2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class brake sensor

644 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Text messagesDisplay
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Apply Brake
to Shift
from 'P'
You have tried to shift the auto-
matic transmission to drive po-
sition D, reverse gearR or
neutral positionN without step-
ping on the brake.

Step on brake.
Check
Child Seat Position
See Oper. Manual
(Canada only)
The child seat is not positioned
correctly.

Fasten the seat in the correct position.
The sensor for the child seat is
malfunctioning.

Have the sensor for child seat detection checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

646 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
DISTRONIC PLUS
Currently Unavailable
See Oper. Manual
DISTRONIC Plus* is switched off and is
temporarily unavailable.
DISTRONIC Plus* is deactivated if:

the DISTRONIC Plus* cover in the radi-
ator grille is dirty


the radar sensors* do not sense any
other vehicles or objects, i.e. road sign
or similar to this, for a long time


the system is overheated


its function is impaired as a result of
heavy precipitation or fog


the battery voltage is insufficient

Clean the DISTRONIC Plus* cover in the radiator grille
(page 619).

Restart the vehicle.

Try activating DISTRONIC Plus* again later.

Wait until the system cools down or the battery recovers.
DISTRONIC Plus* will be operational again without you needing to
restart the engine if:


the dirt (e.g. slush) loosens while you are driving


the system detects that the radar sensors* are fully available
again


the message in the multifunction display disappears
DISTRONIC Plus* is switched off because
the radar sensor system* is temporarily in-
operative due to electromagnetic interfer-
ence near television and radio transmitter
stations, toll stations, speed measuring
systems, etc.

Wait until the message in the multifunction display disappears.
DISTRONIC PLUS
Inoperative
DISTRONIC Plus* is malfunctioning.
BAS Plus* and PRE-SAFE
® Brake* are also
not available.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as pos-
sible.

653 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Next Service X
Due in ... days
Due in ... mls (km)
Service X must be carried out in ... days or
after ... miles (kilometers) (
page 612).

Have the maintenance service carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only Shift to
Position 'P' When
Vehicle Is Stationary
You have tried to shift the automatic trans-
mission to park positionP using the gear
selector lever although the vehicle is still in
motion.

Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

Shift the automatic transmission to park positionP.

Engage the electronic parking brake (
page 422).
Park Assist
Currently Unavailable
See Oper. Manual
Park Assist* is deactivated because the
area around the sensors* in the front or the
rear bumper (
page 620) is dirty.

Clean the front and rear bumper (
page 620).
Park Assist* is deactivated because the
battery voltage is insufficient.

Have the battery checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Park Assist* is switched off because the ra-
dar sensor system* is temporarily inopera-
tive due to electromagnetic interference
near television and radio transmitter sta-
tions, toll stations, speed measuring sys-
tems, etc.

Wait until the message in the multifunction display disappears.
Park Assist
Inoperative
Park Assist* is unavailable due to a mal-
function.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as pos-
sible.

656 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Parking Guidance
Finished
Advanced Parking Guidance* The vehicle is
in the end position.
The display message disappears automatically.
PRE-SAFE
Inoperative
See Oper. Manual
PRE-SAFE
® itself has failed. All other occu-
pant safety systems, such as the air bags,
are still available.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as pos-
sible.
Radar Sensors
Deactivated
See Oper. Manual
You attempt to activate DISTRONIC Plus*,
Park Assist* or PRE-SAFE
® Brake* even
though you have switched off the radar sen-
sors* on the vehicle.

Check if the radar sensors* may be switched on (
page 307).

Switch on the radar sensors* using the instrument cluster
control system.
Service X
Due
Service X must be carried out (
page 612).

Have the maintenance service carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Service X Exceeded
by X days
by XXX mls (km)
Service X must be carried within the next ...
or before you have driven ... miles (kilome-
ters) (
page 612).

Have the maintenance service carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

657 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Shift to P or N
to Start Engine
You have attempted to start the engine
while the automatic transmission was set to
reverse gearR or drive positionD.

Shift the automatic transmission to park positionP or neutral
positionN (
page 426).
Tire Pressure Monitor
Inoperative
The Advanced TPMS or a wheel sensor is
malfunctioning.

