2004 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 roof rack

Contents
Control system .................................. 134
Multifunction display .................... 134
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 135
Menus .......................................... 137
Standard display menu ................ 139
AUDIO menu ................................ 139
CD changer* operating mode ...... 142
TEL menu* ................................... 144
NAVI menu ................................... 147
Distronic* menu........................... 147
Trip computer menu..................... 148
Malfunction memory menu .......... 150
Settings menu .............................. 151
Automatic transmission ..................... 164
One-touch gearshifting................. 165
Gear ranges ................................. 166
Gear selector lever position ......... 167
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) S 55 AMG................. 168
Program mode selector switch..... 170
Accelerator position ..................... 170
Manual shift program S 55 AMG .. 171
Emergency operation
(Limp home mode) ....................... 173Good visibility ..................................... 174
Rear view mirror ........................... 174
Electrically folding exterior rear
view mirrors .................................. 176
Windshield wipers ......................... 177
Headlamp cleaning system*
(Standard on S 500, S 600,
S 55 AMG) .................................... 177
Sun visors ..................................... 178
Rear window sunshade* ............... 179
Rear door window sunshade* ....... 179
Automatic climate control .................. 180
Setting the temperature................ 183
Adjusting air distribution............... 184
Adjusting air volume ..................... 186
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 186
Defrosting ..................................... 187
Air recirculation mode .................. 187
Charcoal filter ............................... 188
Rear window defroster .................. 189
Deactivating the climate control
system .......................................... 190
Air conditioning............................. 190
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 191Ventilated storage compartment
(except S 55 AMG) ....................... 192
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents ...................... 192
Rear passenger compartment
climate control*............................ 193
Power windows .................................. 195
Opening and closing the windows 195
Synchronizing the power windows 198
Sliding/pop-up roof............................ 199
Opening and closing the
sliding/pop-up roof....................... 199
Synchronizing the sliding /
pop-up roof ................................... 202
Driving systems .................................. 203
Cruise control ............................... 203
Distronic* ..................................... 206
AIRMATIC ..................................... 218
Active Body Control (ABC)* .......... 220
Parktronic* (Parking assist) .......... 224
Loading .............................................. 229
Roof rack* .................................... 229
Loading instructions ..................... 229
Cargo tie-down hooks ................... 230

100 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingThe trunk can also be opened using the
SmartKey (
page 90) or from its inside in
an emergency, see “Trunk lid emergency
release” (
page 104).
Limiting opening height of trunk lid
The trunk lid opening height can be limited
when transporting goods on a roof rack
(e.g. presence of an MB sport luggage con-
tainer*). When activated, the trunk lid
opens to approximately the height of the
roof edge.
You can activate the limiting opening
height of trunk lid using the control system
(
page 159).Closing from the inside

Press remote trunk lid switch2
(page 99) until the indicator lamp1
goes out and trunk lid is closed.
To interrupt the closing procedure:

Release remote trunk lid switch2.
If the trunk lid comes into contact with an
object while closing (e.g. luggage that has
been piled too high) in the upper motion
sequence, the closing procedure is
stopped and the trunk reopens slightly.Warning!
G
Maintain sight of trunk area while operating
door mounted switch. Monitor the closing
procedure carefully to ensure that no one is
in danger of being injured.
To interrupt the closing procedure, release
the door mounted remote trunk lid switch.
Even with the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* removed from the vehicle,
the remote trunk lid switch can be operated.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equip-
ment may cause an accident and/or serious
personal injury.

229 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Roof rack* Preparing roof rack installation

Open trim at the trim strips in the roof.

Secure the roof rack according to man-
ufacturer’s instructions for installation.
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle oc-
cupants and luggage/cargo should not ex-
ceed the vehicle capacity weight indicated
on the corresponding label located on the
driver’s door pillar.
Warning!
G
Use only roof racks approved by Mer-
cedes-Benz for your vehicle model to avoid
damage to the vehicle. Follow manufactur-
er’s installation instructions.
!Load the roof rack in such a way that
the vehicle cannot be damaged while
driving.
Make sure

you can fully raise the
sliding/pop-up roof


you can fully open the trunk

259 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, de-
pends on driving habits and operating con-
ditions.
To save fuel you should:

Keep tires at the recommended infla-
tion pressures.


Remove unnecessary loads.


Remove roof rack when not in use.


Allow engine to warm up under low
load use.


Avoid frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.


Have all maintenance work performed
at the intervals specified in the Service
Booklet and as required by the FSS.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driv-
ing in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic,
on short trips, and in hilly country.
Drinking and driving
PedalsPower assistance
Warning!
G
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs
and driving are very dangerous combina-
tions. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgement.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal ac-
cident are greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Warning!
G
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Ob-
jects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement.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.

390 Technical dataMain dimensions and weights
Main dimensions and weightsMain dimensionsWeightsModel
S 430 (220.070)
S 430 (220.170)
S 430 4MATIC (220.183)
S 500 (220.175)
S 500 4MATIC (220.184)
S 55 AMG (220.174)
S 600 (220.176)
Overall vehicle length
198.3 in (5038 mm)
203.1 in (5158 mm)
203.1 in (5158 mm)
203.1 in (5158 mm)
Overall vehicle width
73.0 in (1855 mm)
73.0 in (1855 mm)
73.0 in (1855 mm)
73.0 in (1855 mm)
Overall vehicle height
57.2 in (1454 mm)
57.2 in (1454 mm)
57.2 in (1454 mm)
57.4 in (1457 mm)
Wheelbase
116.7 in (2965 mm)
121.5 in (3085 mm)
121.5 in (3085 mm)
121.5 in (3085 mm)
Track, front
62.0 in (1574 mm)
62.0 in (1574 mm)
62.1 in (1578 mm)
62.0 in (1574 mm)
Track, rear
62.0 in (1574 mm)
62.0 in (1574 mm)
62.1 in (1578 mm)
62.0 in (1574 mm)
Max. roof load
220 lbs (100 kg)
Max. trunk load
220 lbs (100 kg)

419 Index
CHECK ENGINE 306
Coolant 322
DTR* 208
Engine diagnostics 306
ESP 307, 308
Fuel reserve 308
Instrument cluster 308
Seat belts 308
Service indicator 294
SRS 59
Language
Multifunction display 155
Setting 155
LATCH child seat anchors 73
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 381
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 302
Lever
For cruise control 210
License plate lamps
Replacing bulbs 354, 358
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 301
Light sensor 331Lighter see Cigarette lighter 239
Lighting 124
Automatic headlamp mode 125
Combination switch 128
Daytime running lamp mode 126
Exterior lamp switch 124
Front fog lamps 127
High beam flasher 128
High beams 128
Instrument cluster illumination 131
Interior 129
Locator lighting 126
Low beam 124
Manual headlamp mode 125
Night security illumination 126
Parking lamps 124
Rear fog lamp 127
Settings (control system) 155
Limiting the gear range 166
Limp Home Mode 173
Loading 229
Cargo tie-down hooks 230
Instructions 229
Roof rack 229Locator lighting 126
Setting 156
Lock button 403
Lock buttons
Door handle (KEYLESS-GO*) 55
Locking 51, 88
Fuel filler flap 269
Global (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 94
Global, SmartKey 89
Glove box 231
The vehicle with KEYLESS-GO* 95
Trunk lid, separately 105
Vehicle in an emergency 349
Loss of SmartKey 91
Loss of Smartkey with KEYLESS-GO* 96
Low beam headlamps
Messages in display 330, 331
Replacing bulbs 353
Lowering
Vehicle 365
Lumbar support adjustment 112

425 Index
RON 270
RON (Research Octane Number) 405
Roof rack 229
Rotating wheels 291
Rubber parts
Cleaning 302
S
Safety
Occupant 58
Safety belts see Seat belts 40
Safety defects
Reporting 18
Safety systems
Driving 77
Screwdriver (vehicle tool kit) 345
Seat belt force limiter 67
Seat belts 64
Cleaning 301
Fastening 40
Proper use of 42, 66
Safety guidelines 62
Warning lamp 308
Seat cushion depth
Adjusting 112Seat for and aft adjustment 119
Seat heater
Switching off 115
Switching on 114
Seat height 119
Seat ventilation*
Switching off 117
Switching on 117
Seats 108
Adjusting 34
Adjusting lumbar support 113
Adjusting shoulder support 112
Easy entry/exit feature 108
Heater 114
Massage function 113
Multicontour backrest* 112
Rear power seat bench* 118
Rear seats 118
Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down hooks 230
Selector lever
Lock 43
Message in display 317
Position 164Self-test
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 71
Tele Aid* 243
Service
Calling up the service indicator 295
Major service (Service B) 294
Minor service (Service A) 294
Overdue 294
Types 294
When due 294
Service (maintenance) 294
Service and warranty information 10
Service indicator 294
Calling up 295
Clearing 294, 295
Service life (tires) 283
Service System see FSS 294
Setting
Convenience functions 160
Cruise control 204
Daytime running lamp mode 156
Digital clock 23
Distronic* time interval 213
Following distance in Distronic* 213

428 IndexStanding water
Driving instructions 265
Starter switch 31
Positions 31
Starting difficulties 44
Starting position 31
Starting the engine 43
Steering column
Height adjustment 37
Length adjustment 37
Steering wheel
Adjusting 37
Adjustment 37
Cleaning 301
Heated steering wheel* 240
Steering wheel adjustment 37
Stolen vehicle
Tracking services 250
Stopping
Sliding/pop-up roof 200
Windows 197
Storage compartments 231
Armrest 232, 233, 234
Cup holder 236, 237Glove box 231
In front of armrest 234
Parcel net 237
Storage compartment in front of
armrest 232, 233
Storage tray 232, 233, 234
Under the front seats 235
Storing (Memory function*)
Positions into memory 122
Submenus
Convenience 160
For settings 136
In control system 138
Instrument cluster 154
Lighting 155
Resetting functions in Control
system 152
Selecting 152
Settings menu 152
Vehicle 159
Sun visors 178
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) 405Suspension tuning
For regular driving style 221
For sporty driving style 221
Setting 220
Switching off
Automatic central locking (control
system) 159
Engine 53
ESP 80
Hazard warning flasher 129
Headlamps 53
Switching on
Automatic central locking (control
system) 159
ESP 81
Front fog lamps 127
Front lamps 124
Hazard warning flasher 129
Headlamps 47
High beams 128
Parking lamps 124
Rear fog lamp 127
Windshield wipers 48