2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 warning

Our company and staff congratulate you on the purchase of your new Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demonstration of your trust in our company name. Further, it exemplifies your desire
to own an automobile that will be as easy as possible to operate and provide years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the efforts of many skilled engineers and craftsmen. To ensure your pleasure of
ownership, and for your safety and that of your passengers, we ask you to make a small investment of your time:
•Please read this manual carefully before putting it aside. Then return it to your vehicle where it will be handy for
your reference.
•Please abide by the recommendations contained in this manual. They are designed to acquaint you with the
operation of your Mercedes-Benz.
•Please abide by the warnings and cautions contained in this manual. They are designed to help improve the safety
of the vehicle operator and occupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles of safe, pleasurable driving.
DaimlerChrysler AG

1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 7
Operator’s manual ............................. 8
Where to find it ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Door control panel ....................... 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21
Dashboard ..................................... 22
Center console .............................. 24OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 28
Start lock-out .................................... 31
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 32
Central locking system ................... 33
Radio frequency and
infrared remote control ............... 33
KEYLESS-GO ................................. 36Opening and closing windows
and sliding / pop-up roof
from outside ................................. 43
Panic button ................................. 45
Mechanical keys .......................... 45
Doors ................................................. 46
Power closing assist for
doors and trunk lid .................... 48
Central locking switch .................... 48
Automatic central locking .............. 50
Emergency unlocking in
case of accident .......................... 50
Trunk ..................................................51
Trunk lamp ....................................... 54
Trunk lid release switch ................ 55
Trunk lid release/close switch ...... 56
Trunk lid emergency release ........ 59
Antitheft alarm system ................... 60
Tow-away alarm ................................ 61
Easy-entry/exit feature .................. 63
Front seat adjustment ..................... 64
Removal and installation of
front seat head restraints .......... 68
Lumbar support ............................... 69Multicontour backrest ..................... 69
Seat heater ........................................ 71
Seat ventilation system ................... 74
Rear seat head restraints ................ 76
Power head restraints, rear ............ 77
Power seats, rear .............................. 78
Power seats, setting passenger
seat position from rear ............... 80
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 81
Seat belts ........................................... 81
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ........................... 82
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system .................... 88
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ......... 88
Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) ............................... 89
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................. 90
Airbags .............................................. 91

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

8 Introduction
Operator’s manual
This Operator’s Manual contains a great deal of useful information. We urge you to read it carefully and familiarize
yourself with the vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life of the vehicle, we urge you to follow the instructions and warnings
contained in this manual. Ignoring them could result in damage to the vehicle or personal injury to you or others.
Vehicle damage caused by failure to follow instructions is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the equipment described in this manual. Therefore, you may find explanations
for optional equipment not installed in your vehicle. If you have any questions about the operation of any equipment,
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad to demonstrate the proper procedures.
Service and warranty information
The Service and Warranty Information Booklet contains detailed information about the warranties covering your
Mercedes-Benz, including:
•New Car Limited Warranty,
•Emission System Warranty,
•Emission Performance Warranty,
•California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont Emission Control System Warranty
(California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont only),
•State Warranty Enforcement Laws (Lemon Laws).

13 IntroductionWhere to find it
The Operator’s Manual is divided into eight sections:
• Instruments and controls: An overview of all the controls that can be operated from the driver’s seat.
•Operation: Information on the vehicle’s equipment and its operation.
•Driving: Important information on driving.
• Instrument cluster display: Displays and indicator lamps on the instrument cluster with brief instructions.
•Practical hints: Assistance and instructions in the event of an emergency.
• Car care: Instructions on caring for your vehicle.
• Technical data: All the important technical data for your vehicle as well as consumer information such as fuels,
coolants, lubricants etc. is contained here.
•Index: Key terms to help you find a topic quickly.
Other documents may also be supplied, depending on your vehicle’s equipment.
Explanation of color used:
Warning notices for the protection of yourself and
others appear on red background.

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

25 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 10COMAND system, see separate operating
instructions
11Automatic climate control, see page 166
Rear window defroster switch, see page 183
12Ashtray, see page 204
Lighter, see page 206
13Start-/Stop button
Starter switch for KEYLESS-GO only, see page 23214Lower storage space, see page 198
15Automatic transmission, see page 237
16AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp, see page 308
17Distronic (DTR) – switch for distance warning
function, see page 273.
18Distronic (DTR) – thumbwheel for setting distance,
see page 273.