2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Page 33

235 Starting and turning off the engine
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Starting and turning off the engine
Before starting
Ensure that parking brake is engaged and that selector
lever is in position “P” or “N”.
Important!
In areas where temperatures frequently drop below -4
°F
(-20
°C) we recommend that an engine block heater be
installed. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
advise you on this subject, see page 255.
Starting with the electronic key
Do not depress accelerator.
Turn electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
Briefly turn electronic key in starter switch clockwise to
the stop and release. The starter will engage until the
engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops,
turn electronic key completely to the left and repeat
starting the engine.After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Important!
Due to the installed starter non-repeat feature, the
electronic key must be turned completely to the left
before attempting to start the engine again.
Note:
Too many unsuccessful starting attempts may discharge
the battery.
Turning off with the electronic key
Put the selector lever in position “P” and turn the
electronic key in the starter switch to position 0 to stop
the engine.
The electronic key can only be removed with the
selector lever in position “P”.

239 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N”
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
slight partial throttle.Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the
malfunction indication.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, position “P” alone
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting
to position “P”, see page 246 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
against curb.Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the starter switch, take the
KEYLESS-GO-card (if so equipped) with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Children could move the gear selector lever
from position “P”, which could result in an
accident or serious injury.

241 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Neutral
No power is transmitted from the engine to the
drive axle. When the brakes are released, the
vehicle can be moved freely (pushed or towed). Do
not engage “N” while driving except to coast
when the vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g. on
icy roads, see page 254 for winter driving
instructions).
Important!
Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any other
reason with selector lever in “N” can result in
transmission damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Drive
The transmission automatically upshifts through
5th gear. Position “D” provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal operating
conditions.Gear selection for special circumstances
The transmission gear ranges for special circumstances
can be selected by pressing the selector lever to the
right or the left with the selector lever in position “D”.
The gear range currently selected is indicated in the
instrument cluster display.
Briefly press selector lever in the “D –” direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear range
to the next lower gear range.
Press and hold selector lever in the “D –” direction:
The selector lever position display will switch to the
gear range currently selected by the automatic
transmission.
Shifting into another gear range that allows for quicker
acceleration or to slow the vehicle down is possible.
Downshifts can also be performed.
Note:
To avoid overrevving the engine when the selector lever
is moved in “D –” direction, the transmission will not
shift to a lower gear if the engine’s revolutions per
minute limit would be exceeded.

246 Parking brake
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Parking brakeTo engage, firmly depress parking brake pedal. When
the electronic key is in starter switch position 2, the
brake warning lamp in the instrument cluster should
come on brightly.
To release the parking brake, pull handle on instrument
panel. The brake warning lamp in the instrument
cluster should go out.
A warning sounds and the parking brake warning
message (see page 314) appears in the multifunction
display, if you start to drive without having released the
parking brake.
Also see brake warning lamp on page 304.
P42.20-2001-27
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the starter switch, take the
KEYLESS-GO-card (if so equipped) with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Children could release the parking brake,
which could result in an accident or serious injury.

248 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power assistance
BrakesExcessive use of salt and other snow melting chemicals
spread on roads during the winter months may cause a
build up of moisture or residue to form on the braking
components. This build up or residue could cause light
corrosion of the braking components if the vehicle is
parked with the brakes cold. Apply steady and even
braking pressure when stopping the vehicle to warm up
and dry the brake components.
Important!
Please pay attention to the function of the brake assist
system (BAS), see page 277.
The condition of the parking brake system is checked
each time the vehicle is in the shop for the required
maintenance service at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Wa r n i n g !
When the engine is not running, the brake and
steering systems are without power assistance.
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort is
necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.Wa r n i n g !
After driving in heavy rain for some time without
applying the brakes or through water deep enough
to wet brake components or salty road conditions,
the first braking action may be somewhat reduced
and increased pedal pressure may be necessary to
obtain expected braking effect. Be sure to maintain
a safe distance from vehicles in front.Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.It can also result in the brakes overheating thereby
significantly reducing their effectiveness. It may
not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time
to avoid an accident.

253 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Tire speed rating
S 430, S 500 and S 600 (except Sport Package):
Your vehicle is factory equipped with “H”-rated tires,
which have a speed rating of 130 mph (210 km / h).
Vehicles with Sport Package:
Your vehicle is factory equipped with “Y”-rated tires,
which have a speed rating of 188 mph (300 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your vehicle from
exceeding a speed of 130 mph (210 km/h).
S55AMG:
Your vehicle is factory equipped with “Y”-rated tires,
which have a speed rating of 188 mph (300 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your vehicle from
exceeding a speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).
Despite the tire rating, local speed limits should be
obeyed. Use prudent driving speeds appropriate to
prevailing conditions.Snow chains
Use only snow chains that are tested and recommended
by Mercedes-Benz. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center will be glad to advise you on this subject.
Chains should only be used on the rear wheels. Follow
the manufacturer’s mounting instructions.
Vehicles with Active body control (ABC):
Always select option I or II of the level control system
when driving with snow chains, see page 286.
Snow chains should only be driven on snow covered
roads at speeds not to exceed 30 mph (50 km / h).
Remove chains as soon as possible when driving on
roads without snow.
When driving with snow chains, press the ESP control
switch to OFF, refer to page 282.
Wa r n i n g !
Even when permitted by law, never operate a
vehicle at speeds greater than the maximum speed
rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which tires are
rated can lead to sudden tire failure causing loss of
vehicle control and resulting in personal injury
and possible death.

255 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
•Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil
which is not approved for winter operation. For
viscosity (SAE / CCMC class) and filling quantity,
seepage404.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion / antifreeze
concentration.
•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a
premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze
which is formulated for below freezing
temperatures, see page 345.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low
ambient temperatures.•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.
Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
ABS and ESP can only be achieved with M+S rated
radial-ply tires and / or snow chains recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
Block heater (for Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

260 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
If the engine does not brake the vehicle sufficiently
while driving on a downgrade, the speed you set on the
cruise control may be exceeded. In this case the
automatic transmission shifts down (max. to 3rd gear)
to maintain the set cruise control speed by using the
engine’s braking power.
As soon as the grade eases, the automatic transmission
shifts up again dependent on the selector lever position.
Nevertheless, in some cases you may have to step on the
brake pedal to slow down. In this case the cruise control
is switched off.
Use the lever to resume the previously set speed.
The “CRUISE CONTROL - - -” message is displayed on
the multifunction display when any attempt is made to
store speeds below 19 mph (30 km / h) or when an
attempt is made to recall a speed when no speed has
been stored – the cruise control remains switched off.
See malfunction and warning messages on page 325 if
the cruise control has a malfunction.
Wa r n i n g !
Only use the cruise control if the traffic and
weather conditions make it advisable to travel at a
steady speed.• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on
winding roads or in heavy traffic because
conditions do not allow safe driving at a steady
speed.
• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. Rapid changes in tire adhesion
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.The “Resume” function should only be operated if
the driver is fully aware of the previously set speed
and wishes to resume this particular preset speed.