2000 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 keyless-go

32 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Start lock-out
Important!
Operating with electronic key:
Removing the electronic key from the starter switch
activates the start lock-out. The engine cannot be
started.
Inserting the electronic key in the starter switch
deactivates the start lock-out.
Operating with KEYLESS-GO:
Turning off the engine with the start- / stop button on
the gear selector lever activates the start lock-out. For
turning off the engine with KEYLESS-GO, see page 232.
Starting the engine with the start- / stop button
deactivates the start lock-out, if a valid KEYLESS-GO-
card is recognized inside the vehicle. For starting the
engine with KEYLESS-GO, see page 231. The engine
cannot be started with a KEYLESS-GO-card outside the
vehicle.Note:
In case the engine cannot be started (vehicle’s battery is
in order), the system is not operational. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call 1-800-FOR-
MERCedes (in the USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).

33 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index General notes on the central locking system
If the electronic key is inserted in the starter switch, the
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with the remote
control.
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked:
•Aim transmitter eye at a receiver on either front
door handle. Check the batteries of the electronic
main key, see page 363, or synchronize the remote
control, see page 365.
•Use the mechanical key to unlock the vehicle. To
start engine, insert the electronic key in the starter
switch. There could be a slight delay until the
electronic key can be turned in the starter switch.
•Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO only:
A KEYLESS-GO-card must be recognized by the
system as being outside the vehicle to enable the
vehicle to be locked or unlocked (maximum distance
between card and doors or trunk is approx. 3 ft.
(1 m). Check the location of the KEYLESS-GO-card,
see page 38. Check the batteries of the KEYLESS-
GO-card, see page 366. The trunk lid will open
automatically if a KEYLESS-GO card is detected in
the trunk, see page 38.Note:
If neither the remote control nor KEYLESS-GO system
functions, use the mechanical key to unlock or lock the
vehicle. To start engine, insert the electronic key in the
starter switch. There could be a slight delay until the
electronic key can be turned in the starter switch.
Important!
When unlocking the driver’s door with the mechanical
key, the exterior lamps will flash and the alarm will
sound.
To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the
starter switch, or press buttonŒ or‹ on the
electronic main key; or with the optional KEYLESS-GO-
system, when carrying a KEYLESS-GO-card, by grasping
a door handle or pressing the start- / stop button on the
gear selector lever.

38 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
KEYLESS-GO
Important!
For the KEYLESS-GO-system to function properly, the
operator should observe the following:
•The driver should carry the KEYLESS-GO-card with
him / her.
•To avoid radio transmission interference, never store
the KEYLESS-GO-card together with other electronic
items (e.g. cellular telephones, other KEYLESS-GO-
cards) or metallic objects (e.g. coins, metal foil).
•To lock or unlock the vehicle, the card must be
recognized by the system as being located outside
the vehicle. The card must be in close proximity to a
door or the trunk lid (approx. 3 ft. [1 m]). To activate
the start / stop button function, the KEYLESS-GO-
card must be recognized by the system as being
located inside the vehicle.
•If the KEYLESS-GO-card is positioned farther away
from the vehicle (e.g. inside clothing or a briefcase)
and can no longer be recognized by the system, the
vehicle cannot be locked or the engine started via
the KEYLESS-GO-system.•If the KEYLESS-GO-card is removed from the vehicle
while the engine is running, or by placing the card
in front of the center armrest (see page 195), the
message “CHIP-CARD – NOT RECOGNIZED!” will
appear repeatedly in the multifunction display,
seepage322.
Find the card or change its present location (e.g.
place it on the front passenger seat or insert it in
shirt pocket).
•If the message “CHIP - CARD – NOT RECOGNIZED”
is ignored for an extended of time (approx.
15 minutes), the engine could stop by itself during a
vehicle stop (e.g. traffic light). The vehicle can then
no longer be centrally locked or the engine
restarted. You must first find the card or change its
present location (e.g. place it on the front passenger
seat or insert it in shirt pocket). Start the engine
again. See page 228.
•Do not forget, the engine can be started by anyone
with a KEYLESS-GO-card that is left inside the
vehicle. Leaving the chip-card behind when exiting
and locking the vehicle, the message “CHIP-CARD –
STILL IN VEHICLE” appears in the multifunction
display, see page 322.

