Page 181 of 370

187 Controls in detail
Sliding/pop-up roof*
Sliding/pop-up roof*
Opening and closing the sliding/pop-up roof
1Push back to slide roof open
2Push forward to slide roof closed
3Push up to raise roof at rear
4Pull down to lower roof at rear
With the roof closed or tilted open, a
screen can be slid into the roof opening to
guard against sun rays. When sliding the
roof open, the screen will also retract.Opening and closing the sliding/pop-up
roof
Turn the key in the starter switch to
position1 or2.
To open, close, raise or lower the slid-
ing/pop-up roof, move the switch to re-
sistance point in the required direction.
Release the switch when the roof has
reached the required position.
Opening and closing the sliding/pop-up
roof automatically
Move the switch past resistance point
in the direction required and release.
The sliding/pop-up roof opens or clos-
es completely.
Warning!
G
When closing the sliding/pop-up roof, make
sure that there is no danger of anyone being
harmed by the closing procedure.
The closing procedure of the sliding/pop-up
roof can be immediately reversed by either
pressing or pulling the switch, or pressing
button
Œ
on the SmartKey and holding
it.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from starter switch, and lock your vehi-
cle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehi-
cle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment
may cause an accident and/or serious per-
sonal injury.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 187 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 182 of 370

188 Controls in detailSliding/pop-up roof*Stopping the sliding / pop-up roof
Move the switch in any direction.
If the movement of the sliding/pop-up
roof is blocked during the closing pro-
cedure, the roof will stop and reopen
slightly.
Opening and closing the sliding/pop-up
roof with the SmartKey
The power windows will also be opened or
closed when the sliding/pop-up roof is op-
erated with the key.
Aim transmitter eye at the front door
handle.
iYou can also open or close the slid-
ing/pop-up roof using the:
SmartKey (summer opening/con-
venience feature) (
page 188)
button
O
in the control panel of
the climate control (
page 145) or
automatic climate control
(
page 153)
button
e
in the control panel of
the automatic climate control
(
page 153)
!To avoid damaging the seals, do not
transport any objects with sharp edges
which can stick out of the slid-
ing/pop-up roof.
The sliding/pop-up roof can be opened
or closed manually should an electrical
malfunction occur (
page 290).
Warning!
G
Never operate the windows or slid-
ing/pop-up roof if there is the possibility of
anyone being harmed by the opening or
closing procedure.
In case the procedure causes potential dan-
ger, the procedure can be immediately halt-
ed by releasing the remote control button.
To reverse direction of movement,
pressŒ for opening or ‹ for closing.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 188 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 183 of 370

189 Controls in detail
Sliding/pop-up roof*
Opening
Press and hold button
Œ
after un-
locking the vehicle.
The windows and sliding/pop-up roof
begin to open after approximately one
second.
Release transmit button to interrupt
procedure.Closing
Press and hold button
‹
after lock-
ing the vehicle.
The windows and sliding/pop-up roof
begin to close after approximately one
second.
Release transmit button to interrupt
procedure.
Ensure that all side windows and the slid-
ing/pop-up roof are properly closed before
leaving the vehicle.
Synchronizing the sliding / pop-up roof
The power sliding/pop-up roof must be re-
synchronized each time after the battery
has been disconnected, the slid-
ing/pop-up roof has been closed manually
or the sliding/pop-up roof does not open
smoothly or malfunctions.
Turn the key in starter switch to posi-
tion 1 or2 (
page 31).
Press the switch in the "raise" direction
until the sliding/pop-up roof is fully
raised at the rear (
page 187).
Hold the switch for approximately one
second.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 189 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 187 of 370
193 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Roof rack*
Attach the roof rack only to the roof rails.
Ski sack*
Unfolding and loading
Fold armrest down (arrow).
Swing cover1 down.
Open hook and loop strap2.
Pull ski sack into passenger compart-
ment and unfold.
Warning!
G
Use only those roof racks approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to
avoid damage to the vehicle. Follow manu-
facturer’s installation instructions.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 193 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 191 of 370

197 Controls in detail
Loading
Storage compartment under cargo compartment floor
To open cargo compartment floor
Press handle1 on the recess.
Lift compartment cover.To close cargo compartment floor
Lower the cover and lock by applying
light pressure to the handle1.
Retractable luggage cover and
partition net
The twin-reel roller blind comprises a lug-
gage cover and a partition net. It is mount-
ed on the backrest of the rear seat and can
also be used with backrest folded down.Partition net
Partition net with rear seats folded up
1Tab
2Eyelets on roof
Pull out upper blind (safety net) by
tabs1.
Engage it into eyelets on the roof2.
iThe compartment can be used to store
small, light or flat objects.
Warning!
G
If items are stored in the compartment,
make sure compartment is securely closed.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, they could be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, always use parti-
tion net when transporting cargo.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 197 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 192 of 370
198 Controls in detailLoadingPartition net with rear seats folded
down
1Tab
2Eyelets on roof
Pull out upper blind (safety net) by
tabs1 until it engages.
Fold seat forward (
page 199).
Pull out upper blind fully.
Engage it into eyelets on the roof2.Luggage cover
Closing
Pull luggage cover back by handle1
until it locks into position.
Opening
Press handle1 down and release.
The luggage cover retracts automati-
cally.Twin-reel roller blind
Retract the safety net and luggage cov-
er.
Removing
Fold split rear bench seat forward
(page 199).
Slide twin-reel roller blind1 to left and
remove.
iWith the luggage cover rolled up, fold
the lip down.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 198 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 242 of 370

248 OperationVehicle care
Vehicle careCleaning and care of the vehicle
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external in-
fluences which, if gone unchecked, can at-
tack the paintwork as well as the
underbody and cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by ex-
treme and varying climatic conditions, but
also by:
Air pollution
Road salt
Tar, gravel and stone chippingTo avoid paint damage, you should imme-
diately remove:
Grease and oil
Fuel
Coolant
Brake fluid
Bird droppings
Insects
Tree resins etc.
Frequent washing reduces and/or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.
More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:
Near the ocean
In industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)
During winter operationYou should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the facto-
ry with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others ap-
plied later.
We have selected car-care products and
compiled recommendations which are
specially matched to our vehicles and
which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain Mercedes-Benz approved
car-care products at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not de-
signed for cleaning your vehicle.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 248 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 284 of 370
290 Practical hintsOpening/closing in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergencySliding/pop-up roof
The sliding/pop-up roof drive is located
behind the lens of the interior overhead
light.
You can open or close the sliding/pop-up
roof manually should an electrical malfunc-
tion occur.
Pry off lens1 using a flat blade screw-
driver.
Slide both locking tabs2 in direction of
arrow.
Lower rear of cover and remove.
Remove cover.
Obtain crank3.
Insert crank3 through hole.
Turn crank3 clockwise to:
slide roof closed
raise roof at the rear
iDo not disconnect electrical connec-
tors.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 290 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM