2012 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS SEDAN low beam

Cornering light function
The cornering light function improves the
illumination of the road over a wide angle in
the direction you are turning, enabling better
visibility in tight bends, for example. The
cornering light function can only be activated
when the low-beam headlamps are switched
on.
Active:
R if you are driving at speeds below 25 mph
(40 km/h) and switch on the turn signals
or turn the steering wheel
R if you are driving at speeds between
25 mph (40 km/h) and 45 mph (70 km/h)
and turn the steering wheel
Not active: if you are driving at speeds above
25 mph (40 km/h) or switch off the turn
signals or turn the steering wheel to the
straight-ahead position.
The cornering light function may remain lit for
a short time, but is automatically switched off
after no more than three minutes.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
You can use this function to set the
headlamps to change between low beam and
high beam automatically. The system
recognizes vehicles with their lights on, either
approaching from the opposite direction or
traveling in front of your vehicle, and
consequently switches the headlamps from
high beam to low beam.
The system automatically adapts the low-
beam headlamp range depending on the
distance to the other vehicle. Once the
system no longer detects any other vehicles,
it reactivates the high-beam headlamps.
The system's optical sensor is located behind
the windshield near the overhead control
panel.XTo activate: activate the Adaptive
Highbeam Assist function using the on-
board computer ( Y page 388).XTurn the light switch to c.XPress the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of arrow :
( Y page 283).
If it is dark and the light sensor activates
the low-beam headlamps, the _
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up.
If you drive at speeds above approximately
28 mph (45 km/h):
the headlamp range is set automatically
depending on the distance between the
vehicle and other road users.
If you are driving at speeds above
approximately 35 mph (55 km/h) and no
other road users have been detected:284Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers

the high-beam headlamps are switched on
automatically. The K indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster also lights up.
If you drive at speeds below approximately
30 mph (45 km/h) or if other road users
are identified or if the roads are sufficiently
illuminated:
the high-beam headlamps are switched off
automatically. The K indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster goes out. The _
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
stays on.XTo deactivate: move the combination
switch back to its normal position.
The _ indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.GWARNING
The Adaptive Highbeam Assist is only an aid
intended to support you while driving. The
driver is and remains responsible for proper
vehicle lighting in accordance with the
prevailing light, sight and traffic conditions.
The system may be impaired or unavailable
when
R visibility is poor, e.g. due to snow, rain, fog,
or heavy spray
R the optical sensor area of the windshield is
dirty, fogged up, or covered by a sticker for
example
The system cannot recognize the following
road users:
R Road users without a lighting system of
their own, e.g. pedestrians
R Road users with dim lighting of their own,
e.g. cyclists
R Road users whose lighting is obstructed,
e.g. road users behind a guardrail
R In some seldom cases, even road users with
a lighting system of their own may be
recognized too late or not at all.
The automatic high-beam headlamps will then
not be deactivated or it will be activated in
spite of preceding or oncoming road users.
This could endanger you and/or others and
cause an accident. Always pay close attention
to the traffic situation and switch off the high
beam manually if necessary.
Headlamps fogged up on the inside
The headlamps may fog up on the inside if
there is high atmospheric humidity.
XDrive with the headlamps switched on.
The level of moisture diminishes,
depending on the length of the journey and
the weather conditions (humidity and
temperature).
If the level of moisture does not diminish:
XHave the headlamps checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Interior lighting
Overview of interior lighting
Front overhead control panel
:p Switches the left-hand reading lamp
on/off;u Switches the rear interior lighting
on/off=c Switches the front interior lighting
on/off?| Switches the automatic interior
lighting control on/offAp Switches the right-hand reading
lamp on/offInterior lighting285Lights and windshield wipersZ

