brake MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS 2003 Owners Manual

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle outside the
USA or Canada............................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting safety defects ................ 18At a glance......................................... 19
Cockpit ................................................ 20
Instrument cluster ............................... 22
Multifunction steering wheel ............... 24Center console ..................................... 25
Upper part ...................................... 25
Lower part ...................................... 26
Overhead control panel ........................ 27
Door control panel................................ 28
Getting started................................... 29
Unlocking ............................................. 30
Unlocking with the SmartKey.......... 30
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO* ......... 32
Adjusting .............................................. 34
Seats............................................... 34
Steering wheel ................................ 37
Mirrors ............................................ 38
Driving .................................................. 40
Fastening the seat belts.................. 40
Starting the engine ......................... 42
Switching on headlamps ................. 46
Turn signals and high beam ............ 46
Windshield wipers ........................... 47
Problems while driving .................... 48
Parking and locking .............................. 50
Parking brake.................................. 50
Switching off headlamps................. 51
Turning off engine ........................... 52
Safety and Security........................... 55
Occupant safety ................................... 56
Airbags ........................................... 57
Seat belts ....................................... 62
Preventive occupant safety
(PRE-SAFE) ..................................... 66
Children in the vehicle .................... 67
Override switch for rear passenger
compartment .................................. 74
Panic alarm .......................................... 75
Activating........................................ 75
Deactivating.................................... 75
Driving safety systems ......................... 76
ABS ................................................. 76
BAS ................................................. 78
ESP ................................................. 78
Four wheel electronic traction system
(4MATIC) with the ESP .................... 81
Anti-theft systems ................................ 82
Immobilizer ..................................... 82
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 82
Tow-away alarm .............................. 84

Contents
Sun visors .................................... 172
Rear window sunshade* .............. 173
Rear door window sunshade* ...... 173
Automatic climate control ................. 174
Setting the temperature ............... 177
Adjusting air distribution .............. 178
Adjusting air volume .................... 179
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ....... 179
Defrosting .................................... 180
Air recirculation mode.................. 180
Charcoal filter .............................. 182
Rear window defroster ................. 183
Deactivating the climate control
system ......................................... 183
Air conditioning ............................ 184
Storage compartment ventilation. 184
Residual heat and ventilation ....... 185
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents ...................... 186
Rear passenger compartment
climate control* ........................... 187
Power windows.................................. 188
Opening and closing the windows 188
Synchronizing power windows ..... 191Sliding/pop-up roof ............................ 192
Opening and closing the slid-
ing/pop-up roof ............................ 192
Synchronizing the sliding / pop-up
roof .............................................. 195
Driving systems .................................. 196
Cruise control ............................... 196
Distronic* ..................................... 199
AIRMATIC...................................... 211
Active Body Control (ABC)* .......... 213
Parktronic system* (Parking
assist) ........................................... 218
Loading............................................... 222
Roof rack* .................................... 222
Loading instructions ..................... 222
Cargo tie-down hooks ................... 223
Useful features ................................... 224
Interior storage spaces ................. 224
Ashtrays........................................ 232
Cigarette lighters .......................... 233
Heated steering wheel* ................ 235
Telephone* ................................... 236
Tele Aid ......................................... 237
Garage door opener ...................... 245
Infrared reflecting windshield ....... 248
Operation.......................................... 249
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) .......... 250
Driving instructions ............................ 251
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 251
Drinking and driving...................... 251
Pedals ........................................... 251
Power assistance .......................... 251
Brakes .......................................... 252
Driving off ..................................... 253
Parking ......................................... 253
Tires.............................................. 254
Hydroplaning ................................ 255
Tire traction .................................. 255
Tire speed rating ........................... 255
Winter driving instructions ............ 256
Standing water ............................. 257
Passenger compartment............... 258
Driving abroad .............................. 258
Control and operation of radio
transmitters .................................. 258
Catalytic converter ....................... 259
Emission control ........................... 259
Coolant temperature .................... 260

