2015 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class maintenance

Welcome to the world of Mercedes-Benz
We urge you to read this Operator's Manual
carefully and familiarize yourself with the
vehicle before driving. For your own safety
and a longer vehicle life, follow the instruc-
tions and warning notices in this manual.
Ignoring them could result in damage to the
vehicle or personal injury to you or others.
Vehicle damage caused by failure to follow
instructions is not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty.
The equipment or product designation of your
vehicle may vary depending on:
R model
R order
R country specification
R availability
Mercedes-Benz therefore reserves the right
to introduce changes in the following areas:
R design
R equipment
R technical features
The equipment in your vehicle may therefore
differ from that shown in the descriptions and illustrations.
The following are integral components of the vehicle:
R Operator's Manual
R Maintenance Booklet
R Equipment-dependent supplements
Keep these documents in the vehicle at all
times. If you sell the vehicle, always pass all
documents on to the new owner.
You can also use the S ‑Class Guide smart-
phone app: Apple
®
iOS Android™
Please note that the Mercedes-Benz Guides
App may not yet be available in your country.
The technical documentation team at
Daimler AG wishes you safe and pleasant
motoring.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
A Daimler Company
2225840803 É2225840803IËÍ

Index
....................................................... 4Introduction
......................................... 24 At a glance
........................................... 33 Safety
................................................... 45 Opening and closing
...........................89 Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
..119 Lights and windshield wipers
..........149 Climate control
................................. 163 Driving and parking
..........................187 On-board computer and displays
....293 Stowage and features
......................371 Maintenance and care
......................403 Roadside Assistance
........................421 Wheels and tires
............................... 441 Technical data
................................... 487 Contents
3

Brake force distribution, elec-
tronic
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Brake lamps
Display message ............................ 334
Brake pedal
Pedal resistance/pedal travel .......... 48
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 76
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 81
BAS .................................................. 77
BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic
Assist ............................................... 77
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 492
Display message ............................ 317
EBD .................................................. 83
High-performance brake system .... 227
Hill start assist ............................... 192
HOLD function ............................... 242
Important safety notes .................. 226
Maintenance .................................. 226
Parking brake ................................ 222
RBS warning lamp .......................... 366
Recuperative Brake System ............. 48
Riding tips ...................................... 226
Warning lamp ................................. 357
Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting) ................................... 37
Buttons on the steering wheel ......... 295C
California Important notice for retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 26
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Camera
see 360° camera
Car
see Vehicle
Car key
see SmartKey Care
360° camera ................................. 416
Car wash ........................................ 411
Carpets .......................................... 419
Display ........................................... 417
Exhaust pipe .................................. 417
Exterior lights ................................ 415
Gear or selector lever .................... 418
Interior ........................................... 417
Matte finish ................................... 414
Night View Assist Plus ................... 417
Note s............................................. 411
Paint .............................................. 413
Plastic trim .................................... 418
Power washer ................................ 413
Rear view camera .......................... 416
Roof lining ...................................... 419
Seat belt ........................................ 419
Seat cove r..................................... 418
Sensors ......................................... 415
Steering wheel ............................... 418
Trim pieces .................................... 418
Washing by hand ........................... 413
Wheels ........................................... 414
Windows ........................................ 415
Wiper blades .................................. 415
Wooden trim .................................. 418
CD player/CD changer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 304
Center console
Overview .......................................... 39
Stowage space .............................. 373
Center console in the rear com-
partment
Stowage compartment .................. 375
Central locking
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey )........ 91
Charging
see Charging the high-voltage bat-tery (important safety notes)
Charging cable
Connecting .................................... 214
Controls ......................................... 213
Important safety notes .................. 212
Indicator lamp ................................ 214
Removing ....................................... 215
Storing ........................................... 212
Warming up ................................... 211 6
Index

Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 91
Lowering ........................................ 470
Maintenance .................................... 26
Operating safety .............................. 27
Parking for a long period ................ 223
Pulling away ................................... 192
Raising ........................................... 467
Reporting problems ......................... 29
Securing from rolling away ............ 466
Towing away .................................. 435
Transporting .................................. 437
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 98
Unlocking (SmartKey) ...................... 91
Vehicle data ................................... 495
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 495
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 99
Vehicle Homepage
Data protection .............................. 219
Functions ....................................... 220
General information ....................... 219
Internet connection ....................... 220
Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 488
Vehicle level
Active Body Control ABC ............... 244
Display message ............................ 341
Vehicle maintenance
see ASSYST PLUS
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 422
Video
Operating the DVD ......................... 305
VIN ...................................................... 488 W
Warning Stickers ........................................... 46
Warning and indicator lamps
ABS ................................................ 358
Brakes ........................................... 357
Check Engine ................................. 363
Coolant .......................................... 364
Distance warning ........................... 367
ESP ®
.............................................. 360
ESP ®
OFF ....................................... 361
Fuel tank ........................................ 363
Hybrid system ................................ 366 Overview .......................................... 36
Parking brake ................................ 362
PASSENGER AIR BAG ...................... 50
RBS (Recuperative Brake Sys-
tem) ............................................... 366
Reserve fue
l................................... 363
Restraint system ............................ 362
Seat belt ........................................ 355
Steering ......................................... 369
Tire pressure monitor .................... 368
Warranty .............................................. 25
Washer fluid
Display message ............................ 353
Wheel and tire combination
see Tires
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 470
Wheel chock ...................................... 466
Wheels
Changing a whee l.......................... 465
Checking ........................................ 443
Cleaning ......................................... 414
Important safety notes .................. 442
Interchanging/changing ................ 465
Mounting a new whee l................... 470
Mounting a whee l.......................... 466
Removing a whee l.......................... 469
Storing ........................................... 466
Tightening torque ........................... 470
Wheel size/tire size ....................... 471
Window curtain air bag
Operation ......................................... 59
Windows
see Side windows
Windshield
Defrosting ...................................... 175
Infrared reflective .......................... 401
Windshield washer fluid
see Windshield washer system
Windshield washer system
Adding washer fluid ....................... 409
Notes ............................................. 494
Windshield wipers
Problem (malfunction) ................... 161
Replacing the wiper blades ............ 158
Switching on/of f........................... 157
Winter driving
Important safety notes .................. 444
Slippery road surfaces ................... 228 22
Index

