2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class tow

737 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground or front wheels raised (except
vehicles with 4MATIC) only so far as neces-
sary to have the vehicle moved to a safe
location where the recommended towing
methods can be employed.!
To prevent damage during transport, do not
tie down vehicle by its chassis or suspension
parts.
!
Before towing the vehicle observe the fol-
lowing instructions:


Do not tow-start the vehicle.


Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment
with the ignition switched off.


Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Tow-
ing with sling-type equipment over bumpy
roads will damage radiator and supports.


Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the properly installed towing eye bolt.
Never attach a tow cable, tow rope or tow
rod to the vehicle chassis, frame or suspen-
sion parts. For more information see “Install-
ing towing eye bolt” (
page 740).
i
If the battery is disconnected or discharged


the SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch


the automatic transmission will remain
locked in park positionP.
For more information see “Batteries”
(
page 729) or “Jump starting” (
page 734).

738 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleTowing with front wheels raised

Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: Remove
the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
from the starter switch (
page 371).

Insert the SmartKey into the starter
switch.

Switch on the ignition.

Switch off the automatic central lock-
ing (
page 267).

Depress the brake pedal.

Shift the automatic transmission to
neutral positionN.

If engaged, manually release the
electronic parking brake.

Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
!
Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing so could
damage the transfer case, which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground. Observe
instructions for towing the vehicle with all
wheels on the ground (
page 739).
Warning!
G
When leaving the SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch, do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle.
It is possible for children to switch on the
ignition which could result in unsupervised
use of vehicle equipment. Unsupervised use
of vehicle equipment could result in an
accident and/or serious personal injury.
!
Keep in mind that it is important for the
SmartKey to be left in starter switch with the ig-
nition switched off. As soon as the SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch the automatic
transmission will shift to park positionP.
!
Make sure that the ignition is switched off.
If the starter switch is in position2, active brak-
ing action through the ESP
® may otherwise seri-
ously damage the brake system.
!
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).

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.

740 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleInstalling towing eye bolt
1Cover on right side of front bumper
1Cover on right side of rear bumperRemoving cover

Press mark on cover1 in the direction
of arrow.

Lift cover off to reveal the threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.
Installing towing eye bolt

Take towing eye bolt and wheel wrench
out of the vehicle tool kit in the trunk
(page 705).

Screw towing eye bolt clockwise into
its stop and tighten with wheel wrench.Removing towing eye bolt

Loosen towing eye bolt counterclock-
wise with wheel wrench.

Unscrew towing eye bolt.

Store towing eye bolt and wheel
wrench in the vehicle tool kit in the
trunk.
Installing cover

Fit cover1 and snap into place.

781 Index
Setting the audio format
(COMAND) 128
Video (COMAND) 132
E
Easy-entry/exit feature 384
COMAND menu 268
EBP 72
Electrical fuses see Fuses
Electrical outlet see Power outlet
Electrical system, Technical Data 760
Electronic Brake Proportioning see EBP
Electronic parking brake 422
Indicator lamp 29, 630
Messages in display 667
Warning lamp 29, 630
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Electronic traction system 73
Emergency call system 542
Emergency calls, Tele Aid 544
Emergency engine shut-down 744
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 443
Emergency operations
Locking the vehicle 708
Releasing from inside 516
Remote door lock 550Remote door unlock 549
Unlocking the trunk 709
Unlocking the vehicle 708
Emergency tensioning device see ETD
Emergency, In case of
Battery, Jump starting 734
First aid kit 705
Flat tire 723
Fuses 741
Roadside Assistance 15
Roadside Assistance (Tele Aid) 546
Towing the vehicle 737
Emission control 568
Emission control information label 749
Emission control system warranties 14
Engine
Belt layout 750
Cleaning 617
Compartment 573
Coolant 579, 767, 771
Malfunction indicator lamp 29, 632
Number 748, 749
Oil 578, 765, 769
Oils 575
Residual heat and ventilation 509
Starting 416Technical data 751
Turning off 424
Engine coolant see Coolant
Engine oil 575
Adding 578
Additives 769
Checking level 575
Checking level (Dipstick) 577
Checking level (Instrument cluster
control system) 575
Consumption 575
Dipstick 577
Filler neck 577, 578
Messages in display 576, 694
Recommended engine oils and
oil filters 765
ESP
®Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP
®
76
ESP
®
72
Messages in display 662, 673
Warning lamp 29, 629, 634
ETD 55
Safety guidelines 44