Contents
Technical data................................. 357
Spare parts service ............................ 358
Warranty coverage............................. 359
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 359
Identification labels ........................... 360
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 361
S 430 / S 500.............................. 361
S 55 AMG..................................... 361
S 600 ........................................... 361
Engine................................................ 362
Rims and tires.................................... 364
Same size tires............................. 365
Mixed size tires ............................ 366
Spare wheel ................................. 367
Electrical system ............................... 368
Main dimensions ............................... 369
Weights.............................................. 370
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .......... 371
Capacities .................................... 371
Engine oils.................................... 373
Engine oil additives ...................... 373
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 373
Brake fluid .................................... 373
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 374Fuel requirements ......................... 374
Gasoline additives......................... 374
Coolants ....................................... 375
Windshield and headlamp washer
system .......................................... 377
Consumer information ........................ 378
Uniform tire quality grading .......... 378
Technical terms................................ 381Index.................................................. 387

21 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Combination switch

Turn signals


Windshield wipers


High beam
46
47
123
2
Cruise control lever

Cruise control


Distronic*
203
196
199
3
Instrument cluster
22
4
Multifunction steering
wheel
24
Item
Page
5
Gear range indicator, clock
22
6
Lever for voice control sys-
tem*, see separate operat-
ing instructions
7
Front Parktronic* warning
indicator
220
8
Overhead control panel
27
9
Glove box lock
224
10
Glove box lid release
224
11
Glove box
224
12
Center console
25
13
Starter switch
31
Item
Page
14
Horn
15
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk
Heated steering wheel*
38
235
16
Parking brake pedal
44
17
Hood lock release
263
18
Parking brake release
44
19
Door control panel
28
20
Exterior lamp switch
120
21
Headlamp washer button
171
22
Front Parktronic* warning
indicator
220

23 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Coolant temperature
gauge
128
2
Fuel gauge with:Fuel reserve warning lamp
294
3
L
Left turn signal
indicator lamp
K
Right turn signal
indicator lamp
46
4
Speedometer with:v
Electronic Stability
Program (ESP)
warning lamp
l
Distance* warning
lamp
1
1Vehicles without Distronic*: Warning lamp without
function. It illuminates with SmartKey in starter
switch position2. It should go out when the engine
is running.
290
5
Tachometer
129
Item
Page
6
Right display with:-
Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) malfunc-
tion indicator lamp
290
A
High beam head-
lamp indicator
46
<
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp
289
7
J
Reset button
127
8
Display with:
Program mode
164
Gear range
indicator
162
Digital clock (see
COMAND operat-
ing instructions)
9
Multifunction display
with:
Trip odometer
130
Main odometer
130
Stored speed for:Cruise control
196
Distronic*
142
10
Outside temperature in-
dicator
129
11
Left display with:1
Supplemental
restraint system
indicator lamp
292
;
Brake warning
lamp, except
Canada
293
3
Brake warning
lamp, Canada only
293
?
Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
294
12
Knob for instrument
cluster illumination
127
Item
Page

33 Getting started
Unlocking
1KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
Before you press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button, the vehicle’s on-board
electronics have status 0 (as with
SmartKey removed).
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
toP.
Do not depress the brake pedal.Position 1

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton once.
This supplies power to some electrical
consumers, such as seat adjustment.
Ignition (or position 2)

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton twice in immediate succession.
This supplies power to all electrical
consumers. All the lights in the instru-
ment cluster light up.More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 85).
For information on starting the engine us-
ing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button,
see “Starting with KEYLESS-GO*”
(
page 43).
iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button twice, the power
supply is again switched off.iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button once, the power sup-
ply is again switched off.

