2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class windshield wipers

505 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Activating
Press button; (
page 501) up or
down.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
The air conditioning switches to the follow-
ing functions automatically:


most efficient blower speed and heat-
ing power, depending on outside tem-
perature


air flows onto the windshield and the
front door windows


the air conditioning compressor
switches on at outside temperatures
above approximately 41°F (5°C) for
air-drying


the air recirculation mode is switched
offAdjustments
You can adjust the air volume and the tem-
perature when the front defroster is
switched on. The air flow will remain on the
windshield and door windows.

Press buttonQ up or down to in-
crease or decrease air volume to the
desired level.
The air volume increases/decreases to
the next higher/lower blower speed
and heating switches to the tempera-
ture that was set before the front de-
froster was switched on.
The indicator lamp on button;
goes out.
or

Press temperature control %$
2and/ora (
page 501) upward or
downward.
Heating switches to the temperature
that was set before the front defroster
was switched on.The indicator lamp on button; goes
out.
Deactivating

Press button; (
page 501) up or
down.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
The previous settings are once again in
effect, except air recirculation mode
stays off.
Windshield fogged on the outside

Switch the windshield wipers on
(page 408).

Press buttonU (
page 501) up or
down.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
i
The air conditioning compressor remains on
even with the indicator lamp on button;
goes out. This helps to prevent windshield from
fogging.

573 Operation
Engine compartment
Engine compartment
Hood
Opening1Release lever

Pull release lever 1.
The hood is unlocked.
2Handle for opening the hood

Lift the hood slightly.
Handle2 will extend out of the radia-
tor grille.

Pull handle 2 to its stop out of radiator
grille.

Lift bottom of hood at edge of radiator
grille.
The hood will be automatically held
open at shoulder height by gas-filled
struts.
Warning!
G
Do not pull the release lever while the vehi-
cle is in motion. Otherwise the hood could
be forced open by passing air flow.
This could cause the hood to come loose
and injure you and/or others.Warning!
G
You could be injured when the hood is open
– even when the engine is turned off.
Parts of the engine can become very hot. To
prevent burns, let the engine cool off com-
pletely before touching any components on
the vehicle. Comply with all relevant safety
precautions.
!
To avoid damage to the windshield wipers or
hood, never open the hood if the wiper arms are
folded forward away from the windshield.
!
To avoid damage to handle2 never pull up
the hood on handle2.


617 Operation
Vehicle care
Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from contact with
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as
MB Anticorrosion Wax, should be applied
to the engine compartment after every
engine cleaning. Before applying, all
control linkage bushings and joints should
be lubricated. The poly-V-belt and all pul-
leys should be protected from any wax.
Vehicle washing
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, do
not forget to clean the inner sides of the
wheels.Hand-wash
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight.

Only use a mild car wash detergent,
such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo.

Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water.
Direct only a very weak spray towards
the ventilation intake.

Use plenty of water and rinse the
sponge and chamois frequently.

Rinse with clean water and thoroughly
dry with a chamois.
Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on
the finish.Automatic car wash
You can have your car washed in an auto-
matic car wash from the start. Automatic
car washes without brushes are prefera-
ble.

To protect the filter system, switch the
automatic climate control to air recir-
culation mode (
page 506).
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it be-
fore running it through the automatic car
wash.
i
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of water, and
a SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is in close prox-
imity, i.e. within approximately 3 ft (approxi-
mately 1 m), the vehicle could be inadvertently
locked or unlocked.
!
Do not use scouring agents on these parts.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the vehicle.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the paint.
!
Do not clean your vehicle in an automatic
touchless car wash which uses caustic spray.
Otherwise the caustic spray will damage the
paint or ornamental moldings.
!
Make sure that the windshield wiper switch
is set to0 (
page 408). Otherwise, e.g. the rain
sensor could activate and cause the wipers to
move unintentionally. This may lead to vehicle
damage.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in exterior
rear view mirrors prior to running the vehicle
through an automatic car wash to prevent dam-
age to the mirrors.

622 OperationVehicle care2Camera
Clean inside of windshield in front of
camera2 with a soft, non-scratching
cloth.

Use recessed handles1 to swing
camera cover up.Cleaning the windows and the wiper
blades

Make sure the hood is fully closed.
Placing wiper arms in vertical position
Vehicles with SmartKey:

Turn SmartKey in starter switch
position1.

Turn combination switch to wiper
settingu (
page 408).

With wiper arm in vertical position, turn
the SmartKey in starter switch to
position0.Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:

Make sure the vehicle’s on-board elec-
tronics have status 1 (
page 372).

Turn combination switch to wiper
settingu (
page 408).

Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
repeatedly until windshield wipers
start.

Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
when the wiper arms are in a vertical
position.
!
If you use a windshield cleaning product,
make sure that none of the cleaning product
comes into contact with the lens of the Night
View Assist camera.
!
The windshield wipers must be in a vertical
position before folding them away from the wind-
shield. They could otherwise damage the hood.
Never open the hood when the wiper arms are
folded forward.


