2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS high beam

314 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?.
STANDING LIGHT, R
CHECK LIGHT!

BACK-UP LIGHT ON!

The right standing signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning. A back-up bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
FRONT FOGLIGHT, L
CHECK LIGHT!
The left front fog lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
FRONT FOGLIGHT, R
CHECK LIGHT!
The right front fog lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
LOW BEAM, L
CHECK LIGHT!
The left low beam lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
LOW BEAM, R
CHECK LIGHT!
The right low beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
3RD BRAKE LIGHT
CHECK LIGHT!

The high mounted brake lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
BRAKE LIGHT, L
CHECK LIGHT!

BACK-UP LIGHT ON!

The left brake lamp is malfunctioning. A
back-up bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
BRAKE LIGHT, R
CHECK LIGHT!

BACK-UP LIGHT ON!

The right brake lamp is malfunctioning. A
back-up bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
REVERSE LIGHT, L
CHECK LIGHT!
The left reverse lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution

331 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs
Safe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling. It is there-
fore essential that all bulbs and lamp as-
semblies are in good working order at all
times.
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. See your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for headlamp
adjustment.
Bulbs Front lamps
Lamp
Type
1
Additional turn sig-
nal lamps
LED
2
Low beam
1
1Vehicles with Bi-Xenon headlamps*: Low beam
and high beam use the same D2S-35W lamp. Do
not replace the Bi-Xenon bulbs yourself. See your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
H7-55 W
Bi -Xenon*
D2S-35 W
3
Turn signal lamp
2357 A
4
Fog lamp
H7-55 W
5
Parking and stand-
ing lamp
W5W
6
Side marker lamp
W5W
7
High beam
H7-55 W

333 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs for front lamps
1Headlamp cover for fog lamp
2Headlamp cover for high beam head-
lamp bulb, parking and standing lamp
3Headlamp cover for low beam
(Bi-Xenon* or halogen) headlamp bulb4Bulb socket for fog lamp
5Bulb socket for parking and standing
lamp
6Electrical connector for high beam
headlamp bulb
7Electrical connector for low beam
headlamp bulb
8Bulb socket for turn signal lampReplacing low beam bulbs
Bi-Xenon* headlamp
Halogen headlamp

Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 263).

Press the tab on cover3 and remove
cover.

Pull connector7 off of the lamp.

Release the retaining springs and take
out the bulb.Warning!
G
Do not remove the cover for the Bi-Xenon
headlamp. Because of high voltage in xenon
lamps, it is dangerous to replace the bulb or
repair the lamp and its components. We rec-
ommend that you have such work done by a
qualified technician.


334 Practical hintsReplacing bulbs
Insert the new bulb in the socket so
that the base is in the recess on the
lower left.

Attach the retaining springs.

Insert connector7 into the bulb.

Press cover3 onto the housing until
the tab engages.Replacing high beam bulbs

Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 263).

Press the tab on cover2 and remove
cover.

Pull connector 6 off of the bulb.

Apply pressure on the bulb contacts
from above until the bulb releases from
the retaining springs.

Remove bulb.

Insert the new bulb in the socket with
the marking facing upward.

Press the bulb upward on the contacts
until it engages in the retaining springs.

Insert connector6 onto the bulb.

Press cover2 onto the housing until
the tab engages.Front turn signal lamp bulb

Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 263).

Twist bulb socket8 counterclockwise
and pull out.

Gently push bulb into socket, turn
counterclockwise and remove.

Insert new bulb in socket, push in and
twist clockwise.

Reinstall bulb socket in lamp and twist
clockwise until it engages.


381 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 front passenger-side airbag when
such a seat is properly installed (indica-
tor lamp PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF 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 front
passenger-side airbag if a
BabySmartTM 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
the 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.

