warning MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS 2003 Owners Manual

212 Controls in detailDriving systemsVehicle level control with AIRMATIC
Your vehicle automatically adjusts its ride
height to:

reduce fuel consumption


increase vehicle safety
The vehicle chassis ride height is raised or
lowered according to the selected level
setting and to the vehicle speed:


With increasing speed, ride height is re-
duced by up to approximately
3/4inch
(20 mm).


With decreasing speed, the ride height
is again raised to the selected vehicle
level.The following vehicle level settings can be
selected when the vehicle is stationary:
Select the "Raised" level setting only when
required by current driving conditions.
Otherwise:


Fuel consumption may increase


Handling may be impairedThe switch with the indicator lamps is lo-
cated in the upper part of the center con-
sole.
1Indicator lamp
2Vehicle level control switch
iThese height adjustments are so small
that you may not notice any change.
LevelNormal
For driving on normal roads.
The indicator lamp is off.
Raised
For driving on rough roads or
with snow chains.The indica-
tor lamp is on.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands
and feet away from wheel housing area, and
stay away from under the vehicle when low-
ering the vehicle chassis.

215 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Vehicle level control with ABC*
Your vehicle automatically adjusts its ride
height to:

reduce fuel consumption


increase vehicle safety
The vehicle chassis ride height is raised or
lowered according to the selected level
setting and to the vehicle speed:


W it h incre as ing s pee d, rid e hei ght i s re -
duced by up to approximately 1.4 inch
(35 mm).


With decreasing speed, the ride height
is again raised to the selected vehicle
level.Select the level 1 and 2 settings only when
required by current driving conditions.
Otherwise:


Fuel consumption may increase


Handling may be impairediThese height adjustments are so small
that you may not notice any change.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands
and feet away from wheel housing area, and
stay away from under the vehicle when low-
ering the vehicle chassis.

218 Controls in detailDriving systemsParktronic system* (Parking assist)
The Parktronic system is an electronic aid
designed to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers. It visually and audibly indi-
cates the relative distance between the
vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically ac-
tivated when you switch on the ignition
and release the parking brake. The Park-
tronic system deactivates at speeds
exceeding 11 mph (18 km/h). At lower
speeds the Parktronic system turns on
again.The Parktronic system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with six sensors
in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumperWarning!
G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always rests with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
can be affected by dirty sensors, especially
at times of snow and ice, see “Cleaning the
Parktronic* system sensors” (
page 285).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic sig-
nals (e.g. working jackhammers or the air
brakes of trucks) can cause the system to
send erratic indications, and should be tak-
en into consideration.
Warning!
G
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
the area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.

219 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Range of the sensors
To function properly, the sensors must be
free of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean the
sensors regularly, being careful not to
scratch or damage the sensors.Front sensors
Rear sensorsMinimum distance
If the system detects an obstacle in this
range, all the warning lamps light up and
you hear a warning signal. If the obstacle is
closer than the minimum distance, the ac-
tual distance might no longer be indicated
by the system.
Center
approx. 40 in (100 cm)
Corners
approx. 24 in (60 cm)
Center
approx. 48 in (120 cm)
Corners
approx. 32 in (80 cm)
!During parking maneuvers, pay special
attention to objects located above or
below the height of the sensors (e.g.
planters or trailer hitches). The Park-
tronic system will not detect such ob-
jects at close range and damage to
your vehicle or the object may result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sourc-
es (e.g. truck air brakes or jackham-
mers) may impair the operation of the
Parktronic system.
Center
approx. 8 in (20 cm)
Corners
approx. 6 in (15 cm)

220 Controls in detailDriving systemsWarning indicators
Visual signals indicate to the driver the rel-
ative distance between the sensors and an
obstacle. The warning indicators for the
front area are located in the dashboard
(page 20). The warning indicator for the
rear area is integrated in the rear trim.
1Left front area warning indicator2Right front area warning indicator
Each warning indicator is divided into six
yellow and two red segments for either
side of the vehicle. The Parktronic system
is ready when the border around the indi-
cator is illuminated.The position of the gear selector lever de-
termines which warning indicators will be
activated.
Selector lever po-
sition
Warning indicator
D
Front area activated
R or N
Front and rear area
activated
P
Neither activated

221 Controls in detail
Driving systems
As your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more segments will light up, depending
on the distance between your vehicle and
the object. When the eighth segment lights
up, you have reached the minimum dis-
tance.

