2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 malfunction

2 Contents
Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag .................................... 97
Infant and child
restraint systems ......................... 99
Steering wheel adjustment .......... 102
Rear view mirrors .......................... 103
Memory function ........................... 108
Key dependent
memory settings ........................ 111
Instrument cluster ......................... 112
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................118
Trip and main odometer
and sub menu ............................ 122
Audio systems ............................. 124
Radio ............................................ 124
CD player ..................................... 125
Cassette player ........................... 126
Telephone ........................................ 127
Telephone book .......................... 127
Redialing ..................................... 129
Incoming call .............................. 131Navigation system ..........................132
Distronic (DTR) ...............................133
Trip computer .................................134
Malfunction / warning
message memory ......................136
Individual settings .........................138
Setting the audio volume ............. 148
Flexible service system
(FSS) ........................................... 149
Tire inflation pressure
monitor ........................................152
Engine oil level indicator ..............156
Engine oil consumption ................157
Exterior lamp switch ......................158
Night security illumination ..........160
Headlamp cleaning system ........... 161
Combination switch .......................162
Hazard warning flasher
switch ..........................................165
Automatic climate control .............166
Display and controls ..................168
Automatic maximum
cooling ......................................... 170
Basic setting ................................ 171Special Settings .......................... 172
Activated charcoal filter ............ 175
Economy mode ........................... 176
Residual engine
heat utilization ........................... 176
Switching the automatic
climate control on and off ......... 177
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation .......... 178
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation .......... 178
Rear passenger compartment
climate control .......................... 180
Automatic maximum
cooling ......................................... 181
Power windows ............................... 184
Sliding/pop-up roof ....................... 187
Interior lighting ............................. 190
Rear window sunshade ................. 193
Rear door window sunshade ........ 194
Sun visors ....................................... 194
Vanity mirrors ................................ 195
Interior ............................................ 196

4 Contents
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the
instrument cluster ....................302
On-board diagnostic
system ..........................................302
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................302
Brake warning lamp ..................304
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................305
Fuel reserve warning .................305
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................306
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............307
Distronic (DTR) –
warning lamp ..............................307
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp ..............................308
Malfunction and indicator
lamp in the
center console ...........................308
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....308Malfunction and warning
messages in the
multifunction display .............. 309
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................. 310
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR ........... 311
ENTRANCE POSITION ...............312
BRAKE ASSIST ............................312
BRAKE LINING WEAR ............... 313
BRAKE FLUID ............................. 313
PARKING BRAKE ........................ 314
TRUNK OPEN .............................. 314
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability
program) ...................................... 315
COOLANT
(coolant level) .............................. 316
COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................ 317
LIGHTING SYSTEM .................... 318
LIGHT SENSOR .......................... 320
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
(ABC) ........................................... 320
TIRE PRESSURE ........................ 322
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 324CRUISE CONTROL .....................325
KEY ...............................................325
DOOR ...........................................326
HOOD ...........................................326
TELE AID .....................................327
CHIP-CARD
(KEYLESS-GO) ............................328
SELECTOR LEVER ......................329
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION .......329
WASHER FLUID .........................330
AIR SPRING (AirMatic) ............. 331
DISTRONIC (DTR) ......................332
AIR CLEANER .............................333
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................336
Stowing things in the vehicle ......336
Fuses ................................................337
Hood .................................................339
Checking engine oil level .............342
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................343
Active body control (ABC)
fluid level ...................................343

9 IntroductionImportant notice for California retail buyers of Mercedes-Benz automobiles
Under California law you may be entitled to a replacement of your vehicle or a refund of the purchase price or lease
price, if Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and / or its authorized repair or service facilities fail to fix one ore more substantial
defects or malfunctions in the vehicle that are covered by its express warranty after a reasonable number of repair
attempts. During the period of 18 months from original delivery of the vehicle or the accumulation of 18 000 miles on
the odometer of the vehicle, whichever occurs first, a reasonable number of repair attempts is presumed for a retail
buyer or lessee if one or more of the following occurs: (1) the same substantial defect or malfunction results in a
condition that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is driven, that defect or malfunction has
been subject to repair two or more times, and you have directly notified Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC in writing of the
need for its repair and have given us a direct opportunity to perform a repair ourselves, (2) the same substantial defect
or malfunction of a less serious nature than category (1) has been subject to repair four or more times and you have
directly notified us of the need for its repair and given us the opportunity to repair ourselves, or (3) the vehicle is out
of service by reason of repair of the same or different substantial defects or malfunctions for a cumulative total of
more than 30 calender days. Written notification should be sent to us, not a dealer, at Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC,
Customer Assistance Center, One Mercedes Drive, Montvale, NJ 07645-0350.
Maintenance
The Service Booklet describes all the necessary maintenance work which should be performed at regular intervals.
Always have the Service Booklet with you when you take the vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
service. The service advisor will record each service in the booklet for you.

27 Contents – Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Trip and main odometer
and sub menu ............................ 122
Audio systems ............................. 124
Radio ............................................ 124
CD player ..................................... 125
Cassette player ........................... 126
Telephone ........................................ 127
Telephone book .......................... 127
Redialing ..................................... 129
Incoming call .............................. 131
Navigation system .......................... 132
Distronic (DTR) ............................... 133
Trip computer ................................. 134
Malfunction / warning
message memory ...................... 136
Individual settings ......................... 138
Setting the audio volume .............. 148
Flexible service system
(FSS) ............................................ 149
Tire inflation pressure
monitor ....................................... 152
Engine oil level indicator .............. 156
Engine oil consumption ................ 157Exterior lamp switch ......................158
Night security illumination ..........160
Headlamp cleaning system ........... 161
Combination switch .......................162
Hazard warning flasher
switch ..........................................165
Automatic climate control .............166
Display and controls ..................168
Automatic maximum
cooling ......................................... 170
Basic setting ................................ 171
Special Settings ......................... 172
Activated charcoal filter ........... 175
Economy mode ............................ 176
Residual engine
heat utilization ............................ 176
Switching the automatic
climate control on and off ........ 177
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation .......... 178
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation .......... 178
Rear passenger compartment
climate control ...........................180Automatic maximum
cooling ......................................... 181
Power windows ............................... 184
Sliding/pop-up roof ....................... 187
Interior lighting ............................. 190
Rear window sunshade ................. 193
Rear door window sunshade ........ 194
Sun visors ....................................... 194
Vanity mirrors ................................ 195
Interior ............................................ 196
Storage 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

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
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37 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index •If the KEYLESS-GO-card is removed from the vehicle
while the engine is running, or by placing the card
in front of the center armrest (see page 198), the
message “CHIP-CARD – NOT RECOGNIZED!” will
appear repeatedly for approx. 2 seconds in the
multifunction display, see page 328.
If the message “CHIP - CARD – NOT RECOGNIZED”
is ignored for an extended of time (approx.
15 minutes), the engine could stop by itself during a
vehicle stop (e.g. traffic light). The vehicle can then
no longer be centrally locked or the engine
restarted. You must first find the card. Start the
engine again. See page 230.
•Do not forget, the engine can be started by anyone
with a KEYLESS-GO-card that is left inside the
vehicle. Leaving the chip-card behind when exiting
and locking the vehicle, the message “CHIP-CARD –
STILL IN VEHICLE” appears in the multifunction
display, see page 328.
•Opening the driver’s door with the engine shut off
and no electronic key in the starter switch, the
message “CHIP-CARD – DO NOT FORGET” appears
as a reminder, see page 328. Important!
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 in the vehicle.
Notes:
The KEYLESS-GO-function also permits closing of
windows and sliding / pop-up roof (convenience feature),
see page 44.
With the KEYLESS-GO-card in close proximity (approx.
3 ft. [1 m]) of the vehicle, aiming a jet of water at a door
handle (e.g. when washing the vehicle) or cleaning
snow from a door could lock or unlock the vehicle
inadvertently.
To prevent a possible inadvertent lockout, the trunk lid
will open automatically if a KEYLESS-GO-card is
recognized in the area of the rear shelf or inside the
trunk.

47 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index If the vehicle has previously been locked from the
outside, opening a door from the inside will trigger the
alarm. When opening a front door while the central
locking system is in the:
•selective unlocking mode, only that individual door
is unlocked. The remaining doors, the trunk and
fuel filler flap remain locked.
•global unlocking mode, all doors, the trunk and fuel
filler flap are unlocked.
Notes:
In case of a malfunction in the central locking system
the doors can be locked and unlocked individually.
To lock, push down lock buttons or turn mechanical key
in driver’s door lock to position 3. In addition lock the
trunk.
To unlock, pull inside door handles or turn mechanical
key in driver’s door lock to position 2.Rear doors can only be opened from inside by first
pulling up the door lock button.
When unlocking the driver’s door with the mechanical
key, the exterior lamps will flash and the alarm will
sound.
To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the
starter switch or press buttonŒ or‹ on the
electronic key.

51 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Trunk
0Neutral position – push to open (arrow)
1Unlocking
2Separate locking of trunk – remove mechanical key
in this position.
The lock is located in the license plate recess.When the trunk is separately locked, it remains locked
when centrally unlocking the vehicle.
To deny any unauthorized person access to the trunk,
lock it separately with the mechanical key. Leave only
the electronic key less its mechanical key with the
vehicle.
Notes:
In case of a malfunction in the central locking system
the trunk can be unlocked individually.
To unlock and open the trunk lid, turn mechanical key
to position 1, hold and push to open.
The mechanical key does not operate the central locking
system or antitheft alarm system.
When unlocking the trunk with the mechanical key, the
exterior lamps will flash and the alarm will sound.
To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the
starter switch or press buttonŒ or‹ on the
electronic key or (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO) when
carrying the KEYLESS-GO-card, grasp the door handle
or press the start-/stop button on the gear selector lever.
If the fuel filler flap cannot be opened, see page 376.
P54.25-2404-26
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