2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 parking

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

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

23 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Parking brake pedal, see page 246
2Hood lock release, see page 339
3Parking brake release, see page 246
4Exterior lamp switch, see page 158
5Easy-entry / exit feature, see page 63
Steering wheel adjustment, see page 102
6Headlamp washer button, see page 161
7Combination switch, see page 162
8Cruise control switch, see page 258, or
Distronic (DTR) switch, see page 2619Multifunction steering wheel, see page 118
Horn (with electronic key in starter switch
position 1 or 2)
Airbag, see page 91
10Instrument cluster, see page 112
11Voice recognition system switch, see separate
operating instructions
12Starter switch, see page 230
13Glove box lock, see page 197
14Glove box lid release, see page 197

24 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console1ESP (Electronic Stability Program) control switch,
see page 280
2ADS (Adaptive Damping System) adjustment switch,
see page 289
Level control switch for vehicles with ABC (Active
Body Control), see page 286
3Level control switch for vehicles with Airmatic,
seepage285
ABC (Active Body Control) control switch, see
page 284
4Switch for rear seat head restraints, see page 76
Switch for rear seat head restraints, automatic,
seepage77
5Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 165
6Central locking switch, see page 48
Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system, see
page 60
7Antitheft Alarm System, see page 60
Switch for Tow-Away alarm, see page 61
8Parking assist (Parktronic system) deactivation
switch (optional), see page 291
9Switch for rear window sunshade, see page 193
P68.20-2314-27

29 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Electronic key
The electronic key has an integrated radio frequency
and infrared remote control, plus removable mechanical
key.
The remote control (1) operates all locks on the vehicle.
The mechanical key (2) works only in the driver’s door,
trunk, and glove box lock.When using the mechanical key (2) for lock operations,
it can be removed by sliding it out of the remote control.
To do so, move locking tab (3) to the right and slide the
mechanical key (2) in direction of arrow (4).
The remote control transmitter is located in the
electronic key.
The infrared receivers are located in the front door
handles.
Note:
Remove the mechanical key from the electronic key
when using valet parking service. To prevent access to
trunk or storage compartments lock them separately
and retain the mechanical key.
See page 51 for separate locking of trunk and page 197
for locking of glove box.
P80.35-2031-26
1
3
4
2

62 Tow-away alarm
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
The alarm will last approximately 2
1/2minutes in form
of flashing exterior lamps. At the same time an alarm
will sound for 30 seconds. The alarm will stay on even if
the vehicle is immediately lowered. 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 alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds, an
emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele Aid
on page 218.To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm feature, switch
off the tow-away alarm before towing the vehicle, or
when parking on a surface subject to movement, such
as a ferry or auto train.
To do so, turn electronic key in starter switch to
position 1 or 0, or remove electronic key from starter
switch. Press tow-away alarm switch (1). The indicator
lamp (2) illuminates briefly.
Exit vehicle, and lock vehicle with the electronic key or
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO) the lock button at each
door handle.
The tow-away alarm remains switched off until the
vehicle is locked again with the electronic key or the
lock button at each door handle (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO), at which time it is automatically
reactivated.

105 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Parking position
The passenger-side exterior mirror can be adjusted and
programmed to assist the driver during parking
maneuvers (e.g. to observe the curb or other objects
close to the vehicle).
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2, and
the exterior rear view mirror switch in the passenger-
side position, the passenger-side mirror will be turned
downward when placing the gear selector lever in “R”
reverse.
The passenger-side mirror position can now be adjusted
as desired.
The passenger-side mirror will return to its previous
position:
•immediately at speeds above approximately 6 mph
(10 km / h) – independent of the engaged gear,
•after 10 seconds when shifting gear selector lever
from “R” Reverse,
•by pressing driver’s side mirror button %.To store passenger mirror parking position:
1. The vehicle must be stationary.
Turn electronic key to starter switch position 1 or 2.
2. Select passenger-side mirror& and adjust the
mirror to view the curb.
3. Push the memory button “M” (4).
4. Within 3 seconds push bottom of adjustment
button (3).
The mirror should not move.
Repeat the memory procedure if the mirror moves.
Note:
One stored parking position is available for each of the
two electronic keys or for both KEYLESS-GO-cards
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO).

113 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Knob for instrument cluster illumination,
seepage114
2Engine malfunction indicator lamp, see page 302
3Brake fluid low, parking brake engaged,
seepage313
4Supplemental restraint system (SRS) malfunction
indicator lamp, see page 305
5Coolant temperature gauge, see page 115
6Outside temperature indicator, see page 115
7Fuel gauge with reserve warning lamp, see page 305
8Left turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch, see page 162
9Speedometer, see page 116
10Electronic stability program (ESP) warning lamp,
system is adjusting to road conditions, see page 307
11Distance warning lamp – vehicles with Distronic
(DTR), distance to the vehicle ahead is insufficient,
see page 272 and 307
Vehicles without Distronic: It illuminates with the
electronic key in starter switch position 2. It should
go out when the engine is running.12Multifunction display, see page 118
Malfunction and warning messages in the
multifunction display, see page 309
13Trip odometer, see page 117 and 122
14Main odometer, see page 122
15Right turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch, page 162
16Tachometer, see page 117
17Gear range indicator display, see selector lever
positions, page 240
18Digital clock
To set the time, see COMAND operator’s manual
19Antilock brake system (ABS) malfunction indicator
lamp, see page 306
20High beam headlamp indicator,
see exterior lamp switch on page 158, and
combination switch on page 162
21Fasten seat belts, see page 308
22Reset button J, see page 114 and 117