2012 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class low beam

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

Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 338
Warning lamp ................................. 428
Dolby Digital ...................................... 136
Doors Automatic locking (switch) ............... 86
Central locking/unlocking
(SmartKey) ....................................... 78
Control panel ................................... 40
Display message ............................ 418
Emergency locking ........................... 88
Emergency unlocking .......................87
Important safety notes ....................85
Opening (from inside) ......................86
Power closing feature ......................87
Drinking and driving ......................... 326
Drinks holder see Cup holder
Drive program
Automatic ...................................... 314
Manual ........................................... 316
Driver's door
see Doors
Driver's seat
see Seats
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service .................463
Symmetrical low beam ..................276
Driving Assistance package ............. 360
Driving safety systems ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......69
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 73
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............70
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) ............................................... 70
Electronic brake force distribution ...73
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) .......................................... 71
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ........................................... 72
Important safety information ...........69
Overview .......................................... 68
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ............................. 73
Driving systems
Active Blind Spot Assist .................364
Active Body Control .......................345Active Driving Assistance
package ......................................... 363
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............367
AIRMATIC ...................................... 343
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................356
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 360
Cruise control ................................ 330
Display message ............................ 408
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 332
Driving Assistance package ...........360
HOLD function ............................... 342
Lane Keeping Assist ......................362
Night View Assist Plus ...................357
Parking Guidance ........................... 350
PARKTRONIC ................................. 347
Rear view camera .......................... 354
Driving tips
Automatic transmission .................313
Brakes ........................................... 327
Break-in period .............................. 302
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 340
Downhill gradient ........................... 327
Drinking and driving .......................326
Driving abroad ............................... 276
Driving in winter ............................. 330
Driving on flooded roads ................329
Driving on wet roads ......................329
Exhaust check ............................... 327
Fuel ................................................ 326
General .......................................... 326
Hydroplaning ................................. 329
Icy road surfaces ........................... 330
Limited braking efficiency on
salted roads ................................... 328
Pedals ............................................ 326
Snow chains .................................. 493
Symmetrical low beam ..................276
Wet road surface ........................... 327
DVD
Changer ......................................... 220
Copy protection ............................. 229
Fast forward/fast rewind ...............225
Handling ........................................ 189
Inserting ........................................ 220
Inserting/loading (Rear Seat
Entertainment System) ..................251
Notes on discs ............................... 22910Index

Selecting a category/playlist .........236
Supported variants ........................233
J
Jack Storage location ............................ 472
Using ............................................. 474
Jump starting (engine) ...................... 481
K
Key see SmartKey
KEYLESS-GO
Convenience closing feature ............94
Locking ............................................ 79
Start/Stop button .......................... 303
Starting the engine ........................305
Unlocking ......................................... 79
Key positions
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 303
SmartKey ....................................... 303
Kickdown
Driving tips .................................... 313
Manual drive program ....................316
L
Lamps see Warning and indicator lamps
Lane-change assistant
see Blind Spot Assist
Lane detection (automatic)
see Lane Keeping Assist
Lane Keeping Assist
Activating/deactivating .................385
Display message ............................ 411
Function/information ....................362
Lap time (RACETIMER) ...................... 380
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ................................................ 65
Letter bar see Character bar
License plate lamp (display
message) ............................................ 402
Lighting see Lights
Lights
Automatic headlamp mode ............277
Cornering light function .................280
Display message ............................ 401
Driving abroad ............................... 276
Fog lamps ...................................... 278
Hazard warning lamps ...................279
High beam flasher .......................... 279
High-beam headlamps ...................279
Light switch ................................... 276
Low-beam headlamps ....................277
Parking lamps ................................ 276
Rear fog lamp ................................ 278
Switching Adaptive Highbeam
Assist on/off ................................. 386
Switching the daytime running
lamps on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 385
Switching the daytime running
lamps on/off (switch) ....................277
Turn signals ................................... 279
see Changing bulbs
see Interior lighting
Light sensor (display message) ....... 403
LIM indicator lamp Cruise control ................................ 331
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 335
Loading guidelines ............................ 432
Locator lighting setting (COMAND) . 264
Locking see Central locking
Locking (doors)
Automatic ........................................ 86
Emergency locking ........................... 88
From inside (central locking
button) ............................................. 86
Locking centrally
see Central locking
Locking verification signal (on-
board computer) ............................... 386
Logic 7 ®
(Harman Kardon ®
surround sound system) see 3D sound (Harman Kardon ®
surround sound system) 14Index

