2014 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class wheel

Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
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.
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are
displayed after a short delay.
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.
You should pay special attention to road
conditions when temperatures are around
freezing point.
For more information on driving with snow
chains, see (Y page 387).
For more information on driving with summer
tires, see (Y page 386).
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y page 386). Driving systems
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive stands for
innovative driver assistance and safety
systems which enhance comfort and support
the driver in critical situations. With these
intelligent co-ordinated systems Mercedes-
Benz has set a milestone on the path towards
autonomous driving.
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive embraces all
elements of active and passive safety in one
well thought out system – for the safety of the
vehicle occupants and that of other road
users. Further information on driving safety systems
(Y page 70). 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. Change into
a lower gear in good time on long and steep
downhill gradients. This is especially
important if the vehicle is laden. By doing so,
you will make use of the braking effect of the
engine. This 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).
If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise
control can neither reduce the risk of an
accident nor override the laws of physics.
Cruise control cannot take into account the
road, traffic and weather conditions. Cruise
control is only an aid. You are responsible for
the distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle
speed, for braking in good time and for
staying in your lane.
Do not use cruise control:
R in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
R on slippery road surfaces. Braking or
accelerating could cause the drive wheels
to lose traction and the vehicle could then
skid
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored. Driving systems
199Driving and parking Z

!
If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
If you fail to adapt your driving style,
DISTRONIC PLUS can neither reduce the risk
of accident nor override the laws of physics.
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take into account
the road, traffic and weather conditions.
DISTRONIC PLUS is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in your lane.
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS:
R in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
R on slippery road surfaces. Braking or
accelerating could cause the drive wheels
to lose traction and the vehicle could then
skid
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow
vehicles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or
vehicles driving on a different line.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R strong radar reflections, for example, in
parking garages
If DISTRONIC PLUS no longer detects a
vehicle in front, DISTRONIC PLUS may
unexpectedly accelerate the vehicle to the
stored speed. This speed may:
R
be too high if you are driving in a filter lane
or an exit lane
R be so high in the right lane that you pass
vehicles driving on the left (left-hand drive
countries)
R be so high in the left lane that you pass
vehicles driving on the right (right-hand
drive countries)
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
Cruise control lever 0043
To activate or increase speed
0044 To activate or reduce speed
0087 To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
0085 To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed
0083 To set the specified minimum distance
Activating DISTRONIC PLUS Activation conditions
In order to activate DISTRONIC PLUS, the
following conditions must be fulfilled:
R
the engine must be started. It may take up
to two minutes after pulling away before
DISTRONIC PLUS is operational.
R the electric parking brake must be
released.
R ESP ®
must be active, but not intervening.
R Active Parking Assist must not be
activated. Driving systems
203Driving and parking Z

The system may be impaired or may not
function if:
R there is poor visibility, e.g. due to
insufficient illumination of the road, or due
to snow, rain, fog or spray
R there is glare, e.g. from oncoming traffic,
the sun or reflections (e.g. when the road
surface is wet)
R the windshield is dirty, fogged up, damaged
or covered, for instance by a sticker, in the
vicinity of the camera
R there are no, several or unclear lane
markings for a lane, e.g. in areas with road
construction work
R the lane markings are worn away, dark or
covered up, e.g. by dirt or snow
R the distance to the vehicle in front is too
small and the lane markings thus cannot be
detected
R the lane markings change quickly, e.g.
lanes branch off, cross one another or
merge
R the road is narrow and winding
R there are strong shadows cast on the lane
Pay attention also to the important safety
notes for DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 202).
The steering interventions are carried out
with a limited steering moment. The system
requires the driver to keep his hands on the
steering wheel and to steer himself.
If you do not steer yourself or if take your
hands off the steering wheel for a prolonged
period of time, the system will first alert you
with a visual warning. A steering wheel
symbol appears in the multifunction display.
If you have still not started to steer and have
not taken hold of the steering wheel after five
seconds, a warning tone also sounds to
remind you to take control of the vehicle.
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist is then
switched to passive. DISTRONIC PLUS
remains active. The system is switched to passive and no
longer assists you by performing steering
interventions if:
R
you actively change lane
R you use a turn signal
R take your hands off the steering wheel or
do not steer for a prolonged period of time
i After you have finished changing lanes,
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist is
automatically active once more.
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist does not
provide assistance:
R on very sharp corners
R if no roadside markings or no clear roadside
markings have been detected
R if the vehicle in front is not detected at
speeds below 37 mph (60 km/h)
R in tire run-flat mode
Activating Steering Assist X
Press button 0044.
Indicator lamp 0043lights up. The DTR+: DTR+:
Steering Assist. On
Steering Assist. On message appears
in the multifunction display. Steering Assist
is activated.
Information in the multifunction display Driving systems
211Driving and parking Z

If DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist is
activated but is not ready for a steering
intervention, steering wheel symbol 0043
appears in gray. If the system provides you
with support by means of steering
interventions, symbol 0043is shown in green.
Deactivating Steering Assist X
Press button 0044.
Indicator lamp 0043goes out. The DTR+: DTR+:
Steering
Steering Assist.
Assist.Off
Offmessage appears
in the multifunction display. Steering Assist
is deactivated.
When DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated,
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist is
deactivated automatically. HOLD function
General notes The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
R when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when maneuvering on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away. Important safety notes G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away
despite being braked by the HOLD function if:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
R the HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
R the electrical system in the engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
Further information on deactivating the HOLD
function ( Ypage 213).
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if all of
the following conditions are fulfilled:
R the vehicle is stationary.
R the engine is running or if it has been
automatically switched off by the ECO
start/stop function.
R the driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened.
R the electric parking brake is released.
R the transmission is in position D,Ror N.
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated. 212
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Activating the HOLD function
X
Make sure that the activation conditions
are met.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Quickly depress the brake pedal further
until 0043appears in the multifunction
display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
i If depressing the brake pedal the first
time does not activate the HOLD function,
wait briefly and then try again.
Deactivating the HOLD function The HOLD function is deactivated
automatically if:
R
you accelerate and the transmission is in
position Dor R.
R you shift the transmission to position P.
R you depress the brake pedal again with a
certain amount of pressure until 00D9
disappears from the multifunction display.
R you secure the vehicle using the electric
parking brake.
R you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.
i After a time, the electric parking brake
secures the vehicle and relieves the service
brake. The HOLD function is then
deactivated. The electric parking brake automatically
secures the vehicle if the HOLD function is
activated and:
R
the driver's door is open and the driver's
seat belt is unfastened.
R the engine is switched off, unless it is
automatically switched off by the ECO
start/stop function.
R a system malfunction occurs.
R the power supply is not sufficient.
If a malfunction occurs, then the transmission
may be shifted into position Pautomatically. Magic Body Control
General notes Magic Body Control consists of Active Body
Control (ABC), ROAD SURFACE SCAN as well
as automatic vehicle stabilization in the event
of a crosswind.
Your vehicle automatically adjusts its ride
height to improve driving safety and reduce
fuel consumption. The suspension mode is
adjusted according to your selection (sports
or comfort), the road condition and the
vehicle load. A multifunction camera detects
bumps in the road surface before the vehicle
drives over them. This reduces chassis
movements.
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle
or in the immediate vicinity of the wheel
arches when the vehicle is being lowered.
! The vehicle is lowered when the engine is
switched off. When parking, position your
vehicle so that it does not make contact Driving systems
213Driving and parking Z

