
Switching offXSwitch off the left or right turn signal.
or
XSteer straight ahead.
The corner-illuminating lamp goes out.
iThere may be a brief delay before the
corner-illuminating lamps go out.
Interior lighting in the front
iEven with the SmartKey being removed
from the starter switch you can still use the
lighting for the storage compartment, glove
box and vanity mirrors, when you open a
door or press one of the interior lighting
buttons. If a lamp is switched on and you
do not lock the vehicle, it will be switched
off automatically after 30 minutes.
When you lock the vehicle from the outside,
the interior lighting is switched off.
:p Left front reading lamp on/off ;s Rear interior lighting on/off=c Front interior lighting on/off ?~ Automatic control on/offAp Right front reading lamp on/off
Automatic control
XActivating: Press button ~.
The OFF indicator lamp next to the button
goes out.
The interior lighting comes on, when you
Runlock the vehicle
Rremove the SmartKey from the starter
switch (Interior Lighting Delayed
Switch-off must be switched on
(Y page 208))
Ropen a door
The interior lighting goes out after a short
time (Y page 208).
iIf a door remains open, the interior lamps
go out automatically after approximately
5 minutes.
XDeactivating: Press button ~.
The OFF indicator lamp next to the button
comes on.
Manual control
XSwitching front interior lighting on/
off: Press button c.
XSwitching rear interior lighting on/off:
Press button s.
XSwitching front reading lamps on/off:
Press respective button p.
iThe brightness of the ambient lighting is
adjusted via COMAND (Y page 209).
Emergency lighting
The interior lighting comes on automatically
if the vehicle is involved in an accident.
Switching off:
XPress hazard warning flasher switch
(Y page 302).
or
XPress switch ~.
or
XUnlock the vehicle with the SmartKey.
Interior lighting in the rear
! An interior lamp switched on manually
does not go out automatically.
304LightingControls in detail
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Intermittent wiping
Only switch on intermittent wiping under wet
weather conditions or in the presence of
precipitation.
When you select intermittent wiping, the rain
sensor is activated. The rain sensor sets a
suitable wiping interval depending on the
wetness of the sensor surface automatically.
! Do not leave windshield wipers on an
intermittent setting when the vehicle is
taken to an automatic car wash or during
windshield cleaning. Windshield wipers will
operate in the presence of water sprayed
on the windshield, and windshield wipers
may be damaged as a result.
! If you have set intermittent wiping, dirt on
the surface of the rain sensor or optical
effects may cause the windshield wipers to
wipe in an undesired fashion. This could
then damage the windshield wiper blades
or scratch the windshield. You should
therefore switch off the windshield wipers
when weather conditions are dry.
XTurn the combination switch to position
Ä or Å .
After the initial wipe, pauses between
wipes are controlled by the rain sensor
automatically.
Intermittent wiping is interrupted when the
vehicle is at a standstill and a front door is
opened. This protects persons getting into or
out of the vehicle from being sprayed.
Intermittent wiping will be continued when all
doors are closed and
R the automatic transmission is in drive
position D or reverse gear R
or
R the wiper setting is changed using the
combination switch
Single wipeXPress the combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow B to the resistance
point.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
Wiping with washer fluid
XPress the combination switch in direction
of arrow B past the resistance point.
The windshield wipers operate with washer
fluid.
i To prevent smears on the windshield or
noisy/chattering wiper blades, wipe with
washer fluid every now and then even when
it is raining.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Washer system and headlamp
cleaning system” ( Y page 409).
For information on cleaning the headlamps
with washer fluid, see “Headlamp cleaning
system” ( Y page 303).
Problems with wipers
! If anything blocks the windshield wipers
(leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off
immediately.
For safety reasons, do the following before
attempting to remove any blockage:
R Stop the vehicle in a safe location.
R Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
or
R Turn off the engine by pressing the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and
open the driver’s door (with the driver’s
door open, starter switch is in position
0 , same as with SmartKey removed from
starter switch).
R Engage the electronic parking brake.
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GWarning!
The ATTENTION ASSIST is only an aid to the
driver. It might not recognize fatigue or
increasing inattentiveness in time or fail to
recognize them at all. The system cannot
substitute a rested and attentive driver.
Fatigue can cause you to recognize dangers
too late, to misjudge potential dangers, or to
react slower. Therefore, make sure to be
rested before and during your trip. Take rests
early enough and regularly, especially during
long trips. Failure to do so could cause you to
recognize dangers too late which could result
in an accident and serious injury to you and/
or others.
The ATTENTION ASSIST interprets your
fatigue or increasing inattentiveness
considering the following criteria:
Rthe individual driving style, for example the
way you steer
Rthe driving conditions such as time of day
and duration of the ride
The ATTENTION ASSIST function is restricted
and warnings will be delayed or not issued at
all when
Rroad conditions are bad, e.g. heavy bumps
or potholes
Rcrosswinds are strong
Rdriving in a sporty manner with high speed
in curves or rapid acceleration
Rdriving slower than 50 mph (80 km/h) or
faster than 112 mph (180 km/h) most of
the time
Roperating the COMAND or making phone
calls via COMAND
Rchanging lanes or varying the vehicle
speed, i.e. you intervene actively
Warnings and displays in the
multifunction display
XSwitch on the ATTENTION ASSIST via the
control system (Y page 232).
ATTENTION ASSIST indicator : appears in
the multifunction display.
When the ATTENTION ASSIST is active, it will
warn you after 20 minutes of driving at the
earliest. An intermittent warning will then
sound twice and the message Attention
Assist: Time for a rest? appears in the
multifunction display.
XIf possible park your vehicle in a safe
location and take a rest.
XConfirm the message by pressing button
a on the multifunction steering wheel.
If you do not take a rest and the
ATTENTION ASSIST continues to recognize
fatigue or increasing inattentiveness, you will
be warned once more after 15 minutes at the
earliest.
During long trips, take regular and duly rests
that allow you to recover sufficiently.
The ATTENTION ASSIST will be reset and
restarts evaluating the degree of your fatigue
when
Ryou turn off the engine
Ryou release the seat belt and open the
driver’s door, e.g. during a rest or for a
driver change
Night View Assist Plus
The Night View Assist Plus illuminates the
road with infrared light in addition to the
normal headlamps.
A camera at the top of the windshield
measures the infrared light and shows a
black-and-white image in the multifunction
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display. The image in the multifunction
display corresponds to a road lit up by high-
beam headlamps.
GWarning!
The Night View Assist Plus is only an aid to
support you while driving and cannot
substitute your careful attention. Do not rely
on the display of the Night View Assist Plus;
instead, continue to look through the
windshield. You are always responsible for
safety and must drive in accordance with
traffic conditions. Otherwise, you could
endanger yourself and others.
The system may be impaired or unavailable
when
Rvisibility is poor, e.g. due to snow, rain, fog,
or heavy spray
Rthe camera area of the windshield is dirty,
fogged up or covered by a sticker for
example
Rdriving through curves or on inclines or
declines
GWarning!
The Night View Assist Plus cannot record
objects immediately in front of or next to the
vehicle. When maneuvering, continue to look
through the windshield. Make sure no
persons or animals are in the area in which
you are maneuvering. You could otherwise
injure them.
The Night View Assist Plus image in the
multifunction display is not impaired by the
headlamps of approaching vehicles.
As a result, you can better follow the course
of the road and detect obstacles earlier on.
iInfrared light is invisible to the human eye
and thus does not blind. The Night View
Assist Plus can remain switched on
permanently even with oncoming traffic
present.
The Night View Assist Plus monitors the area
in front of your vehicle via camera :.
Switching on or off
You can only switch on the Night View Assist
Plus if
Rthe SmartKey in the starter switch is set to
position 2
Rit is dark
Rthe exterior lamp switch is set to c or
L, or if the daytime running lamp mode
is activated (Y page 299)
Rthe automatic transmission is not in
reverse gear R
XPress button : up or down.
The Night View Assist Plus image appears
in the multifunction display.
iThe infrared headlamps only come on
above a speed of approximately 6 mph
(10 km/h). Therefore, when you are at a
standstill, you do not have a complete view
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! To avoid damage to the handle never pull
up the hood on the handle.
XPull handle ; to its stop out of radiator
grille.
XPull up on hood.
The hood will be held open at shoulder
height by gas-filled struts automatically.
Closing
GWarning!
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hands or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure the hood is securely engaged
before driving off. Do not continue driving if
the hood can no longer engage after an
accident, for example. The hood could
otherwise come loose while the vehicle is in
motion and injure you and/or others.
XLet the hood drop from a height of
approximately 8 in (20 cm).
XCheck to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point above
the headlamps, then it is not properly
closed. Open it again and let it drop with
somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine consumes will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Increased oil consumption can
occur when the vehicle is new or the vehicle
is driven frequently at higher engine speeds.
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
! Do not use any special lubricant additives,
as these may damage the drive assemblies.
Using special additives not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
For further information contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Notes on checking engine oil level
When checking the oil level
Rthe vehicle must be parked on level ground
Rwith the engine at operating temperature,
the vehicle must have been stationary for
at least 5 minutes with the engine turned
off
Rwith the engine not at operating
temperature, the vehicle must have been
stationary for at least 30 minutes with the
engine turned off
Checking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick
On the S 450 4MATIC, S 550 4MATIC, S 550,
and S 63 AMG you can check the engine oil
level with the oil dipstick.
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XUsing a rag, slowly open cap :
approximately 1/2 turn counterclockwise
to relieve excess pressure.
XContinue turning cap : counterclockwise
and remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level
Rfor cold coolant: reaches marking bar
= in coolant expansion tank ;
Rfor warm coolant: is approximately 0.6 in
(1.5 cm) higher
XAdd coolant as required.XScrew cap : back on and tighten it.
For more information on coolant, see the
“Technical data” section (Y page 538) and
(Y page 542).
Washer system and headlamp
cleaning system
GWarning!
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly
flammable. Do not spill washer solvent/
antifreeze on hot engine parts, because it may
ignite and burn. You could be seriously
burned.
! Always use washer solvent/antifreeze
where temperatures may fall below
freezing point. Failure to do so could result
in damage to the washer system/fluid
reservoir.
! Only use washer fluid which is suitable for
plastic lenses. Improper washer fluid can
damage the plastic lenses of the
headlamps.
! Do not use distilled or deionized water in
the washer fluid reservoir. Otherwise, the
washer fluid level sensor could be
damaged.
Fluid for the washer system and the headlamp
cleaning system is supplied from the washer
fluid reservoir.
During all seasons, use MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit”. Mix it
with water or premixed washer solvent/
antifreeze depending on the ambient
temperature (Y page 544).
Example illustration: S 550 with AIRMATIC
Vehicles with Active Body Control (ABC)
XOpening washer fluid reservoir: Pull tab
of cap : upwards.
XRefill the washer fluid reservoir.XClosing washer fluid reservoir: Press
cap : onto filler hole until it engages.
For more information, see “Washer system
and headlamp cleaning system”
(Y page 539).
Brake fluid level
! If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum
mark or below, have the brake system
checked for brake pad thickness and leaks
immediately. Contact an authorized
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XWhen taking the vehicle through an
automatic conveyor-type car wash:
Make sure the automatic transmission
remains in neutral position N. Observe
instructions, see “Remaining in neutral
position N” (Y page 319).
When leaving the automatic car wash, make
sure the mirrors are folded out.
After running the vehicle through an
automatic car wash, wipe any wax off of the
windshield and the wiper blade inserts. This
will prevent smears and reduce wiping noise
which can be caused by residual wax on the
windshield.
Ornamental moldings
XFor regular cleaning and care of ornamental
moldings, use a damp cloth.
! Do not use chrome cleaner on ornamental
moldings. Although ornamental moldings
may have chrome appearance, they could
be made of anodized aluminum that will be
damaged when cleaned with chrome
cleaner. Instead, use a damp cloth to clean
those ornamental moldings.
For very dirty ornamental moldings of
which you are sure are chrome-plated, use
a chrome cleaner. If in doubt whether an
ornamental molding is chrome-plated,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Headlamps, brake lamps, tail lamps,
side markers, turn signal lenses
XUse a mild vehicle wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo,
with plenty of water.
! Only use window cleaning solutions that
are suitable for plastic lamp lenses.
Window cleaning solutions which are not
suitable may damage the plastic lamp
lenses of the headlamps. Therefore, do not
use abrasives, solvents or cleaners that
contain solvents.
Cleaning the driving systems sensorsXSwitch off the ignition.XClean DISTRONIC PLUS/PRE-SAFE® Brake
system sensor cover : by hand.
To clean DISTRONIC PLUS/PRE-SAFE® Brake
system sensor cover : and the bumper area
near sensors ; observe the following:
RUse a mild vehicle wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo,
with plenty of water.
RUse a soft, non-scratching cloth.
! If you use a power washer to clean the
sensor covers, observe the following:
RFollow the instructions provided by the
power washer manufacturer.
RMaintain a distance between the sensor
covers and the nozzle of the power
washer.
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LampsDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsbActive
Headlamps
Inoperativ
eThe active headlamps are malfunctioning.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.bCheck
Left
Reverse
Lamp
or
Check
Right
Reverse
LampThe left or right backup lamp is malfunctioning.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.bCheck
Center
Brake LampThe high-mounted brake lamp is malfunctioning. This
message will only appear if all LEDs have stopped working.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.bCheck
Left Fog
Lamp
or
Check
Right Fog
LampThe left or right front fog lamp is malfunctioning.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.bCheck
Front
Left
Sidemarker
Lamp
or
Check
Front
Right
Sidemarker
LampThe front left side or right side marker lamp is malfunctioning.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display485Practical hints221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 485Z