2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class service

Basic settings
Picture settings
Adjusting the brightness, contrast or
color
XPress W the COMAND controller to show
the menu.XSelect Video by sliding VÆ and turning
cVd the COMAND controller and press
W to confirm.XSelect DVD-V and press W to confirm.XSelect Brightness , Contrast or color by
turning cVd the COMAND controller and
press W to confirm.
Changing the picture format
XPress W the COMAND controller to show
the menu.XSelect Video by sliding VÆ and turning
cVd the COMAND controller and press
W to confirm.XSelect Video DVD and press W to confirm.XSelect DVD-V and press W to confirm.
The DVD-V menu appears. The ä dot in
front of a menu item indicates the current
setting.XSelect 16:9 optimized , 4:3 or
Widescreen and press W to confirm.XSelect a setting by turning cVd the
COMAND controller and press W to
confirm.
DVD video mode
Safety notes
GWarning!
COMAND is classified as a Class 1 laser
product. You must not open the casing. If you
open the casing, or if the casing is faulty or
damaged, there is a risk of exposure to
invisible laser radiation. This may damage
your eyes, or those of others.
COMAND does not contain any parts that can
be serviced by the user. For safety reasons,
all maintenance work must be carried out by
qualified aftersales technicians.GWarning!
Only when the vehicle is stationary should
you:
R load a disc
R eject a disc
There is a risk of being distracted from the
road and traffic conditions if this is done while
the vehicle is in motion.
Notes about discs
There may be playback problems when
playing copied discs. There are a large variety
of discs, DVD authoring software, writing
software and writers available. This variety
means that there is no guarantee that the
system will be able to play discs that you have
copied yourself.
! Do not affix stickers or labels to the discs,
as they could peel off and damage
COMAND. Stickers can cause the disc to
bend, which can result in read errors and
disc recognition problems.
! COMAND is designed to accommodate
discs which comply with the EN 60908
standard. You can therefore only use discs
with a maximum thickness of 1.3 mm.
If you insert thicker discs, e.g. those that
contain data on both sides (DVD on one
side and audio data on the other), they
cannot be ejected and can damage
COMAND.
Use round discs with a diameter of 12 cm.
Do not use discs with a diameter of 8 cm,
even with an adapter.
236VideoCOMAND

Switching on video AUX modeXSelect Video in the main function bar by
sliding ZV and turning cVd the COMAND
controller and press W to confirm.
If video AUX mode was the last mode
selected, it will now be active.
If another video source is switched on, you
can now switch to video AUX mode in the
video menu.XSelect Video and press W to confirm.XSelect Aux and press W to confirm.
The video AUX menu appears. You will hear
and see the content of the external video
source if it is connected and switched to
playback.
For details on how to operate the external
video source, see the respective device's
operating instructions.
Showing/hiding the menu
XTo show: press W the COMAND
controller.XTo hide: slide ZV the COMAND controller
and confirm Full screen by pressing W.
Volume and sound settings
You will find details on volume ( Y page 132)
and sound ( Y page 133) settings in the "At a
glance" section.
GWarning!
External video sources may have different
volumes, which can mean that system
messages such as traffic announcements and
navigation system announcements are much
louder. If necessary, please deactivate the
system messages or adjust their volume
manually.
i It may be the case that a device which is
connected as an external video source
seems quieter or louder in the vehicle, or
that the usual maximum volume cannot be
reached. On some devices, it is possible to
adjust the volume separately. In this case,
start at a medium volume and increase it
gradually. This enables you to determine
whether the system is able to play the
music at high volume without distorting it.
Rear Seat Entertainment System
Vehicle equipment
i These Operating Instructions describe all
standard and optional equipment available
for your vehicle at the time of purchase.
Please note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all features described.
General information
Important safety notes
GWarning
The RSE CD/DVD player is a Class 1 laser
product. There is a danger of invisible laser
radiation when you open or damage the cover.
Do not remove the cover. The RSE CD/DVD
player does not contain any parts which can
be serviced by the user. For safety reasons,
have any necessary service work performed
by qualified personnel.
GWarning
The driver should not wear a Rear Seat
Entertainment headset while operating the
vehicle under any circumstances. The use of
a headset while driving the vehicle could
drastically impair the ability to react to audible
traffic conditions (e.g. emergency sirens from
police/fire/ambulance, another car’s horn,
etc.).
GWarning
When not in use, headsets or external video
sources should be stored in a safe location
(e.g. one of the vehicle’s storage
compartments) so that they are not loose
within the passenger compartment during
braking, vehicle maneuvers or a traffic
242Rear Seat Entertainment SystemCOMAND

