2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class lock

731 Practical hints
Batteries
Starter battery (example illustration from
S 550)1Negative terminal
2Positive terminal
Disconnecting starter battery
Secure vehicle in place with electronic
parking brake (
page 422).

Shift the automatic transmission to
park positionP (
page 426).
Do not rub the battery with rags or cloths.
The battery could explode if touched due to
electrostatic charge or due to spark forma-
tion.!
Switch off the engine and switch off the ve-
hicle’s internal electrical functions (
page 732)
before you disconnect or remove the battery’s
terminal clamps. You could otherwise destroy
electronic assemblies such as the generator.
Have the battery checked regularly by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center. Refer to Mainte-
nance Booklet for maintenance intervals or
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
further information.
!
Do not connect any consumers directly to
the starter battery. The starter battery will other-
wise be discharged.
i
Only replace a discharged battery with a bat-
tery recommended by Mercedes-Benz. The con-
sumer battery is installed in the trunk in such a
way that it is safeguarded as much as possible
against mechanical destruction in the event of
an accident.
i
Remove SmartKey from starter switch (vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure the vehicle’s
on-board electronics have status 0)
(
page 370) when you turn off the engine and
no longer require any electrical consumers. The
vehicle then uses very little power and the con-
sumer battery is spared.
i
If the consumer battery is discharged, you
must use the mechanical key to unlock the vehi-
cle (page 708). Since the vehicle has a sepa-
rate starter battery, however, you can still start
the vehicle.
!
Always disconnect the starter battery in the
order described below. You could otherwise
damage the vehicle’s electronics.
!
Switch off the vehicle’s internal electrical
functions before disconnecting the starter bat-
tery. If the vehicle is stationary for more than one
hour with the SmartKey removed, you do not
need to switch off the vehicle’s internal electrical
functions.

737 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground or front wheels raised (except
vehicles with 4MATIC) only so far as neces-
sary to have the vehicle moved to a safe
location where the recommended towing
methods can be employed.!
To prevent damage during transport, do not
tie down vehicle by its chassis or suspension
parts.
!
Before towing the vehicle observe the fol-
lowing instructions:


Do not tow-start the vehicle.


Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment
with the ignition switched off.


Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Tow-
ing with sling-type equipment over bumpy
roads will damage radiator and supports.


Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the properly installed towing eye bolt.
Never attach a tow cable, tow rope or tow
rod to the vehicle chassis, frame or suspen-
sion parts. For more information see “Install-
ing towing eye bolt” (
page 740).
i
If the battery is disconnected or discharged


the SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch


the automatic transmission will remain
locked in park positionP.
For more information see “Batteries”
(
page 729) or “Jump starting” (
page 734).

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).

740 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleInstalling towing eye bolt
1Cover on right side of front bumper
1Cover on right side of rear bumperRemoving cover

Press mark on cover1 in the direction
of arrow.

Lift cover off to reveal the threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.
Installing towing eye bolt

Take towing eye bolt and wheel wrench
out of the vehicle tool kit in the trunk
(page 705).

Screw towing eye bolt clockwise into
its stop and tighten with wheel wrench.Removing towing eye bolt

Loosen towing eye bolt counterclock-
wise with wheel wrench.

Unscrew towing eye bolt.

Store towing eye bolt and wheel
wrench in the vehicle tool kit in the
trunk.
Installing cover

Fit cover1 and snap into place.

776 IndexAspect ratio 606
Audio (COMAND) 116
CD mode 124
DVD mode 124
MP3 mode 124
Audio (Control system
instrument cluster) 294
CD changer 295
CD/DVD changer 295
DVD changer 295
Audio AUX (COMAND) 129
Audio DVD
Fast forward/rewind (COMAND) 127
Menu overview (COMAND) 123
Pause function (COMAND) 125
Stop function (COMAND) 125
Auto-dimming, Rear view mirrors 390
Automatic climate control 501
Adjusting air distribution
(COMAND) 275
Adjusting air flow from air vents
(COMAND) 279
Adjusting air volume (COMAND) 275
Adjusting the footwell temperature
(COMAND) 278Air recirculation mode 506
Central climate control menu
(COMAND) 276
Central menu for rear climate control*
(COMAND) 280
Defrosting 504
Operating the rear climate control*
from the front 279
Operating via COMAND 273
Rear window defroster 506
Selecting Mono mode
(COMAND) 277
Setting temperature (COMAND) 274
Setting the temperature 504
Setting the temperature in the rear
passenger compartment 510
Switching cooling on or off
(COMAND) 276
Automatic headlamp mode 306, 400
Automatic lighting control,
Interior lighting 406
Automatic locking when driving 368
Automatic shift program 436
Automatic transmission
Accelerator position 433
Automatic shift program 436Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 443
Fluid 765
Fluid level 578
Gear ranges 435
Gear selector lever 426
Gear shifting malfunctions 443
Hill start assist system 434
Kickdown 433
Kickdown, manual shift program
(AMG vehicles) 442
Manual shift program mode
(AMG vehicles) 440
Program mode selector switch 436
Shifting procedure 429
Starting the engine 416
Steering wheel gearshift control 438
Transmission fluid 578
Transmission positions 430
AUX
Audio 129
Video 130
AUX jacks 129

