2014 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class Owner's Manual

X
AMG vehicles: press program selector
button 0043repeatedly until the letter of the
desired drive program appears in the
multifunction display.
The program selector button influences:
R the drive program (Y page 183)
R the engine management
In AMG vehicles, drive program Eis called
drive program C.
i When the engine is started, the automatic
transmission always switches to automatic
drive program E(drive program Cin AMG
vehicles).
All vehicles (except AMG vehicles) E
Economy Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
You can also activate manual drive program
M
using the steering wheel paddle shifters
(Y page 184). In manual drive program M,
you can briefly change gear yourself by using
the steering wheel paddle shifters.
AMG vehicles C
Controlled
Efficiency Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
M
Manual Manual gear shifting
i
Permanent drive program Mis only
available for AMG vehicles. Further information about permanent drive
program
M(Ypage 185).
You can also activate manual drive program
M using the steering wheel paddle shifters
(Y page 184). In manual drive program M,
you can briefly change gear yourself by using
the steering wheel paddle shifters.
i For further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Y page 183). Steering wheel paddle shifters
You can activate manual drive program
Min
the Eand Sautomatic drive programs using
steering wheel paddle shifters 0043and 0044
(Y page 184). In manual drive program M,
you can briefly change gear yourself by using
the steering wheel paddle shifters.
AMG vehicles: you can also activate manual
drive program Mwith the program selector
button (Y page 185). In manual drive
program M, you can permanently change
gear yourself by using the steering wheel
paddle shifters. Automatic drive program
Automatic drive programs E and S Drive program
E(drive program Con MAG
vehicles) is characterized by the following: Automatic transmission
183Driving and parking Z

R
the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
R increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin
Drive program Sis characterized by the
following:
R sporty engine settings
R the vehicle pulling away in first gear
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later
R the fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic
transmission shift points
Manual drive program M General notes
In this drive program, you can briefly change
gear yourself by using the steering wheel
paddle shifters. The transmission must be in
position D.
You can activate manual drive program Min
the E(C in AMG vehicles) and Sautomatic
drive programs.
i AMG vehicles: as well as temporary drive
program M, you can also activate
permanent drive program M.
Further information about permanent drive
program M(Y page 185).
Activating
X Shift the transmission to position D.
X Pull the left or right steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 183).
Manual drive program Mis temporarily
activated.
All vehicles except AMG vehicles: M and
the selected gear appear in the
multifunction display. Shifting gears
If you pull on the left or right steering wheel
paddle shifter, the automatic transmission
switches to manual drive program
Mfor a
limited amount of time. Depending on which
paddle shifter is pulled, the automatic
transmission immediately shifts into the next
gear down or up, if permitted.
X To shift up: pull the right-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter (Y page 183).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
i If the maximum engine speed on the
currently engaged gear is reached and you
continue to accelerate, the automatic
transmission automatically shifts up in
order to prevent engine damage.
i AMG vehicles: the automatic
transmission will not shift up to the next
gear when the engine speed is very low.
X To shift down: pull on the left-hand
steering wheel paddle shifter
(Y page 183).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
i If the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the
automatic transmission protects against
engine damage by not shifting down.
i Automatic down shifting occurs when
coasting.
Shift recommendation 184
Automatic transmissionDriving an
d parking

The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The
recommended gear is shown in the
multifunction display.
X Shift to recommended gear 0044according
to gearshift recommendation 0043when
shown in the multifunction display of the
instrument cluster.
Deactivating
If you have activated manual drive program
M, it will remain active for a certain amount
of time. Under certain conditions the
minimum amount of time is extended, e.g. in
the case of lateral acceleration, during an
overrun phase or when driving on steep
terrain.
If manual drive program Mhas been
deactivated, the automatic transmission
shifts into the automatic drive program that
was last selected.
You can also deactivate manual drive
program Myourself:
X Pull on the right-hand steering wheel
paddle shifter and hold it in place
(Y page 183).
or
X Use the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch the
transmission position.
or
X Use the program selector button to change
the drive program (Y page 182).
Manual drive program Mis deactivated.
The automatic transmission switches to
the previously activated drive program E
(drive program Con AMG vehicles) or S. Manual drive program (AMG vehicles)
General information In this drive program, you can permanently
change gear yourself by using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must
be in position D. Manual drive program
Mis different from
drive program Swith regard to spontaneity,
responsiveness and smoothness of gear
changes.
Switching on the manual drive program In manual drive program
M, you can change
gear using the steering wheel paddle shifters
if the transmission is in position D. You can
see the currently selected drive program and
which gear is engaged in the multifunction
display.
X Press the program selector button
(Y page 182) repeatedly until Mappears in
the multifunction display.
Upshifting !
In manual drive program M, the automatic
transmission does not shift up
automatically even when the engine
limiting speed for the current gear is
reached. When the engine limiting speed is
reached, the fuel supply is cut to prevent
the engine from overrevving. Always make
sure that the engine speed does not reach
the red area of the tachometer. There is
otherwise a risk of engine damage. 0043
Gear indicator
0044 Upshift indicator
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the
multifunction display.
X If the color in the speedometer
multifunction display changes to red and Automatic transmission
185Driving and parking Z

the
UP
UPdisplay message is shown, shift up
a gear using the right-hand steering wheel
paddle shifter.
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear if this is permissible.
Downshifting X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 183).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear if this is permissible.
Maximum acceleration
X Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter until the transmission selects the
optimum gear according to the speed.
i If you slow down or stop without shifting
down, the automatic transmission
automatically shifts down.
Switching off the manual drive program X
Press the program selector button
(Y page 182) repeatedly until Cor S
appears in the multifunction display. 186
Automatic transmissionDriving an
d parking

