2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS immobilizer

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting safety defects ................ 18
At a glance.......................................... 19
Cockpit ................................................. 20
Instrument cluster ................................ 22
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 24
Center console ..................................... 25
Upper part ...................................... 25
Lower part ...................................... 26
Overhead control panel ........................ 27
Door control panel................................ 28Getting started................................... 29
Unlocking ............................................. 30
Unlocking with the SmartKey.......... 30
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO* ......... 32
Adjusting .............................................. 34
Seats............................................... 34
Steering wheel ................................ 37
Mirrors ............................................ 38
Driving .................................................. 40
Fastening the seat belts.................. 40
Starting the engine ......................... 43
Switching on headlamps ................. 46
Turn signals and high beam ............ 46
Windshield wipers ........................... 47Problems while driving.................... 48
Parking and locking .............................. 50
Parking brake ................................. 50
Switching off headlamps................. 51
Turning off the engine ..................... 51
Safety and Security........................... 55
Occupant safety ................................... 56
Airbags ........................................... 57
Seat belts ....................................... 61
Children in the vehicle .................... 65
Blocking of rear door window
operation ........................................ 71
Panic alarm .......................................... 72
Activating........................................ 72
Deactivating.................................... 72
Driving safety systems ......................... 73
ABS ................................................. 73
BAS ................................................. 74
ESP ................................................. 75
The SBC brake system .................... 77
Anti-theft systems ................................ 81
Immobilizer ..................................... 81
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 82
Tow-away alarm .............................. 82
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52 Getting startedParking and lockingTurning off with the key
Turn the key in the starter switch to
position0 and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.

Press the seat belt release button
(page 41).

After exiting the vehicle press the lock
button‹ on the key (
page 30).
The locking knobs on the doors move
down. The turn signal indicators light
up briefly.More information can be found in the
"Controls in detail" section (
page 86).
iThe SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* (if so equipped) can only
be removed from the starter switch
with the gear selector lever in
positionP.!With the SmartKey removed and the
driver’s door open, a warning sounds if
the vehicle’s exterior lamps are not
switched off.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the door
openings when closing the doors. Be espe-
cially careful when small children are
around.
Before closing doors, ensure that there is no
possibility of someone getting caught in a
door during closing.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
key from the starter switch and lock your ve-
hicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle may
cause serious personal injury.
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81 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating

With the key: Removing the key from
the starter switch activates the immo-
bilizer.


With KEYLESS-GO*: Turning off the en-
gine by means of the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button on the gear selector
lever activates the immobilizer.Deactivating


With the key: Inserting the key in the
starter switch deactivates the immobi-
lizer.


With KEYLESS-GO*: Starting the en-
gine by means of the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button on the gear selector
lever deactivates the immobilizer.
iIn case the engine cannot be started
(yet the vehicle’s battery is charged),
the system is not operational. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the
USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
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381 Index
A
ABS 73, 375
Malfunction indicator lamp 289
Messages in display 296
Warning lamp 289
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 156
Accident
In case of 49
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 170, 181
Air recirculation mode 168, 178
Anti-theft alarm system 82
Automatic climate control 174
Central locking (control system) 142
Charcoal filter 180
Climate control 164
Defrost 167
Distance warning function* 206
Distronic* 202
Easy-entry/exit feature* 143
ESP 77
Exterior headlamps 46
Exterior lamps 113
Hazard warning flasher 115
Headlamps 46High beams 115
Ignition 31
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button 33
Immobilizer 52, 81
Rear fog lamp 113
Rear window defroster 169, 180
Residual heat 171, 182
Tow-away alarm 83
Windshield wipers 47
Adjustable air outlets, rear passenger
compartment 182
Adjusting 34
Air distribution 166, 177
Air volume 166, 177
Backrest tilt 36
Exterior rear view mirror 39
Head restraint height 36
Head restraint tilt 36
Inside rear view mirror 38
Instrument cluster illumination 118
Mirrors 38
Multicontour seat* 104
Seat cushion depth 105
Seat cushion tilt 36
Seat fore and aft adjustment 35Seat height 35
Seats 34
Steering column height 38
Steering column length 38
Steering wheel 37
Air conditioner (cooling)
Turning off 170, 181
Turning on 170, 181
Air distribution
Adjusting 166, 177
Air outlets, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 182
Air recirculation mode 167, 178
Activating 168, 178
Deactivating 168, 179
Air volume
Adjusting 166, 177
Airbags 57
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 67, 375
Children 58
Front 60
Passenger 60
Safety guidelines 59
Side impact 61
Window curtain 61
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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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385 Index
ESP 76
Exterior lamps 113
Hazard warning flasher 115
Headlamps 51
Immobilizer 81
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 141
Rear window defroster 169, 180
Residual heat 171
Tow-away alarm 83
Deceleration
With Distronic* 200
Defogging
Windshield 166, 177
Defrosting 167, 178
Delayed switch-off
Interior lighting 141
Dialing
A number (telephone) 149
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 48
With starting 44
Digital speedometer 126
Discharged battery
Jump starting 346Display
Selecting 135, 136
Displays
Digital speedometer 126
Distronic* 199
Messages 264
Selecting 135
Service indicator 275
Showing malfunctions 130
Distance
Decreasing in Distronic* 205
Increasing in Distronic* 205
Warning function 205
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 145
Distance warning function* 205
Activating 206
Deactivating 206
DTR* warning lamp 205
Intermittent warning sound 205
Symbol in multifunction display 129
Distronic* 197, 376
Activated 201
Activating 202
Calling up settings 128, 200
Cleaning sensors 283Cover 283
Cruise control lever 201
Deactivated 201
Deactivating 204
Deceleration 200
Decreasing distance 205
Displays in the speedometer dial 199
Distance warning function 205
Driving hints 206
Fine adjustment 203
Increasing distance 205
Intermittent signal tone 199
Menu 200
Messages in display 300
Resetting stored speed 203
Setting a higher speed 202
Setting a slower speed 203
Setting the current speed 202
Setting the following distance in
Distronic 204
Warning and indicator lamps 199
Door entry lamps 117
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 241
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388 IndexGrarage door opener 27
H
Hand-held transmitter
Programming integrated remote
control 244
Hazard warning flasher 115
Switching off 115
Switching on 115
Head restraints 103
Headlamps
Automatic control 113
Bi-Xenon 375
Cleaning system* 158
Switching off 51
Switching on 46
Heated seats* 107
Height adjustment
Head restraints 36
Steering wheel 37
Vehicle level 209
High beam flasher 47, 115
High beam headlamps 332
Messages in display 316
Switching on 115Hood 261
Closing 261
Message in display 313
Opening 261
I
Identification labels 358
Ignition 31, 33
Switching on 44
Immobilizer 81
Activating 81
Deactivating 81
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems 65
Info services 242
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 239
Inside rear view mirror
Adjusting 38
Instrument 22
Instrument cluster 118, 377
Coolant temperature display 119
Illumination 118
Multifunction display 121
Outside temperature indicator 120Selecting language 135
Instrument lighting 118, 119
Integrated remote control
Canadian programming 245
Erasing memory 246
Hand-held transmitter 244
Operating 246
Rolling code programming 245
Interior lighting 116
Activating automatic control 116
Deactivating automatic control 116
Delayed switch-off 141
Manual operation 116
Interior storage spaces 226
Glove box 226
J
Jump starting 346
K
Key (SmartKey)
Changing the batteries 329
Key dependency memory
Settings 144
Key positions in starter switch 31
Key, electronic
Messages in display 323
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