2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Distronic

381 Contents – Vehicle care
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle .............................382
Power washer ..............................383
Tar stains .....................................384
Paintwork, painted body
components .................................384
Engine cleaning ..........................384
Vehicle washing .........................384
Ornamental moldings ................385
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................385
Cleaning the Distronic
system sensor .............................386Cleaning the parktronic
system sensors ........................... 386
Wiper blades .............................. 387
Light alloy wheels ..................... 388
Instrument cluster ..................... 388
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ..................... 388
Cup holder .................................. 388
Seat belts ..................................... 389
Headliner and shelf
below rear window .................... 389
Leather upholstery .................... 389
Hard plastic trim items ............. 389
Plastic and rubber parts ........... 389

386 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Cleaning the Distronic system sensor
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz
approved Car Shampoo, with plenty of water to clean
the sensor (1).
To prevent scratches, never apply strong force and only
use a soft non-scratchy cloth when cleaning the sensors.
Do not attempt to wipe dirty sensors with a dry cloth or
sponge.
Note:
Restart the engine after cleaning the sensor (1).Cleaning the parktronic system sensors
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz
approved Car Shampoo, with plenty of water.
When using a steam cleaner or power washer, aim
nozzle only briefly from a minimum distance of 4 in.
(10 cm) at sensors (1).
To prevent scratches, never apply strong force and use
only a soft, non-scratchy cloth when cleaning the
sensors. Do not attempt to wipe dirty sensors with a dry
cloth or sponge.
P54.25-2003-26
1

413 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
DDashboard ......................................................................... 22
Deep water
Driving instructions ................................................. 256
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 310
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 310
Display illumination .......................................................114
Distronic (DTR) .......................................................133, 261
Activation of Distronic ............................................. 264
Additional driving hints .......................................... 269
Cleaning sensor ........................................................ 386
Deactivation of Distronic .........................................266
Displays in the speedometer dial ........................... 276
Distance warning function ...................................... 272
Distronic settings ......................................................273
Driving with Distronic activated ............................267
Invalid attempts to activate ..................................... 265
Multifunction display ...............................................275
Warning lamp ............................................................307
DISTRONIC (DTR) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................332
DOOR - malfunction and warning messages ............. 326
Door control panel ........................................................... 20Door entry lamps ........................................................... 192
Doors
Power closing assist .................................................... 48
Drinking and driving .................................................... 247
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel ............................................ 247
Driving instructions ..................................................... 247
Driving off ...................................................................... 249
EEasy-entry/exit feature ...................................................63
Electronic key ................................................................... 29
Changing batteries ................................................... 371
Starting the engine .................................................. 235
Turning off the engine ............................................ 235
Electronic main key
Synchronizing remote control ............................... 373
Electronic stability program (ESP) ............................. 280
ESP control switch ................................................... 282
Malfunction and warning messages ...................... 315
Synchronizing ........................................................... 281
Warning lamp ........................................................... 307
Emergency call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 219
Emergency engine shut-down ...................................... 376

417 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
LLAMP SENSOR -
malfunction and warning messages ......................320
Lamps, exterior
Fog lamps ..................................................158, 367, 368
Headlamps ....................................... 158, 318, 365, 385
License plate lamps .................................................. 369
Parking lamps ..........................................158, 367, 368
Replacing bulbs ......................................................... 364
Standing lamps .........................................158, 367, 368
Stop lamps ..................................................................369
Taillamps .......................................... 158, 318, 368, 385
Turn signal lamps ................................... 366, 368, 369
Level control system
Vehicles with Active Body Control (ABC) ............. 286
Vehicles with Airmatic system ............................... 285
Lighter .............................................................................206
LIGHTING SYSTEM -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 318
Limp home mode (Automatic transmission) ............. 245
Locking and unlocking ............................................ 35, 38
Low beams
See Exterior lamps ....................................................364
Lumbar support ............................................................... 69
MMaintenance ................................................................... 217
Malfunction and indicator lamps
In the center console ............................................... 308
In the instrument cluster ........................................ 302
Malfunction and warning message memory ............. 136
Malfunction and warning messages
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) ............................ 320
AIR CLEANER ........................................................... 333
AIRMATIC ..................................................................331
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR .......................................... 311
BRAKE ASSIST .......................................................... 312
BRAKE FLUID ............................................................ 313
BRAKE PAD WEAR ................................................... 313
CHIP-CARD (KEYLESS-GO) .................................... 328
COOLANT (coolant level) ......................................... 316
COOLANT (coolant temperature) ........................... 317
CRUISE CONTROL ................................................... 325
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(engine control unit) ............................................ 310
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(several systems) .................................................. 310
DISTRONIC (DTR) .................................................... 332
DOOR .......................................................................... 326
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................................................. 324

418 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
ENTRY POSITION ..................................................... 312
ESP .............................................................................. 315
HOOD .......................................................................... 326
KEY .............................................................................325
LAMP SENSOR ..........................................................320
LIGHTING SYSTEM ................................................... 318
PARKING BRAKE ...................................................... 314
SELECTOR LEVER ....................................................329
TELE AID .................................................................... 327
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION ...................................... 329
TIRE PRESSURE ........................................................ 322
TRUNK OPEN ............................................................ 314
WASHER FLUID ........................................................ 330
Manual operation of sliding/pop-up roof ................... 377
Manual release for fuel filler flap ............................... 376
Mechanical keys ........................................................ 29, 45
Memory ................................................. 102, 103, 104, 108
Recalling ..................................................................... 109
Storing ........................................................................ 109
Mirror, exterior
Adjusting .................................................................... 104
Parking position ........................................................ 105
Mirror, exterior, rear view ............................................ 104
Mirror, inside, rear view ............................................... 103
Multicontour backrest ..................................................... 69Multifunction display .................................................... 118
Audio systems ............................................................124
Cassette player .......................................................... 126
CD player ....................................................................125
Distronic (DTR) .......................................................... 133
Engine oil level indicator .........................................122
FSS ...............................................................................122
Individual settings .................................................... 138
Malfunction/warning message memory ............... 136
Navigation system ..................................................... 132
Radio ...........................................................................124
Telephone ...................................................................127
Telephone – Incoming call ...................................... 131
Telephone – Redialing .............................................. 129
Telephone book ......................................................... 127
Tire inflation pressure monitor ..............................122
Trip and main odometer and sub menu ................122
Trip computer ............................................................ 134
Vehicle speed .............................................................122
Multifunction steering wheel ....................................... 118
Setting the audio volume ......................................... 148