2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class suspension

31 At a glance
Control systems
Item
Page
1
Lto cancel Voice
Control
back
311
288
2
$to scroll up
%to scroll down
&to scroll to the right
(to scroll to the left
#to confirm selection
3
Multifunction display
287
4
sto take a call
to dial
to redial
tto end a call
to reject an incoming
call
æto increase volume
çto decrease volume
Fto mute
299
299
Item
Page
5
!to activate Voice
Control
to accept a call
311
152
6
Instrument cluster illumina-
tion
444
7
Swivel COMAND display
89
8
COMAND display illumination
89
9
COMAND display
88
a
CD/DVD changer
120
b
PCMCIA card slot
121
c
Favorite button
263
d
Rear head restraints retract
button
381
e
Program mode selector
switch for:

automatic transmission
shift program


suspension tuning of
Airmatic or ABC*
436
468
470
Item
Page
f
Shortcut button for:

CD/DVD


radio
124
103
g
Back button
96
h
Hazard warning flasher
405
j
Seat menu
282
k
Shortcut button for:

telephone*


navigation
141
195
l
COMAND on/off button
88
m
Volume control
98
n
Mute button
98
o
Telephone keypad
144
p
COMAND controller
90

436 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission
Automatic shift program
The program mode selector switch is used
to adjust

shift program


suspension tuning of Airmatic
(page 468) or ABC* (
page 470)


engine control
Program mode selector switchC Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving
Program mode selector switch (S 63 AMG
and S 65 AMG only)M Manual For manual gear shifting
(
page 440)
C Comfort For standard driving
S Sport For sporty driving
Effect
è
The transmission shifts through
third gear only.
With this selection you can use
the braking effect of the engine.
ç
The transmission shifts through
second gear only.
Allows the use of engine’s
braking power when driving:

on steep downgrades


in mountainous regions


under extreme operating
conditions
æ
The transmission operates in
first gear only.
For maximum use of engine’s
braking effect on very steep or
lengthy downgrades.

468 Controls in detailDriving systemsObstacles and stationary vehicles
DISTRONIC Plus does not brake for obsta-
cles or stationary vehicles. If, for example,
the vehicle detected in front of you chang-
es lanes to bypass an obstacle or station-
ary vehicle in front of it, DISTRONIC Plus
will not brake for the obstacle or stationary
vehicle.Cross-traffic
DISTRONIC Plus may inadvertently detect
crossing vehicles. If you switch on DIS-
TRONIC Plus, for example, at a traffic light
with cross-traffic, the vehicle may sudden-
ly start to drive off.
Airmatic
Airmatic automatically selects the opti-
mum suspension tuning and ride height for
your vehicle.
Airmatic consists of two components:

Level control system


Adaptive Damping System (ADS)
The ADS automatically selects the opti-
mum damping for the respective driv-
ing conditions. At the same time the
suspension is set to either sporty or
comfort.

470 Controls in detailDriving systems
Press switch1 again to lower the ve-
hicle. The indicator lamp2 is off.Suspension tuning
The Adaptive Damping System (ADS) auto-
matically tunes shock absorbers and
springs.
The suspension tuning is set according to:


your driving style


road surface conditions


the vehicle loading


your choice of suspension style
The program mode selector switch (C/S)
(
page 436) is used to adjust the suspen-
sion tuning:

Start the engine.

Select the desired driving program.
Active Body Control (ABC)*
The ABC system is an active, comput-
er-controlled system that hydraulically ad-
justs the suspension at all four wheels in
response to various driving situations. It
automatically selects the optimum suspen-
sion tuning and ride height for your vehicle.
i
The selected vehicle level setting remains
stored in memory even if the engine is turned off
and restarted except when you


exceed a speed of 75 mph (120 km/h)
or


maintain a speed of between 50 mph
(80 km/h) and 75 mph (120 km/h) for more
than 3 minutes
The vehicle then lowers to regular level.
Driving program
Suspension tuning
CComfort
comfortable
(default setting)
SSport
sporty
for dynamic driving
Warning!
G
When you switch off the engine, the entire
vehicle is lowered. You should therefore
make sure that no one is near the wheel
housing or under the vehicle when you
switch off the engine. Otherwise, parts of
the individuals body could be trapped.!
When you switch off the engine, the entire
vehicle is lowered. When parking, position your
vehicle in such a way that it will not scrape
against a curb, for example, when it is lowered.
Your vehicle could otherwise be damaged.


