2005 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 parktronic

Contents
Automatic transmission ..................... 173
One-touch gearshifting................. 175
Gear ranges ................................. 176
Gear selector lever position ......... 177
Automatic shift program .............. 179
Driving tips ................................... 180
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) S 55 AMG................. 181
Manual shift program S 55 AMG .. 183
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 185
Good visibility .................................... 186
Headlamp cleaning system*
(Standard on S 500, S 600,
S 55 AMG).................................... 186
Rear view mirrors ......................... 186
Electrically folding exterior
rear view mirrors .......................... 188
Windshield wipers ........................ 189
Sun visors .................................... 190
Rear window sunshade* .............. 191
Rear door window sunshade* ...... 191Automatic climate control .................. 192
Setting the temperature................ 195
Adjusting air distribution............... 196
Adjusting air volume ..................... 198
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 198
Defrosting ..................................... 199
Air recirculation mode .................. 199
Charcoal filter ............................... 200
Rear window defroster .................. 201
Deactivating the climate
control system .............................. 202
Air conditioning............................. 202
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 203
Ventilated storage compartment .. 204
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 204
Rear passenger compartment
climate control* ............................ 205
Power windows .................................. 207
Opening and closing the power
windows........................................ 207
Synchronizing the power
windows........................................ 209
Summer opening feature .............. 209
Convenience closing feature......... 210Power tilt/sliding sunroof .................. 211
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof........................ 211
Synchronizing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof........................ 213
Driving systems .................................. 214
Cruise control ............................... 214
Distronic* ..................................... 217
Airmatic ........................................ 229
Active Body Control (ABC)* .......... 231
Parktronic system*
(Parking assist) ............................. 235
Loading .............................................. 240
Roof rack* .................................... 240
Loading instructions ..................... 241
Cargo tie-down hooks ................... 241
Useful features ................................... 242
Vanity mirrors ............................... 242
Storage compartments ................. 243
Ashtrays........................................ 251
Cigarette lighters .......................... 252
Heated steering wheel* ................ 253
Telephone* ................................... 254
Tele Aid ......................................... 255
Garage door opener ...................... 264
Infrared reflecting windshield ....... 270

23 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Combination switch

Turn signals


Windshield wipers


High beam
51
52
135
2
Cruise control lever

Cruise control


Distronic*
221
214
217
3
Instrument cluster
24
4
Multifunction steering
wheel
26
5
Steering wheel gearshift
control (S 55 AMG only)
181
Item
Page
6
Lever for voice control sys-
tem*, see separate operat-
ing instructions
7
Front Parktronic* warning
indicator for right
front area
237
8
Overhead control panel
29
9
Glove box lock
244
a
Glove box lid release
244
b
Glove box
244
c
Center console
27, 28
d
Starter switch
34
e
Horn
Item
Page
f
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk
Heated steering wheel*
40
253
g
Parking brake pedal
48
h
Hood lock release
286
j
Parking brake release
48
k
Door control panel
30
l
Exterior lamp switch
131
m
Headlamp washer button*
186
n
Front Parktronic* warning
indicator for left front area
237

27 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Switch for rear window
sunshade
191
2
Parktronic* deactivation
button
238
3
Airmatic or Active Body
Control (ABC)* button
231
4
Level control button
233
5
Central locking switch
113
87
Anti-theft alarm system in-
dicator lamp
87
6
Hazard warning flasher
on/off switch
136
7
Central unlocking switch
113
8
Electronic Stability Pro-
gram (ESP) control switch
83
Item
Page
9
Rear seat head restraints,
switch for folding down
120
a
Tow-away alarm switch
90
b
COMAND system (see
separate operating instruc-
tions)
c
Automatic climate control
206
d
Cover of:

Ashtray


Lighter
251
252

214 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe driving systems of your vehicle are de-
scribed on the following pages:

Cruise control and Distronic*, with
which the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed.


Airmatic adjusts the vehicle suspen-
sion characteristics automatically and
controls the vehicle level.


ABC* with vehicle level control system,
with which you can change vehicle sus-
pension characteristics.


