2005 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 brake sensor

217 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Distronic*
When activated, the Distronic adaptive
cruise control system increases driving
convenience afforded by the cruise control
during travel on expressways and other
major roads.

If the Distronic distance sensor detects
a slower moving vehicle directly ahead,
your vehicle speed will be reduced so
that you follow that vehicle at a preset
distance.


If there is no vehicle directly ahead of
you, Distronic will function in the same
way as cruise control (
page 214).
Warning!
G
Distronic adaptive cruise control is no sub-
stitute for active driving involvement. It does
not react to stationary objects, nor does it
recognize or predict the curvature and lane
layout or the movement of vehicles ahead.
Distronic can only apply a maximum of 20%
of the vehicle’s braking power.
It is the driver’s responsibility at all times to
be attentive to traffic and road conditions
and to provide the steering, braking and oth-
er driving inputs necessary to retain control
of the vehicle.Warning!
G
Distronic is a convenience system. Its speed
adjustment reduction capability is intended
to make cruise control more effective and
usable when traffic speeds vary. However, it
is not intended to, nor does it, replace the
need for extreme care. The responsibility for
the vehicle speed and the distance to the ve-
hicle ahead, including most importantly
brake operation to assure safe stopping dis-
tance, always rests with the driver.
Distronic cannot take street and traffic con-
ditions into account.
Warning!
G
Distronic requires familiarity with its opera-
tional characteristics. We strongly recom-
mend that you review the following
information carefully before operating the
system.iUSA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:

This device may not cause harmful
interference, and


this device must accept any inter-
ference received, including interfer-
ence that may cause undesired
operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority
to operate the equipment.

227 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The most likely cause for a malfunctioning
system is a dirty sensor (located behind
the hood grille), especially at times of snow
and ice or heavy rain. In such a case, Dis-
tronic will switch off, and the message DISTRONIC CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE SEE
OPERATORS MANUAL
appears in the multi-
function display.
For cleaning and care of the Distronic sen-
sor, see “Cleaning the Distronic* system
sensor cover” (
page 333).Turns and bends
In turns or bends, Distronic may not detect
a moving vehicle in front, or it may detect
one too soon. This may cause your vehicle
to brake late or unexpectedly.
Distronic regulates only the distance be-
tween your vehicle and those directly ahead
of it, but does not register stationary objects
in the road, e.g.:

a stopped vehicle in a traffic jam


a disabled vehicle


an oncoming vehicle
The driver must always be on the alert, ob-
serve all traffic and intercede as required by
steering or braking the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Distronic should not be used in snowy or icy
road conditions.
iIf the message
DISTRONIC CURRENTLY
UNAVAILABLE SEE OPERATORS MANUAL
disappears during driving and the last
speed stored flashes for approximately
five seconds, the dirt (e.g. slush) has
dissolved; Distronic is again operation-
al.

235 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Parktronic system* (Parking assist)
The Parktronic system is an electronic aid
designed to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers. It visually and audibly indi-
cates the relative distance between the
vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically ac-
tivated when you switch on the ignition
and placed the gear selector lever in posi-
tion D, R, or N.
The Parktronic system deactivates at
speeds over approximately 11 mph
(18 km/h). At lower speeds the Parktronic
system turns on again.
The Parktronic system also deactivates
when you place the gear selector lever in
position P.The Parktronic system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with six sensors
in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumperWarning!
G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always rests with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
system can be affected by dirty sensors, es-
pecially at times of snow and ice, see
“Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors”
(page 333).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic sig-
nals (e.g. working jackhammers, car wash,
or the air brakes of trucks) can cause the
system to send erratic indications, and
should be taken into consideration.
Warning!
G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.

236 Controls in detailDriving systemsRange of the sensors
To function properly, the sensors must be
free of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean the
sensors regularly, being careful not to
scratch or damage the sensors see “Clean-
ing the Parktronic* system sensors”
(page 333).
Front sensors
Rear sensors
Center
approx. 40 in (100 cm)
Corners
approx. 24 in (60 cm)
Center
approx. 48 in (120 cm)
Corners
approx. 32 in (80 cm)
!During parking maneuvers, pay special
attention to objects located above or
below the height of the sensors (e.g.
planters or trailer hitches). The Park-
tronic system will not detect such ob-
jects at close range and damage to
your vehicle or the object may result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sourc-
es (e.g. truck air brakes, car wash, or
jackhammers) may impair the opera-
tion of the Parktronic system.

378 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
TIRE PRES. MONITOR
CURRENTLY
UNAVAILABLE
The tire inflation pressure monitor* is un-
able to monitor the tire inflation pressure
due to:

the presence of several when sensors in
the vehicle


excessive wheel sensor temperatures


a nearby radio interference source


unrecognized wheel sensors installed

Remove any extra wheel sensors from the ve-
hicle.
As soon as the causes of the malfunction have
been removed, the tire inflation pressure moni-
tor automatically becomes active again.
TIRE PRES. MONITOR
NOT OPERATIONAL DRIVE TO WORKSHOP
The tire inflation pressure monitor or a
wheel sensor is malfunctioning.

Have the tire inflation pressure monitor
checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
A wheel without proper sensor was in-
stalled.

Have the wheels checked.
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.

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.

447 Index
Centigrade (°C)
Setting temperature units 163
Central locking
Automatic 112
From inside 113
Switch 113
Switching on/off (control
system) 168
Unlocking from inside 113
Change of address or ownership 12
Changing
CDs 151
SmartKey setting 169
Vehicle level 230, 233
Charcoal filter 200
Activating 200
Deactivating 201
Charging
Vehicle battery 404Checking
Brake fluid 284
Coolant level 292
Oil level 285, 287
Oil level via control system 288
Tire inflate pressure 285
Vehicle lighting 285
Child safety 71
Air bags 62
Infant and child restraint systems 66,
71
LATCH child seat anchors 76
Cigarette lighter 252
Cleaning
Cup holder 335
Distronic* system sensor cover 333
Gear selector lever 335Hard plastic trim items 335
Headlamps 186
Headliner and shelf below rear
window 335
Instrument cluster 335
Leather upholstery 336
Light alloy wheels 335
Nubuck leather upholstery 336
Parktronic* system sensor 333
Plastic and rubber parts 336
Seat belts 335
Steering wheel 335
Upholstery 336
Windows 334
Windshield 53
Wiper blades 333
Wood trims 336
Cleaning tires 298

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