Mercedes-Benz 2001 S 500 User manual

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Mercedes-Benz
Operator's Manual
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Product information
Kindly observe the following in your own best interest:
We recommend using Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts and accessories explicitly approved by us for
your vehicle model. We have tested these parts to determine their reliability, safety and their special suitability for Mercedes-
Benz vehicles.
We are unable to make an assessment for other products and therefore cannot be held responsible for them, even if in individual cases
an official approval or authorization by governmental or other agencies should exist. Use of such parts and accessories could
adversely affect the safety, performance or reliability of your vehicle. Please do not use them. Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as
conversion parts and accessories approved by us are available at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center where you will receive
comprehensive information, also on permissible technical modifications, and where proper installation will be performed.
Our company and staff congratulate you on the purchase of your new Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demonstration of your trust in our company name. Further, it exemplifies your desire to own an
automobile that will be as easy as possible to operate and provide years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the efforts of many skilled engineers and craftsmen. To ensure your pleasure of ownership, and
for your safety and that of your passengers, we ask you to make a small investment of your time:
• Please read this manual carefully before putting it aside. Then return it to your vehicle where it will be handy for
your reference.
• Please abide by the recommendations contained in this manual. They are designed to acquaint you with the
operation of your Mercedes-Benz.
• Please abide by the warnings and cautions contained in this manual. They are designed to help improve the safety
of the vehicle operator and occupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles of safe, pleasurable driving.
DaimlerChrysler AG

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Operator's manual
This Operator's Manual contains a great deal of useful information. We urge you to read it carefully and familiarize yourself with the
vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life of the vehicle, we urge you to follow the instructions and warnings contained in this
manual. Ignoring them could result in damage to the vehicle or personal injury to you or others. Vehicle damage caused by failure to
follow instructions is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the equipment described in this manual. Therefore, you may find explanations for optional
equipment not installed in your vehicle. If you have any questions about the operation of any equipment, your authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center will be glad to demonstrate the proper procedures.
Owner’s Service and Warranty Policy
The Owner’s Service and Warranty Information Booklet contains detailed information about the warranties covering your
Mercedes-Benz, including:
• New Car Limited Warranty,
• Emission System Warranty,
• Emission Performance Warranty,
•State Warranty Enforcement Laws (Lemon Laws).

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Important notice for California retail buyers of Mercedes-Benz automobiles
Under California law you may be entitled to a replacement of your vehicle or a refund of the purchase price, if Mercedes-Benz USA,LLC
or its authorized Mercedes-Benz Center fails to conform the vehicle to its express warranties after a reasonable number of repair attempts
during the period of one year or 12 000 miles from original delivery of the vehicle. A reasonable number of repair attempts is presumed for
a retail buyer (1) if the vehicle is out of service by reason of repair of substantial nonconformities for a cumulative total of more than 30
calendar days or (2) the same substantial non-conformity has been subject to repair four or more times and you have at least once
directly notified us in writing of the need to repair the non-conformity and have given us an opportunity to perform the repair
ourselves. Notifications should be sent to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Regional Office listed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet.
Maintenance
The Service Booklet describes all the necessary maintenance work which should be performed at regular intervals.
Always have the Service Booklet with you when you take the vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for service.
The service advisor will record each service in the booklet for you.
Roadside assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Program provides factory trained technical help in the event of a breakdown. Calls to the
toll-free Roadside Assistance number:
1-800-222-0100 (in the USA) only
will be answered by Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance Representatives 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
For additional information refer to the Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Program brochure in your glove box.

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Change of address or ownership
If you change your address, be sure to send in the "Change of Address Notice" found in the Owner's Service
and Warranty Policy Booklet. It is in your own interest that we can contact you should the need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all owner's literature with the vehicle to make it available to the next owner.
If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to send in the "Notice of Purchase of Used Car" found in the Owner's
Service and Warranty Policy Booklet.
Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign countries, please be aware that service facilities or replacement
parts may not be readily available.
Certain Mercedes-Benz models are available for delivery in Europe under our European Delivery Program.
For details, consult your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer or write to:
In the USA: In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz USA, Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
LLC European Delivery Department European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive 849 Eglinton Avenue East
Montvale, NJ 07645 Toronto, Ontario M4G 2L5

