ABS MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS 2003 Owner's Manual

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.

387 Index
A
ABC 213
Messages in display 297, 299
Setting vehicle level 212, 215
ABS 76, 381
Malfunction indicator lamp 291
Messages in display 298
Warning lamp 291
Accelerator position, automatic transmis-
sion 165
Accident
In case of 49
Activating
Air conditioner (cooling) 184
Air conditioning 184
Air recirculation mode 180
Anti-theft alarm system 83
Central locking (control system) 155
Charcoal filter 182
Distance warning function* 208
Distronic* 204
Easy-entry/exit feature 156
ESP 80
Exterior lamps 121Exterior rear view mirror parking posi-
tion 169
Front and rear fog lamp 121
Hazard warning flasher 124
Headlamps 46
High beams 123
Ignition 31
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button 33
Immobilizer 52, 82
Rear window defroster 183
Residual heat 185
Seat heater 111, 112
Seat ventilation* 110
Tow-away alarm 84
Windshield wipers 47
Activating steering wheel gearshift control
166
Downshifting 167
Upshifting 166
Adding
Coolant 269
Engine oil 266, 267
Additional turn signals 331Adjustable air vents, rear passenger com-
partment 186
Adjusting 34
Air distribution 178
Air volume 179
Backrest tilt 36
Drive-dynamic seats 159
Exterior rear view mirror 39
Head restraint height 37
Head restraint tilt 37
Inside rear view mirror 38
Instrument cluster illumination 127
Lumbar support 104
Mirrors 38
Multicontour seat* 107
Power seat bench* 113
Seat cushion depth 36, 108
Seat cushion tilt 36
Seat fore and aft adjustment 36
Seat height 36
Seat in the lumbar region 108
Seat in the shoulder region 108
Seats 34
Steering column height 38
Steering column length 38
Steering wheel 37

388 IndexAir conditioning
Turning off 184
Turning on 184
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure 273
Air recirculation mode 180
Activating 180
Deactivating 181
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 186
Air volume
Adjusting 179
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 295
Airbags 57
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation sys-
tem 69, 381
Children 58
Front 61
Passenger 61
Safety guidelines 60
Side impact 61
Window curtain 61
AIRMATIC 211
Alarm
Audible 75, 83
Canceling 83
Visual 82Alarm system
Anti-theft 82
Alignment bolt 341
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 323, 381
Antiglare
Automatic 168
Antilock brake system (ABS) 381
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 83
Canceling alarm 83
Disarming 83
Anti-theft systems 82
Anti-theft alarm system 82
Immobilizer 82
Tow-away alarm 84
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning 255
Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 225,
226, 227, 228
Ashtray 232
At the gas station 261
ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) 268
AUDIO menu 135
Selecting radio station 136
Audio system
CD mode 137Automatic antiglare for rear view mirror
168
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control sys-
tem) 155
Automatic climate control 174
Air recirculation mode 180
Defrosting 180
Rear window defroster 183
Setting the temperature 177
Automatic headlamp mode 121
Automatic lighting control
Activating 125
Deactivating 125
Automatic locking when driving 102
Automatic transmission 160
Accelerator position 165
Activating steering wheel gearshift
control 166
Comfortable program mode 164
Deactivating steering wheel gearshift
control 167
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 165
Fluid level 268
Gear ranges 162

393 Index
Distronic* 199, 382
Activated 203
Activating 204
Calling up settings 142, 202
Cleaning system sensor 285
Cruise control lever 203
Deactivated 203
Deactivating 206
Deceleration 202
Decreasing distance 207
Decreasing time interval 206
Displays in the speedometer dial 201
Distance warning function 207
Driving hints 208
Fine adjustment 205
Increasing distance 207
Increasing time interval 206
Intermittent signal tone 201
Menu 202
Messages in display 307
Sensor cover 285
Setting a higher speed 204
Setting a slower speed 205
Setting following distance 206
Setting the current speed 204
Setting to last stored speed ("Resume" function) 205
Warning and indicator lamps 201
Door control panel 19, 28
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 244
Doors
Message in display 307
Opening from inside vehicle 94
Opening from outside 87
Downhill driving
Cruise control 197
Downshifting 161, 167
Drink holder see Cup holder 229
Drinking and driving 251
Drive-dynamic seat* 109
Drive-dynamic seats
Adjusting 159
Driving
Abroad 258
General instructions 40, 251
Hydroplaning 255
In winter 256
Problems 48
Safety systems 76
Through standing water 257
With Distronic* 208Driving abroad 258
Driving instructions 251
Driving off 253
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 81
ABS 76
BAS 78
ESP 78
Driving systems 196
ABC 213
AIRMATIC 211
Cruise control 196
Distronic* 199
Driving safety systems 76
Parktronic 218
Vehicle level control 212, 215
E
Easy-entry/exit feature 104
Activating 156
Interrupting movement 157
Electrical fuses 353
Electrical system 368
Electrically folding exterior rear view
mirrors 170
Electronic Stability Program see ESP 78,
382

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

399 Index
Menus 131
AUDIO 135
Control system 383
Distronic* 142, 202
In control system 133, 134
Malfunction memory 145
NAVI 142
Settings menu 146
Standard display 135
Submenus 132
TEL* 139
Trip computer 143
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 27
Miles/kilometers in speedometer
Setting 149
Spare wheel
Mounting 339
Mirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 169
Adjusting 38
Automatic antiglare for rear view mirror
168
Exterior rear view mirror 39Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 158
Inside rear view mirror 38
Storing exterior rear view mirror park-
ing position 118
MON 261
MON (Motor Octane Number) 383
Mph or km/h in speedometer 149
Multicontour seat* 107
Multifunction display 130, 383
Selecting language 150
Standard display 134
Multifunction display messages
ABC 297, 299
ABS 298
BAS 300, 310
Brake fluid 302
Brake pads 302
Check engine 294
Coolant 305
Coolant level 304
Distronic* 307
Doors 307
Engine 294
Engine oil level 309
Entry position 321Fuel reserve tank 311
Hood 311
Key 311
KEYLESS-GO* card 303
Lamps 314
Parking brake 315
Selector lever 307
TeleAid 320
Telephone* 321
Tires 318
Trunk 321
Washer fluid 321
Multifunction steering wheel 24, 131, 384
Buttons 131
N
Navigation system
Operating 142
See separate COMAND* operating in-
structions
Night security illumination 122
O
Occupant safety 56
Airbags 57
Children and airbags 58
Children in the vehicle 67