warning light MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS 2003 User Guide

68 Safety and SecurityOccupant safetySelf-test BabySmart
TM without special
child seat installed
After turning the key in the starter switch
to position1 or2 or pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* (if so equipped) start/stop
button once or twice, PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF indicator lamp1 located in the center
console lights up for approx. 6 seconds
and then goes out.
If the indicator lamp should not come on or
is continuously lit, the system is not func-
tioning. You must see an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center before seating any
child on the passenger seat.
More information can be found in the
"Practical hints" section (page 294).
Warning!
G
The BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation sys-
tem will ONLY work with a special child seat
designed to operate with it. It will not work
with child seats which are not BabySmart
TM
compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion
and child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces
the effectiveness of the deactivation sys-
tem. The bottom of the child seat must
make full contact with the passenger seat
cushion. An incorrectly mounted child seat
could cause injuries to the child in case of an
accident, instead of protecting the child.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of special child seats.
Warning!
G
When using a BabySmart
TM compatible
child seat on the front passenger seat, the
front passenger airbag will not deploy only if
the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
remains illuminated.
Please be sure to check the indicator every
time you use the special system child seat.
Should the light go out while the restraint is
installed, please check installation. If the
light remains out, do not use the
BabySmart
TM restraint to transport children
on the front passenger seat until the system
has been repaired.
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69 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Installation of infant and child restraint
systems
This vehicle is equipped with tether an-
chorages for a top tether strap at each of
the rear seating positions.Not foldable rear seat backrest
Vehicles without foldable rear seat back-
rests
Remove cover1 from anchorage ring.

Guide tether strap between head re-
straints.

Securely fasten the hook2 to the an-
chorage ring3.Foldable rear seat backrest*
Vehicles with foldable rear seat backrests
Fold rear seat backrest slightly for-
ward.

Guide tether strap between head re-
straints.

Securely fasten the hook2 to the an-
chorage ring3.

Swing rear seat backrest to the rear un-
til it engages.

Check the rear seat backrest to be
locked in its upright position
(page 302).
Warning!
G
Do not place powered-on laptops, cell
phones and like electronic devices on the
front passenger seat. Signals from such de-
vices may interfere with the BabySmart
TM
system. Such signal interference may cause
the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
not to come on during self-test or be contin-
uously lit, indicating that the system is not
functioning.
iFor safety, make sure that the hook2
has attached to the ring3 beyond the
safety catch.
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71 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Blocking of rear door window operation
1Override switch
2Indicator lamp
Press override switch1.
Indicator lamp 2 lights up. The rear
door windows can no longer be operat-
ed using the switches located in the
rear doors.For more information on power windows,
see the "Controls in detail" section
(
page 184).
!Operation of the rear door windows
with the switches located on the door
control panel of the driver‘s door is still
possible.Warning!
G
Activate the override switch when children
are riding in the back seats of the vehicle.
The children may otherwise injure them-
selves, e.g. by becoming trapped in the win-
dow opening.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the starter switch, and lock the ve-
hicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equip-
ment can cause serious personal injury.
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73 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems
In this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)


BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)


ESP (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)


SBC (S
ensotronic B
rake C
ontrol)
ABS
The ABS regulates the brake pressure so
that the wheels do not lock during braking.
This allows you to maintain the ability to
steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re-
spond even with light brake pressure.
If the ABS activates during braking, the
ESP warning lamp v in the instrument
cluster dial flashes. Because of the SBC
brake system, you will not feel any pulsa-
tion in the brake pedal.
iIn winter operation, the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS and the ESP is
only achieved with winter tires (M + S
tires), or snow chains as required.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of ac-
cidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS, ESP and SBC cannot reduce
this risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.
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74 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsContinuos steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantagesprovided by the ABS,
namely braking power and ability to steer
the vehicle.
The - warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when you turn the key in
the starter switch to position2 or press
the KEYLESS-GO* (if so equipped)
start/stop button twice. It goes out when
the engine is running.
More information can be found in the
"Practical hints" section (
page 289).
BAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing the braking distance. Apply
continuous full braking pressure until the
emergency braking situation is over. The
ABS will prevent the wheels from locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
iTo alert following vehicles to slippery
road conditions you discover, operate
your hazard warning flashers as appro-
priate.
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction. The
ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, following another vehicle too closely,
or aquaplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.
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75 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
ESP
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
monitors the vehicle's traction (force of
adhesive friction between the tires and the
road surface) and handling.
The ESP recognizes when a wheel is spin-
ning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By ap-
plying brakes to the appropriate wheel and
by limiting engine output, the ESP works to
stabilize the vehicle. The ESP is especially
useful during take-off and on wet or slip-
pery road surfaces.
The ESP warning lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster flashes when the ESP is en-
gaged.
The ESP warning lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster lights up when you turn the
key in the starter switch to position2 or
press the KEYLESS-GO* (if so equipped)
start/stop button twice. It goes out when
the engine is running.
Warning!
G
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking efficiency beyond that af-
forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes
and tires or the traction. The BAS cannot
prevent accidents, including those resulting
from excessive speed in turns, following an-
other vehicle too closely, or aquaplaning.
Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents. The capabilities of a BAS
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in
a reckless or dangerous manner which
could jeopardize the user’s safety or the
safety of others.
Warning!
G
Never switch off the ESP when you see the
ESP warning lamp
v
flashing in the in-
strument cluster. In this case proceed as fol-
lows:


