2012 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class warning light

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

Cup holderCenter console .............................. 437
Important safety notes ..................437
Rear compartment .........................437
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) ... 31
Customer Relations Department ....... 31
D
Dashboard see Cockpit
Data
see Technical data
Data carrier
MUSIC REGISTER ........................... 230
Data medium
Audio DVD ..................................... 228
CD/DVD ........................................ 229
MP3 ............................................... 228
Date format, setting .......................... 144
Day design, setting ........................... 143
Daytime running lamp mode see Daytime running lamps
Daytime running lamps
Display message ............................ 403
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 385
Switching on/off (switch) ..............277
DEF
Adding ........................................... 321
Display message ............................ 408
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (COMAND) ...........263
Interior lighting (COMAND) ............263
Destination (navigation)
Displaying information ...................172
Entering a destination by address .. 153
Entering a destination using the
map ............................................... 160
Entering an intermediate stop .......161
Entering a point of interest ............162
Saving ............................................ 179
Selecting from the destination
memory ......................................... 159
Selecting from the list of last
destinations ................................... 159
Destination memory (navigation)
Deleting an entry ........................... 181
Entering/saving your home
address .......................................... 156
Previous destinations ....................181
Dialing a number (telephone) ........... 200
Digital speedometer ......................... 376
Digital TV see TV
DIRECT SELECT lever
see Automatic transmission
Display
Selecting the design ......................143
Settings ......................................... 143
Display (cleaning instructions) ........ 467
Displaying the arrival time ............... 172
Displaying the distance to the
destination ......................................... 172
Display messages Calling up (on-board computer) .....388
Driving systems ............................. 408
Engine ............................................ 404
General notes ................................ 388
Hiding (on-board computer) ...........388
Lights ............................................. 401
Safety systems .............................. 389
Service interval display ..................462
SmartKey ....................................... 419
Tires ............................................... 415
Vehicle ........................................... 417
Distance
see Navigation, route overview
Distance display (on-board
computer) .......................................... 383
Distance recorder ............................. 376
see Odometer
see Trip odometer
Distance warning (warning lamp) .... 428
DISTRONIC PLUS Deactivating ................................... 340
Display message ............................ 413
Displays in the multifunction
display ........................................... 339
Driving tips .................................... 340
Function/notes ............................. 332
Important safety notes ..................332Index9

Gracenote Media Database .............. 226
H
Handbrake see Parking brake
Harman/kardon ®
Logic 7 ®
surround sound system see Surround sound (harman/
kardon ®
surround sound system)
Hazard warning lamps ...................... 279
HD Radio™ ......................................... 215
Heading up (navigation) ................... 184
Headlamp cleaning system Notes ............................................. 529
Headlamps
Adding fluid to cleaning system .....461
Cleaning system (function) ............278
Fogging up ..................................... 281
see Automatic headlamp mode
Headphones
Changing batteries ........................247
Function overview ..........................142
Indicator lamp ................................ 143
Selecting a screen .........................142
Switching on/off ........................... 142
Head restraints
Adjusting ....................................... 106
Adjusting (electrically) ...................106
Adjusting (rear) .............................. 107
NECK-PRO ..................................... 106
NECK-PRO luxury ........................... 106
see NECK-PRO head restraints/
NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
Heating
see Climate control
High-beam headlamps
Changing bulbs (vehicles with
halogen daytime running lamps) ....284
Changing bulbs (vehicles with LED
daylight lamps) .............................. 284
Display message ............................ 402
Switching Adaptive Highbeam
Assist on/off ................................. 280
Switching on/off ........................... 279
Hill start assist .................................. 306
HOLD function
Display message ............................ 411
Function/notes ............................. 342
Home
see Home address
Home address
Entering and saving .......................156
Selecting from the destination
memory ......................................... 159
Hood
Closing ........................................... 457
Display message ............................ 418
Opening ......................................... 456
Hydroplaning ..................................... 329
I
Ignition lock see Key positions
Immobilizer .......................................... 75
Incident (traffic report) ..................... 174
Indicator lamps see Warning and indicator lamps
Indicators
see Turn signals
Insect protection on the radiator .... 457
Instrument cluster Overview .......................................... 35
Warning and indicator lamps ...........36
Instrument lighting
see Instrument cluster lighting
Interface (USB, iPod ®
)
see Media Interface
Interior lighting
Ambient light (COMAND) ...............263
Automatic control ..........................282
Interior lighting .............................. 263
Manual control ............................... 282
Overview ........................................ 281
Reading lamp ................................. 281
see Interior lighting
Intermediate stop
Deleting ......................................... 162
Entering ......................................... 161
iPod ®
Alphabetical track selection ..........237
Connecting to the Media
Interface ........................................ 234
Index13

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

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).
Occupant safety
Overview of occupant safety
In this section, you will learn the most
important facts about the restraint system
components of the vehicle.
The restraint system consists of:
R seat belts
R child restraint systems
R LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat anchors
Additional protection is provided by:
R SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
R NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO
luxury head restraints
R PRE-SAFE ®
R Air bag system components with:
- PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
- front-passenger seat with Occupant
Classification System (OCS)
The different air bag systems work
independently of each other. The protective
functions of the system work in conjunction
with each other. Not all air bags are deployed
in an accident.
GWARNING
Modifications to or work improperly
conducted on restraint system components
or their wiring, as well as tampering with
interconnected electronic systems, can lead
to the restraint systems no longer functioning
as intended.
Air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices
(ETDs), for example, could deploy
inadvertently or fail to deploy in accidents
although the deceleration threshold for air
bag deployment is exceeded. Therefore,
never modify the restraint systems. Do not
tamper with electronic components or their
software.
i See "Children in the vehicle"
( Y page 62) for more information on
infants and children traveling with you in
the vehicle and restraints for infants and
children.
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Introduction
SRS consists of:
R the 6 SRS warning lamp
R air bags
R air bag control unit (with crash sensors)
R Emergency Tensioning Devices
R belt force limiters
SRS reduces the risk of occupants coming
into contact with the vehicle's interior in the
event of an accident. It can also reduce the
effect of the forces to which occupants are
subjected during an accident.
SRS warning lamp
SRS functions are checked regularly when
you switch on the ignition and when the
engine is running. Therefore, malfunctions
can be detected in good time.
The 6 SRS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out no later than a few seconds
after the engine is started.
44Occupant safetySafety

belts regardless of whether your vehicle is
equipped with air bags or not.
It is important for your safety and that of your
passenger to have deployed air bags replaced
and to have any malfunctioning air bags
repaired. This will help to make sure the air
bags continue to perform their protective
function for the vehicle occupants in the
event of a crash.
Front air bags
The front air bags increase protection for the
driver's and front-passenger's head and
chest.
Driver's air bag : deploys in front of the
steering wheel; front-passenger front air
bag ; deploys in front of and above the glove
box.
They are deployed:
R in the event of certain frontal impacts
R if the system determines that air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R if the seat belt is fastened
R independently of other air bags in the
vehicle
If the vehicle overturns, the front air bags are
generally not deployed unless the system
detects high vehicle deceleration in a
longitudinal direction.
Your vehicle has adaptive, two-stage front air
bags. In the event of a collision, the air bag
control unit evaluates the vehicle
deceleration. In the first deployment stage,
the front air bag is filled with enough
propellant gas to reduce the risk of injuries.
The front air bag is fully deployed if a second
deployment threshold is exceeded within a
few milliseconds.
The deployment of the front-passenger front
air bag is also influenced by the weight
category of the front passenger, which is
determined by the Occupant Classification
System (OCS) ( Y page 50).
The lighter the passenger side occupant, the
higher the vehicle deceleration rate required
(predicted at the start of the impact) for
second stage inflation of the front-passenger
front air bag. In the second stage, the front
air bags are inflated with the maximum
amount of propellant gas available.
The front air bags are not deployed in
situations where a low impact severity is
predicted. You will then be protected by the
fastened seat belt.
The front-passenger front air bag will only
deploy if:
R the system, based on the OCS weight
sensor readings, detects that the front-
passenger seat is occupied.
R the 42 indicator lamp in the
center console is not lit, ( Y page 50).
R the air bag control unit predicts a high
impact severity.
Side impact air bagsGWARNING
The pressure sensors for side impact air bag
control are located in the doors. Do not
modify any components of the doors or door
trim panels including, for example, the
addition of door speakers.
Improper repair work on the doors or the
modification or addition of components to the
doors create a risk of rendering the side
impact air bags inoperative or causing
unintended air bag deployment. Work on the
doors must therefore only be performed by
48Occupant safetySafety

Rregardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied
R independently of seat belt use
R if the vehicle overturns and the system
determines that window curtain air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R independently of the front air bags
Window curtain air bags : will not deploy in
impacts with deceleration rates which do not
exceed the system's preset deployment
thresholds for vehicle deceleration or
acceleration. You will then be protected by
the fastened seat belt.
Occupant Classification System
(OCS)
How the occupant classification
system works
The Occupant Classification System (OCS)
categorizes the occupant on the front-
passenger seat by means of a weight sensor.
The front-passenger front air bag is
deactivated automatically for certain weight
categories. The 42 indicator
lamp shows you the current status. If the
42 indicator lamp is illuminated,
the front-passenger front air bag is
deactivated.
The system does not deactivate:
R the side impact air bag
R the window curtain air bag
R the Emergency Tensioning Devices
To be classified correctly, the front passenger
must sit:
R with the seat belt fastened correctly
R in a position that is as upright as possible
with their back against the seat backrest
R with their feet on the floor
If the front-passenger's weight is transferred
to another object in the vehicle (e.g. by
leaning on armrests), OCS may not be able to
approximate the occupant's weight category.
If the front-passenger seat, the seat cover or
the seat cushion are damaged, have the
necessary repair work carried out at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use seat
accessories which have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Both the driver and the passenger should
always use the 42 indicator
lamp as an indication of whether or not the
passenger is properly positioned.GWARNING
If the 42 indicator lamp lights up
when an adult or someone larger than a small
individual is in the front-passenger seat, have
the front passenger reposition himself or
herself in the seat until the 42
indicator lamp goes out.
In the event of a collision, the air bag control
unit will not allow front-passenger front air
bag deployment when the OCS has classified
the front-passenger seat occupant as
weighing as much as or less than a typical 12-
month-old child in a standard child restraint
or if the front-passenger seat is classified as
being empty.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat occupant is classified as
being up to or less than the weight of a typical
12-month-old child in a standard child
restraint, the 42 indicator lamp
will illuminate when the engine is started and
remain illuminated, indicating that the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat is classified as being empty,
the 42 indicator lamp will
illuminate when the engine is started and
remain illuminated, indicating that the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat occupant is classified as
being heavier than the weight of a typical 12-
month-old child seated in a standard child
50Occupant safetySafety

42 indicator lamp is
illuminated, indicating that the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
Should the 42 indicator lamp
not illuminate or go out while the restraint
is installed, please check installation.
Periodically check the 42
indicator lamp while driving to make sure
the 42 indicator lamp is
illuminated. If the 42 indicator
lamp goes out or remains out, do not
transport a child on the front-passenger
seat until the system has been repaired.
A child in a rear-facing child restraint on the
front-passenger seat will be seriously
injured or even killed if the front-passenger
front air bag inflates.
R If you place a child in a forward-facing child
restraint on the front-passenger seat:
- move the seat as far back as possible
- use the proper child restraint
recommended for the age, size and
weight of the child
- secure child restraint with the vehicle's
seat belt according to the child seat
manufacturer's instructions
R For children larger than a typical 12-month-
old child, the front-passenger front air bag
can be activated or deactivated.
If the driver's air bag deploys, this does not
mean that the front-passenger front air bag
also has to deploy.
The OCS may have detected that the seat:
R was empty or occupied by a person with a
weight of up to or less than that of a typical
12-month-old child seated in a standard
child restraint
R was occupied by a small individual, such as
a young teenager or a small adult
R was occupied by a child in a child restraint
system, whose weight is greater than that
of a typical 12-month-old child.
These are examples of when the OCS
deactivates the front-passenger front air bag.Deactivation takes place although the
collision fulfills the criteria for deploying the
driver's air bag.
If the SmartKey has been removed from the
ignition lock or is in position 0, indicator lamp
42 : does not light up.
GWARNING
If the red SRS 6 indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster and the 42
indicator lamp are lit at the same time, there
is a malfunction in the OCS. The front
passenger front air bag will be deactivated in
this case. Have the system checked by
qualified technicians as soon as possible.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Only have the seat repaired or replaced at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
In order to ensure proper operation of the air
bag system and OCS:
R Sit with the seat belt properly fastened in a
position that is as upright as possible with
your back against the seat backrest.
R When seated, a passenger should not
position him/herself in such a way as to
cause the passenger's weight to be lifted
from the seat cushion as this may result in
the OCS being unable to correctly
approximate the passenger's weight
category.
R Read and observe all warnings in this
chapter.
52Occupant safetySafety