2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class roof

641 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
75The front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp
does not illuminate and/or
does not remain illuminat-
ed with the weight of a typ-
ical 12-month-old child in a
standard child restraint or
less on the front passen-
ger seat.
The system is malfunctioning.

Make sure there is nothing between seat cushion and child seat and
check installation of the child seat.

Make sure no objects applying supplemental weight onto the seat
are present.

Make sure no objects which apply forces to the seat are present
(e.g. objects such as books, briefcases etc. lodged behind or around
the seat, head restraints pushing against roof etc.). The system may
recognize such forces as supplemental weight.

If the front passenger front air bag off indicator lamp remains out,
have the system checked as soon as possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not transport a child on the front pas-
senger seat until the system has been repaired.

Also read and observe any messages in the multifunction display
and follow corrective steps (
page 642).
Warning!
G
If the59indicator lamp does
not illuminate or remains out with the
weight of a typical 12-month-old child in a
standard child restraint or less on the front
passenger seat, do not transport a child on
the front passenger seat until the system
has been repaired.

651 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Front Passenger
Airbag Enabled
See Oper. Manual
Front passenger front air bag is
activated while driving even
though a child, small individual,
or object below the system’s
weight threshold is on the front
passenger seat, or the front pas-
senger seat is empty. Objects
on the seat or forces acting on
the seat may make the system
sense supplemental weight.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible and check the front
passenger seat for the following:
Engage the electronic parking brake (
page 422).

Switch off the ignition (
page 370).

Remove child and child restraint from front passenger seat and properly
secure the child in rear seat employing the child restraint if necessary.

Remove any other items from on and around the front passenger seat and
make sure the storage bag on the back of the front passenger seat is emp-
ty.

Make sure that no objects which apply forces to the seat are present (e.g.
objects such as books, briefcases etc. lodged behind or around the seat,
head restraints pushing against roof etc.). The system may recognize such
forces as supplemental weight and sense that an occupant on the front
passenger seat is of a greater weight than actually present.

Keep the seat unoccupied, close the front passenger door and switch on
the ignition (
page 370).
Monitor the 59indicator lamp right of the instrument cluster
(
page 51) and the multifunction display in the instrument cluster
(page 287) for the following:
(Continued on next page)

730 Practical hintsBatteries!
The consumer battery located in the trunk is
a valve-r
egulated l
ead a
cid (VRLA) battery, also
referred to as “fleece” battery. Such batteries do
not require topping-up of the electrolyte level.
VRLA batteries therefore do not have cell caps
and the battery cover is non-removable. Do not
attempt to open the consumer battery as other-
wise the battery will be damaged.
Even though VRLA batteries do not require top-
ping-up of the electrolyte level and cannot be
opened to check the electrolyte level, the bat-
tery condition must be checked periodically by
performing a battery conductance test. Refer to
Maintenance Booklet for battery condition test-
ing intervals.
As with any other battery, disconnect the con-
sumer battery if you do not intend to operate
your vehicle for an extended period of time to
prevent battery discharge or connect an acces-
sory battery charge unit expressly approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to main-
tain the battery charge. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further information.
!
The factory-equipped VRLA battery is
leak-proofed. Only use a battery as replacement
that has the same security features and is of
identical size, voltage, and capacity as the facto-
ry-equipped battery.
The battery, the battery ventilation and the later-
al plug must always be securely installed when
the vehicle is in operation.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
Take care that you do not become statically
charged, e.g. by wearing synthetic clothing
or rubbing against textiles. For this reason,
you also should not pull or push the battery
over carpets or other synthetic materials.
Never touch the battery first. First touch the
outside body of the vehicle in order to re-
lease any possible electrostatic charges.

763 Technical data
Main dimensions and weights
WeightsMax. roof load
220 lb (100 kg)
Max. trunk load
220 lb (100 kg)

789 Index
O
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 607
Occupant safety 40
Air bags 42
Children and air bags 58
Children in the vehicle 58
Fastening the seat belt 395
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 51
Infant and child restraint systems 59
LATCH-type child seat anchors 63
Seat belts 44, 395
OCS 47
Self-test 52
Odometer 291
Oil
Filler neck 578
Oil level see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting 438
Operating safety 19
Voice Control 308
Ornamental moldings, Cleaning 618
Outside temperature indicator 29, 445
Overdue maintenance service 613
Overhead control panel 33Override switch 64
P
Paintwork, Cleaning 616
Panic alarm
Audible alarm and flashing
exterior lamps 66
Panic button 66
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding
panel* 521
Opening/closing 522
Synchronizing 524
Panorama roof with tilt/sliding panel*
Cleaning 623
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 528
Park Assist* 476
Cleaning system sensors 620
Messages in display 653, 655
System sensors 620
Warning indicators 29, 479
Parking 421, 562
Parking and standing lamps
Replacing bulbs 715
Parking lamps
Messages in display 690Parking position
Exterior rear view mirrors 391
Parktronic system* 472
Parktronic*
Cleaning system sensors 619
Malfunctioning 476
System sensors 619
Warning indicators 29, 474
Parts service 746
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp see
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp
Passenger compartment 567
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
PCMCIA card
Ejecting (COMAND) 122
Loading (COMAND) 121
Pedals 559
Plastic parts, cleaning 624
POIs 229
Poly-V-belt drive 750
Layout 750
Potential problems associated with
underinflated and overinflated
tires 597
Power assistance 559

790 IndexPower closing assist for doors and
trunk lid 368
Power folding exterior rear view
mirrors 389
Power outlet 538
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 518
Opening/closing 518
Synchronizing 520
Power washer 616
Power windows 410
Blocking of rear window operation 64
Cleaning 622
Opening/closing 410
Practical hints 642, 705
Premium unleaded gasoline 571, 767,
770
PRE-SAFE
®
57
Message in display 656
Messages in display 663
PRE-SAFE
® Brake*
Intermittent signal tone 80
Preventive occupant safety see PRE-SAFE
®
Problems
While driving 420
With vehicle 20
Product information 13Production options weight 607
Program mode see Automatic
transmission, Automatic shift program
Program mode selector switch
Automatic shift program 436
Proper use of the vehicle 19
PSI 608
Push-start see Tow-start
R
RACETIMER see Control system
instrument cluster menus, AMG
Radio
FM/AM operation (COMAND) 102
Saving stations, FM/AM
(COMAND) 106
Selecting satellite radio channel
(Instrument cluster control
system) 295
Selecting stations 294
Submenu overview, FM/AM
(COMAND) 102
Switching wavebands, FM/AM
(COMAND) 103
Tuning in stations/channels 103
Voice Control 334Radio transmitters, control and
operation 567
Range (distance to empty) 292
Reading lamps in the front 407
Reading lamps in the rear 407
Real-time traffic (COMAND) 248
Rear door window
Blocking operation 64
Rear fog lamp
Replacing bulbs 715
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear seats
Adjustment 373
Folding back and placing upright
rear head restraints 380
Head restraints 379
Heating* 377
Multicontour* 383
Setting front passenger seat position
from rear 377
Ventilation* 378
Rear View Camera* 487
Camera lens 487
Cleaning camera lens 621
Switching on 489
View through the camera 488

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