2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class Vehicle

297 Control systems
Instrument cluster control system
1Gear indicator
2RACETIMER
3Seconds display
4Lap
Starting RACETIMER: Press æ.

Displaying intermediate time:
Pressç.
The intermediate time is shown for
5 seconds.

Stopping RACETIMER: Press æ.

To select a different display, press
$, ( or &.Saving lap time and starting a new lap

Press buttonç while the timer is
running.
The intermediate time will be shown for
5 seconds.

Press buttonç within 5 seconds.
The intermediate time shown will be
saved as a lap time.
The RACETIMER begins timing the new
lap. The new lap begins to be timed as
soon as the intermediate time is called
up.
1Gear indicator
2RACETIMER
3Best lap time
i
You can start the RACETIMER when the en-
gine is running or the starter switch is in
position2 (
page 370).
i
While the RACETIMER is being displayed,
you cannot adjust the audio volume using but-
tons æ or ç.
i
When you stop the vehicle and turn the
Smartkey to position 1 (
page 370) or, in vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO*, turn off the engine and
do not open the driver’s door, the RACETIMER
stops timing. Timing is resumed when you switch
the ignition back on or restart the engine and
then press æ button.
i
When you switch on the Night View Assist*
(
page 491) while the RACETIMER is operating,
the RACETIMER will continue to run in the back-
ground but cannot be operated with the multi-
function steering wheel buttons.
To stop the RACETIMER, switch off the Night
View Assist* first.
i
You can save up to 16 laps.

299 Control systems
Instrument cluster control system
Lap analysis
Press ( or & to select the
“AMG” menu.

Press $ repeatedly until the lap
analysis appears in the multifunction
display.
1Lap number
2Lap time
3Maximum speed
4Lap length
5Average speed during lap

Press $ or % to see other lap
analyses.

To select a different display, press
( or &.
Telephone* menu
You can use the functions in the “Tele-
phone” menu to operate your telephone,
provided it is inserted in the cradle and
switched on.
i
These functions are only available if you
have saved at least two laps and have stopped
RACETIMER.
i
Each lap is shown in its own submenu. The
fastest lap is indicated by flashing symbol 1.
i
The menu overview can be found on
(
page 289).Warning!
G
Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from
using a cellular telephone while driving.
Whether or not prohibited by law, for safety
reasons, the driver should not use the cellu-
lar telephone while the vehicle is in motion.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location before
placing or answering a call.
If you nonetheless choose to use the mobile
phone while driving, please use the hands-
free feature and be sure to pay attention to
the traffic situation at all times. Use the mo-
bile phone only when road, weather and traf-
fic conditions permit.


300 Control systemsInstrument cluster control system
Logging-on to a network
Switch on the telephone and COMAND
(page 87).

Press ( or & to select the “Tele-
phone” menu.
Which messages appear in the multifunc-
tion display depends on whether your tele-
phone is switched on or off.


If the telephone is off, the message in
the multifunction display is: “Telephone
OFF”.


If the telephone is not inserted in the
cradle, the message in the multifunc-
tion display is: “No telephone insert-
ed.”.


If the PIN or unlock code is not yet en-
tered, the message in the multifunction
display is “Please enter PIN” or “Enter
unlock code”.


If the telephone is switched on, the
telephone will then search for a net-
work. During this time, the multifunc-
tion display is blank. If no network
available, the multifunction display
reads “No Service”.


If the telephone is on, as soon as the
telephone has found a network,
“Ready” or “Ready (Roaming)” appears
in the multifunction display.
Otherwise, you may not be able to observe
traffic conditions and could endanger your-
self and others.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approxima-
tely 14 m) every second.Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury.
i
Various mobile phone cradles can be in-
stalled in the front center armrest, see separate
installation instructions for the mobile phone
cradle. These mobile phone cradles can be ob-
tained from an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter. For more information about telephone
(
page 539).
i
The roof cargo container* may impair mo-
bile phone reception. In an emergency, remove
the mobile phone from the mobile phone cradle
(
page 539) to make a call.


304 Control systemsInstrument cluster control systemThe following settings are available:Switching on or off Blind Spot Assist*

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

Press % or $ to select the “Blind
Spot Assist” function.

Press #.

Press # again if you would like to
change the current status.
Service menu
The “Service” menu is used for

calling up messages


checking tire inflation pressure elec-
tronically with the Advanced TPMS


calling up the maintenance service in-
dicator display


check engine oil level*
Calling up vehicle malfunction, warning
and system status messages stored in
memory
Use the vehicle status message memory
menu to scan malfunction and warning
messages that may be stored in the sys-
tem. Such messages appear in the multi-
function display and are based on
conditions or system status the vehicle’s
system has recorded.
“On when in
Reverse”
The Rear View Camera au-
tomatically switches on
when reverse gear is en-
gaged.
“Disabled”
The Rear View Camera is
not switched on.
i
The menu overview can be found on
(
page 289).


305 Control systems
Instrument cluster control system
The vehicle status message memory menu
only appears if there are any messages
stored.
Press ( or & to select the
“Service” menu.If conditions have occurred causing
status messages to be recorded, the
number of messages appears in the
multifunction display: “2 messages”.

Press % or $ to select the mes-
sage.

