2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS warning light

120 Controls in detailLighting
LightingFor notes on how to switch on the head-
lamps and use the turn signals, see the
“Getting started” section (
page 46).
Exterior lamp switch
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.
M
Off
U
Automatic headlamp mode
C
Parking lamps (also side marker
lamps, tail lamps, license plate
lamps, instrument panel lamps)
Canada only: When engine is run-
ning, the low beam is also switched
on.
B
Parking lamps plus low beam or
high beam headlamps (combination
switch pushed forward).
ˆ
Standing lamps, right (turn left one
stop)
‚
Standing lamps, left (turn left two
stops)
iIf you remove the SmartKey and open
the driver’s door while the parking
lamps or low beam headlamps are
switched on, then:

A warning sounds.


$
appears in the multifunction
display.


The message
TURN OFF LIGHTS!
ap-
pears in the multifunction display.
iWith the daytime running lamp mode
activated and the engine running, the
low beam headlamps cannot be
switched off manually.

121 Controls in detail
Lighting
Manual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and parking
lamps can be switched on and off with the
exterior lamp switch. For exterior lamp
switch, see (
page 120).
Automatic headlamp mode
The parking lamps, low beam headlamps
and license plate lamps switch on and off
automatically depending on the brightness
of the ambient light.

Turn the exterior lamp switch to
U
.
iWith the daytime running lamp mode
activated, the low beam headlamps will
not switch off automatically.
iFront fog lamps and rear fog lamp can
not be switched on manually with exte-
rior lamp switch in position
U
. To
activate the fog lamps, turn exterior
lamp switch to position
B
and pull
the exterior lamp switch to first or
second stop (
page 122).
Warning!
G
In automatic headlamp mode, the head-
lamps will not be automatically switched on
under foggy conditions. To minimize risk to
you and to others, activate headlamps by
turning exterior lamp switch to
B
.
The driver is responsible for the operation of
the vehicle’s lights at all times. The automat-
ic headlamp feature is only an aid to the driv-
er. Switch on the vehicle lights manually
when driving or when traffic conditions re-
quire you to do so.
iIf you drive in countries where vehicles
drive on the other side of the road than
the country where the vehicle is regis-
tered, you must have the headlamps
modified for symmetrical low beams.
Relevant information can be obtained
at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.

124 Controls in detailLightingHazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be activat-
ed with the starter switched on or off. It is
activated automatically when an airbag is
deployed.
The switch is located on the center con-
sole.
1Hazard warning flasher switchSwitching on the hazard warning
flasher

Press the hazard warning flasher
switch.
All turn signals will blink.
Switching off the hazard warning
flasher

Press hazard warning flasher switch
again.
Interior lighting
The controls are located in the overhead
control panel.
1Left front reading lamp
2Rear interior lights
3Right front reading lamp
4Rocker switch for automatic control
system
iWith the hazard warning flasher acti-
vated and the combination switch set
for either left or right turn, only the re-
spective left or right turn signals will
operate when the SmartKey in the
starter switch is in position1 or2.iIf the hazard warning flasher was acti-
vated automatically, press switch1
twice.

137 Controls in detail
Control system
CD changer* operating mode
General notes
Should excessively high temperatures oc-
cur while in CD mode,
CD TEMP HIGH
will
appear on the display and muting will take
place. The unit will then switch back to the
last operating mode used until the temper-
ature has decreased to a safe operating
level.
Should excessively low temperatures oc-
cur while in CD mode,
CD TEMP LOW
will ap-
pear on the display, but the CD will
continue to play.
Handle CDs carefully to prevent interfer-
ence during playback. Avoid fingerprints
and dust on CDs. Do not write on CDs or
apply any label or other material to them.Use only original CDs. Using copied CDs
may create problems during playback.
Clean CDs from time to time with a com-
mercially available cleaning cloth. No sol-
vents, anti-static sprays, etc. should be
used for cleaning. Replace the CD in its
case after use. Protect CDs from heat and
direct sunlight.
Only use CDs, which bear the label shown
and that conform to the compact disc dig-
ital audio standard (IEC 60908).Use of CDs which do not meet this stan-
dard may cause damage to the CD chang-
er. Do not play single-CDs (80 mm) with an
adapter.
For information operating the CD changer
refer to the separate COMAND operating
instructions.
Warning!
G
The CD changer is a Class 1 laser product.
There is a danger of invisible laser radiation
if the cover is opened or damaged.
Do not remove the cover. The CD changer
does not contain any parts which can be ser-
viced by the user. For safety reasons, have
any service work which may be necessary
performed only by qualified personnel.

