2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 4MATIC storage

Contents
Sun visors .................................... 172
Rear window sunshade* .............. 173
Rear door window sunshade* ...... 173
Automatic climate control ................. 174
Setting the temperature ............... 177
Adjusting air distribution .............. 178
Adjusting air volume .................... 179
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ....... 179
Defrosting .................................... 180
Air recirculation mode.................. 180
Charcoal filter .............................. 182
Rear window defroster ................. 183
Deactivating the climate control
system ......................................... 183
Air conditioning ............................ 184
Storage compartment ventilation. 184
Residual heat and ventilation ....... 185
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents ...................... 186
Rear passenger compartment
climate control* ........................... 187
Power windows.................................. 188
Opening and closing the windows 188
Synchronizing power windows ..... 191Sliding/pop-up roof ............................ 192
Opening and closing the slid-
ing/pop-up roof ............................ 192
Synchronizing the sliding / pop-up
roof .............................................. 195
Driving systems .................................. 196
Cruise control ............................... 196
Distronic* ..................................... 199
AIRMATIC...................................... 211
Active Body Control (ABC)* .......... 213
Parktronic system* (Parking
assist) ........................................... 218
Loading............................................... 222
Roof rack* .................................... 222
Loading instructions ..................... 222
Cargo tie-down hooks ................... 223
Useful features ................................... 224
Interior storage spaces ................. 224
Ashtrays........................................ 232
Cigarette lighters .......................... 233
Heated steering wheel* ................ 235
Telephone* ................................... 236
Tele Aid ......................................... 237
Garage door opener ...................... 245
Infrared reflecting windshield ....... 248
Operation.......................................... 249
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) .......... 250
Driving instructions ............................ 251
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 251
Drinking and driving...................... 251
Pedals ........................................... 251
Power assistance .......................... 251
Brakes .......................................... 252
Driving off ..................................... 253
Parking ......................................... 253
Tires.............................................. 254
Hydroplaning ................................ 255
Tire traction .................................. 255
Tire speed rating ........................... 255
Winter driving instructions ............ 256
Standing water ............................. 257
Passenger compartment............... 258
Driving abroad .............................. 258
Control and operation of radio
transmitters .................................. 258
Catalytic converter ....................... 259
Emission control ........................... 259
Coolant temperature .................... 260

26 At a glanceCenter consoleLower part
Item
Page
1
KEYLESS-GO* start / stop
button
33
2
Selector lever for
automatic transmission
43
3
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp
69
4
Thumbwheel for setting
distance in Distronic*
206
Item
Page
5
Distance warning func-
tion* on / off switch
206
6
Lower storage space
225
7
Program mode selector for
automatic transmission
164

91 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking


If the KEYLESS-GO card is positioned
farther away from the vehicle (e.g. in-
side clothing or briefcase) and can no
longer be recognized by the system,
the vehicle cannot be locked or the en-
gine started via the KEYLESS-GO sys-
tem.


If the KEYLESS-GO card is removed
from the vehicle while the ignition is
switched on (e.g. if passenger exits the
vehicle with the card), the message CHIP CARD NOT RECOGNIZED!
will ap-
pear in the multifunction display.
Find the card or change its present lo-
cation immediately (e.g. place it on the
front passenger seat or insert it in shirt
pocket).


Remember that the engine can be
started by anyone with a KEYLESS-GO
card that is left inside the vehicle. If you
leave the card behind when exiting and
locking the vehicle, the message
CHIP
CARD DETECTED IN VEHICLE!
will ap-
pear in the multifunction display.Factory setting
Global unlocking

Grasp the door handle.
The vehicle will lock again automatically
within approximately 40 seconds of un-
locking if neither door nor trunk is opened.
Global locking

Press lock button at door handle
(page 53) or trunk (
page 93).Individual setting
If you frequently travel alone, you may wish
to reprogram the KEYLESS-GO card so that
grasping a door handle only unlocks the
driver’s door, interior lockable storage
compartments and the fuel filler flap.
1Programming button
2“Driver’s door” symbol
3“Global unlock” symbol
iThe vehicle could inadvertently be un-
locked if the KEYLESS-GO card is with-
in 3 ft. (1 m) of the vehicle and:

the door handle is splashed with
water, or


you attempt to clean the door
handle

184 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlAir conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while
the engine is running and cools the interior
air to the temperature you have set.
Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the automatic
climate control system. The air in the vehi-
cle will then no longer be cooled or dehu-
midified.
Press buttonAC
OFF
(page 175).
The indicator lamp on the
buttonAC
OFF
lights up.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.

