230 OperationDriving instructionsControl and operation of radio trans-mitter
COMAND*, radio and telephone*Telephones* and two-way radios
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter operation in-
structions regarding use of an external an-
tenna.
Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with
monolithic type catalytic converters, an
important element in conjunction with the
oxygen sensors to achieve substantial con-
trol of the pollutants in the exhaust emis-
sions. Keep your vehicle in proper
operating condition by following our rec-
ommended maintenance instructions as
outlined in your Service Booklet.
Warning!
G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle safely.
Only operate the COMAND (Cockpit Man-
agement and Data System), radio or tele-
phone
1 if road, weather and traffic
conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of approximately
44 feet (approximately 13.5 m) every sec-
ond.
1Observe all legal requirements.
Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury.
!To prevent damage to the catalytic con-
verters, use only premium unleaded
gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine
operation should be repaired promptly.
Otherwise, excessive unburned fuel
may reach the catalytic converter,
causing it to overheat and start a fire.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 230 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
340 Technical termsCOMAND*
(Cockpit Management and Data Sys-
tem)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and navi-
gation system, as well as for other op-
tional equipment (CD changer*,
telephone*, etc.).
Control system
The control system is used to call up vehi-
cle information and to change component
settings. Information and messages ap-
pear in the multifunction display. The driv-
er uses the buttons on the multifunction
steering wheel to navigate through the sys-
tem and to adjust settings.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for automati-
cally maintaining the vehicle speed set by
the driver.Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer and
placed on the cylinder block to uniquely
identify each engine produced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (viscos-
ity) of the oil at different temperatures. The
higher the temperature an oil can tolerate
without becoming thin, or the lower the
temperature it can tolerate without be-
coming viscous, the better the viscosity.
ESP
(Electronic Stability Program)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(Emergency Tensioning Device)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRSFSS
(Flexible Service System)
Service indicator in the multifunction
display that informs the driver when
the next vehicle maintenance service is
due.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to the
automatic transmission for shifting. The
automatic gear shifting process can be
adapted to specific operating conditions
using the selector lever.
GPS
(Global Positioning System)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.S203 MY03_A.book Page 340 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
341 Technical terms
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning lamps
in the driver’s field of vision, including the
tachometer, speedometer, engine temper-
ature display and fuel gauge.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the point
of resistance shifts the transmission down
to the lowest possible gear. This very
quickly accelerates the vehicle and should
not be used for normal acceleration needs.
Lock button
Button on the door which indicates wheth-
er the door is locked or unlocked. Pushing
the lock button down on an individual door
from inside will lock that door.
Memory function*
Used to store three individual seat, steer-
ing wheel and mirror positions for each
key.Menu
The control system displays are arranged
in menus. Each menu contains a number of
commands for particular systems. In the
Audio menu, for example, you will find the
commands SELECT RADIO STATION or OP-
ERATE CD PLAYER. Using commands you
can directly change the settings for your
vehicle.
MON
(Motor Octane Number)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline's
ability to resist undesired detonation
(knocking). The average of both the
MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as AN-
TI-KNOCK INDEX.Multifunction display
Display field in the instrument cluster used
to present information provided by the
control system.
Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for operating
the control system.
Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking of
the tachometer dial. Avoid this engine
speed range, as it may result in serious en-
gine damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 341 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
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
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
360 Index
Vehicle tool kit 279
Premium unleaded gasoline 331
Problems
While driving 50
With vehicle 17
Product information 9
Program mode selector switch
Automatic transmission 139
Program mode selector switch (Automatic
transmission) 342
Q
Quick search
Phone book* 133
R
Radio
Selecting stations 113
Station search 113
Station selection setting 125
Radio mode 167
Radio see Radio mode
Radio transmitter, control and
operation 230
Range (distance to empty)
Calling up 130Rapid seat heating
Switching on 94
Reading lamp 27
Rear bench seat
Foldable 199
Rear door window
Blocking operation 71
Rear fog lamp 293
Bulb 293
Switching on 100
Rear lamp bulbs
Replacing 297
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear outer seats
Adjusting head restraint height 36
Rear passenger compartment
Adjustable air vents 151, 160
Rear seat head restraints
Adjusting 35
Adjusting tilt 36
Folding back 36
Installing 92
Outer seats 92
Placing upright 36
Removing 92
Rear view mirror automatic antiglare 141Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 149, 158
Activating 149, 158
Deactivating 149, 158
Rear window wiper/washer 49
Reconnecting
Vehicle battery 307
Refrigerant
Air conditioning 330
Regular checks 233
Reinstalling vehicle battery 306
Remote control
SmartKey 84
Remote controls
Integrated 219
Remote door unlock
With Tele Aid* 217
Remote Vehicle Diagnostics 342
Removing
Parcel net in cargo compartment 196
Ski sack 196
Twin-reel roller blind 198
Vehicle battery 306
Wheel 302
Wiper blade insert 299
Wiper blades 299
S203 MY03_A.book Page 360 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
361 Index
Replacing
Backup lamp bulbs 297
Brake lamp bulbs 297
Bulbs 292
Front lamp bulbs 294
Front turn signal bulbs 294, 295
Fuses 315
High beam bulbs 294
High beam bulbs (xenon-type
headlamps) 295
License plate lamp bulbs 298
Low beam bulbs 294
Parking lamp bulbs 295, 296
Rear fog lamp bulbs 297
Rear lamp bulbs 293, 297
Rear turn signal bulbs 297
Side marker lamp bulbs 297
Standing lamp bulbs 295, 296
Wiper blades 299
Reporting
Safety defects 18
Reset knob in the instrument cluster 116
Resetting
All functions (control system) 116
All functions of a submenu 117
Fuel consumption 129Service indicator (FSS) 247
Trip odometer 105
Residual heat utilization 159
Residual ventilation 159
REST 342
Restraint system see Infant and child re-
straint systems 65, 69
Restraint systems 342
Reverse (manual transmission)
Shifting into 134
Rims 323
Roadside Assistance 12
Roadside assistance
Tele Aid* 213
Rolling code programming 219
RON 233
RON (Research Octane Number) 342
Roof rack 193
Rotating wheels 243
Rubber parts
Cleaning 252
S
Safety
Occupant 56
Safety belts see Seat belts 40Safety defects
Reporting 18
Safety systems
Driving 73
Saving current speed 191
Searching
Radio station 113
Seat belt force limiter 64
Seat belt height adjustment 42
Front seats 42
Rear outer seats 42
Seat belts 61
Cleaning 252
Fastening 40
Height adjustment 42
Proper use of 43, 63
Safety guidelines 59
Warning lamp 258
Seat cushion depth
Adjusting 93
Seat heater
Switching off 94
Switching on 94
S203 MY03_A.book Page 361 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM