2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Control arm

1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 7
Operator’s manual ............................. 8
Where to find it ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Door control panel ....................... 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21
Dashboard ..................................... 22
Center console .............................. 24OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 28
Start lock-out .................................... 31
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 32
Central locking system ................... 33
Radio frequency and
infrared remote control ............... 33
KEYLESS-GO ................................. 36Opening and closing windows
and sliding / pop-up roof
from outside ................................. 43
Panic button ................................. 45
Mechanical keys .......................... 45
Doors ................................................. 46
Power closing assist for
doors and trunk lid .................... 48
Central locking switch .................... 48
Automatic central locking .............. 50
Emergency unlocking in
case of accident .......................... 50
Trunk ..................................................51
Trunk lamp ....................................... 54
Trunk lid release switch ................ 55
Trunk lid release/close switch ...... 56
Trunk lid emergency release ........ 59
Antitheft alarm system ................... 60
Tow-away alarm ................................ 61
Easy-entry/exit feature .................. 63
Front seat adjustment ..................... 64
Removal and installation of
front seat head restraints .......... 68
Lumbar support ............................... 69Multicontour backrest ..................... 69
Seat heater ........................................ 71
Seat ventilation system ................... 74
Rear seat head restraints ................ 76
Power head restraints, rear ............ 77
Power seats, rear .............................. 78
Power seats, setting passenger
seat position from rear ............... 80
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 81
Seat belts ........................................... 81
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ........................... 82
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system .................... 88
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ......... 88
Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) ............................... 89
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................. 90
Airbags .............................................. 91

3 ContentsStorage compartments
and armrests .............................. 196
Glove box ..................................... 197
Cup holder ......................................202
Ashtrays ..........................................204
Lighter .............................................206
Parcel net in front
passenger footwell ....................208
Parcel net in trunk ........................208
Telephone, general ........................209
Garage door opener ....................... 210
Infrared reflecting
windshield ................................. 214
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 216
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 217
Maintenance ................................... 217
Tele Aid ........................................... 218
Catalytic converter ........................228Emission control ............................ 229
Starter switch ................................. 230
Starter switch –
KEYLESS-GO ............................. 232
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 235
Automatic transmission ............... 237
Parking brake ................................ 246
Driving instructions ...................... 247
Drive sensibly –
Save Fuel ..................................... 247
Drinking and driving ................ 247
Pedals .......................................... 247
Power assistance ........................ 248
Brakes .......................................... 248
Driving off ................................... 249
Parking ........................................ 250
Tires ............................................. 251
Snow chains ............................... 253
Winter driving instructions ..... 254
Block heater ................................ 255
Deep water .................................. 256Passenger compartment ...........256
Traveling abroad ........................257
Cruise control .................................258
Distronic (DTR) .............................. 261
Brake assist system
(BAS) ...........................................277
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................278
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................280
Active body control
(ABC) ..........................................284
Level control system for vehicles
with Airmatic system ...............285
Level control system for vehicles
with Active Body Control
(ABC) ..........................................286
Adaptive damping system
(ADS) ...........................................289
Parking assist (Parktronic) .......... 291
What you should know
at the gas station .......................296
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................299

24 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console1ESP (Electronic Stability Program) control switch,
see page 280
2ADS (Adaptive Damping System) adjustment switch,
see page 289
Level control switch for vehicles with ABC (Active
Body Control), see page 286
3Level control switch for vehicles with Airmatic,
seepage285
ABC (Active Body Control) control switch, see
page 284
4Switch for rear seat head restraints, see page 76
Switch for rear seat head restraints, automatic,
seepage77
5Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 165
6Central locking switch, see page 48
Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system, see
page 60
7Antitheft Alarm System, see page 60
Switch for Tow-Away alarm, see page 61
8Parking assist (Parktronic system) deactivation
switch (optional), see page 291
9Switch for rear window sunshade, see page 193
P68.20-2314-27

26 Contents – Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 28
Start lock-out .................................... 31
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 32
Central locking system ................... 33
Radio frequency and
infrared remote control ............... 33
KEYLESS-GO ................................. 36
Opening and closing windows
and sliding / pop-up roof
from outside .................................. 43
Panic button .................................. 45
Mechanical keys ........................... 45
Doors .................................................. 46
Power closing assist for
doors and trunk lid ..................... 48
Central locking switch .................... 48
Automatic central locking .............. 50
Emergency unlocking in
case of accident ........................... 50
Trunk ................................................. 51
Trunk lamp ....................................... 54Trunk lid release switch ................ 55
Trunk lid release/close switch ...... 56
Trunk lid emergency release ........ 59
Antitheft alarm system ................... 60
Tow-away alarm ................................ 61
Easy-entry/exit feature .................. 63
Front seat adjustment ..................... 64
Removal and installation of
front seat head restraints .......... 68
Lumbar support ............................... 69
Multicontour backrest .................... 69
Seat heater ......................................... 71
Seat ventilation system ................... 74
Rear seat head restraints ................ 76
Power head restraints, rear ........... 77
Power seats, rear ............................. 78
Power seats, setting passenger
seat position from rear .............. 80
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system ...........................81
Seat belts ...........................................81
Seat belt nonusage
warning system .......................... 82BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system .................... 88
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ......... 88
Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) ............................... 89
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................. 90
Airbags .............................................. 91
Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag .................................... 97
Infant and child
restraint systems ......................... 99
Steering wheel adjustment .......... 102
Rear view mirrors .......................... 103
Memory function ........................... 108
Key dependent
memory settings ........................ 111
Instrument cluster ..........................112
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................118

27 Contents – Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Trip and main odometer
and sub menu ............................ 122
Audio systems ............................. 124
Radio ............................................ 124
CD player ..................................... 125
Cassette player ........................... 126
Telephone ........................................ 127
Telephone book .......................... 127
Redialing ..................................... 129
Incoming call .............................. 131
Navigation system .......................... 132
Distronic (DTR) ............................... 133
Trip computer ................................. 134
Malfunction / warning
message memory ...................... 136
Individual settings ......................... 138
Setting the audio volume .............. 148
Flexible service system
(FSS) ............................................ 149
Tire inflation pressure
monitor ....................................... 152
Engine oil level indicator .............. 156
Engine oil consumption ................ 157Exterior lamp switch ......................158
Night security illumination ..........160
Headlamp cleaning system ........... 161
Combination switch .......................162
Hazard warning flasher
switch ..........................................165
Automatic climate control .............166
Display and controls ..................168
Automatic maximum
cooling ......................................... 170
Basic setting ................................ 171
Special Settings ......................... 172
Activated charcoal filter ........... 175
Economy mode ............................ 176
Residual engine
heat utilization ............................ 176
Switching the automatic
climate control on and off ........ 177
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation .......... 178
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation .......... 178
Rear passenger compartment
climate control ...........................180Automatic maximum
cooling ......................................... 181
Power windows ............................... 184
Sliding/pop-up roof ....................... 187
Interior lighting ............................. 190
Rear window sunshade ................. 193
Rear door window sunshade ........ 194
Sun visors ....................................... 194
Vanity mirrors ................................ 195
Interior ............................................ 196
Storage compartments
and armrests .............................. 196
Glove box ..................................... 197
Cup holder ......................................202
Ashtrays ..........................................204
Lighter .............................................206
Parcel net in front
passenger footwell ....................208
Parcel net in trunk ........................208
Telephone, general ........................209
Garage door opener ....................... 210
Infrared reflecting
windshield ................................. 214

32 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a 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
key, see page 371, or synchronize the remote
control, see page 373.
•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 36. Check the batteries of the KEYLESS-
GO-card, see page 374. The trunk lid will open
automatically if a KEYLESS-GO card is detected in
the trunk, see page 36.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 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.

37 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index •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 198), the
message “CHIP-CARD – NOT RECOGNIZED!” will
appear repeatedly for approx. 2 seconds in the
multifunction display, see page 328.
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. Start the
engine again. See page 230.
•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 328.
•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 328. 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 44.
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.

43 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Opening and closing windows and
sliding / pop-up roof from outside
(summer opening / convenience feature)
Aim transmitter eye of remote control at a door receiver.
Summer opening:
(Operation with electronic key)
The sliding / pop-up roof and all side windows can be
opened and the driver’s seat ventilation automatically
switches on. See page 74 for seat ventilation.
Continue to press transmit button Πafter unlocking
the vehicle.
The windows and sliding/pop-up roof begin to open
after approximately 1 second. The driver’s seat
ventilation automatically switches on. See page 74 for
seat ventilation.
To interrupt opening procedure, release transmit
button.Convenience feature:
(Operation with electronic key)
The sliding / pop-up roof and the side windows can be
closed.
Continue to press transmit button ‹ after locking
the vehicle.
The windows and sliding / pop-up roof begin to close
after approximately 1 second.
To interrupt closing procedure, release transmit button.
Ensure that all side windows and the sliding / pop-up
roof are properly closed before leaving the vehicle.
Wa r n i n g !
Never operate the windows or sliding / pop-up roof
if there is the possibility of anyone being harmed
by the opening or closing procedure.In case the procedure causes potential danger, the
procedure can be immediately halted by releasing
the remote control button. To reverse direction of
movement press Œ for opening or ‹ for
closing.