2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Steering wheel controls

225 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index During this time you will hear a chirp and voice contact
will be interrupted. Voice contact will resume once the
retransmission is completed. Once a call is concluded, a
chirp will be heard and the appropriate indicator lamp
will stop flashing. The COMAND system operation will
resume.
Important!
If the indicator lamp continues to flash or the system
does not reset, contact the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in
Canada), or Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) in the USA or
Customer Service at 1-800-387-0100 in Canada.Notes:
The indicator lamp in the respective button flashes until
the call is concluded. Calls can only be terminated by a
Response Center or Customer Assistance Center
representative except Roadside Assistance and
Information calls, which can also be terminated by
pressing ìbutton on the multifunction steering
wheel.
When a Tele Aid call has been initiated, the COMAND
system audio is muted and the selected mode (radio,
tape or CD) pauses. The optional cellular phone (if
installed) switches off. If you must use this phone, the
vehicle must be parked. Disconnect the coiled cord and
place the call. The navigation system (if engaged) will
continue to run. The display in the instrument cluster is
available for use and spoken commands are only
available by pressing the RPT button on the COMAND
unit. A pop-up window will appear in the COMAND
display to indicate that a Tele Aid call is in progress.

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.

278 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Antilock brake system (ABS)
Important!
The ABS improves steering control of the vehicle during
hard braking maneuvers.
The ABS prevents the wheels from locking up above a
vehicle speed of approximately 5 mph (8 km / h)
independent of road surface conditions.At the instant one of the wheels is about to lock up, a
slight pulsation can be felt in the brake pedal,
indicating that the ABS is in the regulating mode. Keep
firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while
experiencing the pulsation.
Continuous steady brake pedal pressure results in
applying the advantages of the ABS, namely braking
power and ability to steer the vehicle.
In the case of an emergency brake maneuver keep
continuous full pressure on the brake pedal. In this
manner only can the ABS be most effective.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will respond even
with light brake pedal pressure because of the
increased likelihood of locking wheels. The pulsating
brake pedal can be an indication of hazardous road
conditions and functions as a reminder to take extra
care while driving.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not pump the brake pedal, rather use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure. Pumping the brake
pedal defeats the purpose for ABS and significantly
reduces braking effectiveness.

280 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Electronic stability program (ESP)
The ESP enhances directional control and reduces
driving wheel spin of the vehicle under various driving
conditions.
Over/understeering of the vehicle is counteracted by
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel to create a
countervailing vehicle movement. Engine torque is also
limited. The ESP warning lamp, located in the
speedometer dial, starts to flash when ESP is in
operation.Important!
If the ESP warning lampv flashes:
•During take-off apply as little throttle as possible.
•While driving ease up on the accelerator.
•Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
•Do not switch off the ESP.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (see
page 361, Towing the vehicle), the engine must be shut
off (electronic key in starter switch position 0 or 1).
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be engaged and
will apply the rear wheel brakes.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded. The ESP cannot prevent
accidents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, or aquaplaning. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.

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.

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

321 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
1 The display or the system is malfunctioning.
2 The capability of the system is restricted.Important!
When the message “ACTIVE BODY CONTROL – DRIVE
CAREFULLY!” appears, do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km / h). The vehicle driving characteristics are
changed due to a noticeably softer suspension.
In this case visit your Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Do not continue to drive if loss of hydraulic fluid or
leaks are noticed. Doing so could result in subsequent
damage that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
3 The ABC is defective. Stop the vehicle.
Press upper half of level control switch, see page 286
– system selects raised level mode.
The vehicle chassis is raised depending on the kind of defect.Important!
The wheels may not have sufficient clearance when the
steering wheel is turned beyond a certain angle if the
“ACTIVE BODY CONTROL – STOP, CAR TOO LOW!”
message appears. The front fenders will be damaged if
the steering wheel is turned too far. Watch and listen for
scraping noises.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km / h).
Visit your Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.4 The capability of the system is restricted.Important!
When the message “ACTIVE BODY CONTROL – VISIT
WORKSHOP!” appears, do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km / h). Visit your Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.

323 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
1 One or more tires is or has deflated rapidly. Carefully bring the
vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt steering and braking maneuvers.
For reference on changing wheels, see page 348.
2 The tire pressure on one or more tires is already below minimum
value. Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers. For reference on changing
wheels, see page 351.
3 For tire inflation pressure monitor, see page 152.4 Tire pressure in one or more tires is low. Check and correct tire
pressure according to the label affixed inside the fuel filler flap.
For tire inflation pressure, see page 356.
The tire inf lation pressure monitor must be activated again after
the tire inflation pressure has been corrected, see page 152.
5 When the message appears after starting the engine, the tire
inflation pressure on all road wheels should be checked and
corrected according to the label affixed inside the fuel filler flap.
For tire inflation pressure, see page 356.
The tire inf lation pressure monitor must be activated again after
the tire inflation pressure has been corrected, see page 152.
6 The tire inflation pressure monitor system is unable to monitor the
tire pressure due to the presence of several wheel electronics in
the vehicle (e.g. a deflated road wheel in the trunk), or nearby
radio interference source, or excessive wheel sensor temperatures,
or unrecognized wheel sensors mounted.
7 The tire inflation pressure monitor is defective or a wheel without
proper sensor was installed. Visit your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.Wa r n i n g !
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects the
ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You may lose
control of the vehicle. Continued driving with a flat
tire will cause excessive heat build-up and possibly
a fire.