2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class Comand Manual

Contents
Multicontour seats*, rear ............. 383
Easy-entry/exit feature ................ 384
Steering wheel ................................... 386
Steering wheel adjustment........... 386
Heated steering wheel* ............... 387
Mirrors ............................................... 388
Interior rear view mirror ............... 388
Exterior rear view mirrors ............. 388
Power folding exterior rear
view mirrors ................................. 389
Auto-dimming rear view mirrors ... 390
Activating exterior rear
view mirror parking position ......... 391
Memory function................................ 392
Storing positions into memory ..... 393
Recalling positions from memory . 393
Storing exterior rear view
mirror parking position ................. 394
Fastening the seat belts..................... 395
Proper use of seat belts ............... 397
Seat belt height adjustment
automatically ................................ 397
Seat belt height adjustment
manually ....................................... 398
Lighting .............................................. 399
Exterior lamp switch ..................... 399High beam .................................... 403
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 403
Corner-illuminating lamps ............ 404
Hazard warning flasher ................ 405
Interior lighting............................. 406
Door entry lamps ......................... 407
Trunk lamp ................................... 407
Windshield wipers .............................. 408
Switching on/off
windshield wipers......................... 408
Intermittent wiping....................... 409
Single wipe................................... 409
Wiping with windshield
washer fluid.................................. 409
Power windows .................................. 410
Opening and closing
power windows ............................ 410
Rear side window sunshades* ..... 412
Summer opening feature.............. 412
Convenience closing feature ........ 413
Driving and parking............................ 416
Starting the engine....................... 416
Driving off .................................... 419
Turn signals .................................. 420
Problems while driving ................. 420
Parking ......................................... 421Turning off the engine .................. 424
Releasing seat belts ..................... 425
Automatic transmission ..................... 426
Gear selector lever....................... 426
Shifting procedure ....................... 429
Transmission positions ................ 430
Driving tips................................... 433
Gear ranges ................................. 435
Automatic shift program .............. 436
Steering wheel gearshift control .. 438
Manual shift program
(S 63 AMG and S 65 AMG only) ... 440
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ...................... 443
Instrument cluster ............................. 444
Adjusting instrument cluster
display illumination ...................... 444
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 444
Tachometer .................................. 445
Outside temperature indicator ..... 445
Fuel gauge ................................... 445
Driving systems ................................. 446
Cruise control .............................. 446
DISTRONIC Plus* ......................... 451
Airmatic ....................................... 468
Active Body Control (ABC)* ......... 470

Contents
Parktronic system* ...................... 472
Park Assist* ................................. 476
Advanced Parking Guidance*....... 481
Rear View Camera*...................... 487
Night View Assist* ....................... 491
Blind Spot Assist* ........................ 495
Air vents ............................................ 498
Opening and closing air vents ...... 500
Ventilated storage compartment
(Canada only) ............................... 500
Automatic climate control ................. 501
Deactivating climate
control system ............................. 503
Operating climate control system
in automatic mode ....................... 503
Setting temperature ..................... 504
Adjusting air volume .................... 504
Front defroster ............................. 504
Rear window defroster ................. 506
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL
(USA only) .................................... 506
Air recirculation mode.................. 506
Residual engine heat and
ventilation .................................... 509
Rear passenger compartment
climate control* ........................... 509Trunk .................................................. 511
Opening trunk ............................... 511
Closing trunk ................................ 512
Trunk emergency release.............. 516
Valet locking ................................. 517
Power tilt/sliding sunroof................... 518
Opening and closing
power tilt/sliding sunroof ............. 518
Synchronizing ............................... 520
Panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel* ............................... 521
Roller sunblinds ............................ 521
Opening and closing panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel.. 522
Synchronizing ............................... 524
Loading and storing ............................ 525
Roof rack* .................................... 525
Loading instructions ..................... 525
Storage compartments ................. 526
Cupholders ................................... 530
Trunk ............................................ 532
Useful features ................................... 534
Sun visors ..................................... 534
Vanity mirror in rear...................... 534
Rear window sunshade ................. 535
Ashtrays........................................ 536Cigarette lighters .......................... 537
Power outlet ................................. 538
Floormats* ................................... 538
Telephone* ................................... 539
Tele Aid ......................................... 542
Garage door opener ...................... 551
Infrared reflecting windshield ....... 556
Operation.......................................... 557
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) .......... 558
Driving instructions ............................ 559
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 559
Drinking and driving...................... 559
Pedals ........................................... 559
Power assistance .......................... 559
Brakes .......................................... 560
Driving off ..................................... 562
Parking ......................................... 562
Tires.............................................. 563
Hydroplaning ................................ 563
Tire traction .................................. 564
Tire speed rating ........................... 564
Winter driving instructions ............ 565
Standing water ............................. 566
Passenger compartment............... 567

Contents
Driving abroad .............................. 567
Control and operation of
radio transmitters......................... 567
Catalytic converter ....................... 568
Emission control........................... 568
Coolant temperature .................... 569
At the gas station............................... 570
Refueling ...................................... 570
Check regularly and
before a long trip .......................... 572
Engine compartment.......................... 573
Hood ............................................ 573
Engine oil...................................... 575
Transmission fluid level ................ 578
Active Body Control* (ABC*)
fluid level ...................................... 579
Coolant level ................................ 579
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 580
Tires and wheels ................................ 582
Important guidelines .................... 582
Tire care and maintenance ........... 583
Direction of rotation ..................... 585
Loading the vehicle ...................... 585
Recommended tire
inflation pressure ......................... 590Checking tire inflation pressure ... 592
Tire labeling.................................. 598
Load identification ....................... 601
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN) ..
602
Maximum tire load ....................... 603
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 603
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 604
Tire ply material ........................... 606
Tire and loading terminology ........ 606
Rotating tires ............................... 609
Winter driving .................................... 610
Winter tires .................................. 610
Snow chains ................................. 611
Maintenance ...................................... 612
Maintenance service
indicator message ........................ 612
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display............... 613
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 614
Vehicle care ....................................... 615
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 615
Practical hints................................. 627
What to do if …? ................................ 628
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 628
Air bag off indicator lamp............. 640
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display.................... 642
Where will I find ...? ........................... 705
First aid kit ................................... 705
Vehicle jack, vehicle tool kit,
luggage bowl, Minispare wheel .... 705
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 708
Unlocking the vehicle................... 708
Locking the vehicle ...................... 709
Resetting activated head restraints ... 710
Head restraints (standard) ........... 710
Luxury head restraints* ............... 711
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 712
Replacing bulbs ................................. 714
Bulbs ............................................ 715
Replacing bulbs for front lamps ... 717
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 721
Placing wiper arms in
vertical position ........................... 721
Removing wiper blades ................ 722
Installing wiper blades ................. 722

Contents
Flat tire .............................................. 723
Preparing the vehicle ................... 723
Mounting the spare wheel............ 723
Batteries ............................................ 729
Disconnecting starter battery ...... 731
Removing starter battery ............. 732
Charging battery .......................... 732
Reinstalling starter battery........... 733
Reconnecting starter battery ....... 733
Jump starting ..................................... 734
Towing the vehicle ............................. 737
Towing with front wheels raised ... 738
Towing with all wheels
on the ground............................... 739
Installing towing eye bolt ............. 740
Fuses ................................................. 741
Fuse boxes in
engine compartment .................... 742
Fuse boxes in
passenger compartment .............. 743
Emergency engine shut-down ...... 744
Technical data.................................. 745
Parts service....................................... 746
Warranty coverage ............................. 747
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 747
Identification labels ............................ 748
Layout of poly-V-belt drive .................. 750
S 450 4MATIC, S 550 and
S 550 4MATIC............................... 750
S 63 AMG ..................................... 750
S 600 and S 65 AMG .................... 750
Engine ................................................ 751
Rims and tires .................................... 754
Same size tires ............................. 755
Mixed size tires ............................. 757
Spare wheel .................................. 759
Electrical system ................................ 760
Main dimensions and weights ............ 762
Main dimensions........................... 762
Weights ......................................... 763Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. .......... 764
Capacities ..................................... 764
Engine oils .................................... 769
Engine oil additives ....................... 769
Air conditioning refrigerant ........... 769
Brake fluid .................................... 769
Premium unleaded gasoline.......... 770
Fuel requirements......................... 770
Gasoline additives......................... 771
Coolants ....................................... 771
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 774
Index................................................. 775

