2007 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS sensor

512 OperationTires and wheelsThe TPMS only functions on wheels that
are equipped with the proper electronic
sensors. It monitors the tire inflation pres-
sure, as selected by the driver, in all four
tires. A warning is issued to alert you to a
decrease in pressure in one or more of the
tires.
Tire inflation pressure inquiries are made
using the multifunction display. The
present inflation pressures are displayed
only after a few minutes of travel time.
Switch on the ignition (
page 315).

Press( or& to select the menu
“Service”.

Press$ or% to select “Tire
pressure”.

Press#.
i
Possible differences between the readings
of a tire inflation pressure gauge of an air hose,
e.g. gas station equipment, and the vehicle’s
control system can occur. Usually the readings
issued by the control system are more precise.
i
The menu overview can be found on
(
page 243).
i
When the message “Tire pressures dis-
played after driving a few minutes” appears in
the display, the individual inflation pressure val-
ues are matched with the tires. The individual
values are displayed after a few minutes driving.Warning!
G
It is the driver’s responsibility to calibrate
the TPMS on the recommended cold infla-
tion pressure. Underinflated tires affect the
ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
might lose control over the vehicle.
i
With a spare wheel without wheel sensor
mounted, the system may still indicate the tire
inflation pressure of the removed wheel for some
minutes. If this happens, keep in mind that the
indicated value where the spare wheel is mount-
ed does not reflect the actual spare tire inflation
pressure.Warning!
G
The TPMS does not indicate a warning for
wrongly selected inflation pressures. Always
adjust tire inflation pressure according to
the placard on the driver’s door B-pillar or, if
available, the supplemental tire pressure in-
formation on the inside of the fuel filler flap.
The TPMS is not able to issue a warning due
to a sudden dramatic loss of pressure (e.g.
tire blowout caused by a foreign object). In
this case bring the vehicle to a halt by care-
fully applying the brakes and avoiding
abrupt steering maneuvers.

514 OperationTires and wheelsReactivating Advanced TPMS
The TPMS must be reactivated when you
have adjusted the tire inflation pressure to
a new level (e.g. because of different load
or driving conditions). The TPMS is then
recalibrated to the current tire inflation
pressures.
Using the tire placard on the driver’s
door B-pillar (
page 503) or, if avail-
able, the supplemental tire inflation
pressure information on the inside of
the fuel filler flap (page 489), make
sure the tire inflation pressure of all
four tires is correct.

Switch on the ignition (
page 315).

Press( or& to select the menu
“Service”.

Press$ or% to select “Tire
pressure”.

Press#.
You will see

the current inflation pressures for
each tire
or


the message
Tire pressures
displayed after driving
a few minutes
appear in the multifunction display.

Press%.
The message
Use current pressure
values as new
reference values
To confirm press “OK”
appears in the multifunction display.
Warning!
G
It is the driver’s responsibility to calibrate
the TPMS on the recommended cold infla-
tion pressure. Underinflated tires affect the
ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
might lose control over the vehicle.
i
Reactivate the TPMS after adjusting the tire
inflation pressure to the inflation pressure rec-
ommended for the vehicle operating condition.
Tire inflation pressure should only be adjusted
on cold tires. Observe the recommended tire in-
flation pressure on the placard on the driver’s
door B-pillar (
page 503). Some vehicles may
have supplemental tire inflation pressure infor-
mation for driving at high speeds (
page 510)
or for vehicle loads less than the maximum load-
ed vehicle condition. If such information is pro-
vided, it can be found on the inside of the fuel
filler flap (
page 489).
i
After wheel rotation or sensor replacement,
the vehicle must be parked for 20 minutes be-
fore attempting to reactivate the TPMS.
i
The menu overview can be found on
(
page 243).

536 OperationVehicle careEngine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from contact with
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as
MB Anticorrosion Wax, should be applied
to the engine compartment after every en-
gine cleaning. Before applying, all control
linkage bushings and joints should be lu-
bricated. The poly-V-belt and all pulleys
should be protected from any wax.
Vehicle washing
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, do
not forget to clean the inner sides of the
wheels.Hand-wash
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight.

