2004 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 ABS

316 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
NOT AVAILABLE!
SEE OPER. MANUAL
The ESP was deactivated the power supply
has been interrupted.
The ABS is still operational.

Synchronize the ESP. With the vehicle sta-
tionary and the engine running, turn the
steering wheel completely to the left and
then to the right to synchronize the ESP.
If the ESP message does not go out:

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
!When synchronizing the ESP, make
sure you can turn the steering wheel in
both directions as far as it will go with-
out the wheel hitting any objects, e.g.
aroad curb.

363 Practical hints
Flat tire
1Jack support tube cover
Move cover1 toward rear by pressing
at point indicated by arrow.

Remove cover1 carefully to avoid
damage to the locking tabs.1Jack support tube hole
2Jack arm
3Crank

Insert jack arm2 fully into tube
hole1 up to the stop.

Keeping jack in this position, turn
crank3 clockwise until the jack base
meets the ground. Make sure the jack
is vertical (plumb line).

Continue to turn the crank until the tire
is a maximum of 1.2 in (3 cm) from the
ground.
Warning!
G
Insert the jack arm fully into the jack sup-
port tube hole up to the stop. Otherwise the
vehicle may fall from the jack and cause per-
sonal injury or damage to the vehicle.
Warning!
G
The jack is intended only for lifting the vehi-
cle briefly for wheel changes. It is not suited
for performing maintenance work under the
vehicle.

Never start the engine when the vehicle
is raised.


Never lie down under the raised vehicle.

365 Practical hints
Flat tire
Lowering the vehicle
Lower vehicle by turning crank coun-
terclockwise until vehicle is resting ful-
ly on its own weight.

Remove the jack.
1 - 5 Wheel bolts

Tighten the five wheel bolts evenly, fol-
lowing the diagonal sequence illustrat-
ed (1 to 5), until all bolts are tight.
Observe a tightening torque of
110 lb-ft (150 Nm).

Before storing the jack in the trunk, it
should be fully collapsed, with handle
folded in.

Place the wheel bolt wrench, alignment
bolt and jack back in the vehicle tool kit
in the trunk and close the covering lid.Replacing jack support tube cover

Slide tongue of cover under the upper
edge of the tube opening.

Applying even pressure, press cover
until it snaps into place. Be careful not
to damage the locking tabs or clamp
the plastic retaining strap.
Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come
loose if they are not tightened to a torque of
110 lb-ft. (150 Nm).
!You can also screw the faulty wheel
down into the spare wheel well in the
trunk.
Do not activate the tire inflation pres-
sure monitor* until the depressurized
tire is no longer in the vehicle.

394 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere. Under extremely strenu-
ous operating conditions, this moisture
content can lead to the formation of bub-
bles in the system, thus reducing the sys-
tem’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be re-
placed every two years, preferably in the
spring.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will pro-
vide you with additional information.
Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel requirements
Use only premium unleaded fuel:

The octane number (posted at the
pump) must be 91 min. It is an average
of both the Research (R) octane num-
ber and the Motor (M) octane number:
(R+M) / 2). This is also known as the
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as Ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not exceed
10%; MTBE must not exceed 15%.
The ratio of Methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional co-solvents.
Using mixtures of Ethanol and Methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains
10% Ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline,
can be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
!To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gaso-
line must be used. If premium unleaded
gasoline is not available and low octane
fuel is used, follow these precautions:

Have the fuel tank only partially
filled with unleaded regular and fill
up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible.


Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration.


Do not exceed an engine speed of
3000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded
with a light load such as two
persons and no luggage.


Do not exceed 2 / 3 of maximum
accelerator pedal position if the ve-
hicle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain.

401 Technical terms
ABC
(A
ctive B
ody C
ontrol)
Active, computer-controlled system
that hydraulically adjusts the suspen-
sion at all four wheels in response to
various driving situations.
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the front passenger seat. The
system will automatically deactivate
the passenger front airbag when such
a seat is properly installed (indicator
lamp PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF in the
center console comes on). See an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
availability.
BabySmartTM compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger front airbag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed.BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
Bi-xenon headlamps
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-xenon headlamps produce low beam
and high beam.

407 Index
A
ABC 220, 401
Messages in display 313, 318
Setting vehicle level 219, 221
ABS 77, 401
Malfunction indicator lamp 304
Messages in display 314
Warning lamp 304
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 170
Accident
In case of 50
Activating
Air conditioner (cooling) 191
Air conditioning 190
Air recirculation mode 187
Anti-theft alarm system 84
Central locking (control system) 159
Charcoal filter 188
Distance warning function* 215
Distronic* 211
Easy-entry/exit feature 160
ESP 81
Exterior lamps 125Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 175
Front and rear fog lamp 126, 127
Hazard warning flasher 129
Headlamps 47
High beams 128
Ignition 31
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button 33
Immobilizer 53, 83
Limiting opening height of
trunk lid* 159
Rear window defroster 189
Residual heat 191
Seat heater 114, 116
Seat ventilation* 117
Tow-away alarm 85
Windshield wipers 48
Activating steering wheel gearshift control
Downshifting 169, 172
Upshifting 169, 172
Adding
Coolant 279
Engine oil 277
Additional turn signals 353Adjustable air vents, rear passenger
compartment 192
Adjusting 34
Air distribution 184
Air volume 186
Backrest tilt 35
Drive-dynamic seat 163
Exterior rear view mirror 38
Head restraint height 36
Head restraint tilt 36
Instrument cluster illumination 131
Interior rear view mirror 38
Lumbar support 112
Mirrors 38
Multicontour backrest* 112
Power seat bench* 118
Seat cushion depth 35, 112
Seat cushion tilt 35
Seat fore and aft adjustment 35
Seat height 35
Seat in the lumbar region 113
Seat in the shoulder region 112
Seats 34
Steering column height 37
Steering column in or out 37

408 Index
Steering column up or down 37
Steering wheel 37
Air conditioning
Turning off 190
Turning on 190
Air pressure see Tire inflation
pressure 283
Air recirculation mode 187
Activating 187
Deactivating 188
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 192
Air volume
Adjusting 186
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 311
Airbags 59
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 71, 401
Children 60
Front 63
Passenger 63
Safety guidelines 62
Side impact 63
Window curtain 63AIRMATIC 218
Alarm
Audible 76, 84
Canceling 84
Visual 83
Alarm system
Anti-theft 83
Alignment bolt 364
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 345, 401
Antiglare
Automatic 174
Antilock brake system (ABS) 401
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 84
Canceling alarm 84
Disarming 84
Anti-theft systems 83
Anti-theft alarm system 83
Immobilizer 83
Tow-away alarm 85
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning 263
Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 232,
233, 234Ashtray 238
At the gas station 269
ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) 278
AUDIO menu 139
Operating
Cassette player 141
Selecting radio station 140
Selecting satellite radio* station
(USA only) 140
Audio system
CD mode 142
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 174
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating
(control system) 159
Automatic climate control 180
Air recirculation mode 187
Defrosting 187
Rear window defroster 189
Setting the temperature 183
Automatic headlamp mode 125

414 Index
Setting following distance 213
Setting the current speed 211
Setting to last stored speed
("Resume" function) 212
Warning and indicator lamps 208
Door control panel 19, 28
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 249
Doors
Message in display 325
Opening from inside vehicle 96
Opening from outside 89
Downhill driving
Cruise control 204
Downshifting 165, 169, 172
Drink holder see Cup holder 236
Drinking and driving 259
Drive-dynamic seat
Adjusting 163
Drive-dynamic seat* 113
Driving
Abroad 266
General instructions 40, 259
Hydroplaning 263In winter 264
Problems 50
Safety systems 77
Through standing water 265
With Distronic* 215
Driving abroad 266
Driving instructions 259
Driving off 261
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 82
ABS 77
BAS 78
ESP 79
Driving systems 203
ABC 220
AIRMATIC 218
Cruise control 203
Distronic* 206
Driving safety systems 77
Parktronic* 224
Vehicle level control 219, 221E
Easy-entry/exit feature 108
Activating 160
Interrupting movement 161
Electrical fuses 374
Electrical system 389
Electrically folding exterior rear view
mirrors 176
Electronic Stability Program see ESP 79,
403
Emergency call system* 242
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 245
With Tele Aid* 244
Emergency engine shut-down 376
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 173
Emergency operations
Closing sliding/pop-up roof 352
Locking the vehicle 349
Opening sliding/pop-up roof 352
Remote door unlock 249
Unlocking the trunk lid 349
Unlocking the vehicle 348