Page 345 of 370

351 Index
Downhill driving
Cruise control 191
Downshifting 134, 136
Drink holder see Cup holder 204
Drinking and driving 223
Driving
General instructions 40, 223
Hydroplaning 226
In winter 228
Problems 50
Safety systems 73
Through standing water 229
Traveling abroad 229
Driving instructions 223
Driving off 225
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 78
ABS 73
BAS 75
ESP 75
Driving systems 190
Cruise control 190
Driving safety systems 73E
Easy-entry/exit feature 90
Activating 126
Interrupting movement 126
Electrical fuses 314
Electrical outlet 208
Electrical system
Technical data 325
Electronic stability program (ESP) 340
Electronic Stability Program see ESP 23,
75
Emergency call
Telephone 181
Emergency call system* 210
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 213
With Tele Aid* 211
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 140
Emergency operations
Closing sliding/pop-up roof 290
Locking the vehicle 286
Opening sliding/pop-up roof 290
Remote door unlock 217
Unlocking the vehicle 285
Emergency tensioning device (ETD) 340Emergency tensioning device see
ETD 64
Emission control 231
Emission control label 320
Ending
A call (telephone) 132
Engine
Compartment 234
Message in display 258
Starting with automatic
transmission 44
Starting with manual
transmission 44
Starting with the key 44, 45
Technical data 322
Turning off with the key 52
Engine cleaning 250
Engine compartment 234
Fuse box in 314
Hood 234
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 23,
258
Engine number 340
Engine oil 235, 330
Adding 236
Additives 330
S203 MY03_A.book Page 351 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 347 of 370

353 Index
Reserve warning 23
Switching (Flexible fuel vehicle) 332
Technical data 328
Fuel additives 332
Fuel consumption statistics
After start 129
Since last reset 129
Fuel filler flap 232
Locking 232
Opening 288
Unlocking 232
Fuel requirements 331
Fuel reserve tank
Message in display 271
Fuel tank
Capacity 329
Filler flap 232
Fuel, coolants, lubricants etc.
Flexible fuel vehicles 329
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Capacities 328
Functions (control system) 108, 111
Resetting 117
Fuse box 314
Fuse chart 314
Fuse extractor 315Fuses 314
Auxiliary fuse box in cargo
compartment 315
Fuse box in engine compartment 314
Fuse box in passenger
compartment 314
Fuse chart 314
Fuse extractor 315
Spare fuses 315
G
Garage door opener 27, 218
Erasing in remote control 220
Integrated remote control 219
Rolling code programming 219
Gasoline see Fuel 233
Gasoline additives 332
Gear range 340
Automatic transmission 137
Limiting 137
Shifting into optimal 136
Gear range limit
Canceling 136
Gear selector lever
Cleaning 251
Position 138Global
Locking 85
Unlocking 85
Global positioning system (GPS) 340
Glove box 21, 203
Closing 203
Opening 203
Good visibility 141
GPS 340
GPS see COMAND* 216
H
Halogen-type
Front lamp bulbs 294
Hand-held transmitter
Programming integrated remote
control 219
Hands-free microphone 27
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 252
Hazard warning flasher 101
Switching off 101
Switching on 101
Head restraints 91
Manual seats 33
Power seats* 35
Rear seats 35
S203 MY03_A.book Page 353 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 350 of 370

356 IndexLicense plate lamps
Messages in display 274
Replacing bulbs 293, 298
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 251
Technical data 323
Light sensor 271
Lighter see Cigarette lighter 208
Lighting 98
Automatic headlamp mode 99
Cargo compartment 103
Combination switch 101
Daytime running lamp mode 100
Door entry lamps 103
Exterior lamp switch 98
Front fog lamps 100
High beam flasher 101
High beams 101
Instrument cluster illumination 104
Interior 102
Locator lighting 100
Low beam 98
Manual headlamp mode 99
Night security illumination 100
Parking lamps 98
Rear fog lamp 100Settings (control system) 121
Limiting the gear range 137
Limp Home Mode 140
Loading 193
Cargo tie-down rings 202
Instructions 201
Roof rack 193
Ski sack 193
Split rear bench seat 199
Locator lighting 100
Setting 122
Lock button
Doors 341
Locking 51, 84
Automatic while driving 88
Centrally from inside 89
Fuel filler flap 232
Global, SmartKey 85
Vehicle in an emergency 286
Loss of keys 86
Loss of Service and Warranty Information
Booklet 319
Low beam headlamps
Messages in display 272
Replacing bulbs 292, 294Lowering
Vehicle 304
Lubricants
Technical data 328
Luggage cover 198
Retractable 198
M
Main dimensions 326
Maintenance 12, 246
Vehicles with E85 fuel 333
Malfunction
Displaying 115
Malfunction memory 115
Calling up 115
Clearing 115
Manual headlamp mode 99
Manual operations
Fuel filler flap 288
Interior lighting control 102
Locking the vehicle 286
Sliding/pop-up roof 290
Unlocking the driver’s door 285
Unlocking transmission selector
lever 289S203 MY03_A.book Page 356 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 358 of 370