Only use a mild car wash detergent,
such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo.

Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water.
Direct only a very weak spray towards
the ventilation intake.

Use plenty of water and rinse the
sponge and chamois frequently.

Rinse with clean water and thoroughly
dry with a chamois.
Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on
the finish.
Automatic car wash
You can have your vehicle washed in an au-
tomatic car wash from the start. Automatic
car washes without brushes are prefera-
ble.If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it be-
fore running it through the automatic car
wash.
i
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of water, and
a SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is in close prox-
imity, i.e. within approximately 3 ft (approxi-
mately 1 m), the vehicle could be inadvertently
locked or unlocked.
!
Do not clean your vehicle in an automatic
touchless car wash which uses caustic spray.
Otherwise the caustic spray will damage the
paint or ornamental moldings.
!
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in
exterior rear view mirrors prior to running the ve-
hicle through an automatic car wash to prevent
damage to the mirrors.
Make sure that the windshield wiper switch is set
to0 (page 351). Otherwise, the rain sensor
could activate and cause the wipers to move un-
intentionally. This may lead to vehicle damage.
i
After running the vehicle through an auto-
matic car wash, wipe any wax off of the wind-
shield (
page 540). This will prevent smears
and reduce wiping noise which can be caused by
residual wax on the windshield.
When leaving the car wash, make sure that the
mirrors are folded out. Otherwise they may vi-
brate.

537 Operation
Vehicle care
Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of ornamen-
tal moldings, use a damp cloth.Headlamps, tail lamps, side markers,
turn signal lenses

Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo, with plenty of water.Cleaning the DISTRONIC Plus* system
sensor cover
1DISTRONIC Plus system sensor cover

Switch off the ignition (
page 315).

Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo, with plenty of water and a
non-scratching cloth to clean sensor
cover1.
!
Do not use chrome cleaner on ornamental
moldings. Although ornamental moldings may
have chrome appearance, they could be made of
anodized aluminum that will be damaged when
cleaned with chrome cleaner. Instead, use a
damp cloth to clean those ornamental moldings.
For very dirty ornamental moldings of which you
are sure are chrome-plated, use a chrome clean-
er. If in doubt whether an ornamental molding is
chrome-plated, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
!
Only use window cleaning solutions that are
suitable for plastic lamp lenses. Window clean-
ing solutions which are not suitable may damage
the plastic lamp lenses of the headlamps. There-
fore, do not use abrasives, solvents or cleaners
that contain solvents.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the lenses.
Do not attempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the lens
surface.
!
To prevent scratches or damage, never ap-
ply strong force and only use a soft, non-scratch-
ing cloth when cleaning the sensor cover1. Do
not attempt to wipe dirty sensors with a dry cloth
or sponge.

538 OperationVehicle careCleaning the Parktronic* system
sensors
1Parktronic system sensors
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo, with plenty of water and a
soft, non-scratching cloth to clean
sensors1 on the bumpers.Cleaning the Park Assist* system
sensors
The sensors are integrated in the front and
rear bumpers and cannot be seen from the
outside.
Position of sensors
Clean bumper area near sensors with
water, shampoo and a soft cloth.Cleaning of the Dynamic Rear View
Monitor lens*
1Camera lens

Only clean the camera lens1 with
clean water and a soft cloth.

Be careful not to apply wax to the cam-
era lens1 when waxing the vehicle. If
necessary, remove the wax using a
mixture of commercially available car
shampoo and water.
!
Do not apply strong pressure to the sensor
covers. Applying strong pressure may damage
the sensor covers.
Follow the instructions provided by the power
washer manufacturer on maintaining a distance
between the vehicle and the nozzle of the power
washer.
!
To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and only use a soft, non-scratching cloth
when cleaning the sensors. Do not attempt to
wipe dirty sensors with a dry cloth or sponge.
!
Do not use any dry, rough or hard cloths and
do not scrub. You could otherwise scratch or
damage the surface.

