2007 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS lights

343 Controls in detail
Lighting
Low beam headlamps
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.
Turn the switch toB.
The green indicator lampC in the
exterior lamp switch comes on.Manual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and parking
lamps can be switched on and off with the
exterior lamp switch. For exterior lamp
switch (
page 342).
Automatic headlamp mode
The following lamps switch on and off au-
tomatically depending on the brightness of
the ambient light:


Low beam headlamps


Tail and parking lamps


License plate lamps


Side marker lamps
i
With the SmartKey removed from the starter
switch or the engine turned off with
KEYLESS-GO* and the driver’s door open, a
warning sounds if the parking lamps or low beam
headlamps are switched on.
The message: “Please switch off lights” appears
in the multifunction display.
i
With the daytime running lamp mode activat-
ed and the engine running, the low beam head-
lamps cannot be switched off manually.
For information on how to activate the daytime
running lamp mode, see “Daytime running lamp
mode” (
page 344).
Warning!
G
If the exterior lamp switch is set to*,

the headlamps may switch off unexpect-
edly when the system senses bright am-
bient light, for example light from
oncoming traffic.
If the exterior lamp switch is set to*,

the headlamps may switch off unexpect-
edly when the system senses bright am-
bient light, for example light from
oncoming traffic.


the headlamps will not be automatically
switched on under foggy conditions.
To minimize risk to you and to others, acti-
vate headlamps by turning exterior lamp
switch to B when driving or when traffic
and/or ambient lighting conditions require
you to do so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only
switch from position * to B with the
vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching from * to B will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions
may result in an accident.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid to the driver. The driver is responsible for
the operation of the vehicle’s lights at all
times.

346 Controls in detailLightingLocator lighting and night security illu-
mination
Locator lighting and night security illumi-
nation are described in the COMAND vehi-
cle section under “Setting locator lighting”
(page 221) and “Setting night security il-
lumination” (
page 220).
Headlamp cleaning system
1Headlamp washer button

Switch on the ignition (
page 315).

Press button1.
The headlamps are cleaned with a
high-pressure water jet.For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system”
(
page 498).
Combination switch
1High beam
2High beam flasher
Switching on high beams
Turn exterior lamp switch to
positionB or to*
(page 342).

Push the combination switch in the
direction1.
The high beam indicatorA on the
instrument cluster comes on.
i
The headlamps are automatically cleaned if,
at the same time,


the engine is running


the lights are switched on


the windshield wipers have wiped the wind-
shield with washer fluid 15 times
When you switch off the ignition or press
button1, the automatic function is reset and
will start counting the next time from the begin-
ning.

347 Controls in detail
Lighting
High beam flasher
Pull the combination switch briefly in
the direction2.
Corner-illuminating lamps
The corner-illuminating lamps improve illu-
mination of the area in the direction into
which you are turning.
Corner-illuminating lamps will operate
with:

the engine running


during darkness


the headlamps switched on
Switching on corner-illuminating lamps

Depending on whether you are turning
left or right, switch on the left or right
turn signal (
page 342).The respective corner-illuminating
lamp comes on and illuminates the
area in the direction into which you are
turning.Switching off the corner-illuminating
lamps
The combination switch for the turn signal
resets automatically after major steering
wheel movements. This will switch off the
corner-illuminating lamps if they were acti-
vated by switching on the left or right turn
signal.
If the turn signal should stay on after mak-
ing the turn, the turn signal and corner-illu-
minating lamp can be switched off by
returning the combination switch to its
original position.
i
The corner-illuminating lamps function is not
available at a vehicle speed above 25 mph
(40 km/h).
i
The corner-illuminating lamps will come on
automatically up to a speed of approximately
25 mph (40 km/h) depending on the steering
angle, even if you did not switch on either turn
signal. If the corner-illuminating lamps came on
automatically, they will also go out automatically
depending on the steering angle.
i
If you have switched on the turn signal for
one side but turn the steering wheel in the other
direction, the corner-illuminating lamp lights up
on the side of the turn signal.
i
The corner-illuminating lamps temporarily
light up on both sides of the vehicle if you turn
the steering wheel in one direction and then in
the other direction shortly thereafter.
i
When you shift the automatic transmission
in reverse gearR, the inverse corner-illuminating
lamp comes on automatically depending on the
steering direction and steering angle.
The turn signal has no influence on the corner-il-
luminating lamp on the outside of the curve.
i
If you are driving faster than 25 mph
(40 km/h) when activating the turn signal indica-
tor, the corner-illuminating lamp function is
switched off.
i
The corner-illuminating lamp may remain lit
for a short time. The corner-illuminating lamp
lights up for no more than 20 seconds with the
vehicle standing still. It is then switched off even
if the turn signal is still switched on or you have
turned the steering wheel to full lock.