13
Product information

Introduction
Product information
Please observe the following in your own
best interest:
We recommend using Genuine
Mercedes-Benz Parts as well as conversion
parts and accessories explicitly approved
by us for your vehicle model.
We have tested these parts to determine
their reliability, safety and special suitabili-
ty for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.We are unable to make an assessment for
other products and therefore cannot be
held responsible for them, even if in indi-
vidual cases an official approval or authori-
zation by governmental or other agencies
should exist. Use of such parts and acces-
sories could adversely affect the safety,
performance or reliability of your vehicle.
Please do not use them.Genuine Mercedes-Benz Parts as well as
conversion parts and accessories ap-
proved by us are available at any autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center where you will
receive comprehensive information, also
on permissible technical modifications,
and where proper installation will be per-
formed.

14 IntroductionOperator’s ManualThis Operator’s Manual contains a great
deal of useful information. We urge you to
read it carefully and familiarize yourself
with the vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life
of the vehicle, we urge you to follow the in-
structions and warnings contained in this
manual. Ignoring them could result in dam-
age to the vehicle or personal injury to you
or others. Vehicle damage caused by fail-
ure to follow instructions is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the
equipment described in this manual.
Therefore, you may find explanations for
optional equipment not installed in your
vehicle. If you have any questions about
the operation of any equipment, any autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad to
demonstrate the proper procedures.We continuously strive to improve our
product, and ask for your understanding
that we reserve the right to make changes
in design and equipment. Therefore, infor-
mation, illustrations and descriptions in
this Operator’s Manual might differ from
your vehicle.
Optional equipment is also described in
this manual, including operating instruc-
tions wherever necessary. Since they are
special-order items, the descriptions and
illustrations herein may vary slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are
not shown or described in this Operator’s
Manual, any authorized Mercedes-Benz
C e n t e r w i l l b e g l a d t o i n f o r m y o u o f c o r r e c t
care and operating procedures. The Oper-
ator’s Manual and Maintenance Booklet
are important documents and should be
kept with the vehicle.
Service and warranty information
The Service and Warranty Information
Booklet contains detailed information
about the warranties covering your
Mercedes-Benz, including:

New Vehicle Limited Warranty


Emission System Warranty


Emission Performance Warranty


California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont Emission Control System
Warranty
(California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont only)


State Warranty Enforcement Laws
(Lemon Laws)

15 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Important notice for California retail
buyers and lessees of Mercedes-Benz automobiles
Under California law you may be entitled to
a replacement of your vehicle or a refund
of the purchase price or lease price, if
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and/or its au-
thorized repair or service facilities fail to fix
one or more substantial defects or mal-
functions in the vehicle that are covered by
its express warranty after a reasonable
number of repair attempts. During the pe-
riod of 18 months from original delivery of
the vehicle or the accumulation of
18 000 miles (approximately 29 000 km)
on the odometer of the vehicle, whichever
occurs first, a reasonable number of repair
attempts is presumed for a retail buyer or
lessee if one or more of the following oc-
curs: (1) the same substantial defect or mal-
function results in a condition that is
likely to cause death or serious bodily
injury if the vehicle is driven, that de-
fect or malfunction has been subject to
repair two or more times, and you have
directly notified Mercedes-Benz USA,
LLC in writing of the need for its repair,
(2) the same substantial defect or mal-
function of a less serious nature than
category (1) has been subject to repair
four or more times and you have direct-
ly notified us in writing of the need for
its repair, or
(3) the vehicle is out of service by reason
of repair of the same or different sub-
stantial defects or malfunctions for a
cumulative total of more than
30 calendar days.
Written notification should not be sent to a
dealer, it should be addressed to:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Customer Assistance Center
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
Maintenance
The Maintenance Booklet describes all the
necessary maintenance work which should
be performed at regular intervals.
Always have the Maintenance Booklet with
you when you take the vehicle to an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for service.
The service advisor will record each ser-
vice in the booklet for you.Roadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program provides factory trained technical
help in the event of a breakdown. Calls to
the toll-free Roadside Assistance number
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA)
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada)
will be answered by Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Representatives
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.