2006 MERCEDES-BENZ S65AMG program mode

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

13 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that:

service facilities or replacement parts
may not be readily available,


unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat-
alytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts,


gasoline may have a considerably low-
er octane rating, and improper fuel can
cause engine damage.Certain Mercedes-Benz models are avail-
able for delivery in Europe under our Euro-
pean Delivery Program. For details, consult
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9

25 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Coolant temperature gauge
141
2
Fuel gauge with fuel tank
reserve warning lamp
343
3
LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp
51
KRight turn signal
indicator lamp
51
4
Speedometer with:vElectronic Stability
Program (ESP
®)
warning lamp
345
lDistance warning
lamp
Vehicles without Distronic*:
Distance warning lamp with-
out function. It illuminates
when the ignition is on. It
should go out when the en-
gine is running.
344
5
Tachometer
142
Item
Page
6
Right display with: 345
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator lamp
50
-Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
indicator lamp
340
7
JReset button
140
8
Display with:

Gear selector lever
position
174


Program mode
174


Digital clock
(see COMAND operating
instructions)
9
Multifunction display with:

Trip odometer
141


Main odometer
141
Item
Page
a
Outside temperature
indicator
142
b
Left display with:1Supplemental
Restraint System
(SRS) indicator lamp
347
;Brake warning lamp,
USA only
341
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only
341
?Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp,
USA only
342
±Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp, Canada
only
342
HTire inflation pressure
warning lamp
346
c
Knob for instrument cluster il-
lumination
140

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 dis-
tance in Distronic*
225
5
Distance warning function*
on/off button
225
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 175) with
gear ranges (page 178)


the selected program mode:
(C/S) (
page 179)
or
(M/C/S) (S 55 AMG and S 65 AMG
only) (
page 183)


the position of the accelerator pedal
(page 177)


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.

174 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission1Current gear range/gear selector lever
position
2Current program mode
The current gear range/gear selector lever
position and program mode (
C/S)
or (
M/C/S) appear in the tachometer
display.When the gear selector lever is in
positionD, you can influence transmission
shifting by:


limiting the gear range


changing gears manually
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector
lever out ofP orN if the engine speed is
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not
firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
!Allow engine to warm up under low
load use. Do not place full load on the
engine until the operating temperature
has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR or parking
positionP only when the vehicle is
stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period when driving off on
slippery road surfaces. This may cause
serious damage to the drivetrain which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

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.

180 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionGear selector lever one-touch gearshifting
Even with an automatic transmission, you
can change the gears manually and limit or
extend the gear range for automatic shift-
ing with the gear selector lever in
positionD and driving in the automatic
program modeC orS.Downshifting

Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in theD-direction.
The transmission will shift from the current
g e a r t o t h e n e x t l o w e r g e a r a s p e r m i t t e d b y
the shift program. This action simulta-
neously limits the gear range of the
transmission (
page 178).Upshifting

Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the right in theD+direction.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear to the next higher gear as permitted
by the shift program. This action simul-
taneously extends the gear range of the
transmission.
Canceling gear range limit

Press and hold the gear selector lever
in theD+direction until
D reappears in
the tachometer display.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear range directly to gear rangeD.
Shifting into optimal gear range

Press and hold the gear selector lever
in theD-direction.
The transmission will automatically select
the gear range suited for optimal
acceleration and deceleration. This will
involve shifting down one or more gears.
!Allow engine to warm up under low
load use. Do not place full load on the
engine until the operating temperature
has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR or parking
positionP only when the vehicle is
stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period when driving off on
slippery road surfaces. This may cause
serious damage to the drivetrain which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.iTo avoid overrevving the engine when
the gear selector lever is moved to
theD-direction, the transmission will
not shift to a lower gear if the engine’s
max. speed would be exceeded.