342 Technical termsPower train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing
engine
clutch/torque converter
transmission
transfer case
drive shaft
differential
axle shafts/axles
Program mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic transmission
between standard operation S and winter
operation W.Remote Vehicle Diagnostics
Transmission of vehicle data and current
location to the Mercedes-Benz Customer
Assistance Center for subscribers to
Tele Aid service.
REST
(Residual engine heat utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the vehi-
cle interior for a short time after the en-
gine has been turned off.
Restraint systems
Seat belts, belt tensioners, airbags and
child restraint systems. As independent
systems, their protective functions com-
plement one another.RON
(Research Octane Number)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (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.
Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock pre-
vents the transmission selector lever from
being moved out of position P without key
turned and brake pedal depressed.
SRS
(Supplemental Restraint System)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.
S203 MY03_A.book Page 342 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
347 Index
Gear shifting malfunctions 140
Kickdown 140
Manual shifting 136
One-touch gearshifting 136
Program mode selector switch 139
Selector lever position 135
Starting with 44
Transmission fluid 237
Winter program mode 139
Auxiliary fuse box 315
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 67
Compatible child seats 67
Self-test 67
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 339
BabySmartTM compatible child
seats 339
Backrest
Folding forward 199
Folding rearward 200
Backrest tilt 33
Backup lamps 293, 298
Bulbs 293BAS 75, 339
Messages in display 262
Batteries, electronic key
Checking 86
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 287
Check lamp 85
Checking 86
Battery discharged
Jump starting 308
Battery, vehicle 239, 305
Charging 306
Disconnecting 306
Messages in display 278
Reconnecting 307
Reinstalling 306
Removing 306
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 339
Bi-Xenon type
Front lamp bulbs 295
Block heater 245
Blocking
Rear door window operation 71
Bolts
For Minispare wheel 284
For spare wheel 282Brake assist system (BAS) 339
Brake fluid 233, 330
Brake lamp bulbs 293
Brake lamp, high mounted 293
Brake pads
Message in display 263
Brakes 224
Break-in period 222
Bulbs, replacing 292
Additional turn signals 292
Backup lamps 293
Brake lamps 293
Fog lamps 292
Front lamps 292
High beam 292
High mounted brake lamp 293
License plate lamps 293, 298
Low beam 292
Parking lamps 292, 293, 295, 296
Rear fog lamp 293
Rear fog lamps 297
Side marker lamps 292, 297
Standing lamps 292, 293, 295, 296
Tail lamp assemblies 293, 297
Turn signal lamps 292, 293
S203 MY03_A.book Page 347 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
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
353 Index
Reserve warning 23
Switching (Flexible fuel vehicle) 332
Technical data 328
Fuel additives 332
Fuel consumption statistics
After start 129
Since last reset 129
Fuel filler flap 232
Locking 232
Opening 288
Unlocking 232
Fuel requirements 331
Fuel reserve tank
Message in display 271
Fuel tank
Capacity 329
Filler flap 232
Fuel, coolants, lubricants etc.
Flexible fuel vehicles 329
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Capacities 328
Functions (control system) 108, 111
Resetting 117
Fuse box 314
Fuse chart 314
Fuse extractor 315Fuses 314
Auxiliary fuse box in cargo
compartment 315
Fuse box in engine compartment 314
Fuse box in passenger
compartment 314
Fuse chart 314
Fuse extractor 315
Spare fuses 315
G
Garage door opener 27, 218
Erasing in remote control 220
Integrated remote control 219
Rolling code programming 219
Gasoline see Fuel 233
Gasoline additives 332
Gear range 340
Automatic transmission 137
Limiting 137
Shifting into optimal 136
Gear range limit
Canceling 136
Gear selector lever
Cleaning 251
Position 138Global
Locking 85
Unlocking 85
Global positioning system (GPS) 340
Glove box 21, 203
Closing 203
Opening 203
Good visibility 141
GPS 340
GPS see COMAND* 216
H
Halogen-type
Front lamp bulbs 294
Hand-held transmitter
Programming integrated remote
control 219
Hands-free microphone 27
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 252
Hazard warning flasher 101
Switching off 101
Switching on 101
Head restraints 91
Manual seats 33
Power seats* 35
Rear seats 35
S203 MY03_A.book Page 353 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM
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
357 Index
Manual seat
Adjusting 33
Adjusting backrest tilt 33
Adjusting head restraint height 33
Adjusting head restraint tilt 34
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 33
Adjusting seat height 33
Front seat head restraints 91
Seat fore and aft adjustment 33
Manual transmission 134
Shifting into reverse 134
Starting with 44
MAXCOOL maximum cooling 156
MB Tex upholstery
Cleaning 252
Mechanical key 285
Memory function 95
Recalling positions from memory 96
Storing exterior rear view mirror park-
ing position 97
Storing key dependent settings 96
Menu
Control system 341
Menus 108
AUDIO 112
In control system 110, 111Malfunction memory 115
NAVI 114
Settings menu 116
Standard display 112
Submenus 109
TEL* 131
Trip computer 128
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 27
Miles/kilometers in speedometer
Setting 119
Minispare wheel 282, 303, 324
Bolts 284
Mirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 142
Adjusting 38
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 141
Exterior rear view mirror 39
Exterior rear view mirror parking
positions 128
Inside rear view mirror 38
Storing exterior rear view mirror park-
ing position 97
MON 233MON (Motor Octane Number) 341
Mph or km/h in speedometer 119
Multicontour seat* 93
Multifunction display 107, 341
Selecting language 120
Standard display 111
Multifunction display messages
ABS 261
BAS 262
Battery 278
Brake fluid 264
Brake pads 263
Check engine 258
Coolant 266
Coolant level 265
Display 278
Doors 268
Engine 258
Engine oil level 270
ESP 268
Fuel reserve tank 271
Hood 271
Key 271
Lamps 272–275
Parking brake 275
Steering gear oil level 276
S203 MY03_A.book Page 357 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:22 PM