2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class ESP

The coolant temperature gauge is in the
instrument cluster on the left-hand side.
Under normal operating conditions and with
the specified coolant level, the coolant
temperature may rise to 248 ‡ (120 †).
! If the coolant temperature is too high a
display message is shown.
If the coolant temperature rises above
248 ‡(120 †), do not drive any further as
this could damage the engine.
Tachometer
The red band in the tachometer indicates the
engine's overrevving range.
! Do not drive in the overrevving range, as
this could damage the engine.
The fuel supply is interrupted to protect the
engine when the red band is reached.
Outside temperature display
The outside temperature display is in the
multifunction display.
GWarning!
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.
Changes in the outside temperature are
displayed after a short delay.
Operating the on-board computer
The on-board computer is activated as soon
as you turn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
You can control the multifunction display and
the settings in the on-board computer using
the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel.
:Multifunction display;~
Rejects or ends a call
6
Makes or accepts a call
Switches to the redial memory
WX
Adjusts the volume or operates the
RACETIMER in AMG vehicles
8
Mute
=?
Switches on the Voice Control
System; see the separate operating
instructions
?%Press briefly:
Back
Switches off the Voice Control
System
Hides display messages or calls up
the last Trip menu function used
Displays and operation365On-board computer and displaysZ

Upshift indicator up ; indicates that the
engine has reached the overrevving range
when in the manual gearshift program.
Upshift indicator up ; fades out other
messages until you have shifted up.
When the engine oil temperature is below
80 †, the oil temperature is shown in blue.
Avoid driving at full engine output during this
time.
RACETIMER
Displaying and starting RACETIMER
GWarning
The RACETIMER feature is only for use on
roads and in conditions where high speed
driving is permitted. Racing on public roads is
prohibited under all circumstances. The driver
is and must always remain responsible for
following posted speed limits.
You can use the RACETIMER to store lap
times.
When RACETIMER is displayed, you cannot
adjust the volume using the W and X
buttons on the steering wheel.
XPress = or ; on the steering wheel
to select the AMG menu.
XPress the 9 button repeatedly until the
RACETIMER is shown.
:Gear indicator;Seconds indicator=RACETIMER?LapYou can start the RACETIMER when the
engine is running or if the key is in position
2 in the ignition lock.
XTo start: press the W button to start the
RACETIMER.
XTo display the intermediate time: press
X to show the intermediate time.
The intermediate time is displayed for five
seconds.
XTo stop: press the W button to stop the
RACETIMER.
The RACETIMER interrupts timing when you
stop the vehicle and turn the key to position
1 in the ignition lock. When you turn the key
to position 2 or 3 and then press the W
button, timing is continued.
Storing the lap time and starting a new lap
It is possible to store a maximum of sixteen
laps.
XPress the X button on the steering
wheel to show the intermediate time during
timing.
The intermediate time is displayed for five
seconds.
XPress the X button again within five
seconds.
The displayed intermediate time is stored
as a lap time.
Timing starts for a new lap. The new lap is
timed from when the intermediate time is
called up.
:Gear indicator;RACETIMER=Fastest lap time (best lap)372Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Telephone
menu.XPress the 9, : or a button to call
up the phone book.XPress 9 or : to select the name you
are searching for.
To scroll rapidly, press and hold the :
or 9 button for longer than one second.
After skipping eight entries, the rapid scroll
speeds up.
Rapid scrolling stops when you release the
button or reach the end of the list.XIf only one telephone number is stored
for a name: press the 6 or a button
to start dialing.
or
XIf there is more than one number for a
particular name: press the 6 or a
button to display the numbers.XPress the 9 or : button to select the
number you want to dial.XPress the 6 or a button to start
dialing.
or
XIf you do not want to make a call: press
the ~ button.
Redialing
The on-board computer saves the last names
or numbers dialed in the redial memory
( Calls Dialed list).
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Telephone
menu.XPress the 6 button to switch to the
redial memory.XPress the 9 or : button to select the
desired name or number.
