2013 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS SEDAN Owners Manual

Combination switch
Turn signals :
High-beam headlamps
; Right turn signal
= High-beam flasher
? Left turn signal
X To indicate briefly: press the combination
switch briefly to the pressure point in the
direction of arrow ; or ?.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.
X To indicate: press
the combination switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction
of arrow ; or ?.
High-beam headlamps X
To switch on the high-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 2 or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to L.
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of
arrow :.
The K indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
X To switch off the high-beam
headlamps: move

the combination switch
back to its normal position.
The K indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out. High-beam flasher X
To switch on: turn the SmartKey in the
ignition lock to position 1 or 2 or start the
engine.
X Pull the combination switch in the direction
of arrow =. Hazard warning lamps
The hazard warning lamps automatically
switch on if:
R
an air bag is deployed.
R the

vehicle is slowed down severely from a
speed of over 45 mph(70 km/h) and comes
to a halt.
X To switch on the hazard warning lamps:
press button :.
All turn signals flash. If you now switch on
a

turn signal using the combination switch,
only the turn signal lamp on the
corresponding side of the vehicle will flash.
X To switch off the hazard warning
lamps: press button :.
The hazard warning lamps are deactivated
automatically
if the vehicle returns to a speed
of over 6 mph(10 km/h) after a full
application of the brakes.
i The hazard warning lamps still operate if
the ignition is switched off. Exterior lighting
279
Lights and windshield wipers Z

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. It 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) or turn the steering
wheel.
Not active: if you are driving at speeds above
25 mph (40 km/h) or switch off the turn
signal 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. X
To activate: activate the Adaptive
Highbeam Assist function using the on-
board computer ( Y page 386).
X Turn the light switch to c.
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure

point in the direction of arrow :
(Y page 279).
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 faster than 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 drive faster than approximately
35 mph (55 km/h) and no other road users
are identified: 280
Exterior lighting
Lights and windshield wipers

the high-beam headlamps are switched on
automatically. The
K indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster also lights up.
When
you drive slower than 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.
X To deactivate: move the combination
switch back to its normal position.
The _ indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out. G
WARNING
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.
X Drive 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:
X Have 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/off
A p Switches the right-hand reading
lamp on/off Interior lighting
281
Lights and windshield wipers Z

Rear-compartment overhead control panel
:
Reading lamp
; Press p consecutively:
to switch the reading lamp and interior
lighting on
to switch only the reading lamp on
to switch the reading lamp off
= Interior lighting Interior lighting control
Important notes In order to prevent the vehicle's battery from
discharging,
the interior lighting functions are
automatically deactivated after some time
except for when the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.
Automatic interior lighting control X
To switch on/off: press the | button.
The
OFF indicator lamp shows whether the
automatic interior lighting control is
deactivated (indicator lamp on) or
activated (indicator lamp off).
The interior lighting automatically switches
on if you:
R unlock the vehicle
R open a door
R remove

the SmartKey from the ignition lock
The interior light is activated for a short while
when the SmartKey is removed from the
ignition lock. You can activate this delayed
switch-off using COMAND ( Y page 263).Manual interior lighting control X
To switch the front interior lighting on/
off: press the c button.
X To switch the rear interior lighting on/
off: press the u button.
X To switch the reading lamps on/off:
press the p button. Replacing bulbs
Important safety notes
Xenon bulbs If your vehicle is equipped with Xenon bulbs,
you can recognize this by the following: the
cone of light from the Xenon bulbs moves
from the top to the bottom and back again
when you start the engine. For this to be
observed, the lights must be switched on
before starting the engine.
G
DANGER
Xenon bulbs carry a high voltage. You could
get
an electric shock and be seriously or even
fatally injured if you touch the electric
contacts on Xenon bulbs. Therefore, never
remove the cover from Xenon bulbs.
Do not change Xenon bulbs yourself, but have
them replaced at a qualified specialist
workshop which has the necessary specialist
knowledge and tools to carry out the work
required.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for this
purpose. In particular, work relevant to safety
or on safety-related systems must be carried
out at 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. 282
Replacing bulbs
Lights and windshield wipers

Other bulbs
There are bulbs other than the Xenon bulbs
that you cannot replace. Replace only the
bulbs
listed (Y page 283). Have the bulbs that
you cannot replace yourself changed at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for this
purpose. In particular, work relevant to safety
or on safety-related systems must be carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop.
If you require assistance changing bulbs,
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Do not touch the glass tube of new bulbs with
your bare hands. Even minor contamination
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. G
WARNING
Bulbs and lamps can be very hot. You should
therefore
allow them to cool down before you
change them. Otherwise, you could be burned
if you touch them.
Keep bulbs out of the reach of children.
Otherwise, they could damage the bulbs, for
example, and injure themselves.
Never use a bulb which has been dropped.
Such a bulb may break or even explode and
injure you.
Halogen bulbs are pressurized and can
explode when you change them, particularly
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 W
13 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 bulbs
283
Lights and windshield wipers Z