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

795 Index
Tilt/sliding sunroof see Power tilt/sliding
sunroof
Time
Setting (COMAND) 259
TIN 608
Tire and Loading Information
Placard 586
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tires 582
Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS)* 593
And Rims 754
And Wheels 582
Care and maintenance 583
Chains 611
Checking inflation pressure electroni-
cally with Advanced Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (Advanced
TPMS) 593
Cleaning 584
Cold tire inflation pressure 606
Combination low tire pressure
malfunction telltale 29, 638
Direction of rotation 585
Driving instructions 563Important notes on tire inflation
pressure 591
Inflation pressure 590
Information placard 586
Inspection 583
Load rating 599, 608
Load rating, Maximum 603, 607
Minispare wheel 707
Ply composition and
material used 608
Problems under-/overinflation 590
Retreads 582
Rotating 609
Service life 583
Sizes 754
Snow 610
Spare wheel 759
Speed rating 564, 600, 608
Storing 584
Temperature 591, 605
Terminology 606
Total load limit 608
TPMS malfunction telltale 638
TPMS* malfunction telltale 29
Traction 564, 608Tread depth 584
Tread depth, Winter 610
Treadwear indicators 608
Vehicle maximum load on 609
Wear pattern 609
Winter 610
Tools 705
Top tether
Children in the vehicle 62
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit) 705,
740
Towing the vehicle 737
Tow-start 734, 737
Traction 564, 605, 608
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Traveling abroad 567
Tread 608
Tread depth, Tires 584
Tread depth, Winter tires 610
Treadwear indicators 608
Trip odometer 291
Resetting 292
Troubleshooting
Voice Control 352

796 IndexTrunk
Closing 511, 708
Closing trunk from inside 511
Closing trunk from outside 511
Emergency release 516
Lighting 407
Message in display 704
Opening from inside 511
Opening from outside 511
Opening-height restriction
(COMAND) 272
Power closing assist for trunk lid 368
Tie-down hooks 532
Unlocking in an emergency 708
Valet locking 517
Tumbler holder see Cupholder
Turn signal lamps
Cleaning lenses 619
Replacing bulbs 715
Turn signals 420
Additional in mirrors 715
Front bulbs 715
Indicator lamp 29
Rear bulbs 715U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 609
Uphill driving
Cruise control 448
Upholstery
Cleaning 625
Useful features 534
V
Valet locking 517
Vanity mirrors
In the sun visor 534
Vehicle
Batteries 729
Breaking-in period 558
Care 615
Dimensions 762
Individual settings, control system in
instrument cluster 305
Locking/unlocking 358, 361
Locking/unlocking in an
emergency 708
Lowering 727
Menu (COMAND) 264Service battery 729
Towing 737
Washing 615, 617
Weights 763
Vehicle data recording 22
Vehicle jack 706, 724
Vehicle level
Changing (ABC*) 471
Changing (Airmatic) 469
Setting (ABC*) 471
Setting (Airmatic) 469
Setting, Automatic (ABC*) 471
Setting, Automatic (Airmatic) 469
Setting, Manual (ABC*) 471
Setting, Manual (Airmatic) 469
Vehicle level control (Airmatic) 469
Vehicle loading 525, 585
Cargo tie-down hooks 532
Instructions 525
Load limit 586
Roof rack* 525
Terminology 606
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 609
Vehicle Recovery services, Stolen
(Tele Aid) 550
Vehicle tool kit 705