2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Economy

2 Contents
Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag .................................... 97
Infant and child
restraint systems ......................... 99
Steering wheel adjustment .......... 102
Rear view mirrors .......................... 103
Memory function ........................... 108
Key dependent
memory settings ........................ 111
Instrument cluster ......................... 112
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................118
Trip and main odometer
and sub menu ............................ 122
Audio systems ............................. 124
Radio ............................................ 124
CD player ..................................... 125
Cassette player ........................... 126
Telephone ........................................ 127
Telephone book .......................... 127
Redialing ..................................... 129
Incoming call .............................. 131Navigation system ..........................132
Distronic (DTR) ...............................133
Trip computer .................................134
Malfunction / warning
message memory ......................136
Individual settings .........................138
Setting the audio volume ............. 148
Flexible service system
(FSS) ........................................... 149
Tire inflation pressure
monitor ........................................152
Engine oil level indicator ..............156
Engine oil consumption ................157
Exterior lamp switch ......................158
Night security illumination ..........160
Headlamp cleaning system ........... 161
Combination switch .......................162
Hazard warning flasher
switch ..........................................165
Automatic climate control .............166
Display and controls ..................168
Automatic maximum
cooling ......................................... 170
Basic setting ................................ 171Special Settings .......................... 172
Activated charcoal filter ............ 175
Economy mode ........................... 176
Residual engine
heat utilization ........................... 176
Switching the automatic
climate control on and off ......... 177
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation .......... 178
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation .......... 178
Rear passenger compartment
climate control .......................... 180
Automatic maximum
cooling ......................................... 181
Power windows ............................... 184
Sliding/pop-up roof ....................... 187
Interior lighting ............................. 190
Rear window sunshade ................. 193
Rear door window sunshade ........ 194
Sun visors ....................................... 194
Vanity mirrors ................................ 195
Interior ............................................ 196

27 Contents – Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Trip and main odometer
and sub menu ............................ 122
Audio systems ............................. 124
Radio ............................................ 124
CD player ..................................... 125
Cassette player ........................... 126
Telephone ........................................ 127
Telephone book .......................... 127
Redialing ..................................... 129
Incoming call .............................. 131
Navigation system .......................... 132
Distronic (DTR) ............................... 133
Trip computer ................................. 134
Malfunction / warning
message memory ...................... 136
Individual settings ......................... 138
Setting the audio volume .............. 148
Flexible service system
(FSS) ............................................ 149
Tire inflation pressure
monitor ....................................... 152
Engine oil level indicator .............. 156
Engine oil consumption ................ 157Exterior lamp switch ......................158
Night security illumination ..........160
Headlamp cleaning system ........... 161
Combination switch .......................162
Hazard warning flasher
switch ..........................................165
Automatic climate control .............166
Display and controls ..................168
Automatic maximum
cooling ......................................... 170
Basic setting ................................ 171
Special Settings ......................... 172
Activated charcoal filter ........... 175
Economy mode ............................ 176
Residual engine
heat utilization ............................ 176
Switching the automatic
climate control on and off ........ 177
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation .......... 178
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation .......... 178
Rear passenger compartment
climate control ...........................180Automatic maximum
cooling ......................................... 181
Power windows ............................... 184
Sliding/pop-up roof ....................... 187
Interior lighting ............................. 190
Rear window sunshade ................. 193
Rear door window sunshade ........ 194
Sun visors ....................................... 194
Vanity mirrors ................................ 195
Interior ............................................ 196
Storage compartments
and armrests .............................. 196
Glove box ..................................... 197
Cup holder ......................................202
Ashtrays ..........................................204
Lighter .............................................206
Parcel net in front
passenger footwell ....................208
Parcel net in trunk ........................208
Telephone, general ........................209
Garage door opener ....................... 210
Infrared reflecting
windshield ................................. 214

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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2
3
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10
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13
12
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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.

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.

173 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Defrosting
Press the P button. The display shows P.
Maximum heated and automatically controlled amount
of air is directed to the defroster and windshield air
outlets.
Pressing the Pbutton again returns the system to
the previous setting.Windows fogged on the inside
Switch off the economy mode, if selected: Press
button AC
OFF
. The indicator lamp in the button will go
out.
Switch off air recirculation, if selected: Press
buttonO. The indicator lamp in the button will go
out.
Adjust left and right air outlets upwards.
Set blower to the maximum blower speed.
Increase temperature setting.
Open the side air outlets and direct them onto the side
windows.
Windshield fogged on the outside
Switch on the windshield wiper.
Press on both U buttons until they click in. The
h, j and k symbols will no longer be visible.
P83.40-2009-21

174 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Air recirculation
Select air recirculation:
The indicator lamp in the O button is not
illuminated.
Press button O briefly. The indicator lamp in the
button illuminates.
To switch off the air recirculation:
The indicator lamp in the O button is illuminated.
Press button O briefly. The indicator lamp in the
button will go out.
Switching on air recirculation and activating
convenience closing of power windows and sliding /
pop-up roof:
The indicator lamp in the O button is not
illuminated.
Press button O for more than 2 seconds, the side
windows and the sliding / pop-up roof will be closed. The
indicator lamp in the button lights up.Switching off air recirculation and activating
convenience opening of power windows and sliding /
pop-up roof:
The indicator lamp in the O button is illuminated.
Press button O for more than 2 seconds, the side
windows and the sliding / pop-up roof return to the
position they were in before closing.
A window or the sliding / pop-up roof opened manually
after convenience closing will no longer be returned to
the position it was in before closing when convenience
opening is selected.
The system automatically switches from air
recirculation to fresh air:
•after 30 minutes if the outside temperature is above
about 40
°F(5
°C),
•after 5 minutes if the outside temperature is below
about 40
°F(5
°C),
•after 5 minutes if economy mode AC
OFF is selected.
The system switches automatically to air recirculation at
high outside temperatures. A quantity of outside air is
added after a maximum of 30 minutes.
If the windows should fog up from the inside, switch
from recirculated air back to fresh air.

175 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Activated charcoal filter
An activated charcoal filter markedly reduces bad odors
and removes pollutants from air entering the passenger
compartment.
Select activated charcoal filter:
The indicator lamp in the e button is not
illuminated.
Press e button briefly. The indicator lamp in the
button illuminates.
Switch off activated charcoal filter:
The indicator lamp in the e button is illuminated.
Press e button briefly. The indicator lamp in the
button goes out.
The system switches automatically to the air
recirculation mode, if the carbon monoxide (CO) or
nitrogen oxides (NO
X) concentration of the outside air
increases beyond a predetermined level.
The automatic air recirculation mode does not function
if economy mode ACOFF
is selected or if the outside
temperature has fallen below 40
°F(5
°C). The activated charcoal filter should be switched off
when windows fog up on the inside, or if the passenger
compartment needs to be quickly heated or cooled
down.
Switching on the activated charcoal filter and activating
convenience closing of power windows and sliding /
pop-up roof:
The indicator lamp in the e button is not
illuminated.
Press button e for more than 2 seconds, the side
windows and the sliding / pop-up roof will be closed. The
indicator lamp in the button illuminates.
Switching off activated charcoal filter and activating
convenience opening of power windows and sliding /
pop-up roof:
The indicator lamp in the e button is illuminated.
Press button e for more than 2 seconds, the side
windows and the sliding / pop-up roof return to the
position they were in before closing. The indicator lamp
in the button goes out.