2013 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class snow chains

Driving tip
s.................................... 344
Function/notes ............................. 336
Important safety notes ..................336
Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 342
Warning lamp ................................. 435
Dolby ®
Digital .................................... 140
Doors Automatic locking (switch) .............. .89
Central locking/unlocking
(SmartKey) ...................................... .82
Control panel ................................... 43
Display message ............................ 424
Emergency locking ........................... 91
Emergency unlocking .......................90
Important safety notes ....................88
Opening (from inside) ......................89
Power closing feature ......................90
Drinking and driving .........................330
Drinks holder see Cuph older
Drive program
Automatic ...................................... 318
Manual .......................................... .319
Driver's door
see Doors
Driver's seat
see Seats
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service .................470
Symmetrical low bea m.................. 280
Driving Assistance package .............363
Driving lamps see Daytime running lamps
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......73
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 77
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............74
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) .............................................. .74
Electroni cbrake force distribution ...76
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) .......................................... 75
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ........................................... 76
Important safety information ...........73 Overview
.......................................... 72
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ............................ .77
Driving systems
Active Blind Spot Assis t................. 367
Active Body Control .......................348
Active Driving Assistance
package ......................................... 366
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............369
AIRMATIC ...................................... 347
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................359
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 363
Cruise control ................................ 334
Display message ............................ 412
DISTRONI CPLUS ........................... 336
Driving Assistance package ...........363
HOLD function ............................... 346
Lane Keeping Assist ......................365
Nigh tView Assist Plus ...................360
Parking Guidance ........................... 353
PARKTRONI C................................. 350
Rea rview camera .......................... 357
Driving tips
Automatic transmission .................317
Brakes ........................................... 331
Break-in period .............................. 306
DISTRONI CPLUS ........................... 344
Downhill gradient ........................... 331
Drinking and driving .......................330
Driving abroad ............................... 280
Driving in winter ............................ .333
Driving on flooded road s................ 333
Driving on wet road s...................... 333
Exhaust check ............................... 331
Fuel ................................................ 330
General .......................................... 330
Hydroplaning ................................. 333
Icy road surfaces ........................... 334
Limited braking efficiency on
salted road s................................... 332
Pedals. ........................................... 330
Snow chains .................................. 501
Symmetrical low bea m.................. 280
Wet road surface ........................... 331
DVD
Changer ......................................... 225
Cop yprotection ............................. 234
Fast forward/fast rewind ...............230
Handling ........................................ 19310
Index

Important safety notes
..................107
Multicontour sea t.......................... 112
Seat heating problem ....................113
Seat ventilation problem ................114
Selecting (COMAND) .....................274
Storing settings (memory
function) ........................................ 118
Switching sea theating on/off .......113
Switching seat ventilation on/off ..113
Selecting stations (radio)
Using statio npresets ..................... 216
Using statio nsearch ...................... 216
Sending DTMF tones .........................207
Sensors (cleaning instructions) .......474
Service Center see Qualified specialist workshop
Service interval display
Displaying service messages .........469
Hiding service messages ...............469
Notes ............................................. 469
Service messages ..........................469
Service menu (on-board computer) .387
Service products Brake fluid ..................................... 535
Coolant (engine) ............................ 536
DEF special additive s..................... 533
Engine oil ....................................... 534
Fuel ................................................ 531
Important safety notes ..................530
Washer fluid .................................. .537
Setting astation (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 call s.............................. 138
Video AUX ..................................... 250
Side impact air bag .............................52
Side marker lamp (display
message) ............................................ 407
Side windows Cleaning ......................................... 473
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 ............................ 424
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 ...................................... 501
Socket Glove box ...................................... .448
Sockets
Points to observe before use .........447
Rea rcompartmen t......................... 448
Trunk ............................................. 448
Soun dmenu ....................................... 139
Sounds see Soun dsettings Index
21

Storing
........................................... 521
Tightening torque ........................... 483
Whee lsize/tir esize ....................... 521
Window curtain air bag
Display message ............................ 401
Operation ........................................ .53
Windows
see Side windows
Windshield
Defrosting ...................................... 300
Infrared reflective .......................... 460
Windshiel dwasher fluid
see Windshield washer system
Windshield washer system ..............468
Notes ............................................. 537
Windshiel dwipers
Problem (malfunction) ...................290
Replacing the wiper blades ............289
Switching on/off ........................... 289
Winte rdriving
Important safety note s.................. 500
Slippery road surfaces ...................334
Snow chains .................................. 501
Winter operation
Radiator cover ............................... 463
Winter tires
M+S tires ....................................... 500
Wiper blades
Cleaning ......................................... 473
Important safety notes ..................289
Wooden trim (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 476
Workshop see Qualified specialist workshop Index
27

R
ADAPTIVE BRAKE
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake Important safety notes
G
WARNING
HYBRID vehicles: It is imperative tha tyou read
the HYBRID Supplemental Operating
Instructions included in your vehicle literature
portfolio. You may otherwise not receive all
necessary safety information and warning for
the operation of your vehicle.
If you fail to adapt your driving style or
become distracted, the driving safety
systems can neither reduce the risk of
accident nor override the laws of physics.
Driving safety systems are merely aids
designed to assist driving. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed and for braking in
good time. Always adapt your driving style to
suit the prevailing road and weather
conditions and maintain asafe distance from
the vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
i The driving safety systems described only
work as effectively as possible when there
is adequate contact between the tires and
the road surface. Pay particular attention
to the informatio nregarding tires,
recommended minimum tire tread depths
etc.int he "Wheels and tires" section
(Y page 498).
In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the
driving safety systems described in this
section work as effectively as possible. ABS (Anti-lockB
raking System)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
sectio n(Ypage 73). G
WARNING
If ABSi s faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking
characteristics may be severely impaired.
Additionally, further driving safety systems
are deactivated. There is an increased danger
of skidding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked
immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp (Y page 428) and
display messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster (Y page 391).
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the
vehicle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h) upwards, regardless of road-surface
conditions. ABS works on slippery surfaces,
even if you only brake gently.
The 0015 warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
Braking: X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal vigorously until the braking
situation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving. Driving safety systems
73Safety Z

