2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S600 brake

215 Contents – Driving
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 216
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 217
Maintenance ................................... 217
Tele Aid ........................................... 218
Catalytic converter ........................228
Emission control ............................229
Starter switch .................................230
Starter switch –
KEYLESS-GO ..............................232
Starting and turning off
the engine ..................................235
Automatic transmission ...............237
Parking brake .................................246
Driving instructions ......................247
Drive sensibly –
Save Fuel .....................................247
Drinking and driving .................247Pedals .......................................... 247
Power assistance ........................ 248
Brakes .......................................... 248
Driving off ................................... 249
Parking ........................................ 250
Tires ............................................. 251
Snow chains ............................... 253
Winter driving instructions ..... 254
Block heater ................................ 255
Deep water .................................. 256
Passenger compartment ........... 256
Traveling abroad ........................ 257
Cruise control ................................ 258
Distronic (DTR) .............................. 261
Brake assist system
(BAS) .......................................... 277
Antilock brake system
(ABS) .......................................... 278
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 280Active body control
(ABC) ..........................................284
Level control system for vehicles
with Airmatic system ...............285
Level control system for vehicles
with Active Body Control
(ABC) ..........................................286
Adaptive damping system
(ADS) ...........................................289
Parking assist (Parktronic) .......... 291
What you should know
at the gas station .......................296
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................299

217 The first 1 000 miles
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle during the
break-in period, the more satisfied you will be with its
performance later on. Therefore, drive your vehicle
during the first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) at moderate
vehicle and engine speeds.
During this period, avoid heavy loads (full throttle
driving) and excessive engine speeds.
Avoid accelerating by kickdown. It is not recommended
to brake the vehicle by manually shifting to a lower gear.
We recommend that you select positions “3”, “2” or “1”
only at moderate speeds (for hill driving).
After 1 000 miles (1 500 km) speeds may be gradually
increased to the permissible maximum.Maintenance
We strongly recommend that you have your vehicle
serviced by your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the times called
for by the FSS.
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in accordance
with the Service Booklet at the designated times /
mileage may result in vehicle damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
For information on the Flexible service system (FSS),
see page 149.

230 Starter switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Starter switch
0The electronic key can be withdrawn in this position
only. The electronic key can only be removed with
the selector lever in position “P”. After removing the
electronic key or with the electronic key in starter
switch position 0 or 1, the selector lever is locked in
position “P”.1Most electrical consumers can be operated. For
detailed information see respective subjects.
2Driving position.
Gear selector lever is unlocked.
To move the selector lever out of position “P”, firmly
depress the service brake pedal.
3Starting position.
See page 235 for instructions on starting and stopping
the engine.
See page 42 for instructions on the simultaneous use of
the electronic key and the KEYLESS-GO-function.
P54.25-2427-26
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the starter switch, take the
KEYLESS-GO-card (if so equipped) with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment
may cause serious personal injury.

232 Starter switch — KEYLESS-GO
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Start- / Stop button (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO)
Symbols on start-/stop button for Canada only:
See page 235 for instructions on starting and turning off
the engine.
See page 42 for instructions on the simultaneous use of
the electronic key and the KEYLESS-GO-function.Pressing the start- / stop button (1) on the gear selector
lever without depressing the brake pedal will
sequentially activate the starter switch positions 1 (on)
and 2 (operation) and 0 (off).
The engine can be started with the starter switch in any
position (on, operation or off), as long as the gear
selector lever is in position “P” or “N” and the brake
pedal depressed.
1
P82.50-0759-26
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always take the electronic
key and the KEYLESS-GO-card with you, and lock
the vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause
serious personal injury.

233 Starter switch — KEYLESS-GO
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index “On” position
(starter switch position 1, see page 230).
Most electrical consumers can be operated. For detailed
information see respective subjects.
Operation / driving position
(starter switch position 2, see page 230).
All electrical consumers can be operated. Gear selector
is unlocked.
“Off” position
(electronic key removable from starter switch).
Most electrical consumers cannot be operated.
The selector lever is locked in position “P”.
Notes:
For improved recognition of the KEYLESS-GO-card the
doors should be closed when pressing the start- / stop
button.
The gear selector lever can only be moved with the
vehicle battery charged and connected, and the starter
switch in the Operation position. With the gear selector
lever in position “P”, the brake pedal must also be
depressed.Important!
For the KEYLESS-GO-system to function properly, the
operator should observe the following:
•If the KEYLESS-GO-card is positioned farther away
from the vehicle (e.g. inside clothing or a briefcase),
the vehicle cannot be locked (see page 38) or started
with the start-/stop button (see page 235).
•If the KEYLESS-GO-card is removed from the vehicle
while the engine is running, or by placing the card
in front of the center armrest (see page 198), the
message “CHIP-CARD – NOT RECOGNIZED!” will
appear repeatedly for approx. 2 seconds in the
multifunction display, see page 328.
If the message “CHIP - CARD – NOT RECOGNIZED”
is ignored for an extended of time (approx.
15 minutes), the engine could stop by itself during a
vehicle stop (e.g. traffic light). The vehicle can then
no longer be centrally locked or the engine
restarted. You must first find the card. Start the
engine again.

235 Starting and turning off the engine
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Starting and turning off the engine
Before starting
Ensure that parking brake is engaged and that selector
lever is in position “P” or “N”.
Important!
In areas where temperatures frequently drop below -4
°F
(-20
°C) we recommend that an engine block heater be
installed. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
advise you on this subject, see page 255.
Starting with the electronic key
Do not depress accelerator.
Turn electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
Briefly turn electronic key in starter switch clockwise to
the stop and release. The starter will engage until the
engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops,
turn electronic key completely to the left and repeat
starting the engine.After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Important!
Due to the installed starter non-repeat feature, the
electronic key must be turned completely to the left
before attempting to start the engine again.
Note:
Too many unsuccessful starting attempts may discharge
the battery.
Turning off with the electronic key
Put the selector lever in position “P” and turn the
electronic key in the starter switch to position 0 to stop
the engine.
The electronic key can only be removed with the
selector lever in position “P”.

236 Starting and turning off the engine
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Starting with KEYLESS-GO
Note:
For improved recognition of the chip card the doors
should be closed when pressing the start-/stop button.
Depress brake pedal during the starting procedure.
Do not depress accelerator.
Briefly press start-/stop button on gear selector lever.
The starter will engage until the engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops,
press start-/stop button on gear selector lever and repeat
starting the engine.
After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.Turning off with KEYLESS-GO
Stop the vehicle and put the selector lever in
position “P”.
Press start-/stop button on the selector lever until the
engine stops. With the driver’s door closed the starter
switch is set to the “On” position (starter switch
position 1). With the driver’s door opened the starter
switch is set to the “Off” position (starter switch
position 0, same as electronic key removed from starter
switch).
Note:
The engine can only be turned off with selector lever in
position “P”. If attempting to turn off the engine while
the selector lever is in any other position than “P” a
signal sounds and the message “SELECTOR LEVER
TO P” appears in the multifunction display as a
reminder to move the selector to position “P”.

237 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Automatic transmissionThe automatic transmission selects individual gears
automatically, dependent upon
•Selector lever position
•Program mode selector
•Accelerator position
•Vehicle speed
The gear shifting process is continuously adapted,
dependent on the driving style, the driving situation
and the road characteristics.
Important!
When parking the vehicle or before working on the
vehicle with the engine running, firmly depress the
parking brake pedal and shift the selector lever into “P”.
P27.60-2174-27