158 Controls in detailAutomatic climate control*Deactivating
Press button
e
(page 153).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
The automatic air recirculation mode does
not function if economy mode AC
OFF
is se-
lected or if the outside temperature has
fallen below 41°F (5°C).The activated charcoal filter should be
switched off when windows fog up on the
inside, or if the passenger compartment
needs to be quickly heated or cooled
down.
Rear window defroster
The rear window defroster uses a large
amount of power. To keep the battery
drain to a minimum, switch off the defrost-
er as soon as the rear window is clear. The
defroster is automatically deactivated af-
ter approximately 6 to 17 minutes of oper-
ation depending on the outside
temperature.
Activating
Press button
F
(page 153).
The indicator lamp on the button lights
up.
Deactivating
Press button
F
(page 153) again.The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
iIf you keep button
e
pressed, the
side windows and the sliding/pop-up
roof will be closed.
iIf you keep button
e
pressed, the
side windows and the sliding/pop-up
roof will be returned to their previous
position.
Warning!
G
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driv-
ing. Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.!If the rear window defroster switches
off too soon and the indicator lamp
starts blinking, this means that too
many electrical consumers are operat-
ing simultaneously and there is insuffi-
cient voltage in the battery. The system
responds automatically by deactivating
the rear window defroster.
As soon as the battery has sufficient
voltage, the rear window defroster
automatically turns itself back on.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 158 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
159 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control*
Air conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while
the engine is running and cools the interior
air to the temperature set by the operator.
Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the automatic
climate control system. The air in the vehi-
cle will then no longer be cooled or dehu-
midified.
Press buttonAC
OFF
(page 153).
The indicator lamp on the
buttonAC
OFF
lights up.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.
PressAC
OFF
again (
page 153).
The indicator lamp on the
buttonAC
OFF
goes out.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Residual heat and ventilation*
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.
Activating
Turn the key in the starter switch to
position1 o r r e m o v e i t f r o m t h e s t a r t e r
switch.
Press button
T
(page 153).
The indicator lamp on button
T
comes on.
Deactivating
Press button
T
.
The indicator lamp on button
T
goes off.
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.
!If the air conditioning cannot be turned
on again, this indicates that the air con-
ditioning is losing refrigerant. The com-
pressor has turned itself off.
Have the air conditioning checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 159 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
160 Controls in detailAutomatic climate control*The residual heat is automatically turned
off:
when the ignition is switched on
after about 30 minutes
if the battery voltage dropsRear passenger compartment adjust-
able air vents
1Center air vent, left
2Thumbwheel for air volume control for
center air vents
3Center air vent, right
4Closing center air vents
5Opening center air vents
6Switching on blowerAdjusting the air volume
Turn thumbwheel2.
iHow long the system will provide heat-
ing depends on the coolant tempera-
ture and the temperature set by the
operator. The blower will run at speed
setting1 regardless of the air distribu-
tion control setting.
iFour blower speeds are available.
The temperature at the air vents for
rear passenger compartment1 and3
is the same as at the dashboard center
air vents.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 160 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
185 Controls in detail
Power windows
Closing the windows
Pull on switch.
The window will move upwards until
you release the switch.
If you pull and hold the switch up when
closing the window, and upward move-
ment of the window is blocked by some ob-
struction including but not limited to arms,
hands, fingers etc., the automatic reversal
will not operate.
Fully opening windows
Press switch past resistance point and
release.
The window opens completely.Fully closing windows
Pull switch past resistance point and
release.
The window closes completely.
If the upward movement of the window is
blocked during the closing procedure, the
window will stop and open slightly.Stopping windows
Press or pull respective switch again.
Warning!
