2015 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class rain

The ROAD SURFACE SCAN function monitors
the road in front of the vehicle using multi-
function camera :at the top of the wind-
shield. This function is automatically 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 sur-
face to be detected before the vehicle drives
over them. The spring struts are then actu-
ated, 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 sports mode.
The system may be impaired or may not func-
tion 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 cov-
ered, for instance by a sticker, in the vicinity
of the camera
R the road surface has no texture or is reflec-
tive, 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 con- sumption. There is also the option to manually
adjust the vehicle level. AIRMATIC consists of
level setting, level control and the Adaptive
Damping System ADS PLUS.
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 "Nor-
mal" setting for normal road surfaces and
"Raised" for driving with snow chains or on
particularly poor road surfaces. Your selec-
tion remains stored even if you remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock.
X Start the engine.
If indicator lamp ;is not lit:
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. The vehicle is
raised by 1.0 in (25 mm) compared to the
normal level. 246
Driving systemsDriving and parking

!
When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars.
PARKTRONIC does not detect such objects
when they are in the immediate vicinity of
the vehicle. You could damage the vehicle
or the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, the compressed-air brakes on a
truck or a pneumatic drill could cause
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on uneven terrain.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when you:
R switch on the ignition
R shift the transmission to position D,Ror N
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18 km/h). It is reactivated at lower
speeds.
Range of the sensors General notes
PARKTRONIC does not take objects into con-
sideration that are:
R below the detection range, e.g. people, ani-
mals or objects.
R above the detection range, e.g. overhang-
ing loads, truck overhangs or loading
ramps. :
Sensors in the front bumper, left-hand
side (example) The sensors must be free from dirt, ice or
slush. They can otherwise not function cor-
rectly. Clean the sensors regularly, taking
care not to scratch or damage them
(Y
page 415).
Front sensors Center Approx. 40 in (approx.
100 cm)
Corners Approx. 24 in (approx.
60 cm) Driving systems
249Driving and parking Z

Parking tips:
R On narrow roads, drive as close to the park-
ing space as possible.
R Parking spaces that are littered or over-
grown might be identified or measured
incorrectly.
R Parking spaces that are partially occupied
by trailer drawbars might not be identified
as such or be measured incorrectly.
R Snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately.
R Pay attention to the PARKTRONIC
(Y page 250) warning messages during the
parking procedure.
R You can intervene in the steering procedure
to correct it at any time. Active Parking
Assist will then be canceled.
R When transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle, you should not use
Active Parking Assist.
R Never use Active Parking Assist when snow
chains are installed.
R Make sure that the tire pressures are
always correct. This has a direct influence
on the parking characteristics of the vehi-
cle.
Use Active Parking Assist for parking spaces:
R parallel or at right angles to the direction of
travel
R that are on straight roads, not bends
R that are on the same level as the road, e.g.
not on the pavement
Detecting parking spaces Objects located above the height range of
Active Parking Assist will not be detected
when the parking space is measured. These
are not taken into account when the parking
procedure is calculated, e.g. overhanging
loads, tail sections or loading ramps of goods vehicles. G
WARNING
If there are objects above the detection range:
R Active Park Assist may steer too early
R the vehicle may not stop in front of these
objects.
You may cause a collision as a result. There is
a risk of an accident.
If there are objects above the detection range,
stop and deactivate Active Parking Assist.
For further information on the detection
range (Y page 249).
Active Parking Assist does not assist you
parking in spaces at right angles to the direc-
tion of travel if:
R two parking spaces are located directly
next to one another
R the parking space is directly next to a low
obstacle such as a low curb
R you park forwards
Active Parking Assist does not assist you
parking in spaces that are parallel or at right
angles to the direction of travel if:
R the parking space is on a curb
R the system reads the parking space as
being blocked, for example by foliage or
grass paving blocks
R the area is too small for the vehicle to
maneuver into
R the parking space is bordered by an obsta-
cle, e.g. a tree, a post or a trailer 252
Driving systemsDriving and parking

