2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S600 airmatic

642 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
STOP,
car too lowYou have started driving although the vehi-
cle level was too low.
The vehicle will be raised. The Airmatic
warning lamp goes out after several sec-
onds.Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.
Engage the electronic parking brake
(
page 395).
Wait until the message disappears from the
multifunction display.
You may then drive off.
STOP,
car too lowThe Airmatic is malfunctioning.
The Airmatic warning lamp lights up contin-
uously.Stop and press the vehicle level control but-
ton to select a higher vehicle level
(
page 440).
Do not turn steering wheel too far to avoid
damaging the front fenders.
Listen for scraping noises.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
There is otherwise danger of an accident.

643 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
MalfunctionThe capability of the Airmatic system is re-
stricted. This can impair the handling.Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Vehicle rising
Please wait a momentVehicles with Airmatic:
The vehicle level is too low while at a stand-
still. The vehicle will be raised.Do not drive off.
Wait until the message disappears from the
multifunction display.
You may then drive off.

681 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
1Cover 1
2Cover 2
3Cover 3
Removing and installing washer fluid
reservoir on left-hand side
Vehicles with Airmatic*
You must remove the washer fluid reser-
voir in order to change the bulbs of the
front headlamp on the left-hand side. The
washer fluid reservoir is on the front
left-hand side of the engine compartment.Washer fluid reservoir (example illustration
from S 550)
1Retaining screw
Removing
Turn retaining screw1 counterclock-
wise.
Take washer fluid reservoir out of
mounting.
Place washer fluid reservoir to the side
and do not disconnect any wires or ca-
bles.Installing
Guide washer fluid reservoir into
mounting so that the bottom retaining
lug slides into the rubber sleeve on the
longitudinal member.
Turn retaining screw1 clockwise.
Bi-Xenon headlamps
Warning!G
Do not remove the cover for the Bi-Xenon
headlamp. Because of high voltage in Xenon
lamps, it is dangerous to replace the bulb or
repair the lamp and its components. We rec-
o mm e nd that y ou ha ve s uc h wo rk do ne b y a
qualified technician.

735 Index
A
ABC* 442
Messages in display 626
Setting vehicle level 443
ABS 66
Indicator lamp 29, 66, 598
Messages in display 628
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 406
Accessory weight 576
Accident 394
Active headlamps 371
Adaptive Brake Lights
(S 600 and USA only) 68
Adaptive Damping System
(Airmatic) 440
Additional turn signals 679
Address book (COMAND) 224
Calling up 224
Changing an entry 229
Creating an entry 225
Deleting an entry 226
Details about an entry 228
Displaying details about an entry in the
phone book on the mobile
phone 229Importing data 234
Making a call 231
Menu overview 224
Searching for an entry 226
Starting route guidance 231
Voice entry 232
Address book (Voice Control*) 306
ADS (Airmatic) 440
Air bags 42
Children 57
Front 45
Front passenger front air bag
indicator lamp 50
OCS 47
Safety guidelines 44
Side impact 46
Window curtain 46
Air conditioning, Refrigerant 727, 728
Air distribution
Adjusting 478
Adjusting (COMAND) 253
Air pressure 576
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air recirculation mode 474
Air vents 468Air volume
Adjusting 472, 478
Adjusting (COMAND) 253
Airmatic 440
Messages in display 642
Setting vehicle level 441
Alarm
Audible alarm and flashing exterior
lamps (Panic alarm) 65
Alarm system see Anti-theft alarm system
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 668, 689
Ambient lighting
COMAND menu 247
AMG menu (Control system
instrument cluster) 273
AMG vehicles
Manual shift program mode 413
Antiglare
Rear view mirrors 363
Anti-theft systems 81
Alarm, visual and audible 81
Anti-theft alarm system 81
Immobilizer 81
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest 495, 496

740 Index
Setting the current speed 433
Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function) 435
Warning and indicator lamps 427
Document holder 502
Door
Control panel 34, 35, 38
Entry lamps 379
Inside door handle 341
Locking 334, 339
Locking with Tele Aid 517
Messages in display 617, 648
Opening from inside vehicle 341
Opening from outside 333, 338
Power closing assist 342
Unlocking 333, 338
Unlocking with Tele Aid 517
DOT 576
Downhill driving
Cruise control 421
Drink holder see Cup holder
Drinking and driving 527
Drive-dynamic multicontour seats*, front
Adjusting (COMAND) 262Driving 389
Abroad 535
Hydroplaning 531
In winter 533
Instructions 389, 527
Problems 393
Safety systems 66
Through standing water 534
With DISTRONIC Plus* 437
Driving maneuver (COMAND) 207
Driving off 530
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 75
ABS 66
Adaptive Brake Lights (S 600 and USA
only) 68
BAS 68
BAS Plus 69
EBP 71
Electronic traction system 72
ESP
®71Driving systems 419
ABC* 442
Airmatic 440
Cruise control 419
DISTRONIC Plus* 424
Driving safety systems 66
Dynamic Rear View Monitor* 453
Park Assist* 448
Parktronic system* 444
Vehicle level control (ABC*) 443
Vehicle level control (Airmatic) 441
Driving tips 406
Kickdown 406
DVD 112
Audio (COMAND) 112
Changer (COMAND) 116
Changer (Voice Control*) 313
Ejecting (COMAND) 117
Loading (COMAND) 115
Playback options (COMAND) 123
Selecting a medium (COMAND) 121
Selecting a track (COMAND) 122
Setting the audio format
(COMAND) 123
Video (COMAND) 124

747 Index
M
Maintenance 15, 582
Automatic Call (Tele Aid) 518
Calling up service indicator
display 583
Clearing service indicator
message 582
Maintenance System 582
Resetting service indicator 584
Service indicator message 582
Service term exceeded 583
Maintenance System 582
Manual headlamp mode 372
Manual shift program (AMG vehicles only)
Deactivating 415
MAXCOOL
Maximum cooling 474
Maximum load rating, Tires 577
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 559,
577
Maximum tire inflation pressure 573,
577
Maximum tire load rating 573
Memory function 365
Messages in display see
Multifunction display messagesMicrophone, Hands-free 33
Minispare wheel 670, 686, 721
Mirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 364
Adjusting 361
Auto-dimming for rear view
mirrors 363
Exterior rear view mirrors 361
Interior rear view mirror 361
Mobile phone see Telephone*
Modifications and alterations,
Operating safety 19
MON 539, 726
MP3
Menu overview (COMAND) 119
Operation (COMAND) 120
Playback options (COMAND) 123
Selecting a folder (COMAND) 122
Selecting a medium (COMAND) 121
Selecting a track (COMAND) 122
MP3 (COMAND) 112
Multicontour rear seats* 356
Multicontour seats*, front
Adjusting (COMAND) 260
Multifunction display 264Multifunction display messages
ABC* 626
ABS 628
Airmatic 642
Batteries, vehicle 644
Brake fluid 630
Brake pads 632
Coolant 646
Coolant level 645
Cruise control 614
DISTRONIC Plus* 615
Doors 648
EBP (Electronic Brake
Proportioning) 631
Electronic parking brake 633
Engine oil 543, 659
ESP
®628, 639
Fog lamps 656
Front passenger front air bag 618
Fuel cap 649
Gear selector lever 617, 622, 624,
625, 667
Headlamps 653
Hood 649
Key, SmartKey 651
Key, SmartKey with

754 Index
Steering wheel gearshift control
Automatic transmission 411
Stolen Vehicle Recovery services 518
Storage compartments 494
Cup holder 498
Front armrest 495
Parcel net 496
Rear armrest 496
Ruffled storage pockets 498
Storage compartment in front
armrest 495
Storage tray/telephone* compartment
in front armrest 495
Under the front seats 495
Storing tires 552
Summer opening feature 385
Sun visors 502
Sunroof see Power tilt/sliding sunroof
Sunshades
Extending or retracting rear window
sunshade (COMAND) 249
Extending/retracting rear window
sunshade 503
Opening or closing rear side window
sunshades 385Suspension tuning
Setting (ABC*) 442
Setting (Airmatic) 440
Symbols used in this operator’s
manual 18
System settings (COMAND)
Bluetooth
® settings 239
Display 235
Favorite button 238
Menu overview 235
Reset 241
Setting the system language 238
Time settings 235
Voice Control* settings
(COMAND) 237T
Tachometer 418
Overspeed range 418
Tail lamps
Cleaning lenses 589
Messages in display 657
Tar stains 586
Tele Aid 510
Automatic Maintenance Call 518
Call priority 516
Emergency calls 511
Hands-free microphone 33
Information 515
Information button 513
Initiating an emergency call
manually 513
Messages in display 664
Remote door lock 517
Remote door unlock 517
Roadside Assistance 514
Roadside Assistance button 513
SOS button 513
Stolen Vehicle Recovery
services 518
System self-check 511

757 Index
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 578
Uphill driving
Cruise control 421
Upholstery
Cleaning 595
Useful features 502
V
Valet locking 484
Vanity mirrors
In the sun visor 502
Vehicle
Batteries 692
Breaking-in period 526
Care 585
Dimensions 723
Individual settings, control system in
instrument cluster 281
Locking/unlocking 332, 335
Locking/unlocking in an
emergency 671
Lowering 690
Menu (COMAND) 242Service battery 692
Towing 700
Washing 585, 587
Weights 723
Vehicle data recording 22
Vehicle jack 669, 687
Vehicle level
Changing (ABC*) 443
Changing (Airmatic) 441
Setting (ABC*) 443
Setting (Airmatic) 441
Setting, Automatic (ABC*) 443
Setting, Automatic (Airmatic) 441
Setting, Manual (ABC*) 443
Setting, Manual (Airmatic) 441
Vehicle level control (Airmatic) 441
Vehicle loading 493, 553
Cargo tie-down hooks 500
Instructions 493
Load limit 554
Roof rack* 493
Terminology 576
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 578
Vehicle Recovery services, Stolen (Tele
Aid) 518
Vehicle tool kit 668Video (COMAND) 124
Video DVD
Menu 129
Operating (COMAND) 124
operating (Control system) 272
Pause/Play 128
Screen settings 128
Selecting scene/chapter 128
Setting language 131
Subemu overview 126
Submenu overview 126
Switching to mode 126
Video game 131
VIN 713
Voice Control*
Address book 306
Command list 315
DVD changer 313
Individualization 330
Individualization (COMAND) 237
Introduction 285
Navigation 296
Operating safety 284
Operation via the multifunction steer-
ing wheel 287
Radio 309