Page 285 of 370
291 Practical hints
Opening/closing in an emergency
Turn crank3 counterclockwise to:
slide roof open
lower roof at the rear
The sliding/pop-up roof must be resyn-
chronized after being operated manually.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 291 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 299 of 370

305 Practical hints
Battery
Battery
The battery is located in the engine com-
partment on the right hand side.
Removal of filter box:
Release the three clamps1.
Remove filter box.
Installation of filter box:
Insert filter box properly.
Secure it with the three clamps1.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the key is in the starter switch. Oth-
erwise the alternator and other elec-
tronic components could be severely
damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Service Booklet for mainte-
nance intervals or contact your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 305 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 301 of 370

307 Practical hints
Battery
Reconnecting the batteries
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Connect the positive lead and fasten its
cover2.
Connect the negative lead1.
Reinstall the filter box.Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12-volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.!NEVER invert the terminal connections.!The battery, its filler caps and the vent
tube must always be securely installed
when the vehicle is in operation.
iThe following procedures must be car-
ried out following any interruption of
battery power (e.g. due to reconnec-
tion):
Set the clock (
page 118) (vehi-
cles with COMAND*: see COMAND
operator’s manual).
Resynchronize the ESP
(page 268).
Resynchronize side windows
(page 186).
Resynchronize sliding/pop-up roof
(page 189).
S203 MY03_A.book Page 307 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 321 of 370
327 Technical data
Weights
Weights
Roof load max.
220 lb (100 kg)
S203 MY03_A.book Page 327 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 343 of 370

349 Index
MB Tex upholstery 252
Plastic and rubber parts 252
Seat belts 252
Steering wheel 251
Windows 251
Windshield 49
Wiper blades 251
Climate control 144
Adjusting 147
Defogging windshield 147
Defrosting 147
Rear window defroster 149
Setting the temperature 146
Clock 23, 118
Closing
Glove box 203
Hood 235
Side windows 185
Sliding/pop-up roof 187, 290
Sliding/pop-up roof with
SmartKey 188
Tailgate 87
Trunk lid 87
Windows 184
Windows with SmartKey 186Closing sliding/pop-up roof
In an emergency 290
Cockpit 20, 339
COMAND* 340
see separate operating instructions
Combination switch 101
High beam flasher 48, 101
Turn signals 47
Windshield wipers 48
Consumer information 337
Control and operation of radio
transmitter 230
Control system 107, 340
AUDIO menu 112
Convenience submenu 126
Display digital speedometer 112
Functions 108, 111
Instrument cluster submenu 118
Lighting submenu 121
Malfunction memory menu 115
Menus 110, 111
Multifunction display 107
Multifunction steering wheel 108
NAVI menu 114
Selecting radio system 113
Settings menu 116Standard display menu 112
Submenus 109, 111
TEL* menu 131
Trip computer menu 128
Vehicle submenu 124
Convenience submenu 126
Activating easy-entry/exit
feature 126
Setting key dependency 127
Setting parking position for exterior
rear view mirror 128
Coolant 238, 334
Adding 238
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 334
Capacities 328
Checking level 238
Messages in display 265, 266
Temperature 231
Temperature gauge 104
Warning lamp 266
Coolant level
Checking 233, 238
Cruise control 190, 340
Canceling 191
Driving downhill 191
S203 MY03_A.book Page 349 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 345 of 370

351 Index
Downhill driving
Cruise control 191
Downshifting 134, 136
Drink holder see Cup holder 204
Drinking and driving 223
Driving
General instructions 40, 223
Hydroplaning 226
In winter 228
Problems 50
Safety systems 73
Through standing water 229
Traveling abroad 229
Driving instructions 223
Driving off 225
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 78
ABS 73
BAS 75
ESP 75
Driving systems 190
Cruise control 190
Driving safety systems 73E
Easy-entry/exit feature 90
Activating 126
Interrupting movement 126
Electrical fuses 314
Electrical outlet 208
Electrical system
Technical data 325
Electronic stability program (ESP) 340
Electronic Stability Program see ESP 23,
75
Emergency call
Telephone 181
Emergency call system* 210
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 213
With Tele Aid* 211
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 140
Emergency operations
Closing sliding/pop-up roof 290
Locking the vehicle 286
Opening sliding/pop-up roof 290
Remote door unlock 217
Unlocking the vehicle 285
Emergency tensioning device (ETD) 340Emergency tensioning device see
ETD 64
Emission control 231
Emission control label 320
Ending
A call (telephone) 132
Engine
Compartment 234
Message in display 258
Starting with automatic
transmission 44
Starting with manual
transmission 44
Starting with the key 44, 45
Technical data 322
Turning off with the key 52
Engine cleaning 250
Engine compartment 234
Fuse box in 314
Hood 234
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 23,
258
Engine number 340
Engine oil 235, 330
Adding 236
Additives 330
S203 MY03_A.book Page 351 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 350 of 370

