service indicator MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS 2003 User Guide

294 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
?
The yellow “CHECK ENGINE”
malfunction indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
There is a malfunction in:

The fuel management system


The ignition system


The emission control system


Systems which affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the engine
to its limp-home (emergency operation)
mode.

Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is
used by the service station to link the
vehicle to the shop diagnostics sys-
tem. It allows the accurate identifica-
tion of system malfunctions through
the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes. It is located in the front left
area of the footwell next to the park-
ing brake pedal.
The fuel cap is not closed tightly.

Close the fuel cap.
Your gas tank is empty.

After refuelling, start the engine three
or four times in succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You do
not need to have your vehicle checked.
The yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp lights up while
driving.
The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 261).
<
The red seat belt warning lamp
blinks for a brief period after
starting the engine.
The warning lamp reminds you to fasten seat
belts.

Fasten your seat belt.

381 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
BabySmart
TM
airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the front passenger seat. The
system will automatically deactivate
the front passenger-side airbag when
such a seat is properly installed (indica-
tor lamp PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF in
the center console lights up). See your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
availability.BabySmart
TM
compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the front
passenger-side airbag if a
BabySmartTM compatible child seat is
installed.
BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
Bi-xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-xenon headlamps produce low beam
and high beam.CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.

383 Technical terms
FSS
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Service indicator in the multifunction
display that informs the driver when
the next vehicle maintenance service is
due.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.
GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the
vehicle without the use of a SmartKey.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.
Lock button
Button on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the lock button down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.
Memory function*
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and mirror positions for
each SmartKey or, if so equipped, KEY-
LESS-GO* card.Menu
The control system displays are ar-
ranged in menus. Each menu contains
a number of commands for particular
systems. In the Audio menu, for exam-
ple, you will find the commands
Select
radio station
or Operate CD player
.
Using commands, you can directly
change the settings for your vehicle.
MON
(M
otor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline's
ability to resist undesired detonation
(knocking). The average of both the
MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as AN-
TI-KNOCK INDEX.
Multifunction display
Display field in the speedometer used
to present information provided by the
control system.

390 IndexC
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 381
Calling up
Distronic* settings 142
Range (distance to empty) 145
Service indicator 281
CAN system 381
Cargo tie-down hooks 223
Catalytic converter 259
CD changer* 137
CD mode 137
CD player
Operating 136
Center console 25
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 295
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 149
Central locking
Automatic 102
From inside 103
Switch 103
Switching on/off (control system) 155
Unlocking from inside 103
Central locking switch 103Changing
Batteries (SmartKey) 328, 329
CDs 137
KEYLESS-GO* card setting 91
SmartKey setting 155
Vehicle level 213, 216
Charcoal filter 182
Activating 182
Deactivating 182
Charging
Vehicle battery 345
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 294
Checking
Batteries (KEYLESS-GO* card) 92
Brake fluid 262
Coolant level 268
Oil level 262, 264
Tire inflate pressure 262
Vehicle lighting 262
Vehicle lock status (KEYLESS-GO*
card) 93Child safety 67
Airbags 58
Infant and child restraint systems 62,
67
LATCH child seat anchors 72
Cigarette lighter 233
Cleaning
Cup holder 287
Distronic* system sensor cover 285
Gear selector lever 287
Hard plastic trim items 287
Headlamps 171
Headliner 287
Instrument cluster 287
Leather upholstery 287
Light alloy wheels 286
Parktronic* system sensor 285
Plastic and rubber parts 287
Seat belts 287
Steering wheel 287
Windows 286
Windshield 48
Wiper blades 286

392 Index
Setting to last stored speeds 198
Cruise control lever 196
Cup holder
Cleaning 287
Closing 230
In front seat armrest 229
In rear seat armrest 230
Opening 230
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 381
D
Daytime running lamp mode 122
Setting 151
Deactivating
Air conditioner (cooling) 184
Air recirculation mode 181
Alarm 83
Anti-theft alarm system 83
Automatic climate control 183
Central locking (control system) 155
Charcoal filter 182
Cruise control 197
Defrost 180
Distance warning function* 208
Distronic* 206
Engine with the SmartKey 52
ESP 80Exterior lamps 121
Hazard warning flasher 124
Headlamps 51
Immobilizer 82
Interior lighting delayed shut-off 153
Rear window defroster 183
Residual heat 185
Seat heater 111, 112
Seat ventilation* 110
Tow-away alarm 84
Deactivating steering wheel gearshift con-
trol 167
Deceleration
With Distronic* 202
Deep water see Standing water 257
Defrosting 180
Delayed shut-off
Interior lighting 153
Dialing
A number (telephone) 140
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while driv-
ing 48
Digital clock
Setting 23
Digital speedometer 135Direction of rotation (tires) 273
Discharged battery
Jump starting 347
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 345
Displays
Digital speedometer 135
Distronic* 201
Messages 265, 296
Service indicator 280
Showing malfunctions 145
Distance
Decreasing in Distronic* 207
Increasing in Distronic* 207
Setting in Distronic* 206
Warning function 207
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 143
Distance warning function* 207
Activating 208
Deactivating 208
DTR* warning lamp 207
Intermittent warning sound 207
Symbol in multifunction display 142

394 IndexEmergency call system* 237
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 240
With Tele Aid* 238
Emergency engine shut-down 355
Emergency operation (Limp Home Mode)
165
Emergency operations
Closing sliding/pop-up roof 330
Locking the vehicle 327
Opening sliding/pop-up roof 330
Remote door unlock 244
Unlocking the trunk lid 327
Unlocking the vehicle 326
Emergency tensioning device see ETD 65,
382
Emission control 259
Ending
A call (telephone) 140
Engine 362
Compartment 263
Message in display 294
Starting 43
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 43
Starting with the Smartkey 43
Turning off with the Smartkey 52Engine cleaning 284
Engine compartment 263
Fuse box in 354
Hood 263
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 294
Engine number 382
Engine oil 264
Adding 266, 267
Additives 373
Checking level 264
Consumption 264
Display messages 308
Filler neck 267
Messages in display 265, 309
Viscosity 382
Engine oil level see Oil level 262
Engine shut down in an emergency 355
Entry position
Messages in display 321
ESP 78, 382
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP 81
Switching off 80
Switching on 80
Warning lamp 290ETD 382
Safety guidelines 60
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 65
Exterior lamp switch 120
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 39
Folding electrically 170
Parking position for 158
F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 149
Fastening the seat belts 40
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 198
Distronic* 205
First aid kit 322
Flat tire 339
Lowering the vehicle 342
Mounting the spare wheel 339
Preparing the vehicle 339
Flexible Service System (FSS) 280, 383
Fog lamp, rear 123, 332
Fog lamps
Replacing bulbs 331

396 IndexH
Hand-held transmitter
Programming integrated remote con-
trol 246
Hands-free microphone 27
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 287
Hazard warning flasher 124
Switching off 124
Switching on 124
Head restraint folding 114
Head restraints 105
Headlamp cleaning system* 271
Headlamps
Automatic control 121
Bi-Xenon 381
Cleaning 284
Cleaning system* 171, 271
Refilling washer fluid 271
Switching off 51
Switching on 46
Headliner
Cleaning 287
Heated steering wheel* 235
Height adjustment
Head restraints 37Steering wheel 37
Height adjustments
Vehicle level 212, 215
High beam
Replacing bulbs 331
High beam flasher 46, 123
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 313
Switching on 123
High mounted brake lamp 332
Hood 263
Closing 264
Message in display 311
Opening 263
Hydroplaning 255
I
Identification labels 360
Ignition 31, 33
Switching on 43
Immobilizer 82
Activating 82
Deactivating 82
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Individual seats* 114Infant and child restraint systems 67
Installing 71
LATCH child seat anchors 72
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 242
Infrared reflecting windshield 248
Inside rear view mirror
Adjusting 38
Antiglare 168
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 71
Towing eye bolt 351
Wiper blades 338
Instrument cluster 22, 127, 383
Cleaning 287
Coolant temperature gauge 128
Illumination 127
Multifunction display 130
Outside temperature indicator 129
Selecting language 150
Integrated remote control
Canadian programming 247
Erasing memory 247
Hand-held transmitter 246
Operating 247

