2007 MERCEDES-BENZ S550 Suspension system

374 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionHill start assist system
On uphill grades with a gradient angle of
more than 5°, the hill start assist system
maintains the pressure in the brake sys-
tem for approximately 1 second after you
have released the brake pedal. Therefore,
you can start off smoothly without the
vehicle moving immediately after releasing
the brake pedal.The hill start assist system is inactive


when starting off on a level road or
downhill grades


with the automatic transmission in
neutral position N


with the electric parking brake set


if the ESP
® has switched off due to a
malfunction
Automatic shift program
The program mode selector switch is used
to adjust

shift program


suspension tuning of Airmatic*
(page 402) or ABC* (
page 404)


engine control
Program mode selector switchC Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving
The selected program mode CorS ap-
pears in the tachometer display.
Warning!
G
The hill start assist system is not designed
to function as a parking brake and does not
prevent the vehicle from moving when
parked on an incline.
Always set the electric parking brake in
addition to shifting to park positionP.

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.

401 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Airmatic (S 550 only)
Airmatic automatically selects the opti-
mum suspension tuning and ride height for
your vehicle.
Airmatic consists of two components:

Level control system


Adaptive Damping System (ADS)
The ADS automatically selects the opti-
mum damping for the respective driv-
ing conditions. At the same time the
suspension is set to either sporty or
regular.Vehicle level control with Airmatic
Your vehicle automatically adjusts its ride
height to:


reduce fuel consumption


increase vehicle stability
The vehicle chassis ride height is raised or
lowered according to the selected level
setting and to the vehicle speed:


With increasing speed, ride height is re-
duced by up to approximately 0.8 in
(20 mm).


With decreasing speed, the ride height
is again raised to the selected vehicle
level.The following vehicle level settings can be
selected when the vehicle is stationary:
Select the “Raised” level setting only when
required by current driving conditions.
Otherwise:


Fuel consumption may increase.


Handling may be impaired.
i
These height adjustments are so small that
you may not notice any change.
LevelNormal
For driving on normal roads.
The indicator lamp is off.
Raised
For driving on rough roads or
with snow chains. The indica-
tor lamp is on.

402 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe Airmatic button with the indicator
lamp is located on the control panel on the
right-hand side of the instrument cluster.
1Vehicle level control switch
2Indicator lamp

Start the engine.

Briefly press switch1 to change from
one level setting to the other.
The message:
Vehicle rising
appears in the multifunction display
when changing from normal level to
raised level.
The indicator lamp2 is then lit. The
display switches off when the vehicle is
raised.

Press switch1 again to lower the ve-
hicle. The indicator lamp2 is off.Suspension tuning
The Adaptive Damping System (ADS) auto-
matically tunes shock absorbers and
springs.
The program mode selector switch (S/C)
(
page 374) is used to adjust the suspen-
sion tuning:
In addition, suspension characteristics in
both driving programs (S/C) depend on:


your driving style


road surface conditions


the vehicle loading
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands
and feet away from wheel housing area, and
stay away from under the vehicle when low-
ering the vehicle chassis.
i
The selected vehicle level setting remains
stored in memory even if the engine is turned off
and restarted except when you


exceed a speed of 75 mph (120 km/h)
or


maintain a speed of between 50 mph
(80 km/h) and 75 mph (120 km/h) for more
than 3 minutes
The vehicle then lowers to regular level.
Driving program
Suspension tuning
CComfort
Comfortable
(default setting)
SStandard
Standard
for dynamic driving

403 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Active Body Control (ABC)*
The ABC system automatically selects the
optimum suspension tuning and ride
height for your vehicle.
The ABC system consists of an active, hy-
draulically controlled suspension and
damping system.
Vehicle level control with ABC*
Your vehicle automatically adjusts its ride
height to:

reduce fuel consumption


increase vehicle stability
The vehicle chassis ride height is raised or
lowered according to the selected level
setting and to the vehicle speed:


With increasing speed, ride height is re-
duced by up to approximately 0.6 in
(15 mm).


With decreasing speed, the ride height
is again raised to the selected vehicle
level.The following vehicle level settings can be
selected when the vehicle is stationary:
Select the “Raised” level setting only when
required by current driving conditions.
Otherwise:


Fuel consumption may increase.


