2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class manual transmission

739 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing with all wheels on the ground

Switch on the ignition.

Shift the automatic transmission to
neutral positionN.

If engaged, manually release the
electronic parking brake.
Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the brake
system


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
This is necessary to adequately control the
towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!
Keep in mind that it is important to have the
ignition switched on. As soon as the SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch or the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* is removed from the vehicle,
the automatic transmission will shift to park
positionP.
!
The vehicle may be towed only for distances
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to ex-
ceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
i
To signal turns while being towed with the
hazard warning flasher in use, the ignition must
be switched on. You can then activate the com-
bination switch for the left or right turn signal in
the usual manner – only the selected turn signal
will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warn-
ing flasher will operate again.

742 Practical hintsFusesBefore replacing fuses:
Engage the electronic parking brake
(page 422).

Make sure the automatic transmission
is set to park positionP (
page 426).
The gear position indicator in the multi-
function display should be on park po-
sition P.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Turn off the engine (
page 424).

Switch off the vehicle’s internal electri-
cal functions (
page 732).
Fuse boxes in engine compartment
Open the hood (
page 573).
Box on the driver’s side
Example illustration from S 55014 screws
2Cover
3JumperOpening

Take the crank from the Operator’s
Manual pouch.

Loosen screws1 with crank.

Remove jumper3.

Remove cover2.
Closing

Attach cover2.

Attach jumper3.

Tighten screws1 with crank.
!
The cover must fit properly, as otherwise
moisture or dirt may impair the functionality of
the fuses.

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

776 IndexAspect ratio 606
Audio (COMAND) 116
CD mode 124
DVD mode 124
MP3 mode 124
Audio (Control system
instrument cluster) 294
CD changer 295
CD/DVD changer 295
DVD changer 295
Audio AUX (COMAND) 129
Audio DVD
Fast forward/rewind (COMAND) 127
Menu overview (COMAND) 123
Pause function (COMAND) 125
Stop function (COMAND) 125
Auto-dimming, Rear view mirrors 390
Automatic climate control 501
Adjusting air distribution
(COMAND) 275
Adjusting air flow from air vents
(COMAND) 279
Adjusting air volume (COMAND) 275
Adjusting the footwell temperature
(COMAND) 278Air recirculation mode 506
Central climate control menu
(COMAND) 276
Central menu for rear climate control*
(COMAND) 280
Defrosting 504
Operating the rear climate control*
from the front 279
Operating via COMAND 273
Rear window defroster 506
Selecting Mono mode
(COMAND) 277
Setting temperature (COMAND) 274
Setting the temperature 504
Setting the temperature in the rear
passenger compartment 510
Switching cooling on or off
(COMAND) 276
Automatic headlamp mode 306, 400
Automatic lighting control,
Interior lighting 406
Automatic locking when driving 368
Automatic shift program 436
Automatic transmission
Accelerator position 433
Automatic shift program 436Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 443
Fluid 765
Fluid level 578
Gear ranges 435
Gear selector lever 426
Gear shifting malfunctions 443
Hill start assist system 434
Kickdown 433
Kickdown, manual shift program
(AMG vehicles) 442
Manual shift program mode
(AMG vehicles) 440
Program mode selector switch 436
Shifting procedure 429
Starting the engine 416
Steering wheel gearshift control 438
Transmission fluid 578
Transmission positions 430
AUX
Audio 129
Video 130
AUX jacks 129

783 Index
Fuel tank
Capacity 767
Filler flap 570
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Capacities 764
Fuses 741
Fuse box in engine compartment 742
Fuse box in passenger
compartment 743
Fuse boxes in dashboard 743
Fuse chart (vehicle tool kit) 705
Replacing 741G
Garage door opener 551
Gasoline see Fuel
GAWR 607
Gear range
Automatic transmission 435
Limiting 435
Shifting into optimal 440
Gear selector lever 426
Gearshift pattern 426
Messages in display 648, 653, 657,
659, 704
Position 429
Shifting procedure 429
Transmission position 430
Glove box 526
Gloves, Vehicle tool kit 705
GPS
Reception (COMAND) 192
Tele Aid 543
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GVW 607
GVWR 607H
Hands-free microphone 33
Hard plastic trim items, cleaning 624
Hazard warning flasher 405
Head restraints 379
Adjustment 379
Folding back and placing upright rear
head restraints 380
Front seat 379
Luxury active head restraints
(S 600 only) 56
Rear seat 380
Resetting activated luxury active head
restraints (S 600 only) 710
Headlamp cleaning system 403, 580
Washer fluid 768, 774
Headlamps
Automatic headlamp mode 306, 400
Cleaning lenses 619
Cleaning system 580
Low beam 400
Manual headlamp mode 306
Messages in display 687
Refilling washer fluid 581
Headliner and shelf below rear window,
Cleaning and care of 624

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

791 Index
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 506
Activating 506
Deactivating 506
Recommended inflation pressure 608
Recovery services, Stolen vehicle
(Tele Aid) 550
Refrigerant, Air conditioning 768, 769
Refueling 570
Regular checks 572
Remote
Door lock with Tele Aid 550
Door unlock with Tele Aid 549
Trunk opening/closing* switch 511
Remote control, SmartKey 358
Remote control, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 361
Replacing
Bulbs 714
Front lamp bulbs 717
Rear lamp bulbs 715
Reporting safety defects 21
Reset (COMAND) 263
Residual engine heat and ventilation 509
Rest tool
Depository 710, 711Restraint systems
Messages in display 697
See Children in the vehicle
See SRS
Reverse gear position,
Automatic transmission 426, 430
Rims 608
And Tires 754
Tires and wheels 582
Roadside Assistance 15
Tele Aid 546
RON 571, 767
Roof rack* 525
Route guidance (COMAND) 237
Route guidance (Instrument cluster control
system) 292
Rubber parts, cleaning 624S
S63AMG
Manual shift program mode 440
S65AMG
Manual shift program mode 440
Safety
Driving safety systems 67
Occupant 40
Reporting defects 21
Safety belts see Seat belts
Satellite radio
Calling SIRIUS Service Center
(COMAND) 115
Channel update (COMAND) 115
Operation (COMAND) 108
Selecting channel (Instrument cluster
control system) 295
Selecting program category
(COMAND) 111
Showing program info
(COMAND) 115
Submenu overview (COMAND) 108
Tuning in channels (COMAND) 112,
114
Voice Control 335

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