387 Index
A
ABC 213
Messages in display 297, 299
Setting vehicle level 212, 215
ABS 76, 381
Malfunction indicator lamp 291
Messages in display 298
Warning lamp 291
Accelerator position, automatic transmis-
sion 165
Accident
In case of 49
Activating
Air conditioner (cooling) 184
Air conditioning 184
Air recirculation mode 180
Anti-theft alarm system 83
Central locking (control system) 155
Charcoal filter 182
Distance warning function* 208
Distronic* 204
Easy-entry/exit feature 156
ESP 80
Exterior lamps 121Exterior rear view mirror parking posi-
tion 169
Front and rear fog lamp 121
Hazard warning flasher 124
Headlamps 46
High beams 123
Ignition 31
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button 33
Immobilizer 52, 82
Rear window defroster 183
Residual heat 185
Seat heater 111, 112
Seat ventilation* 110
Tow-away alarm 84
Windshield wipers 47
Activating steering wheel gearshift control
166
Downshifting 167
Upshifting 166
Adding
Coolant 269
Engine oil 266, 267
Additional turn signals 331Adjustable air vents, rear passenger com-
partment 186
Adjusting 34
Air distribution 178
Air volume 179
Backrest tilt 36
Drive-dynamic seats 159
Exterior rear view mirror 39
Head restraint height 37
Head restraint tilt 37
Inside rear view mirror 38
Instrument cluster illumination 127
Lumbar support 104
Mirrors 38
Multicontour seat* 107
Power seat bench* 113
Seat cushion depth 36, 108
Seat cushion tilt 36
Seat fore and aft adjustment 36
Seat height 36
Seat in the lumbar region 108
Seat in the shoulder region 108
Seats 34
Steering column height 38
Steering column length 38
Steering wheel 37

389 Index
Gear selector lever position 163
Gear shifting malfunctions 165
Kickdown 165
One-touch gearshifting 161
Program mode selector switch 164
Selector lever position 160
Starting the engine 43
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) and manual shift pro-
gram S 55 AMG 166
Transmission fluid 268
Winter program mode 166
Auxiliary cup holder 230
Inserting 230
Removing 231
Auxiliary fuse box 353
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 69
Compatible child seats 69, 381
Self-test 70
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system
381
Backrest supports
Lumbar region 108
Shoulder region 108Backup lamps 332, 336
Bulbs 332
BAS 78, 381
Messages in display 300, 310
Batteries, KEYLESS-GO* card
Check lamp 92
Checking 92
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 328, 329
Check lamp 88
Checking 88
Battery discharged
Jump starting 347
Battery, vehicle 270, 344
Charging 345
Disconnecting 345
Reconnecting 345
Reinstalling 345
Removing 345
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 381
Block heater* 279
Blocking
Rear window operation 74
Brake assist system (BAS) 381
Brake fluid 262, 373
Brake lamp bulbs 332Brake lamp, high mounted 332
Brake pads
Message in display 302
Brakes 252
Warning lamp 293
Break-in period 250
Bulbs, replacing 331
Additional turn signals 331
Backup lamps 332
Brake lamps 332
Fog lamps 331
Front lamps 331
High beam 331
High mounted brake lamp 332
License plate lamps 332, 336
Low beam 331
Parking and standing lamps 331
Parking lamps 332, 335
Rear fog lamp 332
Rear fog lamps 336
Side marker lamps 331, 335
Standing lamps 331, 332, 335
Tail lamp assemblies 332, 336
Turn signal lamps 331, 332

391 Index
Closing
Cup holder 230
Glove box 224
Hood 264
Side windows 189
Side windows with KEYLESS-GO* 93
Sliding/pop-up roof 192, 330
Sliding/pop-up roof with KEY-
LESS-GO* 93, 190, 194
Sliding/pop-up roof with SmartKey
194
Trunk 97
Windows 188
Windows with KEYLESS-GO* 190, 194
Windows with SmartKey 190
Closing from the inside
Trunk 99
Closing sliding/pop-up roof
In an emergency 330
Cockpit 20, 381
Cockpit management and data system
(COMAND*) 382
COMAND* 382
COMAND* see separate operating instruc-
tionsCombination switch 123
High beam flasher 46, 123
Turn signals 46
Windshield wipers 47
Comfortable driving
Transmission program mode 164
Consumer information 378
Control and operation of radio transmitters
258
Control system 130, 382
AUDIO menu 135
Convenience submenu 155
Display digital speedometer 135
Distronic* menu 142
Functions 131, 134
Instrument cluster submenu 149
Lighting submenu 150
Malfunction memory menu 145
Menus 133, 134, 383
Multifunction display 130
Multifunction steering wheel 131
NAVI menu 142
Selecting radio system 136
Settings menu 146
Standard display menu 135
Submenus 132, 134TEL* menu 139
Trip computer menu 143
Vehicle submenu 154
Convenience submenu 155
Activating easy-entry/exit feature 156
Adjusting drive-dynamic seats 159
Setting key dependency 156
Setting parking position for exterior
rear view mirror 158
Coolant 268
Adding 269
Checking level 268
Messages in display 304, 305
Temperature 260
Temperature gauge 128
Warning lamp 305
Coolant level
Checking 268
Courtesy lighting 126
Cruise control 196, 382
Canceling 197
Driving downhill 197
Driving uphill 197
Fine adjustment 198
Lever 203
Setting current speed 197