356 IndexLicense plate lamps
Messages in display 274
Replacing bulbs 293, 298
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 251
Technical data 323
Light sensor 271
Lighter see Cigarette lighter 208
Lighting 98
Automatic headlamp mode 99
Cargo compartment 103
Combination switch 101
Daytime running lamp mode 100
Door entry lamps 103
Exterior lamp switch 98
Front fog lamps 100
High beam flasher 101
High beams 101
Instrument cluster illumination 104
Interior 102
Locator lighting 100
Low beam 98
Manual headlamp mode 99
Night security illumination 100
Parking lamps 98
Rear fog lamp 100Settings (control system) 121
Limiting the gear range 137
Limp Home Mode 140
Loading 193
Cargo tie-down rings 202
Instructions 201
Roof rack 193
Ski sack 193
Split rear bench seat 199
Locator lighting 100
Setting 122
Lock button
Doors 341
Locking 51, 84
Automatic while driving 88
Centrally from inside 89
Fuel filler flap 232
Global, SmartKey 85
Vehicle in an emergency 286
Loss of keys 86
Loss of Service and Warranty Information
Booklet 319
Low beam headlamps
Messages in display 272
Replacing bulbs 292, 294Lowering
Vehicle 304
Lubricants
Technical data 328
Luggage cover 198
Retractable 198
M
Main dimensions 326
Maintenance 12, 246
Vehicles with E85 fuel 333
Malfunction
Displaying 115
Malfunction memory 115
Calling up 115
Clearing 115
Manual headlamp mode 99
Manual operations
Fuel filler flap 288
Interior lighting control 102
Locking the vehicle 286
Sliding/pop-up roof 290
Unlocking the driver’s door 285
Unlocking transmission selector
lever 289S203 MY03_A.book Page 356 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
Page 352 of 370

358 Index
Tailgate 277
Tele Aid* 277
Telephone* 277
Washer fluid 278
Multifunction steering wheel 24, 108,
341
Buttons 108
N
Navigation system
Operating 114
See separate COMAND* operating in-
structions
Network provider 131
Night security illumination 100
Setting 122
O
Occupant safety 56
Airbags 57
Children and airbags 58
Children in the vehicle 65
Fastening the seat belt 40
Infant and child restraint systems 65
LATCH child seat anchors 70
Seat belts 40, 59
Odometer, main 23Oil
Adding 236
Checking level 235
Consumption 235
Dipstick 235
Filler neck 236
Oil level
Checking 233
One-touch gearshifting 136
Canceling gear range limit 136
Downshifting 136
Upshifting 136
Opening
Ashtray 207
Doors from the inside 88
Fuel filler flap 232
Fuel filler flap manually 288
Glove box 203
Hood 234
Side windows 185
Sliding/pop-up roof 187, 290
Sliding/pop-up roof in an
emergency 290
Sliding/pop-up roof with
SmartKey 188
Tailgate 87Windows 184
Windows with SmartKey 186
Operating
Audio system 161
Cassette player 114
CD player 113
COMAND* see separate operating in-
structions
Garage door opener 220
Integrated remote control 220
Navigation system 114
Radio 113
Radio transmitter 230
Safety 16
Telephone 161
Telephone* 131, 178
Vehicle outside the USA and
Canada 13
Operating safety 16
Audio system 161
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings 250
Outer seats
Rear seat head restraints 92
Outside temperature indicator 106
Overdue service 246
S203 MY03_A.book Page 358 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM