2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class Vehicle

538 Controls in detailUseful features
Power outlet
The power outlet is located in the rear cen-
ter console.
Switch on the ignition (
page 370).

Flip up cover1 and insert electrical
plug (cigarette lighter type).
Floormats*
!
The lighter socket can be used to accommo-
date 12V DC electrical accessories (up to a max-
imum of 85 W) designed for use with the
standard “cigarette lighter” plug type. Keep in
mind, however, that connecting accessories to
the lighter socket (for example extensive con-
necting and disconnecting, or using plugs that do
not fit properly) can damage the lighter socket.
With the socket damaged, the lighter may no
longer be able to be placed in the heating
(pushed-in) position, or the lighter may pop out
too early with the lighter not hot enough.
To help avoid damaging the cigarette lighter
socket, we recommend connecting 12V DC elec-
trical accessories designed for use with a stan-
dard “cigarette lighter” plug type.
i
Operation of the rear door lighters is only
possible, if the override switch (
page 64) is de-
activated.
i
If the engine is off and the cigarette lighter is
being used extensively, the vehicle battery may
become discharged.
i
The power outlet can be used to
accommodate 12V DC electrical accessories
(e.g. air pump, auxiliary lamps) up to a maximum
of 180 W.
If the engine is off and the outlet is being used
extensively, the vehicle battery may become dis-
charged.
Warning!
G
Whenever you are using floormats, make
sure there is enough clearance and that the
floormats are securely fastened.
Floormats should always be securely fas-
tened using the eyelets and the retainer
pins.
Before driving off, check that the floormats
are securely in place and adjust them if nec-
essary. A loose floormat could slip and
hinder proper functioning of the pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of
each other as this may impair pedal move-
ment.i
To install or remove the floormat more easi-
ly, move the driver’s seat or front passenger seat
as far to the rear as possible (
page 373).

539 Controls in detail
Useful features
1Retainer pin
2Eyelet
Removing
Pull floormat off of retainer pins1.

Remove the floormat.
Installing

Lay down the floormat in the respective
footwell.

Press the floormat eyelets2 onto re-
tainer pins1.
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for informa-
tion on the installation of an approved
external antenna. Refer to the radio trans-
mitter operation instructions regarding use
of an external antenna.Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Warning!
G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be
his/her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call.
If you choose to use the mobile phone
1
while driving, please use the hands-free de-
vice and only use the mobile phone when
road, weather and traffic conditions permit.
Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from
using a mobile telephone while driving a ve-
hicle.
Only operate the COMAND (Cockpit Man-
agement and Data System)
1 if road, weather
and traffic conditions permit.
1Observe all legal requirements.


540 Controls in detailUseful features
When the mobile phone is inserted in the
cradle, you can operate the telephone us-
ing the following devices:

mobile phone keypad


COMAND telephone keypad
(page 144)


buttonss andt on the multi-
function steering wheel (
page 288)


Voice Control (
page 313)


Bluetooth
® headset (
page 157)
Please note that these functions are only
available with Mercedes-Benz approved
mobile phones. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for informa-
tion on features available for your mobile
phone of choice.

Open telephone compartment
(page 527).Inserting mobile phone in mobile phone
cradle
Once the mobile phone has been inserted
in the mobile phone cradle, you have to
use the hands-free device or Bluetooth
headset to respond during phone calls.

If applicable, remove the cover for the
external antenna connection from the
back of the mobile phone and store it in
a s a f e p l a c e . B e s u r e t o c o m p l y w i t h t h e
mobile phone’s operating instructions,
as well.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.i
Various mobile phone cradles can be in-
stalled in the front center armrest, see separate
installation instructions for the mobile phone
cradle. These mobile phone cradles can be ob-
tained from an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
The functions and services available to you while
using the mobile phone depend on your service
provider and the type of mobile phone you are
using. See also separate operating manual for in-
structions on how to use your mobile phone.
i
The roof cargo container* may impair mo-
bile phone reception. In an emergency, remove
the mobile phone from the mobile phone cradle
to make a call.
!
Do not try to remove the mobile phone along
with the cradle. You could otherwise damage the
mobile phone cradle.


543 Controls in detail
Useful features
The Tele Aid system is operational provid-
ing that the vehicle’s battery is charged,
properly connected, not damaged and mo-
bile phone and GPS coverage are available.
The speaker volume of a Tele Aid call can
be adjusted when using the volume control
on the multifunction steering wheel. To
raise, press buttonæ and to lower,
press buttonç or use the COMAND
volume thumbwheel , on the lower
part of the front center console
(page 98).

