2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S55AMG wheel

283 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
Avoid spinning of one drive wheel. This may cause
serious damage to the drive train which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The ESP warning lamp, located in the speedometer dial,
starts to flash at any vehicle speed as soon as the tires
lose traction and the wheels begin to spin.
To return to the enhanced vehicle stability offered by
ESP: press lower half (2) of the switch (the ESP warning
lamp in the speedometer dial goes out).
Vehicles with Distronic (DTR):
With the ESP switched off, the Distronic cannot be
switched on. See page 264 for activation of Distronic.Important!
If the ESP warning lamp flashes:
•during take-off, apply as little throttle as possible,
•while driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP should not be switched off during normal
driving other than in circumstances described
above. Disabling of the system will reduce vehicle
stability in standard driving maneuvers.

287 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The vehicle chassis ride height is raised or lowered
automatically according to the selected setting and to
the vehicle speed. This helps to increase vehicle
handling safety and lowers fuel consumption.
The selected setting is stored in memory, even with the
electronic key removed from the starter switch.
Note:
See “ACTIVE BODY CONTROL” on page 320 for
malfunction and warning messages.Level control switch positions
Normal level – indicator lamps (3, 4) are not
illuminated. To change from raised level options I or II,
press lower half of switch (2) once respectively twice.
Raise level, option I – indicator lamp (3) is illuminated.
To change from normal level, press upper half (1) of
switch.
To change from raised level, option II, press lower
half (2) of switch.
Raised level, option 2 – indicator lamps (3, 4) are
illuminated.
To change from normal level or raised level, option I,
press upper half (1) of switch once respectively twice.
Normal level
Used for normal operation of the vehicle.
Speed dependent lowering of vehicle chassis
(approximate values):
•between 0 mph (0 km / h) and 35 mph (60 km / h) –
none
•between 35 mph (60 km/h) and 85 mph (140 km/h)
– lowered progressively by approximately
7/16inch
(11 mm)
Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands and feet
away from wheel housing area, and stay away from
under the vehicle when lowering the vehicle
chassis.

288 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Raised level, option I
This setting should be used when road surface
conditions are rough and must be used when driving
with snow chains mounted.
Important!
Driving with snow chains requires increased space
between tire and wheel housing. Refer to page 253 for
driving with snow chains.
Speed dependent lowering of vehicle chassis
(approximate values):
•at standstill – raised by approximately
3/4 inch
(20 mm)
•between 35 mph (60 km / h) and 120 mph
(190 km / h) – lowered progressively by
approximately one inch (25 mm)Raised level, option II
This setting should be used when road surface
conditions are very rough for increased ground
clearance.
Speed dependent lowering of vehicle chassis
(approximate values):
•at standstill - raised by approximately one and one
eight inch (30 mm)
•between 0 mph (0 km / h) and 35 mph (6o km / h) -
lowered progressively by approximately
3/8 inch
(10 mm)
•between 35 mph (60 km / h) and 120 mph
(190 km / h) – lowered progressively by
approximately one inch (25 mm)

312 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ENTRY POSITION
* C = Category, see page 309Wait until the seat and steering wheel have moved to
their driving positions. The display will clear when they
have done so.
See also page 63 for easy-entry / exit feature.BRAKE ASSIST
* C = Category, see page 309A malfunction has been detected in the system. The
brake system functions in the usual manner, but
without brake assist system (BAS).
See page 277 for notes on the brake assist system (BAS).
Line 1 Line 2 C*
ENTRY POSITION DO NOT DRIVE! 1
Line 1 Line 2 C*
BRAKE ASSIST VISIT WORKSHOP! 2

321 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
1 The display or the system is malfunctioning.
2 The capability of the system is restricted.Important!
When the message “ACTIVE BODY CONTROL – DRIVE
CAREFULLY!” appears, do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km / h). The vehicle driving characteristics are
changed due to a noticeably softer suspension.
In this case visit your Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Do not continue to drive if loss of hydraulic fluid or
leaks are noticed. Doing so could result in subsequent
damage that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
3 The ABC is defective. Stop the vehicle.
Press upper half of level control switch, see page 286
– system selects raised level mode.
The vehicle chassis is raised depending on the kind of defect.Important!
The wheels may not have sufficient clearance when the
steering wheel is turned beyond a certain angle if the
“ACTIVE BODY CONTROL – STOP, CAR TOO LOW!”
message appears. The front fenders will be damaged if
the steering wheel is turned too far. Watch and listen for
scraping noises.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km / h).
Visit your Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.4 The capability of the system is restricted.Important!
When the message “ACTIVE BODY CONTROL – VISIT
WORKSHOP!” appears, do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km / h). Visit your Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.

323 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
1 One or more tires is or has deflated rapidly. Carefully bring the
vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt steering and braking maneuvers.
For reference on changing wheels, see page 348.
2 The tire pressure on one or more tires is already below minimum
value. Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers. For reference on changing
wheels, see page 351.
3 For tire inflation pressure monitor, see page 152.4 Tire pressure in one or more tires is low. Check and correct tire
pressure according to the label affixed inside the fuel filler flap.
For tire inflation pressure, see page 356.
The tire inf lation pressure monitor must be activated again after
the tire inflation pressure has been corrected, see page 152.
5 When the message appears after starting the engine, the tire
inflation pressure on all road wheels should be checked and
corrected according to the label affixed inside the fuel filler flap.
For tire inflation pressure, see page 356.
The tire inf lation pressure monitor must be activated again after
the tire inflation pressure has been corrected, see page 152.
6 The tire inflation pressure monitor system is unable to monitor the
tire pressure due to the presence of several wheel electronics in
the vehicle (e.g. a deflated road wheel in the trunk), or nearby
radio interference source, or excessive wheel sensor temperatures,
or unrecognized wheel sensors mounted.
7 The tire inflation pressure monitor is defective or a wheel without
proper sensor was installed. Visit your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.Wa r n i n g !
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects the
ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You may lose
control of the vehicle. Continued driving with a flat
tire will cause excessive heat build-up and possibly
a fire.

329 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index SELECTOR LEVER
(Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO only)
Place selector lever in position “P”.
The message appears when attempting to turn off the
engine while the selector lever is in any other position
than “P”, see page 236.TELEPHONE – FUNCTION
* C = Category, see page 309.The display appears if button í or ì on the
multifunction steering wheel is pressed and the vehicle
is not equipped with a telephone.Line 1 Line 2 C*
FUNCTION NOT AVAILABLE! 3

331 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index AIRMATIC
* C = Category, see page 309:
1 The display or the system is malfunctioning.2 The ABC is defective. Stop the vehicle.
Press upper half of ABC switch, see page 285
- system selects raised level mode.
The vehicle chassis is raised depending on the kind of defect.
Important!
The wheels may not have sufficient clearance when the
steering wheel is turned beyond a certain angle if the
“AIR SPRING – STOP, CAR TOO LOW!” message
appears. The front fenders will be damaged if the
steering wheel is turned too far. Watch and listen for
scraping noises.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km / h).
Visit your Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.3 The capability of the system is restricted.Important!
When the message “AIR SPRING – VISIT WORKSHOP”
appears, do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km / h).
Visit your Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
2
AIRMATIC STOP, CAR TOO LOW!
2
1
AIRMATIC VISIT WORKSHOP!
3
2