2014 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class change time

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

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

X
To cancel the procedure: press the
0038 button on the multifunction steering
wheel or pull away.
or
X To park using Active Parking Assist:
press the 0076button on the multifunction
steering wheel.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate
Park Assist Active Accelerate
and Brake Observe Surroundings
and Brake Observe Surroundings
message appears in the multifunction
display.
X Let go of the multifunction steering wheel.
X Back up the vehicle, being ready to brake
at all times. When backing up, drive at a
speed below approximately 6 mph
(10 km/h). Otherwise Active Parking Assist
will be canceled.
Active Parking Assist brakes the vehicle to
a standstill when the vehicle approaches
the rear border of the parking space.
Maneuvering may be required in tight
parking spaces.
The Park Assist Active Select D Park Assist Active Select D
Observe
Observe Surroundings
Surroundings message appears in
the multifunction display.
X Shift the transmission to position Dwhile
the vehicle is stationary.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate
Park Assist Active Accelerate
and Brake Observe Surroundings
and Brake Observe Surroundings
message appears in the multifunction
display.
i You will achieve the best results by
waiting for the steering procedure to
complete before pulling away.
X Drive forwards and be ready to brake at all
times.
Active Parking Assist brakes the vehicle to
a standstill.
The Park Assist Active Select R
Park Assist Active Select R
Observe
Observe Surroundings Surroundings message appears in
the multifunction display. As soon as the parking procedure is
complete, the
Park Assist Finished
Park Assist Finished
message appears in the multifunction display
and a warning tone sounds. The vehicle is now
parked. The vehicle is kept stationary without
the driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled when you
depress the accelerator pedal.
Active Parking Assist no longer supports you
with steering interventions and brake
applications. When Active Parking Assist is
finished, you must steer and brake again
yourself. PARKTRONIC is still available.
Parking tips:
R The way your vehicle is positioned in the
parking space after parking is dependent
on various factors. These include the
position and shape of the vehicles parked
in front and behind it and the conditions of
the location. It may be the case that Active
Parking Assist guides you too far into a
parking space, or not far enough into it. In
some cases, it may also lead you across or
onto the curb. If necessary, you should
cancel the parking procedure with Active
Parking Assist.
R You can also select preselect transmission
position D. The vehicle redirects and does
not drive as far into the parking space.
Should the transmission change take place
too early, the parking procedure will be
canceled. A sensible parking position can
no longer be achieved from this position.
Exiting a parking space In order that Active Parking Assist can
support you when you exit the parking space:
R the border of the parking space must be
high enough at the front and the rear. A
curb is too small, for example.
R the border of the parking space must not
be too wide, as the position of the vehicle
must not exceed an angle of 45° to the 224
Driving systemsDriving an
d parking

Important safety notes
ATTENTION ASSIST is only an aid to the
driver. It might not always recognize fatigue
or increasing inattentiveness in time or fail to
recognize them at all. The system is not a
substitute for a well-rested and attentive
driver.
The functionality of ATTENTION ASSIST is
restricted and warnings may be delayed or
not occur at all:
R if the length of the journey is less than
approximately 30 minutes
R if the road condition is poor, e.g. if the
surface is uneven or if there are potholes
R if there is a strong side wind
R if you have adopted a sporty driving style
with high cornering speeds or high rates of
acceleration
R if you are predominantly driving slower
than 37 mph (60 km/h) or faster than
125 mph (200 km/h)
R if you are driving with the active Steer
Assist of DISTRONIC PLUS
R if the time has been set incorrectly
R in active driving situations, such as when
you change lanes or change your speed
ATTENTION ASSIST is reset when you
continue your journey and starts assessing
your tiredness again if:
R you switch off the engine.
R you take off your seat belt and open the
driver's door, e.g. for a change of drivers or
to take a break. Displaying the attention level You can have current status information
displayed in the assistance menu
(Y
page 259) of the on-board computer.
X Select the Assistance display for Attention
Assist using the on-board computer
(Y page 258).
The following information is displayed:
R length of the journey since the last break.
R the attention level determined by
ATTENTION ASSIST, displayed in a bar
display in five levels from high to low.
R if ATTENTION ASSIST is unable to calculate
the attention level and cannot output a
warning, the System Passive System Passive message
appears. The bar display then changes the
display, e.g. if you are driving at a speed
below 37 mph (60 km/h) or above
124 mph (200 km/h).
Activating ATTENTION ASSIST X
Activate ATTENTION ASSIST using the on-
board computer (Y page 261).
The system determines the attention level
of the driver depending on the setting
selected:
Standard selected: the sensitivity with
which the system determines the attention
level is set to normal.
Sensitive selected: the sensitivity is set
higher. The attention level detected by
Attention Assist is adapted accordingly and
the driver is warned earlier. Driving systems
235Driving and parking Z

