2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 ventilation

73 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexVehicles with seat ventilation function:
Rapid heating mode
Press button (3) once.
Both indicator lamps above the button light up.
The system switches over to normal heating mode
automatically after approximately 5 minutes.
Normal heating mode
Press button (3) twice:
One indicator lamp above the button lights up.
The seat heater will be automatically switched off after
approximately 30 minutes.
Turning off the heater.
Press the button again:
The indicator lamps go out. The seat heater is switched
off.
3
P54.25-2004-26

74 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Seat ventilation system
(optional, standard on model S 600)
The buttons are located on each door.
Seat ventilation can be activated manually with the
electronic key in starter switch positions 1 or 2, or by
the summer opening function (driver’s seat only), see
page 43.
Notes:
When in operation, the seat ventilation system
consumes a large amount of electrical power. It is not
advisable to use the seat ventilator longer than
necessary.The seat ventilators may automatically switch off if too
many power consumers are switched on at the same
time or if the battery charge is low. In this case, one or
more indicator lamps will blink.
The seat ventilation switch back on again automatically
as soon as sufficient voltage is available.
If the blinking of the indicator lamps is distracting to
you, the seat ventilators can be switched off.
The maximum ventilation level (level 3) is automatically
selected if the driver’s seat ventilation is activated by
the summer opening function, see page 43.

75 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Manual activation:
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1
or 2.
Level 3 ventilation setting (maximum).
Press button (1):
Three blue indicator lamps above the button light up.Level 2 ventilation setting (middle).
Press button (1) again:
Two blue indicator lamps above the button light up.
Level 1 ventilation setting (minimum).
Press button (1) again:
One blue indicator lamp above the button lights up.
Turning off the seat ventilation.
Press button (1) again:
The indicator lamps go out. Seat ventilation is switched
off.
1
P54.25-0423-26

167 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Center air outlet, left, adjustable
2Fixed air outlet, left
3Air volume control for left center air outlet
To open: Turn the thumbwheel upward.
: The left center air outlet is fully open.
: The left center and fixed air outlets are
opened.
4Air temperature control
To lower temperature: Turn thumbwheel towards
the blue marking.
Automatic mode: Turn thumbwheel to position A.
The indicator lamp above the thumbwheel will
illuminate. The airflow and temperature for the
center air outlets are regulated automatically.
5Air volume control for right center air outlet.
To open: Turn the thumbwheel upward
: The right center air outlet is fully open.
: The right center and fixed air outlets are
opened.6Center air outlet, right, adjustable
7Fixed air outlet, right
8Side defroster outlet, left and right, fixed
9Side air outlet, left and right, adjustable
10Air volume control for side air outlets
To open: Turn thumbwheel outwards
: The side air outlet is fully opened.
: The side and door air outlets are opened.
11Door air outlet, left and right
12Display and controls
Note:
We recommend that the sliders for the air
outlets (1, 6, 9) be clicked to the automatic position to
provide practically draft free ventilation.

178 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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.

254 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Important!
Use of snow chains is not permissible with tire sizes
245 / 45 R18 or 275 / 40 R18.
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy roads is to
drive sensibly and to avoid abrupt acceleration, braking
and steering maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, move
selector lever to position “N”. Try to keep the vehicle
under control by corrective steering action.
Road salts and chemicals can adversely affect braking
efficiency. Increased pedal force may become necessary
to produce the normal brake effect. We therefore
recommend depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn roads. This can
bring road salt impaired braking efficiency back to
normal. A prerequisite is, however, that this be done
without endangering other drivers on the road.If the vehicle is parked after being driven on salt treated
roads, the braking efficiency should be tested as soon as
possible after driving is resumed while observing the
safety rules in the previous paragraph.
Wa r n i n g !
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure
that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and
from around the vehicle with engine running.
O t h e rw i s e , d e a d ly c a r b o n m o n ox i d e ( CO ) ga s e s m ay
enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a
window slightly on the side of the vehicle not
facing the wind.

384 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Ta r sta in s
Quickly remove tar stains before they dry and become
more difficult to remove. A tar remover is
recommended.
Paintwork, painted body components
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Care should be applied
when water drops on the paint surface do not “bead up”,
normally in 3 to 5 months, depending on climate and
washing detergent used.
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Cleaner should be
applied if paint surface shows signs of dirt embedding
(i.e. loss of gloss).
Do not apply any of these products or wax if your
vehicle is parked in the sun or if the hood is still hot.
Use the appropriate MB-Touch-Up Stick for quick and
provisional repairs of minor paint damage (i.e. chips
from stones, vehicle doors etc.).Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment make sure to
protect electrical components and connectors from the
intrusion of water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticorrosion Wax
should be applied to the engine compartment after
every engine cleaning. Before applying, all control
linkage bushings and joints should be lubricated. The
poly-V-belt and all pulleys should be protected from any
wax.
Ve h i c l e w a s h i n g
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle in direct
sunlight. Use only a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a diffused jet of
water. Direct only a very weak spray towards the
ventilation intake. Use plenty of water and rinse the
sponge and chamois frequently.
Rinse with clear water and thoroughly wipe dry with a
chamois. Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on the
finish.

411 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Economy mode ...........................................................176
Front center console
storage compartment ventilation ...................... 178
MAXCOOL .......................................................... 170, 181
Rear window defroster ............................................. 183
Residual engine heat utilization (REST) ................176
Special settings ......................................................... 172
Switching on and off ................................................ 177
Automatic climate control, rear
Air volume, manual .................................................. 181
Basic setting .............................................................. 181
Automatic maximum cooling ....................................... 170
Rear passenger compartment climate control ..... 181
Automatic transmission ...............................................237
Emergency operation ...............................................245
Fluid level ...................................................................343
Program mode selector switch ............................... 244
Selector lever position ..............................................240
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 88
Self-test ......................................................................... 88
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 277
Battery .............................................................................357Battery recycling ...................................................... 358
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 311
Block heater ................................................................... 255
BRAKE ASSIST -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 312
Brake assist system (BAS) ........................................... 277
Brake fluid .................................. 248, 299, 304, 402, 404
BRAKE FLUID -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 313
Brake pad wear ............................................................... 313
BRAKE PAD WEAR -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 313
Brake warning lamp ..................................................... 304
Brake fluid low ......................................................... 304
Brakes .......................................... 246, 248, 277, 278, 280
Bulbs
See Replacing bulbs ................................................. 364
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .............................. 402
Card, KEYLESS-GO ..........................................................28
Catalytic converter ........................................................ 228
Center console .................................................................. 24