height MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS 2003 Owner's Guide

327 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking the trunk
If you are unable to unlock the trunk with
the SmartKey, open the trunk with the me-
chanical key as follows:Trunk lock
Insert the mechanical key into the
trunk lid lock.

Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise to position1.

Press button2.
The trunk lid swings open.
Locking the vehicle
If you are unable to lock the vehicle with
the SmartKey or the KEYLESS-GO* card,
lock it with the mechanical key as follows:
Close the passenger doors and the
trunk lid.

Press the central locking switch in the
center console (
page 103).

Check to see whether the locking knob
on the passenger door is still visible. If
necessary push it down manually.

Lock the driver’s door with the me-
chanical key.

Lock the trunk lid if necessary with the
mechanical key (
page 326).
!The trunk lid swings open upwards au-
tomatically. Always make sure that
there is sufficient overhead clearance.
A minimum height clearance of 6 ft.
(1.85 m) is required to open the trunk
lid.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
Œ
or
‹
on the
SmartKey.


Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.


If KEYLESS-GO* card present,
press the start/stop button
(page 33).

369 Technical data
Main dimensions
Main dimensions
Model
S 430 (220.070)
S 430 (220.170)
S 430 4MATIC (220.183)
S 500 (220.175)
S 500 4MATIC (220.184)
S 55 AMG (220.174)
S 600 (220.176)
Overall vehicle length
198.3 in. (5038 mm)
203.1 in. (5158 mm)
203.1 in. (5158 mm)
203.1 in. (5158 mm)
Overall vehicle width
73.0 in. (1855 mm)
73.0 in. (1855 mm)
73.0 in. (1855 mm)
73.0 in. (1855 mm)
Overall vehicle height
57.2 in. (1454 mm)
57.2 in. (1454 mm)
57.2 in. (1454 mm)
57.4 in. (1457 mm)
Wheelbase
116.7 in. (2965 mm)
121.5 in. (3085 mm)
121.5 in. (3085 mm)
121.5 in. (3085 mm)
Track, front
62.0 in. (1574 mm)
62.0 in. (1574 mm)
62.1 in. (1578 mm)
62.0 in. (1574 mm)
Track, rear
62.0 in. (1574 mm)
62.0 in. (1574 mm)
62.0 in. (1574 mm)
62.0 in. (1574 mm)

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

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

401 Index
Releasing 44
Warning sound 45
Parking lamps
Replacing bulbs 332, 335
Switching on 120
Parking position
Exterior rear view mirrors 118, 158,
169
Parktronic 218
Parktronic* 384
Sensor 285
Passenger compartment 258
Fuse box in 353
Inside rear view mirror 38
Interior lighting 124
Parcel net in front passenger footwell
232
Passenger safety see Occupant safety 56
Passenger seat fore and aft adjustment
116
Passenger seat head restraint height 116
Passenger seat height 116
Pedals 251
Phone book*
Loading 140
Quick search 141Phone number*
Dialing 140
Redialing 141
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 287
Pliers, universal (vehicle tool kit) 323
Poly-V-belt drive 384
Positions (Memory function)
Recalling from memory 118
Positions (Memory function*)
Storing into memory 118
Power assistance 251
Power seat
Adjusting backrest tilt 36
Adjusting head restraint height 37
Adjusting head restraint tilt 37
Adjusting seat cushion depth 36
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 36
Adjusting seat height 36
Front seat head restraints 105
Seat fore and aft adjustment 36
Power seat bench* 113
Power train 384
Power washer 283
Power windows 188
Blocking of rear window operation 74Side windows 188
Synchronizing 191
Practical hints
First aid kit 322
Fuses 353
Lamp in center console 295
Lamps in instrument cluster 290
Messages in the display 296
Towing the vehicle 349
Vehicle tool kit 322
PRE-SAFE see Preventive occupant safety
66
Preventive occupant safety (PRE-SAFE) 66
Problems
While driving 48
With vehicle 17
Product information 9
Program mode selector switch 384
Automatic transmission 164
PULSE function (Massage function) 109
Q
Quick search
Phone book* 141
R
Radio

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

403 Index
Trip odometer 128
Residual heat utilization 185, 384
Residual ventilation 185
REST (Residual engine heat utilization) 384
Restraint system see Infant and child re-
straint systems 67, 71
Rims and Tires 364
Roadside assistance 12
Tele Aid* 240
Rolling code programming 246
RON 261
RON (Research Octane Number) 385
Roof rack 222
Rotating wheels 277
Rubber parts
Cleaning 287
S
Safety
Occupant 56
Safety belts see Seat belts 40
Safety defects
Reporting 18
Safety systems
Driving 76
Screwdriver (vehicle tool kit) 323Searching
Radio station 136
Seat belt force limiter 65
Seat belts 62
Cleaning 287
Fastening 40
Proper use of 42, 64
Safety guidelines 60
Warning lamp 294
Seat cushion depth
Adjusting 108
Seat for and aft adjustment 114
Seat heater
Switching off 111
Switching on 111
Seat height 114
Seat ventilation*
Switching off 110
Switching on 110
Seats 104
Adjusting 34
Adjusting lumbar support 108
Adjusting shoulder support 108
Easy entry/exit feature 104
Heater 111
Massage function 109Multicontour seat* 107
Rear power seat bench* 113
Rear seats 113
Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down hooks 223
Selector lever
Lock 43
Message in display 307
Position 160
Self-test
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation sys-
tem 70
Tele Aid* 238
Service
Calling up the service indicator 281
Major service (Service B) 280
Minor service (Service A) 280
Overdue 280
Types 280
When due 280
Service (maintenance) 280
Service and warranty information 10
Service indicator 280
Calling up 281
Clearing 280, 281
Service life (tires) 273

405 Index
Simultaneous wiping and washing
Windshield wipers 48
Single wipe 47
Sliding/pop-up roof 192
Closing 192, 330
Closing with KEYLESS-GO* 93, 190,
194
Closing with SmartKey 194
Opening 192, 330
Opening with SmartKey 194
Stopping 193
Synchronizing 195
SmartKey 30
Battery check lamp 87
Changing batteries 328
Changing the batteries 328, 329
Checking the batteries 88
Factory setting 87
Global locking 87
Global locking and unlocking 87
Global unlocking 87
Locking and unlocking 86
Loss of 89
Opening and closing the slid-
ing/pop-up roof with 194
Opening and closing windows with 190Remote controls 86
Restoring to factory setting 88
Selective setting 87
Starting the engine 43
Turning off the engine 52
Unlocking with 30
SmartKey positions in starter switch 31
Snow chains 279
Spare fuses 323
Spare parts service 358
Speed
Setting current 197
Setting to last stored speed in Distron-
ic* ("Resume" function) 205
Speed settings
Cruise control 198
Distronic* 204, 205
Speedometer
Displaying gear range 162
Displays 201
Settings units 149
Speedometer display mode
Selecting 149
Sporty driving style 214
SRS 64, 385
Indicator lamp 292SRS indicator lamp 56
Standing lamps 120
Replacing bulbs 331, 332, 335
Standing water
Driving instructions 257
Starter switch 31
Positions 31
Starting difficulties 44
Starting position 31
Starting the engine 42
Station (radio)
Search 136
Station selection
Setting 154
Steering column
Height adjustment 38
Length adjustment 38
Steering wheel
Adjusting 37
Adjustment 38
Cleaning 287
Heated steering wheel* 235
Height adjustment 38
Steering wheel adjustment 38