2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class Parktronic

476 Controls in detailDriving systems
Switching off the Parktronic sys-
tem: Press button 1.
Indicator lamp 2 comes on.

Switching on the Parktronic system:
Press button 1 again.
Indicator lamp 2 goes out.
Parktronic system malfunction
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and an acoustic warning sounds,
there is a malfunction in the Parktronic
system. The Parktronic system will auto-
matically switch off after 20 seconds and
the indicator lamp in the Parktronic switch
comes on.

Have the Parktronic system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and no acoustic warning sounds, the
Parktronic system sensors are dirty or
there is an interference from other radio or
ultrasonic signals. The Parktronic system
will automatically switch off after 20 sec-
onds and the indicator lamp in the Park-
tronic switch comes on.

Switch off the ignition (
page 370).

Clean the Parktronic system sensors
(page 619).

Switch on the ignition.
or

Check the Parktronic system operation
at another location to rule out interfer-
ence from outside radio or ultrasonic
signals.
Park Assist*
i
The Parktronic system is automatically
switched on when the ignition is switched on
(
page 370).
Warning!
G
Park Assist is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always remains with the driver.Warning!
G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.!
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes (e.g.
trailer couplings, painted posts, elevated cross-
bars or road curbs). Such objects may not be de-
tected by the system and can damage the
vehicle.

478 Controls in detailDriving systemsPark Assist is automatically activated
when the engine is running and the trans-
mission is in drive position D, reverse
gearR or neutral positionN.
The Park Assist system deactivates at
speeds over approximately 10 mph
(16 km/h). At lower speeds the Parktronic
system turns on again.
Park Assist is also switched off when you
set the automatic transmission to P or
switch off the engine.
While the transmission is in neutral
positionN, Park Assist is switched off if
you secure the vehicle in place with the
electronic parking brake.
The Park Assist system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with four sensors
in the front bumper and two sensors in the
rear bumper.Range of the sensors
The sensors of the Park Assist system are
integrated in the front and rear bumpers.
Make sure that the bumpers are clear of
dirt, ice and slush in the area of the sen-
sors, as otherwise, Park Assist may not
function properly, see “Cleaning the driv-
ing systems sensors” (
page 620).

488 Controls in detailDriving systemsView through the camerai
The image from the Rear View Camera is
shown mirror-inverted on the COMAND display
(
page 31).Warning!
G
Please note that objects which do not touch
the ground, such as the bumper of a vehicle
parked behind you, a trailer hitch, or the
back of a truck, may appear to be further
away than they actually are. In this case, you
should not use the guide lines to judge dis-
tance. The use of the guide lines to judge
distance increases the risk of impacting the
objects.
Warning!
G
The Rear View Camera is a supplement sys-
tem. It is not intended to, nor does it re-
place, the need for extreme care. The
responsibility during parking and other driv-
ing maneuvers always remains with the driv-
er.
The Rear View Camera may show obstacles
with a distorted perspective, incorrectly or
not at all.
Special attention must be paid to objects
outside of the camera’s field of view such as
those located very close to or below the rear
bumper, or above the recessed grip of the
luggage compartment lid. Such objects may
not be detected by the system and can dam-
age the vehicle.
The Rear View Camera does not warn you
about impending collisions with objects. The
driver is always responsible for safety and
must continue to pay attention to the imme-
diate surroundings while parking or maneu-
vering the vehicle. This applies not only to
the area behind the vehicle, but also to the
area in front of and to the sides of the vehi-
cle. Failure to do so could result in injury to
persons and/or damage to the vehicle or
other property. We also recommend that the
driver uses the Parktronic system* or Park
Assist* when parking or maneuvering the
vehicle.

619 Operation
Vehicle care
Headlamps, tail lamps, side markers,
turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo, with plenty of water.Cleaning the DISTRONIC Plus*/
PRE-SAFE
® Brake* system sensors
(USA only)
The sensors are integrated in the front
bumpers and cannot be seen from the out-
side.
1Sensor cover
2Bumper area near sensors

Switch off the ignition (
page 370).

Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo, with plenty of water and a
non-scratching cloth to clean sensor
cover1.

Clean a wide area of the bumpers sur-
rounding the sensor2.
Cleaning the Parktronic* system
sensors
1Parktronic system* sensors in front
bumper
!
Only use window cleaning solutions that are
suitable for plastic lamp lenses. Window clean-
ing solutions which are not suitable may damage
the plastic lamp lenses of the headlamps. There-
fore, do not use abrasives, solvents or cleaners
that contain solvents.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the lenses.
Do not attempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the lens
surface.
!
To prevent scratches or damage, never
apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the sensor
cover and/or bumper area near sensors. Do not
attempt to wipe dirty sensors and/or bumper
with a dry cloth or sponge.


628 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Lamps in instrument cluster
General information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during the
bulb self-check when switching on the igni-
tion, have the respective bulb checked and
replaced if necessary.Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
-
The yellow Antilock
Brake System (ABS)
indicator lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The BAS, ESP
®, EBP and
PRE-SAFE
® are also switched off (see mes-
sages in multifunction display).
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning,
other systems such as Parktronic*,
DISTRONIC Plus*, navigation system, Park
Assist* and the automatic transmission
may also be malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Read and observe messages in the mul-
tifunction display (
page 642).

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of an accident.

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

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

789 Index
O
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 607
Occupant safety 40
Air bags 42
Children and air bags 58
Children in the vehicle 58
Fastening the seat belt 395
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 51
Infant and child restraint systems 59
LATCH-type child seat anchors 63
Seat belts 44, 395
OCS 47
Self-test 52
Odometer 291
Oil
Filler neck 578
Oil level see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting 438
Operating safety 19
Voice Control 308
Ornamental moldings, Cleaning 618
Outside temperature indicator 29, 445
Overdue maintenance service 613
Overhead control panel 33Override switch 64
P
Paintwork, Cleaning 616
Panic alarm
Audible alarm and flashing
exterior lamps 66
Panic button 66
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding
panel* 521
Opening/closing 522
Synchronizing 524
Panorama roof with tilt/sliding panel*
Cleaning 623
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 528
Park Assist* 476
Cleaning system sensors 620
Messages in display 653, 655
System sensors 620
Warning indicators 29, 479
Parking 421, 562
Parking and standing lamps
Replacing bulbs 715
Parking lamps
Messages in display 690Parking position
Exterior rear view mirrors 391
Parktronic system* 472
Parktronic*
Cleaning system sensors 619
Malfunctioning 476
System sensors 619
Warning indicators 29, 474
Parts service 746
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp see
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp
Passenger compartment 567
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
PCMCIA card
Ejecting (COMAND) 122
Loading (COMAND) 121
Pedals 559
Plastic parts, cleaning 624
POIs 229
Poly-V-belt drive 750
Layout 750
Potential problems associated with
underinflated and overinflated
tires 597
Power assistance 559