A
ABS (Antilock Brake System) ............. 10
Warning lamp ................................... 24
Anticorrosion/antifreeze .................... 36
Antilock Brake System see ABS
Automatic transmission
Messages in the multifunction
display ............................................. 21
Axle oils ................................................ 35
B
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 11
Battery Charging .......................................... 28
Charging condition high-voltage
battery (COMAND) ...........................15
Charging condition high-voltage
battery (instrument cluster) .............15
Jump starting ................................... 29
Messages in the multifunction
display ............................................. 22
Safety notes ..................................... 26
see High-voltage battery
Brake Assist System
see BAS
Brakes
Messages in the multifunction
display ............................................. 23
Warning lamp ................................... 24
Brake system
see RBS
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................................... 34
Charging condition high-voltage
battery (COMAND) ............................... 15
Climate control system ...................... 19
COMAND
Charging condition high-voltage
battery ............................................. 15
Fuel consumption ............................ 16
Generated electric power ................16
Overview .......................................... 14
Combustion engine
Malfunction ...................................... 25
Starting ............................................ 16
Consumption statistics (COMAND) ... 16
Control system
Overview .......................................... 14
Coolant
Anticorrosion/antifreeze .................36
Capacities ........................................ 35
Cruise control ...................................... 11
D
Displays
Charging condition high-voltage
battery (COMAND) ...........................15
Charging condition high-voltage
battery (instrument cluster) .............15
Messages in the multifunction
display ............................................. 20
Multifunction and COMAND
display ............................................. 15
DISTRONIC PLUS ................................. 11
Driving and parking
Safety notes ..................................... 16
Driving off ............................................ 17
Driving safety systems
ABS .................................................. 10
BAS .................................................. 11
RBS .................................................. 10
Driving systems
Cruise control .................................. 11
DISTRONIC PLUS ............................. 11
Driving tips .......................................... 18
DISTRONIC PLUS ............................. 18
E
ECO Start/Stop function .................... 17
Electric drive
Engine number ................................. 32
Engine
see Combustion engine
Engine number
Electric drive .................................... 32
Enviromental protection ....................... 7
ESC (Electronic Stability Control)
Warning lamp ................................... 24
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Rear axle oil ......................................... 35
Recuperation statistics (COMAND) ... 16
Rims ...................................................... 33
Risk of fire see Safety notes
S
Safety see Operating safety
Safety notes ........................................... 9
Spare wheel ......................................... 34
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Indicator lamp .................................. 26
Start/Stop function
see ECO Start/Stop function
Starting
see Combustion engine
Stop-and-go traffic .............................. 17
Submenu
Multifunction and COMAND
display ............................................. 14
Resetting values (COMAND) ............16
T
Technical data
Capacities fuels, coolants,
lubricants etc. .................................. 34
Coolant ............................................ 36
Engine oils ....................................... 36
Rims and tires .................................. 33
Spare wheel ..................................... 34
Vehicle specification
S 400 HYBRID .................................. 32
Washer and headlamp cleaning
system ............................................. 35
Tires ...................................................... 33
Towing
Vehicle ............................................. 31
Trailer hitch ............................................ 7
Turning off see ECO Start/Stop function
V
Vehicle
Disuse .............................................. 27
Towing ............................................. 31
Vehicle fire
see Safety notes
Vehicle modifications ........................... 7
Vehicle specification
S 400 HYBRID .................................. 32
W
Warning labels ....................................... 9
Wheels, sizes ....................................... 33
Winter tires .......................................... 33
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Introduction
The HYBRID technology combines an
economical combustion engine with a
powerful electric drive. The HYBRID system
selects the most efficient operating mode for
each driving situation automatically. You can
drive the vehicle in the usual manner.
The HYBRID system turns the combustion
engine off when stopping as often as possible
in order to save fuel. You will just have to
continue to keep the brake pedal depressed
or to activate the HOLD function. Thus, the
engine should normally never run at idle
speed.
When you remove the foot from the brake
pedal or accelerate when the HOLD function
is activated, the combustion engine starts
automatically. You can drive off as usual.GWarning!
When the green READY indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster is on while the combustion
engine is off, the combustion engine has been
turned off automatically. All vehicle systems
continue to be active. When you open the
driver’s door, unbuckle the seat belt, or take
your foot off of the brake pedal, the
combustion engine starts automatically. The
vehicle could start to drive off. An accident
causing serious or even fatal personal injury
to you and/or others could be the result.
Therefore, always do the following before
leaving the vehicle:
R Engage the electronic parking brake.
R Shift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
R Switch off the ignition. The green or yellow
READY indicator lamp goes out.
Driving off and accelerating consumes the
most energy. Thus, the electric drive supports
the combustion engine with the energy stored
in the high-voltage battery. The energy is also
used for semi-electrical driving, for operation
of the electric compressor of the cooling
system and to support the 12-volt on-board
power supply. The hybrid drive thereby
contributes significantly to the fuel economy
of your vehicle.
For information on driving and parking, see
( Y page 16).
The current operating mode of the HYBRID
system can be displayed in the multifunction
display and in the COMAND display
( Y page 14).
The COMAND can also display a chart of the
fuel consumption and the electric power that
has been generated ( Y page 16).
RBS
With the RBS activated ( Y page 10), the
electric drive functions as a generator when
coasting and braking. HYBRID converts the
energy of movement into electric power and
stores it in the high-voltage battery. The high-
voltage battery does not require additional
charging by other means.
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ECO Start/Stop function
When the green READY indicator lamp : in
the instrument cluster is on, the combustion
engine turns off automatically when
R you stop the vehicle and keep the brake
pedal depressed
R you activate the HOLD function
All vehicle systems remain active, for
example the climate control system.
When you remove the foot from the brake
pedal or accelerate when the HOLD function
is activated, the combustion engine starts
automatically. You can drive off as usual.GWarning!
When the green READY indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster is on while the combustion
engine is off, the combustion engine has been
turned off automatically. All vehicle systems
continue to be active. When you open the
driver’s door, unbuckle the seat belt, or take
your foot off of the brake pedal, the
combustion engine starts automatically. The
vehicle could start to drive off. An accident
causing serious or even fatal personal injury
to you and/or others could be the result.
Therefore, always do the following before
leaving the vehicle:
R Engage the electronic parking brake.
R Shift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
R Switch off the ignition. The green or yellow
READY indicator lamp goes out.
The conditions for turning off the combustion
engine automatically are fulfilled when
R the combustion engine has reached its
operating temperature
R the driver seat belt is fastened and the
driver’s door is closed
R the vehicle has exceeded a speed of 9 mph
(15 km/h) after driving off. In subsequent
stop-and-go traffic, brief forward
movement of the vehicle is sufficient
R you take your foot off the accelerator pedal
R the hood is closed and properly engaged
R the automatic transmission is in drive
position D or neutral position N
R the high-voltage battery is charged
sufficiently
R the HYBRID system is operating
undisturbed
i For information on driving with the
DISTRONIC Plus, see ( Y page 18).
When the conditions for turning off the engine
automatically are not fulfilled, the yellow
READY indicator lamp : is illuminated. The
combustion engine does not turn off
automatically when
R the self-diagnosis of the engine
management is still running
R the temperature of the coolant or the
catalyst is too low
R the climate control system of the vehicle
requires the engine to run
R the battery is being charged
R the vehicle has moved backward shortly
before
R the automatic transmission is in reverse
gear R
R automatic emission tests are in progress
After the combustion engine has been turned
off automatically, it restarts automatically in
circumstances, when
R the charging condition of the high-voltage
battery has reached the lower limit
R the settings of the climate control systems
require the engine to run, for example at an
outside temperature over 100‡ (38 †)
Driving off
Depress the brake pedal and shift the
automatic transmission into drive position D
or reverse gear R. If the message Apply
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Brake to Shift from 'P' appears in the
multifunction display:XDepress the brake pedal with somewhat
greater force and select the desired
transmission position.
i Read and observe messages that may
appear in the multifunction display
( Y page 20)
For more information on driving off, refer to
the Operator’s Manual.
Driving
Driving tips
R Think ahead and keep sufficient distance.
R Avoid frequent and rapid acceleration as
well as abrupt braking.
R In semi-electric operation, when driving off
and when accelerating, the electric drive
supports the combustion engine.
R The electric drive functions as a generator
when coasting the vehicle with the
automatic transmission in drive position D
and during braking.
i For more information on the ECO Start/
Stop function, see ( Y page 17). For
additional general driving instructions,
refer to the Operator’s Manual.
Driving with activated DISTRONIC
PLUS
When the DISTRONIC PLUS recognizes that
the preceding vehicle stops, it will brake your
vehicle to a complete stop. The combustion
engine is turned off automatically only after
both vehicles have come to a complete stop.
The green READY indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster continues to be
illuminated.
i For more information on the ECO Start/
Stop function, see ( Y page 17). For
additional information on the DISTRONIC
PLUS, refer to the Operator’s Manual.
Parking
GWarning!
When your vehicle is in electric drive mode the
engine produces significantly lower noise
levels. Other motorists or pedestriants,
especially those who are visually or hearing
impaired, may be unable to hear your vehicle
while it is in motion. This is particularly true
when driving at lower speeds and during
parking maneuvers. At all times, it is the
responsibility of the driver to be aware of their
surroundings, especially in these low speed
situtations. Otherwise other road users could
be seriously or fatally injured.
GWarning!
When the green READY indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster is on while the combustion
engine is off, the combustion engine has been
turned off automatically. All vehicle systems
continue to be active. When you open the
driver’s door, unbuckle the seat belt, or take
your foot off of the brake pedal, the
combustion engine starts automatically. The
vehicle could start to drive off. An accident
causing serious or even fatal personal injury
to you and/or others could be the result.
Therefore, always do the following before
leaving the vehicle:
R Engage the electronic parking brake.
R Shift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
R Switch off the ignition. The green or yellow
READY indicator lamp goes out.
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Text messages Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and X SolutionsApply
Braketo Shift
from 'P'You have attempted to shift the automatic transmission into
drive position D, reverse gear R or neutral position N without
depressing the brake pedal or without depressing it fully.XDepress the brake pedal fully.Service
RequiredDo not
turn
engine
off or
start
engine
againThe HYBRID system is malfunctioning. The engine speed of
the combustion engine may be limited to 2000 rpm. When
you turn the combustion engine off, it cannot be restarted.
The ECO Start/Stop function is not available. In addition, an
acoustic warning sounds.XDo not turn off the combustion engine.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Engine
Can Now
Be StartedThe high-voltage battery has been charged via the voltage
transformer automatically.XStart the combustion engine and drive the vehicle for some
time in order to charge the 12-volt battery and the high-
voltage battery.Practical hints21221_ZA; 1; 21, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-05-13T13:56:31+02:00 - Seite 21Z
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and X SolutionsdMalfunctio
nThe engine stalled when driving off.XShift the automatic transmission into park position P.XSwitch off the ignition and switch it back on.XStart the combustion engine.The HYBRID system is malfunctioning. The ECO Start/Stop
function may have failed and the vehicle may accelerate
slower than usual.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.The combustion engine cannot be started.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.JCaution
Brakes
Overheated
Drive
CarefullyThe brake system is very hot due to extreme brake load.
Relieve the load on the brake system.XExercise a more anticipatory driving style.XUse the engine’s braking power on downgrades. Shift the
automatic transmission into a lower gear.XContinue to drive with added caution so the air stream can
cool the brakes.Practical hints23221_ZA; 1; 21, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-05-13T13:56:31+02:00 - Seite 23Z
What to do if ...
Lamps in instrument cluster
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and X Solutionsé
The yellow RBS
(Recuperative Brake
System) warning lamp
is on while the
combustion engine is
running. In addition, an
acoustic warning may
sound.The RBS is malfunctioning.
Risk of accident!
Brake pedal travel may be longer than usual and the braking
behavior of the vehicle may change. The ECO Start/Stop function
may also be switched off.XRead and observe messages that may appear in the
multifunction display ( Y page 20).XContinue driving with added caution.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.$
(USA only)
J
(Canada only)
The red brake warning
lamp is on while the
combustion engine is
running. An additional
acoustic warning
sounds.The RBS is malfunctioning.
Risk of accident!
Brake pedal travel may be longer than usual and the braking
behavior of the vehicle may change.XStop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe to do
so. Do not continue to drive.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.XRead and observe messages that may appear in the
multifunction display ( Y page 20), see Operator’s Manual.The brake fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir is too low.
Risk of accident!XStop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe to do
so. Do not continue to drive.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.XRead and observe messages that may appear in the
multifunction display ( Y page 20), see Operator’s Manual.
Do not add brake fluid. This will not solve the problem.
÷
The yellow ABS/ESC
warning lamp flashes
while driving.The ESC, the ETS, or the ABS has come into operation because of
detected traction loss for at least one wheel.
Risk of accident!
The cruise control or the DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.XWhen driving off, apply as little throttle as possible.XWhile driving, ease up on the accelerator pedal.XAdapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road and weather
conditions.XDo not switch off the ESC.
Exceptions, see Operator’s Manual.24Practical hints221_ZA; 1; 21, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-05-13T13:56:31+02:00 - Seite 24