2012 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class four wheel drive

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

Position of exterior mirror, front-
passenger side ............................... 113
Rear view camera .......................... 354
see PARKTRONIC
Parking aid
Parking Guidance ........................... 350
see Exterior mirrors
see PARKTRONIC
Parking brake
Display message ............................ 392
Electric parking brake ....................324
Parking Guidance
Display message ............................ 412
Important safety notes ..................350
Parking position
Exterior mirrors (COMAND) ...........262
PARKTRONIC
Deactivating/activating .................349
Driving system ............................... 347
Function/notes ............................. 347
Problem (malfunction) ...................350
Range of the sensors .....................347
Warning display ............................. 348
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp ...................................................... 50
Pause function Audio mode (CD, DVD, MP3) .........223
Rear Seat Entertainment System ...255
Video DVD ..................................... 243
Pedals ................................................. 326
Permanent four-wheel drive see 4MATIC (permanent four-
wheel drive)
Phone book
Calling up ....................................... 205
Creating an entry ........................... 206
Deleting an entry ........................... 207
Entering characters .......................132
Introduction ................................... 203
Picture settings (TV, video) .............. 240
Plastic trim (cleaning instructions) . 468
Playback options Audio mode (CD, DVD, MP3) .........228
Point of interest (navigation)
Assigning a category ...................... 163
Entering ......................................... 162
Entering a point of interest using
the map ......................................... 165List ................................................. 164
ZAGAT ®
survey service ..................164
Power closing feature ......................... 87
Power washers .................................. 464
Power windows see Side windows
PRE-SAFE ®
(Preventive occupant
safety system) Display message ............................ 396
Operation ......................................... 55
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (vehicles with
DISTRONIC PLUS) Display message ............................ 397
Function/notes ................................ 73
Switching on/off ........................... 384
Warning lamp ................................. 428
Preventive occupant safety
system
see PRE-SAFE ®
(Preventive
occupant safety system)
Previous destinations (navigation) .. 181
Product information ............................ 28
Programmable button ....................... 120
Program selector button .................. 314
Pulling away (automatic
transmission) ..................................... 305
PULSE see Massage function (PULSE)
Q
Qualified specialist workshop ........... 31
R
RACETIMER (on-board computer) .... 380
Radar sensor system Activating/deactivating .................387
Display message ............................ 411
Radiator cover ................................... 457
Radio HD Radio™ .................................... 215
Selecting a station .................212, 378
Sound settings (balance, bass,
fader, treble) .................................. 135
Storing stations ............................. 213
Switching on .................................. 211
Switching wavebands ....................212
18Index

Suspension tuning
The electronically controlled ABC suspension
system works continuously. This improves
driving safety and comfort.
The ABC suspension system is tuned
individually to each wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection, i.e. sports or
comfort
R the vehicle load
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Sports tuning
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode if you prefer a firmer
suspension tuning.
XIf indicator lamp ; is not lit: press
button :.
Indicator lamp ; lights up. You have
selected the suspension for a sporty driving
style.
The ABC Active Body Control SPORT
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Comfort tuning
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you prefer a more comfortable
driving style.
XIf indicator lamp ; is lit: press
button :.
Indicator lamp ; goes out. You have
selected the suspension for a comfortable
driving style.
The ABC Active Body Control
COMFORT message appears in the
multifunction display.
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive)
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are
permanently driven. Together with ESP ®
, it
improves the traction of your vehicle
whenever a drive wheel spins due to
insufficient grip.
GWARNING
If a drive wheel is spinning due to insufficient
traction:
R While driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R While driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The 4MATIC cannot prevent accidents
resulting from excessive speed.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground
or be fully raised. Observe the instructions
for towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires ( M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary.
346Driving systemsDriving and parking

Checking the tire pressures
Important safety notesGWARNING
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly, adversely
affect handling and fuel economy, and are
more likely to fail from being overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can
adversely affect handling and ride comfort,
wear unevenly, increase stopping distance,
and result in sudden deflation (blowout)
because they are more likely to become
punctured or damaged by road debris,
potholes etc.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard on the
driver's door B-pillar. Overloading the tires
can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also result
in handling or steering problems, or brake
failure.
Check the tire pressure at least once a month.
Only check and correct tire pressures when
the tires are cold ( Y page 493).
Checking tire pressure manually
To determine and set the correct tire
pressure, proceed as follows:
XRemove the valve cap of the tire that is to
be checked.XPress the tire pressure gauge securely onto
the valve.XRead the tire pressure and compare it with
the recommended value on the Tire and
Loading Information placard on the
B-pillar on the driver's side of your vehicle.XIf necessary, increase the tire pressure to
the recommended value ( Y page 493).XIf the tire pressure is too high, release air
by pressing down the metal pin in the valve
using the tip of a pen, for example. Thencheck the tire pressure again using the tire
pressure gauge.XScrew the valve cap onto the valve.XRepeat these steps for the other tires.
Tire pressure monitor
Important safety notes
If a tire pressure monitor system is installed,
the vehicle's wheels have sensors that
monitor the tire pressures in all four tires. The
tire pressure monitor warns you when the
pressure drops in one or more of the tires. The
tire pressure monitor only functions if the
correct wheel electronics units are installed
on all wheels.
The tire pressure monitor has a yellow
warning lamp in the instrument cluster for
indicating pressure loss/malfunctions (USA)
or pressure loss (Canada). Whether the
warning lamp flashes or lights up indicates
whether a tire pressure is too low or the tire
pressure monitoring system is
malfunctioning:
R if the warning lamp is lit continuously, the
tire pressure on one or more tires is
significantly too low. The tire pressure
monitor is not malfunctioning.
R USA only: if the warning lamp flashes for
60 seconds and then remains lit constantly,
the tire pressure monitor is malfunctioning.
GWARNING
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked at least once a month
when cold and inflated to the pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the Tire and Loading Information placard
on the driver's door B-pillar or the tire
pressure label on the inside of the fuel filler
flap. If your vehicle has tires of a different size
than the size indicated on the Tire and Loading
Information placard or the tire pressure label,
you should determine the proper tire pressure
for those tires.
Tire pressure497Wheels and tiresZ

1. This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
Checking tire pressure electronicallyXMake sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 (Y page 303) in the ignition lock.XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Service
menu.XPress the 9 or : button to select
Tire Pressure .XPress the a button.
The current tire pressure for each wheel will
be displayed in the multifunction display.
If the vehicle has been parked for longer than
20 minutes, the Tire Pressures
Displayed After Driving A Few
Minutes message appears in the display.
After a teach-in period, the tire pressure
monitor automatically recognizes new wheels
or new sensors. If a clear allocation of the tire
pressure values to the individual wheels is not
possible, the Tire Pressure Monitor
Active message is shown instead of the tire
pressure display. The tire pressures are
already being monitored.
i If a spare wheel/emergency spare wheel
is mounted, the system may continue to
show the tire pressure of the wheel that has
been removed for a few minutes. If this
occurs, note that the value displayed for
the position where the spare tire is
mounted is not the same as the spare
wheel/emergency spare wheel's current
tire pressure.
Tire pressure monitor warning
messages
If the tire pressure monitor detects a
significant pressure loss on one or more tires,
a warning message is shown in the
multifunction display. A warning tone also
sounds and the tire pressure warning lamp
lights up in the instrument cluster.
Each tire that is affected by a significant loss
of pressure is highlighted with a color.
If the Correct Tire Pressure message
appears in the multifunction display:
XCheck the tire pressure on all four wheels
and correct it if necessary.
i If the wheel positions on the vehicle are
interchanged, the tire pressures may be
displayed for the wrong positions for a
short time. This is rectified after a few
minutes of driving, and the tire pressures
are displayed for the correct positions.
Restarting the tire pressure monitor
GWARNING
It is the driver's responsibility to set the tire
pressure to the recommended cold tire
pressure. Underinflated tires affect the ability
to steer or brake the vehicle. You might lose
control over the vehicle.
When you restart the tire pressure monitor,
all existing warning messages are deleted and
the warning lamps go out. The monitor uses
the currently set tire pressures as the
reference values for monitoring.
The tire pressure monitor must be restarted
when you set the tire pressure to a new value
(as a result of changed drive or load
characteristics, for example). The tire
pressure monitor then monitors the new tire
pressure values.
i Canada only: in most cases, the tire
pressure monitor recognizes the new
reference values automatically. However,
Tire pressure499Wheels and tiresZ

