2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S550 4MATIC warning

502 Controls in detail
Useful features
Sun visors
1Sun visor
2Vanity mirror cover
3Vanity mirror lamp
4Document holderGlare from front
Swing sun visor1 down.
Glare from front and sides
Disengage sun visor1 from the
mounting.
Pivot sun visor1 to the side.
Vanity mirror in sun visor
To use vanity mirror, lift up cover2.
Vanity mirror lamp3 comes on.
Document holder
You can use the plastic tab of document
holder4 to hold admission tickets, park-
ing passes, or similar items in place.
Vanity mirror in rear
Opening: Press mark1.
The vanity mirror swings down in the di-
rection of the arrow.
Closing: Swing vanity mirror up until it
engages.
Warning!G
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.
Keep the vanity mirrors in the sun visors
closed while vehicle is in motion. Reflected
glare can endanger you and others.!Close vanity mirror cover2 (if open) before
you disengage sun visor1 from the mounting
and pivot it to the side.
iIf you disengage sun visor1 from the
mounting, vanity mirror lamp2 will switch off.

503 Controls in detail
Useful features
Rear window sunshade
The switches are on the rear doors.
1Opening
2Closing
You can also operate the rear window sun-
shade via COMAND (
page 249) or via
the favorite button (
page 238).
Switch on the ignition (page 344).
Press upper part 1 of the rocker
switch briefly to extend the sunshade.
Press lower part 2 of the rocker
switch briefly to retract the sunshade.
Ashtrays
Center console ashtray
1Button for disengaging ashtray
2Cover plate
iOperating the rear window sunshade from
the rear is not possible if you activate the over-
ride switch (
page 63).
iIf you operate the rear window sunshade via
COMAND or via the favorite button, this takes
precedence over the rear window sunshade but-
tons on the rear doors.
iT h e r e a r w i n d o w s u n s h a d e i s s w i t c h e d o f f a t
temperatures below -4°F (-20°C).
Warning!G
Remove ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. Engage the electronic parking brake to
secure vehicle from movement. Set auto-
matic transmission toP. With the automatic
transmission set toP, turn off the engine.

504 Controls in detail
Useful features
Opening ashtray
Press mark on cover plate2 forward.
Removing ashtray insert
Push sliding button1 to the left.
The ashtray is disengaged and slides
out a short way.
Remove the insert from the ashtray
frame.
Reinstalling ashtray insert
Install the insert by pushing it back into
the frame until it engages.
Closing ashtray
Briefly press mark on cover plate2
forward.
Rear door ashtray
Opening ashtray
Lift up the cover.Removing ashtray insert
1Insert
Press the open cover outwards beyond
the stop.
Ashtray insert1 pops out of the hold-
er.
Remove insert by pulling it upward.
Reinstalling ashtray insert
Install the insert by pushing it back into
the frame until it engages.
Cigarette lighters
Warning!G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the lighter; they are extremely hot. Hold the
knob only.
Make sure that any children traveling with
you do not injure themselves or start a fire
with the hot cigarette lighter.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised ac-
cess to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
To avoid possible injury to children sitting in
the rear seat, activate the override switch
(
page 63). Activation of the override
switch deactivates the rear center console
lighter.

506 Controls in detail
Useful features
Power outlet
The power outlet is located in the rear cen-
ter console.
Switch on the ignition (page 344).
Flip up cover1 and insert electrical
plug (cigarette lighter type).
Floormats*
1Retainer pin
2Eyelet
Removing
Pull floormat off of retainer pins1.
Remove the floormat.
Installing
Lay down the floormat in the respective
footwell.
Press the floormat eyelets2 onto re-
tainer pins1.
iThe power outlet can be used to
accommodate 12V DC electrical accessories
(e.g. air pump, auxiliary lamps) up to a maximum
of 180 W.
If the engine is off and the outlet is being used
extensively, the vehicle battery may become dis-
charged.
Warning!G
Whenever you are using floormats, make
sure there is enough clearance and that the
floormats are securely fastened.
Floormats should always be securely fas-
tened using the eyelets and the retainer
pins.
Before driving off, check that the floormats
are securely in place and adjust them if nec-
essary. A loose floormat could slip and
hinder proper functioning of the pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of
each other as this may impair pedal move-
ment.
iTo install or remove the floormat more easi-
ly, move the driver’s seat or front passenger seat
as far to the rear as possible (
page 347).

507 Controls in detail
Useful features
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for informa-
tion on the installation of an approved
external antenna. Refer to the radio trans-
mitter operation instructions regarding use
of an external antenna.
Warning!G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Warning!G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be
his/her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call.
If you choose to use the mobile phone
1
while driving, please use the hands-free de-
vice and only use the mobile phone when
road, weather and traffic conditions permit.
Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from
using a mobile telephone while driving a ve-
hicle.
Only operate the COMAND (Cockpit Man-
agement and Data System)
1 if road, weather
and traffic conditions permit.
1Observe all legal requirements.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.
iVarious mobile phone cradles can be in-
stalled in the front center armrest, see separate
installation instructions for the mobile phone
cradle. These mobile phone cradles can be ob-
tained from an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
The functions and services available to you while
using the mobile phone depend on your service
provider and the type of mobile phone you are
using. See also separate operating manual for in-
structions on how to use your mobile phone.
iThe roof cargo container* may impair mo-
bile phone reception. In an emergency, remove
the mobile phone from the mobile phone cradle
to make a call.

511 Controls in detail
Useful features
Shortly after the completion of your
Tele Aid acquaintance call, you will receive
a user ID and password. By visiting
www.mbusa.com and selecting “Tele Aid”
(USA only), you will have access to account
information, remote door unlock and
more.
System self-check
Initially, after switching on the ignition,
malfunctions are detected and indicated.
If a malfunction is detected, the indicator
lamps in the SOS button, the Roadside As-
sistance button• and the Information
button¡ stay on longer than
10 seconds or do not come on. The mes-
sage “Tele Aid not activated” or “Tele Aid
inoperative” appears in the multifunction
display.Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated
automatically following an accident in
which the emergency tensioning devices
(ETDs) or air bags deploy.An emergency call can also be initiated
manually by opening the cover next to the
interior rear view mirror labeled SOS, then
briefly pressing the button located under
the cover. For instructions on initiating an
emergency call manually (page 513).
Once the emergency call is in progress, the
indicator lamp in the SOS button will begin
to flash. The message:

“Connecting call” appears in the multi-
function display

“Emergency Call Activated” appears in
the COMAND display
and the audio system is muted. When the
connection is established, the message:

“Call connected” appears in the multi-
function display

“Emergency Call Activated” appears in
the COMAND display
iThe SOS button is located above the interior
rear view mirror (
page 513).
The Roadside Assistance button• and the
Information button¡ are located below the
center armrest cover (
page 513).
Warning!G
If the indicator lamps in the SOS button, in
the Roadside Assistance button•
and/or in the Information button¡ do
not come on during the system self-check,
or if any of these indicators remain illuminat-
ed continuously in red and/or the message
“Tele Aid not activated” or “Tele Aid inopera-
tive” is displayed in the multifunction display
after the system self-check, a malfunction in
the system has been detected.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined
above, the system may not operate as ex-
pected. Have the system checked at the
nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.

512 Controls in detail
Useful features
All information relevant to the emergency,
such as the location of the vehicle (deter-
mined by the GPS satellite location sys-
tem), vehicle model, identification number
and color are generated.
A voice connection between the Response
Center and the occupants of the vehicle
will be established automatically soon af-
ter the emergency call has been initiated.
The Response Center will attempt to deter-
mine more precisely the nature of the acci-
dent provided they can speak to an
occupant of the vehicle.The Tele Aid system is available if

it has been activated and is operation-
al. Activation requires a subscription
for monitoring services, connection,
and cellular air time

the relevant monitoring service and
GPS coverage are available and pass
the information on to the Response
Center

there is sufficient voltage in the vehicle
batteries
iDuring the emergency call message “Emer-
gency Call Activated” is displayed, operation
from COMAND is not possible. The automatic cli-
mate control can be still adjusted using the
switches on the climate control panel.
iIf no vehicle occupant responds, an ambu-
lance will be sent to the vehicle immediately.
iLocation of the vehicle on a map is only pos-
sible if the vehicle is able to receive signals from
the GPS satellite network and pass the informa-
tion on to the Response Center.
Warning!G
If the indicator lamp in the SOS button is
flashing continuously and there was no
voice connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system could
not initiate an emergency call (e.g. the rele-
vant mobile phone network is not available).
The message:

“Call failed” appears in the multifunction
display for approximately 10 seconds.

A pop-up window with the message:
“Call could not be connected! Please dial
911 directly using the mobile telephone
keypad.” appears in the COMAND dis-
play. Confirm the message pressing
n
(
page 88).
Should this occur, assistance must be sum-
moned by other means.
iDuring the emergency call the mobile phone
is switched off automatically and must be
switched back on to make a call.
iThe roof cargo container* may impair mo-
bile phone reception. In an emergency, remove
the mobile phone from the mobile phone cradle
(
page 507) to make a call.
iThe “911” emergency call system is a public
service. Using it without due cause is a criminal
offense.

513 Controls in detail
Useful features
Initiating an emergency call manually
1SOS button
2Cover
Briefly press button on cover2 to
open.
Cover 2 will open.
Press SOS button1 (for longer than
2 seconds).
The indicator lamp in SOS button1
will flash until the emergency call is
concluded.
Wait for a voice connection to the
Response Center.
Close cover2 after the emergency
call is concluded.Roadside Assistance button• and
Information button¡
The Roadside Assistance button• and
the Information button¡ are located in
the storage compartment below the front
armrest (
page 495).
1Information button¡
2Roadside Assistance button•
Warning!G
If you feel at any way in jeopardy when in the
vehicle (e.g. smoke or fire in the vehicle, ve-
hicle in a dangerous road location), please
do not wait for voice contact after you have
pressed the emergency button. Carefully
leave the vehicle and move to a safe loca-
tion. The Response Center will automatically
contact local emergency officials with the
vehicle’s approximate location if they
receive an automatic SOS signal and cannot
make voice contact with the vehicle occu-
pants.