2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 rain sensor

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

92 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
come on at all or if it fails to extinguish after
approximately 4 seconds or if it comes on thereafter, a
malfunction in the system has been detected.
The following system components are monitored or
undergo a self-check: crash-sensor(s), airbag ignition
circuits, front seat belt buckles, emergency tensioning
retractors, seat sensor.
Initially, when the electronic key is turned from starter
switch position 0 to position 1 or 2, malfunctions in the
crash sensor are detected and indicated (the “SRS”
indicator lamp stays on longer than 4 seconds or does
not come on).
Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
In the operational mode, after the indicator lamp has
gone out following the initial check, interruptions or
short circuits in the airbag ignition circuit and in the
driver and front passenger seat belt buckle harnesses,
and low voltage in the entire system are detected and
indicated.Note:
See page 305 for information on the Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) indicator lamp.
The driver and passenger front airbags are designed to
activate only in certain frontal impacts exceeding a
preset threshold. The front passenger airbag deploys
only if the front passenger seat is occupied and the
7 indicator lamp on the center console is not
illuminated.
Note:
Heavy objects on the front passenger seat can appear to
the “SRS” to indicate the presence of an occupant in
that seat which causes the passenger front airbag to
deploy in a crash exceeding the appropriate threshold.
Wa r n i n g !
In the event a malfunction of the “SRS” is indicated
as outlined above, the “SRS” may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly
recommend that you visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have the
system checked; otherwise the “SRS” may not be
activated when needed in an accident, which could
result in serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy
unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could also
result in injury.

163 Combination switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 6Press switch briefly:
Single wipe without washer fluid
(select only if windshield is wet).
Push switch past resistance point:
Windshield washer system, windshield wipers.
See page 345 for instructions on filling the
windshield washer reservoir.
7Windshield wipers0Off
I Intermittent wiping
One initial wipe, pauses between wipes are
automatically controlled by a rain sensor
monitoring the wetness of the windshield. This
will not occur with a front door open.
Notes:
With switch in this position, one wipe occurs
when turning the electronic key in starter switch
from position 0. However, this might cause
scratches on a dry windshield. Turn combination
switch to Off position before turning the
electronic key in starter switch from position 0.
Do not leave in intermittent setting when vehicle
is taken to an automatic car wash or during
windshield cleaning. Wipers will operate in
presence of water spray at windshield, and
wipers may be damaged as a result.
II Normal wiper speed
III Fast wiper speed
If the vehicle is standing still, the wiper will switch back
to setting I, intermittent wiping.
P54.25-2389-26
6
7

269 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Additional driving hints
Important!
When starting the engine, Distronic goes through an
initialization and self-test phase – this can take up to
2minutes.
The most likely cause for a malfunctioning system is a
dirty sensor (located behind the hood grille), especially
at times of snow and ice or heavy rain. In such a case,
Distronic will switch off, and the message
“DISTRONIC – CLEAN SENSOR!” appears in the
multifunction display.
For cleaning and care of the Distronic sensor, see
page 386.
Restart the engine after cleaning the sensor.
The following are some sample situations which may
influence the functions of Distronic.
Wa r n i n g !
Distronic works to maintain the speed selected by
the driver unless a moving obstacle proceeding
directly ahead of it in the same travel direction is
detected (e.g. following another vehicle ahead at a
distance set by Distronic). This means that:• your vehicle can pass another vehicle after you
change lanes,• while in a sharp turn or if the vehicle in front
is in a sharp turn, Distronic could lose sight of
a vehicle traveling in front of it, then your
vehicle could accelerate to the previously
selected speed.Distronic regulates only the distance between your
vehicle and those directly ahead, but does not
register stationary objects in the roadway, e.g.:
• a stopped vehicle in a traffic jam,
• a disabled vehicle,
• an oncoming vehicle.
The driver must always be on the alert and observe
all traffic and intercede with steering and braking
inputs as necessary.Wa r n i n g !
Distronic should not be used in snowy or icy road
conditions.

301 Contents – Instrument cluster display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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 ..............................308Malfunction and indicator
lamp in the
center console ........................... 308
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .... 308
Malfunction 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) ................ 317LIGHTING SYSTEM .................... 318
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................320
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
(ABC) ............................................320
TIRE PRESSURE .........................322
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ...................324
CRUISE 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

419 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
NNavigation system .......................................................... 132
Night security illumination ......................................... 160OOn-board diagnostic system .........................................302
Operator’s manual ............................................................. 8
Outside temperature indicator .....................................115
Overhead control panel ................................................... 21PPanic button ...................................................................... 45
Parcel net in front passenger footwell ....................... 208
Parcel net in trunk ........................................................ 208
Parking ............................................................................ 250
Parking assist (Parktronic) .......................................... 291
Malfunction ............................................................... 295
Parktronic switch ......................................................295
Sensors .......................................................................292
Warning indicators ................................................... 293Parking brake ............................. 246, 248, 250, 281, 304
PA R K I N G B R A K E -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 314
Power assistance ........................................................... 248
Power closing assist
Doors and trunk lid .................................................... 48
Power head restraints, rear ............................................77
Power seats
Setting passenger seat position from rear .............. 80
Power seats, front ............................................................. 64
Adjustment ................................................................... 64
Lumbar support ........................................................... 69
Multicontour backrest ................................................ 69
Seat heater ................................................................... 71
Seat ventilation system .............................................. 74
Power seats, rear ..............................................................78
Power windows ............................................................... 184
Blocking of rear door window operation ............... 186
Express opening and closing .................................. 185
Opening and closing ...................................................43
Synchronizing power windows ............................... 186
Problems with your vehicle ............................................ 14
Product information .......................................................... 7

420 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
RRadio
See Audio systems .................................................... 124
Radio transmitters ......................................................... 216
Rain sensor
See Intermittent wiping ........................................... 163
Rear door window sunshade ........................................ 194
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air outlets ................................................ 179
Rear passenger compartment climate control .......... 180
Rear view mirror, exterior
Adjusting .................................................................... 104
Rear view mirrors .......................................................... 103
Automatic antiglare .................................................. 103
Exterior ....................................................................... 104
Interior ........................................................................ 103
Parking position ........................................................ 105
Storing mirror positions ................................. 103, 104
Rear window defroster .................................................. 183
Rear window sunshade ................................................. 193Remote control .......................................................... 28, 33
Battery replacement ................................................. 371
Removal and installation of front
seat head restraints .................................................... 68
Replacing bulbs ............................................................. 364
Replacing wiper blades ................................................ 378
Reporting Safety Defects ................................................. 15
Residual engine heat utilization (REST) .................... 176
Roadside assistance ......................................................... 10
Roadside assistance call
See Tele Aid .............................................................. 222
Roof rack ......................................................................... 380
SSeat belts ........................................................................... 81
Fastening ......................................................................84
Operation ......................................................................85
Seat belt nonusage warning system .........................82
Unfastening .................................................................. 85
Warning lamp ........................................................... 308
Seat belts and integrated restraint system .................. 81
Seat heater ........................................................................ 71
Seat ventilation system ................................................... 74