To scroll rapidly, press and hold the :
or 9 button for longer than one second.XPress the 6 or a button to start
dialing.Assistance menu
Showing the distance display
This function is only available with
DISTRONIC PLUS.
XPress = or ; on the steering wheel
to select the DriveAssist menu.XPress 9 or : to select Distance
Display .XPress a.
The DISTRONIC PLUS distance display
( Y page 332) appears in the multifunction
display.
Activating/deactivating ESP ®
GWarning
Under no circumstances should you
deactivate ESP ®
when the ÷ ESP®
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes. Proceed as follows:
R when driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R while driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R adapt your speed to suit the prevailing road
and weather conditions.
failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid. ESP ®
cannot
prevent accidents resulting from excessive
speed.
For further information about
ESP ®
(Y page 69).
XStart the engine.XPress = or ; on the steering wheel
to select the DriveAssist menu.XPress 9 or : to select ESP.XPress a.XTo deactivate: press a again.
The å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on.Menus and submenus375On-board computer and displaysZ

GWarning
When the å ESP®
OFF warning lamp is lit,
ESP ®
is deactivated.
If the ÷ ESP®
warning lamp and the
å ESP®
OFF warning lamp remain lit,
ESP ®
is not available due to a malfunction.
When ESP ®
is deactivated or not operational,
vehicle stability in standard driving
maneuvers is reduced.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP ®
.
XTo activate: press a again.
The å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Activating/deactivating PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
This function is only available with
DISTRONIC PLUS.
XPress = or ; on the steering wheel
to select the DriveAssist menu.XPress the 9 or : button to select
PRE-SAFE Brake .XPress a.
The current selection is displayed.XTo activate/deactivate: press a
again.
When PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ( Y page 71) is
activated, the multifunction display shows
the Ä symbol as long as the HOLD
function is not activated ( Y page 335).
Activating/deactivating ATTENTION
ASSIST
This function is not available in vehicles with
HYBRID.
XPress = or ; on the steering wheel
to select the DriveAssist menu.XPress 9 or : to select the
Attention Assist menu.XPress a.
The current selection is displayed.XTo activate/deactivate: press a
again.
When ATTENTION ASSIST ( Y page 347) is
activated, the À symbol appears in the
multifunction display when the ignition is on.
Activating/deactivating Blind Spot
Assist
You can use the Blind Spot Assist
function to activate Blind Spot Assist
( Y page 352) or Active Blind Spot Assist
( Y page 356).
XPress = or ; on the steering wheel
to select the DriveAssist menu.XPress 9 or : to select Blind Spot
Assist .XPress a.
The current selection is displayed.XTo activate/deactivate: press a
again.
Activating/deactivating Lane Keeping
Assist
You can use the Lane Keeping Assist
function to activate/deactivate Lane Keeping
Assist ( Y page 354) or Active Lane Keeping
Assist ( Y page 359).
XPress = or ; on the steering wheel
to select the DriveAssist menu.XPress 9 or : on the steering wheel
to select Lane Keeping Assist .XPress a.
The current selection is displayed.XTo activate/deactivate: press a
again.
When Lane Keeping Assist or Active Lane
keeping Assist is activated, the multifunction
display shows the à symbol when the
ignition is switched on.
376Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

Maintenance menu
In the Service menu you can:
R call up display messages ( Y page 380)
R check the tire pressure electronically
( Y page 487)
R call up the service due date ( Y page 452)
R check the oil level ( Y page 447)
Menu settings
Introduction
In the Settings menu, you have the following
options:
R switching the daytime running lamps on/
off
R switching Adaptive Highbeam Assist on/
off
R showing or hiding the additional
speedometer
R selecting the units for speed and distance
R switching the belt adjustment on/off
R activating/deactivating the radar sensor
system
Switching the daytime running lamps
on/off
This function is not available in Canada.
If you have activated the Day Running
Lights function and the light switch is set to
$ or c , the daytime running lamps are
switched on automatically when the engine is
running.