Setting the picture brightnessXSelect Settings using the : button
and press the 9 button to confirm.
XSelect Brightness using the 9:
buttons and press the 9 button to confirm.
A scale appears.
XAdjust the brightness using the 9:
buttons and press the 9 button to confirm.
The brightness bar moves up or down. The
picture becomes lighter or darker in
accordance with the scale.
Showing/hiding the picture
XTo hide the picture: select Display off
in the system menu using the :;
buttons on the remote control and press
the 9 button to confirm.
The picture is hidden.
XTo display the picture: press the 9
button.
Audio CD/DVD and MP3 mode
Safety note
GWarning
The RSE CD/DVD player is a Class 1 laser
product. There is a danger of invisible laser
radiation when you open or damage the cover.
Do not remove the cover. The RSE CD/DVD
player does not contain any parts which can
be serviced by the user. For safety reasons,
have any necessary service work performed
by qualified personnel.
General notes
You will find information on the following
topics in the Audio section:
Rnotes on CDs/DVDs (Y page 225)
Rnotes on MP3 mode (Y page 224)
Rnotes on copyright (Y page 225)
Inserting a CD/DVD
The CD/DVD drive is located in the center
behind the front seats.
:Disc slot;Eject button
The CD/DVD drive is a single disc drive. If
there is already a disc inserted, this must be
ejected before another is inserted.
XInsert a disc into the disc slot.
The printed side of the disc must be facing
upwards. If neither side of the disc is
printed, the side you wish to play must face
downwards.
The CD/DVD drive draws in the disc.
The CD/DVD drive plays the disc if:
Rit has been inserted correctly and is a
permissible disc, and
Ryou have switched on disc mode (audio
CD/audio DVD/MP3 mode).
The data on an MP3 CD is first loaded from
the drive. Loading may take a little time,
depending on the number of folders and
tracks.
Rear Seat Entertainment System247COMANDZ

Never use a bulb which has been dropped.
Such a bulb may break or even explode and
injure you.
Halogen bulbs are pressurized and can
explode when you change them, particularly
if they are very hot. You should therefore wear
eye protection and gloves when you are
changing them.
There are bulbs other than the Xenon bulbs
that you cannot replace. Replace only the
bulbs listed (Y page 279). Have the bulbs that
you cannot replace yourself changed at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for this
purpose. In particular, work relevant to safety
or on safety-related systems must be carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop.
If you require assistance changing bulbs,
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Do not touch the glass tube of new bulbs with
your bare hands. Even minor contamination
can burn into the glass surface and reduce
the service life of the bulbs. Always use a lint-
free cloth or only touch the base of the bulb
when installing.
Only use bulbs of the correct type.
If the new bulb still does not light up, consult
a qualified specialist workshop.
Bulbs and lamps are an important aspect of
vehicle safety. You must therefore make sure
that these function correctly at all times.
Have the headlamp setting checked regularly.
Overview: changing bulbs/bulb types
You can change the following bulbs. The bulb
type can be found in the legend.
Bi-Xenon headlamps (vehicles with halogendaytime running lamps)
:High-beam spot lamp: H7 55 W
Bi-Xenon headlamps (vehicles with LED daytimerunning lamps)
:High-beam headlamps16: H11 55 W;Infrared light (Night View Assist Plus):
H11 55 W16Due to their location, have the bulbs in the left-hand headlamp changed at a qualified specialist workshop,e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Changing bulbs279Lights and windshield wipersZ

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.
Overview of climate control systems
Important safety notes
GWarning
Severe conditions (e.g. strong air pollution)
may require replacement of the filter before
its scheduled replacement interval. A clogged
filter will reduce the air volume to the interior
and the windows could fog up, impairing
visibility and endangering you and others.
Have a clogged filter replaced as soon as
possible at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
GWarning
Follow the recommended settings for heating
and cooling given on the following pages.
Otherwise, the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
Automatic climate control regulates the
temperature and the humidity in the vehicle
interior and filters undesirable substances
from the air.
Automatic climate control is only operational
when the engine is running 19
. Optimum
operation is only achieved when you drive
with the side windows and tilt/sliding
sunroof/panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel closed.
Some functions of automatic climate control
can also be set via COMAND ( Y page 261).
i
Ventilate the vehicle for a brief period
during warm weather, e.g. using the
convenience opening feature ( Y page 90).
This will speed up the cooling process and
the desired vehicle interior temperature
will be reached more quickly.
i The integrated filter can remove most
particles of dust and removes pollen
completely. A clogged filter reduces the
amount of air supplied to the vehicle
interior. For this reason, you should always
observe the interval for replacing the filter,
which is specified in the Service Booklet.
As it depends on environmental conditions,
e.g. heavy air pollution, the interval may be
shorter than stated in the Service Booklet.
i It is possible that the interior blower may
be activated automatically 40 minutes after
the SmartKey is removed. The vehicle is
then ventilated for 30 minutes to dry the
air-conditioning system.19 The "residual heat" function can only be switched on/off if the ignition is switched off.286Overview of climate control systemsClimate control

workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
If you leave the vehicle parked up for longer
than six weeks, the vehicle may suffer
damage as a result of lack of use.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop and
seek advice.
Driving tips
General notes on driving
Important safety notes
GWarning!
Please do not forget that your primary
responsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be his/her
primary focus when driving. For your safety
and the safety of others, we recommend that
you pull over to a safe location and stop
before placing or taking a telephone call.
If you choose to use the telephone 21
while
driving, please use the hands-free device and
only use the telephone when road, weather
and traffic conditions permit. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
mobile telephone while driving a vehicle.
Only operate the COMAND 21
(Cockpit
Management and Data System) if road,
weather and traffic conditions permit.
Otherwise, you may not be able to observe
traffic conditions and could endanger yourself
and others.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximately
14 m) every second.
Drive sensibly – save fuel
To save fuel, observe the following notes:
XKeep tires at the recommended inflation
pressures.XRemove unnecessary cargo.XRemove the roof rack when not in use.XMaintain a low engine speed until the
engine is warm.XAvoid frequent acceleration and
deceleration.XHave all maintenance work performed at
the service intervals specified in the
Service Booklet or indicated by the service
interval indicator.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driving
in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic, on
short trips and in mountainous areas.
Drinking and driving
GWarning
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and
driving are very dangerous combinations.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can
affect your reflexes, perceptions and
judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident are greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Pedals
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 that the
pedals still have sufficient clearance.
21 Observe all legal requirements.Driving tips319Driving and parkingZ

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.
Coasting with the engine switched offGWarning!
There is no power assistance for the steering
and the brake when the engine is not running.
Steering and braking requires significantly
more effort and you could lose control of the
vehicle and cause an accident as a result.
Do not turn off the engine while the vehicle is
in motion.
Exhaust check
GWarning
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.
Certain engine systems are designed to keep
the level of poisonous components in exhaust
fumes within legal limits.
These systems only work optimally if they are
maintained exactly in accordance with the
manufacturer's specifications. For this
reason, all work on the engine must be carried
out by qualified and authorized Mercedes-
Benz technicians.
The engine settings must not be changed in
any circumstances. Furthermore, all specific
service work must be carried out at regular
intervals and in accordance with the
Mercedes-Benz service requirements. Details
can be found in the Service Booklet.
Brakes
Important safety notes
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
Make sure that you do not endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Downhill gradients
! On long and steep gradients, you must
reduce the cargo on the brakes by shifting
to a lower gear in good time. This allows
you to take advantage of engine braking
and helps you to avoid overheating the
brakes and wearing them out excessively.
When you take advantage of engine
braking, a drive wheel may not turn for
some time, e.g. on a slippery road surface.
This could cause damage to the drive train.
Such damage is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz warranty.
Heavy and light loads
GWarning
Depressing the brake pedal constantly results
in excessive and premature wear to the brake
pads.
It may also cause the brakes to overheat,
seriously impairing their effectiveness. It may
then not be possible to stop the vehicle in
sufficient time to avoid an accident.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
cargo, do not stop the vehicle immediately,
320Driving tipsDriving and parking

Winter driving
General information
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, at the onset of
winter.
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section ( Y page 323).
Slippery road surfaces
GWarning
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe
and from around the vehicle with the engine
running. Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide
(CO) gases may enter vehicle interior
resulting in unconsciousness and death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open
a window slightly on the side of the vehicle
not facing the wind.
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.
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.
You should drive particularly carefully on
slippery road surfaces. Avoid sudden
acceleration, steering and braking
maneuvers. Do not use cruise control or
DISTRONIC PLUS.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:XShift the transmission to position N.
i
For more information on driving with
snow chains, see ( Y page 482).
GWarning
Make sure that you do not endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Driving abroad
An extensive Mercedes-Benz Service network
is also available in other countries. The
Service Hotline's current telephone numbers
for use when you are abroad are to be found
in the "Service24h" section of the Service
Booklet.
Driving systems
Cruise control
Important safety notes
Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden, you must select shift range
1 , 2 or 3 in good time. By doing so, you will
make use of the braking effect of the engine,
which relieves the load on the brake system
and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic
conditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
GWarning
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
Driving systems323Driving and parkingZ