remove the cover3 for the Bi-Xenon
headlamp. Because of high voltage in
Bi-Xenon lamps, it is dangerous to replace
the bulb or repair the lamp and its compo-
nents. We recommend that you have such
work done by a qualified technician.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 295 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 290 of 370
296 Practical hintsReplacing bulbs
Twist bayonet socket5 counterclock-
wise to the stop (do not remove).
Pull the bulb out of the socket.
Insert the new bulb so that the base lo-
cates in the recess in the bayonet
socket5.
Twist bayonet socket clockwise until
you hear it snap into place.
Plug the connector onto the bulb.
Align headlamp cover2 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.Parking and standing lamp bulb
Switch off the lights.
Open the hood (
page 234).
Press the clamp and remove headlamp
cover2.
Pull out the bulb socket6 with the
bulb.
Pull the bulb out of the bulb socket.
Insert a new bulb in the socket.
Reinstall the bulb socket.
Align headlamp cover2 and click into
place.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 296 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM