2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class park assist

451 Controls in detail
Driving systems

Briefly pull the cruise control lever in
the direction of arrow4 (
page 447).
The cruise control resumes to the last
set speed or if no speed is stored, it will
set and store the current speed.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The last set speed appears in the multi-
function display for approximately
5 seconds, and the corresponding
speedometer segments from the se-
lected speed to the vehicle maximum
speed are illuminated.
DISTRONIC Plus*
When activated, the DISTRONIC Plus adap-
tive cruise control system increases driv-
ing convenience afforded by the cruise
control during travel on expressways and
other major roadways.

If the DISTRONIC Plus distance sensor
detects a slower moving vehicle direct-
ly ahead, your vehicle speed will be re-
duced so that you follow that vehicle at
a preset distance.


If there is no vehicle directly ahead of
you, DISTRONIC Plus will function in
the same way as the cruise control
(page 446).
DISTRONIC Plus functions within a speed
range of 0 to 120 mph
(Canada: 0 to 200 km/h).When travelling in Canada in a vehicle not
registered in Canada, you must switch off
the radar sensor system. Canadian law
does not permit the use of the radar sensor
system for vehicles from outside of Cana-
da. When you switch off the radar sensor
system, the following functions are deacti-
vated:


BAS Plus* (
page 70)


PRE-SAFE
® Brake* (
page 77)


DISTRONIC Plus* (
page 451)


Park Assist* (
page 476)


Advanced Parking Guidance*
(page 481)


Blind Spot Assist* (
page 495)
i
The last stored set speed is deleted when
the engine is turned off.

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.

477 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Park Assist is an electronic parking aid
with radar sensors that helps you while
parking.When travelling in Canada in a vehicle not
registered in Canada, you must switch off
the radar sensor system. Canadian law
does not permit the use of the radar sensor
system for vehicles from outside of Cana-
da. When you switch off the radar sensor
system, the following functions are deacti-
vated:


BAS Plus* (
page 70)


PRE-SAFE
® Brake* (
page 77)


DISTRONIC Plus* (
page 451)


Park Assist* (
page 476)


Advanced Parking Guidance*
(page 481)


Blind Spot Assist* (
page 495)
It visually and audibly indicates the relative
distance between the vehicle and an ob-
stacle.
i
USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC as a
“Vehicular Radar System”. The radar sensor is
intended for use in an automotive radar system
only. Removal, tampering, or altering of the de-
vice will void any warranties, and is not permitted
by the FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
i
Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the device will
void any warranties, and is not permitted. Do not
tamper with, alter, or use in any non-approved
way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
!
The operational function of the Park Assist
system can be affected by dirty sensors, espe-
cially at times of snow and ice.
Make sure that the area on the bumpers around
the sensors is free of dirt, ice and/or slush,
otherwise Park Assist may not function properly,
see “Cleaning the driving systems sensors”
(
page 620).
!
High-frequency sources such as toll sta-
tions, speed measuring systems, etc. can cause
the Park Assist system to malfunction. You can
switch off the Park Assist using the Park Assist
button (
page 480) or switch off the radar sen-
sors (
page 307) to prevent possible malfunc-
tion.

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).

479 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Front sensors
Rear sensorsWarning indicators
Visual signals indicate to the driver the rel-
ative distance between the sensors and an
obstacle.
The warning indicator for the front area is
in the instrument cluster. The warning indi-
cator for the rear area is on the roof liner in
the rear.
1Left side of the vehicle
2Right side of the vehicle
3Indicator
Each warning indicator is divided into five
yellow and two red distance segments for
either side of the vehicle.
If yellow indicators 3 under the segments
are lit, Park Assist is ready to measure.The position of the gear selector lever de-
termines which warning indicators will be
activated.
As your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more distance segments will illuminate,
depending on the distance. When the sev-
enth distance segment illuminates, you
have reached the minimum distance.i
Due to the sensors’ broad detection range,
it is possible that Park Assist also detects the fol-
lowing obstacles and issues a warning:


obstacles in the ground, e.g. sewer canal
covers, rails, bumps in the road or gutters


obstacles moving upward quickly, e.g. rolling
garage doors
Center
approx. 40 in (100 cm)
Corners
approx. 24 in (60 cm)
Center
approx. 50 in (125 cm)
Corners
approx. 24 in (60 cm)
!
While parking, pay particular attention to ob-
jects over or underneath the sensors, e.g. flower
boxes, an elevated crossbar or a trailer tow
hitch. Park Assist does not detect such nearby
objects. You could otherwise damage the vehicle
or the objects.
Gear selector
lever position
Warning indicator
D
Front area activated
R
Front and rear area
activated
N
With the electronic
parking brake engaged:
neither activated.
With the electronic
parking brake released:
front and rear area acti-
vated.
P
Neither activated

480 Controls in detailDriving systems

Front area:
As soon as the first red segment lights
up, you will hear an intermittent warn-
ing tone for approximately two sec-
onds. Once the second red segment
lights up, you will hear a continuous
warning tone. You have reached the
minimum distance.


