246 Control systemsInstrument cluster control systemResetting fuel consumption statistics
Press ( or & to select the “Trip”
menu.
Press % or $ to select the func-
tion you wish to reset.
Press #.
Illustration: Reset trip odometer
Press % t o s e l e c t “Yes” and confirm
with #.Distance to empty
Press ( or & to select the “Trip”
menu.
Press % or $ to select “Range”.
In the display you will see the calculat-
ed range based on the current fuel tank
level.
Digital speedometer
Press ( or & to select the “Trip”
menu.
Press % or $ to select the digital
speedometer.
1Digital speedometer
Navi menu
The display in the “Navi” menu depends on
whether route guidance is active or not.
Press ( or & to select the “Navi”
menu.
Route guidance not active
The multifunction display shows the direc-
tion of travel and the name of the street
you are currently driving on, if known by
the navigation system.
1Direction of travel
2Street you are currently driving on
i
You can reset the trip odometer by pressing
and holding the
L
button. The trip odometer
is then reset without confirmation.
i
The menu overview can be found on
(
page 243).
302 Control systemsVoice Control* individualizationThe individualization is used to adapt the
Voice Control System to your own voice
and to therefore improve speech recogni-
tion. This does not affect the speech rec-
ognition of other users.
Individualization consists of two stages:
Digits
Commands
You can activate individualization in the
COMAND system settings (
page 215).
A dialog and screen displays will guide you
through the individualization process.
The system can be reset to the factory set-
tings at any time.
i
The individualization can only be performed
when the vehicle is stationary.
If you drive off, the individualization will be can-
celed.
After starting the session, the system will guide
you through the individualization by means of
acoustic instructions.
i
You may wish to complete only a portion of
the individualization process.
Completing the digits portion alone may result in
an improved recognition rate.
Individualization can be exited at any time. The
data trained, however, will only be retained if a
given individualization portion is completed and
the data is stored when prompted to do so by the
system.
313 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Power closing assist for doors and trunk lid
It is not necessary to slam the door or
trunk lid closed. An electrical power-assist-
ed mechanism draws doors and trunk lid
closed quietly and automatically once door
and trunk lid has been latched. When the
electrical power-assisted mechanism has
stopped, doors and/or trunk can be
re-opened.
Power closing assist for doors: Press
the doors gently past the initial engage
position into the lock.
The doors close automatically.
Power closing assist for trunk lid:
Press the trunk lid gently into its lock.
The trunk closes automatically.
Automatic central locking
The doors and the trunk automatically lock
when the ignition is switched on and the
wheels are turning at vehicle speeds of ap-
proximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or more. The
locking knobs in the doors move down.
You can open a locked door from the in-
side. Open door only when conditions are
safe to do so.
You can deactivate the automatic locking
using the COMAND system (
page 223).
Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the door
or trunk lid opening when closing a door or
the trunk. Be especially careful when small
children are around.
In case of danger, pull the inside or outside
door handle, or pull the trunk lid handle.
To prevent personal injury, never actuate
the closing assist mechanism by tampering
with the door or trunk lid latch.
Warning!
G
Only drive with the doors closed. Otherwise,
one or more of the doors could open while
the vehicle is in motion, putting you and/or
others at risk.Warning!
G
Only drive with the trunk closed as, among
other dangers such as blocked visibility, ex-
haust fumes may enter the vehicle interior.
i
The doors are designed to unlock automati-
cally after an accident if the force of the impact
exceeds a preset threshold. The vehicle locks au-
tomatically when the ignition is switched on and
the wheels are turning at vehicle speeds of ap-
proximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or more. You
could therefore lock yourself out when the vehi-
cle
is pushed or towed
is on a test stand
325 Controls in detailSeats
Adjustment
1Head restraint side cushions
2Adjusting head restraint forward and
backward
You can individually adjust side
cushions1 of the luxury head restraints.
Adjusting side cushions: Pull or push
side cushions1 into desired position.
Adjusting forward or backward: Pull
or push head restraint in direction of
arrow2.Resetting
If the luxury active head restraints have
been triggered in an accident, the luxury
active head restraints must be reset. Oth-
erwise, the luxury active head restraints
cannot offer any additional protection in
the event of another rear-end collision.
Have this work carried out by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
For information on luxury active head re-
straints, see “Luxury active head restraints
(S 600 only)” (
page 59).
Rear head restraintsFolding head restraints back
The rear seat head restraints and the rear
seat power head restraints* can be folded
backward for increased visibility.
1Switch in the front center console
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, always drive with the
rear head restraints in the upright position
when the rear seats are occupied.
Otherwise, the back of the head will not be
supported in the event of a collision. As a re-
sult, rear seat occupants could be injured.
Warning!
G
Keep the area around head restraints clear
of articles (e.g. clothing) to not obstruct the
folding operation of the head restraints.i
You can only fold back the rear seat head re-
straints when no rear seat passenger is wearing
a seat belt.
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.
362 Controls in detailDriving and parking
For more information, see “Driving instruc-
tions” (
page 479).
Turn signalsCombination switch1Turn signals, right
2Turn signals, left
Press the combination switch up1 or
down2.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lampL orK flashes in the in-
strument cluster (
page 28).
The combination switch resets automati-
cally after major steering wheel move-
ments.
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires
An ignition cable may be damaged.
The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.
Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.
Give very little gas.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector le-
ver out of P or N if the engine speed is high-
er than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accel-
erate quickly forward or in 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.!
Shift the automatic transmission toP or R
only when the vehicle is stopped in order to avoid
damaging the transmission.
!
Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high engine
speeds may shorten the service life of the en-
gine.
!
Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brake reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake and
drivetrain wear.
i
To signal minor directional changes, e.g.
passing or changing lanes, move combination
switch to point of resistance only and release.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.
380 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe driving systems of your vehicle are de-
scribed on the following pages:
Cruise control and DISTRONIC Plus*,
with which the vehicle can maintain a
preset speed.
Distance warning function* (only avail-
able with DISTRONIC Plus*), which
warns of a stationary obstacle or slow-
er moving vehicle that you are closing
on to quickly.
Airmatic (S 550 only) and ABC* adjust
the vehicle suspension characteristics
automatically and control the vehicle
level.
Parktronic* and Park Assist*, which
serve as a parking assistant.
Dynamic Rear View Monitor* is an
electronic and visual parking aid.
Night View Assist* illuminates the road
with infrared light in addition to the nor-
mal headlamps.For information on the ABS, Adaptive
Brake, BAS, BAS Plus*, EBP, and ESP
® driv-
ing systems, see “Driving safety systems”
(
page 69).
Cruise control
Cruise control automatically maintains the
speed you set for your vehicle.
The use of cruise control is recommended
for driving at a constant speed for extend-
ed periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed over 20 mph
(30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
Warning!
G
Cruise control is a convenience system de-
signed to assist the driver during vehicle op-
eration. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.
The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.
The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.
Deactivate cruise control when driving
in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.