MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS 2003 Manual Online

Page 81 of 416

81 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Four wheel electronic traction system (4MATIC) with the ESP
Models with all-wheel drive only:
The 4MATIC improves the vehicle’s ability
to use available traction, e.g. during winter
operation in mountains under snowy con-
ditions, by applying power to all four
wheels.
Warning!
G
If you see the ESP warning lamp
v
flash-
ing in the speedometer dial, proceed as fol-
lows:

While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible

While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor

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.!Do not tow with one axle raised.
Otherwise the transfer case can be
damaged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Performance testing must only be con-
ducted on a 2-axle dynamometer.
Otherwise the transfer case can be
damaged, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.!Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
tion, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1) when the parking brake is being
tested on a brake test dynamometer.
Active braking action through the ESP
may otherwise seriously damage the
front or rear axle brake system.
Operational tests with the engine run-
ning can only be conducted on a 2-axle
dynamometer.

Page 82 of 416

82 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systems
Anti-theft systemsImmobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating
With the SmartKey: Removing the
SmartKey from the starter switch acti-
vates the immobilizer.

With KEYLESS-GO*: Turning off the en-
gine by means of the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button on the gear selector
lever activates the immobilizer.Deactivating

With the SmartKey: Inserting the
SmartKey in the starter switch deacti-
vates the immobilizer.

With KEYLESS-GO*: Starting the en-
gine by means of the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button on the gear selector
lever deactivates the immobilizer.
Anti-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 will stay on even if the activating
element (a door, for example) is immedi-
ately closed.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when

someone attempts to raise the vehicle

the vehicle is opened with the mechan-
ical key
iIn case the engine cannot be started
(yet the vehicle’s battery is charged),
the system is not operational. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the
USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).

Page 83 of 416

83 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Arming the alarm system
The alarm system is armed after locking
the vehicle with the SmartKey or KEY-
LESS-GO*. The turn signal lamps blink
three times to indicate that the alarm sys-
tem is activated. The indicator lamp in the
central locking switch (
page 25) will
blink after approximately 10 seconds
when the alarm system is completely
armed.Disarming the alarm system
The alarm system is disarmed when you
unlock your vehicle with the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO*. The turn signal lamps blink
once to indicate that the alarm system is
deactivatedCanceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
With the SmartKey

Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
or

Press the
Œ
or

button.
With KEYLESS-GO*

Grasp the outside door handle.
or

Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button.
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid sys-
tem provided that Tele Aid service was
subscribed to and properly activated,
and that necessary cellular service and
GPS coverage are available.
iIf the turn signal lamps do not blink
three times, a door or the hood may not
be closed properly.
Close the respective element and lock
the vehicle again.

Page 84 of 416

84 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsTow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.
Arming tow-away alarm
When you lock your vehicle, the tow-away
alarm is automatically armed after about
30 seconds.
When you unlock your vehicle, the
tow-away protection disarms automatical-
ly.Disarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm
feature, switch off the tow-away alarm be-
fore towing the vehicle, or when parking on
a surface subject to movement, such as a
ferry or auto train.
The switch is located on the center con-
sole.
1Tow-away alarm off switch
2Indicator lamp

Turn off the ignition and remove the
SmartKey.

Press switch1.
Indicator lamp2 in the switch lights up
briefly.

Exit vehicle and lock your vehicle with
the SmartKey or (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*) the lock button at each
door handle.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed un-
til you lock your vehicle again.
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, provided Tele Aid service was
subscribed to and properly activated
and that necessary cellular service and
GPS coverage are available.
iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm
if the ignition is turned on.

Page 85 of 416

85 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Seats
Memory function
Lighting
Instrument cluster
Control system
Automatic transmission
Good visibility
Automatic climate control
Power windows
Sliding/pop-up roof
Driving systems
Loading
Useful features

Page 86 of 416

86 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingIn the “Controls in detail” section you will
find detailed information on how to oper-
ate the equipment installed on your vehi-
cle. If you are already familiar with the
basic functions of your vehicle, this section
will be of particular interest to you.
To quickly familiarize yourself with the ba-
sic functions of the vehicle, see “Getting
started” (
page 29). The corresponding
page numbers are given at the beginning of
each segment.
For information on locking and unlocking,
refer to the Getting started section on
(
page 30) and (
page 50).
Locking and unlockingSmartKey
Your vehicle comes supplied with two
SmartKeys with remote controls and a re-
movable mechanical key. The locking tabs
for the mechanical key portion of the two
SmartKeys are a different color to help dis-
tinguish each SmartKey unit.
The SmartKey provides an extended oper-
ating range. To prevent theft, however, it is
advisable to only unlock the vehicle when
you are in close proximity to it.
The SmartKey centrally locks and unlocks:
the doors

the trunk

the fuel filler flap
SmartKey with remote controls1‹
Lock button
2
Š
Unlock button for trunk lid
3Mechanical key locking tab
4
Œ
Unlock button
5Battery check lamp
6
Â
Panic button (
page 75)
!To prevent possible malfunction, avoid
exposing the SmartKey to high levels of
electromagnetic radiation.
iYou can also open and close the power
windows (
page 190) and slid-
ing/pop-up roof (
page 194) using
the SmartKey.

