2006 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 parktronic

335 Operation
Vehicle care
Cleaning the Distronic* system sensor
cover
1Distronic system sensor cover
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Sham-
poo, with plenty of water to clean sen-
sor cover1.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and use only a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the sensor cover. Do
not attempt to wipe dirty sensors with a
dry cloth or sponge.Cleaning the Parktronic* system
sensors
1Parktronic system sensors

Clean the sensors1 on the bumpers
using a mild car wash detergent, such
as Mercedes-Benz approved Car Sham-
poo, with plenty of water and a soft,
non-scratchy cloth.
When using a steam cleaner or power
washer, aim nozzle only briefly from a min-
imum distance of 12 in (30 cm) at
sensors1.
Do not apply strong pressure to the sensor
cover, applying strong pressure may dam-
age the sensor cover.To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and only use a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the sensor. Do not at-
tempt to wipe dirty sensors with a dry cloth
or sponge.
Wiper blades

Turn on the wipers and place it in a ver-
tical position.
For information on placing the wipers to a
vertical position, see “Replacing wiper
blades” (
page 401).
!The windshield wipers must be in a ver-
tical position before folding them away
from the windshield. They could other-
wise damage the hood.


340 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Lamps in instrument cluster
General information:If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during the
bulb self-check when switching on theignition, have the respective bulb checked
and replaced if necessary.Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow Antilock Brake
System (ABS) indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The BAS and the ESP
® are
also switched off (see messages in multi-
function display).
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning,
other systems such as Parktronic*,
Distronic*, and the automatic transmission
may also be malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Read and observe messages in the mul-
tifunction display (
page 353).

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS has switched off.
The battery may not be charged sufficiently.

Switch off electrical consumers that are
currently not needed, e.g. seat heat-
ing*.

If necessary, have the generator
(alternator) and battery checked.
When the voltage is above this value again,
the ABS is operational again.

447 Technical terms
MON
(M
otor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline’s
ability to resist undesired detonation
(knocking). The average of both the
MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Multifunction display
Display field in the speedometer used
to present information provided by the
control system.
Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for operat-
ing the control system.
Normal occupant weight
(
page 324)Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
of the tachometer dial. Avoid this en-
gi ne s pe ed r ange , as it m a y re su lt i n se -
rious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Parktronic system (Parking assist)*
System which uses visual and acoustic
signals to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing:


Engine


Clutch/torque converter


Transmission


Transfer case


Drive shaft


Differential


Axle shafts/axles
PRE-SAFE
®
(Pre
ventive occupant Safe
ty system)
Vehicles equipped with PRE-SAFE take
preventive measures when the system
senses certain driving dynamics sug-
gesting a possible accident.
Production options weight
(
page 324)

455 Index
Cleaning
Cup holder 337
Distronic* system sensor cover 335
Engine 334
Gear selector lever 337
Hard plastic trim items 337
Headlamps 186
Headliner and shelf below rear
window 337
Instrument cluster 337
Leather upholstery 338
Light alloy wheels 337
Ornamental moldings 334
Paintwork 333
Parktronic* system sensor 335
Plastic and rubber parts 338
Seat belts 337
Steering wheel 337
Upholstery 338
Windows 336
Windshield 53
Wiper blades 335
Wood trims 338
Cleaning tires 299
Clock 25Closing 58
Cup holder 249
Glove box 243
Hood 288
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 212
Power windows 208, 209
Side windows 209
Trunk 105
Closing from the inside automatically*
Trunk 105
Closing in an emergency
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 391
Cockpit 22, 444
Cockpit management and data system
(COMAND) 444
Cold tire inflation pressure 323
COMAND 444
COMAND* see separate operating instruc-
tions
Combination switch 135
High beam 50
High beam flasher 135
Turn signals 51
Windshield wipers 52Control and operation of radio
transmitters 281
Control system 143, 444
AUDIO menu 148
Checking oil level 289
Convenience submenu 169
Display digital speedometer 148
Distronic* menu 156
Functions 145, 147
Instrument cluster submenu 163
Lighting submenu 164
Menus 146, 147
Multifunction display 143
Multifunction steering wheel 144
NAVI menu 155
Settings menu 160
Standard display menu 148
Submenus 145, 147
TEL* menu 153
Trip computer menu 157
Vehicle status message memory
menu 159
Vehicle submenu 168

458 IndexDriving
Abroad 281
General instructions 43, 273
Hydroplaning 277
In winter 279
Problems 54
Safety systems 79
Through standing water 280
With Distronic* 227
Driving abroad 281
Driving instructions 273
Driving off 276
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 84
ABS 79
BAS 80
ESP
®
81
Driving systems 215
ABC 232
AIRMATIC 229
Airmatic 229
Cruise control 215
Distronic* 218
Driving safety systems 79
Parktronic system* 235
Vehicle level control 230, 233E
Easy-entry/exit feature 114
Activating 170
Electrical fuses 416
Electrical system 432
Electronic Stability Program see
ESP
®
81, 445
Emergency call system 254
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 256
With Tele Aid 255
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 185
Emergency operations
Closing the power tilt/sliding
sunroof 391
Locking the vehicle 389
Opening the power tilt/sliding
sunroof 391
Remote door unlock 261
Unlocking the vehicle 388
Emergency tensioning device see
ETD 69, 445
Emission control 282
Emission control information label 422Ending
A call (telephone) 154
Engine
Cleaning 334
Compartment 287
Data 424
Message in display 342, 343
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 compartment 287
Fuse box in 418
Hood 287
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 342,
343
Engine number 422, 445
Engine oil 288
Adding 292
Additives 437
Checking level 288
Consumption 288
Display messages 366
Filler neck 291, 292, 293
Messages in display 290, 366

