2005 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS ABS

351 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
DISTRONIC
EXTERNAL MALFUNCTION
REACTIVATE
Distronic* is switched off and is temporarily
unavailable.

Try activating Distronic* again later.
DISTRONIC
CURRENTLY
UNAVAILABLE
SEE OPERATORS MANUAL
Distronic* is switched off because the Dis-
tronic* cover in the radiator grille is dirty.

Clean the Distronic* cover in the radiator
grille (
page 333).

Restart the vehicle.
DISTRONIC
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP
Distronic* is malfunctioning or the display
is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
ESP
MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP
The ESP has detected a malfunction and
switched off.
The ABS may still be operational.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP
The ESP or the ESP display is malfunction-
ing.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.

352 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP UNAVAILABLE
SEE OPERATORS MANUAL
The ESP was deactivated the power supply
has been interrupted.
The ABS is still operational.

Synchronize the ESP. With the vehicle sta-
tionary and the engine running, turn the
steering wheel completely to the left and
then to the right to synchronize the ESP.
If the ESP message does not go out:

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
!When synchronizing the ESP, make
sure you can turn the steering wheel in
both directions as far as it will go with-
out the wheel hitting any objects, e.g.
aroad curb.

400 Practical hintsFlat tire1Jack support tube cover
Move cover1 toward rear by pressing
at point indicated by arrow.

Remove cover1 carefully to avoid
damage to the locking tabs.1Jack support tube hole
2Jack arm
3Crank

Insert jack arm2 fully into tube
hole1 up to the stop.

Keeping jack in this position, turn
crank3 clockwise until the jack base
meets the ground. Make sure the jack
is vertical (plumb line).

Continue to turn the crank until the tire
is a maximum of 1.2 in (3 cm) from the
ground.
Warning!
G
Insert the jack arm fully into the jack sup-
port tube hole up to the stop. Otherwise the
vehicle may fall from the jack and cause per-
sonal injury or damage to the vehicle.
Warning!
G
The jack is intended only for lifting the vehi-
cle briefly for wheel changes. It is not suited
for performing maintenance work under the
vehicle.

Never start the engine when the vehicle
is raised.


Never lie down under the raised vehicle.

402 Practical hintsFlat tireLowering the vehicle
Lower vehicle by turning crank coun-
terclockwise until vehicle is resting ful-
ly on its own weight.

Remove the jack.
1 - 5 Wheel bolts

Tighten the five wheel bolts evenly, fol-
lowing the diagonal sequence illustrat-
ed (1 to 5), until all bolts are tight.
Observe a tightening torque of
110 lb-ft (150 Nm).

Before storing the jack in the trunk, it
should be fully collapsed, with handle
folded in.

Place the wheel bolt wrench, alignment
bolt and jack back in the vehicle tool kit
in the trunk and close the covering lid.Replacing jack support tube cover

Slide tongue of cover under the upper
edge of the tube opening.

Applying even pressure, press cover
until it snaps into place. Be careful not
to damage the locking tabs or clamp
the plastic retaining strap.
Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come
loose if they are not tightened to a torque of
110 lb-ft (150 Nm).
!You can also screw the faulty wheel
down into the spare wheel well in the
trunk.
Do not activate the tire inflation pres-
sure monitor* until the depressurized
tire is no longer in the vehicle.

431 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance
System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada
vehicles). For a listing of approved engine
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet, or
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of
specification other than those expressly
required for the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles), or
changing of oil and oil filter at change
intervals longer than those called for by
the Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS (Canada Vehicles) will result in engine
damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Please follow Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles)
recommendations for scheduled oil
changes. Failure to do so will result in
engine damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.Damage or
malfunctions resulting from blending oil
additives are not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil is used in the air condition-
ing system.Never use R-12 (CFC) or miner-
al-based lubricating oil. Otherwise damage
to the system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere. Under extremely strenu-
ous operating conditions, this moisture
content can lead to the formation of bub-
bles in the system, thus reducing the sys-
tem’s efficiency.Therefore, the brake fluid
must be replaced every two years, prefera-
bly in the spring.Only brake fluid approved
by Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will pro-
vide you with additional information.

437 Technical terms
ABC
(A
ctive B
ody C
ontrol)
Active, computer-controlled system
that hydraulically adjusts the suspen-
sion at all four wheels in response to
various driving situations.
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
ADS
(A
daptive D
amping S
ystem)
Automatically adapts the optimum sus-
pension damping to prevailing driving
conditions.
Airmatic
Automatically selects the optimum sus-
pension tuning and ride height for your
vehicle. Airmatic consists of two com-
ponents:


Adaptive Damping System


Vehicle level controlAlignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
BabySmart
TM air bag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the front passenger seat. The
system will automatically deactivate
the passenger front air bag when such
a seat is properly installed (the
58indicator lamp in the center
console comes on). See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for availability.
BabySmartTM compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger front air bag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed. See
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for availability.BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
Bi-xenon headlamps
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-xenon headlamps produce low beam
and high beam.
CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.

443 Index
A
ABC 231, 437
Messages in display 349, 354
Setting vehicle level 230, 232
ABS 25, 80, 437
Malfunction indicator lamp 338
Messages in display 350
Warning lamp 338
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 180
Accessory weight 322
Accident
In case of 54
Activating
Air conditioner (cooling) 203
Air conditioning 202
Air recirculation mode 199
Anti-theft alarm system 87
Central locking (control system) 168
Charcoal filter 200
Distance warning function* 226
Distronic* 222
Easy-entry/exit feature 170ESP 84
Exterior lamps 132
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 187
Front and rear fog lamp 132, 134
Hazard warning flasher 136
Headlamps 50
High beams 135
Ignition 34
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button 36
Immobilizer 57, 86
Limiting opening height of trunk
lid* 169
Manual shift program S 55 AMG 183
Rear window defroster 201
Residual heat 203
Seat heater 125, 126
Seat ventilation* 127
Tow-away alarm 89
Windshield wipers 52Adaptive Damping System (ADS) 229,
437
Adding
Coolant 293
Engine oil 291
Additional turn signals 390
Adjustable air vents, rear passenger
compartment 204
Adjusting 37
Air distribution 196
Air volume 198
Backrest tilt 38
Drive-dynamic seat* 172
Exterior rear view mirror 41
Head restraint height 39
Head restraint tilt 39
Instrument cluster illumination 140
Interior rear view mirror 41
Lumbar support 122
Mirrors 41
Multicontour backrest* 122
Power seat bench* 117
Seat cushion depth 38, 123

444 Index
Seat cushion tilt 38
Seat fore and aft adjustment 38
Seat height 38
Seat in the lumbar region 123
Seat in the shoulder region 123
Seats 37
Steering column height 40
Steering column in or out 40
Steering column up or down 40
Steering wheel 40
ADS 229, 437
Air bags 61
BabySmart
TM air bag deactivation
system 73, 437
Children 62
Front 65
Passenger 65
Safety guidelines 64
Side impact 65
Window curtain 66
Air bag off indicator lamp 346Air conditioning
Turning off 202
Turning on 202
Air pressure 322
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air recirculation mode 199
Activating 199
Deactivating 200
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 204
Air volume
Adjusting 198
AIRMATIC 229
Airmatic 229, 437
Alarm
Audible 79, 88
Canceling 88
Visual 87Alarm system
Anti-theft 87
Anti-theft alarm system indicator
lamp 27
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 380,
401, 437
Antiglare
Automatic 186
Antilock brake system (ABS) 437
Antilock Brake System see ABS 25
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 87
Canceling alarm 88
Disarming 88
Anti-theft systems 86
Anti-theft alarm system 87
Anti-theft alarm system indicator
lamp 27
Immobilizer 86
Tow-away alarm 89
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning 277