2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Starting

3 ContentsStorage compartments
and armrests .............................. 196
Glove box ..................................... 197
Cup holder ......................................202
Ashtrays ..........................................204
Lighter .............................................206
Parcel net in front
passenger footwell ....................208
Parcel net in trunk ........................208
Telephone, general ........................209
Garage door opener ....................... 210
Infrared reflecting
windshield ................................. 214
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 216
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 217
Maintenance ................................... 217
Tele Aid ........................................... 218
Catalytic converter ........................228Emission control ............................ 229
Starter switch ................................. 230
Starter switch –
KEYLESS-GO ............................. 232
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 235
Automatic transmission ............... 237
Parking brake ................................ 246
Driving instructions ...................... 247
Drive sensibly –
Save Fuel ..................................... 247
Drinking and driving ................ 247
Pedals .......................................... 247
Power assistance ........................ 248
Brakes .......................................... 248
Driving off ................................... 249
Parking ........................................ 250
Tires ............................................. 251
Snow chains ............................... 253
Winter driving instructions ..... 254
Block heater ................................ 255
Deep water .................................. 256Passenger compartment ...........256
Traveling abroad ........................257
Cruise control .................................258
Distronic (DTR) .............................. 261
Brake assist system
(BAS) ...........................................277
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................278
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................280
Active body control
(ABC) ..........................................284
Level control system for vehicles
with Airmatic system ...............285
Level control system for vehicles
with Active Body Control
(ABC) ..........................................286
Adaptive damping system
(ADS) ...........................................289
Parking assist (Parktronic) .......... 291
What you should know
at the gas station .......................296
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................299

5 ContentsCoolant level ...................................344
Adding coolant ...........................344
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ...........................345
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio .........345
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ................346
Vehicle jack .....................................347
Wheels .............................................348
Tire Replacement .......................348
Rotating wheels ..........................349
Spare wheel ....................................349
Changing wheels ........................... 351
Tire inflation pressure ..................356
Battery .............................................357
Jump starting ..................................359
Towing the vehicle ......................... 361
Exterior lamps ................................364
Headlamp assembly ...................365
Taillamp assemblies ..................368Changing batteries in
the electronic key ......................371
Synchronizing
remote control ............................ 373
Changing batteries in the
KEYLESS-GO-card .....................374
Emergency engine
shut-down ...................................376
Fuel filler flap,
manual release ..........................376
Emergency operation of
sliding/pop-up roof .................. 377
Replacing wiper blades ................ 378
Roof rack ......................................... 380
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle ............................. 382
Power washer ............................. 383
Tar stains .................................... 384
Paintwork, painted body
components ................................ 384Engine cleaning ..........................384
Vehicle washing .........................384
Ornamental moldings ................385
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................385
Cleaning the Distronic
system sensor .............................386
Cleaning 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

30 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
KEYLESS-GO-card
The KEYLESS-GO-card (1) does not have a removable
mechanical key.
The functions of the KEYLESS-GO-card (1) are identical
to those of the electronic key. Carrying the card with
you permits the use of the vehicle.The validity of the KEYLESS-GO-card is checked every
time when grasping a door handle or pushing the trunk
lid release. Once the KEYLESS-GO-card is recognized
outside the vehicle, the doors, trunk lid and fuel filler
flap are unlocked, depending on the selected mode
(global or selective unlocking mode, see page 41).
Starter switch KEYLESS-GO, see page 230.
Starting and turning off the engine with KEYLESS-GO,
see page 236 and page 236.
Note:
In the case of a malfunction in the KEYLESS-GO-system,
we recommend that you carry the electronic key plus
mechanical key with you and keep them in a safe place
so that they are always handy. Never leave the electronic
key or a KEYLESS-GO-card in the vehicle.
Obtaining replacement keys
Your vehicle is equipped with a theft deterrent locking
system requiring a special key manufacturing process.
For security reasons, replacement keys can only be
obtained from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
P80.30-2029-26
1

31 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Start lock-out
Important!
Operating with electronic key:
Removing the electronic key from the starter switch
activates the start lock-out. The engine cannot be
started.
Inserting the electronic key in the starter switch
deactivates the start lock-out.
Operating with KEYLESS-GO:
Turning off the engine with the start- / stop button on
the gear selector lever activates the start lock-out. For
turning off the engine with KEYLESS-GO, see page 236.
Starting the engine with the start- / stop button
deactivates the start lock-out, if a valid KEYLESS-GO-
card is recognized inside the vehicle. For starting the
engine with KEYLESS-GO, see page 236. The engine
cannot be started with a KEYLESS-GO-card outside the
vehicle.Note:
In case the engine cannot be started (vehicle’s battery is
in order), the system is not operational. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call 1-800-FOR-
MERCedes (in the USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).