146 Controls in detailControl system
Press button
k
or
j
.
The stored messages will now be dis-
played in the order in which the mal-
functions have occurred. See the
“Practical hints” section for malfunc-
tion and warning messages
(
page 296).
Should any malfunctions occur while driv-
ing, the number of malfunctions will reap-
pear in the display when the SmartKey in
the starter switch is turned to position0 or
removed from the starter switch.
Settings menu
In the
SETTINGS
menu there are two func-
tions:


The function
TO RESET: R BUTTON FOR
3 SEC.
, with which you can reset all
settings to the original factory settings.


A collection of submenus with which
you can make individual settings for
your vehicle.

Press button
è
or
ÿ
repeatedly
until the
SETTINGS
m e n u a p p e a r s i n t h e
display.Resetting all settings
You can reset all the functions of all sub-
menus to the factory settings.

Press the reset button
J
in the instru-
ment cluster for approximately three
seconds.
In the display you will see the request
to press the reset button J
again to
confirm.

Press the reset button
J
again.
The functions of all the submenus will
reset to factory settings.
iThe message memory will be cleared
when you turn the SmartKey in the
starter switch to position1 or2. You
will then only see high priority messag-
es in the malfunction display
(page 296).
iThe settings you have changed will not
be reset unless you confirm the action
by pressing the reset button
J
a sec-
ond time.
Due to safety reasons, resetting all of
the settings while driving will not reset
all of the values in the
LIGHTING
or the
VEHICLE
menu.

168 Controls in detailGood visibility
Good visibilityInformation on the windshield wipers
(page 47) and for setting the rear view
mirrors (
page 38) is found in the “Get-
ting started” section.
Rear view mirror
Automatic antiglare rear view mirror
The reflection brightness of the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side and
the inside rear view mirror will respond au-
tomatically to glare when

the ignition is switched on, and


incoming light from headlamps falls on
the sensor in the inside rear view
mirror.
The rear view mirror will not react if


reverse gear is engaged


the interior lighting is turned on
Warning!
G
The automatic antiglare function does not
react if incoming light is not aimed directly
at sensors in the inside rear view mirror.
The inside rear view mirror and the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side do not
react, for example, if the rear window sun
shade* is in raised position.
Glare can endanger you and others.Warning!
G
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte
may escape from the mirror housing if the
mirror glass breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not al-
low the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
Warning!
G
Exercise care when using the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your in-
side rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.!Electrolyte drops coming into contact
with the vehicle paint finish can be
completely removed only while in the
liquid state by applying plenty of water.

172 Controls in detailGood visibilitySun visors
The sun visors protect you from sun glare
while driving.
Swing sun visors down when you expe-
rience glare.1Mounting
2Mirror cover
3Mirror lamp
4Document holder

To use mirror, open cover2.If sunlight enters through a side window:

Disengage sun visor from mounting1.

Pivot sun visor to the side.
Adjusting the vanity mirror:

Slide mirror to the right or left.
Images in the mirror appear in normal
size or larger, depending on the posi-
tion of the mirror.
Document holder
You can use the plastic tab of the docu-
ment holder to hold admission tickets,
parking passes, or similar items in place.
Warning!
G
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.
Keep the mirrors in the sun visors closed
while vehicle is in motion. Reflected glare
can endanger you and others.
iIf you disengage the sun visor from
mounting1, mirror lamp3 will switch
off.

180 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlDefrosting
Activating
Press button
P
(page 175).
The indicator lamp on the button lights
up.

Switch off air recirculation, if selected.

Press button
O
(page 175).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.

Close center air vents.

Adjust side air vents upwards.
Deactivating

Press button
P
(page 175).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. Defrosting is turned off.
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside. This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the passenger compartment.
Activating
Press button
O
(page 175).
The indicator lamp on the button lights
up.
iThese settings should only be selected
for a short time.
Warning!
G
When the outside temperature is below
41°F (5°C), only switch to air recirculation
mode for short periods to prevent window
fogging.iIf you keep button
O
pressed, the
side windows and the sliding/pop-up
roof will be closed.
Warning!
G
Never operate the side windows and the
sliding pop/pop-up roof if there is the possi-
bility of anyone being harmed by the closing
procedure.
In the event that the procedure causes po-
tential danger, the closing of the side win-
dows can be immediately halted by pressing
the respective window switch. The closing of
the sliding/pop-up roof can be immediately
halted by moving the sliding/pop-up roof
switch in the overhead control panel in any
direction.