Have the Advanced TPMS checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Follow recommended tire inflation pres-
sures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly, adverse-
ly affect handling and fuel economy, and are
more likely to fail from being overheated. Do
not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can
adversely affect handling and ride comfort,
wear unevenly, increase stopping distance,
and result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes
etc.

666 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Service
See Oper. Manual
S 600 and S 65 AMG only:
The brake system sensors are malfunction-
ing. The brake system continues to function
normally with full brake force boost.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
(USA only)(Canada only)
Check
Brake Pad Wear
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
!
Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the intervals
specified in the Maintenance Booklet.

780 Index
Intermittent signal tone 454
Lever 457
Menu 455
Messages in display 646
Sensor cover 619
Setting a higher speed 461
Setting a slower speed 462
Setting following distance 464
Setting the current speed 460
Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function) 463
Warning and indicator lamps 454
Document holder 534
Door
Control panel 34, 35, 38
Entry lamps 407
Inside door handle 367
Locking 360, 365
Locking with Tele Aid 550
Messages in display 648, 682
Opening from inside vehicle 367
Opening from outside 360, 364
Power closing assist 368
Unlocking 359, 364
Unlocking with Tele Aid 549DOT 607
Downhill driving
Cruise control 448
Drink holder see Cupholder
Drinking and driving 559
Drive-dynamic multicontour seats*, front
Adjusting (COMAND) 285
Driving 416
Abroad 567
Hydroplaning 563
In winter 565
Instructions 416, 559
Problems 420
Safety systems 67
Through standing water 566
With DISTRONIC Plus* 465
Driving maneuver (COMAND) 237
Driving off 562
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 76
ABS 67
Adaptive Brake Lights
(S 600, USA only) 69
BAS 69
BAS Plus 70EBP 72
Electronic traction system 73
ESP
®
72
Driving systems 446
ABC* 470
Advanced Parking Guidance* 481
Airmatic 468
Cruise control 446
DISTRONIC Plus* 451
Driving safety systems 67
Park Assist* 476
Parktronic system* 472
Rear View Camera* 487
Vehicle level control (ABC*) 471
Vehicle level control (Airmatic) 469
Driving tips 433
Kickdown 433
DVD 116
Audio (COMAND) 116
Changer (COMAND) 120
Changer (Voice Control) 338
Ejecting (COMAND) 122
Loading (COMAND) 120
Playback options (COMAND) 128
Selecting a medium (COMAND) 126
Selecting a track (COMAND) 126

785 Index
K
Key, Mechanical 708
Loss of 366
Key, SmartKey 358
Battery check lamp 358, 360
Factory setting 359
Global locking and unlocking 359
Lock button 358
Locking and unlocking 358
Loss of 366
Messages in display 685
Opening button for trunk 358
Panic button 66
Remote control 358
Restoring to factory setting 361
Selective setting 360
Starting the engine 417
Switching on ignition with 370
Turning off engine 425
Unlock button 358Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 361
Battery check lamp 361, 365
Closing, Trunk 511
Factory setting 364
Global locking and unlocking 364
Important notes on using
KEYLESS-GO* 362
Lock button 361
Locking and unlocking 361
Loss of 366
Messages in display 684
Opening button for trunk 361
Panic button 66
Remote control 361
Restoring to factory setting 366
Selective setting 365
Starting the engine 417
Switching on ignition with 372
Turning off engine 425
Unlock button 361
Kickdown 433
Kilopascal 607L
Labels 748
Certification 748
Emission control information 749
Tire and Loading Information 586
Vacuum line routing diagram 749
Lamp bulbs, exterior 714
Lamps, exterior
Front 715
Light sensor 688
Rear 715
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 29, 67, 628
Air bag Off 46
Battery check lamp (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 365
Battery check lamp (SmartKey) 360
Brake warning lamp 29
Brakes 629
Combination low tire pressure* mal-
function telltale 29, 638
Distance warning lamp* 29, 634
DISTRONIC Plus* 29, 454, 634
Electronic parking brake 29, 630
Engine diagnostics 29, 632
Engine malfunction 29, 632