shows the
Park Assist Canceled
Park Assist Canceled mes-
sage.
When Active Parking Assist is canceled, you
must steer and brake again yourself.
If a system malfunction occurs, the vehicle is braked to a standstill. To drive on, depress the
accelerator again. Rear view camera
General notes Rear view camera
:is in the trunk lid handle.
Rear view camera :is an optical parking and
maneuvering aid. It shows the area behind
your vehicle with guide lines in the COMAND
display.
The area behind the vehicle is displayed as a
mirror image, as in the rear view mirror.
i The text of messages shown in the
COMAND display depends on the language
setting. The following are examples of rear view camera messages in the COMAND
display.
Important safety notes The rear view camera is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your imme-
diate surroundings. You are always responsi-
ble for safe maneuvering and parking. When
maneuvering or parking, make sure that there are no persons, animals or objects in the area in which you are maneuvering. Under the following circumstances, the rear
view camera will not function, or will function
in a limited manner:
R if the trunk lid is open
R in heavy rain, snow or fog
R at night or in very dark places
R if the camera is exposed to very bright light
R if the area is lit by fluorescent bulbs or LED
lighting (the display may flicker)
R if the camera lens fogs up, e.g. when driving
into a heated garage in winter, causing a
rapid change in temperature
R if the camera lens is dirty or obstructed.
Observe the notes on cleaning
(Y page 416)
R if the rear of your vehicle is damaged. In this
event, have the camera position and setting checked at a qualified specialist workshop
The field of vision and other functions of the
rear view camera may be restricted due to
additional accessories on the rear of the vehi-
cle (e.g. license plate holder, bicycle rack).
The guide lines in the COMAND display show
the distances to your vehicle. The distances
only apply to road level.
i The rear view camera is protected from
raindrops and dust by means of a flap.
When the rear view camera is activated,
this flap opens.
The flap closes again when:
R you have finished the maneuvering proc-
ess
R you switch off the engine
R you open the trunk
Observe the notes on cleaning
(Y page 416).
For technical reasons, the flap may remain
open briefly after the rear view camera has
been deactivated. 256
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Object detection
The rear view camera can detect moving and
stationary objects. If, for example, a pedes-
trian or another vehicle is detected, these
objects are marked with bars. The system is
only able to detect and mark stationary
objects when your vehicle is moving. When
the vehicle is stationary, moving objects can
be detected and marked.
To ensure that you can use the function, it
must be switched on in COMAND (see the
separate operating instructions). 360° camera (surround view)
General notes The 360° camera is a system consisting of
four cameras.
The system analyzes images from the follow- ing cameras:
R Rear view camera
R Front camera
R Two side cameras in the exterior mirrors
The cameras capture the immediate sur-
roundings of the vehicle. The 360° camera
assists you, for instance when parking or at
exits with reduced visibility.
The 360° camera images can be shown in full screen mode or in seven different split-screenviews on the COMAND display. A split-screen
view also includes a top view of the vehicle.
This view is calculated from the data supplied by the installed cameras (virtual camera).
The seven split-screen views are: R top view and picture from the rear view
camera (130° viewing angle)
R top view and image from the front camera
(130° viewing angle without displaying the
maximum steering wheel angle)
R top view and enlarged rear view
R top view and enlarged front view
R top view and trailer view (vehicles with
trailer tow hitch) R
top view and images from the rear-facing
side cameras (rear wheel view)
R top view and images from the forward-
facing side cameras (front wheel view)
When the function is active and you shift the
transmission from Dor Rto N, the guide lines
in the COMAND display are hidden.
When you change between transmission
positions Dand R, you see the previously
selected front or rear view.
Important safety notes The 360°camera is only an aid and may show
a distorted view of obstacles, show them
incorrectly or not at all. The 360°camera is
not a substitute for attentive driving.
You are always responsible for safe maneu-
vering and parking. When maneuvering or
parking, make sure that there are no persons, animals or objects in the area in which you are
maneuvering.
You are always responsible for safety, and
must always pay attention to your surround-
ings when parking and maneuvering. This
applies to the areas behind, in front of and
beside the vehicle. You could otherwise
endanger yourself and others.
The 360° camera will not function or will
function in a limited manner:
R if the doors are open
R if the exterior mirrors are folded in
R if the trunk lid is open
R in heavy rain, snow or fog
R at night or in very dark places
R if the cameras are exposed to very bright
light
R if the area is lit by fluorescent bulbs or LED
lighting (the display may flicker)
R if the camera lenses fog up, e.g. when driv-
ing into a heated garage in winter, causing
a rapid change in temperature 260
Driving systemsDriving and parking

In addition to the message shown in the mul-
tifunction display, you will then hear a warn-
ing tone.
X If necessary, take a break.
X Confirm the message by pressing the a
button on the steering wheel.
On long journeys, take regular breaks in good time to allow yourself to rest properly. If you
do not take a break and ATTENTION ASSIST
continues to detect increasing lapses in con-centration, you will be warned again after
15 minutes at the earliest. This will only hap-
pen if ATTENTION ASSIST still detects typical indicators of fatigue or increasing lapses in
concentration.
If a warning is output in the multifunction dis-
play, a service station search is performed in
COMAND. You can select a service station
and navigation to this service station will then
begin. This function can be activated and
deactivated in COMAND. Night View Assist Plus
General notes In addition to the illumination provided by the
normal headlamps, Night View Assist Plus
uses infrared light to illuminate the road.
Night View Assist Plus camera ;picks up the
infrared light and displays a monochrome
image in the multifunction display. The image
shown in the display corresponds to a road lit
up by high-beam headlamps. This enables you to see the road's course and any obstacles in
good time. When pedestrian recognition is active, pedestrians recognized by the system
are visually highlighted in color in the Night
View Assist Plus display with small frame cor- ners.
In addition, an infrared camera is integrated
into the radiator trim :. The camera helps
detect pedestrians and animals. Observe the notes on cleaning the infrared camera
(Y page 417).
i Infrared light is not visible to the human
eye and therefore does not glare. Night
View Assist Plus can therefore remain
switched on even if there is oncoming traf- fic.
Important safety notes Night View Assist Plus is only an aid and is not
a substitute for attentive driving. Do not rely
on the Night View Assist Plus display. You are responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed and for braking in
good time. Drive carefully and always adapt
your driving style to suit the prevailing road
and traffic conditions.
The system may be impaired or may not func-
tion if:
R if there is poor visibility, e.g. due to snow,
rain, fog or spray
R if the windshield is dirty, fogged up or cov-
ered, for instance by a sticker, in the vicinity of the camera
R if the thermal imaging camera in the radia-
tor grill is dirty, fogged up or covered
R on bends, hilltops or downhill gradients
R at high outside temperatures
Night View Assist Plus cannot display objects
directly in front of or beside the vehicle.
It may be the case that other objects are
marked or highlighted as well as pedestrians
and animals. 266
Driving systemsDriving and parking

