300 Practical hintsFlat tire
Flat tirePreparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
moving traffic on a hard surface.
Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
Engage the steering wheel lock in the
straight ahead position and set the
parking brake.
Move the selector lever toP (manual
transmission to first or reverse gear).
Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Mounting the spare wheel
Prepare the vehicle as described under
"Preparing the vehicle" on this page.
Take the spare wheel out of the trunk
as described on (
page 281) (full size
tire spare wheel) or (page 282)
(Minispare wheel).
Lifting the vehicle
Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking wheels with wheel chocks
(not included) or other sizable objects.
When changing wheel on a level surface:
Place one chock in front of and one be-
hind the wheel that is diagonally oppo-
site to the wheel being changed.When changing wheel on a hill:
Place chocks on the downhill side
blocking both wheels of the other axle.
Take the two-piece wheel wrench and
the jack out of the cargo compartment
(page 279). Assemble wheel wrench.
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
S203 MY03_A.book Page 300 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
309 Practical hints
Jump starting
The battery is located in the engine com-
partment on the right hand side. The termi-
nals for jump starting are located in front
of the battery.
Make sure that the two vehicles do not
touch.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Apply parking brake.
Shift selector lever to positionP (man-
ual transmission to Neutral).1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive under hood terminal in front of
discharged battery
3Negative terminal of charged battery
4Negative under hood terminal in front
of discharged battery
Connect positive terminal1 of the
charged battery with the under hood
terminal2 in front of the discharged
battery with the jumper cables. Clamp
cable to charged battery1 first.
Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.
Connect negative terminal3 of the
charged battery with the under hood
terminal4 in front of the discharged
battery with the jumper cables. Clamp
cable to charged battery3 first.
Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
Now you can again turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.
Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals3 and4 and then
from positive terminals1 and2.
Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 239).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission
or 4MATIC*:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 309 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
357 Index
Manual seat
Adjusting 33
Adjusting backrest tilt 33
Adjusting head restraint height 33
Adjusting head restraint tilt 34
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 33
Adjusting seat height 33
Front seat head restraints 91
Seat fore and aft adjustment 33
Manual transmission 134
Shifting into reverse 134
Starting with 44
MAXCOOL maximum cooling 156
MB Tex upholstery
Cleaning 252
Mechanical key 285
Memory function 95
Recalling positions from memory 96
Storing exterior rear view mirror park-
ing position 97
Storing key dependent settings 96
Menu
Control system 341
Menus 108
AUDIO 112
In control system 110, 111Malfunction memory 115
NAVI 114
Settings menu 116
Standard display 112
Submenus 109
TEL* 131
Trip computer 128
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 27
Miles/kilometers in speedometer
Setting 119
Minispare wheel 282, 303, 324
Bolts 284
Mirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 142
Adjusting 38
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 141
Exterior rear view mirror 39
Exterior rear view mirror parking
positions 128
Inside rear view mirror 38
Storing exterior rear view mirror park-
ing position 97
MON 233MON (Motor Octane Number) 341
Mph or km/h in speedometer 119
Multicontour seat* 93
Multifunction display 107, 341
Selecting language 120
Standard display 111
Multifunction display messages
ABS 261
BAS 262
Battery 278
Brake fluid 264
Brake pads 263
Check engine 258
Coolant 266
Coolant level 265
Display 278
Doors 268
Engine 258
Engine oil level 270
ESP 268
Fuel reserve tank 271
Hood 271
Key 271
Lamps 272–275
Parking brake 275
Steering gear oil level 276
S203 MY03_A.book Page 357 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
