2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 parking

265 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index •For a more precise setting the speed can be
increased in increments of 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h)
by briefly pulling the control lever in direction (4).
Caution!
If the driver’s foot is not fully removed from the
accelerator pedal, the message “DISTRONIC OVERRIDE”
is displayed while the Distronic control system is being
overridden and it will not regulate the preset vehicle
speed and following distance. The vehicle speed and
following distance will be determined only by the
accelerator pedal position.Invalid attempts to activate
The multifunction display will show “––– MPH” during
invalid attempts to activate Distronic. Distronic will not
activate in the following situations:
•below a speed of approx. 25 mph
(Canada: 40 km/h),
•while the electronic stability program (ESP) is
switched off – ESP warning lampv in
speedometer dial is illuminated, see page 112,
•by moving the distronic control lever in “RESUME”
direction (4) when no speed is stored in memory,
•during the initialization and self-test phase after the
engine is started – this can take up to 2 minutes,
•while depressing the service brake pedal,
•while the parking brake is set – check ;warning
lamp (Canada: !) in instrument cluster, see
page 112,
•with the gear selector lever in position “P”, “R”
or “N” – check gear range indicator display in
instrument cluster, see page 112.
See page 332 for malfunction and warning messages if
the Distronic is malfunctioning.
Wa r n i n g !
Distronic brakes (up to 20% of vehicle braking
power) the vehicle to restore the preset distance or
to maintain the speed. The brake pedal is
automatically applied as this happens.Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times, including
the area under the brake pedal. Objects stored in
this area may impair pedal movement which could
interfere with the braking ability of the Distronic
system.Do not place your foot under the brake pedal – your
foot could become caught.

266 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Deactivation of Distronic
Briefly move the distronic control lever in “OFF”
direction (3) – the stored speed remains in the memory
until the electronic key in the starter switch is turned to
position 1 or 0.
Distronic is also deactivated if:
•the service brake pedal is depressed,
•the parking brake is activated,
•the vehicle decelerates to less than approximately
25 mph (Canada: 40 km/h), e.g. while maintaining
the distance to the vehicle ahead,•the gear selector lever is moved to position “N”,
•the electronic stability program (ESP) is active,
•the electronic stability program (ESP) is switched off
manually.
Note:
A signal sounds and the message “DISTRONIC OFF”
appears for 5 seconds in the multifunction display
everytime Distronic is deactivated (except when moving
distronic control lever in “OFF” direction).
Wa r n i n g !
The Distronic switches off and releases the brakes
when the vehicle decelerates below the minimum
speed of 25 mph (Canada: 40 km/h) by operation of
the system. At that time, the driver must apply the
brakes in order to reduce vehicle speed further or
bring it to a stop.

281 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
The yellow ESP warning lampv in the speedometer
dial comes on with the electronic key in starter switch
position 2. It should go out with the engine running.
If the ESP warning message is displayed, a malfunction
has been detected in the system. Only partial engine
output will be available.
Have the ESP checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
For ESP warning message, see page 307.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP is also switched
off.
Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP
may activate (yellow ESP warning lamp in speedometer
dial comes on). For this reason, all wheels, including the
spare wheel, must have the same tire size. When testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise,
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the
rear wheel brakes.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
ESP is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz recommended
M+S rated radial-ply tires and / or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or empty), the ESP warning message may
be displayed with the engine running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to
the right. The ESP warning message should go out.

291 Parking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Parking assist (Parktronic)
(optional, standard on model S 600)
The Parktronic system assists the driver during parking
maneuvers. It visually and audibly indicates the relative
distance between the vehicle and an obstacle.
The front area of the vehicle is monitored when driving
forward. When reversing or with the gear selector lever
in position “N”, the front as well as the rear areas are
monitored.
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2,
Parktronic engages automatically at speeds up to
approximately 10 mph (15 km / h) and deactivates
during higher speeds.
Parktronic can be switched off by a control switch
located in the center console. It engages automatically
again when starting the engine.
See page 295 for Parktronic switch.
Wa r n i n g !
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is not
intended to nor does it replace the need for extreme
care. The responsibility during parking and other
critical maneuvers rests always with the driver.Special attention must be paid to objects having
smooth surfaces or low silhouettes (e.g. trailer
couplings, painted posts, or street curbs). Such
objects may not be detected by the system and can
damage the vehicle.The operational function of the Parktronic can be
affected by dirty sensors, especially at times of
snow and ice. See page 386 for notes on cleaning
the parktronic system sensors.Interference caused by other ultrasonic signals
(e.g. working jackhammers or the air brakes of
trucks) can cause the system to send erratic
indications, and should be taken into
consideration.

292 Parking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Sensors
1Sensors located in bumpers
(front bumper shown)A total of 10 sensors (1) monitor the vehicle’s front and
rear areas. Six sensors are located in the front bumper,
four sensors in the rear bumper.
For proper operation of the Parktronic always keep the
sensors clean, especially at times of snow and ice.
See page 386 for instructions on cleaning the sensors in
the bumpers.

293 Parking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Warning indicators
1Frame
2SegmentsVisual and audible signals indicate to the driver the
relative distance between the vehicle and an obstacle.
Warning indicators for the front area are located above
the left and center air outlets in the dashboard.
Warning indicators for the rear area are integrated in
the rear headliner.
The frames are illuminated when the Parktronic is
engaged.
Each warning indicator has 6 yellow and 2 red
segments.
As soon as the sensors detect an obstacle, one or more
segments light up, depending on the distance. An
intermittent acoustic warning will also sound as the
seventh segment lights up and a constant acoustic
warning lasting a maximum of 3 seconds will sound for
the eighth segment.
2
1
P54.26-0319-26

294 Parking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Monitoring reach of sensors
Front bumper:
Rear bumper:The first yellow segment lights up at these distances.
Additional segments light up as the vehicle comes
closer to the obstacle.
Minimum distance between vehicle and obstacle at
which the system stops indicating: Center approx. 40 in (100 cm)
Corner approx. 24 in (60 cm)
Center approx. 48 in (120 cm)
Corner approx. 32 in (80 cm)
Front corners approx. 6 in (15 cm)
Front center and rear approx. 8 in (20 cm)

295 Parking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The obstacle may not be recognized if outside the
shaded sensor field, and no longer be indicated when
approaching it any closer (warning indicators go out).
Parktronic malfunction
All red segments of the warning indicators light up, and
a warning sounds for 3 seconds, if Parktronic does not
function properly.
A dirty sensor or other ultrasonic signals could be the
reason. See page 386 for instructions on cleaning the
sensors in the bumpers.
After cleaning the sensors, turn electronic key in starter
switch to position 2. If the defect continues to be
displayed, have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Parktronic switch
The switch is located on the center console.
1Parktronic switched off
2Parktronic switched on
3Indicator lamp – comes on when Parktronic is
switched off
The parktronic system is switched on again when
turning the electronic key in starter switch position 2.3