key MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS 2003 Owners Manual

301 Practical hints
What to do if …
P
Gear selector lever in P
You have turned off the engine with the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button* and
opened the driver’s door.

Place the selector lever in position P.
Cruise control
Visit workshop!
Cruise control or Distronic* is malfunction-
ing.

Have the cruise control or Distronic*
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
1
Restraint system
malfunction
Visit workshop!
The system is malfunctioning.

Drive with added caution to the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
@
Vehicle rising!
Your vehicle is adjusting to your level selec-
tion.
Level selec. canceled
The "Raised" level setting is canceled at ve-
hicle speeds of over 75 mph (120 km/h).

Reactivate the "Raised" level setting.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
Warning!
G
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is indi-
cated as outlined above, the SRS may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly
recommend that you visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have
the system checked; otherwise the
SRS may not be activated when needed in
an accident, which could result in serious or
fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly
and unnecessarily which could also result in
injury.
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309 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
F
Key
Check battery!
The batteries in the KEYLESS-GO*
key are discharged.

Change the batteries (
page 328).
Key
not recognized!
The KEYLESS-GO* key is not recog-
nized while the engine is running be-
cause

the card is not in the vehicle


there is strong radio-frequency
interference

Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.

Search for the card or continue to operate
the vehicle with the key.
Otherwise the vehicle cannot be centrally
locked nor can the engine be started again
after the engine is stopped.
The KEYLESS-GO* key is momen-
tarily not recognized.

Change the position of the card in the vehi-
cle.

Operate the vehicle with the key if neces-
sary.
ì
Function
Not available!
This display appears if button ì
or í on the multifunction steer-
ing wheel is pressed and the vehicle
is not equipped with a telephone.
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310 Practical hintsWhat to do if …F
Key recognized
in vehicle!
A KEYLESS-GO* key left in the vehi-
cle was recognized while locking the
vehicle from the outside.

Take the key out of the vehicle.
Key
Visit workshop!
The KEYLESS-GO* system is mal-
functioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Key
do not forget key
This display appears (for a maximum
of 60 seconds) if the driver’s door is
opened with the engine shut off and
no key in the starter switch.
This message is only a reminder.

Insert key in the starter switch.
_
Entry position
Do not drive!
Seat, mirrors and steering wheel
have not yet moved to their preset
driving positions.

Wait until the seat, mirrors and steering
wheel have moved to their driving positions.
The message disappears.
Except Canada:;Canada only:!
Release park. brake!
You are driving with the parking
brake set.

Release the parking brake (
page 45).
<
Visit workshop!
The seat belt system is malfunction-
ing.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Ê
Trunk open!
This message will appear whenever
the trunk lid is open.

Close the trunk lid.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
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313 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
A
Reserve fuel
The fuel level has dropped below the
reserve mark.

Refuel at the next gas station (
page 259).
Y
Hood open!
You are driving with the hood open.

Close the hood (
page 261).
I
Remove key
!
You have forgotten to remove the
key.

Remove the key from the starter switch.
Replace key
There is no additional code available
for SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
.
Lamp sensor
Visit workshop!
The lamp sensor is malfunctioning.
The headlamps switch on automati-
cally.

In the control system, set lamp operation to
manual mode (
page 130).

Switch on headlamps using the exterior
lamp switch.
Low beam, left
The left low beam lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Low beam, right
The right low beam lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
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315 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
.
Turn sig.
right
mirror
The right turn signal in the side mir-
ror is malfunctioning. This message
will only appear if all light emitting
diodes have stopped working.

Have the LEDs replaced as soon as possi-
ble.
Turn sig. front left
Back-up light on!

The left front turn signal lamp is mal-
functioning. A backup bulb is being
used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn sig. front right
Back-up light on!

The right front turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. A backup bulb is be-
ing used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Brake light
Visit workshop!
Stop lamp illumination is delayed or
lamp is permanently on.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Turn off lamps!
Lamps have been turned on al-
though the key in the starter switch
is in position 0.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Brake light, left
The left brake lamp is malfunction-
ing. A backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Brake light, right
The right brake lamp is malfunction-
ing. A backup bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
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323 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
I
Remove key!
You have forgotten to remove the key.

Remove the key from the starter switch.
Replace key
The batteries in the key are dead.

Change the batteries (
page 328).
Automat. light on
Remove key!