R
instrument cluster
R center console
Do not install accessories such as audio
systems in these areas. Do not carry out
repairs or welding. You could impair the
operating efficiency of the restraint sys-
tems.
Have aftermarket accessories installed at a qualified specialist workshop.
You could jeopardize the operating safety of
your vehicle if you use parts, tires and wheels as well as accessories relevant to safety
which have not been approved by Mercedes.
This could lead to malfunctions in safety-rel-
evant systems, e.g. the brake system. Use
only genuine Mercedes-Benz parts or parts of equal quality. Only use tires, wheels and
accessories that have been specifically
approved for your vehicle.
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts are subject to
strict quality control. Every part has been spe-
cifically developed, manufactured or selected for and adapted to Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Only genuine Mercedes-Benz parts should
therefore be used.
More than 300,000 different genuine
Mercedes-Benz parts are available for
Mercedes-Benz models.
All authorized Mercedes-Benz Centers main-
tain a supply of genuine Mercedes-Benz parts
for necessary service and repair work. In addi-
tion, strategically located parts delivery cen-
ters provide quick and reliable parts service.
Always specify the vehicle identification num- ber (VIN) when ordering genuine Mercedes-
Benz parts (Y page 488). Operator's Manual
Vehicle equipment
This Operator's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment of
your vehicle available at the time of going to
print. Country-specific differences are possi-
ble. Bear in mind that your vehicle may not feature all functions described here. This also
applies to safety-relevant systems and func-
tions. The equipment in your vehicle may
therefore differ from that shown in the
descriptions and illustrations.
The original purchase agreement lists all sys-
tems installed in your vehicle.
Should you have any questions concerning
equipment and operation, please consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The Operator's Manual and Maintenance
Booklet are important documents and should
be kept in the vehicle. Service and vehicle operation
Warranty
The implied warranty for your vehicle applies
in accordance with the warranty terms and
conditions in the Service and Warranty Infor-
mation booklet.
Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
replace and repair all factory-installed parts in
accordance with the following warranty terms and conditions:
R New Vehicle Limited Warranty
R Emission System Warranty
R Emission Performance Warranty
R California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachu-
setts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island and Vermont Emission Control Sys-
tem Warranty
R State warranty enforcement laws (lemon
laws)
Replacement parts and accessories are cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Parts and Acces- sories warranties. These are available at any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
i Should you lose your Service and War-
ranty Information booklet, have an author-
ized Mercedes-Benz Center arrange for a
replacement. The new Service and War-
ranty Information booklet will be posted to you. Introduction
25 Z

Information for customers in Califor-
nia
Under California law you may be entitled to a replacement of your vehicle or a refund of thepurchase price or lease price, if after a rea-
sonable number of repair attempts
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and/or its author-
ized repair or service facilities fail to fix one or
more substantial defects or malfunctions in
the vehicle that are covered by its express
warranty. During the period of 18 months
from original delivery of the vehicle or the
accumulation of 18,000 miles (approximately 29,000 km) on the odometer of the vehicle,
whichever occurs first, a reasonable number
of repair attempts is presumed for a retail
buyer or lessee if one or more of the following occurs:
(1) the same substantial defect or malfunc- tion results in a condition that is likely to
cause death or serious bodily injury if the
vehicle is driven, that defect or malfunc-
tion has been subject to repair two or
more times, and you have directly noti-
fied Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC in writing
of the need for its repair,
(2) the same substantial defect or malfunc- tion of a less serious nature than cate-
gory (1) has been subject to repair four or
more times and you have directly notified us in writing of the need for its repair, or
(3) the vehicle is out of service by reason of repair of the same or different substantial
defects or malfunctions for a cumulative
total of more than 30 calendar days.
Please send your written notice to:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Customer Assistance Center
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350 Maintenance
The Service and Warranty Booklet describes
all the necessary maintenance work which
should be done at regular intervals.
Always have the Service and Warranty Book-
let with you when you bring the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. The ser-
vice advisor will record every service for you
in the Service and Warranty Booklet. Roadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program offers technical help in the event of a breakdown. Calls to the toll-free Roadside
Assistance Hotline are answered by our
agents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372)
(USA)
1-800-387-0100 (Canada)
For additional information, refer to the
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Pro-
gram brochure (USA) or the "Roadside Assis-
tance" section in the Service and Warranty
booklet (Canada). You will find both in your
vehicle literature portfolio. Change of address or change of own-
ership
In the event of a change of address, please
send us the "Notification of Address Change" in the Service and Guarantee booklet or sim-
ply call the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assis-
tance Center (USA) at the hotline number
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372 )or
Customer Service Center (Canada) at
1-800-387-0100. This will assist us in con-
tacting you in a timely manner should the
need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave the
entire literature in the vehicle so that it is
available to the next owner.
If you have purchased a used car, please send
us the "Notification of Used Car Purchase" in 26
Introduction

