2012 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class air suspension

Speed, controllingsee Cruise control
Speed Limit Assist
see Speed Limit Assist
Speedometer
Activating/deactivating the
additional speedometer .................386
Digital ............................................ 376
In the Instrument cluster .................35
Selecting the unit of
measurement ................................ 386
see Instrument cluster
SPLITVIEW ......................................... 122
SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System) Display message ............................ 397
Introduction ..................................... 44
Warning lamp ................................. 426
Warning lamp (function) ................... 44
Standing lamps
Display message ............................ 402
Switching on/off ........................... 276
Starting (engine) ................................ 304
Station memory ................................. 213
Steering (display message) .............. 418
Steering wheel Adjusting (electrically) ...................110
Button overview ............................... 37
Buttons (on-board
computer) ...................................... 373
Important safety notes ..................109
Paddle shifters ............................... 314
Steering wheel heating ..................110
Storing settings (memory
function) ........................................ 113
Steering wheel (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 468
Steering wheel heating Switching on/off ........................... 110
Steering wheel paddle shifters ........ 314
Stop function Audio DVD ..................................... 223
Rear Seat Entertainment System ...255
Video DVD ..................................... 243
Stopwatch (RACETIMER) ................... 380
Storing stations Manually ........................................ 213Storing stations (radio)
Automatically ................................. 213
Stowage compartments
Armrest (under) ............................. 433
Cup holders ................................... 437
Door ............................................... 433
Eyeglasses compartment ...............433
Glove box ....................................... 432
Important safety information .........432
Parcel net ...................................... 435
Rear ............................................... 434
Rear seat backrest ......................... 434
Rear seats (between) .....................434
Stowage well ..................................... 436
Stowage well beneath the trunk
floor .................................................... 436
Summer opening see Convenience opening feature
Summer tires ..................................... 492
Sun visor ............................................ 438
Supplemental Restraint System see SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Surround sound
see 3D sound (Harman Kardon ®
surround sound system)
Surround sound (harman/
kardon ®
surround sound system)
Notes ............................................. 136
Switching on/off ........................... 136
Suspension tuning
Active Body Control .......................346
AIRMATIC ...................................... 344
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ................................................. 297
Switching between picture
formats (TV, video) ............................ 240
Switching between summer time
and standard time ............................. 144
Switching off the alarm (ATA) ............ 75
Switching the hands-free
microphone on/off ............................ 201
Switching wavebands (radio) ........... 212
System settings
Bluetooth ®
..................................... 147
Date ............................................... 144
Language ....................................... 14922Index

Program selector button
General information
The program selector button influences:
R the drive program
R the AIRMATIC ( Y page 343) or ABC
( Y page 345) suspension settings
R the engine management
Program selector button
Program selector button on AMG vehicles
In AMG vehicles, drive program E is called
drive program C.
E Economy
C Controlled
EfficiencyComfortable, economical
drivingS SportSporty driving styleM ManualManual gearshifting
i
For further information on the automatic
drive program, see ( Y page 314).
AMG vehicles: only change from automatic
drive program C or S to manual drive program
M when the vehicle is stationary.XPress program selector button :
repeatedly until the letter for the desired
gearshift program appears in the
multifunction display.
i When the engine is started, the automatic
transmission always switches to automatic
drive program E (drive program C in AMG
vehicles).
Steering wheel paddle shifters
:Left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter;Right-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
You can restrict or derestrict the shift range
by using the steering wheel paddle shifters.
You can change gear yourself by using the
steering wheel paddle shifters in the manual
drive program.
Automatic drive program
Drive program E (drive program C on AMG
vehicles) is characterized by the following:
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
R increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
314Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

iIf depressing the brake pedal the first
time does not activate the HOLD function,
wait briefly and then try again.GWARNING
The vehicle's brakes are applied when the
HOLD function is activated. For this reason,
deactivate the HOLD function if the vehicle is
to be set in motion by other means (e.g. in a
car wash or by towing).
Deactivating the HOLD function
The HOLD function is deactivated
automatically if:
R you accelerate and the transmission is in
position D or R.
R you shift the transmission to position P.
R you apply the brakes again with a certain
amount of pressure until HOLD disappears
from the instrument cluster.
R you secure the vehicle using the electric
parking brake.
R you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.
i After a time, the electric parking brake
secures the vehicle and relieves the service
brake.
GWARNING
Never get out of the vehicle when the HOLD
function is activated.
The HOLD function must never be operated
or deactivated by a passenger or from outside
the vehicle.
The HOLD function does not replace the
electric parking brake and must not be used
for parking.
The braking effect of the HOLD function is
canceled and the vehicle could roll away if:
R the HOLD function is deactivated by
depressing the accelerator pedal or the
brake pedal.
R there is a malfunction in the system or an
interruption in the power supply, e.g.
battery failure.
R the electrical system in the engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses are
tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected.
AIRMATIC
Vehicle level
Important safety notes
Your vehicle regulates its height
automatically. All-round self-leveling ensures
the best possible suspension and constant
ground clearance, even with a laden vehicle.
When you drive fast, the vehicle is lowered
automatically to improve driving safety and to
reduce fuel consumption.
The following vehicle levels are possible on
vehicles without 4MATIC:
R normal
R raised: the vehicle is raised by about 1.00
in (25 mm) when compared with the normal
level
R lowered: the vehicle is lowered by about
0.60 in (15 mm) when compared with the
normal level
The following vehicle levels are possible on
vehicles with 4MATIC:
R normal: in Comfort mode, the vehicle is
raised by about 0.40 in (10 mm) when
compared with Sport mode
R raised: in Comfort mode, the vehicle is
raised by about 0.60 in (15 mm) and in
Sport mode by about 1.00 in (25 mm) when
compared with normal level
R lowered: the vehicle is lowered by about
0.40 in (10 mm) when compared with the
normal level
The "Normal" and "Raised" vehicle levels can
be set manually.
Driving systems343Driving and parkingZ

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).
Important safety notes
Consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
if you require information on approved and
recommended tires and wheels for summer
and winter operation. Advice on purchasing
and caring for tires is also available there.
GWARNING
Replace rims or tires with the same
designation, manufacturer and type as shown
on the original part. For further information
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted, the wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged. Also, the
operating clearance of the wheels and the
tires may no longer be correct.
GWARNING
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire
tread is worn to minimum tread depth, or if
the tires have sustained damage, replace
them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can result
in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.
Retreaded tires are not tested or
recommended by Mercedes-Benz, since
previous damage cannot always be
recognized on retreads. The operating safety
of the vehicle cannot be assured when such
tires are used.GWARNING
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possible
damage to your vehicle has occurred, you
should turn on the hazard warning flashers,
carefully slow down, and drive with caution to
an area which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle underbody
for possible damage. If the vehicle appears
unsafe, have the vehicle towed to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or tire
dealer for repairs.
GWARNING
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
might lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire or driving at high speed
with a flat tire will cause excessive heat build-
up and possibly a fire.
i Further information about Tires and
wheels can be obtained from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Operation
Notes on driving
R If the vehicle is heavily laden, check the tire
pressures and correct them if necessary.
R When parking your vehicle, make sure that
the tires do not get deformed by the curb
or other obstacles. If it is necessary to drive
over curbs, speed humps or similar
elevations, try to do so slowly and at an
obtuse angle. Otherwise, the tires,
particularly the sidewalls, can get
damaged.
490OperationWheels and tires