Rear area:
As soon as the first red segment lights
up, you will hear an intermittent warn-
ing tone for approximately two sec-
onds. Once the second red segment
lights up, you will hear a continuous
warning tone. You have reached the
minimum distance.Collision warning
Park Assist can detect obstacles from a
considerable distance. If you drive in re-
verse towards an obstacle, you will hear a
warning tone. You must then brake in or-
der to avoid a collision. The warning tone
for a collision will not sound when the vehi-
cle is at a standstill very close to the obsta-
cle. In this case, you will hear a
corresponding tone for the warning indica-
tor in the rear area.Switching Park Assist system on/off
The Park Assist system can be switched off
manually.
The Park Assist button with the indicator
lamp is located on the control panel on the
right-hand side of the instrument cluster.
1Park Assist button
2Indicator lamp
i
During strong rainfall, the warning indicators
and warning tones may be triggered, for exam-
ple, by water splashing into the area of the sen-
sors.
i
During strong rainfall, the collision warning
may be triggered, for example, by water splash-
ing into the area of the sensors.
i
When the indicator lamp is on, the Park
Assist system is switched off.

481 Controls in detail
Driving systems

Switching off Park Assist system:
Press button 1.
Indicator lamp 2 comes on.

Switching on Park Assist system:
Press button 1 again.
Indicator lamp 2 goes out.
Advanced Parking Guidance*
Advanced Parking Guidance is an electron-
ic parking aid equipped with radar sensors
that scan the area on both sides of vehicle.
When suitable parking space is found it is
shown in the display and you receive steer-
ing instructions for parking in that space.
i
The Park Assist system is automatically
switched on when the ignition (
page 370) and
radar sensors are switched on (page 307).
Warning!
G
Advanced Parking Guidance is only an aid
and may display parking spaces that are not
suitable e.g. due to parking regulations, un-
suitable road/ground surfaces, driveways,
entrances/exits, etc.
Advanced Parking Guidance only shows a
representation of the parking space in the
instrument cluster display as parking space
is first initially measured when driving past.
Subsequent changes to the parking space
are not taken into account, e.g. if the posi-
tion of the vehicle parked in front of or be-
hind the space changes or objects in the
parking space are moved. Moving objects
are not shown, e.g. pedestrians or vehicles
driving past. Advanced Parking Guidance
does not relieve you of the responsibility to
pay attention. If you only rely on Advanced
Parking Guidance, you may cause an acci-
dent and injure yourself and others.
You are always responsible for safety and
must continue to pay attention to your im-
mediate surroundings when parking and
maneuvering.

482 Controls in detailDriving systems
Use Advanced Parking Guidance for park-
ing spaces that are

parallel to the direction of travel


located on straight streets, i.e. not in
curves


on the same level as the street, i.e. not
on sidewalks, for example. Flat curbs
may possibly not be detected by Ad-
vanced Parking Guidance.
Parking instructions:


On narrow streets, drive by the parking
space as close as possible.


Parking spaces that are dirty, over-
grown or located in front of trailers may
not be detected correctly.


Also observe the Park Assist warning
indicator (
page 479) while Advanced
Parking Guidance is active.
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.
i
USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC as a
“Vehicular Radar System”. The radar sensor is
intended for use in an automotive radar system
only. Removal, tampering, or altering of the de-
vice will void any warranties, and is not permitted
by the FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
i
Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the device will
void any warranties, and is not permitted. Do not
tamper with, alter, or use in any non-approved
way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
!
The operation and functionality of the Ad-
vanced Parking Guidance* can be affected or im-
paired by dirty sensors, especially at times of
snow and ice.
Make sure that the area on the bumpers around
the sensors is free of dirt, ice and/or slush, oth-
erwise Advanced Parking Guidance* may not
function properly, see “Cleaning the driving sys-
tems sensors” (
page 620).