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
Page 291 of 370
297 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Side marker lamp bulb
Switch off the lights.
Carefully slide lamp towards rear.
Remove front end first.
Twist bulb socket counterclockwise
and pull out.
Pull bulb out of the bulb socket.
Insert new bulb in socket.
Reinstall bulb socket, push in and twist
clockwise.
To reinstall lamp, set rear end in
bumper and let front end snap into
place.
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Tail lamp assemblies
Open tailgate (
page 87).
Switch off the lights.
Press button1 on the corresponding
side.
Fold down trim panel2.
Squeeze tabs together3.
Remove bulb holder.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 297 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 292 of 370
298 Practical hintsReplacing bulbs4Brake lamp
5Turn signal lamp
6Backup lamp
7Rear fog lamp (driver’s side)/tail lamp,
parking, standing and side marker
lamp
Twist bulb socket counterclockwise
and pull out.
Gently push bulb into socket, turn
counterclockwise and remove.
Insert new bulb and reinstall bulb sock-
et.
Reinstall bulb holder and close trim
panel.License plate lamp
1Screws
Switch off the lights.
Loosen both screws1 and remove
lamp.
Replace the tubular lamp and reinstall
lamp.
Retighten the screws.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 298 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 341 of 370
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
Page 346 of 370
352 Index
Checking level 235
Consumption 235
Display messages 270
Filler neck 236
Messages in display 237, 270
Viscosity 340
Engine oil level see Oil level 233
ESP 23, 75, 340
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP 78
Messages in display 268
Switching off 77
Switching on 77
Warning lamp 254
ETD 340
Safety guidelines 59
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 64
Ethanol fuel
At the gas station 232
Switching fuels 332
Exterior lamp switch 98
Exterior lamps
Delayed shut-off 122
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 39
Parking position for 128F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 119
Fastening the seat belts 40
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 192
First aid kit 279
Flat tire 300
Lowering the vehicle 304
Mounting the spare wheel 300
Preparing the vehicle 300
Spare wheel 281
Flexible fuel vehicles 329, 332
At the gas station 232
Switching fuels 332
Flexible Service System (FSS) 246
Flexible service system (FSS) 340
Fog lamp, rear 100, 293
Fog lamps
Replacing bulbs 292
Fog lamps, front 100
Messages in display 274
Replacing bulbs 293
Switching on 100
Four wheel electronic traction system
(4MATIC) with ESP 784MATIC 78
Front airbags 60
Front lamps
Bi-Xenon type 295
Halogen-type 294
Messages in display 272–275
Replacing bulbs 292, 294
Switching on 98
Front seat head restraints
Installing 91
Manual seat 91
Power seat* 91
Removing 91
Front seats
Heater 94
FSS 340
FSS (Flexible Service System) 246
Fuel 233
Additives 332
Cruising range 333
E85 (Ethanol fuel) 333
Fuel reserve warning lamp 258
Gasoline additives 332
Premium unleaded gasoline 233,
329, 331
Requirements 331
S203 MY03_A.book Page 352 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
