2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class emergency

Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ......500
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ...........501
Labeling (overview) ........................495
Load bearing index (definition) ......502
Load index ..................................... 498
Load index (definition) ...................501
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 501
Maximum load on a tire
(definition) ..................................... 501
Maximum permissible tire
pressure (definition) ....................... 501
Maximum tire load .........................494
Maximum tire load (definition) .......501
Optional equipment weight
(definition) ..................................... 502
PSI (pounds per square inch)
(definition) ..................................... 501
Replacing ....................................... 502
Service life ..................................... 482
Sidewall (definition) .......................502
Speed index (definition) .................500
Storing ........................................... 503
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 500
Temperature .................................. 495
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 502
Tire bead (definition) ......................502
Tire pressure (definition) ................501
Tire pressures (recommended) ......500
Tire size (data) ............................... 503
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed index ....................496
Tire tread ....................................... 481
Tire tread (definition) .....................501
Total load limit (definition) .............502
Traction ......................................... 495
Traction (definition) .......................502
Tread wear ..................................... 495
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 494
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) ....................500
Unladen weight (definition) ............501
Wear indicator (definition) .............502
Wheel rim (definition) ....................500Tires and wheels (important safety
information) ....................................... 480
Toggling .............................................. 198
Tone settings Balance and fader ..........................133
Treble and bass ............................. 133
Top Tether ............................................ 64
Towing Important safety guidelines ...........473
Installing the towing eye ................474
Removing the towing eye ...............474
Track
Selecting ........................................ 248
Track information .............................. 250
Traffic jam function ........................... 168
Traffic Program Switching off .................................. 132
Traffic report
Real-time traffic report ..................174
Traffic report read-aloud function ... 172
Traffic reports .................................... 172
Transfer case ..................................... 313
Transmission position display ......... 308
Transmission positions .................... 309
Treble and bass Adjusting ....................................... 133
Trip computer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 368
Trip odometer Calling up ....................................... 368
Resetting (on-board computer) ......369
True Image™ ...................................... 135
Trunk Automatic opening ..................... 86, 87
Emergency release ..........................88
Important safety guidelines .............85
Limiting the opening angle ............. 261
Locking separately ...........................87
Trunk lid
Display message ............................ 410
Trunk lid opening height
restriction .......................................... 261
trunk load (maximum) ...................... 516
Turn signal (display message) ......... 394
Turn signals ....................................... 274
Type plate see Vehicle identification plate Index21

U
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................84
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 83
Using the telephone .......................... 197
V
Vanity mirror Sun visor ........................................ 429
Vehicle
Data acquisition ............................... 28
Emergency unlocking .......................84
Equipment ....................................... 24
Exterior view .................................... 30
Individual settings (on-board
computer) ...................................... 377
Loading .......................................... 490
Lowering ........................................ 467
Maintenance .................................... 25
Parking up ..................................... 318
Raising ........................................... 464
Reporting problems .........................27
Towing away .................................. 473
Tow-starting ................................... 473
Transporting .................................. 475
Vehicle data
see Technical data
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 516
Vehicle identification number see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 509
Vehicle level ...................................... 336
Active Body Control .......................338
Vehicle level (display message) ....... 402
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 462
Vehicle weights ................................. 516
Video (DVD) ........................................ 371
Video DVD Fast forward/rewind ...................... 238
Operation ....................................... 236
Pause function ............................... 239
Selecting ........................................ 238
Selecting a film/title ...................... 239
Selecting a scene/chapter ............239
Stop function ................................. 239
Video DVD (on-board computer) ...... 371
Video DVD mode Switching to ................................... 237
VIN ...................................................... 509
Voice Control System Settings ......................................... 143
Volume
Adjusting ....................................... 132
Navigation announcements ...........132
Phone calls .................................... 132
W
Warning and indicator lamps ABS ................................................ 415
Brakes ........................................... 413
Check Engine ................................. 418
ESP ®
.............................................. 416
ESP ®
OFF ....................................... 417
Fuel tank ........................................ 418
Overview .......................................... 33
Reserve fuel ................................... 418
Seat belt ........................................ 414
SRS ................................................ 417
Tire pressure monitor ....................419
Warranty ............................................ 508
Waveband Switching (radio) ............................ 209
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 467
Wheel chock ...................................... 464
Wheels Changing/replacing .......................502
Changing a wheel .......................... 463
Checking ........................................ 480
Cleaning ......................................... 454
Mounting a wheel .......................... 466
Removing a wheel ..........................466
Storing ........................................... 503
Tightening torque ........................... 467
Wheel size/tire size .......................503
Window curtain air bag
Display message ............................ 384
Operation ......................................... 47
Windows
see Side windows
Windows (cleaning instructions) ..... 455
22Index

Overhead control panelFunctionPage:Eyeglasses compartment423;p Switches the left-
hand reading lamp on/off277
=u Switches the rear
interior lighting on/off278
?c Switches the front
interior lighting on/off278
A3 Opens/closes the
sliding sunroof94
3 Opens/closes the
panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel with roller
sunblinds95
BG SOS button (mbrace
system)433
C| Switches the
automatic interior lighting
control on/off278
FunctionPageDy Extends/retracts the
rear roller sunblind of the
panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel95
Ep Switches the right-
hand reading lamp on/off277
FRear-view mirrorGButtons for the garage door
opener440
HMicrophone for mbrace
(emergency call system),
telephone and Voice
Control System4
4Observe the additional operating instructions.36Overhead control panelAt a glance

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.
Occupant safety
Overview of occupant safety
In this section you will learn the most
important facts about the restraint system
components of the vehicle.
The restraint systems are:
R Seat belts
R Child restraint systems
R LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat anchors
Additional protection is provided by:
R SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
R NECK-PRO head restraints
R PRE-SAFE ®
R Air bag system components with:
- PASSENGER air bag OFF indicator lamp
- USA only: front passenger seat with
Occupant Classification System (OCS)
- Canada only: front passenger seat with
BabySmart™ air bag deactivation system
The different air bag systems work
independently of each other. The protective
functions of the systems work in conjunction
with each other. Not all air bags are deployed
in an accident.
GWarning
Modifications to or work improperly
conducted on restraint system components
or their wiring, as well as tampering with
interconnected electronic systems, can lead
to the restraint systems no longer functioning
as intended.
Air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices
(ETDs), for example, could deploy
inadvertently or fail to deploy in accidents
although the deceleration threshold for air
bag deployment is exceeded. Therefore,
never modify the restraint systems. Do not
tamper with electronic components or their
software.
i See "Children in the vehicle"
( Y page 60) for more information on
infants and children traveling with you in
the vehicle and restraints for infants and
children.
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Introduction
SRS reduces the risk of occupants coming
into contact with the vehicle's interior in the
event of an accident. It can also reduce the
effect of the forces to which occupants are
subjected during an accident.
SRS consists of:
R the 6 SRS warning lamp
R air bags
R air bag control unit (with crash sensors)
R belt tensioners
R belt force limiters
SRS warning lamps
SRS functions are checked regularly when
you switch on the ignition and when the
engine is running. Therefore, malfunctions
can be detected in good time.
The 6 SRS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out no later than a few seconds
after the engine is started.
The SRS components are in operational
readiness when the 6 SRS warning lamp
goes out while the engine is running.
42Occupant safetySafety

GWarning
The SRS self-check has detected a
malfunction if the 6 SRS warning lamp:
R does not come on at all
R fails to go out approximately 4 seconds
after the engine was started
R comes on after the engine was started or
while driving
For your safety, Mercedes-Benz strongly
recommends that you have the system
checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Otherwise the SRS
may not be activated when it is needed in an
accident, which could result in serious or fatal
injury. The SRS might also deploy
unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could
also result in injury.
In addition, improper work on the SRS creates
a risk of rendering the SRS inoperative or
causing unintended air bag deployment. Work
on the SRS must therefore only be performed
by qualified technicians. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is necessary to modify an air bag system
to accommodate a person with disabilities,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for details. USA only: Call our Customer
Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) for details.
Safety guidelines for the seat belt, the
Emergency Tensioning Device (ETD)
and the air bag
GWarning
R Damaged seat belts or seat belts that have
been subjected to stress in an accident
must be replaced. Their anchoring points
must also be checked. Only use seat belts
installed or supplied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
R Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency
Tensioning Devices (ETDs) contain
perchlorate material, which may require
special handling and regard for the
environment. Check your national disposal
guidelines. California residents, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/
Perchlorate/index.cfm .
R Air bags and ETDs are designed to function
on a one-time-only basis. An air bag or ETD
that has deployed must be replaced. PRE-
SAFE ®
has electrically operated reversible
belt tensioners in addition to the
pyrotechnic ETDs.
R Do not pass seat belts over sharp edges.
They could tear.
R Do not make any modification that could
change the effectiveness of the seat belts.
R Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
R No modifications of any kind may be made
to any components or wiring of the SRS.
R Do not change or remove any component
or part of the SRS.
R Do not install additional trim material, seat
covers, badges, etc. to the:
- padded steering wheel boss
- front-passenger air bag cover
- outer side of front seat bolsters
- side trim next to the rear seat backrest
- roof lining trim
R Do not install additional electrical/
electronic equipment on or near SRS
components and wiring.
R Keep area between air bags and occupants
free of objects (e.g. packages, purses,
umbrellas, etc.).
R Do not hang items such as coat hangers
from the coat hooks or handles over the
door. These items may be thrown around in
the vehicle and cause head and other
injuries when the window curtain air bag is
deployed.
R Air bag system components will be hot after
an air bag has inflated. Do not touch them.
R Never place your feet on the instrument
panel, dashboard, or on the seat. AlwaysOccupant safety43SafetyZ

