2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 selector

61 Tow-away alarm
Te ch n i c a l
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.

62 Tow-away alarm
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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 vehicle is immediately lowered. 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.
If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds, an
emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele Aid
on page 218.To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm feature, switch
off the tow-away alarm before towing the vehicle, or
when parking on a surface subject to movement, such
as a ferry or auto train.
To do so, turn electronic key in starter switch to
position 1 or 0, or remove electronic key from starter
switch. Press tow-away alarm switch (1). The indicator
lamp (2) illuminates briefly.
Exit vehicle, and lock vehicle with the electronic key or
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO) the lock button at each
door handle.
The tow-away alarm remains switched off until the
vehicle is locked again with the electronic key or the
lock button at each door handle (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO), at which time it is automatically
reactivated.

63 Easy-entry/exit feature
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Easy-entry / exit feature
The switch is located on the steering column adjustment
lever.
Turn the switch in direction:
1to switch on
2to switch offWith the easy-entry/exit feature activated, the steering
wheel tilts upwards to allow easier entry into and exit
from the vehicle when the driver’s door is opened.
However, the engine must be turned off.
When the electronic key is inserted in the starter switch
or, with a valid KEYLESS-GO-card, when pressing the
start- / stop button on the gear selector lever, and if the
driver’s door is closed, the steering wheel returns to the
last position set for it.
Wa r n i n g !
You must ensure that no one can become trapped
or injured by the moving steering wheel when the
easy-entry / exit feature is activated and the
driver’s door is being opened or the electronic key
removed from the starter switch. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with access
to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle
equipment may cause serious personal injury.

105 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Parking position
The passenger-side exterior mirror can be adjusted and
programmed to assist the driver during parking
maneuvers (e.g. to observe the curb or other objects
close to the vehicle).
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2, and
the exterior rear view mirror switch in the passenger-
side position, the passenger-side mirror will be turned
downward when placing the gear selector lever in “R”
reverse.
The passenger-side mirror position can now be adjusted
as desired.
The passenger-side mirror will return to its previous
position:
•immediately at speeds above approximately 6 mph
(10 km / h) – independent of the engaged gear,
•after 10 seconds when shifting gear selector lever
from “R” Reverse,
•by pressing driver’s side mirror button %.To store passenger mirror parking position:
1. The vehicle must be stationary.
Turn electronic key to starter switch position 1 or 2.
2. Select passenger-side mirror& and adjust the
mirror to view the curb.
3. Push the memory button “M” (4).
4. Within 3 seconds push bottom of adjustment
button (3).
The mirror should not move.
Repeat the memory procedure if the mirror moves.
Note:
One stored parking position is available for each of the
two electronic keys or for both KEYLESS-GO-cards
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO).

107 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror, antiglare
mode
Antiglare mode:
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2, the
mirror reflection brightness responds to changes in
light sensitivity.
With the gear selector lever in position “R”, or with the
interior light switched on, the mirror brightness does
not respond to changes in light sensitivity.
Note:
The automatic antiglare function does not react, if
incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors in the
inside rear view mirror.
The automatic antiglare function will not react for
example, if the rear window sun shade is in the raised
position.Important!
Electrolyte drops coming into contact with the vehicle
paint finish can only be completely removed while in
their liquid state, by applying plenty of water.
Wa r n i n g !
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte may
escape the mirror housing when the mirror glass
breaks.Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not allow the
liquid to come into contact with eyes, skin,
clothing, or respiratory system. In cases it does,
immediately flush affected area with water, and
seek medical help if necessary.

113 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Knob for instrument cluster illumination,
seepage114
2Engine malfunction indicator lamp, see page 302
3Brake fluid low, parking brake engaged,
seepage313
4Supplemental restraint system (SRS) malfunction
indicator lamp, see page 305
5Coolant temperature gauge, see page 115
6Outside temperature indicator, see page 115
7Fuel gauge with reserve warning lamp, see page 305
8Left turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch, see page 162
9Speedometer, see page 116
10Electronic stability program (ESP) warning lamp,
system is adjusting to road conditions, see page 307
11Distance warning lamp – vehicles with Distronic
(DTR), distance to the vehicle ahead is insufficient,
see page 272 and 307
Vehicles without Distronic: It illuminates with the
electronic key in starter switch position 2. It should
go out when the engine is running.12Multifunction display, see page 118
Malfunction and warning messages in the
multifunction display, see page 309
13Trip odometer, see page 117 and 122
14Main odometer, see page 122
15Right turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch, page 162
16Tachometer, see page 117
17Gear range indicator display, see selector lever
positions, page 240
18Digital clock
To set the time, see COMAND operator’s manual
19Antilock brake system (ABS) malfunction indicator
lamp, see page 306
20High beam headlamp indicator,
see exterior lamp switch on page 158, and
combination switch on page 162
21Fasten seat belts, see page 308
22Reset button J, see page 114 and 117

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.

177 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The function switches off automatically:
•if the electronic key in starter switch is turned to
position 2,
•after approximately 30 minutes (if residual engine
heat utilization is selected on the optional rear air
conditioner: after approximately 15 minutes),
•if the battery voltage drops.
Note:
The battery symbol # will appear in the automatic
climate control display some time before the residual
engine heat utilization is switched off if the battery
voltage drops.Switching the automatic climate control on and off
To switch off:
Press buttonM. The display shows “0”.
The fresh air supply to the vehicle interior is shut off.
While driving, use this setting only temporarily,
otherwise the windshield could fog up.
To switch on:
•press buttonM or P,
•press one of the U buttons so that it pops out and
then click it back in,
•press one of the temperature selector buttons or the
air volume switch.