2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Index

312 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ENTRY POSITION
* C = Category, see page 309Wait until the seat and steering wheel have moved to
their driving positions. The display will clear when they
have done so.
See also page 63 for easy-entry / exit feature.BRAKE ASSIST
* C = Category, see page 309A malfunction has been detected in the system. The
brake system functions in the usual manner, but
without brake assist system (BAS).
See page 277 for notes on the brake assist system (BAS).
Line 1 Line 2 C*
ENTRY POSITION DO NOT DRIVE! 1
Line 1 Line 2 C*
BRAKE ASSIST VISIT WORKSHOP! 2

313 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index BRAKE PAD WEAR
* C = Category, see page 309When this message appears during braking, it indicates
that the brake pads are worn down.
Have the brake system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.BRAKE FLUID
* C = Category, see page 309 Line 1 Line 2 C*
BRAKE PAD WEAR VISIT WORKSHOP! 2Line 1 Line 2 C*
BRAKE FLUID VISIT WORKSHOP! 2Wa r n i n g !
Driving with this message displayed can result in
an accident. Have your brake system checked
immediately. Don’t add brake fluid before checking
the brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid
reservoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot
engine parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You
can be seriously burned.

314 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
PA R K I N G B R A K E
* C = Category, see page 309
TRUNK OPEN* C = Category, see page 309 Line 1 Line 2 C*
PARKING BRAKE RELEASE PARKING BRAKE! 1Line 1 Line 2 C*
TRUNK OPEN! 2

315 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index ESP (Electronic stability program)
* C = Category, see page 309.1 The display or the system is malfunctioning.
2 A malfunction has been detected in the system. Only partial engine
output will be available.
3 The enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP and the torque
reduction feature are unavailable.
4 This message may be displayed if the power supply was
interrupted (battery disconnected or empty). Synchronize ESP. See
page 281.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
2
ESP VISIT WORKSHOP!
2, 3, 4
2

316 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
COOLANT (coolant level)
* C = Category, see page 309When this message appears while driving, the coolant
level has dropped below the required level. If no leaks
are noticeable and the engine temperature does not
increase, continue to drive to the nearest service station
and have coolant added to the coolant system.The low engine coolant level warning should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
In cases of major or frequent minor coolant loss, have
the cooling system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Notes:
Do not drive without coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat causing major engine damage.
Monitor the coolant temperature gauge while driving,
see page 115.
See page 344 for instructions on topping up the coolant.Line 1 Line 2 C*
COOLANT CHECK LEVEL! 2
Wa r n i n g !
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may
burn if it comes into contact with hot engine parts.
You can be seriously burned.

317 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index COOLANT (coolant temperature)
* C = Category, see page 309
1 This may indicate that the poly-V-belt has broken. Should this
condition occur, the poly-V-belt must be replaced before continuing
to operate the vehicle. Otherwise, the engine will overheat due to
an inoperative water pump which may result in damage to the
engine. Do not continue to drive the vehicle with this message
displayed. Doing so could result in serious engine damage that is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
2 The cooling fan for the coolant is faulty. Observe the coolant
temperature gauge. See page 115
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to the red
marking.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant
temperature in the red zone. Doing so may cause
serious engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
COOLANT STOP, ENGINE OFF!
1
1
COOLANT VISIT WORKSHOP!
2
2
Wa r n i n g !
Driving when your engine is badly overheated can
cause some fluids which may have leaked into the
engine compartment to catch fire. You could be
seriously burned.Steam from an overheated engine can cause serious
burns and can occur just by opening the engine
hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it.Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do
not stand near the vehicle until it cools down.

318 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
LIGHTING SYSTEM
Line 1 Line 2 C*
LOW BEAM, L CHECK LAMPS! 2
LOW BEAM, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
2
TURN SIGNAL LR CHECK LAMPS! 2
TURN SIGNAL RR CHECK LAMPS! 2
TURN SIGNAL IN MIRROR, L CHECK LAMPS! 2
TURN SIGNAL IN MIRROR, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
TURN SIGNAL LF CHECK LAMPS! 2
TURN SIGNAL RF CHECK LAMPS! 2
BRAKE LAMP
2
VISIT WORKSHOP! 2
BRAKE LAMP, L
3
CHECK LAMPS! 2
BRAKE LAMP, R
3
CHECK LAMPS! 2
3RD BRAKE LAMP
3
CHECK LAMPS! 2
HIGH BEAM, L CHECK LAMPS! 2
HIGH BEAM, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
LICENSE PLATE LAMP, L CHECK LAMPS! 2
LICENSE PLATE LAMP, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
TURN OFF LAMPS! 1
FRONT FOGLAMP, L CHECK LAMPS! 2
FRONT FOGLAMP, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
REAR FOGLAMP CHECK LAMPS! 2
REVERSE LAMP, L CHECK LAMPS! 2 Line 1 Line 2 C*

319 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexIn the case of bulb failures in certain lamps, other lamps
will substitute. See page 364 for instructions on
replacing bulbs.
* C = Category, see page 309
LR: left rear; LF: left front
RR: right rear; RF: right front
1 The display or the system is malfunctioning.
2 The brake lamps are switching on after a delay or are permanently
on – visit workshop immediately.
3 The brake lamps comprise several light emitting diodes. The
warning message will only appear if all light emitting diodes have
stopped working.
4 Other bulbs will be brought into use as replacements when certain
lamps blow. REVERSE LAMP, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
TAIL LAMP, L CHECK LAMPS!
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
4
2
TAIL LAMP, R CHECK LAMPS!
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
4
2
STANDING LAMP, L CHECK LAMPS!
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
4
2
STANDING LAMP, R CHECK LAMPS!
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
4
2 Line 1 Line 2 C*