2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Memory

287 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The vehicle chassis ride height is raised or lowered
automatically according to the selected setting and to
the vehicle speed. This helps to increase vehicle
handling safety and lowers fuel consumption.
The selected setting is stored in memory, even with the
electronic key removed from the starter switch.
Note:
See “ACTIVE BODY CONTROL” on page 320 for
malfunction and warning messages.Level control switch positions
Normal level – indicator lamps (3, 4) are not
illuminated. To change from raised level options I or II,
press lower half of switch (2) once respectively twice.
Raise level, option I – indicator lamp (3) is illuminated.
To change from normal level, press upper half (1) of
switch.
To change from raised level, option II, press lower
half (2) of switch.
Raised level, option 2 – indicator lamps (3, 4) are
illuminated.
To change from normal level or raised level, option I,
press upper half (1) of switch once respectively twice.
Normal level
Used for normal operation of the vehicle.
Speed dependent lowering of vehicle chassis
(approximate values):
•between 0 mph (0 km / h) and 35 mph (60 km / h) –
none
•between 35 mph (60 km/h) and 85 mph (140 km/h)
– lowered progressively by approximately
7/16inch
(11 mm)
Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands and feet
away from wheel housing area, and stay away from
under the vehicle when lowering the vehicle
chassis.

289 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Adaptive damping system (ADS)
The switch is located on the center console.
Press the switch when the engine is running:
1Firm damping program I and II
2Soft damping program
3Indicator lamp
4Indicator lamp Depending upon road surface conditions, driving style,
and damping program selected, ADS will automatically
adjust for optimal ride comfort.
The selected damping mode is stored in memory when
removing the electronic key from the starter switch.
The following settings are available:
Soft damping program – indicator lamps (3, 4) are
switched off.
Firm damping program I – indicator lamp (3) lights up.
Firm damping program II – indicator lamps (3, 4) light
up.
Soft damping program
Setting for regular driving.
The soft damping mode is activated when bot h indicator
lamps (3, 4) are switched off.
To change from soft to firm damping mode, press upper
half of switch (2) once or twice.
P32.31-2010-26

309 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Malfunction and warning messages in the
multifunction display
Malfunction and warning messages for the following
systems will be displayed immediately in the
multifunction display.
They are divided into three categories.
Category C1:
Messages of most immediate priority.
These cannot be cleared from the instrument cluster
using theJbutton.
Categories C2 and C3:
Messages of less immediate priority.
These can be cleared from the instrument cluster using
theJbutton and are then stored in the malfunction
message memory. See page 136 Note:
Certain malfunction and warning messages are
accompanied by an audible signal.
Malfunction and warning messages in red are always
accompanied by an audible signal.
Temporary messages such as “TRUNK OPEN!” will not
be stored in the malfunction message memory.
Wa r n i n g !
All categories of messages contain important
information which should be taken note of and,
where malfunction indicated, addressed as soon as
possible at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty, or result in property damage or personal
injury.

416 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Heated seats ..................................................................... 71
High beams
See Combination switch .......................................... 162
Hood ................................................................................. 339
HOOD - malfunction and warning messages ............ 326
IIdentification labels ....................................................... 393
Illuminated vanity mirrors ........................................... 195
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster ................. 302
Individual settings ......................................................... 138
INST. CLUSTER (Instrument cluster) ..................... 140
LIGHTING ................................................................... 142
VEHICLE .................................................................... 146
Infant and child restraint systems ................................ 99
Installation ................................................................. 101
Information call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 223
Infrared reflecting windshield .................................... 214
Inside rear view mirror ................................................. 103
Instrument cluster ..........................................................112
Activating ....................................................................114
Illumination ................................................................114
Indicator lamps .................................................112, 302Instruments and controls ............................................... 18
Interior
General notes ............................................................. 196
Interior lighting .............................................................. 190
Rear reading lamp ..................................................... 191
JJack .................................................................................. 347
Jump starting ................................................................. 359KKEY - malfunction and warning messages ............... 325
Key dependent memory settings ..................................111
KEYLESS-GO .....................................................................36
Changing batteries ................................................... 374
Checking last KEYLESS-GO-card locking mode ..... 41
Choosing global or selective mode ........................... 41
Starting the engine .................................................. 236
Turning off the engine ............................................ 236
KEYLESS-GO-card ..................................................... 28, 30
Keys, changing battery .................................................. 371
Keys, vehicle .....................................................................28

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

421 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Seats
Front seat adjustment ................................................ 64
Lumbar support .......................................................... 69
Memory ...................................................................... 108
Multicontour backrest ................................................ 69
Seat heater ................................................................... 71
Setting passenger seat position from rear .............. 80
Ventilation system ...................................................... 74
SELECTOR LEVER -
malfunction and warning messages ......................329
Service indicator
See Flexible service system (FSS) .......................... 149
Setting the audio volume .............................................. 148
Side impact airbags ......................................................... 93
Simultaneous .................................................................... 42
Simultaneous use of electronic key
and KEYLESS-GO-card ............................................... 42
Sliding/pop-up roof ....................................................... 187
Emergency operation ...............................................377
Express opening ....................................................... 188
Opening and closing .................................................. 43
Synchronizing ........................................................... 189
Snow chains .................................................................... 253
SOS-call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 218
Spare parts service ........................................................ 392Spare wheel ................................................................... 349
Special Settings (Automatic climate control) ............ 172
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) ..........................89
Indicator lamp .......................................................... 305
SRS malfunction .......................................................... 91
Standby bulb function .................................................. 370
Start lock-out ..................................................................... 31
Starter switch .........................................................230, 232
Starting and turning off the engine ........................... 235
Starting the engine
Electronic key ........................................................... 235
KEYLESS-GO ............................................................. 236
Steering lock
See Starter switch ............................................230, 232
Steering wheel
Adjustment ................................................................. 102
Easy-entry/exit feature .............................................. 63
Storage compartment in the rear passenger
compartment ..............................................................201
Storage compartments and armrests .......................... 196
Storing mirror positions ............................................... 104
Stowing things in the vehicle ..................................... 336
Sun visors ........................................................................ 194
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) ..........................89
Indicator lamp .......................................................... 305
SRS malfunction .......................................................... 91

424 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
WWa r n i n g l a mp s
See malfunction and indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster ...............................................302
Warning message memory ........................................... 136
Warranty coverage ......................................................... 392
WASHER FLUID -
malfunction and warning messages ......................330
Washing the vehicle ......................................................384
What you should know at the gas station .................. 296
Wheels .............................................................................348
Changing .................................................................... 351
Light alloy wheels .....................................................388
Rims and tires ...........................................................398
Rotating ...................................................................... 349
Spare wheel ............................................................... 349Where to find it ................................................................ 13
Window curtain airbags ..................................................93
Windows
See Power windows ................................................... 184
Windshield and headlamp washer
fluid mixing ratio ..................................................... 345
Windshield and headlamp washer system ............... 345
Winter driving ............................................................... 255
Winter driving instructions ......................................... 254
Wiper blades, replacing ............................................... 378
Wiper operation
See Combination switch .......................................... 163