Due to the nature of the system:
R
warnings may be issued in error when
driving close to crash barriers or similar
solid lane borders.
R warnings may be interrupted when driving
alongside particularly long vehicles, e.g.
trucks, for a prolonged time.
Warning display 0043
Warning display
Active Blind Spot Assist is not operational at
speeds below approximately 20 mph
(30 km/h). Vehicles in the monitoring range
are then not indicated.
If a vehicle is detected within the blind spot
monitoring range at speeds above 20 mph
(30 km/h), warning lamp 0043on the
corresponding side lights up red. This warning
is always emitted when a vehicle enters the
blind spot monitoring range from behind or
from the side. When you overtake a vehicle,
the warning only occurs if the difference in
speed is less than 7 mph (12 km/h).
If you select the reverse gear, Active Blind
Spot Assist is not operational.
The brightness of the warning lamps is
automatically adapted to the brightness of
the surroundings. When Active Blind Spot Assist is activated,
gray radar waves propagating backwards
appear next to the vehicle in the assistance
display in the multifunction display. Above a
speed of 20 mph (30 km/h), the color of the
radar waves in the assistance display
changes to green 0044. Active Blind Spot Assist
is then ready for use.
Visual and acoustic collision warning
If you switch on the turn signals to change
lanes and a vehicle is detected in the side
monitoring range, you receive a visual and
acoustic collision warning. You will then hear
a double warning tone and red warning
lamp 0043flashes. If the turn signal remains on,
detected vehicles are indicated by the
flashing of red warning lamp 0043. There are no
further warning tones.
Course-correcting brake application
If Active Blind Spot Assist detects a risk of a
lateral collision in the monitoring range, a
course-correcting brake application is carried
out. This is meant to assist you in avoiding a
collision. G
WARNING
A course-correcting brake application cannot
always prevent a collision. There is a risk of
an accident.
Always steer, brake or accelerate yourself,
especially if Active Blind Spot Assist warns
you or makes a course-correcting brake
application. Always maintain a safe distance
at the sides. 242
Driving systemsDriving an
d parking

R
you brake hard.
R you steer actively, e.g. swerve to avoid
an obstacle or change lanes quickly.
R you cut the corner on a sharp bend.
In order that you are warned only when
necessary and in good time if you cross the
lane marking, the system recognizes certain
conditions and warns you accordingly.
The warning vibration occurs earlier if:
R you approach the outer lane marking on a
bend.
R the road has very wide lanes, e.g. a
highway.
R the system recognizes solid lane markings.
The warning vibration occurs later if:
R the road has narrow lanes.
R you cut the corner on a bend. 246
Driving syste
msDriving and parking

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).Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you operate information systems and
communication equipment integrated in the
vehicle while driving, you will be distracted
from traffic conditions. You could also lose
control of the vehicle. There is a risk of an
accident.
Only operate the equipment when the traffic
situation permits. If you are not sure that this
is possible, park the vehicle paying attention
to traffic conditions and operate the
equipment when the vehicle is stationary.
You must observe the legal requirements for
the country in which you are currently driving
when operating the on-board computer. G
WARNING
If the instrument cluster has failed or
malfunctioned, you may not recognize
function restrictions in systems relevant to
safety. The operating safety of your vehicle
may be impaired. There is a risk of an
accident.
Drive on carefully. Have the vehicle checked
at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately.
The on-board computer only shows messages
or warnings from certain systems in the multifunction display. You should therefore
make sure your vehicle is operating safely at
all times. Otherwise, a vehicle that is not
operating safely may cause an accident.
For an overview, see the instrument panel
illustration (Y
page 33). Displays and operation
Tachometer
! Do not drive in the overrevving range, as
this could damage the engine.
The red band in the tachometer indicates the
engine's overrevving range.
The fuel supply is interrupted to protect the
engine when the red band is reached. Outside temperature display
You should pay special attention to road
conditions when temperatures are around
freezing point.
The outside temperature display is in the
multifunction display (Y page 250).
Changes in the outside temperature are
displayed after a short delay. 248
Displays and operationOn-board computer and displays

X
Switch on COMAND; see the separate
operating instructions.
X Use 00E2 on the steering wheel to call up
the list of menus.
X Press the 0064or0063 button on the
steering wheel to select the Navi
Navi menu.
X Confirm by pressing 0076on the steering
wheel.
Route guidance not active 0043
Direction of travel
0044 Current road
Route guidance active No change of direction announced
0043
Distance to the next destination
0044 Estimated arrival time
0087 Distance to the next change of direction
0085 Current road Change of direction announced with a
lane recommendation
0043
Road into which the change of direction
leads
0044 Distance to the change of direction
0087 Change-of-direction symbol
0085 Lane not recommended (dark gray)
0083 Possible lane (light gray)
0084 Recommended lane and new lane during
a change of direction (white)
On multilane roads, new lane
recommendations can be displayed for the
next change of direction if the digital map
supports this data. During the change of
direction, new lanes may be added.
Lane not recommended 0085: you will not be
able to complete the next change of direction
if you stay in this lane.
Possible lane 0083: you will be able to complete
the next change of direction in this lane only.
Recommended lane 0084: in this lane you will
be able to complete the next change of
direction and the one after that. Menus and submenus
253On-board computer and displays Z