2000 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Climate system

227 Starter switch
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
If the electronic key is left in the starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the lock. In this case, remove
electronic key from starter switch and reinsert.
Caution!
To prevent accelerated battery discharge and a possible
dead battery, always remove the electronic key from the
starter switch. Do not leave the electronic key in starter
switch position 0.Notes:
A warning sounds when the driver’s door is opened
with the electronic key in starter switch position 1 or 0.
With the engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the
alternator (output) is limited.
It is therefore recommended that you turn off
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in stop-
and-go traffic. This precaution helps to avoid draining of
the battery.
Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system
may be minimized by turning off the following power
consumers, for example:
Heated seats, rear window defroster. In addition, the
automatic climate air volume control should be set to
the lowest position.

230 Starter switch — KEYLESS-GO
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data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
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•Do not forget, the engine can be started by anyone if
a KEYLESS-GO-card is left inside the vehicle.
•To be able to operate the vehicle in the case of a
malfunction in the KEYLESS-GO-system (e.g. strong
radio frequency disturbance), we recommend that
you carry the electronic key plus mechanical key
with you and keep them in a safe place so that they
are always handy. Never leave the electronic key in
the vehicle.
•To avoid radio transmission interference, never store
the KEYLESS-GO-card together with other electronic
items (e.g. cellular telephones, other KEYLESS-GO-
cards) or metallic objects (e.g. coins, metal foil).Notes:
With the engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the
alternator (output) is limited.
It is therefore recommended that you turn off
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in stop-
and-go traffic. This precaution helps to avoid draining of
the battery.
Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system
may be minimized by turning off the following power
consumers, for example:
Heated seats, rear window defroster. In addition, the
automatic climate air volume control should be set to
the lowest position.

402 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Index
AABS (Antilock brake system) .......................................272
Malfunction indicator lamp .....................................300
Active body control (ABC) ............................................278
Fluid level ...................................................................335
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 314
Adaptive damping system (ADS) .................................283
Adjusting steering wheel .............................................. 105
Air conditioner refrigerant ...........................................396
Air distribution, manual ............................................... 169
AIR SPRING (AirMatic) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................325
Air volume, manual ....................................................... 169
Airbag deactivation system ............................................ 91
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ........................................302
Airbags .............................................................................. 94
Airmatic system .............................................................279
Airmatic system
(Vehicles with Active Body Control) ......................280
Alarm system ............................................................. 62, 64
Anticorrosion/antifreeze ................... 251, 336, 394, 398Antilock brake system (ABS) ...................................... 272
Malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 300
Antitheft alarm system ...................................................62
Aquaplaning .................................................................. 248
Armrest, rear seat .......................................................... 198
Ashtrays ...........................................................................201
Center console ...........................................................201
Rear doors ................................................................. 202
Audio systems .................................................................125
Cassette player ..........................................................127
CD Player ....................................................................126
Radio ...........................................................................125
Automatic central locking ..............................................52
Automatic climate control ............................................ 164
Activated charcoal filter ...........................................172
Adjustable air outlets,
rear passenger compartment ............................. 176
Air distribution, manual .......................................... 169
Air volume, manual .................................................. 169
Basic setting ............................................................... 168
Defogging windows ...........................................170, 171
Defrosting ...................................................................170
Display and controls ................................................. 166
Dust filter ................................................................... 167
Economy mode ..........................................................173

