2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 parking

158 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Exterior lamp switch
MOff
UAutomatic headlamp mode, see below.
CParking lamps (also side marker lamps, taillamps,
licence plate lamps, instrument panel lamps)
Canada only: When the engine is running, the low
beam is additionally switched on.
BParking lamps plus low beam or high beam
headlamps (combination switch pushed forward).ˆStanding lamps, right (turn left one stop)
‚Standing lamps, left (turn left two stops)
‡Front fog lamps (pull out one stop) with parking
lamps and/or low beam headlamps on. Green
indicator in lamp switch comes on.
†Rear fog lamp (pull out to second detent) in
addition to the front fog lamps. Yellow indicator in
lamp switch comes on.
Note:
With the electronic key removed and the driver’s door
open, a warning sounds if the vehicle’s exterior lamps
(except standing lamps) are not switched off.
Fog lamps will operate with the parking lamps and / or
the low beam headlamps on. Fog lamps should only be
used in conjunction with low beam headlamps. Consult
your State or Province Motor Vehicle Regulations
regarding allowable lamp operation.
Fog lamps are automatically switched off when the
exterior lamp switch is turned to position M or U.

159 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Headlamp mode
Manual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and parking lamps can be
switched on and off with the exterior lamp switch. For
exterior lamp switch, see page 158.
Note:
With the daytime running lamp mode activated and the
engine running, the low beam headlamps cannot be
switched off manually. See page 160 for notes on the
daytime running lamp mode.Automatic headlamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionU.
•Electronic key in starter switch position 1:
The parking lamps switch on and off automatically
depending on the brightness of the ambient light.
•Electronic key in starter switch position 2 and the
engine running:
The low beam headlamps and parking lamps are
switched on and off automatically depending on the
brightness of the ambient light.
The low beam headlamps and parking lamps can
still be switched on and off manually using the
exterior lamp switch.
Note:
With the daytime running lamp mode activated, the low
beam headlamps cannot be switched off automatically.
The headlamps will not be automatically switched on
under foggy conditions.
Front fog lamps and rear fog lamp cannot be switched
on manually with exterior lamp switch in positionU.
To activate the fog lamps turn exterior lamp switch to
positionB.
Wa r n i n g !
The driver is responsible for the operation of the
vehicle’s lights at all times. The automatic
headlamp feature is only an aid to the driver.
Switch on the vehicle lights by hand when driving
or traffic conditions require you to do so.

160 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Daytime running lamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionM orU.
When the engine is running, the low beam headlamps
are automatically switched on. In low ambient light
conditions the parking lamps will also switch 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.
To activate the daytime running lamp mode, see the
individual setting menu “LIGHTING” – “LAMP
CIRCUIT HEADLAMP” on page 142.
Note:
See page 158 for notes on the exterior lamp switch.Night security illumination
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionU.
At low ambient light conditions and with the engine
having been turned off, the exterior lamps (fog lamps
and parking lamps) switch on for added illumination.
After the last door has been closed the lamp-on time
period commences.
To activate the function see the individual setting menu
“LIGHTING” –“HEADLAMPS DELAYED SHUT-OFF” on
page 142.
The lamp-on time period for night security illumination
can be set at several different timed levels from 0 (off) to
60 seconds.
Note:
Within 10 minutes after closing the last door the night
security illumination can be reactivated by opening a
door.
If after switching the engine off, no doors are opened or
if after opening the doors they are not closed, the night
security illumination will switch off automatically after
approximately 60 seconds.

161 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 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.
Locator lighting
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionU.
After unlocking the vehicle with the electronic key
during darkness the fog lamps and parking lamps
switch on for a approx. 40 seconds.
The exterior lamps will be switched off when opening
the driver’s door.
To activate the function see the individual setting menu
“LIGHTING” –“LOCATOR LIGHTING” on page 142.Headlamp cleaning system (optional on model S 430)
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
The headlamps will be cleaned with a high-pressure
water jet when you press the headlamp washer
button (1).
See page 345 for instructions on filling up the
windshield/headlamp washer reservoir.
Auto
1

192 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Courtesy lighting
The interior of your vehicle is equipped with various
different lighting installations to help you to orient
yourself better in the dark.
Entrance lamps, exit lamps
With exterior lamps on or electronic key in starter
switch position 1, the lamps in the door trays illuminate.
The lights will remain on for approximately 5 minutes if
the electronic key is in starter switch position 0 and
exterior lamps are switched off.Footwell lighting
With parking lamps on, the footwell is illuminated.
Center console lighting
Turn the electronic key in the starter switch to
position 1. The center console is illuminated from the
inside rear view mirror.
Door entry lamps
The appropriate entry lamp switches on if a door is
opened in darkness and if the interior lighting is
switched to automatic function.
The entry lamp switches off automatically when the
door is closed.

197 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Glove box
1Unlocked positio n
2Locked position
3Press to open
The glove box can be locked and unlocked with the
mechanical key. See page 29 for instructions on how to
remove the mechanical key from the electronic key (e.g.
for valet parking service).4The glove box lid is equipped with a container (4)
for coins and small accessories.
To open, press the marking on the cover.
The glove box lamp switches on with the lid open and
automatically switches off after 10 minutes if the lid
remains open.
P68.00-0764-26
2
31
4
P68.00-0763-26

204 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Ashtrays
Center console
To o pen :
Briefly touch the mark on the cover, the ashtray opens
automatically.
To remove ashtray insert from center console:
Prior to removing the ashtray insert, move the gear
selector lever to position “N”.Press sliding knob (1) toward the right to eject the
insert.
To replace insert:
Install insert into ashtray frame and push down to
engage into place.
Wa r n i n g !
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. With the gear selector lever in position “N”,
turn off the engine and set the parking brake.
Otherwise the vehicle might move as a result of
unintended contact with the gear selector lever.
P68.20-2471-26
1

215 Contents – Driving
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 216
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 217
Maintenance ................................... 217
Tele Aid ........................................... 218
Catalytic converter ........................228
Emission 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 .................247Pedals .......................................... 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 .................................. 256
Passenger 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) ........................................... 280Active 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