2006 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 202

Contents
CD changer* operating mode ...... 151
TEL menu* ................................... 153
NAVI menu ................................... 155
Distronic* menu........................... 156
Trip computer menu..................... 157
Vehicle status message
memory menu .............................. 159
Settings menu .............................. 160
Automatic transmission ..................... 173
Gear selector lever position ......... 175
Driving tips ................................... 177
Gear ranges ................................. 178
Automatic shift program .............. 179
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting .................................. 180
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting S 55 AMG
and S 65 AMG .............................. 181
Manual shift program S 55 AMG
and S 65 AMG .............................. 183
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 185Good visibility ..................................... 186
Headlamp cleaning system*
(Standard on S 500, S 600,
S 55 AMG and S 65 AMG)............. 186
Rear view mirrors.......................... 186
Power folding exterior rear
view mirrors .................................. 188
Sun visors ..................................... 190
Rear window sunshade ................. 191
Rear side window sunshade*........ 191
Automatic climate control .................. 192
Deactivating the climate
control system .............................. 195
Setting the temperature................ 195
Adjusting air distribution............... 196
Adjusting air volume ..................... 197
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 197
Defrosting ..................................... 197
Air recirculation mode .................. 198
Charcoal filter ............................... 200
Rear window defroster .................. 201
Air conditioning............................. 202
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 202Ventilated storage compartment .. 203
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents ...................... 204
Rear passenger compartment
climate control*............................ 205
Power windows .................................. 208
Opening and closing the power
windows........................................ 208
Synchronizing the power
windows........................................ 210
Summer opening feature .............. 210
Convenience closing feature......... 211
Power tilt/sliding sunroof .................. 212
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof........................ 212
Synchronizing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof........................ 214
Driving systems .................................. 215
Cruise control ............................... 215
Distronic* ..................................... 218
Airmatic ........................................ 229
Active Body Control (ABC)* .......... 232
Parktronic system*
(Parking assist) ............................. 235

194 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlThe automatic climate control is operation-
al whenever the engine is running. You can
operate the climate control system in ei-
ther the automatic or manual mode. The
system cools or heats the interior depend-
ing on the selected interior temperature
and the current outside temperature.Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the ± mode is selected
(
page 202).
Warning!
G
When operating the automatic climate con-
trol, the air that enters the passenger com-
partment through the air vents in the
footwell can be very hot or very cold (de-
pending on the set temperature). This may
cause burns or frostbite on unprotected skin
in the immediate area of the air vents. Al-
ways keep sufficient distance between un-
protected parts of the body and the footwell
air vents. If necessary change the air flow
using the air distribution controls to direct
the air away from the footwell air vents
(page 196).
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
iThe current climate control settings
(ON/OFF, temperature, air volume, ac-
tivated charcoal filter, etc.) are stored
for each SmartKey before it is removed
from the starter switch or when the ve-
hicle is locked using the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* (
page 108).
If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate
the interior before driving off.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow, leaves, sticks,
and any other debris.
Do not obstruct air volume by placing
objects on the air volume-through ex-
haust slots below the rear window.
iWhen operating the climate control
system in automatic mode, you will
only rarely need to adjust the tempera-
ture, air volume and air distribution.

199 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Deactivating
Press button, (
page 193).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.The air recirculation mode is deactivated
automatically:


after five minutes if the outside temper-
ature is below approximately 41°F
(5°C)


after five minutes if the air conditioning
is turned off


after 30 minutes if the outside temper-
ature is above approximately 41°F
(5°C)
At outside temperatures above 79°F
(26°C) the system will not automatically
switch back to outside air. A quantity of
outside air is added after approximately
30 minutes.
iThe air recirculation mode is activated
automatically:

at high outside temperatures


if the concentration of carbon mon-
oxide and nitrogen oxide in the out-
side air increases beyond a
predetermined level, for example in
a tunnel
Please note that the charcoal filter
must be activated (
page 200) for the
air recirculation mode to be activated
automatically.
If you have turned off the air condition-
ing (
page 202) or the outside tem-
perature is below 41°F (5°C), the air
recirculation mode will not switch on
automatically.
iPress and hold button, for approx-
imately two seconds. The side windows
and or tilt/sliding sunroof will return to
their previous position. You can release
button, once the opening proce-
dure has begun. The windows and
tilt/sliding sunroof continue opening
until they have reached their previous
position.
A window or tilt/sliding sunroof will
only return to its previous position if it
has not been moved to another posi-
tion using the respective window
switch or tilt/sliding sunroof switch af-
ter it was closed with button,. A
window or tilt/sliding sunroof that was
moved will remain in its current posi-
tion if button, is used to re-open
the remaining windows or tilt/sliding
sunroof.

202 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlAir conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while
the engine is running and cools the interior
air to the temperature set by the operator.
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 button± (
page 193).
The indicator lamp on the button±
comes on.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.

Press± again (
page 193).
The indicator lamp on button ±
goes out.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Residual heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior.
This feature makes use of the residual heat
produced by the engine.
Activating
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1 or 0, or remove it from the
starter switch.