560 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
DISTRONIC PLUS
currently unavailable
See Oper. Manual
You attempt to activate DISTRONIC Plus*
even though you have switched off the ra-
dar sensors* on the vehicle.

Check if the radar sensors* may be switched on (
page 256).

Switch on the radar sensors* using the instrument cluster
control system.
DISTRONIC Plus* is switched off and is
temporarily unavailable.
DISTRONIC Plus* is deactivated if:

the DISTRONIC Plus* cover in the radia-
tor grille is dirty


the radar sensors* does not sense any
other vehicles or objects, i.e. road sign
or similar to this, for a long time


the system is overheated


its function is impaired as a result of
heavy precipitation or fog


the battery voltage is insufficient

Clean the DISTRONIC Plus* cover in the radiator grille
(page 537).

Restart the vehicle.

Try activating DISTRONIC Plus* again later.

Wait until the system cools down or the battery recovers.
DISTRONIC Plus* will be operational again without you needing to
restart the engine if:


the dirt (e.g. slush) loosens while you are driving


the system detects that the sensors* are fully available again


the message in the multifunction display disappears
DISTRONIC Plus* is switched off because
the radar sensor system* is temporarily in-
operative due to electromagnetic interfer-
ence near television and radio transmitter
stations, toll stations, speed measuring sys-
tems, etc.

Wait until the message in the multifunction display disappears.

566 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Next Service X
due in ... days
due in ... mls (km)
Service X must be carried out in ... days or
after ... miles (kilometers) (
page 532).

Have the maintenance service carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only shift to
position 'P' when
vehicle is stationary
You have tried to Shift the automatic trans-
mission to P using the gear selector lever al-
though the vehicle is still in motion.

Stop the vehicle.
Park Assist
currently unavailable
See Oper. Manual
You attempt to activate Park Assist* even
though you have switched off the radar sen-
sors* on the vehicle.

Check if the radar sensors* may be switched on (
page 256).

Switch on the radar sensors* using the instrument cluster
control system.
Park Assist* is deactivated because the
area around the sensors* in the front or the
rear bumper (
page 538) is dirty.

Clean the front and rear bumper (
page 538).
Park Assist* is deactivated because the
battery voltage is insufficient.

Have the battery checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Park Assist* is switched off because the ra-
dar sensor system* is temporarily inopera-
tive due to electromagnetic interference
near television and radio transmitter sta-
tions, toll stations, speed measuring sys-
tems, etc.

Wait until the message in the multifunction display disappears.

567 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Park Assist
inoperative
Park Assist* is unavailable due to a mal-
function.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
PRE-SAFE
inoperative
See Owner's Manual
PRE-SAFE
® itself has failed. All other occu-
pant safety systems, such as the air bags,
are still available.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Check tires
then restart
Run Flat Indicator
There was a warning message about a loss
in tire inflation pressure and the Run Flat In-
dicator* has not been restarted yet.

Check and adjust tire inflation pressure as required
(page 514).

Then restart the Run Flat Indicator* (
page 515).
Radar sensor
deactivated
See Oper. Manual
You attempt to activate DISTRONIC Plus*
or Park Assist* even though you have
switched off the radar sensors* on the vehi-
cle.

Check if the radar sensors* may be switched on (
page 256).

Switch on the radar sensors* using the instrument cluster
control system.
Run Flat Indicator
inoperative
The Run Flat Indicator* is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Service X
due
Service X must be carried out (
page 532).

Have the maintenance service carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Service X exceeded
by X days
by XXX mls (km)
Service X must be carried within the next ...
or before you have driven ... miles (kilome-
ters) (
page 532).

Have the maintenance service carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Shift to P or N
to start engine
You have attempted to start the engine
while the automatic transmission was set to
position R or D.

Shift the automatic transmission to P or N (
page 367).