2012 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class Driving mode

Product information
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use
genuine Mercedes-Benz parts, conversion
parts and accessories that have been
approved for the type of vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz tests genuine parts as well as
conversion parts and accessories which have
been specifically approved for your vehicle for
their reliability, safety and suitability. Despite
ongoing market research, Mercedes-Benz is
unable to assess other parts. Therefore,
Mercedes-Benz accepts no responsibility for
the use of such parts in Mercedes-Benz
vehicles, even if they have been
independently or officially approved. The use
of non-approved parts could affect your
vehicle's operating safety. Mercedes-Benz
therefore recommends that you use genuine
Mercedes-Benz parts, conversion parts and
accessories that have been approved for the
type of vehicle. Genuine Mercedes-Benz
parts, approved conversion parts and
accessories are available from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Here, you will receive
advice about permissible technical
modifications, and the parts will be
professionally installed.
Operator's Manual
Notes on the Operator's Manual
This Operator's Manual contains a great deal
of helpful information. We urge you to read it
carefully and familiarize yourself with the
vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life of
the vehicle, we urge you to follow the
instructions and warnings contained in this
Operator's Manual. Ignoring them could
result in damage to the vehicle or personal
injury to you or others. Vehicle damage
caused by failure to follow instructions is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Vehicle equipment
This Operator's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment of
your vehicle available at the time of
publication of the Operator's Manual.
Country-specific differences are possible.
Please note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all features described. This
also applies to safety-related systems and
functions. The equipment in your vehicle may
therefore differ from that shown in the
descriptions and illustrations. All the systems
found in your vehicle are listed in the original
purchase agreement of your vehicle. Should
you have any questions concerning
equipment and operation, please consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The Operating Instructions and the
Maintenance Booklet are important
documents and should be kept in the vehicle.
Service and vehicle operation
Service and literature
Your vehicle is covered under the terms of the
warranties printed in the Service and
Warranty Information booklet. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
exchange or repair any defective parts
originally installed in the vehicle in
accordance with the terms of the following
warranties:
R New Vehicle Limited Warranty
R Emission Systems Warranty
R Emission Performance Warranty
R California, Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island and Vermont Emission
Control Systems Warranty
R State Warranty Enforcement Laws (Lemon
Laws)
28Introduction

If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to
send in the "Notice of Purchase of Used Car"
found in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, or call the Mercedes-
Benz Customer Assistance Center (in the
USA) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372) or
Customer Service (in Canada) at
1-800-387-0100.
Vehicle operation outside the USA
and Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign
countries, please be aware that:
R service facilities or replacement parts may
not be readily available.
R unleaded fuel for vehicles with a catalytic
converter may not be available. Leaded fuel
may cause damage to the catalytic
converter.
R the fuel may have a considerably lower
octane rating. Unsuitable fuel can cause
engine damage.
Some Mercedes-Benz models are available
for delivery in Europe through our European
Delivery Program. For details, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or write to
one of the following addresses.
In the USA
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
Operating safety
Safety notes
GWARNING
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because the
vehicle's electronic components are
interconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other
systems. Electronic malfunctions could
seriously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function when the
engine is running. You should therefore never
turn off the engine while driving.
GWARNING
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody or
tires/wheels may cause serious damage and
impair the operating safety of your vehicle.
Such blows can be caused, for example, by
running over an obstacle, road debris or a
pothole.
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that damage
to your vehicle has occurred:
R turn on your hazard warning flashers.
R slow down carefully.
R drive with caution to an area which is a safe
distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and tires/
wheels for possible damage. If the vehicle
appears unsafe, have it towed to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or other
qualified maintenance or repair facility for
further inspection or repairs.
30Introduction

XTurn the mechanical key counter-clockwise
from position 1 as far as it will go to
position 2.
The trunk is unlocked.XTurn the mechanical key back to position
1 and remove it.XInsert the mechanical key into the
SmartKey.
Trunk emergency release
You can open the trunk lid from inside the
vehicle with the emergency release button.
XBriefly press emergency release
button :.
The trunk lid unlocks and opens.
The trunk lid can be unlocked and opened
with the trunk lid emergency release when
the vehicle is stationary or while driving.
Trunk lid emergency release light:
R emergency release button : flashes for
30 minutes after the trunk lid is opened.
R emergency release button : flashes for
60 minutes after the trunk lid is closed.
The trunk lid emergency release does not
open the trunk lid if the battery is
disconnected or discharged.
Side windows
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When opening or closing the door windows,
make sure that there is no danger of anyone
being harmed by the opening/closing
procedure.
The door windows are equipped with
automatic operation and the anti-entrapment
feature. If in automatic mode a door window
encounters an obstruction that blocks its
path, the anti-entrapment feature will stop the
door window and open it slightly.
The door windows operate differently when
the switch is pulled. See the "Problems with
door windows" section for details.
The closing of the door windows can be
immediately halted by releasing the switch or,
if the switch was pulled past the resistance
point and released, by either pressing or
pulling the respective switch.
Activate the override switch when children
are riding in the back seats of the vehicle. The
children may otherwise injure themselves,
e.g. by becoming trapped in the door window
opening.
GWARNING
Do not keep any part of your body up against
the window pane when opening a window. The
downward motion of the pane may pull that
part of your body down between the window
pane and the door frame and trap it there. If
there is a risk of entrapment, release the
switch and pull it to close the window.
92Side windowsOpening/closing

