2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S55AMG tow

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

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

5 ContentsCoolant level ...................................344
Adding coolant ...........................344
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ...........................345
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio .........345
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ................346
Vehicle jack .....................................347
Wheels .............................................348
Tire Replacement .......................348
Rotating wheels ..........................349
Spare wheel ....................................349
Changing wheels ........................... 351
Tire inflation pressure ..................356
Battery .............................................357
Jump starting ..................................359
Towing the vehicle ......................... 361
Exterior lamps ................................364
Headlamp assembly ...................365
Taillamp assemblies ..................368Changing batteries in
the electronic key ......................371
Synchronizing
remote control ............................ 373
Changing batteries in the
KEYLESS-GO-card .....................374
Emergency engine
shut-down ...................................376
Fuel filler flap,
manual release ..........................376
Emergency operation of
sliding/pop-up roof .................. 377
Replacing wiper blades ................ 378
Roof rack ......................................... 380
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle ............................. 382
Power washer ............................. 383
Tar stains .................................... 384
Paintwork, painted body
components ................................ 384Engine cleaning ..........................384
Vehicle washing .........................384
Ornamental moldings ................385
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................385
Cleaning the Distronic
system sensor .............................386
Cleaning the parktronic
system sensors ...........................386
Wiper blades ...............................387
Light alloy wheels ......................388
Instrument cluster .....................388
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ......................388
Cup holder ...................................388
Seat belts .....................................389
Headliner and shelf
below rear window .....................389
Leather upholstery .....................389
Hard plastic trim items .............389
Plastic and rubber parts ............389

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

26 Contents – Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle 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 ................................. 36
Opening 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 ....................................... 54Trunk 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 ............................... 69
Multicontour 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 .......................... 82BabySmart
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
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

50 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Automatic central locking
With the automatic central locking system activated, the
doors and trunk are locked at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or more. The fuel filler
flap remains unlocked.
The automatic central locking function can be switched
on or off in the individual setting menu “VEHICLE” –
“AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK”, see page 146.
Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch
after activating the automatic central locking, and
neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked
even at vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.
If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or less with the
automatic central locking activated, the door will again
be automatically locked at speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
When a door is opened from the inside, the complete
vehicle is unlocked, if the vehicle is previously unlocked
in the global remote control mode.Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
electronic key in starter switch position 2 (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO: operation position, see page 236), the
vehicle doors will lock if the left front wheel as well as
the right rear wheel spin at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
Emergency unlocking in case of accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after an
accident in which an airbag or emergency tensioning
retractor deploys (this is intended to aid rescue and
exit).

61 Tow-away alarm
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Note:
When you unlock the driver’s door with the mechanical
key, the exterior lamps will flash and the alarm will
sound.
To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the
starter switch or press buttonŒ or‹ on the
electronic key; or (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO) when
carrying the KEYLESS-GO-card, grasp the door handle
or press the start-/stop button on the gear selector lever.Tow-away alarm
The switch is located in the center console.
1Press to switch off
2Indicator lamp
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior
vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.

62 Tow-away alarm
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
The alarm will last approximately 2
1/2minutes in form
of flashing exterior lamps. At the same time an alarm
will sound for 30 seconds. The alarm will stay on even if
the vehicle is immediately lowered. To cancel the alarm,
insert the electronic key in the starter switch or press
buttonŒ or‹ on the electronic key; or (vehicles
with KEYLESS-GO) when carrying the KEYLESS-GO-
card, grasp the door handle or press the start-/stop
button on the gear selector lever.
If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds, an
emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele Aid
on page 218.To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm feature, switch
off the tow-away alarm before towing the vehicle, or
when parking on a surface subject to movement, such
as a ferry or auto train.
To do so, turn electronic key in starter switch to
position 1 or 0, or remove electronic key from starter
switch. Press tow-away alarm switch (1). The indicator
lamp (2) illuminates briefly.
Exit vehicle, and lock vehicle with the electronic key or
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO) the lock button at each
door handle.
The tow-away alarm remains switched off until the
vehicle is locked again with the electronic key or the
lock button at each door handle (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO), at which time it is automatically
reactivated.