2004 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 license plate

97 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Opening the trunk lid from the outside
A minimum height clearance of 6 ft.
(1.85 m) is required to open the trunk lid.
The trunk lid lock button is located in the
rear license plate recess.
1Trunk lid lock button
Press the outer left-hand side of trunk
lid button1.
The trunk lid opens.The trunk can also be opened using the
SmartKey (
page 90) or from its inside in
an emergency, see “Trunk lid emergency
release” (
page 104).
Opening the trunk lid from the inside
You can open the trunk from the inside if
the vehicle is stationary.
A minimum height clearance of 6 ft.
(1.85 m) is required to open the trunk lid.
The switch is located on the driver’s door.
1Indicator lamp
2Remote trunk lid release switch
Pull remote trunk lid switch2 until
trunk begins to open.
The trunk lid opens. The indicator
lamp1 comes on and remains lit until
the trunk is closed.
!The trunk lid swings open upwards au-
tomatically. Always make sure that
there is sufficient overhead clearance.
Vehicles with trunk lid opening/closing
system*: To stop the opening proce-
dure, press buttonŠ. The trunk lid
stops moving.iIf the trunk lid does not open, it is still
locked separately (if applicable)
(page 349).
Vehicles without KEYLESS-GO*: The
vehicle must be unlocked (
page 88).
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: If the ve-
hicle was previously centrally locked,
the trunk lid will lock automatically af-
ter closing it (
page 98). The turn sig-
nals will flash three times to confirm
locking.

124 Controls in detailLighting
LightingFor information on how to switch on the
headlamps and use the turn signals, see
“Switching on headlamps” (
page 47).
Exterior lamp switch
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.
M
Off
U
Automatic headlamp mode
C
Parking lamps (also side marker
lamps, tail lamps, license plate
lamps, instrument panel lamps)
Canada only: When engine is run-
ning, the low beam is also switched
on.
B
Parking lamps plus low beam or
high beam headlamps (combination
switch pushed forward).
ˆ
Standing lamps, right (turn left one
stop)
‚
Standing lamps, left (turn left two
stops)
iIf you drive in countries where vehicles
drive on the other side of the road than
the country in which the vehicle is reg-
istered, you must have the headlamps
modified for symmetrical low beams.
Relevant information can be obtained
at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.

125 Controls in detail
Lighting
To activate the daytime running lamp
mode, see “Setting daytime running lamp
mode (USA only)” (
page 156).Manual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and parking
lamps can be switched on and off with the
exterior lamp switch. For exterior lamp
switch, see (
page 124).
Automatic headlamp mode
The parking lamps, low beam headlamps
and license plate lamps switch on and off
automatically depending on the brightness
of the ambient light.

Turn the exterior lamp switch to U.
iIf you remove the SmartKey and open
the driver’s door while the parking
lamps or low beam headlamps are
switched on, then:

a warning sounds


$ appears in the multifunction
display.


the message
SWITCH OFF LIGHTS!

appears in the multifunction display
iWith the daytime running lamp mode
activated and the engine running, the
low beam headlamps cannot be
switched off manually.
Warning!
G
If the exterior lamp switch is set toU,

the headlamps may switch off unexpect-
edly when the system senses bright am-
bient light, for example light from
oncoming traffic.


the headlamps will not be automatically
switched on under foggy conditions.
To minimize risk to you and to others, acti-
vate headlamps by turning exterior lamp
switch to B when driving or when traffic
and / or ambient lighting conditions require
you to do so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only
switch from position U to B with the
vehicle at a standstill. Switching from U
to B will briefly switch off the head-
lamps. Doing so while driving in low ambient
lighting conditions may result in an acci-
dent.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid to the driver. The driver is responsible for
the operation of the vehicle's lights at all
times.

156 Controls in detailControl systemSetting daytime running lamp mode
(USA only)
Move the selection marker with
theæ orç button to the
LIGHT-
ING
submenu.

Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until you see this message in the dis-
play:
LIGHT CIRCUIT HEADLAMP MODE
.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.

Pressæ orç to select manual
or daytime running lamp (constant)
mode. This function is not available in
countries where daytime running
lamps are mandatory.With daytime running lamp mode se-
lected and the exterior lamp switch at
position0, the following lamps will
come on automatically when the en-
gine is turned on:


Parking lamps and low beam head-
lamps


License plate lamps (in low ambient
light conditions) Setting locator lighting
During darkness, the following lamps will
come on when the exterior lamp switch is
in position U, the locator lighting fea-
ture is activated, and the vehicle is un-
locked by remote control:


Parking lamps


Tail lamps


License plate lamps


Front fog lamps
To activate locator lighting:

Make sure the function
LOCATOR
LIGHTING
is set.

Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionU.
The locator lighting switches off when the
driver’s door is opened. It switches off au-
tomatically after a period of approximately
40 seconds.
iIf you turn the exterior lamp switch to
another position, the corresponding
lamp(s) will switch on.
For safety reasons, resetting the LIGHTING
submenu to factory settings
(
page 152) while driving will not re-
set the daytime running lamp mode.
In the display you will then see the mes-
sage:
LIGHTING – CANNOT BE RESET
COMPLETELY TO FACTORY SETTINGS
WHILE DRIVING
.

157 Controls in detail
Control system

Move the selection marker with
theæ orç button to the
LIGHT-
ING
submenu.

Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until you see this message in the dis-
play:
LOCATOR LIGHTING
.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.

Pressæ orç to select the de-
sired setting.
The locator lighting will be switched
ON
or
OFF
.Setting night security illumination
(Exterior lamps delayed switch-off)
Use the
HEADLAMPS DELAYED SWITCH-OFF

function to set whether and for how long
you would like the exterior lamps to illumi-
nate during darkness after all doors are
closed. When the delayed switch-off fea-
ture is activated and the exterior lamp
switch is in position U before the en-
gine is turned off, the following lamps will
remain lit after you remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch:


Parking lamps


Tail lamps


License plate lamps


Front fog lampsTo activate night security illumination:

Select delayed switch-off period (see
below).

Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionU before turning off the en-
gine.
To select delayed switch-off period:

Move the selection marker with
theæ orç button to the
LIGHT-
ING
submenu.

Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until you see this message in the dis-
play:
HEADLAMPS DELAYED SWITCH-OFF
.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.
iYou can reactivate this function within
ten minutes by opening a door.
If you do not open a door after remov-
ing the SmartKey, the lamps will auto-
matically switch off after 60 seconds.


330 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
FRONT FOGLAMP, L
CHECK LAMP!
The left front fog lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
FRONT FOGLAMP, R
CHECK LAMP!
The right front fog lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
FR. L. PARK. LAMP
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The left parking lamps are malfunction-
ing. A back-up bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
FR. R. PARK. LAMP
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The right parking lamps are malfunction-
ing. A back-up bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
HIGH BEAM, L
CHECK LAMP!
The left high beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
HIGH BEAM, R
CHECK LAMP!
The right high beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
LICENSE PLATE LAMP, L
CHECK LAMP!
The left license plate lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
LICENSE PLATE LAMP, R
CHECK LAMP!
The right license plate lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.

349 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking the trunk
A minimum height clearance of 6 ft.
(1.85 m) is required to open the trunk lid.
If you are unable to unlock the trunk with
the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*, open the
trunk with the mechanical key.
The trunk lid lock is located above the rear
license plate recess.
1Unlocking and opening
Insert the mechanical key into the
trunk lid lock.

Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise to position1.
The trunk unlocks and opens.
Locking the vehicle
If you are unable to lock the vehicle with
the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*, lock it with the mechanical
key as follows:
Close the passenger doors and the
trunk lid.

Press the central locking switch in the
center console (
page 107).

Check to see whether the locking knob
on the passenger door is still visible. If
necessary push it down manually.

Slide mechanical key2 out of the
SmartKey (
page 348).

Lock the driver’s door with the me-
chanical key (
page 348).

Lock the trunk lid if necessary with the
mechanical key (if applicable)
(page 105).
Replacing batteries in the SmartKey/
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
If the batteries in the SmartKey or the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* are dis-
charged, the vehicle can no longer be
locked or unlocked. It is recommended to
have the batteries replaced at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!The trunk lid swings open upwards au-
tomatically. Always make sure that
there is sufficient overhead clearance.
Warning!
G
Keep the batteries out of reach of children.
If a battery is swallowed, seek medical help
immediately.

354 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsRear lamps Notes on bulb replacement


Only use 12 volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.


Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.


Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.


Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.


If the newly installed bulb does not
come on, visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.


Have the LEDs and bulbs for the follow-
ing lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Additional turn signal lamps in the
exterior rear view mirrors


High mounted brake lamp


Bi-Xenon lamps*


Front fog lamps
Lamp
Type
8
Brake lamp
LED
9
Turn signal lamp
PY 21 W
a
Tail and standing
lamp, side marker
P 21/4 W
b
Backup lamp
P21W
c
License plate lamps
C5W
d
Tail lamp, Rear fog
lamp
P 21/4 W
e
High mounted brake
lamp
LED
Warning!
G
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot. Al-
low the lamp to cool down before changing
a bulb.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A
bulb can explode if you:

touch or move it when hot


drop the bulb


scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Bi-Xenon lamps,
it is dangerous to replace the bulb or repair
the lamp and its components. We recom-
mend that you have such work done by a
qualified technician.