2004 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 lights

15 Introduction
Symbols
Symbols
The following symbols are found in this
Operator’s Manual:
* Optional equipment is identified
with an asterisk. Since standard
equipment varies between models,
the descriptions and illustrations in
this manual may differ slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehi-
cle.

This symbol points to instructions for
you to follow.

A number of these symbols appearing
in succession indicates a multiple-step
procedure.
 Page This symbol tells you where to
look for further information on a
topic.
This continuation symbol marks
an interrupted procedure which
will be continued on the next
page.
-> In the glossary of technical
terms, this symbol is used to in-
dicate cross-references to term
definitions.
DISPLAY
Words appearing in the multi-
function display are printed in
the type shown here.
Warning!
G
Warning notices draw your attention to haz-
ards that may endanger your health or life,
or the health or life of others.!Highlights hazards that may result in
damage to your vehicle.iHelpful hints or further information you
may find useful.

54 Getting startedParking and lockingFor more information, see “Locking and
unlocking” (
page 88).Turning off the engine with
KEYLESS-GO*

Place the gear selector lever in
positionP.

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button to shut off the engine.
With the driver's door closed, the start-
er switch is now in position1. With the
driver’s door opened, the starter switch
is set to position0, same as SmartKey
removed from starter switch
(page 31).

Press the seat belt release button
(page 41).
Allow the retractor to completely re-
wind the seat belt by guiding the latch
plate.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch and lock
your vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious injury.
!If you hear a warning signal, you have
either

forgotten to turn off the lights be-
fore opening the driver’s door
or


tried to turn off the engine while the
gear selector lever is not inP.
Turn off the lights or place the gear se-
lector lever inP.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the door
openings when closing the doors. Be espe-
cially careful when small children are
around.
Before closing doors, make sure there is no
possibility of someone getting caught in a
door during closing.

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.

332 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
STANDING LIGHT, L
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The left standing lamp is malfunctioning.
A back-up bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
STANDING LIGHT, R
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The right standing signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning. A back-up bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
TAIL LIGHT, L
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The left tail lamp is malfunctioning. A
back-up bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
TAIL LIGHT, R
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The right tail lamp is malfunctioning. A
back-up bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
SWITCH OFF LIGHTS!
Lamps have been turned on although the
SmartKey in the ignition is in position 0.

Turn off the headlamps.
TURN SIGNAL F, L
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The left front turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning. A back-up bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
TURN SIGNAL F, R
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The right front turn signal lamp is mal-
functioning. A back-up bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.

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.

355 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs for front lamps
1Headlamp cover for fog lamp
2Headlamp cover for high beam halogen
headlamp bulb, parking and standing
lamp
3Headlamp cover for Bi-Xenon* (low and
high beam) or halogen (low beam)
headlamp bulb4Bulb socket for fog lamp
5Bulb socket for parking and standing
lamp
6Electrical connector for high beam
halogen headlamp bulb
7Electrical connector for low beam
headlamp bulb
8Bulb socket for turn signal lampReplacing low beam bulbs
Bi-Xenon* headlamp
Halogen headlamp

Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 272).

Press the tab on cover3 and remove
cover.

Pull connector7 off of the lamp.

Release the retaining springs and take
out the bulb.Warning!
G
Do not remove the cover for the Bi-Xenon
headlamp. Because of high voltage in Xenon
lamps, it is dangerous to replace the bulb or
repair the lamp and its components. We rec-
ommend that you have such work done by a
qualified technician.


356 Practical hintsReplacing bulbs
Insert the new bulb in the socket so
that the base is in the recess on the
lower left.

Attach the retaining springs.

Insert connector7 into the bulb.

Press cover3 onto the housing until
the tab engages.Replacing halogen high beam bulbs

Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 272).

Press the tab on cover2 and remove
cover.

Pull connector 6 off of the bulb.

Apply pressure on the bulb contacts
from above until the bulb releases from
the retaining springs.

Remove bulb.

Insert the new bulb in the socket with
the marking facing upward.

Press the bulb upward on the contacts
until it engages in the retaining springs.

Insert connector6 onto the bulb.

Press cover2 onto the housing until
the tab engages.Front turn signal lamp bulb

Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 272).

Twist bulb socket8 counterclockwise
and pull out.

Gently push bulb into socket, turn
counterclockwise and remove.

Insert new bulb in socket, push in and
twist clockwise.

Reinstall bulb socket in lamp and twist
clockwise until it engages.


357 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Parking and standing lamp bulb
Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 272).

Press the tab on cover2 and remove
cover.

Pull out the bulb socket5 with the
bulb.

Pull the bulb out of the bulb socket.

Insert a new bulb in the socket.

Reinstall the bulb socket.

Press cover2 onto the housing until
the tab engages.Side marker lamp bulb

Switch off the lights.

Carefully slide lamp towards rear.

Remove front end first.

Twist bulb socket counterclockwise
and pull out.

Pull bulb out of the bulb socket.

Insert new bulb in socket.

Reinstall bulb socket, push in and twist
clockwise.

To reinstall lamp, set rear end in
bumper and let front end snap into
place.