Page 415 of 481
414 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the drivetrain, however, we
recommend the drive shaft be discon-
nected at the rear axle drive flange (ve-
hicles with 4MATIC: disconnected at
the front and rear axle drive flanges) for
any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:
the engine will not run
there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.iThe gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP and the SmartKey
will not turn in the starter switch if the
battery is disconnected or discharged.
See information on the battery
(page 408) or on jump starting
(page 411).
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position2 and activate the combina-
tion switch for the left or right turn sig-
nal in the usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.
Page 454 of 481
453 Index
Automatic headlamp mode 132
Automatic lighting control
Activating 137
Deactivating 137
Automatic locking when driving 112
Automatic shift program
Automatic transmission 179
Automatic transmission 173
Accelerator position 177
Automatic shift program 179
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 185
Fluid level 293
Gear ranges 178
Gear selector lever position 173, 175
Gear shifting malfunctions 185
Kickdown 177
Kickdown, manual shift program
S 55 AMG and S 65 AMG 185
Manual shift program S 55 AMG and
S 65 AMG 183
Manual shifting 180
One-touch gearshifting 180
Selector lever position 173
Starting the engine 46Steering wheel gearshift control
S 55 AMG and S 65 AMG 181
Transmission fluid 293
Auxiliary fuse box 417
B
BabySmart
TM
Air bag deactivation system 73
Compatible child seats 73, 443
Self-test 73
BabySmart
TM air bag deactivation
system 443
Backrest supports
Lumbar region 123
Shoulder region 123
Backup lamps 395, 400
Bulbs 395
Bar 323
BAS 80, 444
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 95
Checking 95
Replacing 392
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking 101
Battery discharged
Jump starting 411Battery, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Check lamp 101
Replacing 393
Battery, vehicle 295, 408
Charging 409
Disconnecting 409
Reconnecting 410
Reinstalling 409
Removing 409
Bead 323
Bi-Xenon headlamps 444
Block heater (Canada only) 328
Blocking
Rear window operation 77
Brake assist system (BAS) 444
Brake fluid 285, 437
Brake lamp bulbs 395
Brake lamp, high mounted 395
Brake pads
Message in display 361
Brakes 274
High-performance brake system
(S 65 AMG only) 275
Warning lamp 341
Break-in period 272
Page 458 of 481
457 Index
Dialing
A number (telephone) 154
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 54
Digital clock 25
Digital speedometer 148
Direction of rotation (tires) 300
Discharged battery
Jump starting 411
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 409
Displays
Digital speedometer 148
Distronic* 220
Messages 290
Service indicator 329
Showing malfunctions 159
Vehicle status messages 349
Distance
Decreasing in Distronic* 226
Increasing in Distronic* 226
Setting in Distronic* 225
Warning function 226
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 157Distance warning function* 226
Activating 227
Deactivating 227
Distance warning lamp 226
Intermittent warning sound 226
Symbol in multifunction display 156
Distronic* 218, 445
Activated 222
Activating 223
Calling up settings 156, 221
Cleaning system sensor 335
Cruise control lever 222
Deactivated 222
Deactivating 225
Deceleration 221
Decreasing distance 226
Decreasing time interval 225
Displays in the speedometer dial 220
Distance warning function 226
Driving hints 227
Fine adjustment 224
Increasing distance 226
Increasing time interval 225
Intermittent signal tone 220
Menu 221
Messages in display 354Sensor cover 335
Setting a higher speed 224
Setting a slower speed 224
Setting following distance 225
Setting the current speed 223
Setting to last stored speed (“Resume”
function) 224
Warning and indicator lamps 220
Document holder 241
Door control panel 30
Door entry lamps 139
Door unlock
With Tele Aid 261
Doors
Message in display 365
Opening from inside vehicle 102
Opening from outside 94, 99
DOT 323, 445
Downhill driving
Cruise control 216
Downshifting 180
Drink holder see Cup holder 248
Drinking and driving 273
Drive-dynamic seat* 124
Adjusting 171
Page 462 of 481
461 Index
Height adjustments
Vehicle level 230, 233
High beam 50
Replacing bulbs 395
High beam flasher 135
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 370
Switching on 135
High mounted brake lamp 395
High-performance brake system
(S 65 AMG only) 275
Hood 287
Closing 288
Message in display 368
Opening 287
Hydroplaning 277
I
Identification labels 422
Emission control information
label 422
Vacuum line routing diagram
label 422
Ignition 34, 36
Switching on 34, 46, 47Immobilizer 85
Activating 85
Deactivating 85
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Individual seats* 117
Head restraint height 118
Infant and child restraint systems 71
Installing 74
LATCH child seat anchors 75
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid 259
Infrared reflecting windshield 269
Inside rear view mirror
Auto-dimming 186
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 74
Towing eye bolt 415
Wiper blades 402
Instrument cluster 24, 140, 446
Cleaning 337
Coolant temperature gauge 141
Illumination 140Multifunction display 143
Outside temperature indicator 142
Selecting language 164
Integrated remote control
Canadian programming 267
Erasing memory 268
Hand-held transmitter 265
Operating 268
Rolling code programming 266
Interior illumination
Delayed switch-off 167
Interior lighting 137
Activating automatic control 137
Deactivating automatic control 137
Manual operation 137
Reading lamps in the front 138
Reading lamps in the rear 138
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 41
J
Jump starting 411