Parktronic*, which serves as a parking
assistant.
For information on the BAS, ABS, and ESP
driving systems, see “Driving safety sys-
tems” (
page 80).
Cruise control
Cruise control automatically maintains the
speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed over 20 mph
(30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 22).
Warning!
G
Cruise control is a convenience system de-
signed to assist the driver during vehicle op-
eration. The driver is and must remain at all
times responsible for the vehicle speed and
for safe brake operation.
Only use cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.


The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.


Deactivate cruise control when driving
in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.

235 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Parktronic system* (Parking assist)
The Parktronic system is an electronic aid
designed to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers. It visually and audibly indi-
cates the relative distance between the
vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically ac-
tivated when you switch on the ignition
and placed the gear selector lever in posi-
tion D, R, or N.
The Parktronic system deactivates at
speeds over approximately 11 mph
(18 km/h). At lower speeds the Parktronic
system turns on again.
The Parktronic system also deactivates
when you place the gear selector lever in
position P.The Parktronic system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with six sensors
in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumperWarning!
G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always rests with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
system can be affected by dirty sensors, es-
pecially at times of snow and ice, see
“Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors”
(page 333).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic sig-
nals (e.g. working jackhammers, car wash,
or the air brakes of trucks) can cause the
system to send erratic indications, and
should be taken into consideration.
Warning!
G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.

236 Controls in detailDriving systemsRange of the sensors
To function properly, the sensors must be
free of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean the
sensors regularly, being careful not to
scratch or damage the sensors see “Clean-
ing the Parktronic* system sensors”
(page 333).
Front sensors
Rear sensors
Center
approx. 40 in (100 cm)
Corners
approx. 24 in (60 cm)
Center
approx. 48 in (120 cm)
Corners
approx. 32 in (80 cm)
!During parking maneuvers, pay special
attention to objects located above or
below the height of the sensors (e.g.
planters or trailer hitches). The Park-
tronic system will not detect such ob-
jects at close range and damage to
your vehicle or the object may result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sourc-
es (e.g. truck air brakes, car wash, or
jackhammers) may impair the opera-
tion of the Parktronic system.

237 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Minimum distance
If the system detects an obstacle in this
range, all the distance warning segments
illuminate and you hear a warning signal. If
the obstacle is closer than the minimum
distance, the actual distance may no long-
er be indicated by the system.
Warning indicators
Visual signals indicate to the driver the rel-
ative distance between the sensors and an
obstacle. The warning indicators for the
front area are located above the left air
vents and center air vents in the dash-
board. The warning indicator for the rear
area is integrated in the rear trim.1Left side of the vehicle
1Right side of the vehicleEach warning indicator is divided into six
yellow and two red distance segments for
either side of the vehicle. The Parktronic
system is ready when the border around
the indicator is illuminated.
The position of the gear selector lever de-
termines which warning indicators will be
activated.Center
approx. 8 in (20 cm)
Corners
approx. 6 in (15 cm)
Gear selector
lever position
Warning indicator
D
Front area activated
R or N
Front and rear area
activated
P
Neither activated

238 Controls in detailDriving systemsAs your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more distance segments will illuminate,
depending on the distance. When the
eighth distance segment illuminates, you
have reached the minimum distance.

Front area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red dis-
tance segment illuminates and a con-
stant acoustic warning lasting a
maximum of two seconds will sound for
the second red distance segment. The
signal is canceled when the gear selec-
tor lever is placed in position P.


Rear area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red dis-
tance segment illuminates and a con-
stant acoustic warning lasting a
maximum of two seconds will sound for
the second red distance segment. The
signal is canceled when the gear selec-
tor lever is placed in position D orP.Switching the Parktronic system
on/off
The Parktronic system can be switched off
manually.
The Parktronic button is located in the up-
per part of the front center console.
1Indicator lamp
2Parktronic buttonSwitching off the Parktronic system

Press button 2.
Indicator lamp 1 comes on.
Switching on the Parktronic system

Press button 2 again.
Indicator lamp 1 goes out.iThe Parktronic system is automatically
switched on when the ignition is
switched on (
page 34).