Changing the front bulbs
High-beam spot lamp (vehicles with
halogen daytime running lamps) X
Switch off the lights.
X Open the hood.
X Turn housing cover : counter-clockwise
and pull it out.
X Turn bulb holder ; counter-clockwise and
pull it out.
X Take the bulb out of bulb holder ;.
X Insert the new bulb into bulb holder ;.
X Insert bulb holder ;.
Left-hand headlamp: cable outlet = must
be pointing up and to the right.
Right-hand

headlamp: cable outlet = must
be pointing down and to the left.
X Turn bulb holder ; clockwise.
Handle ? of bulb holder ; is horizontal.
X Align housing cover : and turn it
clockwise until it engages. High-beam spot lamp (vehicles with
LED-daytime running lamps)/infrared
light (Night View Assist Plus) 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.
X
Switch off the lights.
X Open the hood.
X Turn housing cover : counter-clockwise
and pull it out.
X Turn bulb holder ;
counter-clockwise and
pull it out.
X Push the two detents on the right and left
of bulb holder ; and pull the bulb from
bulb holder ;.
X Insert the new bulb into bulb holder ;
until
it engages.
X Insert bulb holder ; into the guide in the
headlamp.
Cable

outlet = must be pointing down and
to the right.
X Turn bulb holder ; clockwise.
Cable
outlet = must be pointing down and
to the left.
X Align housing cover : and turn it
clockwise until it engages.284
Replacing bulbs
Lights and windshield wipers

Windshield wipers
Switching the windshield wipers on/
off
G
WARNING
Wiper blades are components that are subject
to wear and tear. Replace the wiper blades
twice
a year, preferably in the spring and fall.
Otherwise the windshield will not be wiped
properly. As a result, you may not be able to
observe surrounding traffic conditions and
could cause an accident.
! Do not operate the windshield wipers
when the windshield is dry, as this could
damage the wiper blades. Moreover, dust
that has collected on the windshield can
scratch the glass if wiping takes place when
the windshield is dry.
! If the windshield wipers leave smears on
the windshield after the vehicle has been
washed in an automatic car wash, wax or
other residues may be the reason for this.
Clean the windshield using washer fluid
after washing the vehicle in an automatic
car wash. Combination switch
1
$ Windshield wipers off
2 Ä Intermittent wipe, low 14
3 Å Intermittent wipe, high 15
4 ° Continuous wipe, slow 5
¯ Continuous wipe, fast
B í Single wipe/ î To wipe the
windshield using washer fluid
X Switch on the ignition.
X Turn the combination switch to the
corresponding position.
! Intermittent wiping with rain sensor: due
to optical influences and the windshield
becoming dirty in dry weather conditions,
the windshield wipers may be activated
inadvertently. This could then damage the
windshield wiper blades or scratch the
windshield.
For this reason, you should always switch
off the windshield wipers in dry weather.
In

the Ä or Å position, the appropriate
wiping frequency is set automatically
according to the intensity of the rain. In
the Å position, the rain sensor is more
sensitive than in the Ä position, causing
the windshield wipers to wipe more
frequently. Replacing the wiper blades
Important safety notes G
WARNING
For safety reasons, switch off the windshield
wipers and remove the key from the ignition
lock before changing the wiper blades
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: make sure that
the on-board electronics are in state 0).
Otherwise,

the wiper motor could be switched
on suddenly and cause injury.
! To avoid damaging the wiper blades,
make sure that you touch only the wiper
arm of the wiper.
! Never open the hood if a windshield wiper
arm has been folded away from the
windshield.
14 Rain sensor set to low sensitivity.
15 Rain sensor set to high sensitivity. Windshield wipers
285
Lights and windshield wipers Z

Never fold a windshield wiper arm without
a wiper blade back onto the windshield.
Hold
the windshield wiper arm firmly when
you change the wiper blade. If you release
the windshield wiper arm without a wiper
blade and it falls onto the windshield, the
windshield may be damaged by the force of
the impact.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have
the wiper blades replaced by a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
! Always position the windshield wiper
arms vertically before folding them away
from the windshield. By doing so, you will
avoid damage to the hood.
Replacing the wiper blades Moving the wiper blades to a vertical
position
Vehicles without KEYLESS-GO
X
Turn the SmartKey to position 1
or 2 in the
ignition lock.
X Set the windshield wipers to
position °.
X When the wiper arms have reached a
vertical position, turn the SmartKey to
position 0 and remove it from the ignition
lock.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO
X Switch off the engine.
X Remove your foot from the brake pedal.
X Set the windshield wipers to
position °.
X Press the Start/Stop button repeatedly
until the windshield wipers start.
X When the wiper arms have reached a
vertical position, press the Start/Stop
button. Removing the wiper blades
X
Fold the wiper arm away from the
windshield until it engages.
X Set the wiper blade at right angles to the
wiper arm. X
Remove the wiper blade from the retaining
pin

on the wiper arm in the direction of the
arrow.
Installing the wiper blades
X Push the new wiper blade onto the
retaining pin on the wiper arm in the
opposite direction to the arrow.
Make sure that the wiper blade slides fully
onto the retaining pin on the wiper arm.
X Turn the wiper blade parallel to the wiper
arm.
X Fold the wiper arm back onto the
windshield. Problems with the windshield wipers
The windshield wipers are obstructed Leaves or snow, for example, may be
obstructing the windshield wiper movement.
The wiper motor has been deactivated.
X
For safety reasons, you should remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock.
or
X Switch off the engine using the Start/Stop
button and open the driver's door.
X Remove the cause of the obstruction.
X Switch the windshield wipers back on.286
Windshield wipers
Lights and windshield wipers