2013 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS SEDAN Owners Manual

could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
G
WARNING
HYBRID vehicles: It is imperative that you 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.
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use
the engine's full performance until it has
reached operating temperature.
Only shift the automatic transmission to
the desired drive position when the vehicle
is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. You could otherwise damage the
drive train.
! S 63 AMG: at low engine oil temperatures
below 68 ‡ (+20 †), the maximum engine
speed is restricted in order to protect the
engine. To protect the engine and maintain
smooth engine operation, avoid driving at
full throttle when the engine is cold. SmartKey positions
SmartKey g
To remove the SmartKey
1 Power supply for some consumers, such
as the windshield wipers
2 Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
3 To start the engine
i The SmartKey can be turned in the
ignition lock even if it is not the correct
SmartKey

for the vehicle. The ignition is not
switched on. The engine cannot be started.
KEYLESS-GO General information
Vehicles

with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with
a SmartKey featuring an integrated KEYLESS-
GO function and a detachable Start/Stop
button.
The Start/Stop button must be inserted into
the ignition lock and the SmartKey must be in
the vehicle.
Pressing the Start/Stop button several times
in succession corresponds to the different
SmartKey positions in the ignition lock. This
is only the case if you are not depressing the
brake pedal.
If you depress the brake pedal and press the
Start/Stop button, the engine starts
immediately.
The Start/Stop button can be removed from
the ignition lock. Then, you can insert the
SmartKey into the ignition lock. Driving
303
Driving and parking Z

i
You do not have to remove the Start/Stop
button from the ignition lock when you
leave the vehicle. However, you should
always take the SmartKey with you when
leaving the vehicle. The vehicle can be
started with the Start/Stop button and the
electrical equipment can be operated while
the SmartKey is in the vehicle. :
Start/Stop button
; Ignition lock
X Insert Start/Stop button : into ignition
lock ;.
i When you insert Start/Stop button :
into

ignition lock ;, the system requires a
detection time of approximately two
seconds before you can use Start/Stop
button :. Start/Stop button
=
USA only
? Canada only X
Position 0:
if Start/Stop button : has not
yet been pressed, this corresponds to the
SmartKey being removed from the ignition.
X Position 1: press Start/Stop button :.
You can now activate the windshield
wipers, for example.
i If
you then open the driver's door when in
this position, the power supply is
deactivated.
X Position 2 (ignition): press Start/Stop
button : twice.
i If you press Start/Stop button : once
when in this position and the driver's door
is open, the power supply is deactivated
again.
As

soon as the ignition is switched on, all the
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light
up. If an indicator lamp does not go out after
the engine is started or if it lights up while the
vehicle is in motion, see ( Y page 422). Starting the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do

not run the engine in confined areas (such
as a garage) which are not properly ventilated.
If you think that exhaust gas fumes are
entering the vehicle while driving, have the
cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one
window fully open at all times.
! Do not depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine.
i Vehicles with a gasoline engine: the
catalytic converter is preheated for up to 304
Driving
Driving and parking

30 seconds after a cold start. The sound of
the engine may change during this time.
Automatic transmission X
Shift the transmission to position P.
The transmission position display in the
multifunction display shows P.
i You can also start the engine when the
transmission is in position N.
Starting procedure with the SmartKey i
To start the engine using the SmartKey
instead of KEYLESS-GO, pull the Start/
Stop button out of the ignition lock.
X To start a gasoline engine: turn the
SmartKey to position 3 in the ignition lock
(Y page 303) and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
X To start a diesel engine: turn the
SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition lock
(Y page 303).
The % preglow indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X When the % preglow indicator lamp
goes out, turn the SmartKey to position 3
(Y page 303) and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
i You can start the engine without preglow
if the engine is warm.
Using KEYLESS-GO to start the engine G
WARNING
As long as the SmartKey is in your vehicle, the
vehicle
can be started. Therefore, never leave
children unattended in the vehicle, as they
could otherwise accidentally start the engine.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle. A
child's unsupervised access to a vehicle could
result in an accident and/or serious personal
injury. i
The Start/Stop button can be used to
start

the vehicle manually without inserting
the SmartKey into the ignition lock. The
Start/Stop button must be inserted into
the ignition lock and the SmartKey must be
in the vehicle. This mode for starting the
engine operates independently of the ECO
start/stop automatic engine start function.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X To start a gasoline engine: press the
Start/Stop button
(Y page 303) once.
The engine starts.
X To start a diesel engine:
press the Start/
Stop button (Y page 303) once.
Preglow is activated and the engine starts.
i If
the engine is warm, the preglow time is
shortened. Pulling away
Automatic transmission G
WARNING
It is dangerous to shift the automatic
transmission out of parking position P or
neutral position N if the engine speed is
higher

than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
i It is only possible to shift the transmission
from position P to the desired position if
you depress the brake pedal. Only then is
the parking lock released. If you do not
depress the brake pedal, you can move the
DIRECT SELECT lever but the parking lock
remains engaged.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the transmission to position D or R. Driving
305
Driving and parking Z

X
Release the brake pedal.
X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.
The electric parking brake (Y page 324) is
automatically released.
The red F (USA only) or ! (Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
i The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away. The locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at
any time.
You can also deactivate the automatic
locking feature (Y page 264).
i Upshifts take place at higher engine
speeds after a cold start. This helps the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature more quickly.
Hill start assist Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient.
It holds the vehicle for a short time after you
have

removed your foot from the brake pedal.
This gives you enough time to move your foot
from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal
and depress it before the vehicle begins to
roll. G
WARNING
Never leave the vehicle when it is held by hill
start assist. After approximately one second,
hill start assist will no longer brake your
vehicle and it could roll away.
X Take your foot off the brake pedal.
i Once you have taken your foot off the
brake pedal, the vehicle is held for around
one second.
X Pull away.
Hill start assist will not function if:
R you are pulling away on a level road or a
downhill gradient.
R the transmission is in position N. R
the electric parking brake is applied.
R ESP ®
is malfunctioning. ECO start/stop function
General information The ECO start/stop function is only available
for the S 63 AMG.
The

