2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class service

Welcome to the world of Mercedes-Benz
Before you drive off, please familiarize
yourself with your vehicle and read this
manual, especially the safety and warning
notices. This will help you to obtain the
maximum pleasure from your vehicle and to
avoid endangering yourself and others.
The equipment or product designation of your
vehicle may vary depending on:
R model
R order
R country specification
R availability
Mercedes-Benz is constantly updating its
vehicles to the state of the art.
Mercedes-Benz therefore reserves the right
to introduce changes in the following areas:
R design
R equipment
R technical features
You cannot therefore base any claims on the
data, illustrations or descriptions contained
in this manual.
The following are integral parts of the vehicle:
R Operator's Manual
R Brief Instructions 1
R Service Booklet
R Supplements relating to vehicle equipment
Keep these documents in the vehicle at all
times. When you sell the vehicle, always pass
the documents on to the new owner.
The technical documentation team at
Daimler AG wishes you safe and pleasant
motoring.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
A Daimler Company1 Canada only.2215842383
É2215842383tËÍ

1, 2, 3 ...
12 V socket ........................................ 431
4ETS see ETS/4ETS
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 339
A
ABC see Active Body Control
ABC (Active Body Control)
Display message ............................ 403
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Display message ............................ 388
Function/notes ................................ 67
Warning lamp ................................. 415
Active Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 376
Display message ............................ 404
Function/information ....................356
Active Body Control (ABC) ................ 338
Active Driving Assistance package . 355
Active Lane Keeping Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 376
Display message ............................ 404
Function/information ....................359
Active light function (display
message) ............................................ 397
Active multicontour seat .......... 106, 268
Active partition (USB devices only) Selecting ........................................ 234
Active service system
see Service interval display
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 71
Adaptive brake lamps ......................... 69
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) ..... 337
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Display message ............................ 397
Switching on/off ........................... 275
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 377
Additional speedometer ................... 377
Address book
Calling up ....................................... 201
Connecting a call ........................... 204
Creating an entry ........................... 203
Deleting an entry ........................... 204
Importing contacts ........................200
Introduction ................................... 200
Starting route guidance .................204
Voice tag ....................................... 205
Address book entry
Adopting as a home address .........175
Address entry menu .......................... 151
Air bags Display message ............................ 386
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 46
Important safety notes ....................44
Safety guidelines ............................. 43
Side impact air bag ..........................46
Window curtain air bag ....................47
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Air dehumidification
Activating/deactivating with
cooling ........................................... 289
Air distribution
Setting ........................................... 291
Setting (COMAND) .........................262
Airflow
Setting ........................................... 292
AIRMATIC ........................................... 336
AIRMATIC (display message) ............ 402
Air nozzles see Air vents .................................. 295
Air pressure
see Tire pressure
Air-recirculation mode
Activating/deactivating .................293
Air vents ............................................. 295
Glove box ....................................... 295
Important safety information .........294
Rear ............................................... 295
Setting the center air vents ...........295
Setting the side air vents ...............295
Alarm system
see ATA 4Index

COMAND MenuVehicle ........................................... 257
COMAND operating system .............. 116
Combination switch .......................... 274
Conference connection ..................... 198
Consumption statistics (on-board
computer) .......................................... 368
Convenience closing feature .............. 91
Convenience opening feature ............ 90
Convenience telephone Importing contacts ........................200
Coolant (engine)
Checking the level .........................450
Display message ............................ 397
Notes ............................................. 515
Temperature gauge ........................ 365
Cooling
see Climate control
Copy protection (CD/DVD) ............... 225
Cornering light (display message) ... 394
Crosshair position Saving ............................................ 180
Cruise control
Cruise control lever .......................324
Display message ............................ 407
Function/notes ............................. 323
Cup holder ......................................... 427
Center console .............................. 427
Rear compartment .........................428
Current fuel consumption (on-
board computer) ............................... 368
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) ............................................... 27
Customer Relations Department ....... 27
D
Dashboard see Cockpit
Data carrier
MUSIC REGISTER ........................... 226
Data medium
Audio DVD ..................................... 224
CD/DVD ........................................ 225
MP3 ............................................... 224
Date format
Setting ........................................... 142
Daytime running lamps
Display message ............................ 396
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 377
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (COMAND) ...........259
Interior lighting (COMAND) ............259
Destination
Adopting from the list of previous
destinations ................................... 176
Destination entry
Point of interest ............................. 160
Destination information ................... 169
Destination input .............................. 151
Address ......................................... 151
Destination memory ......................156
Intermediate stop .......................... 158
Last destination ............................. 157
Map ............................................... 157
Destination memory ......................... 175
Deleting an entry ........................... 178
My address .................................... 175
Storing a destination .....................176
Digital speedometer ......................... 368
DIRECT SELECT lever see Automatic transmission
Display (cleaning instructions) ........ 457
Display messages Brakes ........................................... 388
Calling up (on-board computer) .....380
Clearing (on-board computer) ........380
Driving systems ............................. 401
Engine ............................................ 397
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 411
Lamps ............................................ 394
Safety systems .............................. 381
Service interval display ..................451
SmartKey ....................................... 411
Tires ............................................... 407
Vehicle ........................................... 409
Distance
see Route overview
Distance recorder ............................. 368
Distance warning lamp ..................... 419
DISTRONIC PLUS ............................... 325
Deactivating ................................... 333
Display message ............................ 4068Index

EBD (Electronic Brake force
Distribution) Display message ............................ 389
EBD (Electronic Brake-force
Distribution) Function/notes ................................ 71
ECO function ...................................... 257
ECO start/stop function Deactivating/activating .................303
General information .......................302
Electrical fuses
see Fuses
Electronic Brake-force Distribution
see EBD
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®

Electronic Traction System
see ETS/4ETS
Emergency call
see mbrace
Emergency release
Trunk ............................................... 88
Vehicle ............................................. 84
Emergency running mode
Automatic transmission .................313
Emergency spare wheel
Storage location ............................ 462
Emergency tensioning device
Function ........................................... 59
Safety guidelines ............................. 43
Emissions purification
Service and warranty information ....24
Engine
Irregular running ............................ 305
Starting problems ..........................305
Starting the engine with the key ....301
Starting with KEYLESS-GO .............301
Switching off .................................. 316
Warning lamp Check Engine ..........418
Engine electronics
Malfunction .................................... 305
Engine emergency stop .................... 477
Engine number .................................. 510
Engine oil Adding ........................................... 449
Checking the oil level ..................... 447
Display message ............................ 399Filling capacity ............................... 511
Lubricant additives ........................514
Notes about oil grades ................... 513
Temperature (on-board computer) . 371
Viscosity ........................................ 514
Entering characters
In the address and the phone
book .............................................. 130
Using the number pad ...................128
Entry
Deleting ......................................... 129
Saving ............................................ 131
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) Activating/deactivating ...................70
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 375
Display message ............................ 381
ETS/4ETS ........................................ 70
Important safety information ...........69
Warning lamp ................................. 416
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ................................................ 70
Example: entering an address .......... 151
Example display Audio CD mode .............................. 219
Example of operation ........................ 126
Exhaust check ................................... 320
Exhaust tail pipe (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 457
Exterior lighting see Exterior lighting
Exterior mirror parking position
Adjusting (COMAND) .....................258
Exterior mirrors
Adjusting ....................................... 109
Dipping (automatic) .......................110
Folding in/out (automatically) .......110
Folding in/out (electrically) ...........110
Out of position ............................... 110
Storing settings (memory
function) ........................................ 111
Storing the parking position ..........111
Exterior view ........................................ 30
External authorization ...................... 147
Eyeglasses compartment ................. 42310Index

Low-beam headlamps ....................273
Rear fog lamp ................................ 274
Switching the Adaptive Highbeam
Assist on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 377
Switching the daytime driving
lights on/off (on-board computer) . 377
Light sensor (display message) ....... 397
List as selection list Calling up ....................................... 129
Loading guidelines ............................ 422
Locator lighting Adjusting (COMAND) .....................260
Locking
Automatic ........................................ 83
Emergency locking ........................... 84
From inside the vehicle (central
locking button) ................................. 83
Setting to automatic (COMAND) ....261
Locking verification signal (on-
board computer) ............................... 378
Logic 7 ®
see harman/kardon ®
Logic 7 ®
Surround Sound system
Low-beam headlamp (display
message) ............................................ 394
Luggage net ....................................... 425
Lumbar support ................................. 106
see Lumbar support
Lumbar supports (COMAND) ............ 266
M
Main-beam headlamps (display
message) ............................................ 395
Malfunction message see Display messages
Malfunctions relevant to safety
Reporting ......................................... 27
Manual drive program ...................... 311
Map Arrival time/distance to
destination ..................................... 182
Calling up ....................................... 157
City model ..................................... 183
Map display ................................... 181
Moving ................................... 158, 180
Showing geo-coordinates ..............183
Showing road names .....................183
Topographic map ........................... 183
Map display (also see navigation)
Traffic reports ................................ 172
Map information ................................ 182
Map orientation ................................. 181
Map scale Adjusting ....................................... 179
Massage function (PULSE) ............... 269
Matte finish (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 455
mbrace Automatic retrieval of vehicle data
(service due date) ..........................438
Call priority .................................... 436
Display message ............................ 383
Downloading destinations
(COMAND) ..................................... 437
Emergency call .............................. 433
Important safety notes ..................432
Locating a stolen vehicle ...............439
MB info call button ........................436
Remote vehicle locking ..................438
Roadside Assistance button ..........435
Self-test ......................................... 433
System .......................................... 433
Vehicle remote unlocking ..............438
Mechanical key
Function/notes ................................ 79
Media Interface
Active partition .............................. 234
Basic menu .................................... 231
Connection options .......................229
iPod ®
............................................. 229
Metadata ....................................... 232
Mode ............................................. 229
MP3 player .................................... 229
Selecting categories ......................232
Selecting folders ............................ 232
Selecting music files ......................231
Selecting playlists ..........................232
Switching to ................................... 230
USB mass storage device ..............229
Media list ........................................... 221
Memory function ............................... 111Index13

MenuExiting ................................... 135, 151
Showing ........................ 150, 238, 251
Menu (on-board computer)
AMG ............................................... 371
Assistance ..................................... 375
Audio ............................................. 370
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 332
DVD ............................................... 371
Navigation ..................................... 369
Overview of menus ........................367
Service ........................................... 377
Settings ......................................... 377
Telephone ...................................... 374
Trip ................................................ 368
Menu item
Selecting ........................................ 126
Menu overview
COMAND ....................................... 119
Message memory (on-board
computer) .......................................... 380
Messages see Display messages
Mirrors
Sun visor ........................................ 429
Mobile phone
Authorizing .................................... 193
Connecting (Bluetooth ®
interface) . 193
De-authorizing ............................... 195
External authorization ....................194
Registering (authorizing) ................193
MOExtended run-flat system ........... 467
MP3 Bit/sampling rates ......................... 225
Copyright ....................................... 225
Data medium ................................. 224
File systems ................................... 224
Formats ......................................... 225
Selecting a medium .......................221
Multicontour seat .............................. 106
Front .............................................. 266
Rear compartment .........................106
Multifunction display ........................ 366
Lane recommendations .................167
Multifunction steering wheel
Operating the on-board computer . 365
Overview .......................................... 34Multisession CDs ............................... 224
Music Register Copying music data .......................226
MUSIC REGISTER
Deleting all music files ...................227
Memory space info ........................228
Playback options ........................... 229
Switching to ................................... 226
My address
see Home address
N
Navigation Installing map software .................. 186
On-board computer .......................369
Navigation (also see route
guidance) Traffic report .................................. 172
Navigation announcements
Switching off ......................... 132, 168
Navigation menu
Showing/hiding .....................237, 251
Navigation mode
Switching to ................................... 149
NECK-PRO head restraints ............... 104
Operation ......................................... 53
Resetting after being triggered ........54
NECK-PRO luxury head restraints ... 104
Operation ......................................... 53
Resetting after being triggered ........54
Night View Assist Plus ...................... 348
Activating/deactivating .................349
Cleaning ......................................... 457
Display message ............................ 401
Malfunction .................................... 352
Problem ......................................... 352
North up orientation ......................... 181
Notes on breaking-in a new
vehicle ................................................ 298
14Index

O
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) Faults ............................................... 52
Operation ......................................... 48
System self-test ............................... 51
Occupant safety
Children in the vehicle .....................60
System overview .............................. 42
Octane number (fuel) ........................ 512
Odometer ........................................... 368
Off-map .............................................. 171
Off-road .............................................. 171
4MATIC .......................................... 339
Oil
see Engine oil
On-board computer
AMG menu ..................................... 371
Assistance menu ........................... 375
Audio menu ................................... 370
Display messages ..........................380
Important safety notes ..................364
Instrument cluster submenu ..........377
Lighting submenu .......................... 377
Message memory .......................... 380
Navigation menu ............................ 369
Operating video DVD .....................371
Operation ....................................... 365
Overview of menus ........................367
Service menu ................................. 377
Settings menu ............................... 377
Standard display submenu ............368
Telephone menu ............................ 374
Trip menu ...................................... 368
Opening height restriction for
trunk lid .............................................. 261
Operating system see On-board computer
Orientation in direction of travel ..... 181
Outside lighting Delayed switch-off (COMAND) .......259
Outside temperature
Display ........................................... 365
Overhead control panel
Overview .......................................... 36
Override feature
Rear side windows ...........................65P
Paint code number ............................ 509
Paintwork (cleaning instructions) ... 454
Panic alarm .......................................... 66
Panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel Opening/closing .............................. 95
Resetting ......................................... 97
Parking ............................................... 316
Parking aid Parking Guidance ........................... 342
PARKTRONIC ................................. 339
Rear view camera .......................... 346
Parking brake
Display message ............................ 389
Electric parking brake ....................317
Parking Guidance .............................. 342
Display message ............................ 405
Parking lamp (display message) ...... 396
Parking position Exterior mirror on the front-
passenger side ............................... 111
Exterior mirrors (COMAND) ...........258
PARKTRONIC
Activating/deactivating .................341
Function/notes ............................. 339
Malfunction .................................... 342
Problem ......................................... 342
Range of the sensors .....................340
Warning display ............................. 341
Passcode
Entering ................................. 147, 194
Pause function ................................... 220
Pedals ................................................. 319
Permanent four-wheel drive see 4MATIC
Phone book
Calling up ....................................... 201
Creating an entry ........................... 203
Deleting an entry ........................... 204
Introduction ................................... 200
Plastic trim (cleaning instructions) . 458
Playback options .............. 224, 229, 234
Point of interest Category ........................................ 161
Entering ......................................... 160
Entering a name ............................. 160Index15

Entering a phone number ..............161
Entering using the map ..................163
ZAGAT ®
rating service ...................163
Point of interest icon
Setting ........................................... 181
Point of interest list .......................... 162
Power closing feature ......................... 84
Power steering Filling capacity ............................... 511
Power washers .................................. 454
Power windows see Side windows
Pre-emptive occupant safety
system
see PRE-SAFE ®
system
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (vehicles with
DISTRONIC PLUS) Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 376
Function/notes ................................ 71
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (vehicles with
DISTRONIC PLUS) Display message ............................ 383
Warning lamp ................................. 419
PRE-SAFE ®
system
Display message ............................ 383
Operation ......................................... 53
Previous destinations ....................... 178
Product information ............................ 24
Programmable button ....................... 118
Program selector button .................. 310
Pulling away Automatic transmission .................301
PULSE
see Massage function
R
RACETIMER (on-board computer) .... 372
Radar sensor system Display message ............................ 403
Radar sensor system (on-board
computer) .......................................... 378
Radiator cover ................................... 447
Radio
Changing stations (on-board
computer) ...................................... 370
HD Radio™ .................................... 212
see separate operating instructions
Radio-controlled equipment
Assembly ....................................... 442
Radio mode
Switching to ................................... 208
Radio station
Storing ........................................... 210
Range (on-board computer) ............. 368
Read-aloud function .......................... 172
Read-aloud speed Setting ........................................... 143
Real-time traffic reports ........... 172, 175
Rear compartment Activating/deactivating climate
control ........................................... 289
Setting the airflow .........................292
Setting the air vents ..............295, 296
Setting the temperature ................291
Rear-compartment screens .............. 137
Rear-compartment seats .................. 102
Rear fog lamp (display message) ..... 396
Rear Seat Entertainment System Audio CD/DVD and MP3 mode .....247
AUX mode ............................. 139, 255
Changing the batteries ..................243
Remote control .............................. 138
Several users ................................. 245
System settings ............................. 246
Using headphones .........................244
Using the main loudspeaker ..........244
Video DVD mode ........................... 250
Wireless headphones .....................140
Rear seats
Overview .......................................... 39
Rear view camera .............................. 346
Rear view camera (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 456
Rear-view mirror Dipping (automatic) .......................110
Rear window blind ............................ 429
see Rear window roller sunblind 16Index