2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class ignition

738 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleTowing with front wheels raised

Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: Remove
the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
from the starter switch (
page 371).

Insert the SmartKey into the starter
switch.

Switch on the ignition.

Switch off the automatic central lock-
ing (
page 267).

Depress the brake pedal.

Shift the automatic transmission to
neutral positionN.

If engaged, manually release the
electronic parking brake.

Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
!
Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing so could
damage the transfer case, which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground. Observe
instructions for towing the vehicle with all
wheels on the ground (
page 739).
Warning!
G
When leaving the SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch, do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle.
It is possible for children to switch on the
ignition which could result in unsupervised
use of vehicle equipment. Unsupervised use
of vehicle equipment could result in an
accident and/or serious personal injury.
!
Keep in mind that it is important for the
SmartKey to be left in starter switch with the ig-
nition switched off. As soon as the SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch the automatic
transmission will shift to park positionP.
!
Make sure that the ignition is switched off.
If the starter switch is in position2, active brak-
ing action through the ESP
® may otherwise seri-
ously damage the brake system.
!
The vehicle may be towed only for distances
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to ex-
ceed 30 mph (50 km/h).

739 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing with all wheels on the ground

Switch on the ignition.

Shift the automatic transmission to
neutral positionN.

If engaged, manually release the
electronic parking brake.
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
system


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
This is necessary to adequately control the
towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
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.
!
Keep in mind that it is important to have the
ignition switched on. As soon as the SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch or the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* is removed from the vehicle,
the automatic transmission will shift to park
positionP.
!
The vehicle may be towed only for distances
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to ex-
ceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
i
To signal turns while being towed with the
hazard warning flasher in use, the ignition must
be switched on. You can then 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.

784 IndexHeated steering wheel* 387
Height adjustments
Vehicle level (ABC*) 471
High beam
Replacing bulbs 715
High beam flasher 403
High beam headlamp
Indicator lamp 29
High mounted brake lamp 715
High-performance brake system
(AMG vehicles only) 561
Hood 573
Message in display 683
Opening 573
Horn 27
Hydroplaning 563I
Identification labels 748
Identification Number, Vehicle (VIN) 749
Ignition 370, 372
Switching on 370
Switching on, KEYLESS-GO* 372
Immobilizer 82
Indicator lamps see Lamps,
indicator and warning
Individualization
Voice Control 355
Infant and child restraint systems see
Children in the vehicle
Infrared reflecting windshield 556
Inside door handle 367
Instrument cluster 28, 444
Coolant temperature gauge 29, 444
Fuel gauge 29
Illumination 444, 492
Lamps 628
Multifunction display 287
Outside temperature indicator 445
Selecting the language
(COMAND) 262Interior lighting 406
Activating automatic control 406
Ambient lighting (COMAND) 269
Deactivating automatic control 406
Delayed switch-off (COMAND) 270
In the rear 407
Reading lamps in the front 407
Reading lamps in the rear 407
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 388
Auto-dimming 390
Interior storage spaces see
Storage compartments
J
Jack 706, 724
Jacking up the vehicle 724
Jump starting 734

785 Index
K
Key, Mechanical 708
Loss of 366
Key, SmartKey 358
Battery check lamp 358, 360
Factory setting 359
Global locking and unlocking 359
Lock button 358
Locking and unlocking 358
Loss of 366
Messages in display 685
Opening button for trunk 358
Panic button 66
Remote control 358
Restoring to factory setting 361
Selective setting 360
Starting the engine 417
Switching on ignition with 370
Turning off engine 425
Unlock button 358Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 361
Battery check lamp 361, 365
Closing, Trunk 511
Factory setting 364
Global locking and unlocking 364
Important notes on using
KEYLESS-GO* 362
Lock button 361
Locking and unlocking 361
Loss of 366
Messages in display 684
Opening button for trunk 361
Panic button 66
Remote control 361
Restoring to factory setting 366
Selective setting 365
Starting the engine 417
Switching on ignition with 372
Turning off engine 425
Unlock button 361
Kickdown 433
Kilopascal 607L
Labels 748
Certification 748
Emission control information 749
Tire and Loading Information 586
Vacuum line routing diagram 749
Lamp bulbs, exterior 714
Lamps, exterior
Front 715
Light sensor 688
Rear 715
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 29, 67, 628
Air bag Off 46
Battery check lamp (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 365
Battery check lamp (SmartKey) 360
Brake warning lamp 29
Brakes 629
Combination low tire pressure* mal-
function telltale 29, 638
Distance warning lamp* 29, 634
DISTRONIC Plus* 29, 454, 634
Electronic parking brake 29, 630
Engine diagnostics 29, 632
Engine malfunction 29, 632