ECO start/stop function is only available
in drive program C.
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle
stops moving.
The engine starts automatically when the
driver wants to pull away again. The ECO
start/stop function thereby helps you to
reduce the fuel consumption and emissions
of your vehicle.
The ECO start/stop function is activated each
time the engine is switched on. If all the
requirements are fulfilled for automatic
engine switch-off ( Y page 307), the green
¤ ECO symbol is shown in the
multifunction display and Stop/Start
active appears. If not all of the requirements
are fulfilled, the ¤ ECO symbol is shown
in yellow and Stop/Start inactive
appears.
If the ECO start/stop function is deactivated
(Y page 307), the ¤ symbol is not shown. G
WARNING
If the engine is switched off and the ECO
symbol
is shown in green in the multifunction
display, the engine has been switched off
automatically. All of the vehicle's systems
remain active. If you open the door, unfasten
your seat belt or remove your foot from the
brake pedal, the engine will automatically
start. The vehicle may begin moving. You
could suffer serious or even fatal injury or
cause an accident resulting in injury or death.
Never leave the vehicle while the ECO symbol
in the multifunction display is shown in green 306
Driving
Driving and parking

or yellow. Always secure the vehicle against
rolling away before leaving it.
! Always
switch the ignition off and take the
key with you when leaving the vehicle.
Automatic engine switch-off The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is
braked to a standstill and the brake remains
depressed with the transmission in position
D or N.
i You can still activate the HOLD function
when the vehicle is stationary, even if the
engine has been switched off
automatically. It is then not necessary to
continue applying the brakes during the
automatic stop phase. When you depress
the accelerator pedal, the engine starts
automatically

and the braking effect of the
HOLD function is deactivated. Depress the
accelerator pedal carefully, as the engine
must be started first.
The engine is only switched off if:
R the outside temperature is within the range
which is suitable for the system.
R the engine is at normal operating
temperature.
R the set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached.
R the battery is sufficiently charged.
R the system detects that the windshield is
not fogged up when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
R the hood is closed.
R no engine-relevant diagnostics are active.
R the driver's door is closed and the seat belt
is fastened. Automatic engine start The engine is started automatically if you:
R
release the brake pedal when HOLD is not
activated and the transmission is in
position D or N
R shift the transmission to position R
R depress the accelerator pedal
R switch off the ECO start/stop function or
switch to drive program S or M
R unfasten

your seat belt or open the driver's
door
The engine is also started automatically if:
R the vehicle starts to roll.
R the brake system requires this.
R the system detects moisture on the
windshield when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
R the temperature in the vehicle interior
deviates from the set range.
R the charge level of the battery is too low.
Deactivating/activating the ECO start/
stop function General information
You can deactivate and activate the ECO
start/stop function using COMAND
(Y page 261).
i
You can also use the programmable
button ( Y page 120) to activate and
deactivate the ECO start/stop function if
you have assigned this function to the
button.
Deactivating
X Deactivate the ECO start/stop function
using COMAND (Y page 261):
The ¤ ECO symbol goes out and the
Stop/Start deactivated display
message is shown in the multifunction
display.
i If
drive program S or M has been selected,
the ECO start/stop function is always
deactivated. Driving
307
Driving and parking Z

Activating
X
Activate the ECO start/stop function using
COMAND (Y page 261).
The ¤ ECO symbol and the Stop/
Start
active display message are shown
in the multifunction display.
If not all conditions for automatic engine
switch-off are fulfilled ( Y page 307), the
Stop/Start inactive message appears.
i If you activate the ECO start/stop
function in drive program S or M, drive
program C is selected automatically. 308
Driving
Driving and parking

Problems with the engine
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsThe engine does not
start.
The starter motor
can be heard. R
There is a malfunction in the engine electronics.
R There is a malfunction in the fuel supply.
X Before attempting to start the engine again, turn the SmartKey
in

the ignition back to position 0 or press the Start/Stop button
repeatedly until all indicator lamps in the instrument cluster go
out.
X Try to start the engine again (Y page 304). Avoid excessively
long

and frequent attempts to start the engine as these will drain
the battery.
If the engine does not start after several attempts:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. The engine does not
start. You cannot hear
the starter motor. The on-board voltage is too low because the battery is too weak
or discharged.
X
Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 481).
If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high.
X
Allow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two
minutes.
X Try to start the engine again.
If the engine still does not start:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Driving
309
Driving and parking Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsVehicles with a
gasoline engine:
The engine is not
running smoothly and
is misfiring. There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or a mechanical
component of the engine management system.
X
Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic
converter and damage it. The coolant
temperature gauge
shows a value above
248 ‡
(120 †). The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
X
Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant
to cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 460). Observe the warning
notes as you do so and add coolant if necessary. Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
It is dangerous to shift the automatic
transmission out of parking position P or
neutral position N if the engine speed is
higher

than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal. G
WARNING
Keep in mind that turning off the engine alone
only
will shift the automatic transmission into
neutral position N automatically.
Always shift the automatic transmission into
park position P before turning off the engine.
Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury. G
WARNING
HYBRID vehicles: It is imperative that you 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. DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmission positions The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steering column.
P
Park position with parking lock
R Reverse gear310
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking