2012 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS SEDAN engine

Important safety notes ..................107
Multicontour seat .......................... 112
Seat heating problem ....................113
Seat ventilation problem ................114
Selecting (COMAND) .....................274
Storing settings (memory
function) ........................................ 118
Switching seat heating on/off .......113
Switching seat ventilation on/off ..113
Selecting stations (radio)
Using station presets .....................216
Using station search ......................216
Sending DTMF tones ......................... 207
Sensors (cleaning instructions) ....... 470
Service Center see Qualified specialist workshop
Service interval display
Displaying service messages .........465
Hiding service messages ...............465
Notes ............................................. 465
Service messages ..........................465
Service menu (on-board computer) . 387
Service products Brake fluid ..................................... 529
Coolant (engine) ............................ 530
DEF special additives .....................527
Engine oil ....................................... 528
Fuel ................................................ 525
Important safety notes ..................524
Washer fluid ................................... 531
Setting a station (radio)
Via manual frequency entry ...........217
Settings
Display ........................................... 147
Menu overview .............................. 125
On-board computer .......................387
Picture (COMAND) .........................244
Picture (Rear Seat Entertainment
System) ......................................... 253
Sound settings ............................... 139
System settings ............................. 147
Setting the language
COMAND ....................................... 153
Rear Seat Entertainment System ...262
Setting the night design ................... 147
Setting the text reader speed .......... 149
Setting the vehicle level ................... 349Setting the volume
Telephone calls .............................. 138
Video AUX ..................................... 250
Side impact air bag ............................. 52
Side marker lamp (display
message) ............................................ 405
Side windows Convenience closing feature ............97
Convenience opening feature ..........96
Important safety information ...........95
Opening/closing .............................. 96
Problem (malfunction) .....................98
Resetting ......................................... 98
Sliding sunroof
Important safety notes ....................98
Opening/closing .............................. 99
Problem (malfunction) ...................103
Resetting ....................................... 100
see Panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel
SmartKey
Changing the battery .......................85
Changing the programming .............84
Checking the battery .......................85
Convenience closing feature ............97
Convenience opening feature ..........96
Display message ............................ 421
Door central locking/unlocking .......82
Important safety notes ....................82
Loss ................................................. 87
Mechanical key ................................ 84
Positions (ignition lock) .................307
Problem (malfunction) .....................87
Starting the engine ........................309
SMS message
see Text message
Snow chains ...................................... 495
Socket Glove box ....................................... 444
Sockets
Points to observe before use .........443
Rear compartment .........................444
Trunk ............................................. 444
Sound menu ....................................... 139
Sounds see Sound settings Index21

Sound settingsBalance and fader ..........................139
Calling up the sound menu ............139
Rear Seat Entertainment System ...253
Surround sound ............................. 140
Treble and bass ............................. 139
Spare wheel
Notes/data .................................... 518
Storage location ............................ 474
see Emergency spare wheel
Specialist workshop ............................ 31
Speech control see Voice Control System
Speed, controlling
see Cruise control
Speedometer
Activating/deactivating the
additional speedometer .................388
Digital ............................................ 378
In the Instrument cluster .................37
Selecting the unit of
measurement ................................ 388
see Instrument cluster
SPLITVIEW ......................................... 126
SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System) Display message ............................ 399
Introduction ..................................... 48
Warning lamp ................................. 428
Warning lamp (function) ................... 48
Standing lamps
Display message ............................ 404
Switching on/off ........................... 280
Starting (engine) ................................ 308
Station memory ................................. 217
Steering (display message) .............. 420
Steering wheel Adjusting (electrically) ...................114
Button overview ............................... 39
Buttons (on-board
computer) ...................................... 375
Cleaning ......................................... 472
Important safety notes ..................114
Paddle shifters ............................... 318
Steering wheel heating ..................114
Storing settings (memory
function) ........................................ 118Steering wheel heating
Switching on/off ........................... 114
Steering wheel paddle shifters ........ 318
Stop function Audio DVD ..................................... 228
Rear Seat Entertainment System ...260
Video DVD ..................................... 247
Stopwatch (RACETIMER) ................... 382
Storing stations Manually ........................................ 217
Storing stations (radio)
Automatically ................................. 217
Stowage areas ................................... 434
Stowage compartments Armrest (under) ............................. 435
Cup holders ................................... 439
Door ............................................... 435
Eyeglasses compartment ...............435
Glove box ....................................... 434
Important safety information .........434
Parcel net ...................................... 437
Rear ............................................... 436
Rear seat backrest ......................... 436
Rear seats (between) .....................436
Stowage well ..................................... 438
Stowage well beneath the trunk
floor .................................................... 438
Summer opening see Convenience opening feature
Summer tires ..................................... 494
Sun visor ............................................ 440
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 ............................................. 140
Switching on/off ........................... 140
Suspension tuning
Active Body Control .......................349
AIRMATIC ...................................... 348
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ................................................. 30122Index

