2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S55AMG messages

332 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DISTRONIC (DTR)
* C = Category, see page 309.1 Due to the presence of electro-magnetic radiation, the system is
presently unavailable. After a short period of time try to activate
the system again.
2 Distronic is automatically switched off.
Distronic sensor in hood grille needs cleaning, see page 386.
3 The display or the system is malfunctioning.
4 Distronic is not operational.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
DISTRONIC
EXTERNAL MALFUNCTION
1
REACTIVATE! 2
DISTRONIC MALFUNCTION
CLEAN SENSOR!
2
SEE OWNER’S MAN. 2
DISTRONIC VISIT WORKSHOP!
3
2
SPEEDTRONIC VISIT WORKSHOP!
4
2

333 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index AIR CLEANER
* C = Category, see page 309.Line 1 Line 2 C*
REPLACE AIR CLEANER VISIT WORKSHOP! 2

343 Engine compartment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index The engine oil level can be checked by either the oil
dipstick or via the multifunction display in the
instrument cluster, see page 156.
Wipe the oil dipstick clean prior to checking the engine
oil level. Fully insert dipstick in tube, and remove after
three seconds to obtain accurate reading.
The oil level must be between the lower
mark (min) and the upper mark (max)
on the oil dipstick.
Unscrew the oil filler cap and add oil carefully if you
need to top up the oil.
S 430, S 500 and S 55 AMG:
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick marking
level is approximately 2.0 US qt (2.0 l).
S 600:
Follow the message appearing on the engine oil level
indicator display (page 156) as to quantity to be added.
Re-install oil filler cap.
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be drained
or siphoned. It could cause damage to engine and
catalytic converter not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.See Malfunction and warning messages on page 309 if
an engine oil level display appears on the multifunction
indicator when the engine is running.
Note:
See page 156 for engine oil level indicator.
Automatic transmission fluid level
The transmission has a permanent fill of automatic
transmission fluid.
Regular automatic transmission fluid level checks and
changes are not required. For this reason the dipstick is
omitted.
If you notice fluid leaks or gear shifting malfunctions,
have your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check the
transmission fluid level.
Active body control (ABC) fluid level
Regular fluid level check is not required.
If you notice fluid leaks or malfunctions, have your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check the
ABC-system.

370 Exterior lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Standby bulb function
The rear fog lamp, dimmed, will act as a replacement
lamp, if the bulb in the inner left-hand taillamp stops
working.
The inner taillamp acts as a replacement for the right or
left-hand bulb of the outer taillamp, if it stops working
as a parking lamp.Notes:
The multifunction display will indicate that a bulb has
failed. See Malfunction and warning messages on
page 309.

410 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Index
AABS (Antilock brake system) .......................................278
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 306
Active body control (ABC) ............................................ 284
Fluid level ...................................................................343
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (A BC) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................320
Adaptive damping system (ADS) .................................289
Adjusting steering wheel .............................................. 102
AIR CLEANER -
malfunction and warning messages ......................333
Air conditioner refrigerant ........................................... 404
Air distribution, manual ............................................... 172
Air volume, manual ....................................................... 172
Airbag deactivation system ............................................ 88
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ........................................308
Airbags .............................................................................. 91
AIRMATIC -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 331
Airmatic system ............................................................. 285
Airmatic system
(Vehicles with Active Body Control) ......................286Alarm system ............................................................. 60, 61
Anticorrosion/antifreeze ...................255, 344, 402, 406
Antilock brake system (ABS) ...................................... 278
Malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 306
Antitheft alarm system ...................................................60
Aquaplaning .................................................................. 252
Armrest, rear seat ..........................................................201
Ashtrays .......................................................................... 204
Center console .......................................................... 204
Rear doors ................................................................. 205
Audio systems ................................................................. 124
Cassette player .......................................................... 126
CD Player ....................................................................125
Radio ...........................................................................124
Automatic central locking .............................................. 50
Automatic climate control ............................................ 166
Activated charcoal filter ........................................... 175
Adjustable air outlets,
rear passenger compartment ............................. 179
Air distribution, manual .......................................... 172
Air volume, manual .................................................. 172
Basic setting ............................................................... 171
Defogging windows ................................................... 173
Defrosting ................................................................... 173
Display and controls ................................................. 168
Dust filter ................................................................... 170

411 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Economy mode ...........................................................176
Front center console
storage compartment ventilation ...................... 178
MAXCOOL .......................................................... 170, 181
Rear window defroster ............................................. 183
Residual engine heat utilization (REST) ................176
Special settings ......................................................... 172
Switching on and off ................................................ 177
Automatic climate control, rear
Air volume, manual .................................................. 181
Basic setting .............................................................. 181
Automatic maximum cooling ....................................... 170
Rear passenger compartment climate control ..... 181
Automatic transmission ...............................................237
Emergency operation ...............................................245
Fluid level ...................................................................343
Program mode selector switch ............................... 244
Selector lever position ..............................................240
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 88
Self-test ......................................................................... 88
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 277
Battery .............................................................................357Battery recycling ...................................................... 358
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 311
Block heater ................................................................... 255
BRAKE ASSIST -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 312
Brake assist system (BAS) ........................................... 277
Brake fluid .................................. 248, 299, 304, 402, 404
BRAKE FLUID -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 313
Brake pad wear ............................................................... 313
BRAKE PAD WEAR -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 313
Brake warning lamp ..................................................... 304
Brake fluid low ......................................................... 304
Brakes .......................................... 246, 248, 277, 278, 280
Bulbs
See Replacing bulbs ................................................. 364
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .............................. 402
Card, KEYLESS-GO ..........................................................28
Catalytic converter ........................................................ 228
Center console .................................................................. 24

412 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Center console lighting ................................................. 192
Central locking switch .................................................... 48
Central locking system ................................................... 33
Automatic central locking ......................................... 50
Choosing global or selective mode .....................35, 41
Electronic key .............................................................. 29
KEYLESS-GO-card ....................................................... 30
Locking and unlocking .............................................. 35
Locking and unlocking
with KEYLESS-GO-card ......................................... 38
Mechanical keys .......................................................... 45
Remote control ..................................................... 28, 33
Simultaneous use of electronic key
and KEYLESS-GO-card .......................................... 42
Summer opening/convenience feature ................... 43
Changing batteries in the KEYLESS-GO-card ........... 374
Changing wheels ........................................................... 351
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp ............ 302
Check regularly and before a long trip ......................299
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator .................................. 156
Via oil dipstick ...........................................................342
Child restraint ............................................. 81, 88, 99, 101
Child seat
See Infant and child restraint systems .................... 99CHIP-CARD (KEYLESS-GO) -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 328
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ................................ 382
COMAND, radio and telephone ................................... 216
Combination switch ....................................................... 162
Consumer information ................................................. 408
Control and operation of radio transmitters .............. 216
COOLANT (coolant level) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 316
COOLANT (coolant temperature) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 317
Coolant level
Adding ........................................................................ 344
Checking .................................................................... 344
Coolant temperature gauge .......................................... 115
Coolants .......................................................................... 406
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity ........................ 407
Courtesy lighting ........................................................... 192
Cruise control ................................................................ 258
CRUISE CONTROL -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 325
Cup holder
In front seat armrest ................................................ 202
In rear seat armrest ................................................. 203

413 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
DDashboard ......................................................................... 22
Deep water
Driving instructions ................................................. 256
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 310
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 310
Display illumination .......................................................114
Distronic (DTR) .......................................................133, 261
Activation of Distronic ............................................. 264
Additional driving hints .......................................... 269
Cleaning sensor ........................................................ 386
Deactivation of Distronic .........................................266
Displays in the speedometer dial ........................... 276
Distance warning function ...................................... 272
Distronic settings ......................................................273
Driving with Distronic activated ............................267
Invalid attempts to activate ..................................... 265
Multifunction display ...............................................275
Warning lamp ............................................................307
DISTRONIC (DTR) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................332
DOOR - malfunction and warning messages ............. 326
Door control panel ........................................................... 20Door entry lamps ........................................................... 192
Doors
Power closing assist .................................................... 48
Drinking and driving .................................................... 247
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel ............................................ 247
Driving instructions ..................................................... 247
Driving off ...................................................................... 249
EEasy-entry/exit feature ...................................................63
Electronic key ................................................................... 29
Changing batteries ................................................... 371
Starting the engine .................................................. 235
Turning off the engine ............................................ 235
Electronic main key
Synchronizing remote control ............................... 373
Electronic stability program (ESP) ............................. 280
ESP control switch ................................................... 282
Malfunction and warning messages ...................... 315
Synchronizing ........................................................... 281
Warning lamp ........................................................... 307
Emergency call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 219
Emergency engine shut-down ...................................... 376