2014 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class towing

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. Select
comfort mode also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches of
freeway.
X If indicator lamp 0044
0044 is not lit: press
button 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044lights up. Comfort tuning
is selected.
All vehicles except AMG vehicles: the
AIRMATIC COMFORT AIRMATIC COMFORT message appears in
the multifunction display.
AMG vehicles: theAMG Suspension
AMG Suspension
System COMFORT
System COMFORT message appears in the
multifunction display.
If the driving speed is higher than 75 mph
(120 km/h), the vehicle is automatically
lowered by another 0.4 in (10 mm) compared
to the normal level in comfort mode.
Load compensation The vehicle can compensate differences in
the vehicle level by raising or lowering the
axles. This is the case, for example, if people
get out or if luggage is being loaded.
Load compensation takes place if:
R a door or the trunk lid is opened
R the parked vehicle is unlocked
For larger level changes, the engine must be
running. 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.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC
can neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot
take account of road, weather and traffic
conditions. 4MATIC 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.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip:
R Only depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
R Accelerate less when driving.
! 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. PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It monitors the area
around your vehicle using six sensors in the
front bumper and six sensors in the rear
bumper. PARKTRONIC indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always 218
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Making an emergency call
X
To initiate an emergency call
manually: press cover 0043briefly to open.
X Press SOS button 0044briefly.
The indicator lamp in SOS button 0044
flashes until the emergency call is
concluded.
X Wait for a voice connection to the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center.
X After the emergency call, close cover 0043.
i If the mobile phone network is
unavailable, mbrace will not be able to
make the emergency call. If you leave the
vehicle immediately after pressing the SOS
button, you will not know whether mbrace
placed the emergency call. In this case,
always summon assistance by other
means.
Roadside Assistance button X
Press Roadside Assistance button 0043.
This initiates a call to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center.
The indicator lamp in Roadside Assistance
button 0043flashes while the call is active.
The multifunction display shows the
Connecting Call
Connecting Call message. The audio
system is muted.
If a connection can be made, the Call Call
Connected Connected message appears in the
multifunction display.
If a mobile phone network and GPS reception
are available, the system transfers data to the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center,
for example:
R Current location of the vehicle
R Vehicle identification number
i The COMAND display indicates that a call
is active. During the call, you can change to
the navigation menu by pressing the NAVI
button on COMAND, for example.
Voice output is not available.
A voice connection is established between
the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center and the vehicle occupants.
From the vehicle remote malfunction
diagnosis, the Mercedes-Benz Customer
Assistance Center can ascertain the nature of
the problem (Y page 339).
The Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center either sends a qualified Mercedes-
Benz technician or makes arrangements for
your vehicle to be transported to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
You may be charged for services such as
repair work and/or towing.
Further details are available in your mbrace
manual. Features
335Stowage and features Z

Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz. Washing the vehicle and cleaning the
paintwork
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is restored.
! 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
! Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
! Make sure that:
R the side windows and the sliding sunroof
are fully closed.
R the ventilation/heating is switched off
(the OFF button has been pressed).
R the windshield wiper switch is in position
0.
Otherwise, the vehicle might be damaged.
! If the key is within the rear detection
range of KEYLESS-GO, the following
situations, for example, could lead to the
unintentional opening of the trunk:
R using a car wash
R using a power washer Make sure that the key is at least 6.5 ft
(2 m) away from the vehicle.
! Make sure that the automatic
transmission is in neutral position Nwhen
washing your vehicle in a tow-through car
wash. The vehicle may otherwise be
damaged.
R Operating with the SmartKey:
Do not remove the SmartKey from the
ignition lock. Do not open the driver's
door when the engine is switched off or
at very low speeds. Otherwise, when in
transmission position Dor Rthe
automatic transmission will
automatically switch to park position P
and block the wheels.
R Operating with the Start/Stop button:
Do not open the driver's door when the
engine is switched off or at very low
speeds. Otherwise, when in transmission
position Dor Rthe automatic
transmission will automatically switch to
park position Pand block the wheels.
Observe the following to make sure that the
automatic transmission stays in position N
neutral:
Operating with the SmartKey:
X Make sure that the ignition is switched on.
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary.
X Depress and hold the brake pedal.
X Shift to neutral N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake, if
necessary.
X Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
Operating with the Start/Stop button:
X Make sure that the ignition is switched on.
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary.
X Depress and hold the brake pedal.
X Engage park position P.
X Release the brake pedal. 354
CareMaintenance and care

Useful information
............................364
Where will I find...? ...........................364
Flat tire .............................................. 365
Battery (vehicle) ................................ 369
Jump-starting .................................... 373
Towing and tow-starting ..................376
Fuses .................................................. 379 363Breakdown assistance

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 Read the information on qualified
specialist workshops: (Y page 27).Where will I find...?
Vehicle tool kit
General notes The towing eye is located in the stowage well
under the trunk floor.
i Apart from certain country-specific
variations, the vehicles are not equipped
with a tire-change tool kit. Some tools for
changing a wheel are specific to the
vehicle. For more information on which
tools are required and approved to perform
a wheel change on your vehicle, consult a
qualified specialist workshop.
Tools required for changing a wheel may
include, for example:
R Jack
R Wheel chock
R Lug wrench
R Ratchet wrench
R Alignment bolt Vehicles with a TIREFIT kit Example
0043 Tire sealant filler bottle
0044 Tire inflation compressor
0087 Towing eye
X Open the trunk lid.
X Lift the trunk floor upwards (Y page 320).
X Use the TIREFIT kit (Y page 366).
AMG vehicles Example
0043 Tire sealant filler bottle
0044 Jack
0087 Ratchet
0085 Alignment bolt
0083 Jacking support
0084 Socket
006B Lug wrench
006C Towing eye
006D Folding wheel chock
006E Tire inflation compressor 364
Where will I find...?Breakdown assistance

Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Functions relevant to safety are restricted or
no longer available if:
R the engine is not running.
R the brake system or the power steering is
malfunctioning.
R there is a malfunction in the voltage supply
or the vehicle's electrical system.
If your vehicle is being towed, much more
force may be necessary to steer or brake.
There is a risk of an accident.
In such cases, use a tow bar. Before towing,
make sure that the steering moves freely. G
WARNING
You can no longer steer the vehicle if the
steering wheel lock has been engaged. There
is a risk of an accident.
Always switch off the ignition when towing the
vehicle with a tow cable or a tow bar. G
WARNING
If the weight of the vehicle to be towed or tow-
started is greater than the permissible gross
weight of your vehicle:
R the towing eye could detach itself
R the vehicle/trailer combination could
rollover.
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle,
its weight should not be greater than the
permissible gross weight of your vehicle.
! 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 !
Make sure that the electric parking brake
is released. If the electric parking brake is
faulty, visit a qualified specialist workshop.
! Secure the tow rope or tow bar to the
towing eye only. Otherwise, the vehicle
could become damaged.
! Do not use the towing eye for recovery,
this could damage the vehicle. If in doubt,
recover the vehicle with a crane.
! When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
! Shift the automatic transmission to Nand
do not open the driver's or front
passenger's door during towing. The
automatic transmission may otherwise
shift to position P, which could damage the
transmission.
! Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
! The vehicle can be towed a maximum of
30 miles (50km). The towing speed of
30 mph (50 km/h) must not be exceeded.
If the vehicle has to be towed more than
30 miles (50km), the entire vehicle must be
raised and transported.
! If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum
permissible gross vehicle weight of your
vehicle.
Information on your vehicle's gross vehicle
weight rating can be found on the vehicle
identification plate (Y page 422).
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
If the vehicle has suffered transmission
damage, have it transported on a transporter
or trailer.
The automatic transmission must be in
position Nwhen the vehicle is being towed.
If the automatic transmission cannot be
shifted to position N, have the vehicle
transported on a transporter or trailer. 376
Towing and tow-startingBreakdown assistance

The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R cannot turn the SmartKey to position 2in
the ignition lock
R cannot release the electric parking brake
R cannot shift the automatic transmission to
position N
i Disarm the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed (Y page 92). You
could otherwise be locked out when
pushing or towing the vehicle. Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye The brackets for the screw-in towing eyes are
located in the bumpers. They are at the rear
and at the front, under covers 0043.
X Remove the towing eye from the vehicle
tool kit/stowage tray (Y page 364).
X Remove cover 0043from the opening.
X Screw in and tighten the towing eye
clockwise to the stop. Removing the towing eye X
Unscrew and remove the towing eye.
X Attach cover 0043to the bumper and press
until it engages.
X Place the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit/
stowage tray. Towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised
Only vehicles without 4MATIC can be
towed with the rear axle raised.
! The ignition must be switched off if you
are towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised. Intervention by ESP ®
could
otherwise damage the brake system.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with either the front or the rear axle raised,
as doing so will damage the transmission.
Vehicles with 4MATIC may either be towed
away with both axles on the ground or be
loaded up and transported.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 140).
X If necessary, turn the SmartKey in the
ignition lock to position 0and remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock.
X Take the SmartKey with you when you leave
the vehicle.
When towing your vehicle with the rear axle
raised, it is important that you observe the
safety instructions (Y page 376). Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
(Y page 376).
The automatic transmission automatically
shifts to position Pwhen you open the driver's
or front-passenger door or when you remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock. Towing and tow-starting
377Breakdown assistance Z

In order to ensure that the automatic
transmission stays in position Nwhen towing
the vehicle, you must observe the following
points:
X You must use the SmartKey instead of the
Start/Stop button (Y page 171).
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary and
the SmartKey in the ignition lock is in
position 0.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the
ignition lock.
X Depress and hold the brake pedal.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Leave the SmartKey in position 2in the
ignition lock.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 140).
i In order to signal a change of direction
when towing the vehicle with the hazard
warning lamps switched on, use the
combination switch as usual. In this case,
only the indicator lamps for the direction of
travel flash. After resetting the
combination switch, the hazard warning
lamp starts flashing again. Transporting the vehicle
! You may only secure the vehicle by the
wheels, not by parts of the vehicle such as
axle or steering components. Otherwise,
the vehicle could be damaged.
The towing eyes or trailer tow hitch can be
used to pull the vehicle onto a trailer or
transporter if you wish to transport it.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the
ignition lock.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position N. As soon as the vehicle has been loaded:
X
Prevent the vehicle from rolling away by
applying the electric parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position P.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the
ignition lock and remove it.
X Secure the vehicle. Notes on 4MATIC vehicles
! Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with either the front or the rear axle raised,
as doing so will damage the transmission.
Vehicles with 4MATIC may either be towed
away with both axles on the ground or be
loaded up and transported.
If the vehicle's transmission, front, or rear
axle is damaged, have the vehicle transported
on a truck or trailer.
In the event of damage to the electrical
system: if the battery is defective, the
automatic transmission will be locked in
position P. To shift the automatic
transmission to position N, you must provide
power to the vehicle's electrical system in the
same way as when jump-starting
(Y page 373).
Have the vehicle transported on a transporter
or trailer. Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting)
! Vehicles with automatic transmission
must not be tow-started. You could
otherwise damage the automatic
transmission.
i Information on "Jump-starting"
(Y page 373). 378
Towing and tow-startingBreakdown assistance