466 IndexOne-touch gearshifting 180
Canceling gear range limit 180
Downshifting 180
Upshifting 180
Opening
Ashtray 249
Cup holder 249
Doors from the inside 102
Fuel filler flap 284
Fuel filler flap manually 390
Glove box 243
Hood 287
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 212
Power windows 208
Side windows 209
Storage compartment in the center
console 243
Storage compartments in the
armrest 245
Storage compartments in the center
console 244, 245
Trunk 103
Trunk lid from the inside 104
Trunk with SmartKey 95
Opening in an emergency
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 391Operating
COMAND* see separate operating in-
structions
Garage door opener 268
Integrated remote control 268
Navigation system 155
Radio 149
Radio transmitters 281
Telephone* 153
Vehicle outside the USA and
Canada 13
Operating safety 16
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings 334
Cleaning 334
Outside temperature indicator 142
Overdue maintenance service 330
Overhead control panel 29
Garage door opener 29
Reading lamp 29
Rear view mirror 29
Tele Aid button 29
Override switch see Blocking of rear win-
dow operation 77
Overspeed range 447P
Paintwork
Cleaning 333
Panic alarm 78
Panic button on SmartKey 78
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 247
Parcel net in trunk 247
Parking 55, 276
Parking and standing lamps
Replacing bulbs 395
Parking assist
Parktronic system* 235
Parking brake 48, 56
Engaging 56
Message in display 360
Releasing 48
Warning sound 49
Parking lamps
Replacing bulbs 395, 399
Switching on 131

467 Index
Parking position
Exterior rear view mirrors 130, 170,
172, 187
Parktronic system* 235, 447
Parktronic*
Cleaning sensors 335
Malfunctioning 238
Warning indicators 236
Parts service 420
Passenger compartment 281
Fuse box in 417
Interior lighting 137
Interior rear view mirror 41
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 247
Passenger safety see Occupant
safety 60
Passenger seat fore and aft
adjustment 119
Passenger seat head restraint
height 119
Passenger seat height 119
Pedals 273
Phone book*
Loading 154
Quick search 154Phone number*
Dialing 154
Redialing 155
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 338
Poly-V-belt drive 447
Positions (Memory function)
Recalling from memory 129
Positions (Memory function*)
Storing into memory 129
Potential problems associated with under-
inflated and overinflated tires 312
Power assistance 273
Power closing assist for doors and trunk
lid 112
Power folding exterior rear view
mirrors 188
Power seat
Adjusting backrest tilt 38
Adjusting head restraint height 39
Adjusting head restraint tilt 39
Adjusting seat cushion depth 38
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 38
Adjusting seat height 38
Front seat head restraints 116
Seat fore and aft adjustment 38Power seat bench* 117
Head restraint folding down or placing
upright 117
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 212
Closing 212
Closing in an emergency 391
Messages in display 374
Opening 212
Opening in an emergency 391
Power train 447
Power washer 333
Power windows 208
Blocking of rear window operation 77
Closing 208, 209
Opening 208
Side windows 208
Synchronizing 210
Practical hints
First aid kit 384
Fuses 416
Lamp in center console 348
Lamps in instrument cluster 340
Towing the vehicle 413
Vehicle status messages in the multi-
function display 349
Vehicle tool kit 384

476 IndexUseful features 241
Ashtrays 249
Cigarette lighter 250
Document holder 241
Garage door opener 263
Heated steering wheel* 252
Storage compartments 242
Tele Aid 254
Telephone* 253
Vanity mirror in the rear 242
Vanity mirror in the sun visor 241
V
Vacuum line routing diagram label 422
Vanity mirror in the rear 242
Vanity mirror in the sun visor 241
Vehicle
Individual settings 160, 162
Locking in an emergency 389
Lowering 407
Service battery 408
Towing 413
Unlocking in an emergency 388
Vehicle battery 408
Vehicle capacity weight 325Vehicle care 332
Cup holder 337
Distronic* system sensor cover 335
Engine cleaning 334
Gear selector lever 337
Hard plastic trim items 337
Headlamps 334
Instrument cluster 337
Leather upholstery 338
Light alloy wheels 337
Ornamental moldings 334
Paintwork 333
Parktronic* system sensor 335
Plastic and rubber parts 338
Power washer 333
Seat belts 337
Side markers 334
Steering wheel 337
Tail lamps 334
Tar stains 333
Turn signals 334
Upholstery 338
Vehicle washing 334
Window cleaning 336
Wiper blades 335
Wood trims 338Vehicle data recording 19
Vehicle level 230, 233
Changing 231, 234
Setting 231, 234
Automatic 231, 234
Manual 231, 234
Vehicle level control 449
Vehicle lighting
Checking 286
Vehicle loading terminology 323
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 325
Vehicle status message memory 159
Calling up 159
Displaying 159
Vehicle submenu
Limiting opening height of trunk lid*
(Control system) 169
Vehicle tool kit 384, 385
Alignment bolt 385
Fuse chart 385
Fuse extractor 385
Gloves 385
Screwdriver 385
Spare fuses 385
Wheel wrench 385
Vehicle washing 334