Switching between picture
formats (TV, video) ............................ 245
Switching between summer time
and standard time ............................. 148
Switching off the alarm (ATA) ............ 79
Switching the hands-free
microphone on/off ............................ 205
Switching wavebands (radio) ........... 216
System settings
Bluetooth ®
..................................... 151
Date ............................................... 148
Language ....................................... 153
Programmable button (COMAND) ..124
Text reader speed ..........................149
Time ............................................... 148
Time zone ...................................... 148
Voice Control System ....................149
T
Tachometer ........................................ 375
Tail lamps Display message ............................ 404
Tank
see Fuel tank
Tank content
Fuel gauge ....................................... 37
Technical data
Notes ............................................. 522
Tires/wheels ................................. 515
Vehicle data ................................... 531
TELEAID
Automatic retrieval of vehicle data
(service due date) ..........................451
Call priority .................................... 449
Display message ............................ 398
Downloading destinations
(COMAND) ..................................... 449
Emergency call .............................. 446
Important safety notes ..................445
Locating a stolen vehicle ...............452
MB info call button ........................448
Remote vehicle locking ..................451
Roadside Assistance button ..........447
Search & Send ............................... 450
Self-test ......................................... 446
System .......................................... 445
Vehicle remote unlocking ..............451
Telephone
Accepting/ending a call ................203
Accepting a call ............................. 384
Adjusting the volume for calls .......138
Basic menu (Bluetooth ®
interface) ....................................... 202
Calling (outgoing call) ....................204
Calling voicemail ............................ 205
Conference connection .................. 205
Connecting a mobile phone
(general information) .....................199
De-authorizing a mobile phone ......202
Ending an active call ......................205
Entering a number .........................204
External authorization
(Bluetooth ®
) ................................... 201
Function restrictions ......................198
General notes ................................ 197
Keypad ........................................... 124
Menu (on-board computer) ............384
Number from the phone book ........ 384
Operating options ..........................198
Overview of functions ....................205
Reception and transmission
volume ........................................... 203
Redialing ........................................ 385
Rejecting/ending a call .................384
Rejecting a call .............................. 203
Rejecting or accepting a waiting
call ................................................. 205
Safety notes .................................. 197
Sending DTMF tones ...................... 207
Switching hands-free microphone
on/off ............................................ 205
Toggling ......................................... 205
Using the telephone ....................... 203
see Bluetooth ®

see Call lists
Telephone mode
Redialing ........................................ 204
Telephone module with
Bluetooth ®
SIM Access Profile
see Separate installation instructions
Temperature
Coolant .......................................... 374
Coolant (on-board computer) ......... 381
Engine oil (on-board computer) ...... 381Index23

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) ....................512
Unladen weight (definition) ............513
Wear indicator (definition) .............514
Wheel rim (definition) ....................512
see Flat tire
Tonal properties
see Sound settings
Top Tether ............................................ 69
Towing Important safety guidelines ...........485
Installing the towing eye ................485
Removing the towing eye ...............486
With the rear axle raised ................486
Towing away
With both axles on the ground .......486
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............487
Important safety notes ..................485
Track
Selecting (CD, DVD, MP3) .............. 229
Traffic Announcements (TA)
Switching off .................................. 138
Traffic jam function ........................... 175
Traffic jam message see Dynamic route guidance/TMC
Traffic reports
Real-time traffic report ..................181
Switching on/off ........................... 178
Transfer case ..................................... 321
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Transporting the vehicle .................. 487
Treble, adjusting (sound) .................. 139
Trim pieces (cleaning instructions) . 472
Trip computer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 378
Trip meter see Trip odometer
Trip odometer
Calling up ....................................... 378
Resetting (on-board computer) ......379
Trunk
Emergency release ....................94, 95
Important safety notes ....................91
Limiting the opening angle ............. 269
Locking separately ...........................94Opening/closing (automatically
from inside) ...................................... 93
Opening/closing (automatically
from outside) ................................... 93
Trunk lid
Display message ............................ 420
Opening/closing .............................. 91
Power closing feature ......................90
Trunk lid opening height
restriction .......................................... 269
Turn signals Display message ............................ 403
Switching on/off ........................... 283
TV
Automatic picture shutoff ..............244
Picture settings .............................. 244
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
U
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................90
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 89
USB
see Media Interface
V
Vanity mirror (in the sun visor) ........ 440
Vehicle Correct use ...................................... 31
Data acquisition ............................... 32
Display message ............................ 419
Emergency unlocking ................. 90, 91
Equipment ....................................... 28
Individual settings ..........................387
Limited Warranty ............................. 32
Loading .......................................... 502
Locking (in an emergency) ...............91
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 82
Lowering ........................................ 479
Maintenance .................................... 29
Parking for a long period ................ 329
Pulling away ................................... 309
Raising ........................................... 476
Reporting problems .........................32
Index25