777 Index
B
Backup lamps
Replacing bulbs 715
Bar 606
BAS 69
Batteries, SmartKey
Checking battery condition 366
Replacing 712
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking battery condition 366
Replacing 712
Batteries, vehicle 729
Charging 732
Discharged, Jump starting 734
Disconnecting 731
For electrical consumers 729
For starter 729
Message in display 678
Reconnecting 733
Removing 732
Bead 606
Beverage holder see Cupholder
Blind Spot Assist* 495
Messages in display 654
Bluetooth
®
Settings (COMAND) 180Brake assist system (BAS Plus) 70
Brake assist system (BAS) 69
Brake fluid 572, 766, 769
Brake lamp bulbs 715
Brake lamp, high mounted 715
Brake pads
Message in display 666
Brake warning lamp 29
Brakes 560
High-performance brake system
(AMG vehicles only) 561
Warning lamp 29, 629
Break-in period 558
Bulbs, replacing 714
Additional turn signals 715
Brake lamps 715
Fog lamps 715
Front lamps 715
High beam 715
High mounted brake lamp 715
License plate lamps 715
Low beam 715
Parking and standing lamps 715
Rear fog lamp 715
Turn signal lamps 715C
California retail buyers and lessees,
important notice for 15
Can holder see Cupholder
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants 764
Cargo area see Trunk
Cargo tie-down hooks 532
Carpets, Cleaning and care of 624
Catalytic converter 568
CD
Ejecting (COMAND) 122
Loading (COMAND) 120
Menu overview (COMAND) 123
Playback options (COMAND) 128
Selecting a medium (COMAND) 126
Selecting a track (COMAND) 126
CD (COMAND) 116
Central locking
Automatic 368
Locking/unlocking from inside 369
Central locking/unlocking switches 369
Certification label 748
Change of address or ownership 16

780 Index
Intermittent signal tone 454
Lever 457
Menu 455
Messages in display 646
Sensor cover 619
Setting a higher speed 461
Setting a slower speed 462
Setting following distance 464
Setting the current speed 460
Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function) 463
Warning and indicator lamps 454
Document holder 534
Door
Control panel 34, 35, 38
Entry lamps 407
Inside door handle 367
Locking 360, 365
Locking with Tele Aid 550
Messages in display 648, 682
Opening from inside vehicle 367
Opening from outside 360, 364
Power closing assist 368
Unlocking 359, 364
Unlocking with Tele Aid 549DOT 607
Downhill driving
Cruise control 448
Drink holder see Cupholder
Drinking and driving 559
Drive-dynamic multicontour seats*, front
Adjusting (COMAND) 285
Driving 416
Abroad 567
Hydroplaning 563
In winter 565
Instructions 416, 559
Problems 420
Safety systems 67
Through standing water 566
With DISTRONIC Plus* 465
Driving maneuver (COMAND) 237
Driving off 562
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 76
ABS 67
Adaptive Brake Lights
(S 600, USA only) 69
BAS 69
BAS Plus 70EBP 72
Electronic traction system 73
ESP
®
72
Driving systems 446
ABC* 470
Advanced Parking Guidance* 481
Airmatic 468
Cruise control 446
DISTRONIC Plus* 451
Driving safety systems 67
Park Assist* 476
Parktronic system* 472
Rear View Camera* 487
Vehicle level control (ABC*) 471
Vehicle level control (Airmatic) 469
Driving tips 433
Kickdown 433
DVD 116
Audio (COMAND) 116
Changer (COMAND) 120
Changer (Voice Control) 338
Ejecting (COMAND) 122
Loading (COMAND) 120
Playback options (COMAND) 128
Selecting a medium (COMAND) 126
Selecting a track (COMAND) 126

781 Index
Setting the audio format
(COMAND) 128
Video (COMAND) 132
E
Easy-entry/exit feature 384
COMAND menu 268
EBP 72
Electrical fuses see Fuses
Electrical outlet see Power outlet
Electrical system, Technical Data 760
Electronic Brake Proportioning see EBP
Electronic parking brake 422
Indicator lamp 29, 630
Messages in display 667
Warning lamp 29, 630
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Electronic traction system 73
Emergency call system 542
Emergency calls, Tele Aid 544
Emergency engine shut-down 744
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 443
Emergency operations
Locking the vehicle 708
Releasing from inside 516
Remote door lock 550Remote door unlock 549
Unlocking the trunk 709
Unlocking the vehicle 708
Emergency tensioning device see ETD
Emergency, In case of
Battery, Jump starting 734
First aid kit 705
Flat tire 723
Fuses 741
Roadside Assistance 15
Roadside Assistance (Tele Aid) 546
Towing the vehicle 737
Emission control 568
Emission control information label 749
Emission control system warranties 14
Engine
Belt layout 750
Cleaning 617
Compartment 573
Coolant 579, 767, 771
Malfunction indicator lamp 29, 632
Number 748, 749
Oil 578, 765, 769
Oils 575
Residual heat and ventilation 509
Starting 416Technical data 751
Turning off 424
Engine coolant see Coolant
Engine oil 575
Adding 578
Additives 769
Checking level 575
Checking level (Dipstick) 577
Checking level (Instrument cluster
control system) 575
Consumption 575
Dipstick 577
Filler neck 577, 578
Messages in display 576, 694
Recommended engine oils and
oil filters 765
ESP
®Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP
®
76
ESP
®
72
Messages in display 662, 673
Warning lamp 29, 629, 634
ETD 55
Safety guidelines 44