To activate, press the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• or
the Information button¡, depend-
ing on the type of response required.Shortly after the completion of your
Tele Aid acquaintance call, you will receive
a user ID and password. By visiting
www.mbusa.com and selecting “Tele Aid”
(USA only), you will have access to account
information, remote door unlock and
more.
System self-check
Initially, after switching on the ignition,
malfunctions are detected and indicated.
If a malfunction is detected, the indicator
lamps in the SOS button, the Roadside As-
sistance button• and the Information
button¡ stay on longer than
10 seconds or do not come on. The mes-
sage “Tele Aid Not Activated” or “Tele Aid
Inoperative” appears in the multifunction
display.
i
The Tele Aid system utilizes the mobile
phone network for communication and the GPS
(Global Positioning System) satellites for vehicle
location. If either of these signals are unavail-
able, the Tele Aid system may not function and if
this occurs, assistance must be summoned by
other means.
i
The SOS button is located above the interior
rear view mirror (
page 545).
The Roadside Assistance button• and the
Information button¡ are located below the
center armrest cover (page 546).
Warning!
G
If the indicator lamps in the SOS button, in
the Roadside Assistance button•
and/or in the Information button¡ do
not come on during the system self-check,
or if any of these indicators remain illuminat-
ed continuously in red and/or the message
“Tele Aid Not Activated” or “Tele Aid Inoper-
ative” is displayed in the multifunction dis-
play after the system self-check, a
malfunction in the system has been detect-
ed.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined
above, the system may not operate as ex-
pected. Have the system checked at the
nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.

544 Controls in detailUseful featuresEmergency calls
An emergency call is initiated
automatically following an accident in
which the emergency tensioning devices
(ETDs) or air bags deploy.
An emergency call can also be initiated
manually by opening the cover next to the
interior rear view mirror labeled SOS, then
briefly pressing the button located under
the cover. For instructions on initiating an
emergency call manually (
page 545).
Once the emergency call is in progress, the
indicator lamp in the SOS button will begin
to flash. The message:


“Connecting Call” appears in the multi-
function display


“Emergency Call Activated” appears in
the COMAND display
and the audio system is muted. When the
connection is established, the message:


“Call Connected” appears in the multi-
function display


“Emergency Call Activated” appears in
the COMAND display
All information relevant to the emergency,
such as the location of the vehicle (deter-
mined by the GPS satellite location sys-
tem), vehicle model, identification number
and color are generated.
A voice connection between the Response
Center and the occupants of the vehicle
will be established automatically soon af-
ter the emergency call has been initiated.
The Response Center will attempt to deter-
mine more precisely the nature of the acci-
dent provided they can speak to an
occupant of the vehicle.The Tele Aid system is available if


it has been activated and is operation-
al. Activation requires a subscription
for monitoring services, connection,
and cellular air time


the relevant monitoring service and
GPS coverage are available and pass
the information on to the Response
Center


there is sufficient voltage in the vehicle
batteries
i
During the emergency call message “Emer-
gency Call Activated” is displayed, operation
from COMAND is not possible. The automatic cli-
mate control can be still adjusted using the
switches on the climate control panel.
i
If no vehicle occupant responds, an ambu-
lance will be sent to the vehicle immediately.
i
Location of the vehicle on a map is only pos-
sible if the vehicle is able to receive signals from
the GPS satellite network and pass the informa-
tion on to the Response Center.Warning!
G
If the indicator lamp in the SOS button is
flashing continuously and there was no
voice connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system could
not initiate an emergency call (e.g. the rele-
vant mobile phone network is not available).

545 Controls in detail
Useful features
Initiating an emergency call manually
1SOS button
2Cover
Briefly press button on cover2 to
open.
Cover 2 will open.

Press SOS button1 (for longer than
2 seconds).
The indicator lamp in SOS button1
will flash until the emergency call is
concluded.

Wait for a voice connection to the
Response Center.

Close cover2 after the emergency
call is concluded.
The message:

“Call Failed” appears in the multifunc-
tion display for approximately
10 seconds.


