climate control MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS 2003 Owner's Manual

378 Technical dataConsumer information
Consumer informationThe following text is published as required
of all manufacturers of passenger cars un-
der Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal Regula-
tions, Part 575 pursuant to the “National
Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of
1966.”Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found, where appli-
cable, on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to
these grades.Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-hal f ( 1½ ) ti m es as wel l on the g ov-
ernment course as a tire graded 100. The
relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.Traction
The traction grades - from highest to low-
est - are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades rep-
resent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.Tread wear
Traction
Temperature
200
AA
A
Warning
G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.

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

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