Page 87 of 416

87 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Factory setting
Global unlocking
Press button
Œ
.
All turn signal lamps blink once. The
locking knobs in the doors move up.
The anti-theft alarm system is switched
off. If it is dark, the locator lighting
switches on.
The vehicle will lock again automatically
within approximately 40 seconds of un-
locking if:

neither door nor trunk is opened

the SmartKey is not inserted in the
starter switch

the central locking switch is not acti-
vatedGlobal locking

Press button

.
All turn signal lamps blink three times.
The locking knobs in the doors move
down.
The anti-theft alarm system is activat-
ed.Selective setting
If you frequently travel alone, you may wish
to reprogram the SmartKey so that
pressing
Œ
only unlocks the driver’s
door and the fuel filler flap.

Press and hold buttons
Œ
and


simultaneously for about five seconds
until battery check lamp5 blinks twice.
The SmartKey will then function as fol-
lows:
Unlocking driver’s door and fuel filler
flap

Press button
Œ
once.
Global unlocking

Press button
Œ
twice.
Global locking

Press button

.

Page 88 of 416

88 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingRestoring to factory setting
Press and hold buttons
Œ
and


simultaneously for about six seconds
until battery check lamp5 blinks twice.Checking the batteries

Press button

or
Œ
.
Battery check lamp5 lights up briefly
to indicate that the SmartKey batteries
are in order.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take the
KEYLESS-GO* card (if so equipped) with you
and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children
unattended in the vehicle, or with access to
an unlocked vehicle. It is possible for chil-
dren to open a locked door from the inside,
which could result in an accident and/or se-
rious injury.
!If you can no longer lock or unlock the
vehicle with the SmartKey, then either
the batteries in the SmartKey are dis-
charged or the SmartKey is malfunc-
tioning.
Check the batteries in the
SmartKey and replace them if nec-
essary (
page 328).
or

Use the mechanical key to unlock
the doors (
page 326) and trunk
(
page 327) as required. Lock the
vehicle using the mechanical key
(page 327).
If the SmartKey is malfunctioning, con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
!If battery check lamp5 does not light
up briefly during check, the SmartKey
batteries are discharged.
Replace the batteries (
page 328).
You can obtain the required batteries
at any authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.

Page 89 of 416

89 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Unlocking the trunk lid
You can unlock the trunk separately.
Press and hold button
Š
until trunk
unlocks.Loss of SmartKey or mechanical key
If you lose a SmartKey or mechanical key,
you should do the following:

Have the SmartKey deactivated by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Report the loss of the SmartKey or the
mechanical key immediately to your
car insurance company.

If necessary, have the mechanical lock
replaced.
Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
will be glad to supply you with a replace-
ment.
KEYLESS-GO card*
Specially equipped vehicles come with two
KEYLESS-GO cards. On these vehicles, the
validity of the KEYLESS-GO card is
checked every time you grasp a door
handle.
If the card is valid, your vehicle unlocks: 
the doors

the trunk lid

the fuel filler flap
!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.iIf the vehicle was previously centrally
locked with the SmartKey, the trunk lid
will lock automatically after closing it.
The turn signals will flash three times to
confirm locking.
If the trunk lid was previously locked
separately (
page 98), it will remain
locked.

Page 90 of 416

90 Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
Important notes on using KEYLESS-GO
Always carry the KEYLESS-GO card
with you.

Never store the KEYLESS-GO card to-
gether with:
Electronic items such as a cellular
phone or another KEYLESS-GO card

Metallic objects such as coins or
metal foil
Doing so could impair the function of
the KEYLESS-GO system.

Always take a SmartKey with you in
case of a malfunction in the
KEYLESS-GO system.

To lock or unlock the vehicle, the card
must be located outside the vehicle
within approximately 3 ft. (1 m) of a
door or the trunk lid.

In order to start the engine with the
KEYLESS-GO card:
The KEYLESS-GO card must be lo-
cated in the vehicle.

All doors must be closed.

If you have started the engine with the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button, you
can only turn it off again with this but-
ton, even if you have put the SmartKey
in the starter switch in the meantime.

This does not apply if, after starting, the
selector lever is still in positionP. The
SmartKey will then have priority over
the card and the vehicle’s electrical
system will operate according to the
position of the SmartKey in the starter
switch, even stopping the engine.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take the
KEYLESS-GO card (if so equipped) with you
and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children
unattended in the vehicle, or with access to
an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of
vehicle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.!To prevent possible malfunction, avoid
exposing the KEYLESS-GO card to high
levels of electromagnetic radiation.

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