2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 center console

60 Antitheft alarm system
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data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Antitheft alarm system
1Indicator lamp in switch located in center console
The antitheft alarm is automatically armed or disarmed
with the remote control or the KEYLESS-GO function, by
locking or unlocking the vehicle.The antitheft alarm is armed within approximately
10 seconds after locking the vehicle with the remote
control or the lock button at each door handle (vehicles
with KEYLESS-GO).
A blinking lamp (1) indicates that the alarm is armed.
Operation:
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior
vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when
someone:
•opens a door,
•opens the trunk,
•opens the hood,
•attempts to raise the vehicle.
The alarm will last approximately 2
1/2minutes in form
of flashing exterior lamps. At the same time an alarm
will sound for 30 seconds. The alarm will stay on even if
the activating element (a door, for example) is
immediately closed. If the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initiated automatically.
See Tele Aid on page 218.

61 Tow-away alarm
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data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Note:
When you unlock the driver’s door with the mechanical
key, the exterior lamps will flash and the alarm will
sound.
To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the
starter switch or press buttonŒ or‹ on the
electronic key; or (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO) when
carrying the KEYLESS-GO-card, grasp the door handle
or press the start-/stop button on the gear selector lever.Tow-away alarm
The switch is located in the center console.
1Press to switch off
2Indicator lamp
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior
vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.

76 Seats
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Rear seat head restraints
The switch is located on the center console.
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1
or 2.
Folding head restraints back:
Press the symbol-side on the rocker switch to release
the head restraints. The head restraints will fold
backward for increased visibility.Placing head restraints upright:
Pull the head restraint forward until it locks into
position.
Angle of head restraints:
The head restraint angle can be adjusted manually.
Important!
For safety reasons, always drive with the rear head
restraints in the upright position when the rear seats
are occupied.
Keep the area around head restraints clear of articles
(e.g. clothing) to not obstruct the folding operation of
the head restraints.

77 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Power head restraints, rear
The switch is located on the center console.
Turn electronic key in starter switch to position 1 or 2.
Activate switch:
1Fold head restraint backwards.
2Place head restraint upright.Important!
For safety reasons, always drive with the rear head
restraints in the upright position when the rear seats
are occupied.
Keep the area around head restraints clear of articles
(e.g. clothing) to not obstruct the folding operation of
the head restraints.
Notes:
The two outer head restraints fold up or back together.
The center head restraint also folds back if there are
three head restraints in the rear.
The center head restraint in vehicles with three rear
seat positions does not position itself automatically. It
must be pulled up by hand until it locks into place.
The head restraints on the two outer seats will position
themselves automatically when the seats are occupied
(seat belt buckled).

88 Restraint systems
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BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system
Special BabySmart
TM compatible child seats, designed
for use with the Mercedes-Benz system and available at
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center are required for
use with the BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system.
With the special child seat properly installed, the
passenger front airbag will not deploy.
The 7 indicator lamp located on the center console
will be illuminated, except with electronic key removed
or in starter switch position 0. The system does not
deactivate the door mounted side impact airbag.
Self-test BabySmart
TM without special child seat
installed
After turning electronic key in starter switch to
position 1 or 2, the 7 indicator lamp located on the
center console comes on for approximately 6 seconds
and then extinguishes.
If the indicator lamp should not come on or is
continuously lit, the system is not functioning. You must
see an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center before seating
any child on the front passenger seat. See page 308 for
notes on the 7 indicator lamp.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Wa r n i n g !
The BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system will
ONLY work with a special child seat designed to
operate with it. It will not work with child seats
which are not BabySmart
TM compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion and
child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the
effectiveness of the deactivation system. The
bottom of the child seat must make full contact
with the passenger seat cushion. An incorrectly
mounted child seat could cause injuries to the
child in case of an accident instead of protecting
the child.Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of special child seats.The passenger front airbag will not deploy only if
the 7 indicator lamp remains illuminated.Please be sure to check the indicator every time
you use the special system child seat. Should the
light go out while the restraint is installed, please
check installation. If the light remains out, do not
use the BabySmart
TM restraint to transport children
on the front passenger seat until the system has
been repaired.

92 Restraint systems
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come on at all or if it fails to extinguish after
approximately 4 seconds or if it comes on thereafter, a
malfunction in the system has been detected.
The following system components are monitored or
undergo a self-check: crash-sensor(s), airbag ignition
circuits, front seat belt buckles, emergency tensioning
retractors, seat sensor.
Initially, when the electronic key is turned from starter
switch position 0 to position 1 or 2, malfunctions in the
crash sensor are detected and indicated (the “SRS”
indicator lamp stays on longer than 4 seconds or does
not come on).
Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
In the operational mode, after the indicator lamp has
gone out following the initial check, interruptions or
short circuits in the airbag ignition circuit and in the
driver and front passenger seat belt buckle harnesses,
and low voltage in the entire system are detected and
indicated.Note:
See page 305 for information on the Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) indicator lamp.
The driver and passenger front airbags are designed to
activate only in certain frontal impacts exceeding a
preset threshold. The front passenger airbag deploys
only if the front passenger seat is occupied and the
7 indicator lamp on the center console is not
illuminated.
Note:
Heavy objects on the front passenger seat can appear to
the “SRS” to indicate the presence of an occupant in
that seat which causes the passenger front airbag to
deploy in a crash exceeding the appropriate threshold.
Wa r n i n g !
In the event a malfunction of the “SRS” is indicated
as outlined above, the “SRS” may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly
recommend that you visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have the
system checked; otherwise the “SRS” may not be
activated when needed in an accident, which could
result in serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy
unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could also
result in injury.

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.

178 Automatic climate control
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Front center console storage compartment
ventilation
The front center console compartment has its own air
outlet.
To open: Slide the lever up.
To close: Slide the lever down.
The air volume is dependent on the setting of:
•air distribution control,
•air volume control,
•air outlets in the dashboard.
The air temperature is about the same as that of the
dashboard air outlets. It cannot be regulated separately.Note:
The compartment can get very warm due to its confined
space. When storing heat sensitive objects in the
compartment, close the air outlet while heating the
passenger compartment.
Do not allow articles to obstruct the air outlet in the
storage compartment.