with the curb as the vehicle is lowered. Your
vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
Crosswind driving assistance The crosswind stabilization operates by
changing wheel loads through adjusting the
ABC spring struts. It reduces impairments in
handling when driving in a straight line and
assists during countersteering.
Crosswind driving assistance is active at
vehicle speeds above 50 mph (80 km/h)
when driving straight ahead or cornering
gently.
Active Body Control (ABC) Vehicle level
All vehicles except AMG vehicles:
depending on the vehicle level that has been
set, the vehicle automatically adjusts its
height dependent on the current speed. The
vehicle is lowered by up to 0.6 in (15 mm) as
the speed increases. As the speed is reduced,
the vehicle is raised up to the set vehicle
height.
AMG vehicles: depending on the vehicle
level that has been selected, the vehicle
automatically adjusts its height dependent on
the current speed. The vehicle is lowered by
up to 0.4 in (10 mm) below the normal level
as the speed increases. As the speed is
reduced, the vehicle is raised up to the set
vehicle height.
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. Setting the raised vehicle level
X
Start the engine.
X If indicator lamp 0044
0044 is not lit: press
button 0043.
All vehicles except AMG vehicles:
indicator lamp 0044lights up. The vehicle
height is adjusted to raised level.
AMG vehicles: indicator lamp0044lights up.
The vehicle is raised by 1.5 in (40 mm)
compared to the normal level. Setting the normal vehicle level
X
Start the engine.
X If indicator lamp 0044
0044 is lit: press
button 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to normal level.
Suspension tuning
The electronically controlled ABC suspension
system works continuously. This improves
driving safety and comfort. The system
detects the vehicle level and the vehicle load
and adjusts the setting accordingly. You can 214
Driving systemsDriving and parking

also choose between a particularly sporty or
a comfortable tuning.
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
R the force of the side wind
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock. The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
The steering response behavior is sporty.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style on flat roads, e.g. on highways.
Selecting the sports suspension tuning
X If indicator lamp 0044
0044 is not lit: press
button 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044lights up. You have
selected the suspension for a sporty driving
style.
All vehicles except AMG vehicles: the
Active Body Control Sport Active Body Control Sport message
appears in the multifunction display.
AMG vehicles: theAMG Suspension
AMG Suspension
System SPORT
System SPORT message appears in the
multifunction display. In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are especially comfortable.
The steering response behavior is balanced.
Select this mode if you prefer a comfortable
driving style.
Selecting the standard comfort mode
suspension tuning
X If indicator lamp 0044
0044 is not lit: press
button 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044lights up. You have
selected the suspension for a comfortable
driving style.
All vehicles except AMG vehicles: the
Active
Active Body BodyControl
Control Comfort
Comfortmessage
appears in the multifunction display.
AMG vehicles: theAMG Suspension AMG Suspension
System COMFORT
System COMFORT message appears in the
multifunction display.
ROAD SURFACE SCAN The ROAD SURFACE SCAN function monitors
the road in front of the vehicle using
multifunction camera
0043at the top of the
windshield. This function is automatically Driving systems
215Driving and parking Z

active if you select comfort suspension
tuning. The system is operational at speeds
of up to 81 mph (130 km/h).
This function allows bumps in the road
surface to be detected before the vehicle
drives over them. The spring struts are then
actuated, with the result that chassis
movements are significantly reduced when
driving over bumps.
The system is deactivated when you select
the raised vehicle level or the sports
suspension tuning.
The system may be impaired or may not
function if:
R the road surface is insufficiently lit
R there is poor visibility, e.g. snow, rain, fog
or spray
R there is glare, e.g. from the sun or from
oncoming traffic
R the windshield is dirty, fogged up or
covered, for instance by a sticker, in the
vicinity of the camera
R the road surface has no texture or is
reflective, e.g. in the case of newly laid
asphalt, concrete slabs or puddles
R the distance to the vehicle in front is too
short
R sections of the route have a very small
radius of curvature
R you accelerate hard or brake sharply AIRMATIC
General notes AIRMATIC is an air suspension with variable
damping for improved driving comfort. 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. There is also the option to
manually adjust the vehicle level. AIRMATIC consists of level setting, level control and the
Adaptive Damping System ADS.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle
or in the immediate vicinity of the wheel
arches when the vehicle is being lowered.
Vehicle level Setting the raised vehicle level
It is possible to choose between the "Normal"
and "Raised" vehicle levels. 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.
X Start the engine.
If indicator lamp 0044is not lit:
X Press button 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044lights up. The vehicle is
raised by 1.0 in (25 mm) compared to the
normal level. 216
Driving systemsDriving and parking