As a result, Active Blind Spot Assist may nei-
ther give warnings nor intervene in such sit-
uations. There is a risk of an accident.
Always observe the traffic conditions care-
fully, and maintain a safe lateral distance.
i USA only: This device has been approved
by the FCC as a "Vehicular Radar System". The radar sensor is intended for use in an
automotive radar system only. Removal,
tampering, or altering of the device will void
any warranties, and is not permitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
i Canada only: This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful inter-
ference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the
device will void any warranties, and is not
permitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or use
in any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
Radar sensors
The Active Blind Spot Assist radar sensors are integrated into the front and rear bumpers
and behind a cover in the radiator trim. Make
sure that the bumpers and the cover in the
radiator grill are free of dirt, ice or slush. The rear sensors must not be covered, e.g. by
bicycle racks or overhanging loads. Following
a severe impact or in the event of damage to the bumpers, have the function of the radar
sensors checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. Active Blind Spot Assist may oth-
erwise no longer work properly. Monitoring area G
WARNING
Active Blind Spot Assist does not detect all
traffic situations and road users. There is a
risk of an accident.
Always make sure that there is sufficient dis-
tance on the side for other traffic or obstacles. Active Blind Spot Assist monitors the area up
to 10 ft (3.0 m) behind your vehicle and
directly next to your vehicle, as shown in the
diagram.
The detection of obstacles can be impaired in the case of:
R there is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R poor visibility, e.g. due to rain, snow or
spray
Vehicles in the monitoring range are then not
indicated.
Active Blind Spot Assist may not detect nar-
row vehicles, such as motorcycles or bicy-
cles, or may only detect them too late.
If the lanes are narrow, vehicles driving in the
lane beyond the lane next to your vehicle may be indicated, especially if the vehicles are not
driving in the middle of their lane. This may be
the case if there are vehicles at the inner edge of your lane. Driving systems
271Driving and parking Z

G
WARNING
Active Lane Keeping Assist cannot always
clearly detect lane markings.
In such cases, Active Lane Keeping Assist
can:
R give an unnecessary warning and then
make a course-correcting brake application
to the vehicle
R not give a warning or intervene
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay particular attention to the traffic
situation and keep within the lane, especially
if Active Lane Keeping Assist alerts you. Ter-
minate the intervention in a non-critical driv-
ing situation.
The system may be impaired or may not func-
tion if:
R there is poor visibility, e.g. due to insuffi-
cient 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 the radar sensors in the front or rear bump-
ers or the radiator trim are dirty, e.g.
obscured by snow
R there are no, several or unclear lane mark-
ings for a lane, e.g. in areas with road con-
struction 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 road If no vehicle is detected in the adjacent lane
and broken lane markings are detected, no
lane-correcting brake application is made.
Warning vibration in the steering wheel
A warning may be given if a front wheel
passes over a lane marking. It will warn you by
means of intermittent vibration in the steer-
ing wheel for up to 1.5 seconds.
Lane-correcting brake application
If you leave your lane, under certain circum-
stances the vehicle will brake briefly on one
side. This is meant to assist you in bringing
the vehicle back to the original lane. G
WARNING
A lane-correcting brake application cannot
always bring the vehicle back into the original lane. There is a risk of an accident.
Always steer, brake or accelerate yourself,
especially if Active Lane Keeping Assist warns
you or makes a lane-correcting brake appli-
cation. If a lane-correcting brake application occurs,
display :appears in the multifunction dis-
play. The brake application also slightly
reduces vehicle speed.
This function is available in the range between
40 mph and 120 mph (60 km/h and
200 km/h).
A lane-correcting brake application can be
made after driving over a lane marking rec-
ognized as being solid or broken. Before this,
a warning must be given by means of inter-
mittent vibration in the steering wheel. In 274
Driving systemsDriving and parking