2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Rear defrost

25 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 10COMAND system, see separate operating
instructions
11Automatic climate control, see page 166
Rear window defroster switch, see page 183
12Ashtray, see page 204
Lighter, see page 206
13Start-/Stop button
Starter switch for KEYLESS-GO only, see page 23214Lower storage space, see page 198
15Automatic transmission, see page 237
16AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp, see page 308
17Distronic (DTR) – switch for distance warning
function, see page 273.
18Distronic (DTR) – thumbwheel for setting distance,
see page 273.

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
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12
98
5P83.40-2304-26

183 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Rear window defroster
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
To select:
Press the F button in the control panel of the
automatic air conditioner. The indicator lamp in the
button illuminates.
To c a nc el:
Press the F button in the control panel of the
automatic air conditioner. The indicator lamp in the
button goes out.
Note:
Heavy accumulation of snow and ice should be removed
before activating the defroster. The rear window defroster uses a large amount of power.
To keep the battery drain to a minimum, turn off the
defroster as soon as the rear window is clear.
The defroster is automatically turned off after
approximately 6–17 minutes of operation depending on
the outside temperature and vehicle speed.
If several power consumers are turned on
simultaneously, or the battery is only partially charged,
it is possible that the defroster will automatically turn
itself off. When this happens, the indicator lamp inside
the switch starts blinking.
As soon as the battery has sufficient voltage, the
defroster automatically turns itself back on.

231 Starter switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
If the electronic key is left in the starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the lock. In this case, remove
electronic key from starter switch and reinsert.
Caution!
To prevent accelerated battery discharge and a possible
dead battery, always remove the electronic key from the
starter switch. Do not leave the electronic key in starter
switch position 0.Notes:
A warning sounds when the driver’s door is opened
with the electronic key in starter switch position 1 or 0.
If the electronic key cannot be turned in the starter
switch, the vehicle battery may not be sufficiently
charged. See battery on page 357 or jump starting on
page 359.
With the engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the
alternator (output) is limited.
It is therefore recommended that you turn off
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in stop-
and-go traffic. This precaution helps to avoid draining of
the battery.
Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system
may be minimized by turning off the following power
consumers, for example:
Heated seats, rear window defroster. In addition, the
automatic climate air volume control should be set to
the lowest position.

234 Starter switch — KEYLESS-GO
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
•Do not forget, the engine can be started by anyone if
a KEYLESS-GO-card is left inside the vehicle.
•To be able to operate the vehicle in the case of a
malfunction in the KEYLESS-GO-system (e.g. strong
radio frequency disturbance), we recommend that
you carry the electronic key plus mechanical key
with you and keep them in a safe place so that they
are always handy. Never leave the electronic key in
the vehicle.
•To avoid radio transmission interference, never store
the KEYLESS-GO-card together with other electronic
items (e.g. cellular telephones, other KEYLESS-GO-
cards) or metallic objects (e.g. coins, metal foil).Notes:
With the engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the
alternator (output) is limited.
It is therefore recommended that you turn off
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in stop-
and-go traffic. This precaution helps to avoid draining of
the battery.
Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system
may be minimized by turning off the following power
consumers, for example:
Heated seats, rear window defroster. In addition, the
automatic climate air volume control should be set to
the lowest position.

410 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Index
AABS (Antilock brake system) .......................................278
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 306
Active body control (ABC) ............................................ 284
Fluid level ...................................................................343
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (A BC) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................320
Adaptive damping system (ADS) .................................289
Adjusting steering wheel .............................................. 102
AIR CLEANER -
malfunction and warning messages ......................333
Air conditioner refrigerant ........................................... 404
Air distribution, manual ............................................... 172
Air volume, manual ....................................................... 172
Airbag deactivation system ............................................ 88
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ........................................308
Airbags .............................................................................. 91
AIRMATIC -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 331
Airmatic system ............................................................. 285
Airmatic system
(Vehicles with Active Body Control) ......................286Alarm system ............................................................. 60, 61
Anticorrosion/antifreeze ...................255, 344, 402, 406
Antilock brake system (ABS) ...................................... 278
Malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 306
Antitheft alarm system ...................................................60
Aquaplaning .................................................................. 252
Armrest, rear seat ..........................................................201
Ashtrays .......................................................................... 204
Center console .......................................................... 204
Rear doors ................................................................. 205
Audio systems ................................................................. 124
Cassette player .......................................................... 126
CD Player ....................................................................125
Radio ...........................................................................124
Automatic central locking .............................................. 50
Automatic climate control ............................................ 166
Activated charcoal filter ........................................... 175
Adjustable air outlets,
rear passenger compartment ............................. 179
Air distribution, manual .......................................... 172
Air volume, manual .................................................. 172
Basic setting ............................................................... 171
Defogging windows ................................................... 173
Defrosting ................................................................... 173
Display and controls ................................................. 168
Dust filter ................................................................... 170

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

420 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
RRadio
See Audio systems .................................................... 124
Radio transmitters ......................................................... 216
Rain sensor
See Intermittent wiping ........................................... 163
Rear door window sunshade ........................................ 194
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air outlets ................................................ 179
Rear passenger compartment climate control .......... 180
Rear view mirror, exterior
Adjusting .................................................................... 104
Rear view mirrors .......................................................... 103
Automatic antiglare .................................................. 103
Exterior ....................................................................... 104
Interior ........................................................................ 103
Parking position ........................................................ 105
Storing mirror positions ................................. 103, 104
Rear window defroster .................................................. 183
Rear window sunshade ................................................. 193Remote control .......................................................... 28, 33
Battery replacement ................................................. 371
Removal and installation of front
seat head restraints .................................................... 68
Replacing bulbs ............................................................. 364
Replacing wiper blades ................................................ 378
Reporting Safety Defects ................................................. 15
Residual engine heat utilization (REST) .................... 176
Roadside assistance ......................................................... 10
Roadside assistance call
See Tele Aid .............................................................. 222
Roof rack ......................................................................... 380
SSeat belts ........................................................................... 81
Fastening ......................................................................84
Operation ......................................................................85
Seat belt nonusage warning system .........................82
Unfastening .................................................................. 85
Warning lamp ........................................................... 308
Seat belts and integrated restraint system .................. 81
Seat heater ........................................................................ 71
Seat ventilation system ................................................... 74