2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S600 brake

280 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Electronic stability program (ESP)
The ESP enhances directional control and reduces
driving wheel spin of the vehicle under various driving
conditions.
Over/understeering of the vehicle is counteracted by
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel to create a
countervailing vehicle movement. Engine torque is also
limited. The ESP warning lamp, located in the
speedometer dial, starts to flash when ESP is in
operation.Important!
If the ESP warning lampv flashes:
•During take-off apply as little throttle as possible.
•While driving ease up on the accelerator.
•Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
•Do not switch off the ESP.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (see
page 361, Towing the vehicle), the engine must be shut
off (electronic key in starter switch position 0 or 1).
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be engaged and
will apply the rear wheel brakes.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded. The ESP cannot prevent
accidents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, or aquaplaning. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.

281 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
The yellow ESP warning lampv in the speedometer
dial comes on with the electronic key in starter switch
position 2. It should go out with the engine running.
If the ESP warning message is displayed, a malfunction
has been detected in the system. Only partial engine
output will be available.
Have the ESP checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
For ESP warning message, see page 307.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP is also switched
off.
Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP
may activate (yellow ESP warning lamp in speedometer
dial comes on). For this reason, all wheels, including the
spare wheel, must have the same tire size. When testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise,
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the
rear wheel brakes.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
ESP is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz recommended
M+S rated radial-ply tires and / or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or empty), the ESP warning message may
be displayed with the engine running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to
the right. The ESP warning message should go out.

282 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ESP control switch
ESP control switch located on center console.
1Press to switch ESP off
ESP warning lampv, located in speedometer
dial, comes on.
2Press to switch ESP on
ESP warning lampv, located in speedometer
dial, goes out.To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with
sn ow chain s, or startin g of f in d eep sn ow, san d o r grave l,
switch off ESP by pressing the upper half (1) of the ESP
switch. The ESP warning lampv, located in the
speedometer dial, is continuously illuminated.
With the ESP system switched off, the engine torque
reduction feature is cancelled. Therefore, the enhanced
vehicle stability offered by ESP is unavailable.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
A portion of the ESP system remains active, even with
the switch in the OFF position.
If one drive wheel loses traction and begins to spin, the
brake is applied until the wheel regains sufficient
traction. The traction control engages at vehicle speeds
up to approximately 24 mph (40 km / h), and switches
off at 50 mph (80 km / h).
Wa r n i n g !
When the ESP warning lamp is illuminated
continuously, the ESP is switched off. Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.

291 Parking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Parking assist (Parktronic)
(optional, standard on model S 600)
The Parktronic system assists the driver during parking
maneuvers. It visually and audibly indicates the relative
distance between the vehicle and an obstacle.
The front area of the vehicle is monitored when driving
forward. When reversing or with the gear selector lever
in position “N”, the front as well as the rear areas are
monitored.
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2,
Parktronic engages automatically at speeds up to
approximately 10 mph (15 km / h) and deactivates
during higher speeds.
Parktronic can be switched off by a control switch
located in the center console. It engages automatically
again when starting the engine.
See page 295 for Parktronic switch.
Wa r n i n g !
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is not
intended to nor does it replace the need for extreme
care. The responsibility during parking and other
critical maneuvers rests always with the driver.Special attention must be paid to objects having
smooth surfaces or low silhouettes (e.g. trailer
couplings, painted posts, or street curbs). Such
objects may not be detected by the system and can
damage the vehicle.The operational function of the Parktronic can be
affected by dirty sensors, especially at times of
snow and ice. See page 386 for notes on cleaning
the parktronic system sensors.Interference caused by other ultrasonic signals
(e.g. working jackhammers or the air brakes of
trucks) can cause the system to send erratic
indications, and should be taken into
consideration.

299 Check regularly and before a long trip
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Check regularly and before a long trip 1Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system
For refilling reservoir see page 345.
2Coolant level,
see “Adding coolant” on page 344
3Engine oil level,
see “Engine oil level checking” on page 156 and 342
4Brake fluid,
see “Brake fluid” on page 404
Opening hood, see page 339.
Ve h i c l e l i g h t i n g : Check function and cleanliness. For
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on
page 364.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 158.

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

303 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index may still drive the vehicle, however, in all cases, we
recommend that you have the system checked at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
If the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp comes on continuously
and / or the vehicle is not driving normally (e.g.
malfunction of the fuel management system or running
out of fuel), serious damage can occur to the emission
system. Please contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately.
The Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection (SFI) control
module monitors emission control components that
either provide input signals to or receive output signals
from the control module. Malfunctions resulting from
interruptions or failure of any of these components are
indicated by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster and are
simultaneously stored in the SFI control module.
If the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp
comes on, have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
With some exceptions, the control module switches off
the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp if the
condition, causing the lamp to come on, no longer exists
during three consecutive cycles.An on-board diagnostic connector is located in the
passenger compartment near to the parking brake
pedal, allowing the accurate identification of system
malfunctions through the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes.
Notes:
When running out of fuel, the “CHECK ENGINE”
malfunction indicator lamp comes on and the engine
possibly switches to its limp-home (emergency
operation) mode.
To cancel the limp-home mode, the engine may have to
be started three or four times after refueling. The
malfunction indicator lamp remains illuminated. Have
the system checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately.

304 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Brake warning lamp
Except Canada
Canada only
When the brake warning lamp and message appear
while the engine is running, this means:
•there is insufficient brake fluid in the reservoir
(engine running and parking brake released), or
•the parking brake is set (engine running).Note:
If you find that the minimum mark on the brake fluid
reservoir is reached, have the brake system checked for
brake pad thickness and leaks.
Wa r n i n g !
Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated
can result in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately if the brake warning lamp
stays on. Don’t add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir
can result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You can be
seriously burned.