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops ( Y page 31).
Introduction
Operating safety
General notes
GWARNING
Vehicles with HYBRID: ensure that you read
the "HYBRID" supplement. You may otherwise
fail to recognize dangers.
GWARNING
Making alterations to electronic components
can cause malfunctions.
Radio, satellite radio, amplifier, DVD changer,
navigation module, phone and voice control
are networked together. If one component is
not functional or if it has been incorrectly
removed/replaced, this could impair the
operation of other components.
This could seriously jeopardize the
operational safety of your vehicle.
We recommend that you always have
maintenance work on electronic components
carried out at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
GWARNING
In order to avoid distraction which could lead
to an accident, the driver should enter system
settings while the vehicle is at a standstill, and
operate the system only when permitted by
road, weather and traffic conditions.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your car covers a
distance of 44 feet (approximately 14 m) every
second.
COMAND supplies you with information to
help you select your route more easily and
guide you conveniently and safely to your
destination. For safety reasons, we
encourage the driver to stop the vehicle in a
safe place before answering or placing a call,
or consulting the COMAND screen to read
navigational maps, instructions, or
downloaded information.GWARNING
While the navigation system provides
directional assistance, the driver must remain
focused on safe driving behavior, especially
attention to traffic and street signs, and
should utilize the system's audio cues while
driving.
The navigation system does not supply any
information on stop signs, yield signs, traffic
regulations or traffic safety rules. Their
observance always remains in the driver's
personal responsibility. DVD maps do not
cover all areas nor all routes within an area.
i Canada only: This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference,
and
2. this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
i USA only: This device complies with Part
15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
116IntroductionCOMAND

GWARNING
Navigation announcements are intended to
direct you while driving without diverting your
attention from the road and driving.
Please always use this feature instead of
consulting the map display for directions.
Looking at the icons or map display can
distract you from traffic conditions and
driving, and increase the risk of an accident.
General information
Operational readiness of the navigation
system
The navigation system must determine the
position of the vehicle before first use or
whenever operational status is restored.
Therefore, you may have to drive for a while
before precise route guidance is possible.
GPS reception
Correct functioning of the navigation system
depends, amongst other things, on GPS
reception. In certain situations, GPS
reception may be impaired, there may be
interference or there may be no reception at
all, e.g. in tunnels or parking garages.
Entry restriction
On vehicles for certain countries, there is a
restriction on entering data.
The restriction is active from a vehicle speed
of over approximately 3 mph (5 km/h). As
soon as speed falls below approximately
2 mph (3 km/h), the restriction becomes
inactive.
When the restriction is active, certain entries
cannot be made. This will be indicated by the
fact that certain menu items are grayed out
and cannot be selected.
The following functions, for example, may
therefore not be available while the vehicle is
in motion:
R entering the destination city and street
R entering a destination via the map
Rentering points of interest in the vicinity of
a city or via a name search
R editing entries
R using the number keypad for direct entry
Switching to navigation modeXPress the S function button once or
twice.
or
XSelect Navi in the main function bar by
sliding ZV and turning cVd the COMAND
controller and press W to confirm.
In both cases, you will see the map either
with or without the menu shown.
Map showing the menu; route guidance inactive
:Current vehicle position
Map without the menu; route guidance inactive
:Current vehicle position;Map orientation selected=Map scale selected
" Route guidance active" means that you have
entered a destination and that COMAND has
calculated the route. The display then shows
Navigation151COMANDZ