Front area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red seg-
ment lights up and a constant acoustic
warning, both lasting a maximum of
three seconds, will sound for the eighth
segment, i.e. the second red segment.


Rear area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red seg-
ment lights up and a constant acoustic
warning, both lasting a maximum of
three seconds, will sound for the eighth
segment, i.e. the second red segment.
The signal is canceled when the selec-
tor lever is placed in position D orP.Switching the Parktronic system
on/off
You can switch off the Parktronic system
manually.
The Parktronic switch is located in the up-
per section of the center console.
1Indicator lamp
2Parktronic on/offSwitching off the Parktronic system

Press switch2.
Indicator lamp1 comes on.
Switching on the Parktronic system

Press switch2 again.
Indicator lamp1 goes out.

222 Controls in detailLoading
LoadingRoof rack* Preparing roof rack installation

Open trim at the trim strips in the roof.

Secure the roof rack according to man-
ufacturer’s instructions for installation.
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle oc-
cupants and luggage/cargo should not ex-
ceed the vehicle capacity weight indicated
on the certification tag which can be found
on the left door pillar.
Warning!
G
Use only roof racks approved by Mer-
cedes-Benz for your vehicle model to avoid
damage to the vehicle. Follow manufactur-
er’s installation instructions.
!Load the roof rack in such a way that
the vehicle cannot be damaged while
driving.
Make sure that:

you can fully raise the
sliding/pop-up roof


you can fully open the trunk

223 Controls in detail
Loading
Cargo tie-down hooks
Six hooks are located in the trunk.
Carefully secure cargo by applying
even load on all hooks with rope of suf-
ficient strength to hold down the cargo.
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 can cause in-
jury to vehicle occupants unless the items
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when transporting cargo. Put luggage or car-
go in the trunk if possible. Do not pile lug-
gage or cargo higher than the seat backs.
Do not place anything on the rear-window
shelf.
Never drive vehicle with trunk open. Deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter ve-
hicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.

224 Controls in detailUseful features
Useful featuresInterior storage spaces Glove box
1Unlocked position
2Locked position
3Glove box lid release
Opening the glove box

Press glove box lid release3.
The glove box lid opens downward.
Closing the glove box

Push lid up to close.Storage compartment in the glove box
An AUX socket 1 is located on the left side
of the glove box. Portable audio devices
can be plugged in here. A storage compart-
ment is located in the cover of the glove
box. It can be used to store check cards,
pens, a flashlight, etc.
1AUX socket
2Storage compartment in glove box

Lightly press the marking on the lid of
storage compartment2.
The lid opens upward.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when stowing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
g a g e o r c a r g o i n t h e t r u n k i f p o s s i b l e . D o n o t
pile luggage or cargo higher than the seat
backs.
Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy
objects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
an accident.
iThe glove box can be locked and un-
locked with the mechanical key.

229 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cup holder in front of seat armrestFolding out cup holder
The cup holder is located in the storage
compartment in front of the armrest.
1Button for folding out the cup holder

Open the storage compartment in front
of armrest (
page 225).

Push button1.
The cup holder opens automatically.Folding in cup holder
1Cup holder

Swing cup holder1 back and press it
into the storage compartment until it
engages.
Warning!
G
When not in use, keep the cup holder closed
while traveling. Place only containers that fit
into the cup holder to prevent spills. Use lids
on open containers and do not fill containers
to a height where the contents, especially
hot liquids, could spill during vehicle maneu-
vers.