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We continuously strive to improve our product, and ask for your understanding that we reserve the right to make changes in design and
equipment. Therefore, information, illustrations and descriptions in this Operator's Manual might differ from your vehicle.
Optional equipment is also described in this manual, including operating instructions wherever necessary. Since they are special-order
items, the descriptions and illustrations herein may vary slightly from the actual equipment of your vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are not shown or described in this Operator's Manual, your authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center will be glad to inform you of correct care and operating procedures.
The Operator's Manual and Service Booklet are important documents and should be kept with the vehicle.

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Check Regularly and Before a Long Trip
See Index
The First 1000 Miles (1500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle during the break-in period, the more satisfied you will be with its performance later on.
Therefore, drive your vehicle during the first 1500 km (1000 miles) at moderate vehicle and engine-speeds.
During this period, avoid heavy loads (full throttle driving) and high RPM (no more than 2/3 of maximum permissible speed in each
gear as indicated on the speedometer).
Avoid accelerating by kickdown. It is not recommended to brake the vehicle by manually shifting to a lower gear. We recommend to
select positions "3" or "2"only at moderate speeds (for hill driving).
After 1000 miles (1500 km) speeds may be gradually increased to the permissible maximum
Maintenance
We strongly recommend that you have your vehicle serviced by your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer, in accordance with the
Maintenance Booklet.
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in accordance with the Maintenance Booklet may result in vehicle damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Radio Transmitters
Warning!
Never operate radio transmitters equipped with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. without the telephone
connected to an external antenna) from inside the vehicle while the engine is running. Doing so could lead
to a malfunction of the vehicle's electronic system, possibly resulting in an accident and personal injury.
Radio transmitters, such as a portable telephone or a citicens band unit should only be used inside
the passenger compartment, if they are connected to a Mercedes-Benz approved antenna that is
installed on the outside of the vehicle.

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Introduction Radio Frequency Infrared Remote Control 29 Interior Lighting 66
Doors 33 Storage Compartments 67
Product information 2Central Locking Switch 34 First Aid Kit 68
Operator's manual 4Trunk 35 Stowing Things in the Vehicle 69
Consumer Information 153 Power Window and Sliding/Pop-Up Roof 36 Ashtrays 69
Problems with your vehicle 154
Power Closing Ass. f Door and Trunk lid 37 Lighter 69
Reporting Safety Defects 155 Anti-Theft Alarm System 38 Sliding /Pop-up Roof 70
Index 158 Power Seats, Front 39 Power Windows 71
Lumbar Support 42 Rear Window Sunshade 73
Instruments and controls Multicontour Backrest 42 Trunk Lid Release switch 73
Armrest, Front 43 Shelf Below Rear Window 73
Instruments and controls 10 Heated Seats 44 Instrument Lamps 74
Instrument Cluster 12 Power Seats, Rear 45 Display Illumination 74
Indicator Lamp Symbols 13 Armrest, Rear 46 Trip Odometer 74
Catalytic Converter 15 Head Restraints, Rear 46 Clock 74
Starting and Turning Off the Engine 16 Power Head Restraints, Rear 47 Garage Door Opener 75
Driving Instructions 17 Adjustable Steering Wheel 48 Antenna 76
Seat belts and Supplemental Restraint sys.
(SRS)
49 Cellular telephone 76
Operation Seat belts 49
Baby Smart Airbag Deactivation System 52 Driving
Automatic Climate Control 22 Self Test 53
Basic Setting – Automatic Mode 24 Emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) 53 Drinking and driving 78
Defogging Windows 24 Airbag 54 Parking Brake 78
Defrosting 24 Child Restraint 57 Driving off 78
Rear Window Defroster 24 Steering lock 59 Automatic Transmission 79
Air circulation 25 Combination Switch 60 Cruise Control 83
Activated Charcoal Control 26 Exterior Lamp Switch 62 Parking Assist (Parktronic) 85
Rear passenger compartment
Adjustable Air Outlet 27
Night Security Illumination 63 Charge Indicator Lamp 88
Climate Control 27 Inside Rear View Mirror 63 Engine Oil Pressure Gauge 88
Car keys 28 Exterior Rear View Mirror 63 Low Engine Oil Level Warning Lamp 89
Start Lock-out 29 Sun Visors 65 Engine Oil Consumption 89
Central Locking System 29 Vanity mirrors 65 Fuel Consumption Gauge 89