Remove the key from the starter switch.
A

Reserve fuel
The fuel level has dropped below the re-
serve mark.

Refuel at the next filling station
(page 259).
J

Door open
You are attempting to drive with one or
more doors open.

Close the doors.
?
Visit workshop!
There may be a malfunction in the:

fuel injection system


ignition system


exhaust system


fuel system

Have the measuring system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
±
Display defective
Visit workshop!
Certain electronic systems are unable to
relay information to the control system.
The following systems may have failed:

Coolant temperature display


Tachometer


Cruise control display

Have the electronic systems checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
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327 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking the vehicle
In case of a malfunction in the central lock-
ing system, you can unlock the trunk sepa-
rately (
page 88).
Unlocking the driver’s door
If you are unable to unlock the driver’s
door using the SmartKey, open the door
using the mechanical key.
1Mechanical key locking tab
2Mechanical key

Move locking tab1 in the direction of
the arrow and slide mechanical key2
out of the housing.
3Unlocking
4Locking

Unlock the door with the mechanical
key. To do so, push the mechanical key
in the lock until it stops and turn it to
the left4.
iUnlocking your vehicle with the me-
chanical key will trigger the anti-theft
alarm system. To cancel the alarm, do
one of the following:

Press button Œor ‹on the
SmartKey.


Insert the key in the starter switch.
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328 Practical hintsUnlocking/locking in an emergencyUnlocking the trunk
The trunk can no longer be locked with the
key.
Lock and unlock the trunk with the me-
chanical key as follows:Trunk lid lock1Unlocking
2Locking
Insert the mechanical key in the trunk
lid lock.

Turn the key to the left in position1
and hold it in this position.

Pull on the trunk lid handle and lift the
trunk lid.
Locking the vehicle
If you are unable to lock the vehicle with
the SmartKey, lock it with the mechanical
key as follows:
Close the passenger doors and the
trunk.

Press the central locking switch in the
cockpit (
page 100).

Check to see whether the locking
knobs on the passenger doors are still
visible. If necessary, push them down
manually.

Lock the driver’s door with the me-
chanical key (
page 327).

Check if the trunk is locked. If neces-
sary lock the trunk with the mechanical
key (
page 98).
Changing batteries
If the batteries in the SmartKey are dis-
charged, the vehicle can no longer be
locked or unlocked. It is recommended to
have the batteries replaced at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.Warning!
G
Keep the batteries out of reach of children.
If a battery is swallowed, seek medical help
immediately.
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329 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
SmartKey/SmartKey with KEY-
LESS-GO*
1Mechanical key
2Battery compartment
Replacement batteries: Lithium, type
CR 2025 or equivalent.

Remove mechanical key1
(page 327).

Insert the mechanical key in the side
opening and push the gray slide.
Battery compartment2 is unlatched.

Pull battery compartment2 out of the
key housing in direction of arrow.
3Battery
4Contact spring

Remove the batteries.

Using a lint-free cloth, insert new bat-
teries under the contact spring with the
plus (+) side facing up.

Return battery compartment into hous-
ing until it locks into place.
Fuel filler flap emergency release
1Release knob
Remove right-side tail trim.

Turn release knob1 clockwise (arrow).
The fuel filler flap can know be opened.
iWhen changing batteries, always re-
place both batteries.
The required replacement batteries are
available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
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337 Practical hints
Replacing wiper blades
Replacing wiper blades
Replacing wiper blades
Removal 
Turn key in starter switch to position1.

Turn combination switch to wiper
settingII (
page 47).

With wiper arm in the vertical position
(see above), turn key in starter switch
to position0.

Fold the wiper arm forward.You should hear it snap into place.

Turn the wiper blade at a right angle to
wiper arm.

Slide the wiper blade sideways out of
the retainer.Installation

Slide wiper blade onto wiper arm until
it locks in place.

Rotate wiper blade into position paral-
lel to wiper arm.

Fold wiper arm back so that blade rests
on windshield.
!To avoid damage to the hood, the wiper
arms should only be folded forward
when in the vertical position.Warning!
G
For safety reasons, remove key from starter
switch before replacing a wiper blade, other-
wise the motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
!Never open the hood when the wiper
arm is folded forward.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact
the windshield glass without a wiper
blade inserted.
For your convenience, we recommend
that you have this work carried out by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
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