218 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 2004 W220 Owner's Manual

Contents
Control system .................................. 134
Multifunction display .................... 134
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 135
Menus .......................................... 137
Standard display menu ................ 139
AUDIO menu ................................ 139
CD changer* operating mode ...... 142
TEL menu* ................................... 144
NAVI menu ................................... 147
Distronic* menu........................... 147
Trip computer menu..................... 148
Malfunction memory menu .......... 150
Settings menu .............................. 151
Automatic transmission ..................... 164
One-touch gearshifting................. 165
Gear ranges ................................. 166
Gear selector lever position ......... 167
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) S 55 AMG................. 168
Program mode selector switch..... 170
Accelerator position ..................... 170
Manual shift program S 55 AMG .. 171
Emergency operation
(Limp home mode) ....................... 173Good visibility ..................................... 174
Rear view mirror ........................... 174
Electrically folding exterior rear
view mirrors .................................. 176
Windshield wipers ......................... 177
Headlamp cleaning system*
(Standard on S 500, S 600,
S 55 AMG) .................................... 177
Sun visors ..................................... 178
Rear window sunshade* ............... 179
Rear door window sunshade* ....... 179
Automatic climate control .................. 180
Setting the temperature................ 183
Adjusting air distribution............... 184
Adjusting air volume ..................... 186
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 186
Defrosting ..................................... 187
Air recirculation mode .................. 187
Charcoal filter ............................... 188
Rear window defroster .................. 189
Deactivating the climate control
system .......................................... 190
Air conditioning............................. 190
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 191Ventilated storage compartment
(except S 55 AMG) ....................... 192
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents ...................... 192
Rear passenger compartment
climate control*............................ 193
Power windows .................................. 195
Opening and closing the windows 195
Synchronizing the power windows 198
Sliding/pop-up roof............................ 199
Opening and closing the
sliding/pop-up roof....................... 199
Synchronizing the sliding /
pop-up roof ................................... 202
Driving systems .................................. 203
Cruise control ............................... 203
Distronic* ..................................... 206
AIRMATIC ..................................... 218
Active Body Control (ABC)* .......... 220
Parktronic* (Parking assist) .......... 224
Loading .............................................. 229
Roof rack* .................................... 229
Loading instructions ..................... 229
Cargo tie-down hooks ................... 230

218 Controls in detailDriving systemsAIRMATIC
AIRMATIC automatically selects the opti-
mum suspension tuning and ride height for
your vehicle. AIRMATIC consists of two
components:

Adaptive Damping System (ADS)


Level control system
The ADS automatically selects the opti-
mum damping for the respective driving
conditions. At the same time the suspen-
sion is set to either sporty or regular.Suspension tuning
The suspension tuning is set according to:


Your driving style


Road surface conditions


Your choice of suspension style,
“sport” or “convenience”, which you
select using the damping switch.
The following suspension styles are avail-
able:


Convenience
Both indicator lamps1 are off.


Sports 1
One indicator lamp1 is on.


Sports 2
Both indicator lamps1 are on.1Indicator lamps
2Damping switch

Start the engine.

Press the damping switch2 until the
desired suspension style is set.iThe selected suspension style is stored
in memory, even after the SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch.

408 Index
Steering column up or down 37
Steering wheel 37
Air conditioning
Turning off 190
Turning on 190
Air pressure see Tire inflation
pressure 283
Air recirculation mode 187
Activating 187
Deactivating 188
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 192
Air volume
Adjusting 186
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 311
Airbags 59
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 71, 401
Children 60
Front 63
Passenger 63
Safety guidelines 62
Side impact 63
Window curtain 63AIRMATIC 218
Alarm
Audible 76, 84
Canceling 84
Visual 83
Alarm system
Anti-theft 83
Alignment bolt 364
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 345, 401
Antiglare
Automatic 174
Antilock brake system (ABS) 401
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 84
Canceling alarm 84
Disarming 84
Anti-theft systems 83
Anti-theft alarm system 83
Immobilizer 83
Tow-away alarm 85
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning 263
Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 232,
233, 234Ashtray 238
At the gas station 269
ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) 278
AUDIO menu 139
Operating
Cassette player 141
Selecting radio station 140
Selecting satellite radio* station
(USA only) 140
Audio system
CD mode 142
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 174
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating
(control system) 159
Automatic climate control 180
Air recirculation mode 187
Defrosting 187
Rear window defroster 189
Setting the temperature 183
Automatic headlamp mode 125

414 Index
Setting following distance 213
Setting the current speed 211
Setting to last stored speed
("Resume" function) 212
Warning and indicator lamps 208
Door control panel 19, 28
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 249
Doors
Message in display 325
Opening from inside vehicle 96
Opening from outside 89
Downhill driving
Cruise control 204
Downshifting 165, 169, 172
Drink holder see Cup holder 236
Drinking and driving 259
Drive-dynamic seat
Adjusting 163
Drive-dynamic seat* 113
Driving
Abroad 266
General instructions 40, 259
Hydroplaning 263In winter 264
Problems 50
Safety systems 77
Through standing water 265
With Distronic* 215
Driving abroad 266
Driving instructions 259
Driving off 261
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 82
ABS 77
BAS 78
ESP 79
Driving systems 203
ABC 220
AIRMATIC 218
Cruise control 203
Distronic* 206
Driving safety systems 77
Parktronic* 224
Vehicle level control 219, 221E
Easy-entry/exit feature 108
Activating 160
Interrupting movement 161
Electrical fuses 374
Electrical system 389
Electrically folding exterior rear view
mirrors 176
Electronic Stability Program see ESP 79,
403
Emergency call system* 242
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 245
With Tele Aid* 244
Emergency engine shut-down 376
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 173
Emergency operations
Closing sliding/pop-up roof 352
Locking the vehicle 349
Opening sliding/pop-up roof 352
Remote door unlock 249
Unlocking the trunk lid 349
Unlocking the vehicle 348