2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S55AMG messages

227 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Stolen vehicle tracking services
In the event your vehicle was stolen, report the incident
to the police who will issue a numbered incident report.
Pass this number on to the Mercedes-Benz Response
Center.
The Response Center will then attempt to covertly
contact the vehicle’s Tele Aid system. Once the vehicle
is located, the Response Center will contact the local
Law Enforcement and you. The vehicle’s location will
only be provided to Law Enforcement.
Info Services (optional, except Canada)
Info Services categories include news, sports, stocks,
weather and calendar reminders. Choices can be
selected via www.mbusa.com or by calling 1-800-FOR-
MERcedes.
To request Info Services, press the SVC button on the
COMAND system, then select “SEND NEW REQUEST
FOR INFO SERVICE”. “NEW INFO SERVICE REQUEST
TRANSMITTED” will appear in the COMAND display
and call status messages will appear in the
multifunction display.Once information is available, the message “NEW INFO
RECEIVED - READ LATER WHEN STOPPED?”will
appear. Select “Yes”. With the vehicle stopped in a safe
location press SVC, then select “View Info Service of
mm.dd.yyyy hh.mm”. Messages will be retained for
30 minutes once the ignition is switched off.
Important!
Tele Aid utilizes the cellular network for
communication and the GPS (Global Positioning
System) satellites for vehicle location. If either of these
signals are unavailable, the Tele Aid system may not
function and if this occurs, assistance must be
summoned by other means.
Wa r n i n g !
If the indicator lamp in the “SOS” button does not
illuminate during or remains illuminated after the
system self-check or if the message “TELE AID –
VISIT WORKSHOP” appears in the multifunction
display, have the system checked at the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

260 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
If the engine does not brake the vehicle sufficiently
while driving on a downgrade, the speed you set on the
cruise control may be exceeded. In this case the
automatic transmission shifts down (max. to 3rd gear)
to maintain the set cruise control speed by using the
engine’s braking power.
As soon as the grade eases, the automatic transmission
shifts up again dependent on the selector lever position.
Nevertheless, in some cases you may have to step on the
brake pedal to slow down. In this case the cruise control
is switched off.
Use the lever to resume the previously set speed.
The “CRUISE CONTROL - - -” message is displayed on
the multifunction display when any attempt is made to
store speeds below 19 mph (30 km / h) or when an
attempt is made to recall a speed when no speed has
been stored – the cruise control remains switched off.
See malfunction and warning messages on page 325 if
the cruise control has a malfunction.
Wa r n i n g !
Only use the cruise control if the traffic and
weather conditions make it advisable to travel at a
steady speed.• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on
winding roads or in heavy traffic because
conditions do not allow safe driving at a steady
speed.
• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. Rapid changes in tire adhesion
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.The “Resume” function should only be operated if
the driver is fully aware of the previously set speed
and wishes to resume this particular preset speed.

265 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index •For a more precise setting the speed can be
increased in increments of 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h)
by briefly pulling the control lever in direction (4).
Caution!
If the driver’s foot is not fully removed from the
accelerator pedal, the message “DISTRONIC OVERRIDE”
is displayed while the Distronic control system is being
overridden and it will not regulate the preset vehicle
speed and following distance. The vehicle speed and
following distance will be determined only by the
accelerator pedal position.Invalid attempts to activate
The multifunction display will show “––– MPH” during
invalid attempts to activate Distronic. Distronic will not
activate in the following situations:
•below a speed of approx. 25 mph
(Canada: 40 km/h),
•while the electronic stability program (ESP) is
switched off – ESP warning lampv in
speedometer dial is illuminated, see page 112,
•by moving the distronic control lever in “RESUME”
direction (4) when no speed is stored in memory,
•during the initialization and self-test phase after the
engine is started – this can take up to 2 minutes,
•while depressing the service brake pedal,
•while the parking brake is set – check ;warning
lamp (Canada: !) in instrument cluster, see
page 112,
•with the gear selector lever in position “P”, “R”
or “N” – check gear range indicator display in
instrument cluster, see page 112.
See page 332 for malfunction and warning messages if
the Distronic is malfunctioning.
Wa r n i n g !
Distronic brakes (up to 20% of vehicle braking
power) the vehicle to restore the preset distance or
to maintain the speed. The brake pedal is
automatically applied as this happens.Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times, including
the area under the brake pedal. Objects stored in
this area may impair pedal movement which could
interfere with the braking ability of the Distronic
system.Do not place your foot under the brake pedal – your
foot could become caught.

284 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Active body control (ABC)
(optional, standard on model S 600)
The switch is located on the center console
Press the switch when the engine is running:
1Suspension for sporty driving style
2Suspension for regular driving style
3Indicator lamp for sporty driving styleThe maximum suspension range is selected
automatically according to the selected ABC
mode (1 or 2), road condition, and driving style.
The selected suspension style is stored in memory, even
with the electronic key removed from the starter switch.
Suspension for regular driving style
This is the setting for general driving.
The system is set to regular driving mode when the
indicator lamp (3) is not illuminated.
Press lower half of switch to change from suspension
style for sporty driving to regular driving style.
Suspension for sporty driving style
This is the setting for sporty driving.
Press upper half of switch (1) to select suspension style
for sporty driving. The indicator lamp (3) comes on.
Note:
See “ACTIVE BODY CONTROL” on page 320 for
malfunction and warning messages.

286 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
The message “AIR SPRING – VEHICLE RISING” appears
in the multifunction display. The display switches off
when the vehicle is raised.
Notes:
The raised level setting switches off at speeds exceeding
approximately 75 mph (120 km / h), or if vehicle speed
is operated between 50 mph (80 km / h) and 75 mph
(120 km / h) for approximately 5 minutes. The message
“AIR SPRING – LEVEL CANCELLED” appears in the
display.
The raised level setting will be stored in memory after
the electronic key is removed from the starter switch if
you did not drive at the aforementioned speeds.
See “AIR SPRING” on page 331 for malfunction and
warning messages.Level control system for vehicles with
Active Body Control (ABC)
The switch is located on the center console.
Press the switch when the engine is running:
1Raise vehicle chassis
2Lower vehicle chassis
3Indicator lamp
4Indicator lamp

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.

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

306 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ABS malfunction indicator lamp
The ABS malfunction indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on with the
electronic key in starter switch position 2
and should go out with the engine running.
When the ABS malfunction indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster remains illuminated while the
engine is running, it indicates that the ABS has detected
a malfunction and has switched off. In this case, the
brake system functions in the usual manner, but
without antilock assistance.
A malfunctioning ABS control unit can possibly affect
the operation of other systems (e.g. Parktronic,
Navigation, Automatic transmission). Be guided
accordingly with respect to the use of those systems and
have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.With the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS and ESP are also
switched off. The malfunction indicator lamp and
malfunction messages in the multifunction display
come on with the engine running.
If the charging voltage falls below 10 volts, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on and the ABS is
switched off. When the voltage is above this value again,
the malfunction indicator lamp should go out and the
ABS is operational.
Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
See page 278 for notes on antilock brake system (ABS).
ABS