2013 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS SEDAN towing

Suspension tuning
The electronically controlled ABC suspension
system works continuously. This 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 tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode if you prefer a firmer
suspension tuning.
X
If indicator lamp ; is not lit: press
button :.
Indicator lamp ; lights 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. Select
this mode if you prefer a more comfortable
driving style. X
If indicator lamp ; is lit: press
button :.
Indicator lamp ; goes out. You have
selected the suspension for a comfortable
driving style.
The ABC Active Body Control
COMFORT message appears in the
multifunction display. 4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive)
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are
permanently driven. Together with ESP ®
, it
improves the traction of your vehicle
whenever a drive wheel spins due to
insufficient grip. G
WARNING
If a drive wheel is spinning due to insufficient
traction:
R While driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R While driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The 4MATIC cannot prevent accidents
resulting from excessive speed.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised.

This may damage the transfer case.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground
or be fully raised. Observe the instructions
for towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary. 346
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Useful information ............................
432
Loading guidelines ............................432
Stowage areas .................................. 432
Features ............................................. 437 431Stowing and features

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). Loading guidelines
G
WARNING
Always fasten items being carried as securely
as possible. Use cargo tie-down rings and
fastening

materials appropriate for the weight
and size of the load.
In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle. This can cause injury to
vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a collision
or sudden maneuver, exercise care when
transporting cargo. Do not pile luggage or
cargo higher than the seat backrests.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry
objects.
Never drive a vehicle with the trunk open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in
unconsciousness and death.
The handling characteristics of a laden
vehicle are dependent on the distribution of
the load within the vehicle. For this reason,
you should observe the following notes when
transporting a load:
R when transporting a load, never exceed the
maximum permissible gross vehicle weight
or the gross axle weight rating of the vehicle (including occupants). The values
are specified on the vehicle identification
plate on the B-pillar of the driver's door.
R position heavy loads as far forwards as
possible and as low down in the trunk as
possible.
R the

load must not protrude above the upper
edge of the seat backrests.
R always place the load against the rear seat
backrests.
R always place the load behind unoccupied
seats if possible.
R secure the load with sufficiently strong and
wear-resistant tie down. pad sharp edges
for protection. Stowage areas
Stowage compartments
Important safety notes G
WARNING
To help avoid personal injury during a collision
or sudden maneuver, exercise care when
storing objects in the vehicle. Put luggage or
cargo in the trunk if possible.
Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the
seat backrests.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
R braking
R vehicle maneuvers
R an accident
Stowage compartments in the front Glove box
i
Depending on the vehicle's equipment,
you will find the following installed in the
glove box: an audio and video AUX jack, a
USB

socket or Media Interface, a universal
interface for portable audio equipment, e.g.
for an iPod or USB device, and a bracket for 432
Stowage areas
Stowing and features

a remote control (see the COMAND section
in this Operator's Manual).
i The glove box can be ventilated
(Y page 299). X
To open: press button :.
X To close: fold glove box flap ; upwards
until it engages.
The glove box can only be locked and
unlocked using the mechanical key. 1
Glove box unlocked
2 Glove box locked
Eyeglasses compartment X
To open: press marking :.
Stowage compartment under the armrest
i The º
Roadside Assistance call button
and ( Y page 445) and the E MB Info
call button are located (Y page 446) in the
stowage compartment under the armrest.
i In the stowage compartment, there is a
partition which can be used to divide up the
stowage compartment. X
To open: press button : and fold the
armrest to the left or right.
Stowage compartments in the doors G
WARNING
Keep the door storage compartments closed
while
vehicle is in motion. Failure to do so may
cause the seat belt to catch at the rear and
prevent proper positioning of the seat belt. X
To open: pull cover : upwards. Stowage areas
433
Stowing and features Z

Coat hook
The coat hooks are located on the left and
right in the headliner in the rear
compartment.
!
Only hang light loads on the coat hooks.
Do not place a load of more than 6.6 lbs
(3 kg) on the coat hooks. X
To open: press coat hook :.
The coat hooks fold out.
X To close: press coat hook : until it
engages.
Stowage compartments in the rear Stowage compartment in the rear seat
armrest
!
Do
not sit or lean your bodyweight on the
armrests when they are folded out as you
could damage them.
! Close the cover of the stowage
compartment before folding the rear seat
armrest back into the seat backrest. Vehicles without a control panel in the rear seat
armrest X
To open: fold down the seat armrest.
X Pull handle : and fold the armrests
upwards. Vehicles with a control panel in the rear seat
armrest
X
To open: press button : and fold up the
armrest.
Stowage box between the rear seats X
To open: pull handle : backwards in the
direction of the arrow.
Stowage box in the rear seat backrest
! Do

not sit or lean your bodyweight on the
armrests when they are folded out as you
could damage them. 434
Stowage areas
Stowing and features

