2010 MERCEDES-BENZ S550 4MATIC ignition switch

The steering wheel and driver’s seat will
return to their last set memory position or a
factory-set maximum forward position
R when you close the driver’s door with the
ignition switched on
R when you insert the SmartKey into the
starter switch
R when you press the KEYLESS-GO start/
stop button once with the driver’s door
closed
i For safety reasons, the driver’s seat will
not return to its last set position if the
system recognizes the last set position as
an extreme forward position. Instead, the
driver’s seat will remain at or move to a
factory-set maximum forward position. To
again fully return the driver’s seat to your
last set position or to memory position,
adjust the seat to the desired position or
press and hold the respective memory
position button ( Y page 297).
i The last set driver’s seat and steering
wheel positions are stored when the
ignition is switched off and the position is
stored in memory.
i If the current position for the steering
wheel is in the uppermost tilt position, the
steering wheel will not move.
If the current seat position is within a
factory-set position range and the system
recognizes the current seat position to be
rearward enough for easy entry and exit,
the driver’s seat will not move to the rear.
The adjustment procedure is interrupted
briefly when the engine is started.GWarning!
Let the system complete the adjustment
procedure before setting the vehicle in
motion. All driver’s seat and steering wheel
adjustments must be completed before
setting the vehicle in motion. Driving off with
the driver’s seat/steering wheel still
adjusting could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.
Crash-responsive exit aid
When you open the driver’s door after an
accident has occurred, the steering column
moves up. The position of the SmartKey in the
starter switch is insignificant. This function
facilitates exiting as well as rescue of vehicle
occupants.
The crash-responsive exit aid can only be
triggered when the easy-entry/exit feature is
activated via the control system.
Rear seat head restraints
GWarning!
For safety reasons, always drive with the rear
head restraints in the upright position when
the rear seats are occupied.
Keep the area around head restraints clear of
articles (e.g. clothing) to not obstruct the
folding operation of the head restraints.
GWarning!
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way that it
is as close to the head as possible and the
center of the head restraint supports the back
of the head at eye level. This will reduce the
potential for injury to the head and neck in the
event of an accident or similar situation.
With a rear seat occupied, make sure to move
the respective head restraint up from the
lowest non-use position and have the
occupant adjust the head restraint properly.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head
restraints installed when the rear seats are
occupied. Head restraints are intended to
help reduce injuries during an accident.
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GWarning!
Make sure the rear seat head restraints
engage when placing them upright manually.
Otherwise their protective function cannot be
ensured.
The back of the head will not be supported in
the event of a collision. That could cause
serious or even fatal injuries. Rear seat
occupants can be seriously injured or killed.
Folding rear seat head restraints back
The rear seat head restraints and the rear
seat power head restraints can be folded
backward for increased visibility.
XSwitch on the ignition.XPress head restraint release switch : in
the front center console briefly.
The head restraints will fold backward.
Placing rear seat head restraints
upright
XPull the head restraint forward until it locks
into position.
Placing power rear seat head restraints
upright (rear outer seats)
iWhen you fasten your seat belt in the rear,
the respective rear outer seat head
restraint places upright automatically.
XSwitch on the ignition.XPress and hold head restraint release
switch : (Y page 291) in the front center
console.
The rear seat head restraints will fold up.
XPull the rear center seat head restraint
upright manually until it locks into position.
Power rear seat head restraints (rear
outer seats)
XPress switch up in direction of arrow :.
The head restraint will move to an upright
position.
XPress switch down in direction of arrow
=.
The head restraint will fold down.
XPress the switch forward or backward in
direction of arrow ; or ?.
The head restraint will be tilted.
Comfort rear seat head restraints (rear
outer seats)
GWarning!
When folding back the side cushions, never
reach between the side cushion and the
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mounting post. You could otherwise be
trapped.
XAdjusting side cushions: Pull or push side
cushions : into desired position.
XAdjusting head restraint angle: Push or
pull on the lower edge of the head restraint
cushion in direction of arrow ;.
Seat ventilation
The blue indicator lamps in seat ventilation
button : come on to show which ventilation
level you have selected.
iThe seat ventilation for the driver’s seat
can be activated using the summer opening
feature (Y page 309).
XSwitch on the ignition.XSwitching on: Press seat ventilation
button : repeatedly until the desired
ventilation level is set.
XSwitching off: Press seat ventilation
button : repeatedly until all indicator
lamps go out.
Seat heating
The red indicator lamps in front or rear seat
heating button : come on to show which
heating level you have selected.
The seat heating switches from level 3 (high)
to level 2 after approximately 5 minutes.
The seat heating switches from level 2 to level
1 (low) after approximately 10 minutes.
After approximately 20 minutes in level 1, the
seat heating switches off automatically.
XSwitch on the ignition.XSwitching on: Press respective seat
heating button : repeatedly until the
desired heating level is set.
One or more red indicator lamps in
respective seat heating button : show the
selected heating level.
XSwitching off: Press respective seat
heating button : repeatedly until all
indicator lamps go out.
If there is insufficient voltage the seat heating
switches off automatically.
The seat heating will switch back on again
automatically as soon as sufficient voltage is
available.
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Steering wheel adjustmentXAdjusting steering wheel in or out: Move
stalk in direction of arrows :.
XAdjusting steering wheel up or down:
Move stalk in direction of arrows ;.
iThe memory function (Y page 297) lets
you store the settings for the steering
wheel together with the settings for the
seat position and the exterior rear view
mirrors.
Heated steering wheel
The steering wheel heating warms up the
leather area of the steering wheel.
XSwitch on the ignition.XSwitching on: Turn switch at the tip of the
stalk in direction of arrow :.
Indicator lamp = comes on.
iThe steering wheel heating will not switch
on, when the temperature of the vehicle
interior is above 86‡ (30†).
XSwitching off: Turn switch at the tip of
stalk in direction of arrow ;.
Indicator lamp = goes out.
iIndicator lamp = flashes or goes out in
case of power surge or undervoltage or if
the steering wheel heating malfunctions.
iThe steering wheel heating switches off
automatically when you remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch or, on
vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, when you
switch off the ignition and open the driver’s
door.
The steering wheel heating switches off
automatically:
Rwhen you remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch
Ron vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, when you
switch off the ignition and open the
driver’s door
Rwhen the temperature of the vehicle
interior is above 86‡ (30†)
Rafter approximately 24 minutes
For more information on the steering wheel,
see “Multifunction steering wheel”
(Y page 221).
Mirrors
Notes
Adjust the interior and exterior rear view
mirrors before driving so that you have a good
view of the road and traffic conditions.
Interior rear view mirror
XAdjust the interior rear view mirror
manually.
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Exterior rear view mirrorsGWarning!
Exercise care when using the passenger-side
exterior rear view mirror. The mirror surface
is convex (outwardly curved surface for a
wider field of view). Objects in mirror are
closer than they appear. Check your interior
rear view mirror and glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.
iYou can store the settings for the exterior
rear view mirror position with the memory
function (Y page 297).
XSwitch on the ignition.XPress button = for the driver’s side
exterior rear view mirror or button ; for
the passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror.
The indicator lamp in the respective button
comes on.
XPress adjustment button : up, down, left
or right according to the desired setting.
If you do not make adjustments to the
selected exterior rear view mirror within
15 seconds, the indicator lamp goes out. You
will then have to select the desired exterior
rear view mirror again before adjustments
can be made. Adjustments can only be made
with the indicator lamp for the respective
exterior rear view mirror button illuminated.
! If an exterior rear view mirror was forcibly
hit from the front, manually snap it back
into place.
iAt low ambient temperatures, the exterior
rear view mirrors will be heated
automatically.
Auto-dimming rear view mirrors
The exterior rear view mirror on the driver’s
side and the interior rear view mirror will
respond automatically to glare when the
ignition is switched on and incoming light
from headlamps falls on the sensor in the
interior rear view mirror.
The rear view mirrors will not react if the
automatic transmission is set to reverse gear
R or the interior lighting is switched on.
GWarning!
The auto dimming function does not react if
incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors
in the interior rear view mirror.
The interior rear view mirror and the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side do not
react, for example, if the rear window
sunshade is in raised position.
Light hitting the mirror(s) at certain angles
(incident light) could blind you. As a result,
you may not be able to observe traffic
conditions and could cause an accident.
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position
To assist during parking maneuvers, you can
set the passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror so that you can see the rear wheel and
the road curb.
Setting and storing the parking position
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XSwitch on the ignition.XPress button =, to select the passenger-
side exterior rear view mirror.
XShift the automatic transmission into
reverse gear R.
The passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror moves to the preset parking
position.
XAdjust the passenger-side exterior rear
view mirror with adjustment button ; so
that you see the rear wheel and the road
curb.
The exterior rear view mirror parking
position is stored.
You can also store the parking position using
the memory button M ::
XSwitch on the ignition.XPress button =, to select the passenger-
side exterior rear view mirror.
XAdjust the passenger-side exterior rear
view mirror with adjustment button ; so
that you see the rear wheel and the road
curb.
XPress memory button M : and within
3 seconds, press one of the arrows of
adjustment button ;.
The parking position is stored if the exterior
rear view mirror does not move.
iIf the exterior rear view mirror does move,
repeat the above steps. After the setting is
stored, you can move the exterior rear view
mirror again.
Calling up the parking positionXSwitch on the ignition.XPress button =, to select the passenger-
side exterior rear view mirror.
XShift the automatic transmission into
reverse gear R.
The passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror moves to the stored parking
position.
The passenger-side exterior rear view mirror
returns to its previously stored driving
position
Rwhen you switch off the ignition
R10 seconds after you have put the gear
selector lever out of reverse gear R
Rimmediately once your vehicle exceeds a
speed of approximately 6 mph (10 km/h)
Rimmediately when you press button ? to
select the driver’s side exterior rear view
mirror
iIf you adjust the exterior rear view mirrors
while they are in the parking position, the
new exterior rear view mirror position is
stored as a new parking position.
Power-folding exterior rear view
mirrors
! Before you drive the vehicle through an
automatic car wash, fold in the exterior rear
view mirrors. Otherwise they may get
damaged.
Folding in and out automatically
The function must be activated in the
COMAND system (Y page 209).
The exterior rear view mirrors fold in
automatically as soon as the vehicle is locked
from the outside.
The exterior rear view mirrors fold out
automatically as soon as the vehicle is
unlocked and the driver’s or front passenger
door is subsequently opened.
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Storing positions into memoryXAdjust the seats.XOn the driver’s side, also adjust the
steering wheel and exterior rear view
mirrors to the desired positions.
XPress memory button M once and within
3 seconds press memory position button
1, 2 or 3.
When the settings are stored to the
selected position, an acknowledgement
signal sounds.
Recalling positions from memory
XPress and hold desired memory position
button 1, 2 or 3 until the seat has moved
to the stored position completely. On the
driver’s side, also wait for the steering
wheel and exterior rear view mirrors to
move to the stored position.
iReleasing the memory position button
stops movement to the stored positions
immediately.
Lighting
Notes
iIf you drive in countries with left-hand
driving, you must have the headlamps
modified for symmetrical low beams.
Relevant information can be obtained at
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
iThe active Bi-Xenon headlamps increase
usable illumination over conventional
headlamps because they follow the
curvature of the road ahead. The beams of
the active Bi-Xenon headlamps shift to
either side according to the vehicle’s
steering angle and speed.
Exterior lamp switch1 WStanding lamps, left2 XStanding lamps, right3 $Off
Daytime running lamp mode
4 cAutomatic headlamp mode
Daytime running lamp mode
5 TParking lamps386 LLow-beam headlamps or high-beam
headlamps
7 RVehicles without front fog lamps:
Rear fog lamp
7 NVehicles with front fog lamps: Front
fog lamps
8 RVehicles with front fog lamps: Rear
fog lamp
iThe exterior lamps (except standing
lamps or parking lamps) go out
automatically when you remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch or open
the driver’s door with the ignition switched
off.
When the parking lamps or the rear fog
lamp are switched on and you remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch and open
the driver’s door, an acoustic signal
sounds.
In addition, the message Please Switch
Off Lights appears in the multifunction
display.
38When the parking lamps are on, the tail lamps, the license plate lamps, the side marker lamps, and theinstrument cluster illumination are also on.
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Switch off the parking lamps or the rear fog
lamp manually.
! Failure to switch off the parking lamps
when leaving the vehicle may result in a
discharged battery.
i Vehicles without front fog lamps: For
better detection of the vehicle, the LED
daytime running lamps are dimmed to
parking lamp level when the low-beam
headlamps are switched on.
Low-beam headlamps
The low-beam headlamps can be switched on
and off with the exterior lamp switch.
XSwitch on the ignition.XSwitching on: Turn the exterior lamp
switch to position L.
The following lamps come on:
R Low-beam headlamps
R Parking lamps 38
R Green indicator lamp T in the exterior
lamp switchXSwitching off: Turn the exterior lamp
switch to position $.
Automatic headlamp mode
GWarning!
If the exterior lamp switch is set to c, the
headlamps will not automatically come on
under foggy conditions.
To minimize risk to you and to others, activate
headlamps by turning exterior lamp switch to
L when driving or when traffic and/or
ambient lighting conditions require you to do
so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only switch
from position c to L with the vehicle
at a standstill in a safe location. Switching
from c to L will briefly switch off the
headlamps. Doing so while driving in low
ambient lighting conditions may result in an
accident.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an aid
to the driver. The driver is responsible for the
operation of the vehicle’s lights at all times.XSwitching on: Turn the exterior lamp
switch to position c.
When ambient light is low: When the
SmartKey is in starter switch position 1 or
when the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button has
been pressed once, the parking lamps 38
come on automatically.
When the engine is running, the low-beam
headlamps come on additionally.
When ambient light is bright: When the
SmartKey is in starter switch position 1 or
when the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button has
been pressed once, all lamps are off.
When the engine is running, the daytime
running lamps 39
come on automatically.
When the low-beam headlamps are switched
on, the green indicator lamp T in the
exterior lamp switch comes on.
Once the low-beam headlamps are on, the
high-beam headlamps are also available.
Daytime running lamp mode
In Canada, the daytime running lamp mode is
mandatory and therefore in a constant mode.
In the USA, the daytime running lamp mode
is deactivated by default.
XActivate the daytime running lamp mode
using the control system, see “Switching38 When the parking lamps are on, the tail lamps, the license plate lamps, the side marker lamps, and the
instrument cluster illumination are also on.
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