2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class warning

410 Controls in detailPower windowsOpening and closing power windows
The door windows are opened and closed
electrically. The switches

for all door windows are on the driver’s
door


for the front passenger side window
are on the front passenger door


for each rear side window are on the
rear doors1Left front door window
2Right front door window
3Left rear door window
4Right rear door window
Warning!
G
Do not keep any part of your body up against
the side window pane when opening a win-
dow. The downward motion of the pane may
pull that part of your body down between
the window pane and the door frame and
trap it there. If there is a risk of entrapment,
release the switch and press it again to
close the window.
Warning!
G
When closing the windows, make sure that
there is no danger of anyone being harmed
by the closing procedure.
Activate the override switch (
page 64)
when children are riding in the back seats of
the vehicle. The children may otherwise in-
jure themselves, e.g. by becoming trapped
in the window opening.
The closing of the door windows can be im-
mediately halted by releasing the switch or,
if the switch was pressed past the resis-
tance point and released, by pressing the
lower part of the respective switch again.
The door windows are equipped with the ex-
press-close and automatic reversal func-
tion. If the window encounters an
obstruction that blocks its path in a circum-
stance where you pressed the switch past
the resistance point and released it to close
the window, the automatic reversal function
will stop the window and open it slightly.

411 Controls in detail
Power windows

Switch on the ignition (
page 370).

Opening: Press the lower part of
switch1 to 4 (
page 410) to the re-
sistance point.
The corresponding window will move
downwards until you release the
switch.

Closing: Press the upper part of
switch1 to 4 (
page 410) to the re-
sistance point.
The corresponding window will move
upwards until you release the switch.
If the window encounters an obstruction
that blocks its path in a circumstance where
you are closing the window by pressing and
holding the switch, by pressing and holding
button ‹ on the SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO*, by pressing and holding
the sensor surface (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*) on an outside door handle,
or by pressing and holding button, on
the climate control panel, the automatic re-
versal function will not operate.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised ac-
cess to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
i
You can also open or close the windows us-
ing the SmartKey, see “Summer opening fea-
ture” (page 412) and “Convenience closing
feature” (page 413).
Depending on current position, the windows may
also open or close when the air recirculation
button, (page 501) is pressed and held
for 2 seconds.
i
Operating the windows from the rear is not
possible if you activate the override switch
(
page 64).
i
If PRE-SAFE
® has been activated, the door
windows close automatically until only a small
gap remains.
i
With the SmartKey in starter switch
position0 or removed from the starter switch,
the power windows can be operated:


until you open the driver’s or front passenger
door


for at least 5 minutes if no door was opened
Warning!
G
If you press and hold the switch up when
closing the window, and upward movement
of the window is blocked by some obstruc-
tion including but not limited to arms, hands,
fingers, etc., the automatic reversal will not
operate.


412 Controls in detailPower windows
Express-opening: Press the lower part
of switch1 to4 (
page 410) past
the resistance point and release.
The corresponding window opens com-
pletely.

Express-closing: Press the upper part
of switch1 to4 (
page 410) past
the resistance point and release.
The corresponding window closes com-
pletely.

Stopping during Express-operation:
Briefly press the respective power win-
dow switch again.
Rear side window sunshades*
Closing: With the side window fully
closed, press the upper part of
switch3 or4 (
page 410).
The rear side window sunshade will be
fully closed.

Opening: Press the lower part of
switch3 or4 (
page 410).
The rear side window sunshade will be
fully opened.
Summer opening feature
If the weather is warm, you can ventilate
the vehicle before driving off by simulta-
neously:

opening the door windows and rear
side window sunshades*


opening the tilt/sliding sunroof or
tilt/sliding panel* and extending the
roller sunblinds*


turning on the seat ventilation* for the
driver’s seat
Warning!
G
Driver’s door only:
If within 5 seconds you again press the
switch past the resistance point and re-
lease, the automatic reversal will not oper-
ate.
!
If the upward movement of the window is
blocked during the closing procedure, the win-
dow will stop and open slightly. Remove the ob-
struction, press the respective power window
switch at the upper part again past the resis-
tance point and release. If the window still does
not close when there is no obstruction, press
and hold the respective power window switch at
the upper part. The side window will then close
without the obstruction sensor function.
i
The rear side window sunshade cannot be
partially closed.
i
The switches on the rear doors can also be
used to close the rear side window sunshades on
the other side of the vehicle.
i
The switches on the driver’s door take pre-
cedence over the rocker switches on the other
doors.


414 Controls in detailPower windows
Vehicles with SmartKey
Aim transmitter eye of the SmartKey
towards the sensor in the driver’s door
handle. The SmartKey must be in close
proximity to the driver’s door handle.
Vehicles with tilt/sliding sunroof

Press and hold button ‹ until the
door windows and the tilt/sliding sun-
roof are completely closed.

