2000 MERCEDES-BENZ S55AMG ECU

103 Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger
front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury can result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in back seats
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child
restraint system, which is properly secured with
the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.
Infants and small children should never share a
seat belt with another occupant. During an
accident, they could be crushed between the
occupant and seat belt.Children too big for child restraint systems must
ride in back seats using regular seat belts. Position
shoulder belt across chest and shoulder, not face or
neck. A booster seat may be necessary to achieve
proper belt positioning for children from 41 lbs. to
the point where a lap / shoulder belt fits properly
without one.When the child restraint is not in use, remove it
from the vehicle or secure it with the seat belt to
prevent the child restraint from becoming a
projectile in the event of an accident.

104 Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Installation of infant and child restraint systems
This vehicle is provided with tether anchorages for a top
tether strap at each of the rear seating positions.
Prior to installing a tether strap, remove cover (1) from
anchorage ring (2) and store in a convenient place (e.g.
glove box).To secure a tether strap to the anchorage, securely
fasten the hook (3), which is part of the tether strap, to
the anchorage ring (2). For safety, please make sure that
the hook has attached to the ring beyond the safety
catch, as illustrated.
After removing the tether strap, reinstall the cover (1).
P91.40-2206-26
1

113 Memory function
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should check
and adjust if necessary the seat height, seat position
fore and aft, and backrest angle to insure adequate
control, reach and comfort. The head restraint should
also be adjusted for proper height. See also airbag
section for proper seat positioning.
In addition, also adjust the steering wheel to ensure
adequate control, reach, operation and comfort. Both the
inside and outside rear view mirrors should be adjusted
for adequate rearward vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be
seated in a properly secured restraint system that
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213.
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and rear view
mirror adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger-
side front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury can result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in back seats
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child
restraint system, which is properly secured with
the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is
not properly secured in the child restraint.

143 Multifunction steering wheel, multifunction display
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Preliminary display of the individual settings
2“SETTINGS” – the menu “LIGHTING” can be called
up in this option menu.
3Selection marker
Pressing buttonæ orç on the multifunction
steering wheel controls the selection marker.
4“LIGHT CIRCUIT HEADLAMP MODE”
1, see
page 157.
5“LOCATOR LIGHTING”, see page 159.
6“HEADLAMPS DELAYED SWITCH-OFF”, see “Night
security illumination” on page 158.
7“INT. ILLUMINATION DELAYED SWITCH-OFF”, see
“Interior lighting” on page 187.
8Returning the setting menu “LIGHTING” to the
factory setting.
9Acknowledgment
1Except CanadaPress the è or ÿ button repeatedly until the
individual setting preliminary display (1) appears.
Press the j or k button until the setting menu
“SETTINGS” (2) is displayed.Press buttonæ orç until the menu “LIGHTING”
is selected by the selection marker (3).
Press the j or k button until the required
display (4 to 7) is displayed. Pressing the æ orç
button controls the selection marker. The settings made
are stored and applied immediately.
The individual setting preliminary display (1) will
appear again after you have run through all the setting
menus. Pressing the è or ÿ button displays the
next or previous system.
To return menu “LIGHTING” (4 to 7) to its factory
setting:
•Call up menu (4 to 7).
•Press the Jbutton in the instrument cluster for
approximately 3 seconds. Display (8) will appear.
•Press the Jbutton once more. The menu
“LIGHTING” is reset to factory settings,
acknowledged by display (9).
The individual setting display “SETTINGS” (2) will
appear if you do not press the Jbutton within
about 5 seconds. The setting menus will not be
reset.

158 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Daytime running lamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionM.
When the engine is running, the low beam headlamps
(includes parking lamps and license plate lamps) are
automatically switched on.
Canada only:
When shifting from a driving position to position “N”
or “P”, the low beam switches off (3 minutes delay).
For nighttime driving the exterior lamp switch should
be turned to position B to permit activation of the
high beam headlamps.
USA only:
The high beam headlamps can also be activated when
driving with the daytime running lamp mode activated
and exterior lamp switch in positionM.
See page 156 for notes on the exterior lamp switch.
To activate the daytime running lamp mode, see
“Individual settings” – “LIGHTING” on page 142.Night security illumination
When turning off the engine, the exterior lamps switch
on for added illumination, if they were previously
switched on (except in daytime running mode). After
the last door has been closed the lamp-on time period
commences.
The lamp-on time period for night security illumination
can be set at several different timed levels from 0 (off) to
60 seconds.
Notes:
Within 10 minutes after closing the last door the night
security illumination can be reactivated by opening a
door.
See “Individual settings” – “LIGHTING” on page 142 for
instructions on how to activate the function.
Deactivating night security illumination temporarily:
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 0
then to position 2 and back to position 0 again before
getting out of the vehicle. The night security
illumination will not be activated when the door is
opened.

193 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 5Illuminated vanity mirror
Rear seats:
Touch the cover to lower the mirror. The lamp will
switch on automatically.
Close the cover and the lamp will go out.Interior
Storage compartments and armrests
P82.00-0413-26
5
Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than
the seat backs. Do not place anything on the shelf
below the rear window.Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy objects. Wa r n i n g !
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help to
prevent stored objects from being thrown about
and injuring vehicle occupants during an accident.

204 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Parcel net in front passenger footwell
A small convenience parcel net is located in the front
passenger footwell. It is for small and light items, such
as road maps, mail, etc..
Note:
With large objects stored in the parcel net do not slide
the seat fully forward, it could damage them.Parcel net in trunk
There are hooks (1) on the left and right inside the
trunk from which the parcel net is suspended.
The tab (arrow) must point down into the trunk.
The parcel net and hooks are only designed to take light
loads in normal driving conditions. They are unable to
secure a load in the event of an accident. Observe the
weight limit on the tab (arrow).
Wa r n i n g !
Do not place heavy or fragile objects, or objects
having sharp edges, in the parcel net.In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, they could be thrown around inside
the vehicle, and cause injury to vehicle occupants.
P68.00-2091-26
1

236 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Selector lever position
The current selector lever position is indicated in the
gear range indicator display. The automatic gear
shifting process can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.Park position
The park position is to be used when parking the
vehicle. Engage only with the vehicle stopped.
The park position is not intended to serve as a
brake when the vehicle is parked. Rather, the
driver should always use the parking brake in
addition to placing the selector lever in park to
secure the vehicle.
Note:
The electronic key can only be removed from the
starter switch with the selector lever in
position “P”. With the electronic key removed, the
selector lever is locked in position “P”.
With a malfunction in the vehicle’s electrical
system the selector lever could remain locked in
position “P”. To unlock the selector lever
manually, see page 368.
Reverse gear
Shift to reverse gear only with the vehicle
sto p ped .