359 Index
Overhead control panel 27
P
Paintwork 249
Panic alarm 72
Panic button on SmartKey 72
Parcel net
In cargo compartment 196
In front passenger footwell 206
Parking 51, 225
Parking brake 46, 51
Engaging 51
Message in display 275
Releasing 46
Parking lamps
Replacing bulbs 292, 293, 295, 296
Switching on 98
Parking position
Exterior rear view mirrors 97, 128,
142
Partition net 197
Parts see Spare parts service 318
Passenger compartment 229
Fuse box in 314
Inside rear view mirror 38
Interior lighting 102Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 206
Passenger safety see Occupant
safety 56
Pedals 223
Performance
In cold weather 333
In hot weather 333
Phone book*
Loading 132
Quick search 133
Phone number*
Dialing 132
Redialing 133
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 252
Playing
CDs 175
Poly-V-belt drive 341
Layout 321
Positions (Memory function*)
Recalling from memory 96
Storing into memory 96
Power assistance 223Power seat*
Adjusting 34
Adjusting backrest tilt 35
Adjusting head restraint height 35
Adjusting head restraint tilt 35
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 35
Adjusting seat height 35
Front seat head restraints 91
Seat fore and aft adjustment 34
Power train 342
Power washer 249
Power windows 184
Blocking of rear door window
operation 71
Side windows 184
Synchronizing 186
Practical hints
First aid kit 279
Fuses 314
Lamp in center console 259
Lamps in instrument cluster 254
Messages in the display 260
Spare wheel 281
Spare wheel bolts 282
Towing the vehicle 310
Vehicle jack 280
S203 MY03_A.book Page 359 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
361 Index
Replacing
Backup lamp bulbs 297
Brake lamp bulbs 297
Bulbs 292
Front lamp bulbs 294
Front turn signal bulbs 294, 295
Fuses 315
High beam bulbs 294
High beam bulbs (xenon-type
headlamps) 295
License plate lamp bulbs 298
Low beam bulbs 294
Parking lamp bulbs 295, 296
Rear fog lamp bulbs 297
Rear lamp bulbs 293, 297
Rear turn signal bulbs 297
Side marker lamp bulbs 297
Standing lamp bulbs 295, 296
Wiper blades 299
Reporting
Safety defects 18
Reset knob in the instrument cluster 116
Resetting
All functions (control system) 116
All functions of a submenu 117
Fuel consumption 129Service indicator (FSS) 247
Trip odometer 105
Residual heat utilization 159
Residual ventilation 159
REST 342
Restraint system see Infant and child re-
straint systems 65, 69
Restraint systems 342
Reverse (manual transmission)
Shifting into 134
Rims 323
Roadside Assistance 12
Roadside assistance
Tele Aid* 213
Rolling code programming 219
RON 233
RON (Research Octane Number) 342
Roof rack 193
Rotating wheels 243
Rubber parts
Cleaning 252
S
Safety
Occupant 56
Safety belts see Seat belts 40Safety defects
Reporting 18
Safety systems
Driving 73
Saving current speed 191
Searching
Radio station 113
Seat belt force limiter 64
Seat belt height adjustment 42
Front seats 42
Rear outer seats 42
Seat belts 61
Cleaning 252
Fastening 40
Height adjustment 42
Proper use of 43, 63
Safety guidelines 59
Warning lamp 258
Seat cushion depth
Adjusting 93
Seat heater
Switching off 94
Switching on 94
S203 MY03_A.book Page 361 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
368 IndexW
Warning sounds
Drivers seat belts 61
Parking brake 46
Warranty coverage 319
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washing the vehicle 248
Wear pattern (tires) 243
Weights 327
Wheel change
Tightening torque 304
Wheels
Rotating 243
Tires and wheels 241
Window curtain airbags 61
Windows see Side windows
Windshield
Defogging 147, 155
Refilling washer fluid 240
Replacing wiper blades 299
Washer fluid 240, 336
Washer system 336
Windshield washer fluid 336
Message in display 278
Mixing ratio 336
Refilling 240Wiping with 49
Windshield washer system 336
Windshield wipers 48
Fast wiper speed 48
Interval wiping 50
Rear window wiper/washer 49
Replacing wiper blades 299
Simultaneous wiping and washing 50
Single wipe 49
Switching on 48
Wiping with windshield washer
fluid 49
Winter driving 244
Block heater 245
Snow chains 245
Tires 244
Transmission program mode 139
Winter driving instructions 228
Winter tires 244
Wiper blades
Cleaning 251
Installing 299
Removing 299
Removing insert 299
Replacing 299
Wiper/washerRear window 49
Wiping
And washing simultaneously 49, 50
Interval 48, 50
With windshield washer fluid 49S203 MY03_A.book Page 368 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM