2004 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Owner's Manual

312 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Messages in the display
The control system shows warning and
malfunction messages in the multifunction
display.
Certain warning and malfunction messag-
es are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.
Selecting the malfunction memory menu in
the control system (
page 134) displays
both cleared and uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the mul-
tifunction display in red color.
Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button (page 22).
Other messages of high priority and mes-
sages of less immediate priority can be
cleared from the multifunction display us-
ing the reset button (
page 22). These are
then stored in the malfunction message
memory (
page 150).On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may ap-
pear in the display. High priority messages
appear on a red background.
Warning!
G
All categories of messages contain impor-
tant information which should be taken note
of and, where a malfunction is indicated, ad-
dressed as soon as possible at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property dam-
age or personal injury.Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction dis-
play is inoperative.
Contact your nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iTurning the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position2, or pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button twice
causes all lamps as well as the multi-
function display to come on. Make sure
that they are all in working order before
starting your journey.

313 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Text messagesDisplay
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABC
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
DRIVE CAREFULLY
!
The capability of the ABC system is restrict-
ed. This can impair the handling.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz center as
soon as possible.
The vehicle is losing oil.

Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
STOP, CAR TOO LOW!
The vehicle is parked on an extremely
uneven surface.

Press the vehicle level control button to se-
lect level 2 (
page 221).
ABC is malfunctioning.

Stop and press the vehicle level control but-
ton to select a higher vehicle level
(page 221).

Do not turn steering wheel too far to avoid
damaging the front fenders.

Listen for scraping noises.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz center as
soon as possible.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The display for ABC or the ABC system itself
is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.

314 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABC
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The capability of the ABC system is restrict-
ed.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz center as
soon as possible.
ABS
MALFUNCTION!
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The ESP and the BAS are
also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution. Wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing steer-
ing capability.

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.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ABS or the ABS display is malfunction-
ing.

Continue driving with added caution. Wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing steer-
ing capability.

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.
AIR FILTER
CHANGE CARTRIDGE
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The air filter is clogged.

Have the air filter checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

315 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
CRUISE CON-
TROL
CRUISE CONTROL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
Cruise control or Distronic* is malfunction-
ing.

Have cruise control or Distronic* checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
DISTRONIC
EXTERNAL INTERFER-
ENCE
REACTIVATE!
Distronic* is switched off and is temporarily
unavailable.

Try activating Distronic* again later.
CURRENTLY UNAVAIL-
ABLE
SEE OPER. MANUAL
Distronic* is switched off because the Dis-
tronic* cover in the radiator grille is dirty.

Clean the Distronic* cover in the radiator
grille (
page 299).

Restart the vehicle.
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP!
Distronic* is malfunctioning or the display
is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
ESP
MALFUNCTION!
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP has detected a malfunction and
switched off.
The ABS may still be operational.

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.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP or the ESP display is malfunction-
ing.

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.

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.

317 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
P
SHIFT
TO P
You have tried to turn off the engine with
the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button with
the gear selector lever not inP.

Place the gear selector lever in positionP.
PRE-SAFE
INACTIVE
SEE OPER. MANUAL
!
If BAS or ESP malfunction messages are
displayed simultaneously, PRE-SAFE has
been deactivated as a result of these mal-
functions. All other occupant safety sys-
tems, such as the airbags, are still available.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
PRE-SAFE itself has failed. All other occu-
pant safety systems, such as the airbags,
are still available.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.

318 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Symbol messagesDisplay symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
@
AIRMATIC
STOP, CAR TOO LOW!
The vehicle is parked on an extremely
uneven surface.

Press the vehicle level control button to
select the raised vehicle level
(page 219).
The vehicle level control is malfunction-
ing.

Stop and press the vehicle level control
button to select a higher vehicle level
(page 219).

Do not turn steering wheel too far to
avoid damaging the front fenders.

Listen for scraping noises.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz center
as soon as possible.
AIRMATIC
DRIVE CAREFULLY!
The capability of the AIRMATIC system is
restricted.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz center
as soon as possible.

319 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
@
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The display for AIRMATIC or the AIRMAT-
IC system itself is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possi-
ble.
AIRMATIC
LEV. SEL. CANCELED!


You have exceeded a speed of
75 mph (120 km/h).
or


You have maintained a speed of be-
tween 50 mph (80 km/h) and 75 mph
(120 km/h) for more than 5 minutes.

Press the vehicle level control button to
adjust the vehicle level (
page 219).