2012 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class Owner's Manual

S-ClassOperator's Manual

Symbols
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In this Operator's Manual, you will find the
following symbols:GWARNING
Warning notes draw your attention to hazards
that endanger your health or life, or the health
or life of others.
! These warning notes draw your attention
to hazards that could cause damage to your
vehicle.
i This symbol indicates useful instructions
or further information that could be helpful
to you.XThis symbol designates an
instruction you must follow.XSeveral consecutive symbols
indicate an instruction with several
steps.Y PageThis symbol tells you where you
can find further information on a
topic.YYThis symbol indicates a warning or
an instruction that is continued on
the next page.DisplayThis font indicates a display
message in the multifunction
display/COMAND display.
Parts of the software in the vehicle are
subject to copyright according to ©
2005
The FreeType Project
http://www.freetype.org. All rights
reserved.

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
notes. This will help you to obtain the
maximum pleasure from your vehicle and
avoid endangering yourself and others.
The equipment or model designation of your
vehicle may differ according to:
R model
R order
R country variant
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
Therefore, you cannot base any claims on the
illustrations or text content in this Operator's
Manual.
The following are integral components of the
vehicle:
R Operator's Manual
R Service Booklet
R Equipment-dependent supplements
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 Company2215842482 É2215842482rËÍ

Index ....................................................... 4Introduction ......................................... 28At a glance ........................................... 33Safety ................................................... 43Opening/closing ................................. 77Seats, steering wheel and mirrors ..101COMAND ............................................ 115Lights and windshield wipers ..........275Climate control ................................. 289Driving and parking ..........................301On-board computer and displays ....371Stowing and features .......................431Maintenance and care ......................455Breakdown assistance .....................471Wheels and tires ............................... 489Technical data ................................... 519
Contents3

1, 2, 3 ...
115 V socket ...................................... 442
12 V socket see Sockets
4ETS
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic
Traction System)
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 346
4MATIC off-road system ................... 346
A
ABC see Active Body Control (ABC)
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Display message ............................ 389
Function/notes ................................ 69
Important safety notes ....................69
Warning lamp ................................. 423
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 293
Active Blind Spot Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 385
Function/information ....................364
Active Body Control (ABC)
Display message ............................ 410
Function/notes ............................. 345
Active Driving Assistance package . 363
Active Lane Keeping Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 385
Display message ............................ 411
Function/information ....................367
Active Light System
Display message ............................ 403
Active multicontour seat .......... 108, 272
Active service system PLUS see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 73
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) ..... 344
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Display message ............................ 404
Function/notes ............................. 280
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 386
Additional speedometer ................... 386
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 528
Address Entering (example) .........................153
see Address book
Address book
Calling up ....................................... 205
Connecting a call ........................... 208
Creating an entry ........................... 206
Deleting an entry ........................... 207
Entering characters .......................132
Entry as a home address ...............178
Importing contacts ........................204
Introduction ................................... 203
Starting route guidance .................208
Voice tag ....................................... 208
Air bags
Display message ............................ 399
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 48
Important safety notes ....................46
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp .................................. 50
Safety guidelines ............................. 45
Side impact air bag ..........................48
Window curtain air bag ....................49
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Air distribution
Setting ........................................... 295
Setting (COMAND) .........................266
Air filter (display message) .............. 408
Airflow Setting ........................................... 295
Setting (COMAND) .........................266
AIRMATIC
Display message ............................ 409
Function/notes ............................. 343
Air pressure
see Tire pressure
Air vents
Glove box ....................................... 299
Important safety notes ..................2984Index