While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible


While driving ease up on the accelerator


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP cannot prevent accidents resulting
from excessive speed.
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78 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems
The SBC brake system is automatically ac-
tivated when you:

unlock the vehicle with the key or the
KEYLESS-GO*


open the driver’s or passenger door


turn the key in the starter switch to
position1


in vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*, press
start/stop button on selector lever
once


depress the brake pedal


release the parking brake
Warning!
G
The SBC brake system requires electrical
power to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its
limp-home (emergency operation) mode. In
such a case, the red brake warning lamp
(page 291) and warning messages in the
instrument cluster (
page 305) light up
while driving. To brake, the driver must then
apply significantly greater brake pedal pres-
sure and depress the pedal much further to
obtain the expected braking effect. If neces-
sary, apply full pressure to the brake pedal.
Brakes are only applied to the front wheels.
Stopping distance is increased!
If there is a malfunction in the SBC brake
system, we recommend that the vehicle be
transported with all wheels off the ground
using flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly
equipment. A tow bar must be used if cir-
cumstances do not permit the use of the
recommended towing methods and the ve-
hicle requires towing with all four wheels on
the ground. Towing the vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground is only permissible
for distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at
a speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
For more information, refer to "Towing the
vehicle" (
page 348).
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96 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingOpening the trunk
A minimum height clearance of 5.75 ft.
(1.75 m) is required to open the trunk lid.
The handle is located above the rear li-
cense plate recess.
Pull on the handle and lift up the trunk
lid.
The trunk lid swings open upwards au-
tomatically. Always make sure that
there is sufficient overhead clearance.
Closing the trunk
1Handle
Lower trunk lid using handle1.Vehicles with trunk lid opening/closing
system*
Closing from the inside

Press the remote control switch until
the indicator lamp in the switch goes
out and the trunk lid is closed.
When closing, if the trunk lid comes into
contact with an object (e.g. luggage that
has been piled too high) in the upper mo-
tion sequence, the closing procedure is
stopped and the trunk re-opens slightly.
iThe vehicle must be unlocked.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the trunk
opening when closing the trunk. Be espe-
cially careful when small children are
around.
Warning!
G
Monitor the closing procedure carefully to
ensure that no one is in danger of being in-
jured. To prevent possible personal injury,
always keep hands and fingers away from
the trunk opening when closing the trunk.
Be especially careful when small children
are around. To stop the closing procedure,
let go of the remote control switch for the
trunk.
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97 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Closing from outside
1Trunk closing switch
Press the closing switch briefly.
The trunk lid closes automatically.
When closing, if the trunk lid comes into
contact with an object (e.g. luggage that
has been piled too high) in the upper mo-
tion sequence, the closing procedure is
stopped and the trunk re-opens slightly.
Trunk lid emergency release
The emergency release button is located
on the inside of the trunk lid.
1Emergency release button
Briefly press the emergency release
button.
The trunk unlocks and the trunk lid
opens.
Warning!
G
Monitor the closing procedure carefully to
ensure that no one is in danger of being in-
jured. To prevent possible personal injury,
always keep hands and fingers away from
the trunk opening when closing the trunk.
Be especially careful when small children
are around. To stop the closing procedure,
press the remote control switch for the
trunk lid or the
Š
key on the remote con-
trol.
!Do not place the key in the open trunk.
You may lock yourself out.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
To prevent a possible inadvertent lock-
out, the trunk lid will open automatical-
ly if a SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is
recognized in the area of the rear shelf
or inside the trunk.
!The emergency release button unlocks
and opens the trunk while the vehicle is
standing or driving.
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112 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.MOff
UAutomatic headlamp mode
CParking lamps (also side marker
lamps, tail lamps, license plate
lamps, instrument panel lamps)
Canada only:
When engine is running, the low
beam is also switched on.
BParking lamps plus low beam or
high beam headlamps (combination
switch pushed forward).
ˆStanding lamps, right (turn left one
stop)
‚Standing lamps, left (turn left two
stops)
iIf you remove the key 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 lamps!
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.
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