i
Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System) Traction control is part of ESP
®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side. On vehicles with 4MATIC, more
drive torque is also transferred to the wheel
or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 73). G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer
stabilizes the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations
described in the following.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
X To deactivate:(Y page 386).
The 0013 ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
S 63 AMG: deactivate ESP ®
when driving
on designated roads when the vehicle's
own oversteering and understeering
characteristics are desired. Driving without
ESP ®
requires an extremely qualified and
experienced driver who is able to cope with
these critical driving conditions.
X To activate:(Y page 386).
The 0013 ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out. ESP
®
is activated automaticallyw hen the
engine is started.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the 000CESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited, and
the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
Vehicles with ECO start/stop function: the
ECO start/stop function switches the engine
off automatically when the vehicle comes to
a stop. The engine starts automatically when
the driver wants to pull away again. ESP ®
remains in its previously selected status.
Example: if ESP ®
was deactivated before the
engine was switched off, ESP ®
remains
deactivated when the engine is switched on
again. EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 73). G
WARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g. under full braking. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have 76
Driving safety systemsSafety

exhaust pipe and from around the vehicle as
long as the engine is running. Otherwise,
poisonous carbon monoxide (CO) may enter
the vehicle, resulting in loss of consciousness
and even death.
To assure sufficien
tfresh air ventilation, open
a window slightly on the side of the vehicle
not facing the wind.
Have yourv ehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y page 500).
Driving with summer tires Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y page 500).
Slippery road surfaces G
WARNING
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges. G
WARNING
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action .This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle's ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road
surfaces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering
and braking maneuvers. Do not use the cruise
control or DISTRONIC PLUS.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
X Shift the transmission to position N.
i For more information on driving with
snow chains, see (Y page 501). G
WARNING
Make sure that you do not endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes. Driving systems
Cruise control
Important safety notes Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden, you must select shift range
1, 2or 3in good time. By doing so, you will
make use of the braking effect of the engine,
which relieves the load on the brake system
and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic
conditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h). G
WARNING
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle's speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road, traffic,
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a constant speed.
R The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on winding roads or in heavy
traffic because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a constant speed.
R The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid
changes in tire traction can result in wheel
spin and loss of control.
R Deactivate the cruise control when driving
in fog. 334
Driving systemsDriving and parking

R
the electrical syste minthe engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses are
tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected.
If you leave the vehicle or park it, deactivate
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away. AIRMATIC
Vehicle level Important safety notes
Your vehicle regulates its height
automatically
.All-round level control ensures
the best possible suspension and constant
ground clearance, even with a laden vehicle.
When you drive fast, the vehicle is lowered
automatically to improve driving safety and to
reduce fuel consumption.
The following vehicle levels are possible on
vehicles without 4MATIC:
R Normal
R raised: the vehicle is raised by about 1in
(25 mm) when compared with the normal
level
R lowered: the vehicle is lowered by about
0.60 in (15 mm) when compared with the
normal level
The following vehicle levels are possible on
vehicles with 4MATIC:
R normal: in Comfor tmode, the vehicle is
raised by about 0.40i n (10mm) when
compared with Sport mode
R raised: in Comfort mode, the vehicle is
raised by about 0.60 in (15 mm) and in
Sport mode by about 1 in (25 mm) when
compared with normal level
R lowered: the vehicle is lowered by about
0.40 in (10mm) when compared with the
normal level
The "Normal" and "Raised" vehicle levels can
be set manually. The "Lowered” vehicle level is set
automatically:
R
in vehicles withou t4MATIC at speeds
above 60 mph (100 km/h)
R in vehicles with 4MATIC at speeds above
50 mph (80 km/h).
Setting the vehicle level
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road
surfaces and "Raised" for driving with snow
chains or on particularly poor road surfaces.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock. G
WARNING
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands and
feet away from wheel housing area, and stay
away from under the vehicle when lowering
the vehicle chassis. Setting raised level
X
Start the engine.
If indicator lamp 0003is not lit:
X Press button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0003lights up. The vehicle
height is adjusted to raised level.
The Vehicle Rising message appears in
the display.
The "Raised level" setting is canceled if you:
R drive at speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h)
R drive for about three minutes at speeds
above 50 mph (80 km/h).
The "Raised level" remains active whe nyou
are not driving within these speed ranges. Driving systems
347Driving and parking Z

Setting the vehicle level
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road
surfaces and "Raised" for driving with snow
chains or on particularly poor road surfaces. G
WARNING
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands and
feet away from wheel housing area, and stay
away from under the vehicle when lowering
the vehicle chassis.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock. Setting raised level
X
Start the engine.
If indicator lamp 0003is not lit:
X Press button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0003lights up. The vehicle
height is adjusted to raised level.
Setting the normal level
X Start the engine.
If indicator lamp 0003is lit:
X Press button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0003goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to normal level.
Suspension tuning The electronically controlled ABC suspension
system works continuously.T
his 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 tunin
ginSport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.
X If indicator lamp 0003 is not lit:
press
button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0003lights 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.
Therefore, select this mode if you favor a
more comfortable driving style.
X If indicator lamp 0003 is lit:
press
button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0003goes out. You have
selected the suspension for acomfortable
driving style. Driving systems
349Driving and parking Z