can burn into the glass surface and reduce
the service life of the bulbs. Always use a lint-
free cloth or only touch the base of the bulb
when installing.
Only use bulbs of the correct type.
If the new bulb still does not light up, consult
a qualified specialist workshop.
Bulbs and lamps are an important aspect of
vehicle safety. You must therefore make sure
that these function correctly at all times.
Have the headlamp setting checked regularly.GWARNING
Bulbs and lamps can become very hot. For
this reason, allow them to cool down before
changing them. Otherwise, you could burn
yourself when you touch them.
Keep bulbs out of the reach of children.
Otherwise, they could, for example, damage
the bulbs and injure themselves.
Never use a bulb which has been dropped.
Such a bulb may explode and injure you.
Halogen bulbs are pressurized and could
explode when you change them, especially if
they are very hot. You should therefore wear
eye protection and gloves when you are
changing them.
Overview: changing bulbs/bulb types
You can change the following bulbs. The bulb
type can be found in the legend.
Bi-Xenon headlamps (vehicles with halogen
daytime running lamps)
:High-beam spot lamp: H7 55 W
Bi-Xenon headlamps (vehicles with LED daytime
running lamps)
:High-beam spot lamp 13
: H11 55 W;Infrared light (Night View Assist Plus):
H11 55 W13 Due to their location, have the bulbs in the left-hand headlamp changed at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Replacing bulbs287Lights and windshield wipersZ

GWARNING
Objects located above the height range of
Parking Guidance will not be detected when
the parking space is measured. These objects
are not taken into account when the parking
procedure is calculated, e.g. overhanging
loads, tail sections or loading ramps of goods
vehicles. Under some circumstances, Parking
Guidance might therefore issue steering
instructions too soon. This may lead to a
collision. For this reason, you should avoid
using Parking Guidance in such situations.
GWARNING
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
the maneuvering range. Otherwise, they
could be injured.
! Pay particular attention to low objects or
objects with flat surfaces, such as trailer
drawbars, posts, cross beams and curbs.
These types of objects cannot be detected
by Parking Guidance and may damage the
vehicle.
When PARKTRONIC is deactivated, Parking
Guidance is also unavailable.
Use Parking Guidance for parking spaces:
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
R that are on straight roads, not bends
R that are on the same level as the road, i.e.
not on the pavement, for example. Parking
Guidance may not detect flat curbs
Parking tips:
R on narrow roads, drive past the parking
space as close as possible.
R parking spaces that are littered, overgrown
or partially occupied by trailer drawbars
might be identified incorrectly or not at all.
R snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately.
R pay attention to the PARKTRONIC
( Y page 351) warning messages during the
parking procedure.
R when transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle, you must not use Parking
Guidance.
R never use Parking Guidance with snow
chains or an emergency spare wheel
mounted.
R make sure that the tire pressures are
always correct. This has a direct effect on
the steering instructions.
R the way your vehicle is positioned in the
parking space after parking is dependent
on various factors. These include the
position and shape of the vehicles parked
in front and behind it and the conditions of
the location. In some cases, Parking
Guidance may guide you too far or not far
enough into a parking space. In some
cases, it may also lead you across or onto
the curb. If necessary, cancel the parking
procedure with Parking Guidance.
! If unavoidable, you should drive over
obstacles such as curbs slowly and not at
a sharp angle. Otherwise, you may damage
the wheels or tires.
Detecting a parking space:Detected parking space on the left;Parking symbol=Detected parking space on the right
Parking Guidance is automatically activated
when you drive forwards. The system is
operational at speeds of up to approximately
22 mph (35 km/h). While in operation, the
system independently locates and measures
parking spaces on both sides of the vehicle.
At speeds below 19 mph (30km/h), you see
white parking symbol ; in the instrument
cluster as a status indicator. Parking
354Driving systemsDriving and parking

activating/deactivating Blind Spot
Assist
You can use the Blind Spot Assist
function to activate or deactivate Blind Spot
Assist ( Y page 363) or Active Blind Spot
Assist ( Y page 367).
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the DriveAssist
menu.XPress 9 or : to select Blind Spot
Assist .XPress the a button.
The current selection is displayed.XTo activate/deactivate: press the a
button again.
activating/deactivating Lane Keeping
Assist
You can use the Lane Keeping Assist
function to activate/deactivate Lane Keeping
Assist ( Y page 365) or Active Lane Keeping
Assist ( Y page 369).
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the DriveAssist
menu.XPress 9 or : to select Lane
Keeping Assist .XPress the a button.
The current selection is displayed.XTo activate/deactivate: press the a
button again.
When Lane Keeping Assist or Active Lane
Keeping Assist is activated, the à symbol
appears in the multifunction display when the
ignition is on.
Service menu
In the Service menu, you have the following
options:
R call up display messages ( Y page 390)
R check the tire pressure electronically
( Y page 499)
R
call up the service due date ( Y page 465)
R check the oil level ( Y page 459)
Settings menu
Introduction
The Settings menu can be used for:
R Switching the daytime running lamps on/
off
R switching Adaptive Highbeam Assist on/
off
R showing or hiding the additional
speedometer
R selecting the units for speed and distance
R switching the belt adjustment on/off
R activating/deactivating the radar sensor
system
Switching the daytime running lamps
on/off
This function is not available in Canada.
If you have activated the Daytime running
lights function and the light switch is in the
$ or c position, the daytime running
lamps are automatically switched on when
the engine is running.
Depending on the ambient light, the following
will additionally light up:
R parking lamps
R tail lamps
R license plate lamp
R side marker lamps
If you turn the light switch to a different
position, the corresponding lights are
switched on. If you switch off the daytime
running lamps at night, make sure that the
light switch is set to L or c .
The factory setting is On.
Menus and submenus387On-board computer and displaysZ

XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the 9 or : button to select
daytime running lamps .XPress the a button to confirm.XTo activate/deactivate: press a
again.
Switching Adaptive Highbeam Assist
on/off
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select
Adapt. High-beam Asst. .XPress the a button to confirm.XTo activate/deactivate: press a
again.
Switching the additional speedometer
on or off
An additional digital speedometer can be
shown in the multifunction display.
Vehicles with a kilometer speedometer: the
digital speedometer has mph units.
Vehicles with a miles speedometer: the digital
speedometer has km/h units.
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress 9 or : to select Add.
Speedometer .XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the a button to save the setting.
Selecting the unit of measurement for
distance
The Display Unit Speed-/Odometer:
function allows you to choose whether
certain displays appear in kilometers or miles.
The selected unit of measurement for
distance applies to:
R analog speedometers
R digital speedometers in the Trip menu
R odometer and the trip odometer
R Trip computer
R navigation instructions in the Navi menu
R DISTRONIC PLUS
R ASSYST PLUS service interval display
The digital speedometer shows alternative
speed units ( Y page 388).XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress 9 or : to select Units.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the a button to save the setting.
The unit switches km/h and mph.
Switching the belt adjustment on/off
For further information on belt adjustment
( Y page 64).
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the 9 or : button to select
Belt Adjustment .XPress the a button to confirm.XTo activate/deactivate: press a
again.
Activating/deactivating the acoustic
locking verification signal
If you activate the Acoustic Lock Feedb.
function, an audible signal sounds depending
on the vehicle's date of manufacture:
R when locking
or
R once when unlocking and three times when
locking
388Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

Lights
i Display messages about LEDs:
This display message will only appear if all LEDs have failed.Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsb
Check Left
Cornering
Light or Check
Right Cornering
LightThe left or right-hand cornering light is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 286).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left Low
Beam or Check Right
Low BeamThe left or right-hand low-beam headlamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 286).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Rear Left
Turn
Signal or Check
Rear Right Turn
SignalThe rear left-hand or rear right-hand turn signal is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 286).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Front Left
Turn
Signal or Check
Front Right Turn
SignalThe front left-hand or front right-hand turn signal is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 286).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left Mirror
Turn
Signal or Check
Right Mirror Turn
SignalThe turn signal in the left-hand or right-hand exterior mirror is
defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 286).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Display messages403On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsb
Please Switch Off
LightsThe lights are still switched on when you leave the vehicle. A
warning tone also sounds.XTurn the light switch to $ or c .
or
XIf the rear fog lamp is switched on: press the light switch in to
the stop.Adaptive High-beam
Assist InoperativeAdaptive Highbeam Assist is faulty.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
Engine
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions+
Check Coolant
Level See Oper.
ManualThe coolant level is too low.XAdd coolant, observing the warning notes when doing so
( Y page 463).XIf coolant needs to be added more often than usual, have the
engine coolant system checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.GWARNING
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may burn
if it comes into contact with hot engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
! The coolant level is too low. Avoid making long journeys with too little coolant in the cooling
system. The engine will otherwise be damaged.
The display messages and the corresponding symbol that indicate that the coolant level is
too low must not be ignored.
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions?
Coolant Low Stop
Vehicle Turn
Engine OffThe coolant is too hot.XPull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.XMake sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by snow, slush or ice.XWait until the display message disappears before restarting the
engine. Otherwise, the engine could be damaged.XPay attention to the coolant temperature display.XIf the temperature increases again, visit a qualified specialist
workshop immediately.406Display messagesOn-board computer and displays