Rear ............................................... 299
Setting ........................................... 298
Setting the center air vents ...........298
Setting the side air vents ...............299
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Alertness Assistant
see ATTENTION ASSIST
Alternative route ............................... 171
Ambient light setting (COMAND) ..... 263
AMG menu (on-board computer) ..... 379
Anti-lock Braking System see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Anti-theft system
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) .........75
Ashtray ............................................... 440
Assistance menu (on-board
computer) .......................................... 383
ASSYST PLUS see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ...................75
Function ........................................... 75
Switching off the alarm ....................75
ATTENTION ASSIST
Activating/deactivating .................384
Display message ............................ 408
Function/notes ............................. 356
Audio
Radio mode ................................... 211
Audio database
see MUSIC REGISTER
Audio DVD
Mode, switching to ........................221
Pause function ............................... 223
Playback options ........................... 228
Safety notes .................................. 220
Setting the audio format ................227
Stop function ................................. 223
Audio format, setting
Audio DVD ..................................... 227
Rear Seat Entertainment System ...258
Video DVD ..................................... 245
Audio menu (on-board computer) .... 378Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 403
see Lights
Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) .................................... 307
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) .......................... 307
Automatic headlamp mode .............. 277
Automatic transmission Automatic drive program ...............314
Changing gear ............................... 313
DIRECT SELECT lever .....................310
Display message ............................ 417
Driving tips .................................... 313
Emergency running mode ..............317
Kickdown ....................................... 313
Manual drive program ....................316
Problem (malfunction) ...................317
Program selector button ................314
Pulling away ................................... 305
Shift ranges ................................... 315
Starting the engine ........................305
Steering wheel paddle shifters ......314
Transmission position display ........312
Transmission positions ..................312
Automatic transmission
emergency mode ............................... 317
Autostore ........................................... 213
see Station memory (radio)
AUX (audio)
Notes/socket ................................ 239
Switching to ................................... 239
AUX (video)
Setting the picture .........................240
Setting the volume and sound .......246
Showing/hiding the menu .............246
Switching to ................................... 246
B
Back button ....................................... 119
Back support see Lumbar support
Bag hook ............................................ 435
Balance, adjusting ............................. 135
Bang & Olufsen sound system ......... 137
Index5

BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 70
Basic settings see Settings
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) .................................................... 70
Bass, setting ...................................... 135
Battery (SmartKey) Checking .......................................... 82
Important safety notes ....................82
Replacing ......................................... 82
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 480
Display message ............................ 406
Important safety notes ..................478
Jump starting ................................. 481
Belt
see Seat belts
Bird's-eye view (navigation) ............. 184
Blind see Roller sunblind
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating .................385
Notes/function .............................. 360
see Active Blind Spot Assist
BlueTEC (DEF) .................................... 527
Bluetooth ®
Activating/deactivating .................147
Authorizing a device (registering) ..148
Conditions (general) ......................147
Conditions (telephone) ..................195
Connecting another mobile phone . 197
Connecting devices .......................147
De-authorizing (de-registering) a
device ............................................ 149
External authorization (general) .....149
External authorization (telephone) . 197
General information .......................147
Introduction ................................... 193
Receiving vCards ........................... 204
Searching for devices ....................148
Settings ......................................... 147
Telephone basic menu ...................198
Telephony ...................................... 195
Telephony notes ............................ 193
Bluetooth ®
interface
Telephony ...................................... 193Brake Assist System
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 396
Notes ............................................. 528
Brake fluid level ................................ 461
Brake lamps Display message ............................ 402
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 69
BAS .................................................. 70
BAS PLUS ........................................ 70
Brake fluid (notes) .........................528
Display message ............................ 389
Driving tips .................................... 327
High-performance brake system ....329
Important safety notes ..................327
Maintenance .................................. 328
Warning lamp ................................. 422
Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Breakdown assistance
see Mercedes-Benz Contact
Brightness, setting (TV, video) ......... 240
Bulbs see Changing bulbs
C
California Important notice for retail
customers and lessees ....................29
Call
Accepting/ending/rejecting .......... 199
see Telephone
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Calling voicemail ............................... 201
Call lists Displaying details ........................... 205
Introduction ................................... 209
Opening and selecting an entry .....209
Saving an entry in the address
book .............................................. 210
Capacities
see Technical data
6Index