2005 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Starting

348 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may ap-
pear in the malfunction display.
For your convenience the messages are di-
vided into two sections:

Text messages (
page 349)


Symbol messages (
page 354)
iSwitching on the ignition causes all in-
strument cluster lamps (except high
beam headlamp indicator lamp and
turn signal indicator lamps unless acti-
vated) as well as the multifunction dis-
play to come on. Make sure the lamps
and multifunction display are in work-
ing order before starting your journey.

406 Practical hintsJump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.


Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.


Only use 12 volt battery to jump start
your vehicle. Jump starting with a more
powerful battery could damage the ve-
hicle’s electrical system, which will not
be covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.


Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.


Always make sure that the jumper ca-
bles are not on or near pulleys, fans or
other parts that move when an engine
is started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, 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 very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting at-
tempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine us-
ing a battery quick charge unit.
If engine does not run after several un-
successful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.!Do not tow-start the vehicle.

407 Practical hints
Jump starting
The battery is located on the right side of
the trunk under the battery cover
(page 403).

Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift gear selector lever to positionP.

Open the trunk lid.

Remove battery cover (
page 403).

Remove red cover from positive
terminal 1. 1Positive terminal of discharged battery
2Negative terminal of discharged
battery
3Positive terminal of charged battery
4Negative terminal of charged battery

Connect positive terminals 1 and3
of the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to charged battery3
first.

Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminals2 and4
of the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to charged battery4
first.

Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
Now you can again turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.

Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals2 and4 and then
from positive terminals1 and3.
You can now turn on the lights.

Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 403).
!Never invert the terminal connections.

409 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the drive train, however, we
recommend the drive shaft be discon-
nected at the rear axle drive flange (ve-
hicles with 4MATIC: disconnected at
the front and rear axle drive flanges) for
any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.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. Adapt your driving accordingly.iThe gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP and the SmartKey
will not turn in the starter switch if the
battery is disconnected or discharged.
See information on the battery
(page 403) or on jump starting
(page 406).
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position2 and activate the combina-
tion switch for the left or right turn sig-
nal in the usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.

445 Index
Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 245,
246, 247
Ashtray 251
Aspect ratio 322
At the gas station 283
ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) 292
AUDIO menu 148
Selecting CD track 150
Selecting MP3-CD track 150
Selecting radio station 149
Selecting satellite radio* station (USA
only) 149
Audio system
CD mode 151
Auto-dimming for rear view mirror 186
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 168
Automatic climate control 192
Air recirculation mode 199
Defrosting 199
Rear window defroster 201
Setting the temperature 195
Automatic headlamp mode 132Automatic lighting control
Activating 137
Deactivating 137
Automatic locking when driving 112
Automatic shift program
Automatic transmission 179
Automatic transmission 173
Accelerator position 180
Automatic shift program 179
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 185
Fluid level 292
Gear ranges 176
Gear selector lever position 173, 177
Gear shifting malfunctions 185
Kickdown 180
Kickdown, manual shift program S 55
AMG 184
Manual shift program S 55 AMG 183
Manual shifting 175
One-touch gearshifting 175
Starting the engine 46
Steering wheel gearshift control S 55
AMG 181
Transmission fluid 292
Auxiliary fuse box 412B
BabySmart
TM
Air bag deactivation system 73
Compatible child seats 73, 437
Self-test 74
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 437
Backrest supports
Lumbar region 123
Shoulder region 123
Backup lamps 390, 395
Bulbs 390
Bar 322
BAS 81, 437
Messages in display 351
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 95
Checking 95
Replacing 387
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking 101
Battery discharged
Jump starting 406

