2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Distronic

273 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Distronic settings
1Switch – for distance warning function
2Thumbwheel – for setting distance
Distronic provides a range of following distances to the
vehicle in front. The medium setting is noticeable by a
detent in the center position of the thumbwheel (2).
If you want to:
•Increase distance – turn thumbwheel (2)
towards¯.•Decrease distance – turn thumbwheel (2)
towards®.
To switch the distance warning function on or off:
To switch on – press upper half of switch (1).
The indicator lamp in the switch lights up. If the
Distronic menu is active in the multifunction display, a
loudspeaker symbol appears.
To switch off – press lower half of the switch (1).
The indicator lamp in the switch goes out. If the
Distronic menu is active in the multifunction display,
the loudspeaker symbol disappears.
See page 272 for distance warning function and
page 275 for multifunction displays.
Wa r n i n g !
It is up to the driver to exercise discretion to select
the appropriate setting given road conditions,
traffic, driver’s preferred driving style and
applicable laws and driving recommendations for
safe following distance.

274 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
With the distance warning function activated, you will
still be advised by an intermittent audible warning if a
potential emergency braking circumstance has been
detected, even if Distronic has been deactivated.
The last selected warning function mode (on/off) will be
stored in memory, even when removing the electronic
key from the starter switch.

275 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Multifunction displays1Distronic is deactivated. The actual distance (5) and
the should-be distance (6) to the vehicle ahead (4)
are displayed.
2Activating Distronic. The display with the selected
speed is shown for approximately 5 seconds.
3Distronic is activated. The message
“DISTRONIC OFF” appears for approximately
5 seconds when Distronic is being deactivated.
4Vehicle ahead.
Only appears if a vehicle is detected ahead.
5Actual distance to vehicle ahead.
6Should-be distance to vehicle ahead (as calculated
by Distronic).
7Own vehicle.
8Distance warning function is activated, see
page 272.
To call up Distronic display:
Press button è or ÿ on the multifunction
steering wheel repeatedly until the display (1 or 3)
appears.

276 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Displays in the speedometer dial
When Distronic system is activated, one or two
segments around the speed stored in memory light up
in the speedometer dial.If a vehicle is detected ahead, those segments in the
speedometer dial light up that indicate the speed range
from the speed of the vehicle in front up to the Distronic
stored speed.
When the vehicle in front can no longer be detected,
only the segments around the stored speed light up. The
vehicle is accelerated to the stored speed.

283 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
Avoid spinning of one drive wheel. This may cause
serious damage to the drive train which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The ESP warning lamp, located in the speedometer dial,
starts to flash at any vehicle speed as soon as the tires
lose traction and the wheels begin to spin.
To return to the enhanced vehicle stability offered by
ESP: press lower half (2) of the switch (the ESP warning
lamp in the speedometer dial goes out).
Vehicles with Distronic (DTR):
With the ESP switched off, the Distronic cannot be
switched on. See page 264 for activation of Distronic.Important!
If the ESP warning lamp flashes:
•during take-off, apply as little throttle as possible,
•while driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP should not be switched off during normal
driving other than in circumstances described
above. Disabling of the system will reduce vehicle
stability in standard driving maneuvers.

301 Contents – Instrument cluster display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the
instrument cluster ....................302
On-board diagnostic
system ..........................................302
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................302
Brake warning lamp ..................304
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................305
Fuel reserve warning .................305
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................306
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............307
Distronic (DTR) –
warning lamp ..............................307
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp ..............................308Malfunction and indicator
lamp in the
center console ........................... 308
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .... 308
Malfunction and warning
messages in the
multifunction display .............. 309
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................. 310
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR ........... 311
ENTRANCE POSITION ...............312
BRAKE ASSIST ............................312
BRAKE LINING WEAR ............... 313
BRAKE FLUID ............................. 313
PARKING BRAKE ........................ 314
TRUNK OPEN .............................. 314
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability
program) ...................................... 315
COOLANT
(coolant level) .............................. 316
COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................ 317LIGHTING SYSTEM .................... 318
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................320
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
(ABC) ............................................320
TIRE PRESSURE .........................322
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ...................324
CRUISE CONTROL .....................325
KEY ...............................................325
DOOR ...........................................326
HOOD ...........................................326
TELE AID .....................................327
CHIP-CARD
(KEYLESS-GO) ............................328
SELECTOR LEVER ......................329
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION .......329
WASHER FLUID .........................330
AIR SPRING (AirMatic) ............. 331
DISTRONIC (DTR) ......................332
AIR CLEANER .............................333

307 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Electronic stability program (ESP) — warning lamp
The yellow ESP warning lamp in the
speedometer dial comes on with the
electronic key in starter switch position 2. It
should go out with engine running.
If the ESP malfunction indicator lamp remains
illuminated with the engine running, a malfunction has
been detected in the system. Pressing the accelerator
pedal will require greater effort. Only partial engine
output will be available.
See electronic stability program (ESP) on page 280 if the
warning lamp lights up or flashes when the vehicle is
moving.Distronic (DTR) – warning lamp
With the electronic key in starter switch
position 2, the distance warning lamp in the
speedometer dial comes on and goes out
with the engine running.
See Distronic (DTR) system on page 332 for possible
malfunction messages.
Note:
The distance warning lamp is without warning function
on vehicles without Distronic (DTR).

332 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DISTRONIC (DTR)
* C = Category, see page 309.1 Due to the presence of electro-magnetic radiation, the system is
presently unavailable. After a short period of time try to activate
the system again.
2 Distronic is automatically switched off.
Distronic sensor in hood grille needs cleaning, see page 386.
3 The display or the system is malfunctioning.
4 Distronic is not operational.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
DISTRONIC
EXTERNAL MALFUNCTION
1
REACTIVATE! 2
DISTRONIC MALFUNCTION
CLEAN SENSOR!
2
SEE OWNER’S MAN. 2
DISTRONIC VISIT WORKSHOP!
3
2
SPEEDTRONIC VISIT WORKSHOP!
4
2