179 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 2005 W220 Owner's Manual

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

28 At a glanceCenter consoleLower part
Item
Page
1
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button
35
2
Gear selector lever for
automatic transmission
46
3
Front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp
73
4
Thumbwheel for setting
distance in Distronic*
224
5
Distance warning func-
tion* on/off button
224
6
Lower storage compart-
ments
7
Program mode selector for
automatic transmission
179

173 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
For more information on driving with an
automatic transmission, see “Automatic
transmission” (
page 46).
Your vehicle’s transmission adapts its gear
shifting process to your individual driving
style by continually adjusting the shift
points up or down. These shift point adjust-
ments are performed based on current
operating and driving conditions.
If the operating conditions change, the
automatic transmission reacts by
adjusting its shift program.
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmission
The automatic transmission selects indi-
vidual gears automatically, depending on:

the gear selector lever
positionD(
page 177) with
gear ranges (page 176)


the selected program mode:
(C/S) (
page 179)
or
(M/C/S) (S 55 AMG only)
(
page 183)


the position of the accelerator pedal
(page 180)


the vehicle speed
iDuring the brief warm-up, transmission
upshifting is delayed. This allows the
catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperature.

179 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Automatic shift program
The program mode selector switch is
located on the lower part of the center
console.
1Program mode selector switch
C Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving
The current gear selector lever position
and the selected program mode (
C/S) are
indicated in the tachometer display
(
page 174).

Press program mode selector
switch1 repeatedly until the letter of
the desired program mode appears in
the tachometer display.
SelectCfor comfort driving:

The vehicle starts out in second
gear (both forward and reverse) for
gentler starts. This does not apply if
full throttle is applied or gear
range1 is selected.


Traction and driving stability are
improved on icy roads.


Upshifts occur earlier even when
you give more gas. The engine then
operates at lower rpms and the
wheels are less likely to spin.
!Never change the program mode when
the gear selector lever is out of
positionP. This could result in a
change of driving characteristics for
which you may not be prepared.iThe last selected program
mode (CorS) is switched on when the
engine is restarted.

272 OperationIn the “Operation” section you will find de-
tailed information on operating, maintain-
ing and caring for your vehicle.The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle
during the break-in period, the more satis-
fied you will be with its performance later
on.

Drive your vehicle during the first
1 000 miles (1 500 km) at varying but
moderate vehicle and engine speeds.


During this period, avoid heavy loads
(full throttle driving) and excessive en-
gine speeds (no more than
2/3 of maxi-
mum rpm in each gear).


Avoid accelerating by kick-down.


Do not attempt to slow the vehicle
down by shifting to a lower gear using
the gear selector lever.


Select positions3,2or1 only when
driving at moderate speeds (for hill
driving).


Select C as the preferred shift program
(page 179) for the first 1000 miles
1500 km).After 1 000 miles (1 500 km) you may grad-
ually increase vehicle and engine speeds
to the permissible maximum.
All of the above instructions, as may apply
to your vehicle type, also apply when driv-
ing the first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) after
the engine or the rear differential has been
replaced.
!Additional instructions for AMG vehi-
cles:

During the first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km), do not exceed a speed
of 85 mph (140 km/h).


During this period, avoid engine
speeds above 4500 rpm in each
gear.
iAlways obey applicable speed limits.

445 Index
Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 245,
246, 247
Ashtray 251
Aspect ratio 322
At the gas station 283
ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) 292
AUDIO menu 148
Selecting CD track 150
Selecting MP3-CD track 150
Selecting radio station 149
Selecting satellite radio* station (USA
only) 149
Audio system
CD mode 151
Auto-dimming for rear view mirror 186
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 168
Automatic climate control 192
Air recirculation mode 199
Defrosting 199
Rear window defroster 201
Setting the temperature 195
Automatic headlamp mode 132Automatic lighting control
Activating 137
Deactivating 137
Automatic locking when driving 112
Automatic shift program
Automatic transmission 179
Automatic transmission 173
Accelerator position 180
Automatic shift program 179
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 185
Fluid level 292
Gear ranges 176
Gear selector lever position 173, 177
Gear shifting malfunctions 185
Kickdown 180
Kickdown, manual shift program S 55
AMG 184
Manual shift program S 55 AMG 183
Manual shifting 175
One-touch gearshifting 175
Starting the engine 46
Steering wheel gearshift control S 55
AMG 181
Transmission fluid 292
Auxiliary fuse box 412B
BabySmart
TM
Air bag deactivation system 73
Compatible child seats 73, 437
Self-test 74
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 437
Backrest supports
Lumbar region 123
Shoulder region 123
Backup lamps 390, 395
Bulbs 390
Bar 322
BAS 81, 437
Messages in display 351
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 95
Checking 95
Replacing 387
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking 101
Battery discharged
Jump starting 406

467 Index
Tightening torque (Wheel bolts) 402
Tilt/sliding sunroof
Stopping 213
Synchronizing 213
TIN 324
Tire
Vehicle maximum load on 324
Tire and Loading Information 300
Tire and loading terminology 322
Tire care and maintenance 297
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 285, 305, 307
Setting units 164
Tire inflation pressure see the placard on
the fuel filler flap
Tire inspection 297
Tire load rating 324
Tire ply composition and material
used 324
Tire speed rating 278, 314, 324, 442
Tire terminology 322
Tire traction 277Tires 296
Direction of rotation 299
Driving instructions 276
Messages in display 372–378
Retreads 296
Rotating 325
Service life 297
Temperature 306, 321
Tire inflation pressure monitor warning
lamp 344
Tread depth 298, 326
Wear pattern 325
Winter 326
Tools 379
Tow-away alarm 89
Arming 89
Disarming 89
Disarming for transport 89
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit) 380
Installing 410
Towing the vehicle 408
Traction 179, 324, 442
Transmission see Automatic
transmission 292
Tread 324
Tread depth 298Tread depth (tires) 326
Treadwear indicators 324
Trip computer 157
Trip odometer
Resetting 141
Trunk
Auxiliary fuse box 412
Closing 105
Closing from the inside
automatically* 105
Lighting 138, 139
Lock button, KEYLESS-GO* 101
Message in display 371
Opening 103
Opening from inside vehicle 104
Opening with SmartKey 95
Parcel net 250
Tie-down hooks 241
Trunk lid 103, 105
Trunk lock 384
Unlocking with SmartKey 95
Unlocking with SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 102
Trunk lid
Limiting opening height* 105
Trunk lid emergency release 111