Window curtain air bags : are deployed:
R on the side on which an impact occurs
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, e.g. in a side impact
R regardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied
R independently of seat belt use
R if the vehicle overturns and the system
determines that window curtain air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R independently of the front air bags
Window curtain air bags : will not deploy in
impacts with deceleration rates which do not
exceed the system’s preset deployment
thresholds for vehicle deceleration or
acceleration. You will then be protected by
the seat belt.
Occupant classification system (OCS)
Operating principles of the Occupant
Classification System
OCS categorizes the occupant on the front-
passenger seat by means of a weight sensor.
The front-passenger front air bag is
automatically deactivated for certain weight
categories. The respective status can be
recognized by the 42 indicator
lamp. With the 42 indicator
lamp illuminated, the front-passenger front
air bag is deactivated.
The system does not deactivate:
R the side impact air bag
R the window curtain air bag
R the Emergency Tensioning Devices
To be classified correctly, the front passenger
must sit:
R with the seat belt properly fastened
R in a position that is as upright as possible
with the back against the seat backrest
R with their feet on the floor
If the front-passenger's weight is transferred
to another object in the vehicle (e.g. by
leaning on armrests), OCS may not be able to
approximate the occupant's weight category.
If the front passenger seat, the seat cover, or
the seat cushion are damaged, have the
necessary repair work carried out at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use seat
accessories that have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Both the driver and the front passenger
should observe the 42 indicator
lamp to determine whether or not the front
passenger is positioned correctly.GWarning
If the 42 indicator lamp lights up
when an adult or someone larger than a small
individual is in the front-passenger seat, have
the front passenger reposition himself or
herself in the seat until the 42
indicator lamp goes out.
In the event of a collision, the air bag control
unit will not allow front-passenger front air
bag deployment when the OCS has classified
the front-passenger seat occupant as
weighing as much as or less than a typical 12-
month-old child in a standard child restraint
or if the front-passenger seat is classified as
being empty.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat occupant is classified as
being up to or less than the weight of a typical
12-month-old child in a standard child
restraint, the 42 indicator lamp
will illuminate when the engine is started and
remain illuminated, indicating that the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat is classified as being empty,
the 42 indicator lamp will
illuminate when the engine is started and
remain illuminated, indicating that the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
48Occupant safetySafety

