2004 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 241

ContentsUseful features .................................. 231
Storage compartments................. 231
Ashtrays ....................................... 238
Cigarette lighters.......................... 239
Heated steering wheel* ............... 240
Telephone*................................... 241
Tele Aid ........................................ 242
Garage door opener ..................... 250
Infrared reflecting windshield ....... 256
Operation......................................... 257
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 258
Driving instructions............................ 259
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 259
Drinking and driving ..................... 259
Pedals .......................................... 259
Power assistance ......................... 259
Brakes .......................................... 260
Driving off .................................... 261
Parking ......................................... 261
Tires ............................................. 262
Hydroplaning ................................ 263
Tire traction.................................. 263
Tire speed rating .......................... 263
Winter driving instructions ........... 264
Standing water ............................. 265
Passenger compartment .............. 266
Driving abroad.............................. 266
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 266
Catalytic converter ....................... 267
Emission control .......................... 267
Coolant temperature .................... 268At the gas station .............................. 269
Refueling ...................................... 269
Check regularly and before a
long trip ....................................... 270
Engine compartment ......................... 272
Hood ............................................ 272
Engine oil ..................................... 273
Transmission fluid level................ 278
Active Body Control* (ABC*)
fluid level ..................................... 278
Coolant ........................................ 278
Battery ......................................... 280
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 281
Tires and wheels................................ 282
Important guidelines .................... 282
Life of tires................................... 283
Direction of rotation..................... 283
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 283
Rotating wheels ........................... 291
Winter driving .................................... 292
Winter tires .................................. 292
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 293
Snow chains................................. 293

241 Controls in detail
Useful features
Switching on
Switch on ignition.
All the lamps in the instrument cluster
should come on.

Turn switch at the tip of stalk in the di-
rection of arrow1.
The steering wheel is heated. Indicator
lamp2 comes on.
Switching off

Turn switch at the tip of stalk in direc-
tion of arrow3.
The steering wheel heating is turned
off. Indicator lamp2 goes out.
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for informa-
tion on the installation of an approved
external antenna. Refer to the radio trans-
mitter operation instructions regarding use
of an external antenna.
iThe steering wheel heating does not
turn off automatically.
Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Warning!
G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be
his /her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call.
If you choose to use the telephone
1 while
driving, please use the hands-free device
and only use the telephone when road,
weather and traffic conditions permit. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
cellular telephone while driving a vehicle.
Only operate the COMAND (Cockpit Man-
agement and Data System)
1 if road, weather
and traffic conditions permit.
1Observe all legal requirements.


429 Index
Symbol (Distronic*)
Distance warning function* 147
Synchronizing
ESP 316
Power windows 198
Sliding/pop-up roof 202
T
Tachometer 133
Overspeed range 133
Tail lamps
Cleaning 298
Replacing bulbs 354, 358
Tar stains 297
Tele Aid
Information 247
Initiating an emergency call
manually 245
Roadside assistance 246
Tele Aid System 242
Tele Aid button 27
Tele Aid System 405
Tele Aid* 242
Emergency calls 244
Remote door unlock 249Stolen vehicle tracking services 250
System self-check 243
Upgrade signals 248
TeleAid
Messages in display 334
Telematics* 405
Telephone holder*
Storage compartment in front of
armrest 234
Telephone* 241
Answering a call 145
Dialing a number from the phone
book 145
Ending a call 145
Hands-free microphone 27
Loading phone book* 146
Messages in display 334
Operating 144
Redialing 146
Temperature
Display mode 154
Setting interior temperature 183
Setting units in display 154
Tires 284
Tie-down hooks (Trunk) 230Tightening torque 405
Tightening torque (Wheel bolts) 365
Time
Setting digital clock 23
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 271, 283
Tire inflation pressure see the placard on
the fuel filler flap
Tire speed rating 263, 406
Tire traction 263
Tires 282, 399
Direction of rotation 283
Driving instructions 262
Messages in display 336, 339
Retreads 282
Service life 283
Temperature 284
Tire pressure monitor warning
lamp* 309
Tread depth 292
Wear pattern 291
Winter 292
Tools 344

431 Index
Upholstery
Cleaning 302
Upshifting 165, 169, 172
Useful features 231
Ashtrays 238
Cigarette lighter 239
Garage door opener 250
Heated steering wheel* 240
Storage compartments 231
Tele Aid* 242
Telephone* 241
V
Vehicle
Individual settings 151, 153
Locking in an emergency 349
Lowering 365
Service battery 366
Towing 371
Unlocking in an emergency 348
Vehicle battery 366
Vehicle care 296
Cup holder 301
Distronic* system sensor cover 299
Engine cleaning 298Gear selector lever 301
Hard plastic trim items 301
Headlamps 298
Instrument cluster 301
Leather upholstery 302
Light alloy wheels 301
Nubuck leather upholstery 302
Ornamental moldings 298
Paintwork 297
Parktronic* system sensor 299
Plastic and rubber parts 302
Power washer 297
Seat belts 301
Side markers 298
Steering wheel 301
Tail lamps 298
Tar stains 297
Turn signals 298
Upholstery 302
Vehicle washing 298
Window cleaning 300
Wiper blades 299
Wood trims 302Vehicle level 219, 221
Changing 219, 222
Setting 219, 222
Automatic 219, 222
Manual 219, 222
Vehicle lighting
Checking 271
Vehicle submenu
Limiting opening height of trunk
lid*(Control system) 159
Vehicle tool kit 344, 345
Alignment bolt 345
Fuse chart 345
Fuse extractor 345
Gloves 345
Screwdriver 345
Spare fuses 345
Wheel wrench 345
Vehicle washing 298
Ventilated storage compartment 192
Ventilation
Storage compartment 192
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) 406
Voice control system* 406
Hands-free microphone 27