2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class airmatic

676 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
STOP,
Car Too Low
You have started driving although the vehi-
cle level was too low.
The vehicle will be raised. The Airmatic
warning lamp goes out after several sec-
onds.

Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.

Engage the electronic parking brake
(page 422).

Wait until the message disappears from the
multifunction display.
You may then drive off.
STOP,
Car Too Low
The Airmatic is malfunctioning.
The Airmatic warning lamp lights up contin-
uously.

Stop and press the vehicle level control but-
ton to select a higher vehicle level
(page 468).

Do not turn steering wheel too far to avoid
damaging the front fenders.

Listen for scraping noises.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
There is otherwise danger of an accident.

677 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Malfunction
The capability of the Airmatic system is re-
stricted. This can impair the handling.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Vehicle Rising
Please Wait a Moment
Vehicles with Airmatic:
The vehicle level is too low while at a stand-
still. The vehicle will be raised.

Do not drive off.

Wait until the message disappears from the
multifunction display.
You may then drive off.

717 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs for front lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a
front lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to M
(page 399).

Open the hood (
page 573).
1Cover 1
2Cover 2
3Cover 3Removing and installing washer fluid
reservoir on left-hand side
Vehicles with Airmatic*
You must remove the washer fluid reser-
voir in order to change the bulbs of the
front headlamp on the left-hand side. The
washer fluid reservoir is on the front
left-hand side of the engine compartment.
Washer fluid reservoir (example illustration
from S 550)1Retaining screwRemoving

Turn retaining screw1 counterclock-
wise.

Take washer fluid reservoir out of
mounting.

Place washer fluid reservoir to the side
and do not disconnect any wires or ca-
bles.
Installing

Guide washer fluid reservoir into
mounting so that the bottom retaining
lug slides into the rubber sleeve on the
longitudinal member.

Turn retaining screw1 clockwise.

775 Index
A
ABC* 470
Messages in display 660
Setting vehicle level 471
ABS 67
Indicator lamp 29, 67, 628
Messages in display 662
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 433
Accessory weight 606
Accident 421
Active headlamps 399
Adaptive Brake Lights
(S 600, USA only) 69
Adaptive Damping System
(Airmatic) 468
Additional turn signals 715
Address book (COMAND) 167
Calling up 168
Changing an entry 174
Creating an entry 168
Deleting an entry 175
Details about an entry 172
Displaying details about an entry in
the phone book on the mobile
phone 173Importing data 179
Making a call 176
Menu overview 167
Searching for an entry 170
Starting route guidance 176
Voice entry 177
Address book (Voice Control) 330
ADS (Airmatic) 468
Advanced Parking Guidance* 481
Air bags 42
Children 58
Front 46
Front passenger front air bag
indicator lamp 51
OCS 47
Safety guidelines 44
Side impact 46
Window curtain 46, 47
Air conditioning, Refrigerant 768, 769
Air distribution
Adjusting 510
Adjusting (COMAND) 275
Air pressure 606
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air recirculation mode 506
Air vents 500Air volume
Adjusting 504, 510
Adjusting (COMAND) 275
Airmatic 468
Messages in display 676
Setting vehicle level 469
Alarm
Audible alarm and flashing exterior
lamps (Panic alarm) 66
Alarm system see Anti-theft alarm system
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 705, 726
Ambient lighting
COMAND menu 269
AMG menu (Control system
instrument cluster) 296
AMG vehicles
Manual shift program mode 440
Antiglare
Rear view mirrors 390
Anti-theft systems 82
Alarm, visual and audible 82
Anti-theft alarm system 82
Immobilizer 82
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest 527, 528
Ashtrays 536

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

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

793 Index
Shift program mode, Automatic
transmission 436
Shifting, Automatic transmission 426
Side impact air bags 46
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses 619
Messages in display 691
Side windows see Power windows
Sidewall 608
SIRIUS Satellite Radio see Satellite radio
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* see Key,
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
SMS messages 183
Snow chains 611
Spare wheel 723, 759
Mounting 723
Speed
Setting current 447
Setting to last stored speed in
DISTRONIC Plus*
(“Resume” function) 463
Speed settings
Cruise control 449, 450
DISTRONIC Plus* 460, 461, 462To last stored speed (“Resume” func-
tion) in Cruise control 450
SRS 54
Indicator lamp 29, 637
Messages in display 697
Standing water, Driving through 566
Starter battery 731
Starter switch 370
Positions 370
Starting difficulties, Engine 418
Starting, Engine 416
Steering column 386
Steering wheel
Adjustment 386
Cleaning 624
Easy entry/exit feature 384
Heated steering wheel* 387
Power steering fluid 766
Steering wheel gearshift control
Automatic transmission 438
Stolen Vehicle Recovery services 550
Storage compartments 526
Cupholder 530
Front armrest 527
Parcel net 528
Rear armrest 528Ruffled storage pockets 530
Storage compartment in
front armrest 527
Storage tray/telephone* compartment
in front armrest 527
Under the front seats 527
Storing tires 584
Summer opening feature 412
Sun visors 534
Sunroof see Power tilt/sliding sunroof
Sunshades
Extending or retracting rear window
sunshade (COMAND) 271
Extending/retracting rear window
sunshade 535
Opening or closing rear side window
sunshades 412
Suspension tuning
Setting (ABC*) 470
Setting (Airmatic) 468
Symbols used in this operator’s
manual 18
System settings (COMAND)
Bluetooth
® settings 180
Display 259
Favorite button 263

796 IndexTrunk
Closing 511, 708
Closing trunk from inside 511
Closing trunk from outside 511
Emergency release 516
Lighting 407
Message in display 704
Opening from inside 511
Opening from outside 511
Opening-height restriction
(COMAND) 272
Power closing assist for trunk lid 368
Tie-down hooks 532
Unlocking in an emergency 708
Valet locking 517
Tumbler holder see Cupholder
Turn signal lamps
Cleaning lenses 619
Replacing bulbs 715
Turn signals 420
Additional in mirrors 715
Front bulbs 715
Indicator lamp 29
Rear bulbs 715U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 609
Uphill driving
Cruise control 448
Upholstery
Cleaning 625
Useful features 534
V
Valet locking 517
Vanity mirrors
In the sun visor 534
Vehicle
Batteries 729
Breaking-in period 558
Care 615
Dimensions 762
Individual settings, control system in
instrument cluster 305
Locking/unlocking 358, 361
Locking/unlocking in an
emergency 708
Lowering 727
Menu (COMAND) 264Service battery 729
Towing 737
Washing 615, 617
Weights 763
Vehicle data recording 22
Vehicle jack 706, 724
Vehicle level
Changing (ABC*) 471
Changing (Airmatic) 469
Setting (ABC*) 471
Setting (Airmatic) 469
Setting, Automatic (ABC*) 471
Setting, Automatic (Airmatic) 469
Setting, Manual (ABC*) 471
Setting, Manual (Airmatic) 469
Vehicle level control (Airmatic) 469
Vehicle loading 525, 585
Cargo tie-down hooks 532
Instructions 525
Load limit 586
Roof rack* 525
Terminology 606
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 609
Vehicle Recovery services, Stolen
(Tele Aid) 550
Vehicle tool kit 705