you can also define reference values
manually as described here.
Restart the tire pressure monitor after you
have set the tire pressure to the value
recommended for the desired driving
situation ( Y page 493). Only correct tire
pressures on cold tires. Comply with the
recommended tire pressures on the Tire and
Loading Information placard on the B-pillar on
the driver's side. Additional tire pressure
values for driving at high speeds or with heavy
loads can be found in the tire pressure table
on the inside of the fuel filler flap.XMake sure that the tire pressure is correct
on all four wheels.XMake sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Service
menu.XPress the 9 or : button to select
Tire Pressure .XPress the a button.
The multifunction display shows the
current tire pressure of the individual tires
or the Tire Pressures Displayed
After Driving A Few Minutes
message.XPress the : button.
The Use Current Pressures As New
Reference Values message appears in
the multifunction display.
If you wish to confirm the restart:
XPress the a button.
The Tire Pressure Monitor
Restarted message appears in the
multifunction display.
After driving for a few minutes, the system
checks whether the current tire pressures
are within the specified range. The new tire
pressures are then accepted as reference
values and monitored.If you wish to cancel the restart:XPress the % button.
The tire pressure values stored at the last
restart will continue to be monitored.
Loading the vehicle
Instruction labels for tires and loads
GWARNING
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard on the
driver's door B-pillar. Overloading the tires
can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also result
in handling or steering problems, or brake
failure.
Two instruction labels on your vehicle show
the maximum possible load.
(1)The Tire and Loading Information placard
on the B-pillar on the driver's side. The
Tire and Loading Information placard
shows the maximum permissible number
of occupants and the maximum
permissible vehicle load. It also contains
details of the tire sizes and
corresponding pressures for tires
mounted at the factory.(2)The vehicle identification plate is on the
B-pillar on the driver's side. The vehicle
identification plate informs you of the
gross vehicle weight rating. It is made up
of the vehicle weight, all vehicle
occupants, the fuel and the cargo. You
can also find information about the
maximum gross axle weight rating on the
front and rear axle.
The maximum gross axle weight rating is
the maximum weight that can be carried
by one axle (front or rear axle). Never
exceed the maximum load or the
maximum gross axle weight rating for the
front or rear axle.500Loading the vehicleWheels and tires

the tire's ability to stop on a wet surface as
measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.GWARNING
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction will
be substantially reduced. Under such weather
conditions, drive, steer and brake with
extreme caution.
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or icy
road is always lower than on dry road
surfaces.
You should pay special attention to road
conditions when temperatures are around
the freezing point.
Mercedes-Benz recommends a minimum tire
tread depth of 1
/ 6 in (4 mm) for all four winter
tires ( Y page 492) to maintain normal driving
characteristics in winter. Winter tires can
reduce the braking distance on snow covered
surfaces in comparison to summer tires.
Stopping distance, however, is still
considerably greater than when the road is
not covered with ice or snow. Take
appropriate care when driving.
! Avoid wheelspin. This can lead to damage
to the drive train.
Temperature
GWARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.
The temperature grades are A (the highest),
B, and C. These represent the tire's
resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level
of performance which all passenger car tires
must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
Tire labeling
Tire labeling overview
The following markings are on the tire in
addition to the tire name (sales designation)
and the manufacturer's name:
:Uniform tire Quality Grading Standard
( Y page 511);DOT, Tire Identification Number
( Y page 509)=Maximum tire load ( Y page 504)?Maximum tire pressure ( Y page 496)AManufacturerBTire material ( Y page 510)506Tire labelingWheels and tires