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
ContentsUseful features .................................. 231
Storage compartments................. 231
Ashtrays ....................................... 238
Cigarette lighters.......................... 239
Heated steering wheel* ............... 240
Telephone*................................... 241
Tele Aid ........................................ 242
Garage door opener ..................... 250
Infrared reflecting windshield ....... 256
Operation......................................... 257
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 258
Driving instructions............................ 259
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 259
Drinking and driving ..................... 259
Pedals .......................................... 259
Power assistance ......................... 259
Brakes .......................................... 260
Driving off .................................... 261
Parking ......................................... 261
Tires ............................................. 262
Hydroplaning ................................ 263
Tire traction.................................. 263
Tire speed rating .......................... 263
Winter driving instructions ........... 264
Standing water ............................. 265
Passenger compartment .............. 266
Driving abroad.............................. 266
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 266
Catalytic converter ....................... 267
Emission control .......................... 267
Coolant temperature .................... 268At the gas station .............................. 269
Refueling ...................................... 269
Check regularly and before a
long trip ....................................... 270
Engine compartment ......................... 272
Hood ............................................ 272
Engine oil ..................................... 273
Transmission fluid level................ 278
Active Body Control* (ABC*)
fluid level ..................................... 278
Coolant ........................................ 278
Battery ......................................... 280
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 281
Tires and wheels................................ 282
Important guidelines .................... 282
Life of tires................................... 283
Direction of rotation..................... 283
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 283
Rotating wheels ........................... 291
Winter driving .................................... 292
Winter tires .................................. 292
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 293
Snow chains................................. 293
192 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlVentilated storage compartment (except S 55 AMG)
The storage compartment under the front
armrest (
page 233) can be ventilated
when the automatic air conditioning is
switched on. The switch is located inside
the storage compartment in the front. The
air temperature is about the same as that
of the center air vents.
The air volume dependent on the setting
of:
Air distribution control
Air volume control
Air vents in the dashboard
The air temperature is about the same as
that of the dashboard air vents. It cannot
be regulated separately.Switching ventilation on
Open the storage compartment in front
of the armrest, see “Storage compart-
ment in front of armrest” (
page 232).
Push upper portion of switch.
Switching ventilation off
Open the storage compartment in front
of the armrest, see “Storage compart-
ment in front of armrest” (
page 232).
Push lower portion of switch. Rear passenger compartment adjust-
able air vents
Rear center console air vents
1Left center air vent, adjustable
2Right center air vent, adjustable
3Thumbwheel for center air vents with
adjustable booster blower
!Do not obstruct the air vent in the stor-
age compartment.iThe compartment can get very warm
due to its confined space. When storing
heat sensitive objects in the compart-
ment, close the air vent while heating
the passenger compartment.
231 Controls in detail
Useful features
Useful features
Storage compartments Glove box
1Unlocked
2Locked
3Glove box lid release
Locking the glove box
Insert mechanical key (
page 348)
into the glove box lock.
Turn the mechanical key to
position2.Unlocking the glove box
Insert mechanical key (
page 348)
into the glove box lock.
Turn the mechanical key to
position1.
Opening the glove box
Press glove box lid release3.
The glove box lid opens downward.
Closing the glove box
Push lid up to close.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when stowing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
gage or cargo in the trunk if possible. Do not
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.
232 Controls in detailUseful featuresStorage compartment in the glove box
A storage compartment is located in the
cover of the glove box. It can be used to
store check cards, pens, a flashlight, etc.
1Storage compartment in glove box
Lightly press the marking on the lid of
storage compartment1.
The lid opens upward.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 236).
Lightly touch cover plate1.
The cover opens automatically.
Closing
Lightly push cover plate1 up until it
engages.
233 Controls in detail
Useful features
Storage compartment below the front
armrest
The buttons are located under the cushion
of the armrest.
1Button to open storage compartment
(except S 55 AMG)
2Button to open storage trayOpening storage compartment
(except S 55 AMG)
Press button1 and lift the armrest lid.Opening storage tray
The tray contains a coin holder.
Press button2 and lift the armrest.
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 192)
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.
234 Controls in detailUseful featuresCompartment 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.Telephone holder*
The telephone holder is located under the
armrest in the center console.
1Telephone holder
Opening telephone holder
Fold the right side of the armrest up-
wards.Storage compartments in the rear pas-
senger compartment
Armrest with integrated storage com-
partment
1Rear armrest
2Lid handle
Opening the storage compartment:
Pull down the armrest by its strap.
Press handle2 and lift lid.!Before storing the armrest in the back-
rest, close the storage compartment
lid.
235 Controls in detail
Useful features
Storage compartment between rear
seats*
1Cover
Opening
Slide cover1 rearward.
Closing
Slide cover1 forward.Storage compartment in rear shelf*
1Rear shelf compartment
Opening
Lift the lid using the handle in the front.Storage compartments under the front
seats
1Lid
2Buttons
Opening
Press buttons2 together and fold
lid1 down.
Closing
Close lid1 until both buttons2 of
lock engage.