XSelect Cancel Route Guidance and press
W to confirm.
Continuing route guidance
XTo activate navigation mode: press the
S function button once or twice.XTo show the menu: press W the COMAND
controller.XSelect Destination in the navigation
system menu bar by turning cVd the
COMAND controller and press W to
confirm.XSelect Continue Route Guidance and
press W to confirm.
COMAND calculates the route.
Destination or area of destination
reached
When you reach your destination, COMAND
displays a checkered flag and route guidance
is automatically ended.
For certain points of interest (e.g. airports),
the Destination Reached display is shown
as well as the checkered flag.
Navigation announcements
Repeating navigation announcements
GWARNING
Navigation announcements are intended to
direct you while driving without diverting your
attention from the road and driving.
Please always use this feature instead of
consulting the map display for directions.
Looking at the icons or map display can
distract you from traffic conditions and
driving, and increase the risk of an accident.
i Audible navigation announcements are
muted during a telephone call.
If you have missed an announcement, you can
call up the current announcement at any
time.
XTo show the menu: press W the COMAND
controller.XIn the navigation menu bar, confirm RPT
with W.
Switching navigation announcements
on/off
XTo switch off: during the announcement,
press the 8 button on the multifunction
steering wheel.
You will briefly see the message: The
driving instructions have been
muted .XTo switch on: press W the COMAND
controller.XIn the + navigation menu bar, press W
to confirm.
i COMAND automatically switches the
navigation announcements back on when:
R you have a new route calculated.
R you start the engine again after having
left the vehicle.
Reducing volume during a navigation
announcement
The volume of an active audio or video source
can be automatically reduced during a
navigation announcement.
XSelect Navi in the main function bar by
sliding ZV and turning cVd the COMAND
controller and press W to confirm.XSelect Audio Fadeout and press W to
confirm.
The function is switched on O or off ª,
depending on the previous status.
Setting the volume manually
XSet the volume during a navigation
announcement.
or
XIn the map display when the menu is
shown, select + and adjust the volume.170NavigationCOMAND

Off-road during route guidance
Due to roadworks, for example, there may be
differences between the data on the digital
map and the actual course of the road.
In such cases, the system will temporarily be
unable to locate the vehicle position on the
digital map and thus considers the vehicle to
be in an off-road position.
In the display, you will see the Street
unknown message, an arrow and the distance
to the destination. The arrow shows the
compass heading to the last road you were
driving on.
As soon as the system can assign the vehicle
position to the map again, route guidance
continues in the usual way.
Route guidance on roads that are not
completely digitalized
COMAND attempts to avoid roads that have
not been completely digitalized. If the
vehicle's position or the destination is located
in an area that has not been completely
digitalized, then no active route guidance is
performed. Instead, the map shows a dashed
route along the roads and the target direction
is shown with an arrow. You hear the
announcement: "You will enter an area,
where turn-by-turn guidance can not be
provided. Please follow the arrow on the
display". Once these roads have been left,
regular route guidance is resumed.
Traffic reports
Prerequisite
i The SatRadio mode described below
requires optional satellite radio equipment
and a subscription to SIRIUS XM Satellite
Radio Traffic Message Service. Further
details on SatRadio are available in the
"SatRadio" section ( Y page 216).
COMAND can receive traffic reports via
SatRadio and incorporate them in the
navigation system. Traffic messages and map
symbols can then be shown in the COMAND
display.
COMAND uses high quality traffic data.
Nevertheless, there may be differences
between the traffic reports received and the
actual road and traffic conditions.
Switching traffic reports on/offXTo switch on: set the route type to
Dynamic Route 7
(Y page 152).XTo switch off: select the Fast Route or
Short Route route type (Y page 152).
i
COMAND calculates a new route if you
change the route type setting with route
guidance active. If you change the route
type setting when route guidance is
inactive, COMAND uses the new setting for
the next route guidance.
Real-time traffic reports on the map
COMAND can show certain traffic incidents
on the map. The incidents are shown on the
map at a scale from 1/16 mi to 20 mi.
XSet the map scale ( Y page 182).12Icon display for the section of route
affected3Icon for incident on the route4Current position and direction of travel5Map scale7 Traffic reports are not available in all countries.174NavigationCOMAND

:Hills;Buildings=Important buildings
Showing the map data version
XTo show the menu: press W the COMAND
controller.XSelect Navi in the main function bar by
sliding ZV and turning cVd the COMAND
controller and press W to confirm.XSelect Map Version and press W to
confirm.
The map data version number is shown.
Information about new versions of the
digital map can be obtained from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Traffic information on the map
If you subscribe to the SIRIUS XM Satellite
Radio Traffic Message Service, traffic
information can be displayed on the map. You
can select three categories for the display.
XTo switch the displays on/off: press W
the COMAND controller to show the menu.XSelect Navi in the main function bar by
sliding ZV and turning cVd the COMAND
controller and press W to confirm.XSelect Traffic Information On Map and
press W to confirm.XSelect a category and press W to confirm.
Depending on the previous state, switch
the option on O or off ª.
R
Traffic incidents
Road sections are illustrated with a yellow
line and arrows.
Warning messages or traffic incidents are
represented on the map by appropriate
symbols and/or yellow/red arrows.
Explanation of symbols ( Y page 174).
R Speed & Flow
Road sections are represented by yellow or
red car icons.
Green arrows: free-flowing traffic
Yellow car icons: congested traffic, average
speed 25 - 45 mph
Red car icons: traffic jam, average speed 5
– 20 mph
R Free Flow
Road sections are illustrated with a green
line and arrows.
Additional settings
Freeway information
When driving on highways, you can have the
nearest gas stations, rest areas, etc., as well
as your current distance from them, shown
on the right-hand side of the display.
XTo activate navigation mode: press the
S function button once or twice.XTo show the menu: press W the COMAND
controller.Navigation187COMANDZ