🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

Mercedes-Benz

Model:

S-Class

Year:

2003

System Covered:

COMAND APS (Cockpit Management and Navigation Entertainment) System

👋 Introduction

Positioning:

The 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220 generation) represented the pinnacle of luxury, comfort, and technology for its era, directly competing with other high-end sedans like the BMW 7 Series and Audi A8.

Competitors:

BMW 7 Series (E65/E66), Audi A8 (D3), Lexus LS 430, Porsche Panamera (later generations), Jaguar XJ.

Luxury Appointments:

Premium leather, wood trim, advanced climate control, multi-contour seats, high-end audio systems.

Technology Integration:

COMAND APS infotainment, adaptive cruise control (Distronic), active suspension (ABC), bi-xenon headlights.

Powertrain Options:

Range of powerful V8 and V12 engines, paired with sophisticated automatic transmissions.

📋 Manual Details

Primary Coverage:

Operation and functionality of the COMAND APS infotainment and navigation system.

Secondary Coverage:

Basic system settings, navigation input, audio controls, climate control interface (where integrated).

Estimated Pages:

150-250 (Typical for a COMAND APS operator's manual of this era)

Type:

Operator's Manual / Owner's Manual (System Specific)

Language:

English

Format:

Digital PDF

📖 Manual Coverage

Infotainment:

COMAND APS head unit, radio, CD player, auxiliary inputs.

Navigation:

GPS navigation system, map data input, route planning, destination search.

Telephony:

Bluetooth connectivity (if equipped), phone book management, call handling.

Vehicle Settings:

Climate control interface (visual and control), seat adjustment (some models), lighting preferences.

Operation:

Basic system navigation, button functions, touchscreen interaction, voice control (if equipped).

Configuration:

Personalizing system settings, audio equalization, display preferences.

Troubleshooting:

Basic error message interpretation, common system quirks, reset procedures.

Depth:

User-level operation and system interaction. Does not cover component-level repair or diagnostic codes.

📊 Manual Specifications

Format:

PDF

Searchability:

Likely searchable text (OCR'd if scanned).

Quality:

Digital representation of factory original; quality depends on source scan/OCR.

Type:

N/A (Digital Download)

Type:

N/A (Digital Download)

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Engine Code Examples:

M113 (4.3L V8, 5.0L V8), M137 (5.8L V12), M275 (5.5L Bi-Turbo V12 in later W220 variants).

Displacement Examples:

4.3L (4266 cc), 5.0L (4966 cc), 5.5L (5439 cc), 5.8L (5786 cc)

Horsepower Range:

275 hp (S430) to 493 hp (S65 AMG).

Torque Range:

300 lb-ft (S430) to 738 lb-ft (S65 AMG).

Type:

Sequential multi-port fuel injection (MPI).

Recommended Octane:

Premium Unleaded (91+ Octane).

System:

Closed-loop emission control with catalytic converters.

🔧 Transmission

Type:

5-speed Automatic Transmission (722.6 series '5G-TRONIC')

Type:

N/A (5-speed auto was standard across most models).

Modes:

Comfort (C) and Sport (S) modes.

Specification:

MB Transmission Fluid 236.14 (or equivalent spec like ATF Dexron III/Mercon for earlier versions).

Capacity:

Approx. 8-10 liters for complete fluid and torque converter service (check manual for exact capacity).

📐 Dimensions

Standard Wheelbase:

Approx. 196.5 inches (4990 mm)

Width:

Approx. 73.7 inches (1872 mm)

Height:

Approx. 57.5 inches (1460 mm)

Wheelbase:

Approx. 116.3 inches (2955 mm)

Curb Weight Range:

Approx. 4000 - 4600 lbs (1814 - 2087 kg), depending on engine and options.

Trunk Capacity:

Approx. 17.7 cubic feet (500 liters).

Towing Capacity:

Not typically specified or recommended for S-Class models.

🛡️ Safety Features

NHTSA Front Impact:

5-Star (for comparable models of the era).

IIHS Front Offset:

Good (for comparable models of the era).

Electronic Stability Control:

Standard (ESP - Electronic Stability Program).

Braking System:

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BAS).

Driver Assistance:

Optional Distronic adaptive cruise control.

Airbags:

Front airbags, side airbags, window curtain airbags (front and rear).

Seatbelts:

Pretensioners and force limiters, active head restraints (NECK-PRO on some models).

Chassis Construction:

High-strength steel unibody construction.

💡 Technology Features

Head Unit Interface:

COMAND 2.5 or 2.7 system with a central display screen and rotary knob/button controller.

Audio Source:

AM/FM Radio, CD player (single disc or 6-disc changer), optional CD changer.

Auxiliary Input:

Likely an analog AUX input via RCA connectors in the glove compartment.

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Distronic system uses radar sensors to maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead.

Bluetooth:

Optional Bluetooth hands-free system for mobile phone integration.

Navigation Media:

DVD-ROM based navigation mapping.

Keyless Go:

Optional keyless entry and start system.

🔧 Maintenance

Oil Change Interval:

Flexible Service System (FSS) typically indicated by the 'Service A' or 'Service B' message, usually between 10,000 to 15,000 miles or annually, whichever comes first.

Major Service Intervals:

Refer to FSS for items like spark plugs, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid. Typically around 40k-100k miles depending on the component.

Engine Oil Specification:

MB 229.5 (e.g., Mobil 1 0W-40, Castrol Syntec 0W-30/5W-30).

Coolant Specification:

Mercedes-Benz Coolant/Antifreeze (MB 325.0 or 326.0) mixed with distilled water.

Brake Fluid Specification:

DOT 4 Plus (MB 331.0).

Engine Oil Capacity:

8.5 US quarts (8.0 liters) for V8 engines, 9.5 US quarts (9.0 liters) for V12 engines (approximate, check manual).

Air Suspension Failure:

Airmatic suspension struts and compressor can fail over time, leading to 'car too low' warnings.

Ignition Coil Failure:

Coil packs can fail, leading to misfires and rough running.

Balance Shaft Wear:

Specific V8 engines (M113) can experience balance shaft wear, leading to rattling noise.

Can Bus Errors:

Electrical gremlins and CAN bus communication errors can occur due to module failures or wiring issues.

Trunk Lock Actuator Failure:

Common failure leading to inability to open or close the trunk.

📚 Vehicle History

Philosophy:

Mercedes-Benz has a long-standing reputation for luxury, engineering excellence, safety, and innovation in the automotive industry.

W220 Generation:

The W220 S-Class, produced from 1998 to 2005, represented a significant styling and technological departure from its predecessor (W140), focusing on reduced weight, improved aerodynamics, and a more integrated suite of electronic features.

Manufacturing Location:

Sindelfingen, Germany.

Model Year Coverage:

2003 model year falls within the W220 generation (1999-2006 model years).

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Car And Driver Best List:

The S-Class has historically been a perennial inclusion on Car and Driver's '10Best' lists, recognized for its overall excellence.

Consumer Reports Ratings:

Typically rated highly for comfort and luxury, though some model years faced criticism for reliability in certain areas.

Safety Certifications:

Meets or exceeds all federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) for its model year.