2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class seats

530 Controls in detailLoading and storingRuffled storage pockets
Ruffled storage pockets 1 are located on
the back of the front seats.
Cupholders
Warning!
G
Do not place objects with a combined
weight of more than 4.4 lbs (2 kg) into the
ruffled storage pocket. Otherwise, the Occu-
pant Classification System OCS (
page 47)
may not be able to properly approximate the
occupant weight category.
The ruffled storage pocket is intended for
storing light-weight items only.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
ruffled storage pocket. In an accident, dur-
ing hard braking, or sudden maneuvers, they
could be thrown around inside the vehicle
and cause injury to vehicle occupants.
The ruffled storage pocket cannot protect
transported goods in the event of an acci-
dent.
Warning!
G
In order to help prevent spilling liquids on
vehicle occupants and/or vehicle equip-
ment, only use containers that fit into the
cupholder. Use lids on open containers and
do not fill containers to a height where the
contents, especially hot liquids, could spill
during braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in an
accident. Liquids spilled on vehicle occu-
pants may cause serious personal injury.
Liquids spilled on vehicle equipment may
cause damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
When not in use, keep the cupholders
closed. An open cupholder may cause injury
to you or others when contacted during
braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in an acci-
dent.

606 OperationTires and wheelsTire ply material
1Plies in sidewall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the sidewall
and under the tread.
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least 3 hours or driv-
en no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.
i
For illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.

625 Operation
Vehicle care
Upholstery
Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing
clothing that have the tendency to give off
coloring (e.g. when wet, etc.) may cause
the upholstery to become permanently dis-
colored. By lining the seats with a proper
intermediate cover, contact-discoloration
will be prevented.Leather upholstery

Wipe leather upholstery with a damp
cloth and dry thoroughly or clean with
Mercedes-Benz approved Leather
Care.
Exercise particular care when cleaning per-
forated leather as its underside should not
become wet.
Wood trims

Dampen cloth using water and use
damp cloth to clean wood trims in your
vehicle.Chrome-plated exhaust tip*
Regular cleaning and care of chrome-plat-
ed exhaust tips will help to maintain their
shine and the classy appearance.

Use Mercedes-Benz approved Chrome
Polishing Paste each time the vehicle
has been washed, especially during the
winter.
Warning!
G
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.Warning!
G
Only use seat or head restraint covers which
have been tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model.
Using other seat or head restraint covers
may interfere with or prevent the activation
of the active head restraints.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter for availability.!
Do not use solvents like tar remover or
wheel cleaner nor polishes or waxes as these
may be abrasive.
!
Do not use alkaline cleaners such as wheel
cleaners as they could cause corrosion.

710 Practical hintsResetting activated head restraintsIf the active head restraints (front seats)
have been triggered in an accident, the ac-
tive head restraints must be reset. Other-
wise, the active head restraints cannot
offer any additional protection in the event
of another rear-end collision.
You can tell that the head restraints have
been triggered when they have been
moved forward and cannot be adjusted.
For information on active head restraints,
see “Active head restraints” (
page 56).
For information on head restraint adjust-
ment, see “Head restraints” (page 379).
Head restraints (standard)
1Fold back
2Push down
3Push back
Push the head restraint cushion by the
bottom, back as far as it will go1.

Push the head restraint cushion down
into the guide as far as it will go2.

Fold the head restraint cushion by the
top, back firmly until it engages3.

Repeat this procedure on the active
head restraints for second head re-
straint.
i
For your convenience, we recommend that
you have this work carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
You will find the reset tool for manually operating
the head restraints in the Mercedes-Benz vehicle
literature pouch.Warning!
G
For safety reasons, have the active head
restraints checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center after a rear-end
collision.
Warning!
G
When pushing back the head restraint cush-
ion, take care that your fingers do not be-
come caught between the head restraint
cushion and the cover. Failing to do so may
lead to injury.

778 IndexChildren in the vehicle 58
Air bags 58
Indicator lamp front passenger
front air bag off 51, 640
Infant and child restraint systems 59
LATCH-type child seat anchors 63
Override switch for rear passenger
compartment 64
Tether attachment points 62
Chrome-plated exhaust tip*,
Cleaning 625
Cigarette lighter 537
Cockpit 26
COMAND
Adjusting volume 98
Audio AUX 129
Components 87
Controller 90
Display 88
Display illumination 89
Function buttons 88
Main menus 98
Menu overview 92
Navigation system 188
Operating 92Operating safety 86
Operating seats 282
Phone book* 158
Radio, FM/AM 102
Selecting sound settings 99
SMS messages 183
Surround sound 100
Switching off/on the
audio source 101
Switching on or off 87
Swiveling display 89
System settings 259
Telephone keypad* 90
Telephone menu* 141
Vehicle menu 264
Voice Control settings 261
Combination switch 403
Corner-illuminating lamps 404
High beam flasher 403
Turn signals 420
Windshield wipers 408
Command list (Voice Control) 340
Address book commands 345
Audio commands 347
General commands 340Navigation commands 343
Telephone* commands 341
Control system instrument cluster 287
Multifunction display 287
Multifunction steering wheel 288
Control system instrument cluster menus
AMG 296
Assistance* 303
Audio 294
Navi 292
Service 304
Settings 305
Telephone* 299
Trip 291
Vehicle status message memory 304
Coolant 579
Adding 580
Anticorrosion/antifreeze mixing
ratio and quantity 771
Checking level 579
Messages in display 679
Temperature 569
Temperature gauge 29, 444
Coolant level
Checking 579
Corner-illuminating lamps 404

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

787 Index
M
Maintenance 15, 612
Automatic Call (Tele Aid) 550
Calling up service indicator
display 613
Clearing service indicator
message 612
Maintenance System 612
Resetting service indicator 614
Service indicator message 612
Service term exceeded 613
Maintenance System 612
Manual headlamp mode 400
Manual shift program (AMG vehicles only)
Deactivating 442
MAXCOOL
Maximum cooling 506
Maximum load rating, Tires 607
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 591,
607
Maximum tire inflation pressure 603,
607
Maximum tire load rating 603
Memory function 392
Messages in display see
Multifunction display messagesMicrophone, Hands-free 33
Minispare wheel 707, 723, 759
Mirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 391
Adjusting 388
Auto-dimming for rear view
mirrors 390
Exterior rear view mirrors 388
Interior rear view mirror 388
Mobile phone see Telephone*
Modifications and alterations,
Operating safety 19
MON 571, 767
MP3
Menu overview (COMAND) 123
Operation (COMAND) 124
Playback options (COMAND) 128
Selecting a folder (COMAND) 127
Selecting a medium (COMAND) 126
Selecting a track (COMAND) 126
MP3 (COMAND) 116
Multicontour rear seats* 383
Multicontour seats*, front
Adjusting (COMAND) 283
Multifunction display 287Multifunction display messages
ABC* 660
ABS 662
Airmatic 676
Batteries, vehicle 678
Blind Spot Assist* 654
Brake fluid 664
Brake pads 666
Coolant 680
Coolant level 679
Cruise control 645
DISTRONIC Plus* 646
Doors 682
EBP (Electronic Brake
Proportioning) 665
Electronic parking brake 667
Engine oil 575, 694
ESP
®
662, 673
Fog lamps 690
Front passenger front air bag 649
Fuel cap 683
Gear selector lever 648, 653, 657,
659, 704
Headlamps 687
Hood 683
Key, SmartKey 685

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