steering wheel MERCEDES-BENZ S500 4MATIC 2003 W220 Service Manual
Page 287 of 416
287 Operation
Vehicle care
Instrument cluster
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution. Wipe with a cloth moist-
ened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.
Steering wheel and gear selector lever
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly
or clean with Mercedes-Benz approved
Leather Care.
Cup holder
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution. Wipe with a cloth moist-
ened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.
Hard plastic trim items
Pour Mercedes-Benz approved Interior
Care onto soft lint-free cloth and apply
with light pressure.Headliner
Clean with soft bristle brush, or use a
dry-shampoo cleaner in case of excessive
dirt.
Seat belts
The webbing must not be treated with
chemical cleaning agents. Use only clear,
lukewarm water and soap. Do not dry the
webbing at temperatures above 176°F
(80°C) or in direct sunlight.Leather upholstery
Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing
clothing that have the tendency to give off
coloring (e.g. when wet etc.) may cause
the upholstery to become permanently dis-
colored. By lining the seats with a proper
intermediate cover, contact-discoloration
will be prevented.
Wipe leather upholstery with a damp cloth
and dry thoroughly or clean with
Mercedes-Benz approved Leather Care.
E xe r c i s e p a r t i c u l a r c a r e w he n c l e a n i n g p e r -
forated leather as its underside should not
become wet.
Plastic and rubber parts
Do not use oil or wax on these parts.
Warning!
G
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
Page 291 of 416
291 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS malfunction indi-
cator lamp comes on while driv-
ing.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and the ESP are also
switched off (see messages in display).
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning, oth-
er systems such as Parktronic*, Distronic*,
the navigation system, and the automatic
transmission can also malfunction.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS has switched off.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.
If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
l
The red Distronic warning lamp
lights up while driving.
You are too close to the vehicle in front of you
to maintain selected speed.
Apply the brakes immediately to in-
crease the following distance.
l
The red Distronic warning lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
You are gaining too rapidly on the vehicle
ahead of you.
The distance warning system has recog-
nized a stationary obstacle on your prob-
able line of travel.
Apply the brakes immediately.
Carefully observe the traffic situation.
You may need to brake or maneuver
to avoid hitting an obstacle.
Page 297 of 416
297 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Suggested 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 a service center as soon as pos-
sible.
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.
Press the vehicle level control button
to select level 2 (
page 215).
ABC is malfunctioning.
Stop and press the vehicle level con-
trol button to select a higher vehicle
level (
page 215).
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 a service center as soon as pos-
sible.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The display for ABC or the ABC system it-
self is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Page 298 of 416
298 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?ABC
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The capability of the ABC system is restrict-
ed.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).
Visit a service center as soon as pos-
sible.
ABS
MALFUNCTION!
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The ESP and the BAS are
also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard brak-
ing, reducing steering capability.
Have the system checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ABS or the ABS display is malfunction-
ing.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard brak-
ing, reducing steering capability.
Have the system checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
Page 299 of 416
299 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
AIR FILTER
CHANGE CARTRIDGE
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The air filter is clogged.
Have the air filter checked by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
@
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 212).
The vehicle level control is malfunctioning.
Stop and press the vehicle level con-
trol button to select a higher vehicle
level (
page 212).
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 a service center as soon as pos-
sible.
AIRMATIC
DRIVE CAREFULLY!
The capability of the AIRMATIC system is
restricted.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).
Visit a service center as soon as pos-
sible.
Page 310 of 416
310 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
ESP
MALFUNCTION!
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP has detected a malfunction and
switched off.
The ABS may still be operational.
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP or the ESP display is malfunction-
ing.
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
NOT AVAILABLE!
SEE OPER. MANUAL
The ESP was deactivated because the pow-
er supply has been interrupted. The ABS is
still operational.
With the vehicle stationary and the
engine running, turn the steering
wheel completely to the left and then
to the right to synchronize the ESP.
If the ESP message does not go out:
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
Page 318 of 416
318 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
H
TIRE PRES.
CAUTION, TIRE DEFECT!
One or more tires is rapidly deflating.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoid-
ing abrubt steering and braking maneu-
vers.
Change the wheel (
page 339).
TIRE PRES.
CHECK TIRES!
The tire pressure in one or more tires is al-
ready below the minimum value.
The tire pressure in one or more tires is
low.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoid-
ing abrubt steering and braking maneu-
vers.
Change the wheel (
page 339).
TIRE PRES., RF
CAUTION, TIRE DEFECT!
The right front tire is rapidly deflating.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoid-
ing abrubt steering and braking maneu-
vers.
Change the wheel (
page 339).
TIRE PRES., RF
CHECK TIRES!
The right front tire pressure is low.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt.
Check the tire pressure.
Change the wheel (
page 339).
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.
Page 319 of 416
319 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
H
TIRE PRES., LF
CAUTION, TIRE DEFECT!
The left front tire is rapidly deflating.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoid-
ing abrupt steering and braking maneu-
vers.
Change the wheel (
page 339).
TIRE PRES., LF
CHECK TIRES!
The left front tire pressure is low.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt.
Check the tire pressure.
Change the wheel (
page 339).
TIRE PRES., RR
CAUTION, TIRE DEFECT!
The right rear tire is rapidly deflating.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoid-
ing abrubt steering and braking maneu-
vers.
Change the wheel (
page 339).
TIRE PRES., RR
CHECK TIRES!
The right rear tire pressure is low.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt.
Check the tire pressure.
Change the wheel (
page 339).
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.
Page 320 of 416
320 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
H
TIRE PRES., LR
CAUTION, TIRE DEFECT!
The left rear tire is rapidly deflating.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoid-
ing abrupt steering and braking maneu-
vers.
Change the wheel (
page 339).
TIRE PRES., LR
CHECK TIRES!
The left rear tire pressure is low.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt.
Check the tire pressure.
Change the wheel (
page 339).
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.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
L
TELE AID
VISIT WORKSHOP!
One or more main functions of the Tele Aid
system are malfunctioning.
Have the Tele Aid system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
TELE AID BATTERY
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The emergency power battery for the Tele
Aid system is malfunctioning. If the vehicle
battery is also discharged, Tele Aid will not
be operational.
Have the Tele Aid system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
Page 321 of 416
321 Practical hints
What to do if …?
ì
FUNCTION
NOT AVAILABLE!
This display appears if button
ì
or
í
on the multifunction steering wheel is
pressed and the vehicle is not equipped
with a telephone.
Ê
TRUNK OPEN!
This message will appear whenever the
trunk lid is open.
Close the trunk lid.
W
WASHER FLUID
CHECK LEVEL!
The fluid level has dropped to about
1/3 of
total reservoir capacity.
Add washer fluid (
page 271).
CRUISE CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
Cruise control or Distronic* is malfunction-
ing.
Have cruise control or Distronic*
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
_
ENTRY POSITION
DO NOT DRIVE!
Seat, mirrors and steering wheel have not
yet moved to their preset driving positions.
Wait until the seat, mirrors and steer-
ing wheel have moved to their driving
positions.
The message will disappear.
±
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
Certain electronic systems are unable to
relay information to the control system.
The following systems may have failed:
Coolant temperature display
Tachometer
Cruise control display
Have the electronic systems
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution