2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S600 Distronic system

631 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Brake immediatelyA malfunction has occurred while
DISTRONIC Plus* was switched on.While observing surrounding traffic condi-
tions and when it is safe, immediately de-
press the brake pedal firmly until the warning
message disappears.
Engage the electronic parking brake
(
page 395).
(USA only)
(Canada only)
EBV, ABS, ESP
inoperative
See Oper. ManualESP®, EBP and ABS are switched off due to
a malfunction. BAS is also switched off. As
a result, PRE-SAFE
® is also inoperative.
BAS Plus* and PRE-SAFE
® Brake* are also
not available.
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
(USA only)
(Canada only)

639 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Turn on the ignition
to release the
parking brakeThe yellow indicator lamp for the electronic
parking brake comes on.
You have tried to release the electronic
parking brake, but the ignition was not
switched on.Switch on the ignition (page 344).
(USA only)
(Canada only)
Inoperative
See Oper. ManualESP® a s w e l l a s P R E - S A F E® are switched off
due to a malfunction. In addition, the v
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on.
The ABS may not be operational and the fol-
lowing systems are not available:

BAS and BAS Plus*

PRE-SAFE® Brake*

Distronic Plus*

Cruise control

Hill start assist system
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.

739 Index
Cruise control 419
Activating 420
Canceling 421
Driving downhill 421
Driving uphill 421
Message in display 614
Setting current speed 420
Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function) 423
Cup holder
In front seat armrest 498
In rear seat armrest 498
Curb weight 576
D
Date
Setting (COMAND) 236
Daytime running lamp mode 373
Setting 281
Deceleration
With DISTRONIC Plus* 428
Deep water see Standing water
Defrosting 472
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (COMAND) 242
Interior lighting (COMAND) 248Department of Transportation see DOT
Destination entry (COMAND) 172
Destination memory (COMAND) 217
Difficulties
While driving 393
While starting 391
Digital speedometer 269
Additional speedometer 282
Dimensions, Vehicle 723
Direction of rotation, Tires 553
Displays
Additional speedometer 282
Digital speedometer 269
DISTRONIC Plus* 427
Maintenance service indicator 582
Multifunction display 264
Vehicle status message see
Multifunction display messages
Distance
Decreasing in DISTRONIC Plus* 437
Increasing in DISTRONIC Plus* 437
Setting in DISTRONIC Plus* 436
Distance to Empty (Range) 269
Distance warning lamp* 29, 604DISTRONIC Plus* 424
Activated 429
Activating 430
Calling up settings 428
Cleaning system sensor 589
Deactivated 429
Deactivating 435
Deceleration 428
Decreasing distance 437
Decreasing time interval 436
Displays in the multifunction
display 427
Distance warning lamp 29, 604
Driving hints 437
Increasing distance 437
Increasing time interval 436
Intermittent signal tone 427
Lever 430
Menu 428
Messages in display 615
Sensor cover 589
Setting a higher speed 433
Setting a slower speed 434
Setting following distance 436

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

753 Index
Setting
Cruise control 420
DISTRONIC Plus* time interval 436
Following distance in DISTRONIC
Plus* 436
Higher speed in cruise control 422
Higher speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 433
Lower speed in cruise control 423
Lower speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 434
Slower speed in cruise control 423
Slower speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 434
Speed in DISTRONIC Plus* 433
Suspension tuning (ABC*) 442
Temperature (interior) 472
Temperature (rear passenger
compartment) 478
To last stored speed (“Resume” func-
tion) in cruise control 423
To last stored speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* (“Resume” function) 435
Vehicle level control (ABC*) 443
Setting current speed 420Settings
Calling up DISTRONIC Plus* 428
Control system instrument cluster
menus 281
Daytime running lamp mode 281
Resetting trip odometer 269
Shelf below rear window,
Cleaning and care of 594
Shift program mode,
Automatic transmission 409
Shifting, Automatic transmission 399
Side impact air bags 46
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses 589
Messages in display 657
Side windows see Power windows
Sidewall 577
SIRIUS satellite radio* see Satellite radio*
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* see Key,
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
SMS messages 155
Snow chains 581
Spare wheel 686, 721
Mounting 686Speed
Setting current 420
Setting to last stored speed in
DISTRONIC Plus*
(“Resume” function) 435
Speed settings
Cruise control 422, 423
DISTRONIC Plus* 433, 434
To last stored speed (“Resume” func-
tion) in Cruise control 423
SRS 53
Indicator lamp 29, 607
Messages in display 662
Standing water, Driving through 534
Starter battery 694
Starter switch 344
Positions 344
Starting difficulties, Engine 391
Starting, Engine 389
Steering column 359
Steering wheel
Adjustment 359
Cleaning 594
Easy entry/exit feature 357
Heated steering wheel* 360
Power steering fluid 725