Low-beam headlampsDisplay message ............................ 401
Setting for driving abroad
(symmetrical) ................................. 276
Switching on/off ........................... 277
Lubricant additives
see Additives
Lumbar support
Adjusting ....................................... 108
Lumbar support (COMAND) .............. 269
M
M+S tires ............................................ 492
Maintenance see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
Malfunction message
see Display messages
Malfunctions relevant to safety
Reporting ......................................... 31
Map (navigation)
Adjusting the scale ........................182
Arrival time/distance to the
destination ..................................... 185
City model ..................................... 186
Display ........................................... 184
Geo-coordinate display ..................186
Heading ......................................... 184
Information in the display ..............185
Map settings .................................. 182
Moving ........................................... 183
North orientation ........................... 184
Notes ............................................. 182
Point of interest symbols ...............184
Road display .................................. 185
Saving the crosshair position .........183
Setting to the vehicle destination ..183
Topographical map ........................186
Map display (also see navigation)
Traffic reports ................................ 174
Massage function (PULSE) ............... 272
Matte finish (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 465
mbrace Automatic retrieval of vehicle data
(service due date) ..........................449
Call priority .................................... 447
Display message ............................ 396
Downloading destinations
(COMAND) ..................................... 447
Emergency call .............................. 444
Important safety notes ..................443
Locating a stolen vehicle ...............450
MB info call button ........................446
Remote vehicle locking ..................449
Roadside Assistance button ..........445
Search & Send ............................... 448
Self-test ......................................... 444
System .......................................... 443
Vehicle remote unlocking ..............449
Mechanical key
Function/notes ................................ 81
Unlocking the driver's door ..............87
Media Interface
Active partition .............................. 238
Alphabetical track selection ..........237
Connecting an external audio
source ............................................ 234
Connection options .......................233
iPod ®
............................................. 233
Mode ............................................. 233
Notes on USB devices ...................238
Playback options ........................... 238
Selecting categories ......................236
Selecting folders ............................ 236
Selecting music files ......................236
Selecting playlists ..........................236
Switching to ................................... 234
USB mass storage device ..............233
Media list
Audio mode (CD, DVD, MP3) .........224
Video DVD ..................................... 242
Memory card (audio) ......................... 379
Memory function ............................... 113
Menu item Selecting ........................................ 126
Message memory (on-board
computer) .......................................... 388
Messages see Display messages
Microphone, switching on/off ......... 201Index15

Warning and indicator lampsFunctionPage:Turn signal279;Electric parking brake (red)422F (USA only)! (Canada only)=Electric parking brake
(yellow)
422
F (USA only)! (Canada only)?Seat belt420AESP®424BDistance warning428CBrakes422$
(USA only)J (Canada only)FunctionPageDESP®
OFF424ETire pressure monitor429FDiesel engine: preglow305GCheck engine427HABS423ISRS426JHigh-beam headlamps279KReserve fuel42836Instrument clusterAt a glance

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).
Exterior lighting
Important safety notes
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you drive with the lights
switched on even during the daytime. In some
countries, operation of the headlamps varies
due to legal requirements and self-imposed
obligations.
Information about driving abroad
Converting to symmetrical low beam
when driving abroad: switch the headlamps
to symmetrical low beam in countries in
which traffic drives on the opposite side of the
road to the country where the vehicle is
registered. This prevents glare to oncoming
traffic. Symmetrical lights do not illuminate
as large an area of the edge of the road.
Have the headlamps converted at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, as close to the border
as possible before driving in these countries.
Converting to asymmetrical low beam
after returning: have the headlamps
converted back to asymmetrical low beam at
a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, as soon as
possible after crossing the border again.
Light switch
Operation
Depending on the date of manufacture of your
vehicle, the c or à symbol for the
automatic headlamp mode/daytime running
lamps is located on the light switch.
1 WLeft-hand standing lamps2XRight-hand standing lamps3$Lights off/daytime running lamps4cAutomatic headlamp mode/daytime
running lamps5 TParking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lighting6 LLow-beam/high-beam headlamps7NFront fog lamps 118
RRear fog lamp
The turn signals, high-beam headlamps and
the high-beam flasher are operated using the
combination switch ( Y page 279).
! Switch off the parking lamps and standing
lamps when you leave the vehicle. This
prevents the battery from discharging.
The exterior lighting (except the parking/
standing lamps) switches off automatically if
you:
R remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock
R open the driver's door with the SmartKey
in position 0
If you hear a warning tone when you leave the
vehicle, the lights may still be switched on.
11 Only vehicles with Bi-Xenon headlamps without the Intelligent Light System are equipped with front fog lamps.276Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers

XTurn the light switch to $ or c .
or
XIf the rear fog lamp is switched on: press
the light switch in to the stop.
Low-beam headlamps
XTo switch on the low-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 2 or start the engine.XTurn the light switch to L.
The T indicator lamp on the light switch
lights up.XTo switch off the low-beam
headlamps: turn the light switch to $.
Daytime running lamps
Daytime running lamps in Canada
The daytime running lamps function is
required by law in Canada. It cannot therefore
be deactivated.
XTurn the light switch to $ or c .
With the engine running: depending on the
ambient light, the daytime running lamps or
the low-beam headlamps are switched on.
When the low-beam headlamps are
activated, the T indicator lamp on the
light switch lights up.
When the engine is running and the vehicle is
stationary or if the electronic parking brake is
applied: if you move the selector lever from a
drive position to P, the daytime running
lamps/low-beam headlamps go out after
three minutes.
When the engine is running, the vehicle is
stationary and in high ambient light
brightness: if you turn the light switch
to T , the daytime running lamps and the
parking lamps are switched on.
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to L, the manual settings take
precedence over the daytime running lamps.
Daytime running lamps in the USA
In the USA, the daytime running lamps are
deactivated upon delivery from the factory.XTo activate the daytime running
lamps: activate the daytime running lamps
function in the on-board computer
( Y page 385).XTurn the light switch to $ or c .
With the engine running: depending on the
ambient light, the daytime running lamps or
the low-beam headlamps are switched on.
When the low-beam headlamps are
activated, the T indicator lamp on the
light switch lights up.
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to T or L , the manual settings
take precedence over the daytime running
lamps.
Automatic headlamp mode
XTo switch on automatic headlamp
mode: turn the light switch to c.
SmartKey in position 1 in the ignition lock:
the parking lamps are switched on or off
automatically depending on the brightness
of the ambient light.
With the engine running: depending on the
brightness of the ambient light, the daytime
running lamps 12
or the parking lamps and
low-beam headlamps are switched on or off
automatically.
When the low-beam headlamps are
switched on, the T indicator lamp on
the light switch lights up.GWARNING
If the light switch is set to c, the low-beam
headlamps will not come on automatically if
it is foggy. This could endanger you and
others. Therefore, turn the light switch to
L in fog.
12
Only if daytime running lamps have been activated via the on-board computer.Exterior lighting277Lights and windshield wipersZ

Combination switch
Turn signals:High-beam headlamps;Right turn signal=High-beam flasher?Left turn signalXTo indicate briefly: press the combination
switch briefly to the pressure point in the
direction of arrow ; or ?.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.XTo indicate: press the combination switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction
of arrow ; or ?.
High-beam headlamps
XTo switch on the high-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 2 or start the engine.XTurn the light switch to L.XPress the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of
arrow :.
The K indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.XTo switch off the high-beam
headlamps: move the combination switch
back to its normal position.
The K indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.High-beam flasherXTo switch on: turn the SmartKey in the
ignition lock to position 1 or 2 or start the
engine.XPull the combination switch in the direction
of arrow =.
Hazard warning lamps
The hazard warning lamps automatically
switch on if:
R an air bag is deployed.
R the vehicle is slowed down severely from a
speed of over 45 mph (70 km/h) and comes
to a halt.
XTo switch on the hazard warning lamps:
press button :.
All turn signals flash. If you now switch on
a turn signal using the combination switch,
only the turn signal lamp on the
corresponding side of the vehicle will flash.XTo switch off the hazard warning
lamps: press button :.
The hazard warning lamps are deactivated
automatically if the vehicle returns to a speed
of over 6 mph(10 km/h) after a full
application of the brakes.
i The hazard warning lamps still operate if
the ignition is switched off.
Exterior lighting279Lights and windshield wipersZ