Press buttonT (
page 193).
The indicator lamp on buttonT
comes on.
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.
!If button± on the automatic cli-
mate control panel starts to flash, this
indicates that the air conditioning is
losing refrigerant. The compressor has
turned itself off. The air conditioning
cannot be turned on again.
Have the air conditioning checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

319 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire type code
The code4 (
page 318) may, at the
option of the manufacturer, be used as a
descriptive code for identifying significant
characteristics of the tire.
Date of manufacture
The date of manufacture5 (
page 318)
identifies the week and year of manufac-
ture.
The first two figures identify the week,
starting with “01” to represent the first full
week of the calendar year. The second two
figures represent the year.
For example, “3202” represents the 32nd
week of 2002.
Maximum tire load
1Maximum tire load rating
The maximum tire load is the maximum
weight the tires are designed to support.For more information on tire load rating
(
page 314).
For information on calculating total and
cargo load capacities (
page 303).
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires are specific to each vehi-
cle and may vary from data shown in
above illustration.
Warning!
G
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit or vehicle capacity
weight as indicated on the placard located
on the driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also
result in handling or steering problems, or
brake failure.

392 Practical hintsReplacing SmartKey batteriesIf the batteries in the SmartKey or the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* are dis-
charged, the vehicle can no longer be
locked or unlocked. It is recommended to
have the batteries replaced at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
SmartKey
Replacement batteries: Lithium, type
CR 2025 or equivalent.
Remove the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (
page 388).1Mechanical key
2Slide
3Battery compartment

Insert mechanical key1 in the direc-
tion of arrow in side opening.

Using mechanical key1, push gray
slide 2 to unlatch battery compart-
ment 3.

Pull battery compartment3 out of the
housing in the direction of arrow.
Warning!
G
Batteries contain poisonous and corrosive
substances. Therefore keep the batteries
out of reach of children.
If a battery is swallowed, seek medical help
immediately.
iWhen inserting the batteries, make
sure they are clean and free of lint.iThe required replacement batteries are
available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.iWhen changing batteries, always re-
place both batteries.

393 Practical hints
Replacing SmartKey batteries
4Battery
5Contact spring
Remove the batteries4 in the direc-
tion of arrow.

Using a lint-free cloth, insert new
batteries4 under the contact
spring5 with the positive terminal (+)
side facing up.

Return battery compartment3
(page 392) into housing until it locks
into place.

Slide mechanical key1 (
page 388)
back into the SmartKey.

Check the operation of the SmartKey.
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Replacement battery: Lithium, type
CR 2025 or equivalent.
Remove the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
(page 388).

Remove battery compartment3
(page 392) out of the housing.
1Battery
2Tilt battery up
3Mechanical key

Using mechanical key3, apply pres-
sure to position2.
Battery1 tilts up slightly.

Pull out battery1 in the direction of
arrow.

Using a lint-free cloth, insert new
battery1 with the plus (+) side facing
up.

Return battery compartment3
(page 392) into housing until it locks
into place.

Slide mechanical key1 (
page 388)
back into the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO.

Check the operation of KEYLESS-GO.

451 Index
A
ABC 232, 443
Messages in display 351
Setting vehicle level 230, 233
ABS 25, 79, 443
Malfunction indicator lamp 340
Messages in display 353
Warning lamp 340
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 177
Accessory weight 323
Accident
In case of 54
Activating
Air conditioner (cooling) 202
Air conditioning 202
Air recirculation mode 198
Anti-theft alarm system 86
Central locking (control system) 168
Charcoal filter 200
Distance warning function* 227
Distronic* 223
Easy-entry/exit feature 170
ESP
®
83
Exterior lamps 132
Exterior rear view mirror parking position 187
Front and rear fog lamp 132, 134
Hazard warning flasher 136
Headlamps 50
High beams 135
Ignition 34
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button 36
Immobilizer 57, 85
Limiting opening height of trunk
lid* 169
Manual shift program S 55 AMG and
S 65 AMG 184
Rear window defroster 201
Residual heat 202, 207
Seat heater 125, 126
Seat ventilation* 127
Tow-away alarm 88
Windshield wipers 52
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) 229,
443
Adding
Coolant 294
Engine oil 292
Additional turn signals 395
Adjustable air vents, rear passenger compartment 204
Adjusting 37
Air distribution 196, 206
Air volume 197
Backrest tilt 38
Drive-dynamic seat* 171
Exterior rear view mirrors 41
Head restraint height 39
Head restraint tilt 39
Instrument cluster illumination 140
Interior rear view mirror 41
Lumbar support 122
Mirrors 41
Multicontour backrest* 122
Power seat bench* 117
Seat cushion depth 38, 123
Seat cushion tilt 38
Seat fore and aft adjustment 38
Seat height 38
Seat in the lumbar region 123
Seat in the shoulder region 123
Seats 37
Steering column height 40
Steering column in or out 40
Steering column up or down 40
Steering wheel 40