In the dark, the following also light up:
R the side lamps
R the tail lamps
R the license plate lamp
R the side marker lamp
If you turn the light switch to a different
position, the corresponding lights are
switched on. If you switch off the daytime
running lamps at night, make sure that the
light switch is set to L or c .
The factory setting is Enabled.XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the 9 or : button to select
Day Running Lights .XPress the a button to confirm.XTo activate/deactivate: press a
again.
Switching Adaptive Highbeam Assist
on/off
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select
Adapt. High-beam Asst. .XPress the a button to confirm.XTo activate/deactivate: press a
again.
Switching the additional speedometer
on or off
An additional digital speedometer can be
shown in the multifunction display.
Vehicles with a kilometer speedometer: the
digital speedometer has mph units.
Vehicles with a miles speedometer: the digital
speedometer has km/h units.
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress 9 or : to select Add.
Speedometer .XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the a button to save the setting.
Selecting the unit of measurement for
distance
The Display Unit Speed-/Odometer
function allows you to choose whether
certain displays appear in km/h or mph.
Menus and submenus377On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messages
Hides display messages
GWarning
All categories of messages contain important information which should be taken note of and,
where a malfunction is indicated, addressed as soon as possible at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Failure to repair the condition noted may cause damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property damage or personal injury.
Display messages appear in the multifunction display.
XPress the a or % button on the steering wheel to hide the display message.
The display message is cleared.
The multifunction display shows high-priority display messages in red.
Display messages with a low priority are shown in either yellow or white.
You cannot hide display messages of the highest priority. The multifunction display shows
these messages continuously until the causes for the messages have been remedied.
Certain display messages are accompanied by an audible warning tone or a continuous tone.
Please respond in accordance with the display messages and follow the additional notes in
this Operator's Manual.
When you stop and park the vehicle, please observe the notes on HOLD ( Y page 335) and
parking ( Y page 316).
Message memory
The on-board computer saves certain display messages. You can call up the display messages
in the message memory .
XPress the = or ; button on the steering wheel to select the Service menu.
If there are display messages, the multifunction display shows, for example, 2 messages.XPress the 9 or : button to select the entry, e.g. 2 messages.XConfirm with a.XPress the 9 or : button to scroll through the display messages.
When the ignition is switched off, all display messages are deleted apart from some high-
priority display messages. Once the causes of the high-priority display messages have been
rectified, the corresponding display messages are also deleted.
380Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Safety systemsDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions÷
Inoperative See
Oper. ManualGRisk of accident
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program), BAS (Brake Assist),
PRE-SAFE ®
, HOLD and hill start assist are unavailable due to a
malfunction. BAS PLUS (Brake Assist PLUS) and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
may be inoperative as well. In addition, the ÷ and å warning
lamps light up in the instrument cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST 24
is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.÷
Currently
Unavailable See
Oper. ManualGRisk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, HOLD and hill start assist are temporarily
unavailable. BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷ and å warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
The self-diagnosis function might not be complete, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST 24
is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
XOn a suitable road, carefully drive the vehicle making slight
steering movements at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.24 Not available on HYBRID vehicles.Display messages381On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsGRisk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, HOLD and hill start assist are temporarily
unavailable. BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷ and å warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
The on-board voltage may be insufficient, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST 24
is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
XDrive on carefully.
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.GRisk of accident
If the display message is shown and the ÷ warning lamp flashes
at the same time, ETS (Electronic Traction System) is deactivated.
The brakes on the drive wheels could otherwise overheat.
XLet the brakes cool down until the display message disappears
and the ÷ warning lamp goes out.
ETS is active again.å
System InoperativeGRisk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, HOLD and hill start assist are unavailable
due to a malfunction. BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also
have failed. In addition, the ÷ and å warning lamps light up
in the instrument cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST 24
is deactivated.
XDrive on carefully.XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.24 Not available on HYBRID vehicles.382Display messagesOn-board computer and displays