2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class high beam

403 Controls in detail
Lighting
Rear fog lamp (driver’s side only)
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB (
page 399).

Pull out exterior lamp switch to second
stop.
The front fog lamps and the rear fog
lamp switch on.
The yellow indicator lamp† in the
exterior lamp switch comes on
(page 399).

Push in the exterior lamp switch to first
stop.
The rear fog lamp switches off.
The yellow indicator lamp† in the
exterior lamp switch goes out.
The front fog lamps remain lit.
High beamCombination switch1High beam
2High beam flasher
High beam headlamps: Turn the exte-
rior lamp switch to positionB
(page 399).

Push the combination switch in the di-
rection of arrow1.
The high beam indicatorA in the in-
strument cluster comes on
(page 28).

High beam flasher: Pull the combina-
tion switch briefly in the direction of
arrow2.
Headlamp cleaning system
With the engine running the headlamps will
automatically be cleaned with a high-pres-
sure water jet when you have

switched on the headlamps
and


the windshield wipers have wiped the
windshield with washer fluid five times
When you switch off the ignition the
counter resets.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system”
(
page 580).

491 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Night View Assist*
Night View Assist illuminates the road with
infrared light in addition to the normal
headlamps.
A camera at the top of the windshield mea-
sures the infrared light and shows a
black-and-white image on the multifunc-
tion display. The image on the multifunction display cor-
responds to a road lit up by high-beam
headlamps.
The Night View Assist image on the multi-
function display is not impaired


by the headlamps of approaching vehi-
cles


if you cannot switch on the high beams
due to oncoming traffic
As a result, you can better follow the
course of the road and detect obstacles
earlier on.The camera is at the top of the windshield.
1Night View Assist camera
Switching on or off
You can only switch on the Night View As-
sist if


the SmartKey in the starter switch is
set to position2


it is dark
Warning!
G
Night View Assist is only an aid to support
you while driving and cannot substitute your
careful attention. Do not rely on the display
of the Night View Assist; instead, continue
to look through the windshield. You are al-
ways responsible for safety and must drive
in accordance with traffic conditions. Other-
wise, you could endanger yourself and oth-
ers.
If it is foggy, raining or snowing, the clarity of
the Night View Assist image on the multi-
function display may be diminished.
Warning!
G
Night View Assist cannot record objects im-
mediately in front of or next to the vehicle.
When maneuvering, continue to look
through the windshield. Make sure no per-
sons or animals are in the area in which you
are maneuvering. You could otherwise in-
jure them.
i
Infrared light is invisible to the human eye
and can therefore remain permanently switched
on without blinding oncoming traffic.

643 Practical hints
What to do if …?
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may ap-
pear in the malfunction display.
For your convenience the messages are di-
vided into two sections:

Text messages (
page 644)


Symbol messages (
page 660)
Warning!
G
All categories of messages contain impor-
tant information which should be taken note
of and, where a malfunction is indicated, ad-
dressed as soon as possible at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property dam-
age or personal injury.i
Switching on the ignition causes all instru-
ment cluster lamps (except high beam headlamp
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator lamps
unless activated) as well as the multifunction dis-
play to come on. Make sure the lamps and multi-
function display are in working order before
starting your journey.

687 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Check
Center Brake Lamp
The high mounted brake lamp is malfunc-
tioning. This message will only appear if a
critical number of light emitting diodes have
stopped working.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Check Left
Cornering Light
The left-hand corner-illuminating lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(page 714).
Check Right
Cornering Light
The right-hand corner-illuminating lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(page 714).
Check
Left Low Beam
The left low beam lamp is malfunctioning.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Check
Right Low Beam
The right low beam lamp is malfunctioning.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Active Headlamps
Inoperative
The active headlamps are malfunctioning.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.

689 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Check
Right Mirror
Turn Signal
The turn signal in the right exterior rear view
mirror is malfunctioning. This message will
only appear if a critical number of light emit-
ting diodes have stopped working.

Have the LEDs replaced as soon as possible.
Check
Front Left
Turn Signal
The left front turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Check
Front Right
Turn Signal
The right front turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Check
Left High Beam
The left high beam lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(page 714).
Check
Right High Beam
The right high beam lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(page 714).
Check Left
License Plate Lamp
The left license plate lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Check Right
License Plate Lamp
The right license plate lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Please
Switch Off Lights
You are getting out of the vehicle and the
lights are still switched on.

Switch off the headlamps (
page 399).

715 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Bulbs Front lamps Rear lamps
Lamp
Type
1
Bi-Xenon headlamp:
Low and high beam
lamp
1
1Bi-Xenon headlamps: Low beam and high beam
use the same D1S-35W lamp. Do not replace the
Bi-Xenon bulbs yourself. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
D1S-35 W
2
Additional turn signal
lamp
LED
3
Parking and standing
lamp
W5W
4
Side marker lamp
W5W
5
Bi-Xenon headlamp:
High beam flasher lamp
H7-55 W
IR emitter* (for Night
View Assist*)
H11-55 W
6
Corner-illuminating
lamp
H7-55 W
7
Fog lamp
H11-55 W
8
Turn signal lamp
PY 24 W
Lamp
Type
9
High mounted brake
lamp
LED
a
Turn signal lamp
HiP 16 W
b
Brake lamp/tail lamp
and standing lamp
LED
c
License plate lamp
W5W
d
Backup lamp
HiP 16 W
e
Side marker lamp
LED
f
Rear fog lamp (driver’s
side only)
HiP 19 W

718 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsBi-Xenon headlamps High beam flasher lamp
In vehicles with Bi-Xenon headlamps, you
can only change the halogen bulb for the
high-beam flasher lamp.
1Bulb holder
2Wire position
3Grip

Turn cover2 (
page 717) counter-
clockwise and remove it.

Turn bulb holder1 counterclockwise
until it disengages.

Take out bulb holder1.

Take bulb out of holder.

Insert new bulb into holder and press it
all the way down.
The tab of the bulb holder must be po-
sitioned on the upper left-hand side
and wire2 must point upward and to
the right for the left headlamp, down-
ward and to the left for the right head-
lamp.

Turn bulb holder clockwise until it en-
gages and grip3 is in a horizontal po-
sition.
Warning!
G
Do not remove the cover for the Bi-Xenon
headlamp. Because of high voltage in Xenon
lamps, it is dangerous to replace the bulb or
repair the lamp and its components. We rec-
ommend that you have such work done by a
qualified technician.

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