X
To open: fold down the rear seat armrest.
X Pull handle : and fold down cover ;.
i It will be easier to open the cover when
the rear seats are in the basic position.
Stowage pockets G
WARNING
Storage bags are intended for storing light-
weight items only.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
storage bag. In an accident, during hard
braking,
or sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
Storage bags cannot protect transported
goods in the event of an accident.
Storage bags are located in the rear
compartment on the driver's and front-
passenger seat backrests. Parcel nets
G
WARNING
Parcel nets are intended for storing light-
weight items only, such as road maps, mail,
etc.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges, or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
parcel nets. In an accident, during hard
braking,

or sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants. Parcel nets cannot protect transported goods
in the event of an accident.
Parcel

nets are located in the front-passenger
footwell and on the left and right-hand sides
of the trunk. Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down rings Observe the following notes on securing
loads:
R
secure the load using the cargo tie down
rings.
R do not use elastic straps or nets to secure
a load, as these are only intended as an
anti-slip protection for light loads.
R do

not route tie downs across sharp edges
or corners.
R pad sharp edges for protection.
There are four cargo tie down rings in the
trunk. Bag hooks
!
The bag hook can bear a maximum load
of 6.6 lbs (3 kg). Do not use it to secure a
load. Stowage areas
435
Stowing and features Z

X
Pull bag hook ; down by tab :.Stowage well under the trunk floor
Stowage well You can store a suitcase in the stowage well
underneath the front section of the trunk
floor.
!
Fold down the suitcase handle before
closing the trunk. You could otherwise
damage the trunk lid. :
Trunk floor
; Stowage well for suitcases
Rear stowage compartment In the S 600 model, you can fold the rear part
of the trunk floor forwards. :
Stowage well
; Stowage compartment Roof carrier
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Only use roof racks approved by Mercedes-
Benz for your vehicle model to avoid damage
to the vehicle.
Follow the manufacturer's installation
instructions. Otherwise, an improperly
attached roof rack system or its load could
become detached from the vehicle.
Do not exceed the maximum roof load of
220 lb (100 kg).
Take into consideration that when the roof
rack is loaded, the handling characteristics
are different from those when operating the
vehicle without the roof rack loaded.
! Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
only
use roof carriers that have been tested
and approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
This helps to prevent damage to the
vehicle.
Position the load on the roof carrier in such
a way that the vehicle will not sustain
damage even when it is in motion. 436
Stowage areas
Stowing and features

Depending on the vehicle equipment,
ensure that when the roof carrier is
installed you can:
R
raise the sliding sunroof fully
R open
the panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel fully
R open the trunk lid fully
Attaching the roof carrier X
Open covers :
carefully in the direction of
the arrow.
X Fold covers : upwards.
X Only secure the roof carrier to the
anchorage points under covers :.
X Observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions. Features
Cup holders
Important safety notes G
WARNING
In order to help prevent spilling liquids on
vehicle
occupants and/or vehicle equipment,
only use containers that fit into the cup
holder. Use lids on open containers and do
not fill containers to a height where the
contents, especially hot liquids, could spill
during braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in an
accident. Liquids spilled on vehicle occupants
may cause serious personal injury. Liquids
spilled on vehicle equipment may cause damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
When

not in use, keep the cup holder closed.
An open cup holder may cause injury to you
or others when contacted during braking,
vehicle maneuvers, or in an accident.
Keep in mind that objects placed in the cup
holder may come loose during braking,
vehicle maneuvers, or in an accident and be
thrown around in the vehicle interior. Objects
thrown around in the vehicle interior may
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
Cup holder in the front-compartment
center console You can remove the cup holder to clean it.
Clean with clear, lukewarm water only.
X
To open: press marking :.
X To remove: slide catch ; back and pull
the cup holder upwards.
X To insert: insert the cup holder and slide
catch ; forwards.
Cup holder in the rear seat armrest !
Do
not sit on or support your body weight
on the rear seat armrest when it is folded
down, as you could otherwise damage it.
! Close the cup holder before folding the
rear seat armrest up. Otherwise, the cup
holder could be damaged. Features
437
Stowing and features Z