2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS brake light

315 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
.
Turn sig.
right
mirror
The right turn signal in the side mir-
ror is malfunctioning. This message
will only appear if all light emitting
diodes have stopped working.

Have the LEDs replaced as soon as possi-
ble.
Turn sig. front left
Back-up light on!

The left front turn signal lamp is mal-
functioning. A backup bulb is being
used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn sig. front right
Back-up light on!

The right front turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. A backup bulb is be-
ing used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Brake light
Visit workshop!
Stop lamp illumination is delayed or
lamp is permanently on.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Turn off lamps!
Lamps have been turned on al-
though the key in the starter switch
is in position 0.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Brake light, left
The left brake lamp is malfunction-
ing. A backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Brake light, right
The right brake lamp is malfunction-
ing. A backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
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316 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
.
3rd stop lamp
The high mounted brake lamp is mal-
functioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
High beam, left
The left high beam lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
High beam, right
The right high beam lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
License plate lamp,
left
The left license plate lamp is mal-
functioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
License plate lamp,
right

The right license plate lamp is mal-
functioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Front foglight, left
The left front fog lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Front foglight, right
The right front fog lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Rear foglight
The rear fog lamp is malfunctioning.
A backup bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Back-up lamp, left
The left backup lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
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333 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Rear lamps Notes on bulb replacement


Use only 12-volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.


Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.


Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.


Y o u r h a n d s s h o u l d b e d r y a n d f r e e o f o i l
and grease.


If the newly installed bulb does not light
up, visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.


Have the LEDs and bulbs for the follow-
ing lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center:

Additional turn signal lamps in the
exterior rear view mirrors


High mounted brake lamp


Bi-Xenon lamps


Front fog lamps
Lamp
Type
7
High mounted brake
lamp
LED
8
Tail, parking and
standing lamp
HiP
9
License plate lamps
C 5 W
Warning!
G
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot. Al-
low the lamp to cool down before changing
a bulb.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A
bulb can explode if you:

touch or move it when hot


drop the bulb


scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Bi-Xenon lamps,
it is dangerous to replace the bulb or repair
the lamp and its components. We recom-
mend that you have such work done by a
qualified technician.
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347 Practical hints
Jump starting
The battery is located in the trunk on the
right hand side underneath the luggage
box (
page 325). Only jump start the ve-
hicle from the battery in the trunk.

Make sure that the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift selector lever to positionP.1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive terminal of discharged battery
3Vehicle ground
4Negative terminal of charged battery

Connect positive terminals1 and2 of
the batteries with the jumper cables.
Clamp cable to charged battery1 first.

Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminal4 of the
charged battery and vehicle ground3
(lock ring of the trunk lid lock) in the
trunk with the jumper cable. Clamp ca-
ble to charged battery4 first.

Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
Now you can again turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.

Remove the jumper cables first from
vehicle ground3 and negative
terminal4 and then from positive
terminals1 and2.