366 Controls in detailDriving and parking
Shift the automatic transmission toP.
Turning off with SmartKey

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 (
page 315) and remove
it.
The immobilizer is activated.Turning off with KEYLESS-GO*

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button (
page 317) to turn off the en-
gine.
With the driver’s door closed, the start-
er switch is now in position1. With the
driver’s door opened, the starter switch
is set to position0, same as SmartKey
removed from starter switch
(
page 315).
Releasing seat belts
Press the seat belt release button
(page 340).
Allow the retractor to completely re-
wind the seat belt by guiding the latch
plate.
headlamps are switched on.
The message: “Please switch off lights” appears
in the multifunction display.i
When parked on an incline, also turn front
wheels towards the road curb.
i
If the engine can no longer be stopped using
the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*, the engine can
be turned off by withdrawing two fuses. For more
information, see “Emergency engine shut-down”
(
page 648).
i
If you turn off the engine using the SmartKey
and remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch with the automatic transmission in a posi-
tion other than P, the transmission will automat-
ically shift toP.
Keep in mind that turning off the engine with the
SmartKey alone will not automatically shift the
transmission to P.Only when the SmartKey is removed from the
starter switch will the transmission automatical-
ly shift to P.
i
In an emergency you can turn off the engine
while driving by pressing and holding the
KEYLESS-GO start/ stop button for approxi-
mately 3 seconds.
i
If you turn off the engine using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and open the
driver’s door with the automatic transmission in
a position other than P, the transmission will au-
tomatically shift toP.Keep in mind that turning off the engine with the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button alone will not au-
tomatically shift the transmission to P. Only
when the driver’s door is opened will the trans-
mission automatically shift to P.
i
If you drive through an automatic conveyor
type car wash, you can switch on the ignition
with the KEYLESS-GO button and engage gear N
or insert the SmartKey into the starter switch.
!
M a k e s u r e t h e s e a t b e l t r e t r a c t s f u l l y s o t h a t
the seat belt and/or latch plate cannot get
caught or pinched in the door or in the seat
mechanism. This can damage the seat belt and
impair the effectiveness of the seat belt, and/or
cause damage to the door and/or door trim pan-
el. Such damage is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Damaged seat belts must be replaced. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.


373 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Driving tips
Accelerator position
Your driving style influences the automatic
transmission’s shifting behavior:
Less throttle Earlier upshifting
More throttle Later upshifting
Kickdown
Use kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.
Press the accelerator past the point of
resistance.
Depending on the engine speed the au-
tomatic transmission shifts into a lower
gear.

Ease on the accelerator when you have
reached the desired speed.
The automatic transmission shifts up
again.Stopping
When you stop briefly, e.g. at traffic lights:

Leave the automatic transmission in
gear.

Hold the vehicle with the brake.
When you stop for a longer period of time
with the engine idling and/or on a hill:

Set the electric parking brake.

Shift into park positionP.
Maneuvering
When you maneuver in tight areas,
e.g. when pulling into a parking space:

Control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes.

Accelerate gently.

Never abruptly step on the accelerator.Rocking the vehicle
Rocking the vehicle by shifting between
drive positionD and reverse gearR can
help free a vehicle stuck in mud or snow.
The engine control system of this vehicle
electronically limits shifting between drive
positionD and reverse gearR to very low
speeds (i.e. approx. 5 mph (9 km/h)). To
shift between drive positionD and reverse
gearR, move the gear selector lever past
the resistance point up or down.
Working on the vehicle
Warning!
G
When working on the vehicle, set the
electric parking brake and shift to park
positionP. Otherwise the vehicle could roll
away.