G
Driver’s door only:
If within five seconds the switch1 is again
pulled past the resistance point and re-
leased, the automatic reversal will not
operate.
iYou can also open or close the win-
dows using the:
SmartKey (summer opening/con-
venience feature), see below
O
button in the control panel of
the climate control (
page 145) or
automatic climate control
(
page 153)
e
button in the control panel of
the automatic climate control
(
page 153)
S203 MY03_A.book Page 185 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
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
337 Technical data
Consumer information
Consumer information
The following text is published as required
of all manufacturers of passenger cars un-
der Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal Regula-
tions, Part 575 pursuant to the “National
Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of
1966”.Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found, where appli-
cable, on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to
these grades.Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one
a nd one-ha lf (1½ ) tim es as wel l on the gov-
ernment course as a tire graded 100. The
relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest
are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades repre-
sent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pave-
ment as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.Tread wear
Traction
Temperature
200
AA
A
Warning!
G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 337 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
345 Index
A
ABS 23, 73, 339
ABS control 74
Malfunction indicator lamp 255
Messages in display 261
Warning lamp 255
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 140
Accident
In case of 50
Activating
Air circulation mode 148
Air conditioning (cooling) 150, 159
Air recirculation mode 148, 156
Anti-theft alarm system 79
Automatic climate control 153
Central locking (control system) 125
Climate control 145
Defrost 147, 156
Easy-entry/exit feature 126
ESP 77
Exterior headlamps 47
Exterior lamps 99
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 142
Hazard warning flasher 101Headlamps 47
High beams 101
Ignition 31
Immobilizer 52, 79
Rear fog lamp 99
Rear window defroster 149, 158
Residual heat 159
Seat heater 94
Tow-away alarm 80
Windshield wipers 48
Adding
Coolant 238
Engine oil 236
Additional turn signals 292
Adjustable air vents, rear passenger
compartment 151, 160
Adjusting 32
Air distribution 147, 155
Air volume 147, 155
Backrest tilt 33, 35
Exterior rear view mirror 39
Head restraint height 33, 35, 36
Head restraint tilt 34, 35, 36
Head restraints 36
Inside rear view mirror 38
Instrument cluster illumination 104Manual seat 33
Mirrors 38
Multicontour seat* 93
Power seat 34
Rear seat head restraints 35
Seat cushion depth 93
Seat cushion tilt 33, 35
Seat fore and aft adjustment 33, 34
Seat height 33, 35
Seats 32
Steering column height 38
Steering column length 38
Steering wheel 37
Air conditioning (cooling)
Turning off 150, 159
Turning on 150, 159
Air conditioning refrigerant 330
Air distribution
Adjusting 147, 155
Air pressure see Tire inflation
pressure 242
Air recirculation mode 148, 156
Activating 148, 156
Deactivating 148, 157
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 151, 160
S203 MY03_A.book Page 345 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
346 IndexAir volume
Adjusting 147, 155
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 259
Airbags 57
BabySmart
TM deactivation
system 67
Children 58
Front 60
Passenger 60
Safety guidelines 59
Side impact 61
Window curtain 61
Alarm
Audible 72, 80
Canceling 80
Visual 79
Alarm system
Anti-theft 79
Alignment bolt 302, 339
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 335
Antiglare
Automatic 141
Antilock brake system (ABS) 339
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 79
Canceling alarm 80Disarming 80
Anti-theft systems 79
Anti-theft alarm system* 79
Immobilizer 79
Tow-away alarm 80
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning 226
Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 205
Storage spaces 206
Ashtray 207
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 237
AUDIO menu 112
Selecting radio station 113
Audio system
Audio and telephone, operation 161
Button and soft key operation 164
Cassette mode 170
CD mode 174
Operating and display elements 162
Operating safety 161
Operation 164
Radio mode 167
Switching off 164
Switching on 164
Telephone operation 178
Audio systems 161Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 141
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 125
Automatic climate control 152
Adjusting air distribution 155
Air recirculation mode 156
Deactivating 150
Defrosting 156
Rear window defroster 158
Residual heat utilization 159
Residual ventilation 159
Setting the temperature 154
Automatic headlamp mode 99
Automatic lighting control
Activating 102
Deactivating 102
Automatic locking when driving 88
Automatic transmission 135
Accelerator position 140
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 140
Fluid level 237
Gear ranges 137
Gear selector lever position 138
S203 MY03_A.book Page 346 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM