2005 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS stop start

365 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
F
KEY
NOT RECOGNIZED
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is mo-
mentarily not recognized.

Change the position of the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* in the vehicle.

Operate the vehicle with the SmartKey in
the starter switch if necessary.
KEY
STILL IN VEHICLE
A SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* left in the
vehicle was recognized while locking the
vehicle from the outside.

Take the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
out of the vehicle.
KEY
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP
The KEYLESS-GO* system is malfunction-
ing.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
.
3RD BRAKE LIGHT
CHECK LIGHT

The high mounted brake lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
STOP LIGHT
VISIT WORKSHOP
Brake lamp illumination is delayed or
lamp is permanently on.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
BRAKE LIGHT LEFT
CHECK LIGHT

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The left brake lamp is malfunctioning. A
substitute bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
BRAKE LIGHT RIGHT
CHECK LIGHT

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The right brake lamp is malfunctioning. A
substitute bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP
The display for the lamps or the system is
malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.

383 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking the vehicle
If you are unable to unlock the vehicle with
the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*, open the
driver’s door and the trunk using the me-
chanical key. Removing the mechanical key
1Mechanical key locking tab
2Mechanical key

Move locking tab1 in direction of ar-
row.

Slide the mechanical key2 out of the
housing.Unlocking the driver’s door
1Unlocking

Insert the mechanical key into the driv-
er’s door lock until it stops.

Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise to position1.
The driver’s door is unlocked.
iUnlocking the driver’s door and/or the
trunk with the mechanical key will trig-
ger the anti-theft alarm system.
To cancel the alarm, insert the
SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch.

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.

403 Practical hints
Battery
Battery
The battery is located on the right side of
the trunk under the battery cover.
1Battery cover
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the SmartKey is in the starter switch.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for main-
tenance intervals or contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery

you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch and
pressing the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button (
page 35) on the gear selector
lever will have no effect


the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP

410 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
1Cover on right side of front bumper
2Cover on right side of rear bumperRemoving cover

Press mark on cover in direction of ar-
row.

Lift cover off to reveal threaded hole for
towing eye bolt.
Installing towing eye bolt

Take towing eye bolt and wheel wrench
out of trunk (
page 379).

Screw towing eye bolt clockwise into
its stop and tighten with wheel wrench.
Removing towing eye bolt

Loosen towing eye bolt counterclock-
wise with wheel wrench.

Unscrew towing eye bolt.

Store towing eye bolt and wheel
wrench in trunk.
Installing cover

Fit cover and snap into place.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, or KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button (
page 35) in
position2, the vehicle doors lock if the
le ft f ront whe el as wel l a s t he rig ht rea r
wheel are turning at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(
page 89).
To prevent the vehicle doors from lock-
ing, deactivate the automatic central
locking (
page 112).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to vehicle chassis,
frame or suspension parts.

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

464 IndexSettings
Calling up Distronic* 156, 220
Convenience functions 169
Factory, SmartKey 94
Individual (SmartKey) 169
Lighting (control system) 164
Menus and submenus 145
Resetting all (control system) 160
Resetting in the submenu 161
Selective 94, 100
Settings menu
Functions in 160
Individual vehicle settings 160
Submenus 161
Shift lock 441
Shifting
Gear selector lever positions 177
Into optimal gear range (automatic
transmission) 175
Shoulder support
Seat adjustment 123
Side impact air bags 65
Side marker lamps
Replacing bulbs 390, 394Side windows
Automatic closing 208
Automatic opening 208
Cleaning 334
Closing fully (Express-close) 208
Opening 208
Opening fully (Express-open) 208
Stopping 209
Synchronizing power windows 209
Sidewall 323
Simultaneous wiping and washing
Windshield wipers 53
Single wipe 53
SmartKey 92
Battery check lamp 94, 100
Factory setting 94
Global locking 94
Global locking and unlocking 94
Global unlocking 94
Lock button 92
Locking 58
Locking and unlocking 92
Loss of 96Remote control 92
Replacing the batteries 387
Replacing the battery 387
Restoring to factory setting 95
Selective setting 94
Starting the engine 46
Turning off the engine 57
Unlock button 92
Unlocking 32
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 96
Checking the battery 101
Factory setting 99
Global locking 99
Global unlocking 100
Lock button 96
Locking the vehicle 101
Loss of 102
Messages in display 364
Remote control 96
Replacing the battery 387, 388
Selective setting 100
Unlock button 96
Unlocking 33, 96

465 Index
Snow chains 327
Spare fuses 380
Spare wheel
Mounting 398
Speed
Setting current 215
Setting to last stored speed in Distron-
ic* (“Resume” function) 223
Speed settings
Cruise control 216
Distronic* 222, 223
To last stored speed (“Resume” func-
tion) in Cruise control 216
Speedometer
Displays 219
Settings units 163
Speedometer display mode
Selecting 163
Sporty driving style 232
SRS 68, 441
Indicator lamp 345
SRS indicator lamp 60Standing lamps 131
Replacing bulbs 390, 394
Standing water
Driving instructions 280
Starting difficulties 47
Starting the engine 46
Steering column
Height adjustment 40
Length adjustment 40
Steering wheel
Adjusting 40
Adjustment 40
Cleaning 335
Heated steering wheel* 253
Steering wheel adjustment 40
Steering wheel gearshift control S 55 AMG
Automatic transmission 181
Stolen vehicle
Recovery services 263
Stopping
Tilt/sliding sunroof 213
Windows 209Storage compartments 243
Armrest 245, 246, 247
Cup holder 248, 250
Glove box 244
In front of armrest 247
Parcel net 250
Storage compartment in front of
armrest 245
Storage tray 245, 246, 247
Under the front seats 248
Storing (Memory function*)
Positions into memory 129
Storing tires 298
Submenus
Convenience 169
For settings 145
In control system 147
Instrument cluster 163
Lighting 164
Resetting functions in Control
system 161
Selecting 161
Settings menu 161
Vehicle 168