215 Contents – Driving
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 216
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 217
Maintenance ................................... 217
Tele Aid ........................................... 218
Catalytic converter ........................228
Emission control ............................229
Starter switch .................................230
Starter switch –
KEYLESS-GO ..............................232
Starting and turning off
the engine ..................................235
Automatic transmission ...............237
Parking brake .................................246
Driving instructions ......................247
Drive sensibly –
Save Fuel .....................................247
Drinking and driving .................247Pedals .......................................... 247
Power assistance ........................ 248
Brakes .......................................... 248
Driving off ................................... 249
Parking ........................................ 250
Tires ............................................. 251
Snow chains ............................... 253
Winter driving instructions ..... 254
Block heater ................................ 255
Deep water .................................. 256
Passenger compartment ........... 256
Traveling abroad ........................ 257
Cruise control ................................ 258
Distronic (DTR) .............................. 261
Brake assist system
(BAS) .......................................... 277
Antilock brake system
(ABS) .......................................... 278
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 280Active body control
(ABC) ..........................................284
Level control system for vehicles
with Airmatic system ...............285
Level control system for vehicles
with Active Body Control
(ABC) ..........................................286
Adaptive damping system
(ADS) ...........................................289
Parking assist (Parktronic) .......... 291
What you should know
at the gas station .......................296
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................299

230 Starter switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Starter switch
0The electronic key can be withdrawn in this position
only. The electronic key can only be removed with
the selector lever in position “P”. After removing the
electronic key or with the electronic key in starter
switch position 0 or 1, the selector lever is locked in
position “P”.1Most electrical consumers can be operated. For
detailed information see respective subjects.
2Driving position.
Gear selector lever is unlocked.
To move the selector lever out of position “P”, firmly
depress the service brake pedal.
3Starting position.
See page 235 for instructions on starting and stopping
the engine.
See page 42 for instructions on the simultaneous use of
the electronic key and the KEYLESS-GO-function.
P54.25-2427-26
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the starter switch, take the
KEYLESS-GO-card (if so equipped) with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment
may cause serious personal injury.

231 Starter switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
If the electronic key is left in the starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the lock. In this case, remove
electronic key from starter switch and reinsert.
Caution!
To prevent accelerated battery discharge and a possible
dead battery, always remove the electronic key from the
starter switch. Do not leave the electronic key in starter
switch position 0.Notes:
A warning sounds when the driver’s door is opened
with the electronic key in starter switch position 1 or 0.
If the electronic key cannot be turned in the starter
switch, the vehicle battery may not be sufficiently
charged. See battery on page 357 or jump starting on
page 359.
With the engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the
alternator (output) is limited.
It is therefore recommended that you turn off
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in stop-
and-go traffic. This precaution helps to avoid draining of
the battery.
Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system
may be minimized by turning off the following power
consumers, for example:
Heated seats, rear window defroster. In addition, the
automatic climate air volume control should be set to
the lowest position.

232 Starter switch — KEYLESS-GO
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Start- / Stop button (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO)
Symbols on start-/stop button for Canada only:
See page 235 for instructions on starting and turning off
the engine.
See page 42 for instructions on the simultaneous use of
the electronic key and the KEYLESS-GO-function.Pressing the start- / stop button (1) on the gear selector
lever without depressing the brake pedal will
sequentially activate the starter switch positions 1 (on)
and 2 (operation) and 0 (off).
The engine can be started with the starter switch in any
position (on, operation or off), as long as the gear
selector lever is in position “P” or “N” and the brake
pedal depressed.
1
P82.50-0759-26
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always take the electronic
key and the KEYLESS-GO-card with you, and lock
the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause
serious personal injury.