388 Controls in detailDriving systemsWhen DISTRONIC Plus detects a vehicle
driving ahead of you, the ring on the speed-
ometer dial lights up between the speed of
the vehicle ahead of you and set speed2.
If DISTRONIC Plus calculates that there is
a danger of collision (
page 397):


The distance warning lampl in the
instrument cluster comes on.


An intermittent warning sounds.

Immediately brake the vehicle to avoid
a collision.
Under no circumstances should the
driver await the intermittent warning
sound before braking. See the follow-
ing warning note.
The intermittent warning sound ceases
and the distance warning lampl
goes out when the necessary distance
to the vehicle ahead is again
established.
Warning!
G
An intermittent warning sounds and the dis-
tance warning lampl in the instrument
cluster is illuminated if the DISTRONIC Plus
system calculates that the distance to the
vehicle ahead and your vehicle’s current
speed indicate that DISTRONIC Plus will not
be capable of slowing the vehicle sufficiently
to maintain the preset following distance,
which creates a danger of a collision.
Immediately brake your vehicle to increase
the distance between your vehicle and the
vehicle in front of you. The warning sound is
intended as a final caution that you have not
interceded with your own braking inputs to
avoid a potentially dangerous situation. Do
not wait for the operation of the warning sig-
nal to intercede with your own braking, as
that will result in potentially dangerous
emergency braking which will not always re-
sult in an impact being avoided.
Tailgating increases the risk of an accident.
Warning!
G
DISTRONIC Plus brakes your vehicle with a
maximum of 13 ft/s
2 (4 m/s
2). This corre-
sponds to about 40% of the maximum decel-
eration ability of your vehicle.
DISTRONIC Plus brakes the vehicle in an ef-
fort to restore the preset distance or to
maintain the speed. The brake pedal is auto-
matically applied as this happens which re-
sults in the brake pedal moving.
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times, in-
cluding the area under the brake pedal. Ob-
jects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement which could interfere with the
braking ability of the DISTRONIC Plus sys-
tem.
Do not place your foot under the brake pedal
– your foot could become caught.

411 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Warning indicators
Visual signals indicate to the driver the rel-
ative distance between the sensors and an
obstacle.
The warning indicator for the front area is
in the instrument cluster. The warning indi-
cator for the rear area is on the roof liner in
the rear.
1Left side of the vehicle
2Right side of the vehicle
3Indicator
Each warning indicator is divided into five
yellow and two red distance segments for
either side of the vehicle.
If yellow indicators 3 under the segments
are lit, Park Assist is ready to measure.The position of the gear selector lever de-
termines which warning indicators will be
activated.
As your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more distance segments will illuminate,
depending on the distance. When the sev-
enth distance segment illuminates, you
have reached the minimum distance.


Front area:
As soon as the first red segment lights
up, you will hear an intermittent warn-
ing tone for approx. two seconds. Once
the second red segment lights up, you
will hear a continuous warning tone.
You have reached the minimum dis-
tance.


Rear area:
As soon as the first red segment lights
up, you will hear an intermittent warn-
ing tone for approx. two seconds. Once
the second red segment lights up, you
will hear a continuous warning tone.
You have reached the minimum dis-
tance.
Gear selector
lever position
Warning indicator
D
Front area activated
R
Front and rear area
activated
N
With the electric park-
ing brake engaged:
neither activated.
With the electric park-
ing brake released:
front and rear area acti-
vated.
P
Neither activated
i
During strong rainfall, the warning indicators
and warning tones may be triggered, for exam-
ple, by water splashing into the area of the sen-
sors.

578 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Parking brake
See Oper. Manual
The red indicator lamp for the electric park-
ing brake flashes and the yellow warning
lamp for the electric parking brake lights
up.
The electric parking brake is malfunction-
ing.

Switch ignition off and back on again, and en-
gage or release electric parking brake
(page 364).
or

Carefully drive off (
page 364).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
or

Release electric parking brake mechanically
(page 616).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
(USA only)(Canada only)