472 Controls in detailDriving systemsSelecting a normal level
Start the engine.
If indicator lamp2 is on:

Press switch1.
Indicator lamp2 goes out. The vehicle
is adjusted to a normal level.
Suspension tuning
The suspension tuning is set according to:


your driving style


road surface conditions


the vehicle loading


your choice of suspension styleThe program mode selector switch (C/S)
(
page 436) or (S/C/M) (
page 440) is
used to adjust the suspension tuning:

Start the engine.

Select the desired driving program.
Parktronic system*
Driving program
Suspension tuning
CComfort
comfortable
(default setting)
SSport
MManual
sporty
for dynamic driving
Warning!
G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always remains with the driver.Warning!
G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.!
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes (e.g.
trailer couplings, painted posts, elevated cross-
bars or road curbs). Such objects may not be de-
tected by the system and can damage the
vehicle.

582 OperationTires and wheelsContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for information on tested and
recommended rims and tires for summer
and winter operation. They can also offer
advice concerning tire service and
purchase.
Important guidelines

Only use sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.


Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.


Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.


Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire inflation pressure loss and
damage to the tire beads.


If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
inflation pressure and correct as
required.


Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths of less than
1/8in (3 mm).


When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted:

The wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged.


The operating clearance of the wheels
and the tires may no longer be correct.
Warning!
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is worn to minimum tread depth,
or if the tires have sustained damage, re-
place them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can
result in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on re-
treads. The operating safety of the vehicle
cannot be assured when such tires are used.

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).

792 IndexSeat belts 52
Children in the vehicle 58
Cleaning 624
Fastening 52, 395
Force limiter 55
Messages in display 697
Proper use of 54, 397
Safety guidelines 44
Telltale 29, 55, 635
Seating capacity 586
Seats 373
adjusting front passenger seat from
driver’s seat 376
Adjustment 373
Drive-dynamic multicontour* in the
front, Adjusting (COMAND) 285
Easy entry/exit feature 384
Folding back and placing upright
rear head restraints 380
Head restraints 379
Heating* 377
Lumbar support (COMAND) 283
Memory function 392
Multicontour* in the front,
Adjusting (COMAND) 283
Operating via COMAND 282Setting front passenger seat position
from rear 377
Ventilation* 378
Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down hooks 532
Selector lever
Lock 416
Selector lever see Gear selector lever
Self-test
OCS 52
Tele Aid 543
Service and warranty information 14
Service intervals see
Maintenance service indicator
Service life, Tires 583
Service see Maintenance
Service system see Maintenance System
Service, Parts 746
Setting
Cruise control 447
DISTRONIC Plus* time interval 464
Following distance in DISTRONIC
Plus* 464
Higher speed in cruise control 449
Higher speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 461Lower speed in cruise control 450
Lower speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 462
Slower speed in cruise control 450
Slower speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 462
Speed in DISTRONIC Plus* 460
Suspension tuning (ABC*) 470
Temperature (interior) 504
Temperature (rear passenger
compartment) 510
To last stored speed (“Resume” func-
tion) in cruise control 450
To last stored speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* (“Resume” function) 463
Vehicle level control (ABC*) 471
Setting current speed 447
Settings
Calling up DISTRONIC Plus* 455
Control system in instrument cluster
menus 305
Daytime running lamp mode 306
Resetting trip odometer 292
Shelf below rear window, Cleaning and
care of 624