Handling may be impaired.
i
These height adjustments are so small that
you may not notice any change.
LevelNormal
For driving on normal roads.
The indicator lamp is off.
Raised
For driving on rough roads or
with snow chains. The indica-
tor lamp is on.
i
The selected vehicle level setting remains
stored in memory even if the engine is turned off
and restarted.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands
and feet away from wheel housing area, and
stay away from under the vehicle when low-
ering the vehicle chassis.

404 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe ABC level control switch with the indi-
cator lamp is located on the control panel
on the right-hand side of the instrument
cluster.
1Vehicle level control switch
2Indicator lampSelecting a higher level

Start the engine.
If indicator lamp2 is off:

Press switch1.
Indicator lamp2 comes on. The vehi-
cle is raised to a higher level.
Selecting a normal level

Start the engine.
If indicator lamp2 is on:

Press switch1.
Indicator lamp2 goes out. The vehicle
is adjusted to a normal level.Suspension tuning
The program mode selector switch (C/S)
(
page 374) is used to adjust the suspen-
sion tuning:
In addition, suspension characteristics in
both driving programs (S/C) depend on:


your driving style


road surface conditions


the vehicle loading
Driving program
Suspension tuning
CComfort
Comfortable
(default setting)
SStandard
Standard
for dynamic driving

643 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
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 brake sys-
tem


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 position 2 and automatic
locking is deactivated (
page 223).
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.i
The automatic transmission will remain
locked in position P and the SmartKey will not
turn in the starter switch if the consumer battery
is disconnected or discharged. See information
on the battery (
page 634) or on jump starting
(
page 639).
i
To signal turns while being towed with the
hazard warning flasher in use, turn SmartKey in
starter switch to position 2 and activate the com-
bination switch for the left or right turn signal in
the usual manner – only the selected turn signal
will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warn-
ing flasher will operate again.
!
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, please note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the SmartKey in starter switch position 2, or
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button (
page 317)
in position 2, the vehicle doors lock if the left
front wheel as well as the right rear wheel are
turning at vehicle speeds of approximately
9mph (15km/h) or more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm (
page 76).
To prevent the vehicle doors from locking, deac-
tivate the automatic central locking
(
page 313).
Towing of the vehicle should only be done using
the properly installed towing eye bolt. Never at-
tach tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to vehicle
chassis, frame or suspension parts.

695 Index
Seat belts 55
Children in the vehicle 61
Cleaning 542
Fastening 55, 339
Force limiter 58
Messages in display 605
Proper use of 57, 341
Safety guidelines 47
Telltale 29, 55, 550
Seating capacity 505
Seats 318
adjusting front passenger seat from
driver’s seat 321
Adjustment 318
Drive-dynamic multicontour* in the
front, Adjusting (COMAND) 240
Easy entry/exit feature 328
Folding back and placing upright rear
head restraints 325
Head restraints 324
Lumbar support (COMAND) 237
Memory function 336
Multicontour* in the front, Adjusting
(COMAND) 237
Operating via COMAND 236Setting front passenger seat position
from rear 321
Ventilation* 323
Seats*
Heating 322
Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down hooks 453
Selector lever
Lock 359
Selector lever see Gear selector lever
Self-test
OCS 54
Tele Aid 462
Service and warranty information 14
Service intervals see Maintenance service
indicator
Service life, Tires 501
Service see Maintenance
Service system see FSS (Canada vehicles)
or Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Service, Parts 650
Setting
Cruise control 381
DISTRONIC Plus* time interval 396
Following distance in DISTRONIC
Plus* 396Higher speed in cruise control 383
Higher speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 393
Lower speed in cruise control 383
Lower speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 394
Slower speed in cruise control 383
Slower speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 394
Speed in DISTRONIC Plus* 393
Suspension tuning (ABC*) 403
Temperature (interior) 429
Temperature (rear passenger
compartment) 435
To last stored speed (“Resume” func-
tion) in cruise control 384
To last stored speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* (“Resume” function) 395
Vehicle level control (ABC*) 403
Setting current speed 381
Settings
Calling up DISTRONIC Plus* 389
Control system instrument cluster
menus 254
Resetting trip odometer 246