Problems with the transmission
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions The transmission has
problems shifting gear. The transmission is losing oil.
X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist
workshop immediately. The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no
longer changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into
secondgear and reverse gear.
X Stop the vehicle.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
If D is selected, the transmission shifts into secondgear; ifRis
selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist
workshop immediately. Transfer case
! Performance tests may only be carried
out on a 2-axle dynamometer. The brake
system or transfer case could otherwise be
damaged. Contact a qualified specialist
workshop for a performance test.
! To prevent ESP ®
from intervening, the
ignition must be switched off (SmartKey or
the Start/Stop button in position 0or 1) if:
R the electric parking brake is being tested
on a brake dynamometer.
R the vehicle is being towed with only one
axle raised (not permitted for vehicles
with 4MATIC).
The brake system could otherwise be
damaged.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with either the front or the rear axle raised,
as doing so will damage the transmission.
This section is only valid for vehicles with 4-
wheel drive (4MATIC). Power is always
transmitted to both axles. Refueling
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and
explosion.
You must avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine
and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before
refueling. G
WARNING
Fuel is poisonous and hazardous to health.
There is a risk of injury.
You must make sure that fuel does not come
into contact with your skin, eyes or clothing
and that it is not swallowed. Do not inhale fuel
vapors. Keep fuel away from children. Refueling
187Driving and parking
Z

If you or others come into contact with fuel,
observe the following:
R Wash away fuel from skin immediately
using soap and water.
R If fuel comes into contact with your eyes,
immediately rinse them thoroughly with
clean water. Seek medical assistance
without delay.
R If fuel is swallowed, seek medical
assistance without delay. Do not induce
vomiting.
R Immediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with fuel. G
WARNING
Electrostatic buildup can create sparks and
ignite fuel vapors. There is a risk of fire and
explosion.
Always touch the vehicle body before opening
the fuel filler flap or touching the fuel pump
nozzle. Any existing electrostatic buildup is
thereby discharged.
Do not get into the vehicle again during the
refueling process. Otherwise, electrostatic
charge could build up again.
! Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a
gasoline engine. Do not switch on the
ignition if you accidentally refuel with the
wrong fuel. Otherwise, the fuel will enter
the fuel system. Even small amounts of the
wrong fuel could result in damage to the
fuel system and the engine. Notify a
qualified specialist workshop and have the
fuel tank and fuel lines drained completely.
! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system.
! Take care not to spill any fuel on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
! Use a filter when refueling from a fuel can.
Otherwise, the fuel lines and/or injection
system could be blocked by particles from
the fuel can. If you overfill the fuel tank, fuel could spray
out when the fuel pump nozzle is removed.
For further information on fuel and fuel quality
(Y page 423). Refueling
General information Pay attention to the important safety notes
(Y
page 187).
If you unlock/lock the vehicle from the
outside, the fuel filler flap also unlocks/locks.
The position of the fuel filler cap is shown in
the instrument cluster 00B6. The arrow next
to the filling pump indicates the side of the
vehicle.
Opening the fuel filler flap 0043
To open the fuel filler flap
0044 To insert the fuel filler cap
0087 Tire pressure table
0085 Fuel type to be used
X Switch the engine off.
X Open the driver's door.
This corresponds to key position 0: "key
removed".
The driver’s door can be closed again.
X Press the fuel filler flap in the direction of
arrow 0043.
The fuel filler flap swings up.
X Turn the fuel filler flap counter-clockwise
and remove it. 188
RefuelingDriving and parking

X
Insert the fuel filler cap into the holder on
the inside of filler flap 0044.
X Completely insert the filler neck of the fuel
pump nozzle into the tank, hook in place
and refuel.
X Only fill the tank until the pump nozzle
switches off.
i Do not add any more fuel after the pump
stops filling for the first time. Otherwise,
fuel may leak out.
Closing the fuel filler flap X
Replace the cap on the filler neck and turn
clockwise until it engages audibly.
X Close the fuel filler flap.
i Close the fuel filler flap before locking the
vehicle.
i If you are driving with the fuel filler cap
open, the 00B6reserve fuel warning lamp
flashes. A message appears in the
multifunction display (Y page 286).
In addition, the 00B9Check Engine warning
lamp may light up (Y page 308).
For further information on warning and
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster,
see (Y page 308). Refueling
189Driving and parking Z

Problems with fuel and the fuel tank
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions Fuel is leaking from the
vehicle.
G
WARNING
The fuel line or the fuel tank is faulty.
Risk of explosion or fire.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Press the Start/Stop button.
The engine stops and all the indicator lamps in the instrument
cluster go out.
i When the driver's door is open, this corresponds to key
position 0: "Key removed".
X Do not restart the engine under any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The fuel filler flap
cannot be opened. The fuel filler flap is not unlocked.
or
The SmartKey battery is discharged.
X
Unlock the vehicle (Y page 85).
or
X Unlock the vehicle using the mechanical key (Y page 86).The fuel filler flap is unlocked, but the opening mechanism is
jammed.
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Parking
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Flammable material such as leaves, grass or
twigs may ignite if they come into contact with
hot parts of the exhaust system or exhaust
gas flow. There is a risk of fire.
Park the vehicle so that no flammable
materials come into contact with parts of the
vehicle which are hot. Take particular care not
to park on dry grassland or harvested grain
fields. G
WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, they could set it in motion by, for
example:
R release the parking brake.
R shift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P.
R start the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle
equipment and become trapped. There is a
risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. 190
ParkingDriving and parking