service indicator MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS 2003 Owners Manual

ContentsTires and wheels ................................ 268
Important guidelines .................... 268
Life of tire ..................................... 269
Direction of rotation ..................... 269
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 269
Rotating wheels............................ 272
Winter driving..................................... 273
Winter tires................................... 273
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 274
Snow chains ................................. 274
Maintenance ...................................... 275
Flexible Service System PLUS (FSS
PLUS) ........................................... 275
Clearing the service indicator....... 275
Service term exceeded................. 276
Calling up the service indicator .... 276
Resetting the service indicator ..... 276
Setting the date for special works 278
Calling up the service data
information ................................... 279
Vehicle care ....................................... 280
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 280
Practical hints.................................. 287
What to do if … .................................. 288
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 288
Lamp in center console ................ 294
Messages in the display ............... 295
Where will I find ...? ........................... 324
First aid kit ................................... 324
Spare wheel ................................. 324
Luggage box ................................. 325
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 326
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 327
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 327
Locking the vehicle ...................... 328
Changing batteries ....................... 328
Fuel filler flap emergency release 329
Manually unlocking the
transmission selector lever .......... 330
Opening/closing in an emergency..... 331
Sliding/pop-up roof* or
panorama sliding/pop-up roof* ... 331Replacing bulbs ................................. 332
Bulbs ............................................ 332
Replacing bulbs for front lamps ... 334
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps .... 336
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 337
Replacing wiper blades ................ 337
Flat tire .............................................. 338
Preparing the vehicle ................... 338
Mounting the spare wheel ........... 338
Batteries ............................................ 343
Disconnecting the battery............ 344
Removing the battery................... 344
Charging and reinstalling the
battery ......................................... 344
Reconnecting the batteries .......... 345
Jump starting ..................................... 346
Towing the vehicle ............................. 348
Towing the vehicle ....................... 348
Installing towing eye bolt ............. 350
Fuses ................................................. 352
Fuse box in passenger
compartment ............................... 352
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82 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsAnti-theft alarm system
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens

a door


the trunk


the hood.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when


someone attempts to raise the vehicle


the vehicle is opened with the mechan-
ical keyArming the alarm system
The alarm system is armed within approx.
10 seconds after locking the vehicle. The
indicator lamp in the button for the
tow-away alarm will then blink.
Disarming the alarm system
The alarm system is disarmed when you
unlock your vehicle with the remote con-
trol or KEYLESS-GO*.
Canceling the alarm
With the key

Insert the key in the starter switch.
or

Press the Œ or ‹ button on the
key.With KEYLESS-GO*

Grasp the outside door handle.
or

Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button.
Tow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid sys-
tem* (
page 234), provided that the
Tele Aid service was subscribed to and
properly activated.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is trig-
gered, for example, if the vehicle is lift-
ed on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid sys-
tem* (
page 234), provided that the
Tele Aid service was subscribed to and
properly activated, and that necessary
cellular service and GPS coverage are
available.
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237 Controls in detail
Useful features
The Tele Aid system is available if:

it has been activated and is operation-
al. Activation requires a subscription
for monitoring services, connection
and cellular air time


the relevant cellular phone network
and GPS signals are available and pass
the information on to the response cen-
terInitiating an emergency call manually
1SOS button

Press SOS button1 briefly.
The indicator lamp in SOS button1 will
flash until the emergency call is con-
cluded.

Wait for a voice connection to the Re-
sponse Center.

Close cover after the emergency call is
concluded.
iLocation of the vehicle on a map is only
possible if the vehicle is able to receive
signals from the GPS satellite network
and pass the information on to the re-
sponse center.
Warning!
G
If the indicator lamp in the SOS button is il-
luminated continuously and there was no
voice connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system could
not initiate an emergency call (e.g. the rele-
vant cellular phone network is not available).
The message
EMERGENCY CALL –
CALL FAILED appears in the multifunction
display for approx. 10 seconds.
Should this occur, assistance must be sum-
moned by other means.
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239 Controls in detail
Useful features
Information button¡
Located below the center armrest cover is
the Information button¡.
Press and hold the button for more
than 2 seconds.
A call to the Customer Assistance Cen-
ter will be initiated. The button will
flash while the call is in progress. The
message
INFO – CONNECTING CALL
will
appear in the multifunction display.
When the connection is established, the
message
INFO – CALL CONNECTED
appears
in the multifunction display. The Tele Aid
system will transmit data generating the
vehicle identification number, model, color
and location (subject to availability of cel-
lular and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Customer
Assistance Center representative and the
occupants of the vehicle will be estab-lished. When a voice connection is estab-
lished, the audio system is muted and the
message
TELE AID – INFO CALL ACTIVE