623 Operation
Vehicle care
Cleaning
Fold the wiper arms forward until they
snap into place.

Clean the wiper blade inserts with a
clean cloth and detergent solution.

Use a soft, clean cloth and a mild win-
dow cleaning solution on all outside
and inside glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is recom-
mended.Cleaning the panorama roof with
tilt/sliding panel*
The rear part of the tilt/sliding panel has a
protective layer on the inside.

Use a soft, clean cloth and a mild
window cleaning solution.
An automotive glass cleaner is recom-
mended.Light alloy wheels
If possible, clean wheels once a week.

Use Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel
Care, a soft bristle brush and a strong
spray of water for cleaning the light al-
loy wheels.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and re-
move SmartKey from starter switch (vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure the
vehicle’s on-board electronics have
status0) before cleaning the windshield
and/or the wiper blades. Otherwise, the
wiper motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.!
Do not pull on the wiper blade inserts. They
could tear.
!
Fold the windshield wiper arms back onto
the windshield before turning the SmartKey in
the starter switch or pressing the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*).
Hold on to the wiper when folding the wiper arm
back. If released, the force of the impact from
the tensioning spring could crack the windshield.
!
To clean the window interior, do not use a
dry cloth, abrasives, solvents or cleaners con-
taining solvents. Do not touch the inside of the
front, rear or door windows with hard objects
such as an ice scraper or ring. Doing so may
damage the windows.
!
Do not use a dry cloth, abrasives, solvents
or cleaners containing solvents. Do not touch
the protective layer with hard objects such as an
ice scraper or ring. Never apply strong force and
only use a soft, non-scratching cloth when clean-
ing the rear part of the tilt/sliding panel.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the pro-
tective layer.
!
Only use acid-free cleaning materials. Acid
may cause corrosion or damage the clear coat.
!
The vehicle should not be parked for an
extended period of time immediately after it has
been cleaned, especially not after the wheel rims
have been cleaned with wheel rim cleaner.
Wheel rim cleaners can lead to increased
corrosion of the brake disks and brake pads.
Non-approved wheel cleaners may also damage
the wheel paint if the car is not driven after
cleaning.

722 Practical hintsReplacing wiper bladesVehicles with KEYLESS-GO*
Make sure the vehicle’s on-board elec-
tronics have status 1 (
page 372).

Turn combination switch to wiper
settingu (
page 408).

Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
repeatedly until windshield wipers
start.

Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
when the wiper arms are in a vertical
position.
Removing wiper blades
Fold the wiper arm forward until it
snaps into place.

Turn the wiper blade at a right angle to
wiper arm (arrow 1).

Slide the wiper blade sideways out of
the retainer in the direction of
arrow2.
Installing wiper blades
Slide the wiper blade onto wiper arm
until it locks in place.

Rotate the wiper blade into position
parallel to wiper arm.

Fold the wiper arm backward to rest on
the windshield. Make sure you hold
onto the wiper when folding the wiper
arm back.
!
Do not pull on the wiper blade inserts. They
could tear.
!
Make certain that the wiper blades are prop-
erly installed. Improperly installed wiper blades
may cause windshield damage.

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

797 Index
Video (COMAND) 132
Video AUX
Screen settings 130
Video AUX (COMAND) 130
Video DVD
Operating (COMAND) 132
Operating (Control system) 295
Submenu overview 134
Switching to mode 134
Video game 140
VIN 749
Voice Control
Address book 330
Command list 340
DVD changer 338
Individualization 355
Individualization (COMAND) 261
Introduction 309
Navigation 320
Operating safety 308
Operation via the multifunction
steering wheel 311
Radio 334
Switching help window on or off
(COMAND) 261
Telephone 313Troubleshooting 352
W
Warning indicators
Park Assist* 479
Parktronic* 474
Warning sounds
DISTRONIC Plus* 454
Drivers seat belts 55
Electronic parking brake 424
PRE-SAFE
® Brake* 80
Seat belt telltale 636
Warranty coverage 747
Washing the vehicle 615
Wear pattern, Tires 609
Weights, Vehicle 763
Wheels
Change 723
Collapsible wheel chock 707
Minispare wheel 707
Removing 726
Rims and Tires 754
Sizes 754
Spare wheel 759
Tightening torque 728
Tires and wheels 582Window curtain air bags 46, 47
Windows see Power windows
Windshield
Cleaning 622
Cleaning wiper blades 622
Infrared reflecting 556
Windshield washer fluid 768, 774
Mixing ratio 774
Refilling 580
Wiping with 409
Windshield wipers 408
Cleaning wiper blades 622
Replacing wiper blades 721
Single wipe 409
Winter driving 610
Snow chains 611
Tires 610
Winter driving instructions 565
Winter tires 610
Wood trims, Cleaning 625
Wrench, wheel (vehicle tool kit) 705
X
Xenon headlamp see Headlamps