2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class key

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.

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

778 IndexChildren in the vehicle 58
Air bags 58
Indicator lamp front passenger
front air bag off 51, 640
Infant and child restraint systems 59
LATCH-type child seat anchors 63
Override switch for rear passenger
compartment 64
Tether attachment points 62
Chrome-plated exhaust tip*,
Cleaning 625
Cigarette lighter 537
Cockpit 26
COMAND
Adjusting volume 98
Audio AUX 129
Components 87
Controller 90
Display 88
Display illumination 89
Function buttons 88
Main menus 98
Menu overview 92
Navigation system 188
Operating 92Operating safety 86
Operating seats 282
Phone book* 158
Radio, FM/AM 102
Selecting sound settings 99
SMS messages 183
Surround sound 100
Switching off/on the
audio source 101
Switching on or off 87
Swiveling display 89
System settings 259
Telephone keypad* 90
Telephone menu* 141
Vehicle menu 264
Voice Control settings 261
Combination switch 403
Corner-illuminating lamps 404
High beam flasher 403
Turn signals 420
Windshield wipers 408
Command list (Voice Control) 340
Address book commands 345
Audio commands 347
General commands 340Navigation commands 343
Telephone* commands 341
Control system instrument cluster 287
Multifunction display 287
Multifunction steering wheel 288
Control system instrument cluster menus
AMG 296
Assistance* 303
Audio 294
Navi 292
Service 304
Settings 305
Telephone* 299
Trip 291
Vehicle status message memory 304
Coolant 579
Adding 580
Anticorrosion/antifreeze mixing
ratio and quantity 771
Checking level 579
Messages in display 679
Temperature 569
Temperature gauge 29, 444
Coolant level
Checking 579
Corner-illuminating lamps 404

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

786 Index
ESP
®
29, 629, 634
Front passenger front air bag off 51,
640
High beam headlamp 29
Maintenance service indicator 612
Park Assist* 29
Parktronic* 29
Seat belt telltale 29, 635
SRS 29, 637
TPMS malfunction telltale 638
TPMS* malfunction telltale 29
Turn signals 29
Language (COMAND) 262
LATCH-type child seat anchors see
Children in the vehicle
Lever
For automatic transmission
(gear selector lever) 426
For cruise control 447
For DISTRONIC Plus* 457
License plate lamps
Messages in display 689
Replacing bulbs 715
Light alloy wheels, Cleaning 623
Light sensor
Message in display 688Lighter see Cigarette lighter
Lighting 399
Automatic headlamp mode 400
COMAND display illumination 89
Corner-illuminating lamps 404
Daytime running lamp mode 401
Door entry lamps 407
High beam flasher 403
Instrument cluster illumination 444,
492
Interior 406
Low beam headlamps 400
Manual headlamp mode 400
Trunk 407
Limp-Home Mode 443
Loading see Vehicle loading
Locator lighting (COMAND) 265
Lock button
Door handle (KEYLESS-GO*) 364,
415
Key, SmartKey 358
Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 361
Locking 421
Automatic central locking
(COMAND) 267Vehicle in an emergency 709
Locking knob 367
Loss of
Key, Mechanical 366
Key, SmartKey 366
Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 366
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet 747
Low beam headlamps 400
Replacing bulbs 715
Lowering
Vehicle 727
Lubricants 764
Lumbar support (COMAND) 283

787 Index
M
Maintenance 15, 612
Automatic Call (Tele Aid) 550
Calling up service indicator
display 613
Clearing service indicator
message 612
Maintenance System 612
Resetting service indicator 614
Service indicator message 612
Service term exceeded 613
Maintenance System 612
Manual headlamp mode 400
Manual shift program (AMG vehicles only)
Deactivating 442
MAXCOOL
Maximum cooling 506
Maximum load rating, Tires 607
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 591,
607
Maximum tire inflation pressure 603,
607
Maximum tire load rating 603
Memory function 392
Messages in display see
Multifunction display messagesMicrophone, Hands-free 33
Minispare wheel 707, 723, 759
Mirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 391
Adjusting 388
Auto-dimming for rear view
mirrors 390
Exterior rear view mirrors 388
Interior rear view mirror 388
Mobile phone see Telephone*
Modifications and alterations,
Operating safety 19
MON 571, 767
MP3
Menu overview (COMAND) 123
Operation (COMAND) 124
Playback options (COMAND) 128
Selecting a folder (COMAND) 127
Selecting a medium (COMAND) 126
Selecting a track (COMAND) 126
MP3 (COMAND) 116
Multicontour rear seats* 383
Multicontour seats*, front
Adjusting (COMAND) 283
Multifunction display 287Multifunction display messages
ABC* 660
ABS 662
Airmatic 676
Batteries, vehicle 678
Blind Spot Assist* 654
Brake fluid 664
Brake pads 666
Coolant 680
Coolant level 679
Cruise control 645
DISTRONIC Plus* 646
Doors 682
EBP (Electronic Brake
Proportioning) 665
Electronic parking brake 667
Engine oil 575, 694
ESP
®
662, 673
Fog lamps 690
Front passenger front air bag 649
Fuel cap 683
Gear selector lever 648, 653, 657,
659, 704
Headlamps 687
Hood 683
Key, SmartKey 685