403 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Front center console storage
compartment ventilation .................................... 175
Rear window defroster ............................................. 180
Residual engine heat utilization (REST) ............... 174
Special settings ......................................................... 169
Switching on and off ................................................ 175
Automatic climate control, rear
Air volume, manual .................................................. 178
Basic setting .............................................................. 178
Automatic transmission ...............................................233
Emergency operation ............................................... 241
Fluid level ...................................................................335
Program mode selector switch ...............................240
Selector lever position ..............................................236
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 91
Self-test ......................................................................... 91
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 271
Battery .............................................................................349
Battery recycling .......................................................350
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR -
malfunction and warning messages ......................305
Block heater .................................................................... 251BRAKE ASSIST -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 306
Brake assist system (BAS) ............................................ 271
Brake fluid ..................................244, 293, 298, 394, 396
BRAKE FLUID -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 307
BRAKE LINING WEAR -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 307
Brake pad wear .............................................................. 307
Brake warning lamp ..................................................... 298
Brake fluid low ......................................................... 298
Brakes ........................................... 242, 244, 271, 272, 274
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .............................. 394
Card, KEYLESS-GO ..........................................................28
Catalytic converter ........................................................ 224
Center console .................................................................. 24
Center console lighting ................................................. 189
Central locking switch .................................................... 50
Central locking system .................................................... 34
Automatic central locking .........................................52
Choosing global or selective mode .....................37, 43
Electronic main key .................................................... 29

411 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
PPanic button ...................................................................... 47
Parcel net in front passenger footwell .......................204
Parcel net in trunk ........................................................204
Parking ............................................................................246
Parking assist (Parktronic) ..........................................285
Malfunction ...............................................................289
Parktronic switch ......................................................289
Sensors .......................................................................286
Warning indicators ...................................................287
Parking brake ............................. 242, 244, 246, 275, 298
PA R K I N G B R A K E -
malfunction and warning messages ......................308
Power assistance ............................................................244
Power closing assist
Doors and trunk lid .................................................... 50
Power head restraints, rear ............................................ 81
Power seats, front ............................................................ 67
Adjustment .................................................................. 67
Lumbar support .......................................................... 73
Multicontour backrest ................................................ 73
Seat heater ................................................................... 75
Seat ventilation system .............................................. 78
Power seats, rear .............................................................. 82
Power windows ............................................................... 181Blocking of rear door window operation ............... 183
Express opening and closing .................................. 182
Opening and closing ...................................................45
Synchronizing power windows ............................... 183
Problems with your vehicle ............................................ 14
Product information .......................................................... 7
RRadio transmitters ......................................................... 212
Rain sensor
See Intermittent wiping ........................................... 161
Rear door window sunshade ........................................ 191
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air outlets ................................................ 176
Rear passenger compartment
climate control ........................................................... 177
Rear view mirrors ..........................................................106
Automatic antiglare .................................................. 106
Exterior ....................................................................... 107
Interior ........................................................................106
Parking position ........................................................108
Storing mirror positions .................................. 106, 107
Rear window defroster .................................................. 180
Rear window sunshade ................................................. 190

413 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Special Settings
(Automatic climate control) .................................... 169
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) ......................... 92
Indicator lamp ...........................................................299
SRS malfunction ......................................................... 94
Standby bulb function ...................................................362
Start lock-out .................................................................... 32
Starter switch ........................................................ 226, 228
Starting and turning off the engine ............................ 231
Steering lock
See Starter switch ............................................ 226, 228
Steering wheel
Adjustment ................................................................ 105
Easy-entry/exit feature .............................................. 66
Storage compartment in the
rear passenger compartment .................................. 198
Storage compartments and armrests .......................... 193
Storing mirror positions ............................................... 107
Stowing things in the vehicle ......................................328
Sun visors ....................................................................... 191
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) ......................... 92
Indicator lamp ...........................................................299
SRS malfunction ......................................................... 94
TTachometer ...................................................................... 119
Technical data ................................................................ 388
Electrical system ...................................................... 392
Main dimensions ..................................................... 393
Rims and tires .......................................................... 390
Weights ...................................................................... 393
Tele Aid ............................................................................ 214
Emergency calls ........................................................ 215
Information ................................................................ 219
Initiating an emergency call manually .................. 217
Roadside Assistance ................................................. 218
TELE AID -
malfunction and warning messages ......................321
Telephone ........................................................................128
General notes .................................................... 205, 212
Incoming call ............................................................. 132
Redialing .................................................................... 130
Telephone book ......................................................... 128
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 323
Telephones and two-way radios ................................... 212