2006 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Button

349 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Vehicle status messages in the multi-function display
Warning and malfunction messages ap-
pear in the multifunction display located in
the instrument cluster.
Certain warning and malfunction messag-
es are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.
Selecting the vehicle status message
memory menu in the control system
(page 159) displays both cleared and
uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the mul-
tifunction display in red color.Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset buttonJ(
page 140) or
button j, k, ÿ, or è on the
multifunction steering wheel
(
page 144).
Other messages of high priority and mes-
sages of less immediate priority can be
cleared from the multifunction display us-
ing the reset buttonJor button j,
k, ÿ, or è on the multifunction
steering wheel. They are then stored in the
vehicle status message memory
(page 159). Remember that clearing a
message will only make the message dis-
appear. Clearing a message will not cor-
rect the condition that caused the
message to appear.
Warning!
G
All categories of messages contain impor-
tant information which should be taken note
of and, where a malfunction is indicated, ad-
dressed as soon as possible at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property dam-
age or personal injury.Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction dis-
play is inoperative. Contact your nearest au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

351 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Text messagesDisplay
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABC
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
DRIVE CAREFULLY
The capability of the ABC system is restrict-
ed. This can impair the handling.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
The vehicle is losing oil.

Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
STOP, CAR TOO LOW
The vehicle is parked on an extremely
uneven surface and/or is heavily laden.

Press the vehicle level control button to se-
lect level 2 (
page 233).
You can continue to drive, if the vehicle
raised and the message disappears.

Set the desired vehicle level using the vehicle
level control button.

357 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
MOVE SELECTOR LEVER
TO PARK
You have tried to turn off the engine with
the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
(page 35) with the gear selector lever not
inP.

Place the gear selector lever in positionP.
PRE-SAFE INACTIVE
SEE OPERATORS MANUAL
If BAS or ESP
® malfunction messages are
displayed simultaneously, PRE-SAFE
® has
been deactivated as a result of these mal-
functions. All other occupant safety sys-
tems, such as the air bags, are still
available.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
PRE-SAFE
® itself has failed. All other occu-
pant safety systems, such as the air bags,
are still available.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.

358 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Symbol messagesDisplay
Possible cause
Possible solution
@
AIRMATIC
STOP, CAR TOO LOW
The vehicle is parked on an extremely
uneven surface.

Press the vehicle level control button to
select the raised vehicle level
(page 230).
The vehicle level control is malfunction-
ing.

Stop and press the vehicle level control
button to select a higher vehicle level
(page 230).

Do not turn steering wheel too far to
avoid damaging the front fenders.

Listen for scraping noises.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
AIRMATIC
DRIVE CAREFULLY
The capability of the Airmatic system is
restricted.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

359 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
@
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP
The display for Airmatic or the Airmatic
system itself is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
AIRMATIC
LEVELING CANCELLED


You have exceeded a speed of
75 mph (120 km/h).
or


You have maintained a speed of be-
tween 50 mph (80 km/h) and 75 mph
(120 km/h) for more than
five minutes.

Press the vehicle level control button to
adjust the vehicle level (
page 230).

374 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
<
SEAT BELT SYSTEM
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP
The seat belt system is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
K
CLOSE
SUNROOF
You have opened the driver’s door with
the SmartKey removed from the starter
switch and the sliding portion of the
tilt/sliding sunroof open.

Close the tilt/sliding sunroof
(page 212).
J
CLOSE
SUNROOF
You have opened the driver’s door with
the SmartKey removed from the starter
switch and the tilting portion of the
tilt/sliding sunroof open.

Close the tilt/sliding sunroof
(page 212).
L
TELE AID
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP
One or more main functions of the Tele
Aid system are malfunctioning.

Have the Tele Aid system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
TELE AID BATTERY
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP
The emergency power battery for the Tele
Aid system is malfunctioning. If the vehi-
cle battery is also discharged, Tele Aid
will not be operational.

Have the Tele Aid system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
t
FUNCTION
UNAVAILABLE
This display appears if button t or
s on the multifunction steering wheel
is pressed and the vehicle is not equipped
with a telephone.

384 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?First aid kit
The first aid kit is located in the storage
compartment under the front passenger
seat.
1Lid
2ButtonsRemoving the first aid kit

Press buttons2 together and fold
lid1 down.

Remove first aid kit.
Storing the first aid kit

Place first aid kit in the storage com-
partments.

Close lid1 until both buttons2 of
lock engage.Vehicle jack, vehicle tool kit, luggage
bowl, spare wheel
The spare wheel, the vehicle tools, and the
luggage bowl are stored in the compart-
ment underneath the trunk floor.
1Jack
2Storage tray with vehicle tool kit
3Luggage bowl
4Spare wheel
Lift up trunk floor cover and engage
trunk floor handle in upper edge of
trunk.
You can now remove the tools and ac-
cessories.
iCheck expiration dates and contents
for completeness at least once a year
and replace missing/expired items.

403 Practical hints
Flat tire
Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
moving traffic on a hard surface.

Turn on the hazard warning flashers.

Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight ahead
position.

Set the parking brake.

Move the gear selector lever toP.
Vehicles with SmartKey:

Turn off the engine (
page 57).

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Vehicles with SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*:

Turn off the engine by pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* button on the gear se-
lector lever once (
page 57).

Open the driver’s door (this puts the
starter switch in position0, same as
with the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch). The driver’s door then
can be closed again.
Vehicles with SmartKey:

Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Mounting the spare wheel
iOpen the door only when conditions
are safe to do so.Warning!
G
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one spare wheel mounted.
When driving with spare wheel mounted,
ensure proper tire inflation pressure.
The spare wheel rim is for temporary use
only. Use for over a total of 12 000 miles
(20 000 km) (aggregate of all uses) may
cause wheel rim failure leading to an acci-
dent and possible injuries.
The spare wheel should only be used tempo-
rarily and replaced with a regular road wheel
as quickly as possible.
Additional information for S 55 AMG,
S 65 AMG and vehicles with Sport Pack-
age*:
The dimensions of the spare wheel are dif-
ferent from those of the road wheels. As a
result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a mounted spare
wheel. Adapt your driving style accordingly.
The spare wheel is for temporary use only.
When driving with spare wheel mounted, do
not exceed vehicle speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).