165 Controls in detail
Audio system
Bass
In radio, cassette and CD mode, press
the
AUD
key repeatedly until
BASS
ap-
pears on the display.
Press the
+ or
- key to increase or de-
crease the tone level accordingly.
or
Press both the
+ and
- keys simulta-
neously to reset the bass tones to the
center (flat) level.Treble
In radio, cassette and CD mode, press
the
AUD
key repeatedly until
TREBLE
ap-
pears on the display.
Press the
+ or
- key to increase or de-
crease the tone level accordingly.
or
Press both the
+ and
- keys simulta-
neously to reset the treble tones to
their center (flat) level.Fader
In radio, cassette and CD mode, press
the
AUD
key repeatedly until
FADER
ap-
pears on the display.
Press the
F or
R key to shift the sound
accordingly.
or
Press both the
F and
R keys simulta-
neously to reset the fader to its center
level.
iYour vehicle may or may not have the
fader function, depending on the vehi-
cle equipment and model.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 165 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
166 Controls in detailAudio systemBalance
In radio, cassette and CD mode, press
the
AUD
key repeatedly until
BALANCE
appears on the display.
Press the
L or
R key to shift the sound
accordingly.
or
Press both the
L and
R keys simulta-
neously to reset the balance to its cen-
ter level.Returning audio functions to factory set-
tings
In radio, cassette and CD mode, press
and hold the
AUD
key longer than 2 sec-
onds.
RESET
will appear on the display.
All settings for bass, treble and balance
are returned to center and the volume
is set to a predefined level.Audio system sound selection (EXT)*
In radio, cassette and CD mode, press
the
AUD
key.
The sound settings menu appears on
the display.
Press the
EXT
key.
Press one of the function keys.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 166 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
190 Controls in detailDriving systems
Driving systemsThe driving system of your vehicle is de-
scribed on the following pages:
Cruise control, with which the vehicle
can maintain a preset speed
The BAS, ABS and ESP driving systems are
described in the “Safety and Security” sec-
tion (page 73).
Cruise control
Cruise control automatically maintains the
speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set any speed
over 20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever found on the left-hand side of the
steering column (
page 20).
Warning!
G
Cruise control is a convenience system de-
signed to assist the driver during vehicle op-
eration. The driver is and must remain at all
times responsible for the vehicle speed and
for safe brake operation.
Only use cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.
The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.
The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.
Deactivate cruise control when driving
in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 190 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
192 Controls in detailDriving systemsSetting stored speed (“Resume”
function)
Briefly push the cruise control lever to
position4.
The cruise control will resume the last
previously set speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.Setting a higher speed
Lift the cruise control lever to
position1 and hold it up until the de-
sired speed is reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Setting a lower speed
Depress the cruise control lever to
position2 and hold it down until the
desired speed is reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada :1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow1.
Slower
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow2.
Warning!
G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to preset
speed could cause an accident and/or seri-
ous injury to you and others.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does
not deactivate cruise control. After
brief acceleration (e.g. for passing),
cruise control will resume the last
speed set.
iVehicles with automatic transmission:
When you use the cruise control lever
to decelerate, the transmission will au-
tomatically downshift if the engine’s
braking power does not brake the vehi-
cle sufficiently.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 192 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
216 Controls in detailUseful featuresUpgrade signals
The Tele Aid system processes calls using
the following priority.
Automatic emergency – First priority
Manual emergency – Second priority
Roadside assistance – Third priority
Information – Fourth priority
Should a higher priority call be initiated
while you are connected, an upgrade (al-
ternating) tone will be heard, and the ap-
propriate indicator lamp will flash. If
certain information such as vehicle identi-
fication number or customer information is
not available, the operator may need to re-
transmit.
During this time you will hear a beep and
voice contact will be interrupted. Voice
contact will resume once the retransmis-
sion is completed. Once a call is conclud-
ed, a beep will be heard and the
appropriate indicator lamp will stop flash-
ing. The COMAND* system operation will
resume.
