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251 Operation
Vehicle care
Wiper blades
Clean the wiper blade inserts with a clean
cloth and detergent solution.
Window cleaning
Use a window cleaning solution on all glass
surfaces. An automotive glass cleaner is
recommended.Light alloy wheels
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care
should be used for regular cleaning of the
light alloy wheels.
If possible, clean wheels once a week with
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care, us-
ing a soft bristle brush and a strong spray
of water.
Follow instructions on container.
Instrument cluster
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution. Wipe with a cloth moist-
ened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.Steering wheel and gear selector lever
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly
or clean with Mercedes-Benz approved
Leather Care.
Cup holder
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution. Wipe with a cloth moist-
ened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.
iFor safety reasons, remove key from
starter switch before cleaning the wip-
er blades, otherwise the wiper motor
can suddenly turn on and cause injury.iFor safety reasons, switch off wipers
and remove key from starter switch be-
fore cleaning the windshield, otherwise
the wiper motor can suddenly turn on
and cause injury.
iUse only acid-free cleaning materials.
Acid could lead to corrosion.
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Page 249 of 370
255 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS malfunction indi-
cator lamp comes on while driv-
ing.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and the ESP are also
switched off (see messages in display).
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking
reducing steering capability.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS has switched off.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.
If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 255 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 255 of 370
261 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
ABS SYSTEM
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The ESP and the BAS
are also deactivated. The brake system is
still functioning normally but without the
ABS available.
Continue driving with added cau-
tion. Wheels will lock in hard brak-
ing reducing steering capability.
Have the system checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ABS or the ABS display is malfunc-
tioning.
Continue driving with added cau-
tion. Wheels will lock in hard brak-
ing reducing steering capability.
Have the system checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 261 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 262 of 370
268 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
J
DOOR OPEN!
You are attempting to drive with one or
more doors open.
Close the doors.
ESP
ESP
NOT AVAILABLE!
The ESP is deactivated because of a mal-
function or interrupted power supply. The
ABS might not be operational.
With vehicle stationary and the en-
gine running, turn the steering
wheel completely to the left and
then to the right to synchronize the
ESP.
If the ESP message does not go out:
Continue driving with added cau-
tion.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
The self-diagnosis has not been complet-
ed.
The display will clear itself after driving
a short distance at more than 12 mph
(20 km/h).
S203 MY03_A.book Page 268 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 270 of 370
276 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
<
DRIVER’S SEAT BELT
FASTEN SEAT BELT!
The display reminds you and your pas-
sengers to fasten seat belts.
Fasten the seat belts.
_
STEERING WHEEL ADJUST
LOCK!
The steering column is not properly
locked.
Lock the steering column properly
(page 37).
POWER STEERING FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The steering gear oil level is too low.
There is a danger of steering gear dam-
age.
Have the system checked by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
If the level of steering gear oil in reservoir is
too low, the steering power assistance could
fail. Much greater effort will then be needed
to turn the steering wheel.
Do not add steering oil without checking the
steering system.
Do not drive the vehicle. Have the system
checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
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277 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
L
TELE AID
VISIT WORKSHOP!
One or more main functions of the Tele
Aid* system are malfunctioning.
Have the Tele Aid* system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
ì
FUNCTION
NOT AVAILABLE!
This display appears if button
ì
or
í
on the multifunction steering wheel
is pressed and the vehicle is not
equipped with a telephone.
Ê
TRUNK OPEN!
This message will appear whenever the
tailgate is open.
Close the tailgate.
1
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The system is malfunctioning.
Drive with added caution to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!
G
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is indi-
cated as outlined above, the SRS may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly
recommend that you visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have
the system checked; otherwise the
SRS may not be activated when needed in
an accident, which could result in serious or
fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly
and unnecessarily which could also result in
injury.
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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
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311 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
!To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the drive train, however, we
recommend the drive shaft be discon-
nected at the rear axle drive flange
(vehicles with 4MATIC*: disconnected
at the front and rear axle drive flanges)
for any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.
Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:
the engine will not run
there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
as that will be necessary to adequately
control the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the key is in
starter switch position2.
If the key is left in starter switch position0
for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the switch. In this case,
the steering is locked. To unlock, remove
key from starter switch and reinsert.
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
key in starter switch to position2 and
activate the combination switch for the
left or right turn signal in the usual
manner – only the selected turn signal
will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the
hazard warning flasher will operate
again.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 311 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM