310 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
Towing the vehicleMercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground or front wheels raised (except
vehicles with 4MATIC*) only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with key in starter switch turned
to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 80) and deactivate the auto-
matic central locking (
page 88).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission
and/or 4MATIC*:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.!Vehicles with 4MATIC*:
Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing
so could damage the transfer case,
which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground.
Observe instructions for towing the
vehicle with all wheels on the ground.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised (not permissible for vehicles
with 4MATIC*), the engine must be
shut off (key in starter switch
position0 or1). Otherwise the ESP will
immediately be engaged and will apply
the rear wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the selector lever must
be in positionN (manual transmission:
gears disengaged) and the key must be
in starter switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and
at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
S203 MY03_A.book Page 310 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
347 Index
Gear shifting malfunctions 140
Kickdown 140
Manual shifting 136
One-touch gearshifting 136
Program mode selector switch 139
Selector lever position 135
Starting with 44
Transmission fluid 237
Winter program mode 139
Auxiliary fuse box 315
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 67
Compatible child seats 67
Self-test 67
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 339
BabySmartTM compatible child
seats 339
Backrest
Folding forward 199
Folding rearward 200
Backrest tilt 33
Backup lamps 293, 298
Bulbs 293BAS 75, 339
Messages in display 262
Batteries, electronic key
Checking 86
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 287
Check lamp 85
Checking 86
Battery discharged
Jump starting 308
Battery, vehicle 239, 305
Charging 306
Disconnecting 306
Messages in display 278
Reconnecting 307
Reinstalling 306
Removing 306
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 339
Bi-Xenon type
Front lamp bulbs 295
Block heater 245
Blocking
Rear door window operation 71
Bolts
For Minispare wheel 284
For spare wheel 282Brake assist system (BAS) 339
Brake fluid 233, 330
Brake lamp bulbs 293
Brake lamp, high mounted 293
Brake pads
Message in display 263
Brakes 224
Break-in period 222
Bulbs, replacing 292
Additional turn signals 292
Backup lamps 293
Brake lamps 293
Fog lamps 292
Front lamps 292
High beam 292
High mounted brake lamp 293
License plate lamps 293, 298
Low beam 292
Parking lamps 292, 293, 295, 296
Rear fog lamp 293
Rear fog lamps 297
Side marker lamps 292, 297
Standing lamps 292, 293, 295, 296
Tail lamp assemblies 293, 297
Turn signal lamps 292, 293
S203 MY03_A.book Page 347 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