449 Index
Cruise control 214, 438
Canceling 215
Driving downhill 215
Driving uphill 215
Fine adjustment 216
Lever 221
Setting current speed 215
Setting to last stored speed (“Resume”
function) 216
Cruise control lever 214
Cup holder
Cleaning 335
Closing 250
In front seat armrest 248
In rear seat armrest 249
Opening 250
Curb weight 322
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 437
D
Daytime running lamp mode 133
Setting 165
Deactivating
Air conditioner (cooling) 202
Air recirculation mode 200
Alarm 88
Anti-theft alarm system 88Automatic climate control 202
Central locking (control system) 168
Charcoal filter 201
Defrost 199
Distance warning function* 226
Distronic* 224
Engine with the SmartKey 57
ESP 83
Exterior lamps 132
Hazard warning flasher 136
Headlamps 57
Immobilizer 86
Interior illumination delayed
switch-off 167
Limiting opening height of trunk
lid* 169
Manual shift program S 55 AMG 185
Rear window defroster 201
Residual heat 203
Seat heater 125, 126
Seat ventilation* 127
Tow-away alarm 89
Deceleration
With Distronic* 220
Deep water see Standing water 280
Defrosting 199Delayed switch-off
Interior illumination 167
Department of Transportation see DOT
Dialing
A number (telephone) 154
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 54
Digital clock 25
Digital speedometer 148
Direction of rotation (tires) 299
Discharged battery
Jump starting 406
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 404
Displays
Digital speedometer 148
Distronic* 219
Messages 289
Service indicator 328
Showing malfunctions 159
Vehicle status messages 347

451 Index
Driving systems 214
ABC 231
AIRMATIC 229
Airmatic 229
Cruise control 214
Distronic* 217
Driving safety systems 80
Parktronic system* 235
Vehicle level control 230, 232
E
Easy-entry/exit feature 114
Activating 170
Electrical fuses 411
Electrical system 427
Electrically folding exterior rear view
mirrors 188
Electronic Stability Program see ESP 82,
439
Emergency call system* 255
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 257
With Tele Aid 256
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 185Emergency operations
Closing the power tilt/sliding
sunroof 386
Locking the vehicle 384
Opening the power tilt/sliding
sunroof 386
Remote door unlock 262
Unlocking the vehicle 383
Emergency tensioning device see
ETD 69, 439
Emission control 282
Emission control information label 418
Ending
A call (telephone) 154
Engine 420
Compartment 286
Message in display 340, 341
Starting 46
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 47
Starting with the SmartKey 46
Turning off with the SmartKey or the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 57
Engine cleaning 332
Engine compartment 286
Fuse box in 413
Hood 286Engine malfunction indicator lamp 340,
341
Engine number 418, 439
Engine oil 287
Adding 291
Additives 431
Checking level 287
Consumption 287
Display messages 362
Filler neck 291
Messages in display 289, 362
Viscosity 439
Engine oil level see Oil level 285
Entry position
Messages in display 364
ESP 82, 439
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP 85
Switching off 83
Switching on 84
Synchronizing 352
Warning lamp 342, 343
ETD 439
Safety guidelines 64
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 69
Exterior lamp switch 131

455 Index
J
Jump starting 406
K
Key see SmartKey 57, 58
Key, mechanical 383
Key, SmartKey
Checking the batteries 95
Locking 58
Key-dependency memory
Settings 169
KEYLESS-GO* 439
Activating ignition with 36
Locking 58
Locking the vehicle 101
Loss of SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO 102
Messages in display 364
Starting the engine 47
Turning off engine 57Kickdown 180, 439
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 163
Kilopascal 323
Km/h or mph in speedometer 163
L
Lamp bulbs, exterior 389
Lamps, exterior
Front 390
Light sensor 366
Messages in display 367
Rear 390
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 338
Air bag Off 65
Battery (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 100
Battery (SmartKey) 94
Brakes 339
Coolant 358
Distronic* 219Engine diagnostics 340, 341
Engine malfunction indicator
lamp 340, 341
ESP 342, 343
Front passenger front air bag off 346
Fuel reserve 341
Instrument cluster 338–345
Seat belts telltale 343
Service indicator 328
SRS 61
Language
Multifunction display 164
Setting 164
LATCH child seat anchors 76
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 419
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 336
Lever
For cruise control 221
License plate lamps
Replacing bulbs 390, 395