2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 keyless go

31 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a 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 236.
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 236. 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).

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.

36 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Opening the trunk
The trunk lid will swing open automatically. You should
always make sure there is sufficient clearance.
A minimum height clearance of 6 ft. (1.85 m) is
required to open the trunk lid.
Press transmit buttonŠ until trunk lid is open.
Important!
Do not place remote control in trunk since trunk is
locked when the lid is closed if the vehicle is centrally
locked.
Notes:
If the trunk was previously locked separately, it will
remain locked, see page 51.
Vehicles with optional remote trunk lid
opening / closing system, see page 56:
The switch operated opening/closing procedure can be
immediately halted by pressing buttonŠ on the
electronic key.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.

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.

38 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a 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 41.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 51.
The presently active unlocking mode (selective or
global) can be determined by pressing the button on the
KEYLESS-GO-card (see page 41 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.

39 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a 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 328.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
1

40 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a 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 328.Notes:
If the trunk was previously locked separately, it will
remain locked, see page 51.
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

41 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a 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
1
2
3