36 Getting startedAdjusting
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1or2.
or

Press the KEYLESS GO* start/stop
button once or twice.
or

Open the respective driver’s or passen-
ger door.
Seat height

Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow2.
Seat cushion tilt

Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow3 until your upper legs
are lightly supported.Seat cushion depth

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow4 until your
legs are supported comfortably.
Seat fore and aft adjustment

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow5.
Adjust to a comfortable seating posi-
tion that still allows you to reach the
accelerator / brake pedal safely. The
position should be as far to the rear as
possible, consistent with ability to
properly operate controls.Seat backrest tilt

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow6 until your
arms are slightly angled when holding
the steering wheel.
iWhen moving the seat, be sure that
there are no items in the footwell or be-
hind the seats. Otherwise you could
damage the seats.

40 Getting startedDriving
Driving
Fastening the seat belts
Warning!
G
Do not lay any objects in the driver’s foot-
well. Be careful that floor mats or carpets in
the driver’s footwell have sufficient clear-
ance for the pedals.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate.
Warning!
G
Always fasten your seat belt before driving
off. Always make sure your passengers are
properly restrained, even those sitting in the
rear and pregnant women.
Failure to wear and properly fasten and po-
sition your seat belt greatly increases your
risk of injuries and their likely severity in an
accident. You and your passenger should al-
ways wear seat belts.
If you are ever in an accident, your injuries
can be considerably more severe without
your seat belt properly buckled. Without
your seat belt buckled, you are much more
likely to hit the interior of the vehicle or be
ejected from it. You can be seriously injured
or killed.
In the same crash, the possibility of injury or
death is lessened if you are wearing your
seat belt. The airbags can only protect as ex-
pected if the occupants are using their seat
belts (
page 56).
Warning!
G
Children 12 years old and under must never
ride in the front seat, except in a
Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat, which operates with
the BabySmart
TM system installed in the ve-
hicle to deactivate the front passenger air-
bag when it is properly installed. Otherwise
they will be struck by the airbag when it in-
flates in a crash. If this happens, serious or
fatal injury will result.


43 Getting started
Driving
Automatic transmissionGearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionPPark position with selector lever lock
RReverse gear
NNeutral
DDrive position
Make sure that the gear selector lever
is set toP.Starting with the SmartKey

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position3 and hold until the engine
starts (
page 31).

Firmly depress the brake pedal.
The selector lever lock is released.
For information on turning off the engine
with the SmartKey, see “Turning off engine
with the SmartKey” (
page 52).
Starting with KEYLESS-GO*
You can start your vehicle without a
SmartKey using the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button on the gear selector le-
ver.1KEYLESS-GO start/stop button

Firmly depress the brake pedal during
the starting procedure. Do not depress
accelerator.
The selector lever lock is released.

Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button1 once.
The engine starts automatically.
For information on turning off the engine
with KEYLESS-GO, see “Turning off engine
with KEYLESS-GO*” (
page 53).
iYou can also use the “touch-start”
function. Turn the SmartKey to
position3 and release it again immedi-
ately. The engine then starts automati-
cally.

44 Getting startedDrivingStarting difficulties
If the engine does not start as described,
carry out the following steps:
If you are starting the engine with the
SmartKey, turn SmartKey in starter
switch to position0 and repeat starting
procedure.

If you are starting the engine with
KEYLESS-GO: Close any doors that
may be open to allow for better detec-
tion of the KEYLESS-GO card.
or:
Start the engine with the SmartKey as
radio signals from another source may
be interfering with the KEYLESS-GO
card.

Repeat the starting procedure
(page 42). Remember that extended
starting attempts can drain the battery.

Get a jump start (
page 347).If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts, there could be a mal-
function in the engine electronics or in the
fuel supply system.

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Parking brake
1Parking brake pedal
2Parking brake release handle

Release the parking brake by pulling
handle2.
The indicator lamp
;
(USA only) or
3
(Canada only) in the instrument
cluster goes out.
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. Children could release
the parking brake, which could result in an
accident and/or serious injury.