Release button ‹ to interrupt pro-
cedure.Vehicles with panorama roof* and/or
rear side window sunshades*

Press and hold button ‹ until the
door windows and the tilt/sliding panel
are completely closed.

Press and hold button ‹ again.
The roller sunblinds and/or rear side
window sunshades* close.

Release button ‹ to interrupt pro-
cedure.
Warning!
G
When closing the windows and the tilt/slid-
ing sunroof or tilt/sliding panel*, make sure
that there is no danger of anyone being
harmed by the closing procedure.
If potential danger exists, proceed as fol-
lows:

Release button ‹ to stop the closing
procedure. To open, press and hold but-
ton Œ. To continue the closing after
making sure that there is no danger of
anyone being harmed by the closing pro-
cedure, press and hold button‹.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:


Release the sensor surface on the out-
side door handle (
page 415) to stop
the closing procedure.


Immediately pull on the same outside
door handle and hold firmly. The door
windows and the tilt/sliding sunroof or
tilt/sliding panel* will open for as long
as the outside door handle is held but
the door is not opened.

416 Controls in detailDriving and parking
Starting the engine
Automatic transmission
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionPPark position
RReverse gear
NNeutral
DDrive position
Warning!
G
Make sure that absolutely no objects are ob-
structing the pedals’ range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all obsta-
cles. If there are any floormats or carpets in
the footwell, make sure that the pedals still
have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents and
injury.
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause un-
consciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive with at least one window
fully open.

417 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
For more information on how to operate
the gear selector lever, see “Automatic
transmission” (
page 426).
Starting with the SmartKey

Make sure the automatic transmission
is set to park positionP.
The gear position indicator in the multi-
function display should be on park
positionP.

Do not depress accelerator.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position3 and hold until the engine
starts (
page 370).
For information on turning off the engine
with the SmartKey, see “Turning off the en-
gine” (
page 424).Starting with KEYLESS-GO*
You can start your vehicle without the
SmartKey in the starter switch using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button on the
starter switch.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located in the vehicle.
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button1USA only
2Canada only
Make sure KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button is inserted in the starter switch
(page 371).

Make sure the automatic transmission
is set to park positionP.
The gear position indicator in the multi-
function display should be on park
positionP.

Depress the brake pedal during the
starting procedure.

Do not depress accelerator.
i
You can also use the “touch-start” function.
Turn the SmartKey to position3 and release it
again immediately. The engine then starts auto-
matically.
i
You can also start the engine with the auto-
matic transmission set to neutral positionN.
Warning!
G
As long as the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
is in your vehicle, the vehicle can be started.
Therefore, never leave children unattended
in the vehicle, as they could otherwise acci-
dentally start the engine.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised ac-
cess to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.


419 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
Driving off
Depress the brake pedal.
The gear selector lever can now be
used.

Shift the automatic transmission to
drive positionD or reverse gearR.

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.
The electronic parking brake is auto-
matically released (
page 422).
The red brake warning lamp 0
(USA only) or ! (Canada only) in the
instrument cluster goes out.After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts at a higher engine revolution.
This allows the catalytic converter to reach
its operating temperature earlier.
i
Wait for the gear selection process to com-
plete before setting the vehicle in motion.
i
Shifting from park positionP to reverse
gearR, neutral positionN, or drive positionD is
only possible with the brake pedal depressed.
Without the brake pedal depressed, the gear se-
lector lever can be moved, but the parking pawl
remains engaged, not allowing shifting to occur.
!
If you hear a warning signal, the red indica-
tor lamp 0 (USA only) or ! (Canada only)
in the instrument cluster flashes and the mes-
sage “Please Release Parking Brake” appears in
the multifunction display when driving off, you
are driving with the electronic parking brake en-
gaged, or you are carrying out an emergency
brake application with the electronic parking
brake.
Release the electronic parking brake
(
page 422).
i
Once the vehicle is in motion, the automatic
central locking system engages and the locking
knobs in the doors move down.
The automatic door lock feature can be deacti-
vated (page 267).
You can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to do
so.
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 park positionP or neutral
positionN if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the en-
gine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

421 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
The coolant temperature is above
248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as
soon as possible and turn off the en-
gine. Allow engine and coolant to cool
off.

Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 579).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:

Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.

Move away from vehicle.

Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the


major assemblies


fuel system


engine mount:

Start the engine in the usual manner.
Parking
i
Excessive coolant temperatures trigger a
warning message in the multifunction display
(
page 680).
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and the
steering systems. In this case, it is impor-
tant to keep in mind that a considerably
higher degree of effort is necessary to brake
and steer the vehicle.Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay, or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Engage electronic parking brake.