A pop-up window with the message:
“Call could not be connected! Please dial
911 directly using the mobile telephone
keypad.” appears in the COMAND dis-
play. Confirm the message pressing
n

(
page 90).
Should this occur, assistance must be sum-
moned by other means.
i
During the emergency call the mobile phone
is switched off automatically and must be
switched back on to make a call.
i
The roof cargo container* may impair mo-
bile phone reception. In an emergency, remove
the mobile phone from the mobile phone cradle
(
page 539) to make a call.
i
The “911” emergency call system is a public
service. Using it without due cause is a criminal
offense.
Warning!
G
If you feel at any way in jeopardy when in the
vehicle (e.g. smoke or fire in the vehicle, ve-
hicle in a dangerous road location), please
do not wait for voice contact after you have
pressed the emergency button. Carefully
leave the vehicle and move to a safe loca-
tion. The Response Center will automatically
contact local emergency officials with the
vehicle’s approximate location if they
receive an automatic SOS signal and cannot
make voice contact with the vehicle occu-
pants.

546 Controls in detailUseful featuresRoadside Assistance button• and
Information button¡
The Roadside Assistance button• and
the Information button¡ are located in
the storage compartment below the front
armrest (
page 527).
1Information button¡
2Roadside Assistance button•Roadside Assistance button•

Press and hold Roadside Assistance
button • (for longer than
2 seconds).
A call to a Mercedes-Benz Roadside As-
sistance dispatcher will be initiated.
The button will flash while the call is in
progress. The message:

“Connecting Call” appears in the
multifunction display


“Roadside Assistance Activated”
appears in the COMAND display
and the audio system is muted.
When the connection is established, the
message:


“Call Connected” appears in the multi-
function display


“Roadside Assistance Activated”
appears in the COMAND display The Tele Aid system will transmit data gen-
erating the vehicle identification number,
model, color and location (subject to avail-
ability of cellular and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants
of the vehicle will be established.

Describe the nature of the need for as-
sistance.
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such
as labor and/or towing, charges may ap-
ply. Refer to the Roadside Assistance Man-
ual for more information.
These programs are only available in the
USA:


Sign and Drive services: Services such
as jump start, a few gallons of fuel or
the replacement of a flat tire with the
vehicle spare tire are obtainable.

547 Controls in detail
Useful features
Information button¡
Press and hold Information button
¡ (for longer than 2 seconds).
A call to the Customer Assistance Cen-
ter will be initiated. The button will
flash while the call is in progress. The
message:

“Connecting Call” appears in the
multifunction display


“Information Call Activated” ap-
pears in the COMAND display
and the audio system is muted.
When the connection is established, the
message:


“Call Connected” appears in the multi-
function display


“Information Call Activated” appears in
the COMAND display
The Tele Aid system will transmit data gen-
erating the vehicle identification number,
model, color and location (subject to avail-
ability of cellular and GPS signals).A voice connection between the Customer
Assistance Center representative and the
occupants of the vehicle will be estab-
lished. Information regarding the operation
of your vehicle, the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or Mercedes-Benz
USA products and services is available to
you.
For more details concerning the Tele Aid
system, please visit www.mbusa.com and
use your ID and password (sent to you sep-
arately) to learn more (USA only).
i
The indicator lamp in the Roadside Assis-
tance button• remains illuminated in red for
approximately 10 seconds during the system
self-check after switching on the ignition (togeth-
er with the SOS button and the Information
button¡).
See system self-check (
page 543) if the indi-
cator lamp does not come on in red or stays on
longer than approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Roadside Assistance
button• is flashing continuously and no
voice connection to the Response Center was
established, the Tele Aid system could not ini-
tiate a Roadside Assistance call (e.g. the relevant
mobile phone network is not available). The mes-
sage:


“Call Failed” appears in the multifunction
display for approximately 10 seconds


“Call could not be connected!” appears in
the COMAND display. Confirm the message
pressing
n
(page 90).
Roadside Assistance calls can be terminated us-
ing button t on the multifunction steering
wheel or COMAND (page 141).
i
The indicator lamp on the Information
button¡ remains illuminated in red for ap-
proximately 10 seconds during the system
self-check after switching on the ignition (togeth-
er with the SOS button and the Roadside Assis-
tance button•).
See system self-check (
page 543) if the indi-
cator lamp does not come on in red or stays on
longer than approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Information
button¡ is flashing continuously and no
voice connection to the Response Center was
established, then the Tele Aid system could not
initiate an Information call (e.g. the relevant