364 IndexStanding water
Driving instructions 229
Starter switch 21, 31
Positions 31
Starting difficulties 45
Starting position 31
Starting the engine 44
Station (radio)
Search 113
Station selection
Setting 125
Steel rims
Technical data 323
Steering column
Height adjustment 37, 38
Length adjustment 37, 38
Steering gear oil
Message in display 276
Steering wheel
Adjusting 37
Buttons 24
Cleaning 251
Electrical adjustment 38
Height adjustment 38
Manual adjustment 37Stolen vehicle
Tracking services 217
Stopping
Sliding/pop-up roof 188
Windows 185
Storage compartments
Armrest 205
Cargo compartment 197
Glove box 203
Ventilated compartments 150
Storage spaces
Cup holder 204
Storing (Memory function*)
Positions into memory 96
Submenus 111
Convenience 126
For settings 109
In control system 111
Instrument cluster 118
Lighting 121
Resetting functions in Control
system 117
Selecting 116
Settings menu 116
Vehicle 124
Sun visors 143Switching
Fuel (Flexible fuel vehicle) 332
Switching off
Audio system 164
Automatic central locking (control
system) 125
Engine 52
ESP 77
Hazard warning flasher 101
Headlamps 52
Seat heating 94
Switching on
Audio system 164
Automatic central locking (control
system) 125
ESP 77
Front fog lamps 100
Hazard warning flasher 101
Headlamps 47
High beams 101
Rapid seat heating 94
Rear fog lamp 100
Seat heating 94
Windshield wipers 48S203 MY03_A.book Page 364 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 359 of 370

365 Index
Synchronizing
Power windows 186
Sliding/pop-up roof 189
T
Tachometer 23, 105
Displaying gear range 137
Overspeed range 105
Tail lamps
Cleaning 250
Replacing bulbs 293, 297
Tailgate
Closing 87
Message in display 277
Opening 87
Tar stains 249
Technical data 330
Brake fluid 330
Coolant 328
Coolants 334
Electrical system 325
Engine 322
Engine oil 330
Engine oil additives 330
Flexible fuel vehicles 332
Fuel requirements 331
Fuels 328Gasoline additives 332
Lubricants 328
Main dimensions 326
Premium unleaded gasoline 331
Rims and tires 323
Weights 327
Windshield and headlamp washer
system 329, 336
Tele Aid* 210
Emergency calls 211
Information 214
Initiating an emergency call
manually 213
Messages in display 277
Remote door unlock 217
Roadside assistance 213
SOS button 213
Stolen vehicle tracking services 217
System self-check 211
Tele Aid* System 210
Upgrade signals 216
Tele Aid* System 343
Telematics* 343
Telephone
Emergency call 181Telephone* 24, 209
Answering a call 132
Dialing a number from the phone
book 132
Ending a call 132
Hands-free microphone 27
Loading phone book* 132
Messages in display 277
Operating 131
Operation 178
Redialing 133
Signal strength 131
Temperature
Display mode 119
Grades of tires 338
Outside temperature indicator 106
Setting interior temperature 146,
154
Setting units in display 119
Tires 243
Tie-down rings (Cargo
compartment) 202
Tightening torque (Wheel bolts) 304
S203 MY03_A.book Page 365 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 369 of 370

Service and Literature
Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center has trained technicians and original Mercedes-Benz parts to service your vehicle properly. For
expert advice and quality service, see your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If your are interested in obtaining service literature for your vehicle, please contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. We con-
sider this the best way for you to obtain accurate information for your vehicle.
For further information you can find us on the Mercedes-Benz web-site www.mbusa.com or www.mercedes-benz.ca.
We reserve the right to modify the technical details of the vehicle as given in the data and illustrations of this Operator’s Manual. Re-
printing, translation and copying, even of excerpts, is not permitted without our prior authorization in writing.
Title illustration no. P00.01-2289-31
Press time 11 / 04 / 02
GSP / SIP
Printed in Germany
Warning
G
To help avoid personal injury, be extremely careful when performing any service work or repairs. Improper or incomplete service or the use of
incorrect or inappropriate parts or materials may damage the vehicle or its equipment, which may in turn result in personal injury.
If you have any question about carrying out some service, turn to the advice of an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 375 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM