2004 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Gear selector

372 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the drive train, however, we
recommend the drive shaft be discon-
nected at the rear axle drive flange (ve-
hicles with 4MATIC: disconnected at
the front and rear axle drive flanges) for
any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the SmartKey
is in starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.iThe gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP and the SmartKey
will not turn in the starter switch if the
battery is disconnected or discharged.
See notes on the battery (
page 366)
or on jump starting (
page 369).
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position2 and activate the combina-
tion switch for the left or right turn sig-
nal in the usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.

403 Technical terms
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRSFSS
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Service indicator in the multifunction
display that informs the driver when
the next vehicle maintenance service is
due.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.
GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs DVD digital maps for
navigation.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the
vehicle without the use of a SmartKey.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.
Lock button
Button on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the lock button down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.
Memory function*
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and exterior mirror posi-
tions for each SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO*.

404 Technical termsMON
(M
otor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline's
ability to resist undesired detonation
(knocking). The average of both the
MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as AN-
TI-KNOCK INDEX.
Multifunction display
Display field in the speedometer used
to present information provided by the
control system.
Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for operat-
ing the control system.Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
of the tachometer dial. Avoid this en-
gine speed range, as it may result in se-
rious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Parktronic*
System which uses visual and acoustic
signals to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing:


Engine


Clutch/torque converter


Transmission


Transfer case


Drive shaft


Differential


Axle shafts/axles
Program mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic transmis-
sion between standard operationS and
comfort operationC.
S 55 AMG with steering wheel gearshift
control and manual shift program: in
addition toS andC (see above), you
can useM for manual operation

409 Index
Automatic lighting control
Activating 129
Deactivating 130
Automatic locking when driving 106
Automatic transmission 164
Accelerator position 170
Comfortable program mode 170
Deactivating steering wheel gearshift
control 173
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 173
Fluid level 278
Gear ranges 166
Gear selector lever position 167
Gear shifting malfunctions 173
Kickdown 170
One-touch gearshifting 165
Program mode selector switch 170
Selector lever position 164
Starting the engine 43
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) S 55 AMG 168
Transmission fluid 278
Winter program mode 171
Auxiliary fuse box 374B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 71
Compatible child seats 71, 401
Self-test 71
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 401
Backrest supports
Lumbar region 113
Shoulder region 112
Backup lamps 354, 358
Bulbs 354
BAS 78, 401
Messages in display 315
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 350
Check lamp 90, 91
Replacing 349
Battery discharged
Jump starting 369
Battery, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 351
Check lamp 95Battery, vehicle 280, 366
Charging 367
Disconnecting 367
Reconnecting 368
Reinstalling 367
Removing 367
Bi-Xenon headlamps 401
Block heater (Canada only) 293
Blocking
Rear window operation 74
Brake assist system (BAS) 401
Brake fluid 270, 394
Brake lamp bulbs 354
Brake lamp, high mounted 354
Brake pads
Message in display 321
Brakes 260
Warning lamp 305
Break-in period 258
Bulbs, replacing 353
Additional turn signals 353
Backup lamps 354
Brake lamps 354

411 Index
Cleaning
Cup holder 301
Distronic* system sensor cover 299
Gear selector lever 301
Hard plastic trim items 301
Headlamps 177
Headliner and shelf below rear
window 301
Instrument cluster 301
Leather upholstery 302
Light alloy wheels 301
Nubuck leather upholstery 302
Parktronic* system sensor 299
Plastic and rubber parts 302
Seat belts 301
Steering wheel 301
Upholstery 302
Windows 300
Windshield 49
Wiper blades 299
Wood trims 302
Clock 23Closing
Cup holder 237
Glove box 231
Hood 273
Power windows with
KEYLESS-GO* 198
Side windows 196
Sliding/pop-up roof 199, 352
Sliding/pop-up roof with
KEYLESS-GO* 202
Sliding/pop-up roof with
SmartKey 201
Trunk lid 98
Windows 195
Windows with SmartKey 197
Closing from the inside
Trunk 100
Closing sliding/pop-up roof
In an emergency 352
Cockpit 20, 402
Cockpit management and data system
(COMAND) 402COMAND 402
COMAND* see separate operating instruc-
tions
Combination switch 128
High beam flasher 48, 128
Turn signals 47
Windshield wipers 48
Comfortable driving
Transmission program mode 170
Consumer information 399
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 266
Control system 134, 402
AUDIO menu 139
Checking oil level 274
Convenience submenu 160
Display digital speedometer 139
Distronic* menu 147
Functions 136, 138
Instrument cluster submenu 154
Lighting submenu 155
Malfunction memory menu 150

416 IndexFour wheel electronic traction system
(4MATIC)
with ESP 82
4MATIC 82
Front airbags 63
Front lamps
Messages in display 330–333
Replacing bulbs 353, 355
Switching on 124
Front seat head restraints
Installing 109
Power seat 109
Removing 109
FSS (Flexible Service System) 294, 403
Fuel 270
Fuel reserve warning lamp 308
Premium unleaded gasoline 270
Fuel consumption statistics
After start 148
Since last reset 149Fuel filler flap 269
Locking 269
Opening 351
Unlocking 269
Fuel tank
Filler flap 269
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. 391
Functions (control system) 136, 138
Resetting 152
Fuse box 374, 375
Fuse chart 345
Fuses 374
Auxiliary fuse box in trunk 374
Fuse box in engine compartment 375
Fuse box in passenger
compartment 374
Fuse boxes in the engine
compartment 376
Fuse chart 345
Fuse extractor 345
Spare fuses 345G
Garage door opener 250
Erasing in remote control 255
Integrated remote control 252
Rolling code programming 253
Gasoline see Fuel 270
Gear range 403
Automatic transmission 166
Limiting 166
Shifting into optimal 165
Gear range limit
Canceling 165
Gear selector lever
Cleaning 301
Position 167
Glasses
Storage compartment in front of
armrest 234
Global
Locking 89
Unlocking 89

421 Index
Entry position 328
Hood 328
Lamps 331
Parking brake 321
Selector lever 317
SmartKey 328
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 328
TeleAid 334
Telephone* 334
Tires 336, 339
Trunk 334
Washer fluid 334
Multifunction steering wheel 24, 135,
404
Buttons 135
N
Navigation system
Operating 147
See separate COMAND* operating
instructions
Night security illumination 126
Nubuck leather upholstery
Cleaning 302O
Occupant safety 58
Airbags 59
Children and airbags 60
Children in the vehicle 69
Fastening the seat belt 40
Infant and child restraint systems 69
LATCH child seat anchors 73
Seat belts 40, 62
Oil
Adding 277
Consumption 273
Dipstick 273
Filler neck 277
Viscosity 403
Oil level
Checking 271
Oil level via control system
Checking 274
One-touch gearshifting 165
Canceling gear range limit 165
Downshifting 165
Upshifting 165Opening
Ashtray 238
Cup holder 237
Doors from the inside 96
Fuel filler flap 269
Fuel filler flap manually 351
Glove box 231
Hood 272
Side windows 196
Sliding/pop-up roof 199, 352
Sliding/pop-up roof in an
emergency 352
Sliding/pop-up roof with
SmartKey 201
Storage compartment in the center
console 232
Storage compartments in the
armrest 233
Storage compartments in the center
console 233, 234
Trunk 97
Trunk lid from the inside 97
Windows 195
Windows with SmartKey 197

426 Index
Higher speed in cruise control 205
Higher speed in Distronic* 211
Individual vehicle settings 151
Interior illumination delayed
switch-off 158
Lamps and lighting (control
system) 155
Language, multifunction display 155
Locator lighting 156
Lower speed in cruise control 205
Lower speed in Distronic* 212
Miles/kilometers in
speedometer 154
Parking position for exterior rear view
mirrors 162
Slower speed in cruise control 205
Slower speed in Distronic* 212
SmartKey dependent memory 160
Speed in cruise control 205
Speed in Distronic* 211
Speedometer display mode 154
Suspension tuning 220
Temperature (interior) 183
Temperature indicator 154Time 23
To last stored speed in Distronic*
("Resume" function) 212
Units
Speedometer 154
Temperature 154
Vehicle level control 219, 221
Setting current speed 204
Setting front passenger seat position
from rear* 119
Settings
Calling up Distronic* 147, 209
Convenience functions 160
Factory, SmartKey 89
Individual (SmartKey) 160
Lighting (control system) 155
Menus and submenus 136
Resetting all (control system) 151
Resetting in the submenu 152
Selective 89, 94
Settings menu
Functions in 151
Individual vehicle settings 151
Submenus 152Shift lock 405
Shifting
Gear selector lever positions 167
Into optimal gear range (automatic
transmission) 165
Shoulder support
Seat adjustment 112
Side impact airbags 63
Side marker lamps
Replacing bulbs 353, 354, 357
Side windows
Automatic closing 196
Automatic opening 196
Cleaning 300
Closing 195, 196, 197
Closing fully (Express-close) 196
Closing with SmartKey 197
Opening 195, 196, 197
Opening fully (Express-open) 196
Opening with SmartKey 197
Stopping 197
Synchronizing power windows 198