PressAC
OFF
again (
page 175).
The indicator lamp on the AC
OFF
but-
ton goes out.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Storage compartment ventilation
The storage compartment below the front
armrest (
page 225) has its own air vent.
Ventilation of the storage compartment
below the front armrest is possible only
when the climate control system is on. The
air volume depends on the setting of the
air distribution control, the air volume con-
trol, and the air vents in the dashboard.
The switch is located inside the storage
compartment in the front armrest
(
page 225).
Opening air vent

Push upper portion of switch.
Closing air vent

Push lower portion of switch.
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.
!If the AC
OFF
button on the automatic
climate control panel starts to blink,
the air conditioning may be losing re-
frigerant. The compressor was turned
off. The air conditioning cannot be
turned on again.
Have the air conditioning checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

185 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Residual heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.
Activating
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1 or remove it from the
starter switch.

Press button
T
(page 175).
The indicator lamp on button
T

comes on.
Deactivating

Press button
T
(page 175).
The indicator lamp on button
T

goes off.The residual heat is automatically turned
off:


when the ignition is switched on


after about 30 minutes


if the battery voltage drops
!Do not obstruct the air vent in the stor-
age compartment.iThe storage compartment can be heat-
ed or cooled.
The compartment can get very warm
due to its confined space. When storing
heat sensitive objects in the compart-
ment, close the air vent (
page 184)
while heating the passenger compart-
ment.
iHow long the system will provide heat-
ing depends on the coolant tempera-
ture and the temperature set by the
operator. The blower will run at speed
setting1 regardless of the air distribu-
tion control setting.

224 Controls in detailUseful features
Useful featuresInterior storage spaces Glove box
1Unlocked position
2Locked position
3Glove box lid release
Opening the glove box

Press glove box lid release3.
The glove box lid opens downward.
Closing the glove box

Push lid up to close.Storage compartment in the glove box
An AUX socket 1 is located on the left side
of the glove box. Portable audio devices
can be plugged in here. A storage compart-
ment is located in the cover of the glove
box. It can be used to store check cards,
pens, a flashlight, etc.
1AUX socket
2Storage compartment in glove box

Lightly press the marking on the lid of
storage compartment2.
The lid opens upward.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when stowing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
g a g e o r c a r g o i n t h e t r u n k i f p o s s i b l e . D o n o t
pile luggage or cargo higher than the seat
backs.
Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy
objects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
an accident.
iThe glove box can be locked and un-
locked with the mechanical key.

225 Controls in detail
Useful features
Storage compartment in the center
console
The storage compartment is located in the
lower portion of the center console.
1Storage compartment
Opening
Slide the mark on the compartment
cover forward.
Closing

Lightly press the mark on the compart-
ment cover forward. The cover closes
automatically.Storage compartment in front of arm-
rest
1Storage compartment
Opening
The compartment contains a cup holder
(
page 229).

Lightly touch cover plate1.
The cover opens automatically.
Closing

Lightly push cover plate1 up until it en-
gages.Storage compartment below the front
armrest
The buttons are located under the cushion
of the armrest.
1Button to open storage compartment
2Button to open storage tray

226 Controls in detailUseful featuresOpening storage compartment
Press button1 and lift the armrest lid.Opening storage tray
The tray contains a coin holder.

Press button2 and lift the armrest.Compartment for glasses
The compartment for glasses is located un-
der the armrest in the center console.
1Compartment for glasses
Opening compartment for glasses

Fold the right side of the armrest up-
wards.
iThe storage compartment can be heat-
ed or cooled.
The compartment can get very warm
due to its confined space. When storing
heat-sensitive objects in the compart-
ment, close the air vent (
page 184)
while heating the passenger compart-
ment.
!Do not obstruct the air vent in the stor-
age compartment.
!Do not store any objects under the
storage tray.
Do not let bank cards, credit cards, or
other cards with a magnetic strip come
near the storage tray, as a magnet built
into the tray could erase or change the
information on the card.