Press # to confirm.
Checking tire inflation pressure
For information about checking tire infla-
tion pressure (
page 593).Calling up the maintenance service in-
dicator display
For information about calling up the main-
tenance service indicator display
(
page 612).
Checking engine oil level (S 600 and
S65AMG)
For information about checking engine oil
level (
page 575).
Settings menu
In the “Settings” menu, you can:

switch the daytime running lamps on or
off (USA only)


switch the additional speedometer on
or off


switch the radar sensors* on or off
(USA only)
Warning!
G
Malfunction and warning messages are only
indicated for certain systems and are inten-
tionally not very detailed. The malfunction
and warning messages are simply a remind-
er with respect to the operation of certain
systems and do not replace the owner’s
and/or driver’s responsibility to maintain
the vehicle’s operating safety by having all
required maintenance and safety checks
performed on the vehicle and by bringing
the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to address the malfunction and
warning messages (
page 642).
i
See the “Practical hints” section for mal-
function and warning messages (
page 642).
i
If you turn the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position0 and then back to position2,
all messages will be deleted from the message
memory.
i
The menu overview can be found on
(
page 289).

307 Control systems
Instrument cluster control system
Switching radar sensors* on/off
If your vehicle is equipped with DISTRONIC
Plus*, BAS Plus*, or Park Assist* it is
equipped with a radar sensor system
which you can switch on and off.
When travelling in Canada in a vehicle not
registered in Canada, you must switch off
the radar sensor system. Canadian law
does not permit the use of the radar sensor
system for vehicles from outside of Cana-
da. When you switch off the radar sensor
system, the following functions are deacti-
vated:

BAS Plus* (
page 70)


PRE-SAFE
® Brake* (
page 77)


DISTRONIC Plus* (
page 451)


Park Assist* (
page 476)


Advanced Parking Guidance*
(page 481)


Blind Spot Assist* (
page 495)

Press ( or & to select the “Set-
tings” menu.

Press % or $ to select the “Ra-
dar Sensors” function.

Press #.

Press # again if you would like to
change the current status.
Depending on the previous status, the
radar sensors will be switched on or
off.
i
USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC as a
“Vehicular Radar System”. The radar sensor is
intended for use in an automotive radar system
only. Removal, tampering, or altering of the de-
vice will void any warranties, and is not permitted
by the FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
i
Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the device will
void any warranties, and is not permitted. Do not
tamper with, alter, or use in any non-approved
way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
i
The selected status of the radar sensors re-
mains stored in memory even if the engine is
turned off and restarted.
i
The following message appears in the multi-
function display if the radar sensors are
switched off and you attempt to activate DIS-
TRONIC Plus*, Park Assist* or PRE-SAFE
®
Brake*:
“Radar Sensors
(See Oper. Manual)
Disabled”

308 Control systemsVoice ControlOperating safetyWarning!
G
Please devote your attention first and fore-
most to the traffic situation you are in. While
the system permits hands-free phone oper-
ation, attention to traffic may be diverted
not only by physical operation of a phone,
but also by the distraction of a phone con-
versation while driving. As such, for safety
reasons, we encourage the driver to stop the
vehicle in a safe place before answering or
placing a phone call.
For safety reasons, you should only select a
destination when the vehicle is stationary.
While the navigation system provides direc-
tional assistance, the driver must remain fo-
cused on safe driving behavior, especially
attention to traffic and street signs, and
should utilize the system’s audio cues while
driving.
The navigation system does not supply any
information on stop signs, yield signs, traffic
regulations or traffic safety rules. Their ob-
servance always remains in the driver’s per-
sonal responsibility. DVD maps do not cover
all areas nor all routes within an area.
Traffic regulations always have priority over
any route recommendations given.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 13.5 m) every second.
Warning!
G
Navigation announcements are intended to
direct you while driving without diverting
your attention from the road and driving.
Please always use this feature instead of
consulting the map display for directions.
Consulting the symbols or map display for
directions may cause you to divert your at-
tention from driving and increase your risk
of an accident.Warning!
G
Please do not use the Voice Control System
in an emergency, as the tone of your voice
may change in a stressful situation. This
could cause a delay in completing your
phone call in a timely manner. This could
distract you in an emergency situation and
cause you to be involved in an accident.

309 Control systems
Voice Control introduction
Voice Control introduction
The Voice Control System gives you the ca-
pability to control the following systems on
your vehicle using spoken commands:

Telephone* (
page 313)


Navigation (
page 320)


Address book (
page 330)


Audio (
page 334) (AM/FM radio,
CD/DVD changer, MP3 player)You control these systems using spoken
commands. Moreover, controls such as
the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel (
page 311) allow you to keep your
hands on the steering wheel.
The command vocabulary consists of
approximately 300 ready to use phrases.
The Voice Control System recognizes com-
mands and number sequences, irrespec-
tive of the speaker. To optimize speech
recognition for your voice follow the indi-
vidualization process (
page 355).
You can use the Voice Control System to
call up all of COMAND’s main menu items,
with the exception of the main menus for
“Vehicle” and “Navi”.The commands and digit sequences can be
spoken without pausing between the indi-
vidual words. If an unavailable or incorrect
command is used, the Voice Control Sys-
tem will prompt you for a new command by
asking “Please repeat” or “Please repeat
your entry”.
In order to provide for a safe and comfort-
able dialog, the Voice Control System ac-
knowledges important commands.