!If the indicator lamp continues to flash
or the system does not reset, contact
the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada), or
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) in the USA or Cus-
tomer Service at 1-800-387-0100 in
Canada.iThe indicator lamp in the respective
button flashes until the call is conclud-
ed. Calls can only be terminated by a
Response Center or Customer Assis-
tance Center representative except
Roadside Assistance and Information
calls, which can also be terminated by
pressing button
ì
on the multifunc-
tion steering wheel.
iWhen a Tele Aid call has been initiated,
the audio system or the COMAND* sys-
tem audio is muted and the selected
mode (radio, tape or CD) pauses. The
optional cellular phone (if installed)
switches off. If you must use this
phone, the vehicle must be parked. Dis-
connect the coiled cord and place the
call. The COMAND* navigation system
(if engaged) will continue to run. The
display in the instrument cluster is
available for use and spoken com-
mands are only available by pressing
the RPT button on the COMAND* unit.
A pop-up window will appear in the
COMAND* display to indicate that a
Tele Aid call is in progress.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 216 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
246 OperationMaintenance
MaintenanceWe strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with
the Service Booklet at the times called for
by the FSS (Flexible Service System).
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the
designated times /mileage called for by
the FSS may result in vehicle damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
FSS will notify you when your next service
is due.
Approximately one month before your next
service is due, one of the following mes-
sages will appear in the multifunction dis-
play while you are driving or when you
switch on the ignition (example service A):SERVICE A IN XX DAYS
SERVICE A IN XX MILES (KM)
SERVICE A DUE NOW!
The type of service due is indicated in the
speedometer display field:9
Minor service (A)
½
Major service (B)
Clearing the service indicator
The service indicator is automatically
cleared
after 10 seconds when you switch on
the ignition or when reaching the ser-
vice threshold while driving
after 30 seconds, once the suggested
service term has passed
You can also clear it yourself.
Press the reset knob on the instrument
cluster (
page 22).
Service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested ser-
vice term, you will see the following mes-
sage in the multifunction display:SERVICE A EXCEEDED BY XX DAYS
SERVICE A EXCEEDED BY XX MILES (KM)The Mercedes-Benz Center will reset the
service indicator following a completed
service.
iThe interval between services depends
on your driving habits. A gentle driving
style, moderate engine speeds and the
avoidance of short distance trips will
lengthen the interval between services.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 246 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
247 Operation
Maintenance
Calling up the service indicator
Switch ignition on.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 112).
Press button
k
or
j
on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until the FSS
indicator appears in the multifunction
display.
Resetting the service indicator
In the event that the service on your vehi-
cle is not carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, you can reset the
service indicator yourself.
Switch ignition on.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 112).
Press button
k
or
j
on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until the FSS
indicator appears in the multifunction
display.
Press the reset knob for about four
seconds.
This message appears in the tachome-
ter:DO YOU WANT TO RESET SERVICE INTER-
VAL? CONFIRM BY PRESSING RESET (R)
BUTTON
To confirm, hold down the reset knob
until you hear a signal.The service indicator now displays the
reset interval.
iIf the battery is disconnected, the days
of disconnection will not be included in
the count shown by the service indica-
tor. To arrive at the true service dead-
line, you will need to subtract these
days from the days shown in the ser-
vice indicator.
Do not confuse the service indicator
with the engine oil level indicator
:
.
iIf the service indicator was inadvertent-
ly reset, have a Mercedes-Benz Center
correct it.
Only reset if the proper service has
been performed. Resetting the system
without performing the proper service
as called for by the FSS will cause the
FSS to incorrectly determine the next
service interval which will result in en-
gine damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 247 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
260 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Messages in the display
The control system shows warning and
malfunction messages in the multifunction
display.
Certain warning and malfunction messag-
es are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.
Selecting the malfunction memory menu in
the control system (
page 115) displays
both cleared and uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the mul-
tifunction display in red color.
Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset knob on the instrument
cluster.
Other messages of high priority and mes-
sages of less immediate priority (regular
display colors) can be cleared from the multifunction display using the reset knob
(
page 22) and are then stored in the mal-
function message memory (
page 115).
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of all the messages that may
appear in the display. High priority mes-
sages appear on a red background.
Warning!
G
All categories of messages contain impor-
tant information which should be taken note
of and, where a malfunction is indicated, ad-
dressed as soon as possible at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair the condition noted may
cause damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty, or result
in property damage or personal injury.Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction dis-
play is inoperative.
Contact your nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iTurning the key in starter switch to
position2 causes all lamps as well as
the multifunction display to come on.
Ensure that they are all in working or-
der before starting your journey.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 260 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM