2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class change

Automatic mode will achieve optimal
operation if cooling with air dehumidification
is also activated. If desired, cooling with air
dehumidification can be deactivated.
Controlling the front climate control
using the front control panel
XTurn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
XSet the desired temperature.X To switch on: press the à rocker
switch up or down.
The indicator lamp in the à rocker
switch lights up.
XTo switch off: press the K rocker
switch up or down.
The indicator lamp in the à rocker
switch goes out.
or
XSet the air distribution using COMAND
(Y page 262).
The indicator lamp in the à rocker
switch goes out.
Controlling the rear-compartment
climate control automatically using the
front control panel
XTurn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
XActivate the Y rear compartment
function via COMAND (Y page 265).
Rear-compartment climate control can be
controlled via the front control panel using
the Y rear compartment function.
XSet the desired temperature.X To switch on: press the à rocker
switch up or down.
The indicator lamp in the à rocker
switch lights up.
XTo switch off: press the K rocker
switch up or down.
The indicator lamp in the à rocker
switch goes out.
or
XSet the air distribution using COMAND
(Y page 262).
The indicator lamp in the à rocker
switch goes out.
iTo return to the standard display, activate
the "front climate control" function via
COMAND (Y page 265).
iThe rear display changes to the standard
display automatically after five seconds.
Controlling the rear-compartment
climate control automatically using the
rear control panel
XTurn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
XSet the desired temperature.X To activate: press rocker switch K up or
down and select AUTO (Y page 287).
XTo deactivate: press rocker switch K up
or down and select MAN or
OFF (Y page 287).
Setting the temperature
Climate control climate zones
You can select different temperature settings
for the driver's and front-passenger sides as
290Operating the climate control systemsClimate control

well as for the left and right sides of the rear
compartment and the footwells.
Setting the front-compartment
temperature using the front control
panelXTurn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.XTo increase/reduce: press the w
rocker switch up or down.
Only change the temperature setting in
small increments. Start at 72 ‡ (22 †).
i You can also use COMAND to set the
temperature ( Y page 262).
Setting the temperature in the rear
compartment using the front control
panel
XTurn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.XActivate the Y rear compartment
function via COMAND ( Y page 265).
The rear-compartment climate control can
be controlled via the front control panel
using the Y rear compartment function.XTo increase/reduce: press the w
rocker switch up or down.
Only change the temperature setting in
small increments. Start at 72 ‡ (22 †).
i To return to the standard display, activate
the front climate control function via
COMAND ( Y page 265).
i The rear display changes to the standard
display automatically after five seconds.
Setting the temperature in the rear
compartment using the rear control
panel
XTurn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.XTo increase/reduce: press rocker
switch H or M up or down ( Y page 287).Only change the temperature setting in
small increments. Start at 72 ‡ (22 †).
Setting the footwell temperature
The footwell temperature can be set via
COMAND ( Y page 264).
Setting the air distribution
Air distribution settings
The air distribution can be set individually for
the driver's and front-passenger sides.
¯directs the airflow through the
defroster ventsPdirects the airflow through the center
and side air ventsOdirects the airflow through the footwell
air ventsSdirects the airflow through the center
and side air vents, as well as the
footwell air ventsadirects the airflow through the footwell
and defroster vents_directs the airflow through the
defroster, center and side air vents, as
well as the footwell air ventsbdirects the airflow through the center
and side air vents, as well as the
defroster ventsWadjusts the air distribution
automatically
Setting the air distribution in the front/
rear compartment using COMAND
The air distribution can be set using COMAND
( Y page 262).
Setting the rear-compartment air
distribution using the rear control panel
XTurn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.XPress rocker switch I or L up or down
repeatedly ( Y page 287) until the desiredOperating the climate control systems291Climate controlZ

Vehicle equipment
i This manual describes all the standard
and optional equipment of your vehicle
which was available at the time of
purchase. Country-specific differences are
possible. Bear in mind that your vehicle
may not feature all functions described
here. This also refers to safety-related
systems and functions.
Notes on breaking in a new vehicle
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more you look after the engine when it is
new, the happier you will be with its
performance in the future.
R Drive at varying vehicle speeds and engine
speeds for the first 1000 miles (1500 km)
for this reason.
R Avoid overstraining the vehicle during this
period, e.g. driving at full throttle.
R Change gear in good time, at the latest
when the tachometer needle is 2
/ 3 of the
way to the red area in the tachometer
display.
R Do not manually shift to a lower gear to
brake the vehicle.
R If possible, do not depress the accelerator
pedal past the point of resistance
(kickdown).
R Only select shift ranges 3, 2 or 1 when
driving slowly, e.g. in mountainous terrain.
R Ideally, drive program E (on AMG vehicles:
drive program C) should be selected for
driving the first 1000 miles (1500 km).
After 1000 miles (1500 km) you may
gradually bring the vehicle up to full road and
engine speeds.
Additional breaking-in notes for AMG
vehicles:
R For the first 1000 miles (1500 km), do not
exceed a speed of 85 mph (140 km/h).
R Only allow the engine to briefly reach a
maximum engine speed of 4500 rpm.
R Shift gears in good time.
i Also observe these breaking-in notes
when the vehicle's engine or axle gear have
been replaced.
i Always observe the respective limit
speeds.
Driving
Important safety notes
GWarning
Make sure absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals' range of movement.
Keep the driver's footwell clear of all
obstacles. If there are any floormats or
carpets in the footwell, make sure the pedals
still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents and
injury.
GWarning
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle's ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
GWarning
It is dangerous to shift AUTOTRONIC out of
parking position P or neutral position N if the
engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your
foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in
reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle
and hit someone or something. Only shift into
298DrivingDriving and parking

Starting the engine
Important safety notesGWarning
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas (such
as a garage) which are not properly ventilated.
If you think that exhaust gas fumes are
entering the vehicle while driving, have the
cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one
window fully open at all times.
! Do not depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine.
Automatic transmission
XShift the transmission to position P.
i
The transmission position display in the
multifunction display shows P.
Starting procedure with the SmartKey
XTurn the SmartKey to position 3 in the
ignition lock (Y page 299) and release it as
soon as the engine is running.
Using KEYLESS-GO to start the engine
GWarning!
As long as the SmartKey is in your vehicle, the
vehicle can be started. Therefore, never leave
children unattended in the vehicle, as they
could otherwise accidentally start the engine.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle. A
child's unsupervised access to a vehicle could
result in an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
i The Start/Stop button can be used to
start the vehicle without inserting the
SmartKey in the ignition lock. The
SmartKey must be in the vehicle.XThe Start/Stop button must be inserted in
the ignition lock.
i To start the engine with the SmartKey
instead of with KEYLESS-GO, remove the
Start/Stop button from the ignition lock.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.XPress the Start/Stop button once
( Y page 299).
The engine starts.
Pulling away
Automatic transmission
GWarning
It is dangerous to shift AUTOTRONIC out of
parking position P or neutral position N if the
engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your
foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in
reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle
and hit someone or something. Only shift into
gear when the engine is idling normally and
when your right foot is firmly on the brake
pedal.
i It is only possible to shift the transmission
from position P to the desired position if
you depress the brake pedal. Only then is
the parking lock released. If you do not
depress the brake pedal, you can move the
DIRECT SELECT selector lever but the
parking lock remains engaged.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.XShift the transmission to position D or R.XWait until the gear change is completed
before pulling away.Driving301Driving and parkingZ

Rremove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock.
Rinsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
Rswitch on the ignition.
Rdepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
Rshift to neutral N.
Rrelease the brake pedal.
Rif applied, release the electric parking
brake.
Rswitch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
Transmission position D with ECO
start/stop function activated
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle is
stationary if the vehicle is braked to a
standstill with transmission position N
engaged and the brake depressed.
For further information on the ECO start/stop
function (Y page 302).
Shifting to transmission position D
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever down past
the first point of resistance.
Transmission position display
The current transmission position is shown in
the multifunction display.
:Transmission position
iThe arrows in the transmission position
display show how and into which
transmission positions you can change
using the DIRECT SELECT lever.
! If the transmission position display in the
multifunction display is not working, you
should pull away carefully to check whether
the desired transmission position is
engaged. Ideally, you should select
transmission position D and drive program
E (drive program C on AMG vehicles) or S.
Do not restrict the shift range.
308Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Transmission positionsBPark position
Do not shift the transmission into
position P unless the vehicle is
stationary. The parking lock should
not be used as a brake when
parking. In addition to engaging the
parking lock, you must always
apply the electric parking brake to
secure the vehicle.
In the event of a fault in the vehicle
electronics, the transmission can
be locked in position P.
Have the vehicle electronics
checked immediately at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.CReverse
Only shift the transmission to R
when the vehicle is stationary.ANeutral
Do not shift the transmission to N
while driving. The transmission
could otherwise be damaged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty:
only shift the transmission to
position N if the vehicle is in danger
of skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
! Driving in neutral N can
damage the drive train.7Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.Gearshifting
The automatic transmission shifts to the
individual gears automatically when it is in
transmission position D. This automatic
gearshifting behavior is determined by:
R a shift range restriction, if selected
R the selected drive program
E/S or, on AMG vehicles,
C/S/M (Y page 310)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed
Driving tips
Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
XVehicles for USA except AMG vehicles:
fully depress the accelerator pedal.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.XVehicles for Canada except AMG
vehicles: depress the accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
Rocking the vehicle free
Rocking the vehicle free by repeatedly
shifting back and forth between transmission
positions D and R can help to free a vehicle
that has become stuck in mud or snow. The
engine management system of the vehicle
limits shifting back and forth between
transmission positions D and R to a maximum
speed of 5 mph (9 km/h). To shift back and
forth between transmission positions D and
R , move the selector lever up and down
beyond the pressure point.
Automatic transmission309Driving and parkingZ

Working on the vehicleGWarning!
When working on the vehicle, engage the
electronic parking brake and shift the
automatic transmission into park position P.
Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Program selector button
The program selector button influences:
Rthe drive program
Rthe AIRMATIC (Y page 336) or ABC
(Y page 338) suspension settings
Rthe engine management
Program selector button
Program selector button on AMG vehicles
E Economy
C Comfort
Comfortable, economical
driving
S SportSporty driving styleM ManualManual gearshifting
iFor further information on "Automatic
drive program" (Y page 311).
AMG vehicles: only change from automatic
drive program C or S to manual drive program
M when the vehicle is stationary.
XPress program selector button :
repeatedly until the letter for the desired
gearshift program appears in the
multifunction display.
iThe automatic transmission switches to
automatic drive program E each time the
engine is started (on AMG vehicles: drive
program C).
Steering wheel paddle shifters
:Left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter;Right-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
You can restrict or derestrict the shift range
by using the steering wheel paddle shifter.
You can change gear yourself by using the
steering wheel paddle shifters in the manual
drive program.
310Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Manual drive program M is different from
drive program S with regard to spontaneity,
responsiveness and smoothness of gear
changes.
Manual drive program M can be selected
using the program selector button. You can
change gear using the steering wheel paddle
shifters in manual drive program M if the
transmission is in position D. The gear
currently selected and engaged is shown in
the multifunction display.
XPress program selector button
(Y page 310) repeatedly until M appears in
the multifunction display.
Upshifting
! In manual drive program M, the automatic
transmission does not shift up
automatically even when the engine
limiting speed for the current gear is
reached. When the engine limiting speed is
reached, the fuel supply is cut to prevent
the engine from overrevving. Always make
sure that the engine speed does not reach
the red area of the tachometer. There is
otherwise a risk of engine damage.
XPull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 310).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
you will see an upshift indicator in the
multifunction display.
:Gear indicator;Upshift indicatorDownshiftingXPull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 310).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
iIf you brake the vehicle or stop without
shifting down, the automatic transmission
will shift down to a gear that will allow the
vehicle to accelerate or pull away again.
iFor maximum acceleration, pull the left-
hand steering wheel paddle shifter until the
transmission selects the optimum gear for
the current speed.
Kickdown
iKickdown is not possible in manual drive
program M.
Switching off the manual drive program
XPress the program selector button
(Y page 310) repeatedly until C or S
appears in the multifunction display.
312Automatic transmissionDriving and parking