the Service and Guarantee booklet or simply
call the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center (USA) at the hotline number
1-800-FOR-MERCede s(1-800-367-6372 )or
Customer Service (Canada) at
1-800-387-0100. Vehicle operation outside the USA
and Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign
countries, please be aware that:
R service facilities or replacement parts may
not be readily available.
R unleaded fuel for vehicles with a catalytic
converter may not be available. Leaded fuel may cause damage to the catalytic con-
verter.
R the fuel may have a considerably lower
octane rating. Unsuitable fuel can cause
engine damage.
Some Mercedes-Benz models are available
for delivery in Europe through our European
Delivery Program. For details, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or write to
one of the following addresses.
In the USA
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9 Operating safety
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you do not have the prescribed service/
maintenance work or any required repairs carried out, this can result in malfunctions or
system failures. There is a risk of an accident.
Always have the prescribed service/mainte-
nance work as well as any required repairs
carried out at a qualified specialist workshop. G
WARNING
Flammable material such as leaves, grass or
twigs may ignite if they come into contact with hot parts of the exhaust system. There is a risk of fire.
When driving off road or on unpaved roads,
check the vehicle's underside regularly. In
particular, remove parts of plants or other
flammable materials which have become
trapped. In the case of damage, contact a
qualified specialist workshop. G
WARNING
Modifications to electronic components, their software as well as wiring can impair their
function and/or the function of other net-
worked components. In particular, systems
relevant to safety could also be affected. As a
result, these may no longer function as inten-
ded and/or jeopardize the operating safety of
the vehicle. There is an increased risk of an
accident and injury.
Never tamper with the wiring as well as elec-
tronic components or their software. You
should have all work to electrical and elec-
tronic equipment carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop.
If you make any changes to the vehicle elec-
tronics, the general operating permit is ren-
dered invalid.
! There is a risk of damage to the vehicle if:
R the vehicle becomes stuck, e.g. on a high
curb or an unpaved road
R you drive too fast over an obstacle, e.g. a
curb or a hole in the road
R a heavy object strikes the undercarriage
or parts of the chassis Introduction
27 Z

G
WARNING
If you connect equipment to the diagnostics
connection in the vehicle, it may affect the
operation of the vehicle systems. As a result, the operating safety of the vehicle could be
affected. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not connect any equipment to a diagnos-
tics connection in the vehicle. G
WARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict the pedal travel or obstruct a depressed pedal.
The operating and road safety of the vehicle is
jeopardized. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are
stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter
the driver's footwell. Install the floormats
securely and as specified in order to ensure
sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not use loose floormats and do not place floormats on
top of one another.
! If the engine is switched off and equip-
ment on the diagnostics connection is
used, the starter battery may discharge.
Connecting equipment to the diagnostics
connection can lead to emissions monitoring information being reset, for example. This
may lead to the vehicle failing to meet the
requirements of the next emissions test dur-
ing the main inspection. Qualified specialist workshop
An authorized Mercedes-Benz Center is a
qualified specialist workshop. It has the nec-
essary specialist knowledge, tools and quali-
fications to correctly carry out the work
required on your vehicle. This is especially the case for work relevant to safety.
Observe the notes in the Maintenance Book-
let. Always have the following work carried out at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center:
R work relevant to safety
R service and maintenance work
R repair work
R alterations, installation work and modifica-
tions
R work on electronic components
R work on the hybrid system Correct use
If you remove any warning stickers, you or
others could fail to recognize certain dangers.
Leave warning stickers in position.
Observe the following information when driv- ing your vehicle:
R the safety notes in this manual
R the Technical Data section in this manual
R traffic rules and regulations
R laws and safety standards pertaining to
motor vehicles Problems with your vehicle
If you should experience a problem with your
vehicle, particularly one that you believe may
affect its safe operation, we urge you to con- tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately to have the problem diagnosed
and rectified. If the problem is not resolved to
your satisfaction, please discuss the problem
again with a Mercedes-Benz Center or con-
tact us at one of the following addresses.
In the USA
Customer Assistance Center
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada
Customer Relations Department
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
98 Vanderhoof Avenue Introduction
29 Z