397 Index
Rolling code programming 246
Interior lighting 124
Activating automatic control 125
Deactivating automatic control 125
Delayed shut-off 153
Manual operation 125
Interior storage spaces 224
Cup holder 229
Glove box 224
Parcel net 232
Storage compartment in front of arm-
rest 225, 226, 227, 228
J
Jump starting 347
K
Key dependency memory
Settings 156
Key see SmartKey 30, 52
Key, mechanical 326
Key, SmartKey
Positions in starter switch 31
KEYLESS-GO* 383
Activating ignition with 33
Closing side windows 93
Closing sliding/pop-up roof 93Closing sliding/pop-up roof with 190,
194
Closing windows with 190, 194
Locking the vehicle 93
Loss of KEYLESS-GO card 94
Messages in display 303
Starting the engine 43
Turning off engine 53
Unlocking with 32
KEYLESS-GO* card 89
Checking the batteries 92
Checking vehicle lock status 93
Factory setting 91
Global locking 91
Global unlocking 92
Loss of 94
Messages in display 303
Reprogramming 91
Unlocking 89
Keys 86
Kickdown 165, 383
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 149
Km/h or mph in speedometer 149L
Lamp bulbs, exterior 331
Lamps, exterior
Front 331
Light sensor 312
Messages in display 314
Rear 332
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 291
Airbag Off 61
Battery (SmartKey) 87
Brakes 293
CHECK ENGINE 294
Coolant 304
DTR* 201
Engine diagnostics 294
ESP 290
Fuel reserve 294
Instrument cluster 290–294
Seat belts 294
Service indicator 280
SRS 57
Language
Multifunction display 150
Setting 150
LATCH child seat anchors 72

400 Index
Fastening the seat belt 40
Infant and child restraint systems 67
LATCH child seat anchors 72
Seat belts 40, 60
Oil
Adding 266, 267
Checking level 264
Consumption 264
Filler neck 267
Viscosity 382
Oil level
Checking 262
One-touch gearshifting 161
Canceling gear range limit 161
Downshifting 161
Upshifting 161
Opening
Ashtray 232
Cup holder 230
Doors from the inside 94
Fuel filler flap 261
Fuel filler flap manually 329
Glove box 224
Hood 263
Side windows 188, 189
Sliding/pop-up roof 192, 330Sliding/pop-up roof in an emergency
330
Sliding/pop-up roof with SmartKey
194
Storage space in the armrest 226
Storage space in the center console
225, 226, 227
Trunk 95
Trunk from the inside 96
Windows 188
Windows with SmartKey 190
Opening from the inside
Trunk 99
Operating
CD player 136
COMAND* see separate operating in-
structions
Garage door opener 247
Integrated remote control 247
Navigation system 142
Radio 136
Radio transmitters 258
Safety 16
Telephone* 139
Vehicle outside the USA and Canada
13Operating safety 16
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings 284
Outside temperature indicator 129
Overdue service 280
Overhead control panel 27
Garage door opener 27
Reading lamp 27
Rear view mirror 27
Tele Aid button 27
Override switch see Blocking of rear win-
dow operation 74
Overspeed range 384
P
Paintwork 283
Panic alarm 75
Panic button on SmartKey 75
Parcel net in front passenger footwell 232
Parcel net in trunk 232
Parking 50, 253
Parking and standing lamps
Replacing bulbs 331
Parking assist see Parktronic 218
Parking brake 44, 50
Engaging 50
Message in display 315

402 Index
Selecting stations 136
Station search 136
Station selection setting 154
Radio transmitters, control and operation
258
Range (distance to empty)
Calling up 145
Rear fog lamp 332
Bulb 332
Switching on 123
Rear lamp bulbs
Replacing 336
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear passenger compartment
Adjustable air vents 186
Rear seat head restraints
Folding back with switch 106
Placing upright 106
Rear seats 106
Rear seats 113
Fore and aft adjustment 114
Head restraint folding 114
Individual seats* 114
Passenger seat fore and aft adjustment
116
Passenger seat head restraint height 116
Passenger seat height 116
Rear seat head restraints 106
Seat height 114
Setting passenger seat position from
rear* 115
Rear view mirror 27
Rear view mirror automatic antiglare 168
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window
Blocking operation 74
Rear window defroster 183
Activating 183
Deactivating 183
Rear window sunshade* 173
Reconnecting
Vehicle battery 345
Regular checks 262
Regular driving style 214
Reinstalling vehicle battery 345
Remote controls
Integrated 246
SmartKey 86
Remote door unlock
With Tele Aid* 244
Remote Vehicle Diagnostics 384Removing
Vehicle battery 345
Wheel 341
Wiper blades 337
Replacing
Backup lamp bulbs 336
Brake fluid 373
Brake lamp bulbs 336
Bulbs 331
Front lamp bulbs 333
License plate lamp bulbs 336
Parking lamp bulbs 335
Rear fog lamp bulbs 336
Rear lamp bulbs 332, 336
Rear turn signal bulbs 336
Side marker lamp bulbs 335
Standing lamp bulbs 335
Wiper blades 337
Reporting
Safety defects 18
Reset knob in the instrument cluster 146
Resetting
All functions (control system) 146
All functions of a submenu 147
Fuel consumption 144
Service indicator (FSS) 281