Speed settings
Cruise control ................................ 329
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 337
Resume function ...................330, 338
SPLITVIEW ............................................ 90
Headphone ...................................... 82
Remote control ................................ 81
SRS
Indicator lamp .................................. 32
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Indicator lamp ......................... 40, 494
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 474
Standing water, driving through ...... 437
Starter switch positions
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 284
SmartKey ....................................... 284
Starting difficulties (engine) ............ 312
Starting the engine ........................... 311
Steering column see Multifunction steering wheel,
Adjustment
Steering wheel
see Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel gearshift control ..... 323
Stolen Vehicle Recovery Services ... 395
Storage compartments ..................... 381
Storing tires ....................................... 424
Sunroof see Power tilt/sliding sunroof
Sunshade
Rear door window ..........................308
Rear window .................................. 386
Sun visors .......................................... 386
Suspension tuning see AIRMATIC
T
Tachometer .................................. 33, 327
Overspeed range ........................... 327
Tail lamps
Cleaning lenses ............................. 443
Tar stains ........................................... 441
Technical data
Air conditioning refrigerant ....539, 540
Brake fluid ............................. 538, 540
Capacities fuels, coolants,
lubricants etc. ................................ 537
Coolant .................................. 538, 542
Engine oil additives ........................540
Engine oils ............................. 537, 539
Fuel requirements .......................... 541
Gasoline additives .......................... 541
Identification labels .......................524
Premium unleaded gasoline ...........541
Rims and tires ................................ 532
Spare wheel ................................... 536
Vehicle specification
S 450 4MATIC ............................... 527
Vehicle specification S 550 ...........527
Vehicle specification
S 550 4MATIC ............................... 528
Vehicle specification S 600 ...........529
Vehicle specification S 63 AMG .....530
Vehicle specification S 65 AMG .....531
Washer and headlamp cleaning
system ................................... 539, 544
Technical data (dimensions)
see Vehicle specification
Technical data (electrical system)
see Vehicle specification
Technical data (engine)
see Vehicle specification
Technical data (weights)
see Vehicle specification
Tele Aid ............................................... 389
Automatic Maintenance Call ..........395
Emergency calls ............................. 390
Information button .........................392
Initiating an emergency call
manually ........................................ 391
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 474
Remote door lock .......................... 394
Remote door unlock ......................394
Roadside Assistance button ..........391
Search & Send ............................... 393
SOS button .................................... 391
Stolen Vehicle Recovery Services ..395
System self-test ............................. 389
Telephone .......................................... 148
Answering/ending a call ................230
Bluetooth ®
interface ...................... 151
Call lists ......................................... 163Index17221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 17
Radio ............................................. 252
Settings ........................................... 93
Telephone ...................................... 245
Troubleshooting ............................. 267
W
Warning sounds
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 333
Driver’s or passenger’s seat belt .....52
Electronic parking brake ................469
Parking Guidance ........................... 352
Parktronic system ..........................350
Seat belt telltale ............................ 493
Warranty coverage ............................ 524
Washer and headlamp cleaning
system ................................................ 544
Washer fluid
Mixing ratio .................................... 544
Refilling .......................................... 409
Washing the vehicle .......................... 440
Wear pattern (tires) .......................... 425
Weights (vehicle) see Vehicle specification
Wheel
Changing ....................................... 508
Removing ....................................... 511
Spare ............................................. 508
Tightening torque ........................... 512
Wheels, sizes ..................................... 532
Wheels, Tires and .............................. 410
Window curtain air bags ..................... 45
Windows see Power windows
Windows, cleaning ............................ 445
Windshield
Cleaning wiper blades .................... 445
Defogging ...................................... 371
Infrared reflecting ..........................399
Washer fluid ................................... 544
Wipers ........................................... 305
Windshield wipers
Replacing wiper blades ..................507
Winter driving
Instructions .................................... 433
Snow chains .................................. 433
Tires ............................................... 432
Winter tires ................................ 432, 532
Wood trims, cleaning ........................ 447
Z
ZAGAT ®
Rating Service ..................... 128
20Index221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 20
FunctionPageKEYLESS-GO start/stop
button
284
LSteering wheel adjustment
stalk
294
Heated steering wheel294MElectronic parking brake315NDoor control panel38FunctionPageOHood lock release404POn-board diagnostics
(OBD) socketQNight View Assist Plus356RExterior lamp switch298Cockpit31At a glance221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 31Z
Instrument clusterFunctionPage:Coolant temperature gauge327;Fuel gauge with:Fuel tank reserve warning
lamp496
K High-beam headlamp
indicator lamp 301
! Antilock Brake
System (ABS) indicator
lamp 490
6 Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS)
indicator lamp 494
=Parktronic/Parking
Guidance warning indicator
for left front area349
?Multifunction display with:Speedometer F Electronic parking
brake warning or indicator
lamps, USA only492
FunctionPage! Electronic parking
brake warning or indicator
lamps, Canada only492
$ Brake warning lamp,
USA only492
J Brake warning lamp,
Canada only492
7 Seat belt telltale 493h Combination low tire
pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale, USA
only
414,
497
h Low tire pressure
telltale, Canada only
414,
497
# Left turn signal
indicator lamp
! Right turn signal
indicator lamp
÷ ESC warning lamp 473· Distance warning
lamp14961Vehicles without DISTRONIC PLUS: Warning lamp without function. It illuminates when the ignition is on. Itshould go out when the engine is running.
32Instrument clusterAt a glance
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FunctionPageå ESC OFF warning
lamp
473
j Parking space indicator
lamp
350
é Recuperative Brake
System (RBS) warning
lamp, S 400 HYBRID only 2Green or yellow READY
indicator lamp for the
HYBRID system, S 400
HYBRID only 2AParktronic/Parking
Guidance warning indicator
for right front area
349
BTransmission position/
range indicator
321
CTachometer with: ; Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
496
FunctionPageDProgram mode indicator322EMain menus for instrument
cluster control system
222
FOutside temperature327GDisplay with:Additional speedometer235_ Adaptive Highbeam
Assist indicator lamp
301
à Lane Keeping
Assistance indicator lamp
362
À Attention Assist
indicator lamp
355
Ä PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
indicator lamp
232
orHOLD function indicator
lamp
3422 See separate HYBRID Supplemental Operating Instructions.Instrument cluster33At a glance221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 33Z
Automatic comfort-fit feature seat belt
The automatic comfort-fit feature reduces the
retracting force of the seat belts when they
are in normal use. It is available for the front
seats and for the rear outer seats (only for
vehicles with rear power seats).
Preventive occupant safety (PRE-
SAFE ®
)
GWarning!
The PRE-SAFE ®
system is intended to reduce
the effects of an accident on vehicle
occupants who are wearing their seat belt
properly. Despite your vehicle being equipped
with the PRE-SAFE ®
system, the possibility of
personal injuries occurring as a result of an
accident cannot be eliminated. Therefore,
always drive carefully and adjust your driving
to the prevailing road, weather, and traffic
conditions.
The PRE-SAFE ®
system takes preventive
measures to better protect the occupants
from the possibility of personal injuries in the
following hazardous situations:
R emergency braking situations, e.g. if the
Brake Assist System (BAS) ( Y page 64) is
activated
or when
vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS:
the BAS PLUS ( Y page 64) or the PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake ( Y page 69) is strongly
engaging
R when the radar sensors recognize the
immediate risk of collision in certain
situations (vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS)
R critical dynamic driving situations, e.g.
when the vehicle has been caused to
understeer or oversteer because it has
exceeded its physical limitations or in case
of evasive steering maneuvers at speeds
above approximately 85 mph (140 km/h)
The PRE-SAFE ®
system takes the following
measures when it is activated:
R The front seat belts are pre-tensioned
automatically.
R If the front passenger seat is in an
unfavorable position, the seat will be
adjusted to a position that seeks to better
protect the occupant.
R If a rear outer power seat (if so equipped)
is in an unfavorable position, the seat will
be adjusted to a position that seeks to
better protect the occupant.
R The system increases the air pressure in
the air pockets (on the sides of the seat
cushion and backrest) of the multicontour
and/or drive-dynamic multicontour front
seats.
R If the vehicle is equipped with multicontour
rear seats, the system increases the air
pressure in the air pockets (on the sides of
the seat backrest) of the multicontour rear
outer seats.
R If the vehicle is in a critical dynamic driving
situation, the door windows and the tilt/
sliding sunroof or panorama roof with tilt/
sliding panel also closes, except for a
minimal gap that remains open.
If the closing procedure of any of these
elements is blocked, it will stop and open
slightly.
Once the hazardous situation no longer exists
and an accident has been avoided, the PRE-
SAFE ®
system loosens the seat belt pre-
tension and decreases the air pressure in the
air pockets of the multicontour and/or drive-
dynamic multicontour seats. All of the PRE-
SAFE ®
system settings can be re-adjusted
following the critical driving event.
If the seat belts do not release:XAdjust the seat backrest to the rear until
the seat belt tension is reduced.
The locking mechanism releases.54Occupant safetySafety and security
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Steering wheel
GObserve Safety notes, see page 293.XPosition steering wheel : properly
(Y page 294).
Make sure:
RYou can reach the steering wheel with your
arms slightly bent at the elbows.
RYou can move your legs freely.
RAll displays (including malfunction and
indicator lamps) on the instrument cluster
are clearly visible.
Seat belt
GObserve Safety notes, see page 49.XFasten and position your seat belt ;
correctly (Y page 51).
Make sure:
RThe seat belt is always fitted snugly.
RAdjust the seat belt so that the shoulder
section is located as close as possible to
the middle of the shoulder.
RPlace the lap portion of the seat belt as low
as possible on your hips.
Seat and head restraintGObserve Safety notes, see page 286.XPosition seat = and head restraint
properly. See (Y page 287) for seat and
head restraint adjustment.
Observe the following points:
RAlways be in a properly seated position.
RThe position should be as far rearward from
the front air bag in the steering wheel as
possible, while still permitting proper
operation of vehicle controls.
RAdjust the seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely.
RThe seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten and position your seat belt.
RThe seat backrest must be in a position that
is as nearly upright as possible.
RAdjust the seat cushion so that the front
edge of the seat cushion lightly supports
your legs.
RAdjust the head restraint so 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.
RNever place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while the seat is being
adjusted.
Children in the vehicle
Safety notes
If an infant or child is traveling with you in the
vehicle:
XSecure the child using an infant or child
restraint appropriate to the age and size of
the child.
XMake sure the infant or child is properly
secured at all times while the vehicle is in
motion.
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Driving safety systems
Introduction
This section contains information about the
following driving safety systems:
R ABS (
Antilock Brake System)
R Adaptive Brake
R Adaptive Brake Lights
R BAS (
Brake Assist System)
R BAS PLUS (
Brake Assist System PLUS)
R EBP (
Electronic Brake Proportioning)
R ESC (
Electronic Stability Control)
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (
Preventive Occupant
Safety System Brake)
i In winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of most of the driving
systems described in this section is only
achieved with winter tires, or snow chains
as required.
Safety notes
GWarning!
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:
R Excessive speed, especially in turns
R Wet and slippery road surfaces
R Following another vehicle too closely
The driving safety systems described in this
section cannot reduce these risks or prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle. They cannot increase braking or
steering efficiency beyond that afforded by
the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires
or the traction afforded.
Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents.
The capabilities of a vehicle equipped with the
driving safety systems described in this
section must never be exploited in a reckless
or dangerous manner which could jeopardize
the user’s safety or the safety of others.
Always adjust your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions and
keep a safe distance to other road users and
objects on the street.
If a driving system malfunctions, other driving
safety systems may also switch off. Observe
indicator and warning lamps that may come
on as well as messages in the multifunction
display that may appear.GWarning!
HYBRID vehicles: It is imperative that you read
the HYBRID Supplemental Operating
Instructions included in your vehicle literature
portfolio. You may otherwise not receive all
necessary safety information and warning for
the operation of your vehicle.
ABS
GObserve Safety notes, see page 63.GWarning!
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm, steady
brake pedal pressure instead. Pumping the
brake pedal defeats the purpose of the ABS
and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do not
lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of
approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will
respond even to light brake pressure.
The ABS indicator lamp ! in the
instrument cluster comes on when you switch
on the ignition. It goes out when the engine
is running.
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