2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS center console

225 Controls in detail
Useful features
Storage compartment in the center
console
The storage compartment is located in the
lower portion of the center console.
1Storage compartment
Opening
Slide the mark on the compartment
cover forward.
Closing

Lightly press the mark on the compart-
ment cover forward. The cover closes
automatically.Storage compartment in front of arm-
rest
1Storage compartment
Opening
The compartment contains a cup holder
(
page 229).

Lightly touch cover plate1.
The cover opens automatically.
Closing

Lightly push cover plate1 up until it en-
gages.Storage compartment below the front
armrest
The buttons are located under the cushion
of the armrest.
1Button to open storage compartment
2Button to open storage tray

226 Controls in detailUseful featuresOpening storage compartment
Press button1 and lift the armrest lid.Opening storage tray
The tray contains a coin holder.

Press button2 and lift the armrest.Compartment for glasses
The compartment for glasses is located un-
der the armrest in the center console.
1Compartment for glasses
Opening compartment for glasses

Fold the right side of the armrest up-
wards.
iThe storage compartment can be heat-
ed or cooled.
The compartment can get very warm
due to its confined space. When storing
heat-sensitive objects in the compart-
ment, close the air vent (
page 184)
while heating the passenger compart-
ment.
!Do not obstruct the air vent in the stor-
age compartment.
!Do not store any objects under the
storage tray.
Do not let bank cards, credit cards, or
other cards with a magnetic strip come
near the storage tray, as a magnet built
into the tray could erase or change the
information on the card.

227 Controls in detail
Useful features
Telephone holder*
The telephone holder is located under the
armrest in the center console.
1Telephone holder
Opening telephone holder
Fold the right side of the armrest up-
wards.Storage compartments in the rear pas-
senger compartment
Armrest with integrated storage com-
partment
1Rear armrest
2Lid handle
Opening

Pull down the armrest by its strap.

Press handle2 and lift lid.
!Before storing the armrest in the back-
rest, close the storage compartment
lid.

232 Controls in detailUseful featuresParcel net in front passenger footwell
A small convenience parcel net is located
in the front passenger footwell. It is for
small and light items, such as road maps,
mail, etc.Parcel net in trunk
You can hang a parcel net in the trunk. The
hooks and the parcel net in the trunk can
hold a load of up to 29.8 lbs (13.5 kg).

Hang the parcel net on hooks1 on the
left and right sides of the trunk.
Ashtrays
Center console ashtray
Opening ashtray
Briefly touch cover plate1.
The ashtray opens automatically.
Warning!
G
Do not place heavy or fragile objects, or ob-
jects having sharp edges, in the parcel net.
In an accident, during hard braking, or sud-
den maneuvers they could be thrown
around inside the vehicle and cause injury to
vehicle occupants.
!The parcel net cannot protect or suffi-
ciently secure goods in the event of an
accident.

233 Controls in detail
Useful features
Removing ashtray insert
Secure vehicle from movement by set-
ting the parking brake. Move the selec-
tor lever to positionN.
Now you have more room to take out
the insert.

Push sliding button2 to the right.
The ashtray is disengaged and slides
out a short way.

Remove insert from ashtray frame.
Reinstalling the ashtray insert

Install insert by pushing it back into the
frame until it engages.Rear door ashtray
Opening ashtray

Lightly touch the back of the ashtray.
Removing ashtray insert

Pull the ashtray back slightly and re-
move the insert (see arrows).
Reinstalling the ashtray insert

Position the insert and press down
while sliding forward.
Cigarette lighters
1Center console cigarette lighter
Turn SmartKey in the starter switch to
position1 or2.

Briefly touch cover plate to open ash-
tray and access cigarette lighter.

Push in cigarette lighter1.
The lighter will pop out automatically
when hot.
Warning!
G
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle
standing still. Set the parking brake to se-
cure vehicle from movement. Move gear se-
lector lever to positionN. With gear selector
lever in positionN turn off the engine.

295 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Lamp in center consoleProblem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp lights up.
A BabySmart
TM child seat is installed on the
front passenger seat. Therefore the front
passenger airbag is switched off.
The system is malfunctioning when there is
no BabySmart
TM child seat installed on the
front passenger seat.

Have the system checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp does not light up with a BabySmart
TM
child seat properly installed on the front
passenger seat.The system is malfunctioning.

Make sure that there is nothing be-
tween seat cushion and child seat and
check installation of the child seat.

If the light remains out, have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not use the BabySmart
TM restraint
to transport children on the front pas-
senger seat until the system has been
repaired.

327 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking the trunk
If you are unable to unlock the trunk with
the SmartKey, open the trunk with the me-
chanical key as follows:Trunk lock
Insert the mechanical key into the
trunk lid lock.

Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise to position1.

Press button2.
The trunk lid swings open.
Locking the vehicle
If you are unable to lock the vehicle with
the SmartKey or the KEYLESS-GO* card,
lock it with the mechanical key as follows:
Close the passenger doors and the
trunk lid.

Press the central locking switch in the
center console (
page 103).

Check to see whether the locking knob
on the passenger door is still visible. If
necessary push it down manually.

Lock the driver’s door with the me-
chanical key.

Lock the trunk lid if necessary with the
mechanical key (
page 326).
!The trunk lid swings open upwards au-
tomatically. Always make sure that
there is sufficient overhead clearance.
A minimum height clearance of 6 ft.
(1.85 m) is required to open the trunk
lid.iUnlocking your vehicle with the me-
chanical key will trigger the anti-theft
alarm system. To cancel the alarm, do
one of the following:

Press button
Œ
or
‹
on the
SmartKey.


Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.


If KEYLESS-GO* card present,
press the start/stop button
(page 33).

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.