39 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index •Opening the driver’s door with the engine shut off
and no electronic key in the starter switch, the
message “CHIP-CARD – DO NOT FORGET” appears
as a reminder, see page 322.
Important!
In the case of a malfunction in the KEYLESS-GO-system,
we recommend that you carry the electronic key plus
mechanical key with you and keep them in a safe place
so that they are always handy. Never leave the electronic
key in the vehicle.Notes:
The KEYLESS-GO-function also permits closing of
windows and sliding / pop-up roof (convenience feature),
see page 46.
With the KEYLESS-GO-card in close proximity (approx.
3 ft. [1 m]) of the vehicle, aiming a jet of water at a door
handle (e.g. when washing the vehicle) or cleaning
snow from a door could lock or unlock the vehicle
inadvertently.
To prevent a possible inadvertent lockout, the trunk lid
will open automatically if a KEYLESS-GO-card is
recognized in the area of the rear shelf or inside the
trunk.

40 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Locking and unlocking with KEYLESS-GO-card
Unlocking:
Grasp any door handle. All turn signal lamps blink once
to indicate that the vehicle is unlocked.
The KEYLESS-GO-card can be programmed for two
kinds of unlocking modes (see below):
Selective unlocking mode –
Grasp driver’s door handle to unlock driver’s door and
fuel filler flap.
Grasping the passenger door or a rear door, centrally
unlocks the vehicle.
Global unlocking mode –
Grasp any door handle to unlock both doors, fuel filler
flap, and trunk.
For choosing global or selective mode on KEYLESS-GO-
card, see page 43.Notes:
The door which was unlocked, can be opened
immediately after the audible click. The other door can
be opened after its lock button rises up.
If the trunk was previously locked separately, it will
remain locked, see page 53.
The presently active unlocking mode (selective or
global) can be determined by pressing the button on the
KEYLESS-GO-card (see page 43 for changing mode).
If within 40 seconds of unlocking with the
KEYLESS-GO-card, neither door nor trunk is opened,
the electronic key is not inserted in the starter switch,
or the central locking switch is not activated, the vehicle
will automatically lock.

41 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Locking:
Press lock button (1) at any door. All turn signal lamps
blink three times to indicate that the vehicle is locked. If
they do not blink three times, a door or trunk is not
properly closed, or the KEYLESS-GO-card is still in the
vehicle. Check the multifunction display, see page 322.Note:
Locking the vehicle with the door lock button (1) is only
possible if a KEYLESS-GO-card is outside the vehicle.
P80.00-2040-26
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42 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Unlocking:
Press trunk lid lock (2) to open trunk only.
Locking:
Press the trunk lid lock button (3). All turn signal lamps
blink three times to indicate that the vehicle is locked. If
they do not blink three times, a door or trunk is not
properly closed or a KEYLESS-GO-card is still in the
vehicle. Check the multifunction display, see page 322.Notes:
If the trunk was previously locked separately, it will
remain locked, see page 53.
The vehicle cannot be centrally unlocked via the trunk
lid lock (2).
To prevent a possible inadvertent lockout, the trunk lid
will open automatically if a KEYLESS-GO-card is
recognized in the area of the rear shelf or inside the
trunk.
P54.25-2457-26

43 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Choosing global or selective mode
on KEYLESS-GO-card
To choose between the selective or global opening mode
press and hold button (1) until the indicator lamp at the
requested symbol (2) or (3) comes on.Checking last KEYLESS-GO-card locking mode
Briefly press button (1). The indicator lamp (2) or (3)
lights up in red (vehicle locked) or in green (vehicle
unlocked).
P80.30-2027-26
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