2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Page 33

163 Combination switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 6Press switch briefly:
Single wipe without washer fluid
(select only if windshield is wet).
Push switch past resistance point:
Windshield washer system, windshield wipers.
See page 345 for instructions on filling the
windshield washer reservoir.
7Windshield wipers0Off
I Intermittent wiping
One initial wipe, pauses between wipes are
automatically controlled by a rain sensor
monitoring the wetness of the windshield. This
will not occur with a front door open.
Notes:
With switch in this position, one wipe occurs
when turning the electronic key in starter switch
from position 0. However, this might cause
scratches on a dry windshield. Turn combination
switch to Off position before turning the
electronic key in starter switch from position 0.
Do not leave in intermittent setting when vehicle
is taken to an automatic car wash or during
windshield cleaning. Wipers will operate in
presence of water spray at windshield, and
wipers may be damaged as a result.
II Normal wiper speed
III Fast wiper speed
If the vehicle is standing still, the wiper will switch back
to setting I, intermittent wiping.
P54.25-2389-26
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164 Combination switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Blocked windshield wipers
If the windshield wipers become blocked (for example,
due to snow), switch off the wipers.
For safety reasons before removing ice or snow, remove
electronic key from starter switch. Remove blockage.
Activate combination switch again (electronic key in
starter switch position 1).
Emergency operation of windshield wipers
In case of windshield wiper malfunction in switch
positions I or III, turn combination switch to wiper
setting II. Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.Windshield wipers smear
If the windshield wipers smear the windshield, even
during rain, activate the washer system as often as
necessary. The fluid in the washer reservoir should be
mixed in the correct ratio.
See page 345 for instructions on filling up the
windshield washer reservoir.
Windshield and headlamp washer fluid mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water.
1 part “S” to 100 parts water
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon water).
For temperature below freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and
commercially available premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze.
1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon solvent).

168 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Display and controls
1Defrosting
2Rear window defroster, see page 183
3Residual engine heat utilization, see page 176
4Automatic climate control on / off
5Air distribution, right (automatic, manual operation)
6Economy mode, see page 176
7Temperature control, right8Air volume (automatic, manual)
9Display
Depending on the ambient light conditions, the
figures on the display will be shown as dark figures
on a bright background (in daylight), or as bright
figures on a dark background (at night).
10Temperature control, left
11Air recirculation, see page 174
12Air distribution, left (automatic, manual operation)
13Activated charcoal filter
Important!
This vehicle is equipped with an air conditioning
system that uses R-134a (HFC: hydrofluorocarbon) as a
refrigerant. Repairs should always be performed by a
qualified technician, and refrigerant should be collected
in a recovery system for recycling.
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5P83.40-2304-26

169 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Automatic climate control
The system is always at operational readiness, except
when manually switched off.
The automatic climate control only operates with the
engine running.
The temperature selector should be left at the desired
temperature setting. The temperature selected is
reached as quickly as possible.
The system will not heat or cool any quicker by setting a
higher or lower temperature.
The desired interior temperature and air distribution
can be selected separately for the left and right side of
the passenger compartment. Adjust the temperature
settings in small increments.
The automatic climate control removes considerable
moisture from the air during operation in the cooling
mode. It is normal for water to drip on the ground
through ducts in the underbody.
The air conditioning will not engage (no cooling) if the
economy mode AC
OFF
is selected, see page 176. Notes:
The current settings (Temperature, Air volume, AC
OFF,
Activated charcoal filter, ON / OFF) are stored for each
electronic key before the electronic key is removed from
the starter switch or when the vehicle is locked using
the KEYLESS-GO-card (vehicles with keyless-go), see
key dependent memory settings on page 111.
Do not obstruct the air flow by placing objects on the air
flow-through exhaust slots below the rear window.
Also keep the air intake grill in front of the windshield
free of snow and debris.
The storage compartment between the front seats can be
ventilated. See page 178 for notes on ventilating the
storage space under the armrest in the center console.
The air conditioner switches itself off for its own
protection if refrigerant is lost. No cooling will then take
place. Economy mode AC
OFF
cannot be switched off.
Have the air conditioner checked by a Mercedes-Benz
Center should this happen.
If the vehicle interior has been heated by direct sunlight
and is very hot, ventilate the interior (open door or
windows for a short period) before driving off.

170 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Dust filter
Nearly all dust particles and pollen are filtered out
before outside air enters the passenger compartment
through the air distribution system.Automatic maximum cooling (MAXCOOL)
With the automatic climate control set to automatic, the
system will automatically switch to maximum cooling
output when necessary to achieve the set temperature
quickly, see page 171. The display shows
“AUTO MAXCOOL”.
The temperature setting cannot be changed during
maximum cooling operation.
Note:
By pressing one of the temperature control buttons, the
system will display briefly (approx. 5 seconds) the set
temperature in the display.

171 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Basic setting – automatic mode
In the automatic mode the automatic climate control
cools or heats the interior depending on the direction
and strength of the sunlight, outside temperature,
selected interior temperature and the actual interior
temperature of the vehicle. With the automatic climate
control switched off, the air volume and distribution can
still be set manually.
There are three basic settings for the automatic mode:
•Automatic air volume control
•Automatic air outlet control, left and right
•Automatic air outlet control, center, see page 167
We recommend these settings to be used all year round.Air volume and distribution are controlled
automatically.
We recommend to set the temperature switches on the
left and right to 72
°F (22
°C). Please make changes from
this setting to suit your personal requirements.
Automat ic airf low regu lation:
Press the A on the air volume switch. The display shows
“AUTO”.
Automatic air distribution:
Press on both U knobs until they click in. The h,
j and k symbols will no longer be visible.
The economy mode and air recirculation functions will
be switched off. The automatic blower will be activated
at the same time.

180 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Rear passenger compartment climate control
(optional, standard on model S 600)
1On / off
Residual engine heat utilization, see page 176.
2Display
Depending on the ambient light conditions, the
figures on the display will be shown as dark figures
on a bright background (in daylight) or as, bright
figures on a dark background (at night).3Air distribution up / down
4Temperature control, right
5Air volume (automatic, manual)
6Temperature control, left
7Adjustable rear center air outlet, left
8Adjustable rear center air outlet, right
Note:
The rear air conditioner will not cool the air if the
AC
OFF
button on the automatic air conditioner is
pressed.
The temperature on both sides is automatically set to
the settings of the automatic air conditioner if the rear
seats are not occupied (rear seat belts unbuckled).
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181 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Automatic maximum cooling (MAXCOOL)
With the rear automatic climate control set to automatic,
the system will automatically switch to maximum
cooling output when necessary to achieve the set
temperature quickly, see page 171. The display shows
“AUTO MAXCOOL”.
The temperature setting cannot be changed during
maximum cooling operation.
Note:
By pressing the temperature control button, the system
will display briefly (approx. 5 seconds) the set
temperature in the display.Automatic climate control, rear basic setting
We recommend that automatic mode be selected and
that the temperatures on the left and right set to
72
°F(22
°C). Please make changes from this setting to
suit your personal requirements.
Press A on the air volume switch. The display shows
“AUTO”. Air volume is set automatically.
Air volume, manual
Press the air volume switch up or down. Seven blower
speeds can be selected.