2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S550 4MATIC DVD

163 Control systems
COMAND navigation (introduction)
General notes
Operational readiness of the navigation
system following a system software
update by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center
After a system software update by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center, the in-
stalled map software may no longer be
compatible. If this is the case, the naviga-
tion system will not be operational.
You will know if this is the case, when the
following message will appear when you
switch to navigation mode: “The system
software has been updated. The map soft-
ware must be updated now. Please insert
the DVD with the map software.”
Updating map software: Proceed as
described in the “Updating the map
software” section (
page 159). Use
map software which is compatible with
the system software.Initial use or use following a system
software update
In both these cases, the navigation system
must determine the position of the vehicle.
You may have to drive for a while before
precise route guidance is possible.
GPS reception
Correct functioning of the navigation sys-
tem depends on GPS reception, among
other things. In certain situations, GPS re-
ception may be impaired, there may be in-
terference or there may be no reception at
all, e.g. in tunnels, in multistory parking ga-
rage or due to snow on the GPS antenna. If
there is snow on the GPS antenna, you
should remove it. The GPS antenna is at
the back of the vehicle roof.The roof cargo container* may also impair
mobile phone reception and GPS cover-
age.
Route guidance after vehicle transpor-
tation
COMAND has to redetermine the position
of the vehicle if the vehicle has been trans-
ported (e.g. by ferry, by train or after tow-
ing).
Positioning takes place automatically even
when COMAND is switched off. The dura-
tion varies from one case to another.
Route guidance may be restricted as fol-
lows during vehicle positioning:

Navigation announcements, route
guidance displays and displayed street
names are not consistent with the ac-
tual location of the vehicle.

COMAND does not generate navigation
announcements.
iPlease note that the update must be allowed
to run to the end in this case. If you interrupt it,
the navigation system will continue to be non-op-
erational.

266 Control systems
Instrument cluster control system
Menus
Trip (page 268)Navi (page 269)Audio (page 271)AMG1 (page 273)
1S63AMG and S65AMG only.
Commands/submenus
Standard displayShowing route guidance in-
structions, current direction
traveledSelecting radio stationGear currently engaged
Engine oil temperature
Vehicle supply voltage
Fuel consumption statistics since startSelecting satellite radio
channel* (USA only)RACETIMER
Fuel consumption statistics since last
resetOperating DVD changer/
audio CD/ audio DVD/MP3Overall analysis
Resetting fuel consumption statisticsOperating Video DVDLap analysis
Distance to empty
Digital speedometer

272 Control systems
Instrument cluster control system
Press ( or & to select the “Au-
dio” menu.
Press % or $ to select a station.
1Channel number and/or name
2SAT mode
Press æ or ç to adjust the vol-
ume.Operating DVD changer/audio CD/
audio DVD/MP3
Turn on COMAND and select “CD”,
“DVD-Audio” or “MP3” (
page 112).
Press ( or & to select the “Au-
dio” menu.
Press % or $ to select a track.
Example: audio CD
1Current track
Press æ or ç to adjust the vol-
ume.Operating video DVD (USA only)
Turn on COMAND and select “Video”

“Video”
“Video DVD”
(
page 126).
Press ( or & to select the “Au-
dio” menu.
1Current scene
2Disc number
Press % or $ to select a scene.i A subscription to SIRIUS satellite radio ser-
vice provider is required for the satellite radio op-
eration. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for details and availability for your
vehicle.
For more information on satellite radio
(
page 105).iWhen you play a CD or DVD with text, the
multifunction display shows the name and num-
ber of the track. For MP3s, only the track is
shown.


284 Control systems
Voice Control*
Operating safety
Warning!G
Please devote your attention first and fore-
most to the traffic situation you are in. While
the system permits hands-free phone oper-
ation, attention to traffic may be diverted
not only by physical operation of a phone,
but also by the distraction of a phone con-
versation while driving. As such, for safety
reasons, we encourage the driver to stop the
vehicle in a safe place before answering or
placing a phone call.
For safety reasons, you should only select a
destination when the vehicle is stationary.
While the navigation system provides direc-
tional assistance, the driver must remain fo-
cused on safe driving behavior, especially
attention to traffic and street signs, and
should utilize the system’s audio cues while
driving.
The navigation system does not supply any
information on stop signs, yield signs, traffic
regulations or traffic safety rules. Their ob-
servance always remains in the driver’s per-
sonal responsibility. DVD maps do not cover
all areas nor all routes within an area.
Traffic regulations always have priority over
any route recommendations given.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 13.5 m) every second.Warning!G
Navigation announcements are intended to
direct you while driving without diverting
your attention from the road and driving.
Please always use this feature instead of
consulting the map display for directions.
Consulting the symbols or map display for
directions may cause you to divert your at-
tention from driving and increase your risk
of an accident.
Warning!G
Please do not use the Voice Control System
in an emergency, as the tone of your voice
may change in a stressful situation. This
could cause a delay in completing your
phone call in a timely manner. This could
distract you in an emergency situation and
cause you to be involved in an accident.

285 Control systems
Voice Control* introduction
Voice Control* introduction
The Voice Control System gives you the ca-
pability to control the following systems on
your vehicle using spoken commands:

Telephone* (page 289)

Navigation (page 296)

Address book (page 306)

Audio (page 309) (AM/FM radio,
CD/DVD changer, MP3 player)You control these systems using spoken
commands. Moreover, controls such as
the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel (
page 287) allow you to keep your
hands on the steering wheel.
The command vocabulary consists of
approximately 300 ready to use phrases.
The Voice Control System recognizes com-
mands and number sequences, irrespec-
tive of the speaker. To optimize speech
recognition for your voice follow the indi-
vidualization process (
page 330).
You can use the Voice Control System to
call up all of COMAND’s main menu items,
with the exception of the main menus for
“Vehicle” and “Navi”.The commands and digit sequences can be
spoken without pausing between the indi-
vidual words. If an unavailable or incorrect
command is used, the Voice Control Sys-
tem will prompt you for a new command by
asking “Please repeat” or “Please repeat
your entry”.
In order to provide for a safe and comfort-
able dialog, the Voice Control System ac-
knowledges important commands.

286 Control systems
Voice Control* introduction
Spelling
You may not need to spell the entire name
(street, intersection, city or point of inter-
est) especially if the name is lengthy. Spell-
ing the first three to five characters of the
name should be sufficient for the system
to recognize the name provided it is avail-
able on the navigation DVD.
The selection appearing on the COMAND
display is sorted based on your recognized
voice input and a matching algorithm.
You can use the commands “Next page” or
“Previous page” to scroll up or down in the
list.
Use the command “Correction” to start
over by again spelling the name.
Speak each character as clearly as you
can, especially when they sound very simi-
lar (d or e).Command types
The Voice Control System commands can
be categorized as:

General Commands
These are commands always available
to you as soon as the Voice Control
System is activated (for example
“Help” commands).

Local Commands
These are commands specific to the
currently active system shown in the
COMAND display (for example com-
mands to control the CD/DVD chang-
er).
For a complete list of commands
(
page 315).
Active System
The active system is the system currently
shown in the COMAND display.
If, for example, you listen to the radio while
the telephone system is active on the
COMAND display, you have to switch to
the radio using the command “Radio” be-
fore you can operate the radio.
iDuring Voice Control System operation visu-
al help windows also appear in the COMAND dis-
play (
page 288).

296 Control systems
Voice Control* navigation
Important notes
Warning!G
For safety reasons, you should only select a
destination when the vehicle is stationary.
While the navigation system provides direc-
tional assistance, the driver must remain fo-
cused on safe driving behavior, especially
attention to traffic and street signs, and
should utilize the system’s audio cues while
driving.
The navigation system does not supply any
information on stop signs, yield signs, traffic
regulations or traffic safety rules. Their ob-
servance always remains in the driver’ per-
sonal responsibility. DVD maps do not cover
all areas nor all routes within an area.
Traffic regulations always have priority over
any route recommendations given.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 13.5 m) every second.
During route guidance, you will not receive
information on:

traffic lights

stop and yield signs

parking or stopping zones

one-way streets

narrow bridges, or

other traffic regulation data.
You should therefore always strictly observe
traffic regulations while driving. Drive care-
fully and always obey traffic laws and road
signs, even if they contradict navigation sys-
tem instructions.
Warning!G
Please do not use the Voice Control System
in an emergency, as the tone of your voice
may change in a stressful situation. This
could cause a delay in completing your
phone call in a timely manner. This could
distract you in an emergency situation and
cause you to be involved in an accident.
Warning!G
Navigation announcements are intended to
direct you while driving without diverting
your attention from the road and driving.
Please always use this feature instead of
consulting the map display for directions.
Consulting the symbols or map display for
directions may cause you to divert your at-
tention from driving and increase your risk
of an accident.

298 Control systems
Voice Control* navigation
“Enter state”,“Enter province”
Use the command “Enter state” or “Enter
province” to select a different state or
province on the navigation DVD.
Sample dialog:
sEnter state
tPlease say the name of the state
sNew York
uThe system shows a numbered list
of states recognized by the system
tPlease select a line number
sNumber two
or to accept, say
sYes
tState accepted
The selected entry is adopted from the list.“Last states”
Use the command “Last states” to select a
state or province from among a number of
last selected states or provinces.
Dialog for entering a complete address
“Enter destination”
Use the command “Enter destination” to
enter a complete destination address.
The system guides you through the dialog.
As soon as a valid address has been en-
tered, you can start route guidance or save
the destination. For information on spelling
(
page 303).
Sample dialog:
sEnter destination
tPlease spell a New York street
name
sB-R-O-A-D-W
uThe system displays a numbered
list of matching street names on
the COMAND display
tPlease select a line number
sNumber two
tNumber two accepted
tDo you want to enter a house num-
ber?
sNo
tDo you want to enter an intersec-
tion?
sNo
tDo you want to spell the town’s
name?
sYes
tPlease spell the town name
sN-E-W-Y-O-R-K
uThe system displays a numbered
list of matching city names on the
COMAND display
tPlease select a line number