Have the battery checked at the next
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 266).
iThe message
Malfunction - electric
consumers switched off
may appear
in the instrument cluster. It will disap-
pear as soon as the battery is suffi-
ciently charged.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
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375 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the front passenger seat. The
system will automatically deactivate
the passenger front airbag when such a
seat is properly installed
(PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp located in the center console
lights up). See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for availability. BabySmart
TM compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger side airbag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed.
BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
a light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.
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382 IndexAIRMATIC DC (Dual Control) 209
Alarm
Audible 72, 82
Canceling 82
Visual 82
Alarm system
Anti-theft 82
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 340, 375
Antiglare
Automatic 157
Antilock brake system (ABS) 375
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 82
Canceling alarm 82
Disarming 82
Anti-theft systems 81
Anti-theft alarm system 82
Immobilizer 81
Tow-away alarm 82
Ashtray 231
AUDIO menu 126
Selecting radio station 127
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 157Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 142
Automatic climate control
Temperature sensor 27
Automatic climate control* 172
Adjusting air distribution 177
Adjusting air volume 166, 177
Air recirculation mode 178
Defrosting 178
Rear window defroster 169, 180
Residual heat utilization 182
Residual ventilation 182
Setting the temperature 176
Automatic headlamp mode 113
Automatic lighting control
Activating 116
Deactivating 116
Automatic locking when driving 99
Automatic transmission 151
Accelerator position 156
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 156
Gear ranges 153Gear selector lever position 154
Gear shifting malfunctions 156
Kickdown 156
One-touch gearshifting 152
Program mode selector switch 155
Selector lever position 151
Starting the engine 43
Winter program mode 155
B
BabySmart
TM
Compatible child seats 375
Self-test 68
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 67, 375
Backrest
Folding forward 220
Folding rearward 221
BAS 74, 375
Messages in display 297, 298
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 329
Check lamp 87
Checking 88
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383 Index
Batteries, vehicle
Charging 344
Disconnecting 344
Messages in display 303, 304
Reconnecting 345
Removing 344
Service 343
Battery discharged
Jump starting 346
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 375
Blocking
Rear window operation 71
Brake assist system (BAS) 375
Brake pads
Message in display 305
Brakes
Warning lamp 291
Bulbs, replacing
Front lamps 332, 334
High beam bulb (Bi-Xenon* headlamps
only) 334
License plate lamps 336
Parking lamps 335
Standing lamps 335
Tail lamp assemblies 336C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 375
Calling up
Distronic* settings 128
Range (distance to empty) 147
CAN system 375
Cargo area see Trunk 88
Cargo tie-down rings 225
Cassette player
Operating 128
CD player*
Operating 127, 128
Center console
Lower part 26
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp 294
Upper part 25
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 134
Central locking
Automatic 99
From inside 100
Switch 100
Switching on/off (control
system) 142
Unlocking from inside 100Central locking switch 100
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey) 329
Key setting 143
Vehicle level 210
Charcoal filter 180
Charging
Vehicle batteries 344
Child safety 65
Airbags 58
Infant and child restraint systems 61,
65
Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
window operation 71
Cigarette lighter 232
Cleaning
Headlamps 158
Parktronic* system sensor 284
Windshield 48
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Distronic system sensor 283
MB Tex upholstery 285
Climate control 162
Adjusting 166
Defrosting 167
Setting the temperature 165
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389 Index
Key, Mechanical 327
Key, SmartKey
Battery check lamp 87
Checking the batteries 88
Factory setting 87
Global locking 87
Global unlocking 87
Loss of 89
Positions in starter switch 31
Remote controls 86
Restoring to factory setting 87
Selective setting 87
Starting the engine 44
Turning off the engine 52
Unlocking the trunk lid 88
Unlocking with 30
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Turning off the engine 53
KEYLESS-GO*
Activating ignition with 33
Closing side windows 92
Closing sliding/pop-up roof* 92
Factory setting 91
Global locking 91
Global unlocking 91
Important notes 90Locking the vehicle 92
Remote controls 89
Starting the engine 44
Turning off engine 53
Unlocking with 32
Unlocking, trunk lid 92
KEYLESS-GO* card
Messages in display 309
Keys 86
Kickdown 156, 377
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 134
Km/h or mph in speedometer 134
L
Lamp bulbs, exterior 332
Lamps, exterior
Front 332
Light sensor 313
Messages in display 313–??
Replacing bulbs for rear 333, 336
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 289
Airbag Off 61
Battery (SmartKey) 87
Brakes 291
Coolant 292
DTR* 199ESP 288
SBC 77
Seat belts 293
SRS 56
Language
Multifunction display 135
Setting 135
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 359
Level control system
AIRMATIC DC 209
Lever
Cruise control 201
License plate lamps 333
Messages in display 316
Replacing bulbs 336
Light sensor 313
Lighter see Cigarette lighter 232
Lighting 112
Automatic headlamp mode 113
Combination switch 115
Daytime running lamp mode 114
Door entry lamps 117
Exterior lamp switch 112
Front fog lamps 114
High beams 115
Instrument cluster illumination 118
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