2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Windshield

3 ContentsStorage 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
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 216
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 217
Maintenance ................................... 217
Tele Aid ........................................... 218
Catalytic converter ........................228Emission control ............................ 229
Starter switch ................................. 230
Starter switch –
KEYLESS-GO ............................. 232
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 235
Automatic transmission ............... 237
Parking brake ................................ 246
Driving instructions ...................... 247
Drive sensibly –
Save Fuel ..................................... 247
Drinking and driving ................ 247
Pedals .......................................... 247
Power assistance ........................ 248
Brakes .......................................... 248
Driving off ................................... 249
Parking ........................................ 250
Tires ............................................. 251
Snow chains ............................... 253
Winter driving instructions ..... 254
Block heater ................................ 255
Deep water .................................. 256Passenger compartment ...........256
Traveling abroad ........................257
Cruise control .................................258
Distronic (DTR) .............................. 261
Brake assist system
(BAS) ...........................................277
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................278
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................280
Active body control
(ABC) ..........................................284
Level control system for vehicles
with Airmatic system ...............285
Level control system for vehicles
with Active Body Control
(ABC) ..........................................286
Adaptive damping system
(ADS) ...........................................289
Parking assist (Parktronic) .......... 291
What you should know
at the gas station .......................296
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................299

5 ContentsCoolant level ...................................344
Adding coolant ...........................344
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ...........................345
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio .........345
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ................346
Vehicle jack .....................................347
Wheels .............................................348
Tire Replacement .......................348
Rotating wheels ..........................349
Spare wheel ....................................349
Changing wheels ........................... 351
Tire inflation pressure ..................356
Battery .............................................357
Jump starting ..................................359
Towing the vehicle ......................... 361
Exterior lamps ................................364
Headlamp assembly ...................365
Taillamp assemblies ..................368Changing batteries in
the electronic key ......................371
Synchronizing
remote control ............................ 373
Changing batteries in the
KEYLESS-GO-card .....................374
Emergency engine
shut-down ...................................376
Fuel filler flap,
manual release ..........................376
Emergency operation of
sliding/pop-up roof .................. 377
Replacing wiper blades ................ 378
Roof rack ......................................... 380
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle ............................. 382
Power washer ............................. 383
Tar stains .................................... 384
Paintwork, painted body
components ................................ 384Engine cleaning ..........................384
Vehicle washing .........................384
Ornamental moldings ................385
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................385
Cleaning the Distronic
system sensor .............................386
Cleaning the parktronic
system sensors ...........................386
Wiper blades ...............................387
Light alloy wheels ......................388
Instrument cluster .....................388
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ......................388
Cup holder ...................................388
Seat belts .....................................389
Headliner and shelf
below rear window .....................389
Leather upholstery .....................389
Hard plastic trim items .............389
Plastic and rubber parts ............389

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

161 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Deactivating night security illumination temporarily:
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 0
then to position 2 and back to position 0 again before
getting out of the vehicle. The night security
illumination will not be activated when the door is
opened.
Locator lighting
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionU.
After unlocking the vehicle with the electronic key
during darkness the fog lamps and parking lamps
switch on for a approx. 40 seconds.
The exterior lamps will be switched off when opening
the driver’s door.
To activate the function see the individual setting menu
“LIGHTING” –“LOCATOR LIGHTING” on page 142.Headlamp cleaning system (optional on model S 430)
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
The headlamps will be cleaned with a high-pressure
water jet when you press the headlamp washer
button (1).
See page 345 for instructions on filling up the
windshield/headlamp washer reservoir.
Auto
1

163 Combination switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 6Press switch briefly:
Single wipe without washer fluid
(select only if windshield is wet).
Push switch past resistance point:
Windshield washer system, windshield wipers.
See page 345 for instructions on filling the
windshield washer reservoir.
7Windshield wipers0Off
I Intermittent wiping
One initial wipe, pauses between wipes are
automatically controlled by a rain sensor
monitoring the wetness of the windshield. This
will not occur with a front door open.
Notes:
With switch in this position, one wipe occurs
when turning the electronic key in starter switch
from position 0. However, this might cause
scratches on a dry windshield. Turn combination
switch to Off position before turning the
electronic key in starter switch from position 0.
Do not leave in intermittent setting when vehicle
is taken to an automatic car wash or during
windshield cleaning. Wipers will operate in
presence of water spray at windshield, and
wipers may be damaged as a result.
II Normal wiper speed
III Fast wiper speed
If the vehicle is standing still, the wiper will switch back
to setting I, intermittent wiping.
P54.25-2389-26
6
7

164 Combination switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Blocked windshield wipers
If the windshield wipers become blocked (for example,
due to snow), switch off the wipers.
For safety reasons before removing ice or snow, remove
electronic key from starter switch. Remove blockage.
Activate combination switch again (electronic key in
starter switch position 1).
Emergency operation of windshield wipers
In case of windshield wiper malfunction in switch
positions I or III, turn combination switch to wiper
setting II. Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.Windshield wipers smear
If the windshield wipers smear the windshield, even
during rain, activate the washer system as often as
necessary. The fluid in the washer reservoir should be
mixed in the correct ratio.
See page 345 for instructions on filling up the
windshield washer reservoir.
Windshield and headlamp washer fluid mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water.
1 part “S” to 100 parts water
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon water).
For temperature below freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and
commercially available premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze.
1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon solvent).

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.

172 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Special Settings
(use only for short duration)
Air distribution, manual:
Press U button. The button pops out, the h, j
and k symbols are visible. Turn the button to select
the air distribution desired.
hAir from the center, side and door air outlets.
jAir from the center, side, door and windshield air
outlets.
kAir from the center, side, door and footwell air
outlets.
To return to automatic mode:
Press the U button until it clicks in. The h, j
and k symbols will no longer be visible.Air volume, manual
Press the air volume switch up or down. Seven blower
speeds can be selected.
P83.40-2306-21