Towing away .................................. 485
Transporting .................................. 487
Unlocking (in an emergency) ...........90
Unlocking (SmartKey) ......................82
Vehicle data ................................... 531
Vehicle battery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicle data ....................................... 531
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 531
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 91
Vehicle identification number see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 523
Vehicle level Active Body Control (ABC) .............348
AIRMATIC ...................................... 347
Display message ............................ 412
Vehicle level (display message) ....... 411
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 474
Video see Video DVD
Video AUX
Setting the picture .........................244
Video DVD
Automatic picture shutoff ..............244
DVD menu ..................................... 248
Fast forward/rewind ...................... 247
Function restrictions ......................246
Interactive content ........................250
Notes on discs ............................... 245
Operation ....................................... 245
Pause function ............................... 247
Playing conditions .......................... 245
Rear Seat Entertainment System ...258
Safety notes .................................. 245
Selecting ........................................ 247
Selecting a film/title ...................... 248
Selecting a scene/chapter ............247
Setting the audio format ................249
Setting the language ......................249
Setting the picture .........................244
Showing/hiding the control menu . 246
Showing/hiding the menu .............246
Stop function ................................. 247
Subtitles ........................................ 249
Switching to ................................... 246
VIN ...................................................... 523Voice Control System
Settings ......................................... 149
Volume, adjusting
COMAND ....................................... 138
Headphones .................................. 146
Navigation messages .....................138
Using the remote control (Rear
Seat Entertainment System) ..........144
W
Waiting call ........................................ 205
Warning and indicator lamps ABS ................................................ 425
Brakes ........................................... 424
Check Engine ................................. 429
Distance warning ........................... 430
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 430
ESP ®
.............................................. 426
ESP ®
OFF ....................................... 427
Fuel tank ........................................ 430
Overview .......................................... 38
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp .................................. 54
Reserve fuel ................................... 430
Seat belt ........................................ 422
SRS ................................................ 428
Tire pressure monitor ....................431
Warranty ............................................ 523
Washer fluid Display message ............................ 420
Weather Band
Searching for a channel .................218
Switching on .................................. 218
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 479
Wheel chock ...................................... 476
Wheels Changing a wheel .......................... 475
Checking ........................................ 493
Cleaning ......................................... 468
Important safety notes ..................492
Interchanging/changing ................515
Mounting a new wheel ...................478
Removing a wheel ..........................478
Storing ........................................... 515
Tightening torque ........................... 479
Wheel size/tire size .......................515
26Index

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

Declarations of conformity
Vehicle components which receive
and/or transmit radio waves
USA: "The wireless devices of this vehicle
comply with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: 1) These devices may not cause
harmful interference, and 2) These devices
must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation. Changes or
modifications not expressly approved by the
party responsible for compliance could void
the user’s authority to operate the
equipment."
Canada: "The wireless devices of this vehicle
comply with Industry Canada license-exempt
RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) These devices
may not cause interference, and (2) These
devices must accept any interference,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device."
Diagnostics connection
GWARNING
If you connect equipment to the diagnostics
connection, it can affect the operation of the
vehicle systems. This can impair the operating
safety of your vehicle while driving. There is a
risk of accident.
Do not connect any equipment to the
diagnostics connection.
GWARNING
Loose equipment or equipment cables that
are connected to the diagnostics connection
can obstruct the area around the pedals. The
equipment or the cables could get between
the pedals in the event of sudden braking or
acceleration. As a result, the movement of the
pedals may be impaired. There is a risk of
accident.
Do not attach any equipment or cables in the
driver footwell.
! If the engine is switched off and
equipment on the diagnostics connection
is used, the starter battery may discharge.
The diagnostics connection is only intended
for the connection of diagnostic equipment at
a qualified specialist workshop.
Connecting equipment to the diagnostics
connection can, for example, lead to
emissions monitoring information being
reset. This may lead to the vehicle failing to
meet the requirements of the next emissions
test during the main inspection.
Qualified specialist workshop
An authorized Mercedes-Benz Center is a
qualified specialist workshop. It has the
necessary specialist knowledge, tools and
qualifications to correctly carry out the work
required on your vehicle. This is especially the
case for work relevant to safety.
Observe the notes in the Maintenance
Booklet.
Always have the following work carried out at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center:
R work relevant to safety
R service and maintenance work
R repair work
R alterations, installation work and
modifications
R work on electronic components
Correct use
GWARNING
There are various warning stickers affixed to
your vehicle. Their purpose is to alert you and
others to various dangers. Therefore, do not
remove any warning stickers unless the
sticker clearly states that you may do so.
Introduction31Z

Warning and indicator lampsFunctionPage:Turn signal283;Electric parking brake (red)424F (USA only)! (Canada only)=Electric parking brake
(yellow)
424
F (USA only)! (Canada only)?Seat belt422AESP®426BDistance warning430CBrakes424$
(USA only)J (Canada only)FunctionPageDESP®
OFF426ETire pressure monitor431FDiesel engine: preglow309GCheck engine429HABS425ISRS428JHigh-beam headlamps283KReserve fuel43038Instrument clusterAt a glance