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Fuel Reserve and Fuel Cap Practical Hints Manual Closing of Trunk Lid 136
Placement Warning Lamp 89 Manual Release of Fuel Filler Flap 136
Outside Temperature Indicator 90 Hood 106 Roof Rack 137
Tachometer 90 Checking Coolant Level 107 Layout of Poly-V-Belt Drive 137
Coolant Temperature Gauge 90 Adding Coolant 107 MERCEDES-BENZ Spare Part Service 138
Low Engine Coolant Level Checking Engine Oil Level 108
Warning Lamp 91
Automatic Trans. Fluid Level
109 Technical Data. Fuels,
Coolants, Lubricants etc. Consumer
Information
Low Windshield and Headlamp 91 Spare Wheel 109
Washer Fluid Level Warning Lamp 91 Trunk Lamp 109 Identification Plates 140
Exterior Lamp Failure Indicator Lamp 92 Vehicle Jack 110 Warranty Coverage 141
Vehicle Tools 110 Technical Data S 320 142
Brake Pad Wear Indicator Lamp 92 Storage compartment below vehicle tool
box
110 S 420
S 500
144
146
Brake Warning Lamp 93 Wheels 111 Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants etc. 148
Flexible Service System (FSS) 93 Changing Wheels 112 Capacities 148
ABS (Antilock Brake System) 95 Tire in Inflation Pressure 115 Engine Oils 150
Brake Assist System (BAS) 96 Exterior Lamps 116 Engine Oils Additives 150
Acceleration Slip Regulation (ASR) 97 Battery 124 Air Conditioner Refrigerant 150
Electronic Stability program (ESP) 99 Fuses 125 Brake Fluid 150
Adaptive damping system (ADS) 101 Jump Starting 125 Premium Unleaded Gasoline 150
Emission Control 102 Towing the Vehicle 127 Fuel Requirements 151
On-Board Diagnostic System 102 Cleaning and Care of the Vehicle 128 Gasoline Additives 151
Traveling Abroad 103 Testing Infrared Remote Control 132 Coolants 152
Winter Driving 103 Front Head Restraints 133 Service and Literature 163
Snow Chains 103 Rear Seat Cushion 134 Check regularly and before a long trip 164
Emergency Operation of Sliding Roof 134
Replacing Wiper Blades 135

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Instruments and Controls For more detailed descriptions see Index
1Left Front Parktronic warning indicator 21 Storage/eyeglasses compartment
2Side air outlet, adjustable 22 Lock for storage/eyeglasses compartment and eye glove
3Exterior lamp switch 23
Glove box (illuminated with key in steering lock position 1 or 2)
4Parking brake release 24 Switch for rear seat head restraints
5Hood lock release 25 Trunk lid release switch
6Parking brake pedal 26 Central locking switch, Indicator for anti-theft alarm
system
7Steering wheel adjustment switch 27 Hazard warning flasher switch
8Combination switch 28 Automatic climate control, Power window defroster switch
Activated charcoal filter switch
9Cruise control 29 Radio
10 Horn, airbag 30 ASR or ESP control switch
11 Instrument cluster 31 Ashtray with lighter
12 Steering lock with ignition/starter 32 Adaptive damping system adjustment switch
13 Right front Parktronic warning indicator 33 Seat heater switch
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Center air outlet, adjustable 34 Mirror adjustment switch
15 Heated air supply button - center air outlet 35 Power window switch, front doors
16 Non heated/cooled air supply button - center air outlet 36 Power window safety switch, rear doors
17 Air volume control for left air outlet 37 Airbag Off indicator lamp
18 Air volume control for left center air outlet 38 Power window switches, rear doors
19 Air volume control for right center air outlet 39 Parktronic switch
20 Air volume control for right air outlet 40 Switch for rear window sunshade