PRE-SAFE®
systemGWarning
The PRE-SAFE ®
system reduces the impact of
an accident on vehicle occupants, as long as
their seat belts have been fastened correctly.
Although your vehicle is equipped with a PRE-
SAFE ®
system, the possibility of injury in the
event of an accident cannot be ruled out. You
should therefore always drive carefully and
adapt your driving style to the prevailing road,
weather and traffic conditions.
PRE-SAFE ®
takes pre-emptive measures to
protect occupants in certain hazardous
situations.
PRE-SAFE ®
intervenes:
R in emergency braking situations, e.g. if BAS
is activated or, in vehicles with DISTRONIC
PLUS, where BAS PLUS intervenes
powerfully
R if, on vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS, the
radar sensor system detects an imminent
danger of collision in certain situations
R in critical driving situations, e.g. when
physical limits are exceeded and the
vehicle understeers or oversteers severely
or when having to swerve to avoid an
obstacle at a speed
PRE-SAFE ®
takes the following measures
depending on the hazardous situation
detected:
R the front seat belts are pre-tensioned.
R the front-passenger seat or the electrically
adjustable outer rear seats are adjusted if
they are in unfavorable position.
R on vehicles with a multicontour seat or an
active multicontour seat: the air pressure
in the side bolsters on the seat cushion and
the side bolsters on the backrest is
increased.
R on vehicles with multicontour seats in the
rear: the air pressure in the backrest side
bolsters of the outer seats in the rear is
increased.
R if the vehicle skids, the sliding sunroof,
panorama sliding sunroof and the side
windows are closed so that only a small gap
remains.
If the sliding sunroof, panorama roof with
power tilt/sliding panel or a side window is
obstructed when closing, the closing
procedure is stopped. The obstructed sliding
sunroof, panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel or side window then opens again
slightly.
If the hazardous situation passes without
resulting in an accident, PRE-SAFE ®
slackens
the belt pretensioning. The air pressure in the
side bolsters on the multicontour seat/active
multicontour seat is reduced again. All
settings made by PRE-SAFE ®
can then be
reversed.
If the seat belts are not released:XMove the backrest back slightly, but only
when the vehicle is stationary.
The belt pretensioning is reduced and the
locking mechanism is released.GWarning
Make sure that nobody can become trapped
as you adjust the seat.
! Make sure that there are no objects in the
footwell or behind the seats when resetting
the seats. There is a risk that the seats
and/or the objects could be damaged.
More information about seat-belt
adjustment, a convenience function
integrated into PRE-SAFE ®
, can be found in
the "Seat-belt adjustment" section
( Y page 58).
NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-
PRO luxury head restraints
NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO luxury
head restraints increase protection of the
driver’s and front-passenger’s head and neck.
Occupant safety53SafetyZ

this can be dangerous. You could slide under
the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under
it, the seat belt would apply force at the
abdomen or neck. That could cause serious
or even fatal injuries. The seat backrest and
seat belt provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a position that is as upright as
possible and the seat belt is properly
positioned on the body.GWarning
Never let more people ride in the vehicle than
there are seat belts available. Make sure
everyone riding in the vehicle is correctly
restrained with a separate seat belt. Never
use a seat belt for more than one person at a
time.
GWarning
Damaged seat belts or seat belts that have
been subjected to stress in an accident must
be replaced and their anchoring points must
also be checked.
Only use seat belts which have been approved
by Mercedes-Benz.
Do not make any modifications to the seat
belts. This can lead to unintended activation
of the ETDs or to their failure to activate when
necessary.
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
Have all work carried out only by qualified
technicians. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Correct use of the seat belt
GWarning
USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY
R Seat belts can only work when used
properly. Never wear seat belts in any other
way than as described in this section, as
that could result in serious injuries in the
event of an accident.
R Each occupant should wear their seat belt
at all times, because seat belts help reduce
the likelihood of and potential severity of
injuries in accidents, including rollovers.
The integrated restraint system includes
SRS (driver front air bag, front-passenger
front air bag, side impact air bags, window
curtain air bags for the side windows),
Emergency Tensioning Devices, seat belt
force limiters, and front seat knee bolsters.
The system is designed to enhance the
protection offered to properly belted
occupants in certain frontal (front air bags
and ETDs) and side (side impact air bags,
window curtain air bags, and ETDs) impacts
which exceed preset deployment
thresholds and in certain rollovers (window
curtain air bags and ETDs).
R Never wear the shoulder belt under your
arm, across your neck or off your shoulder.
In a frontal crash, your body would move
too far forward. That would increase the
chance of head and neck injuries. The seat
belt would also apply too much force to the
ribs or abdomen, which could severely
injure internal organs such as your liver or
spleen.
Adjust the seat belt so that the shoulder
section is located as close as possible to
the middle of the shoulder. It should not
touch the neck. Never pass the shoulder
portion of the seat belt under your arm. For
this purpose, you can adjust the height of
the seat belt outlet.
R Position the lap belt as low as possible on
your hips and not across the abdomen. If
the lap belt is positioned across your
abdomen, it could cause serious injuries in
a crash.
R Never wear seat belts over rigid or
breakable objects in or on your clothing,
such as eyeglasses, pens, keys etc., as
these might cause injuries.56Occupant safetySafety