appears in the multifunction display. Infor-
mation regarding the operation of your ve-
hicle, the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or Mercedes-Benz
USA products and services is available to
you.
For more details concerning the Tele Aid
system, please visit www.mbusa.com and
use your ID and password (sent to you sep-
arately) to learn more (USA only).
iThe indicator lamp in the Roadside As-
sistance button• remains illumi-
nated in red for approx. 10 seconds
during the system self-check after turn-
ing the key in the starter switch to
position2 (together with the SOS but-
ton and the Information button¡).
See system self-check (
page 235)
when the indicator lamp does not light
up in red or stays on longer than ap-
proximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Roadside
Assistance button• is illuminated
continuously and there was no voice
connection to the Response Center es-
tablished, then the Tele Aid system
could not initiate a Roadside Assis-
tance call (e.g. the relevant cellular
phone network is not available). The
message
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE –
CALL FAILED
appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
Roadside Assistance calls can be ter-
minated using the ìbutton on the
multifunction steering wheel.
iThe indicator lamp in the Information
button¡ remains illuminated in red
for approx. 10 seconds during the sys-
tem self-check after turning key in the
starter switch to position2 (together
with the SOS button and the Roadside
Assistance button•).
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240 Controls in detailUseful features
Upgrade signals
The Tele Aid system processes calls using
the following priority:

Automatic emergency – First priority


Manual emergency – Second priority


Roadside assistance – Third priority


Information – Fourth priority
Should a higher priority call be initiated
while you are connected, an upgrade (al-
ternating) tone will be heard, and the ap-
propriate indicator lamp will flash. If
certain information such as vehicle identi-
fication number or customer information is
not available, the operator may need to re-
transmit.
During this time you will hear a beep and
voice contact will be interrupted. Voice
contact will resume once the retransmis-
sion is completed. Once a call is conclud-
ed, a beep will be heard and the
appropriate indicator lamp will stop flash-
ing. The COMAND* system operation will
resume. See system self-check (
page 235)
when the indicator lamp does not light
up in red or stays on longer than ap-
proximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Information
button¡ is illuminated continuous-
ly and there was no voice connection to
the Response Center established, then
the Tele Aid system could not initiate
an Information call (e.g. the relevant
cellular phone network is not avail-
able). The message
INFO –
CALL FAILED
appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
Information calls can be terminated us-
ing the ìbutton on the multifunc-
tion steering wheel.
!If the indicator lamps do not start flash-
ing after pressing one of the buttons or
remain illuminated (in red) at any time,
the Tele Aid system has detected a
fault or the service is not currently ac-
tive, and may not initiate a call. Visit
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
and have the system checked or con-
tact the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada) as soon
as possible.
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241 Controls in detail
Useful features
Remote door unlock
In case you have locked your vehicle unin-
tentionally (e.g. key inside vehicle), and the
reserve key is not handy:
Contact the Mercedes-Benz Response
Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
You will be asked to provide your pass-
word which you provided when you
completed the subscriber agreement.

Then return to your vehicle and pull the
trunk recessed handle for a minimum
of 20 seconds until the SOS button is
flashing.
The message
EMERGENCY CALL –
CALL CONNECTED appears in the multi-
function display.
As an alternative, you may unlock the vehi-
cle via Internet using the ID and password
sent to you shortly after the completion of
your acquaintance call.
!If the indicator lamp continues to flash
or the system does not reset, contact
the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada), or
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) in the USA or Cus-
tomer Service at 1-800-387-0100 in
Canada.iThe indicator lamp in the respective
button flashes until the call is conclud-
ed. Calls can only be terminated by a
Response Center or Customer Assis-
tance Center representative except
Roadside Assistance and Information
calls, which can also be terminated by
pressing buttonì on the multifunc-
tion steering wheel.
iWhen a Tele Aid call has been initiated,
the audio system or the COMAND* sys-
tem audio is muted and the selected
mode (radio, tape or CD) pauses. The
optional cellular phone (if installed)
switches off. If you must use this
phone, the vehicle must be parked. Dis-
connect the coiled cord and place the
call. The COMAND* navigation system
(if engaged) will continue to run. The
display in the instrument cluster is
available for use, and spoken com-
mands are only available by pressing
the RPT button on the COMAND* unit.
A pop-up window will appear in the CO-
MAND* display to indicate that a
Tele Aid call is in progress.
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243 Controls in detail
Useful features

Select
View Info Service Of
mm.dd.yyyy hh:mm
.
Messages will be retained for
30 minutes once the ignition is
switched off.
Garage door opener
The built-in remote control is capable of
operating up to three separately controlled
objects.
1Signal transmitter button
2Signal transmitter button
3Signal transmitter button
4Indicator lamp
Warning!
G
A driver’s attention to the road must always
be his/her primary focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others, we
recommend that you pull over to a safe loca-
tion and stop the vehicle before requesting
or receiving any info services.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of approximately
44 feet (approximately 13.5 m) every sec-
ond.
!The Tele Aid system utilizes the cellular
network for communication and the
GPS (Global Positioning System) satel-
lites for vehicle location. If either of
these signals are unavailable, the
Tele Aid system may not function and if
this occurs, assistance must be sum-
moned by other means.Warning!
G
If the indicator lamp in the SOS button does
not illuminate during the system self-check
or remains illuminated afterwards, or if the
message
TELE AID – VISIT WORKSHOP!

appears in the multifunction display, the
system may not operate properly. Have the
system checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
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244 Controls in detailUseful features
Programming or reprogramming the in-
tegrated remote control
Turn key in the starter switch to
position1 or2.

Hold the end of the hand-held transmit-
ter of the device you wish to train
approximately 2 to 5 inches (5 cm to
12 cm) away from the surface of the in-
tegrated remote control located on the
inside rear view mirror, keeping the in-
dicator lamp in view.

Using both hands, simultaneously push
the hand-held transmitter button and
the desired integrated remote control
button. Do not release the buttons until
completing the next step.

The indicator lamp on the integrated
remote control will flash, first slowly
and then rapidly. The rapid flashing
lamp indicates successful program-
ming of the new frequency signal.

When the indicator lamp flashes rapid-
ly, release both buttons.
Warning!
G
When programming a garage door opener,
the door moves up or down.
When programming or operating the remote
control make sure there is no possibility of
anyone being harmed by the moving door.iCertain types of garage door openers
are incompatible with the integrated
opener. If you should experience diffi-
culties with programming the transmit-
ter, contact your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, or call
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center (in the USA only) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer
Service (in Canada) at
1-800-387-0100.
iFor operation in the USA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
(2) this device must accept any inter-
ference received, including interfer-
ence that may cause undesired
operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority
to operate the equipment.
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255 Operation
Driving instructions
For more information on winter driving, see
"Winter driving" (
page 273)
Standing water
Passenger compartmentTraveling abroad
Abroad, there is a widely-spread
Mercedes-Benz service network at your
disposal. If you plan to travel into areas
which are not listed in the index of your
Mercedes-Benz Center directory, you
should request pertinent information from
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure that snow is kept clear of the exhaust
pipe and from around the vehicle with the
engine running. Otherwise, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle in-
terior resulting in unconsciousness and
death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the ve-
hicle not facing the windWarning!
G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose. In-
dicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice.
!Do not drive through flooded areas or
water of unknown depth.
If you must drive through standing wa-
ter, drive slowly to prevent water from
entering the passenger compartment
or the engine compartment. Water in
these areas could cause damage to
electrical components or wiring of the
engine or transmission, or could result
in water being ingested by the engine
through the air intake causing severe
internal engine damage. Any such dam-
age is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry ob-
jects.
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275 Operation
Maintenance
Maintenance
Flexible Service System PLUS (FSS PLUS)
We strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with
the Service Booklet at the times called for
by the FSS PLUS
(Flexible Service System PLUS).
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the
designated times /mileage called for by
the FSS PLUS may result in vehicle dam-
age not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
FSS PLUS will notify you when your next
service is due.
Approximately one month before your next
service is due, one of the following mes-
sages will appear in the multifunction dis-
play while you are driving or when you
switch on the ignition (example service A):Service A in XXXX miles (km)
Service A in XX days
Service A in X day Service A due now!
The type of service due is indicated in the
speedometer display field:
from
Service A(Minor service)
toService H(Major service)
Clearing the service indicator
You can clear the service indicator
Press the jbutton on the multi-
function steering wheel.iThe additional + after the type of ser-
vice indicates the degree of wear of the
brake pads.
The brake pads may reach their wear
limit in the time period up to the next
service interval.
Have the brake pads checked and, if
necessary, replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center during your
next service appointment.iThe interval between services depends
on your driving habits. A gentle driving
style, moderate engine speeds and the
avoidance of short distance trips will
lengthen the interval between services.
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