2015 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class Owner's Manual

Additional point of resistance in the hap-
tic accelerator pedal
The maximum available electric performance is indicated by a tangible point of resistance
in the haptic accelerator pedal.
The additional point of resistance is available
in E-MODE operating mode (Y page 280)
If you depress the haptic accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point, the combustion
engine is switched on.
Double pulses in the haptic accelerator
pedal
A tangible double pulse in the haptic acceler- ator pedal gives you a recommendation to
release the accelerator pedal. By this means, in HYBRID, E-MODEorE-SAVE operating
mode the combustion engine can be switched
off and disconnected from the power train
(overrun mode).
The double pulse is available in drive program
E+ (Ypage 285).
After the accelerator pedal has been
released, the coasting characteristics of the
vehicle are adapted to the traffic conditions.
To avoid getting too close to the vehicle in
front, you must apply the brakes manually
when necessary.
Driving tips General driving tips
Drive carefully and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front. Avoid frequent and
sudden acceleration as well as abrupt brak-
ing.
During partial electric driving, pulling away
and acceleration, the electric motor supports
the internal combustion engine.
During overrun in transmission position Dand
braking, the electric motor will operate as a
generator.
Further information on the ECO start/stop
function (Y page 288).
Additional driving tips (Y page 224).Stationary vehicle
If the vehicle is stopped, the combustion
engine is, for the most part, switched off.
Automatic climate control continues to func-
tion. The electromechanically assisted steer-
ing gear allows you to use the power steering
without reduced comfort.
Acceleration
Depending on the operating mode, pulling
away and driving under low load conditions
are performed:
R entirely by electric propulsion
R in combination with the internal combus-
tion engine
When accelerating at an increased or full
load, boost mode is utilized. The electric
motor supports the internal combustion
engine by providing additional torque when
the accelerator is depressed rapidly.
Overrun mode or braking
There are three possible operating modes
when the hybrid vehicle is decelerating:
R energy recovery takes place even when the
vehicle is decelerating purely in overrun
mode (Y page 276). The electric motor
operates as a generator and stores the
recovered energy in the high-voltage bat-
tery.
R when the brakes are applied lightly, the
vehicle is slowed down further by the elec-
tric motor. This increases the energy recov- ery taking place (Y page 276). The electric
motor operates as a generator and stores
the recovered energy in the high-voltage
battery.
R when the brakes are applied with greater
force, the service brakes are also used to
slow the vehicle down. The two systems
work together.
Urban driving
Energy is recuperated during frequent decel-
eration and stopping in city traffic. PLUG-IN HYBRID operation
287Driving and parking Z

The vehicle can be driven by the electric
motor alone up to a speed of approximately
130 km/h.
The vehicle is driven by the electric motor
alone only when all conditions for the auto-
matic engine switch-off are fulfilled.
Further information on the automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 288).
Driving on inter-urban roads
The following phases are possible when driv-
ing on inter-urban roads: R rapid acceleration (boost mode)
R constant energy consumption
R energy recuperation
R electric operation mode
A great deal of recovered energy may be
available, depending on the route profile. This reduces consumption and emissions.
Highway driving
During highway driving, fuel consumption andemissions are favorably influenced in partic-
ular by reduced power losses.
The internal combustion engine will be
switched off automatically, if:
R the driver removes his foot from the accel-
erator pedal in drive program Eand a speed
of 130 km/h is not exceeded
R the driver removes his foot from the accel-
erator pedal in drive program E+and a
speed of 180 km/h is not exceeded.
Further information on the automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 288).
ECO start/stop function General notes
The ECO start/stop function switches the
internal combustion engine off automatically
when the vehicle stops moving and at high
speeds (Y
page 289).
All vehicle systems remain active, e.g. the
automatic climate control. The ECO start/stop function is only available
in drive programs Eand E+. Electric-only
operation is only possible in drive programs E
and E+. Additional information for drive pro-
grams Eand E+(Ypage 285).
Automatic engine switch-off
The engine is switched off automatically,
including when:
R the driver removes his foot from the accel-
erator in drive program Eand a speed of
130 km/h is not exceeded (Y page 289)
R the driver removes his foot from the accel-
erator in drive program E+and a speed of
180 km/h is not exceeded (Y page 289)
R the engine has reached its operating tem-
perature
R the driver’s seat belt is fastened and the
driver’s door is closed
R the driver only slightly depresses the accel-
erator pedal in order to, for example, main- tain the current speed for a limited distance
R the hood is closed and engaged properly
R the high-voltage battery is charged suffi-
ciently
R there are no malfunctions in the hybrid sys-
tem
The internal combustion engine will not be
switched off automatically, if:
R the self-diagnosis function of the engine
control unit is still active
R there is a malfunction in the hybrid system
R the climate control of the vehicle requires it
R the high-voltage battery is being charged
(Y page 282)
R automatic emissions tests are running 288
PLUG-IN HYBRID operationDriving and parking

Automatic engine start
The automatically switched-off internal com-
bustion engine starts automatically in certain situations, if:
R the power demand from the driver via the
accelerator pedal is greater than the elec-
tric motor alone can provide
R the driver switches to drive program Sor M
R the condition of charge of the high-voltage
battery has reached the lower limit
R the settings of the automatic climate con-
trol require it, e.g. at external temperatures
above 30 †
Overrun mode
In overrun mode, the combustion engine is
switched off and is disconnected from the
drive train. The electric motor:
R generates low thrust, which corresponds to
the overrun mode of an active combustion
engine
R functions as a generator and produces the
necessary energy for the auxiliary consum-
ers and charges the high-voltage battery
Overrun mode is possible in the following
speed range:
R in drive program Ebelow 130 km/h
R in drive program E+below 180 km/h
In drive program E+, after the accelerator
pedal has been released the coasting char-
acteristics of the vehicle are adapted to the
traffic conditions. Further information about
the haptic accelerator pedal (Y page 286).
Map-based energy management For map-based energy management, the sys-
tem factors in information about the expec-
ted route when route guidance is active.
The information on the route is provided by
COMAND and includes the following:
R road categories
R speed limitations
R data on downhill gradients The use of electric energy is automatically
optimally distributed from the beginning to
the end of the journey, using information
about the route. The distribution is pre-emp-
tive and takes into consideration:
R the sections of the journey ahead
R the energy consumption on the whole route
The condition of charge of the high-voltage
battery is thus systematically controlled. In
addition, the control function takes into
account that:
R the fuel saving through the use of electrical
energy can vary, dependent on the route
(e.g. urban, interurban or highway)
R the use of electrical energy is held available
for electric driving, particularly for urban
routes
The vehicle thus automatically selects the
optimum driving mode for the respective sec- tion of the route.
Map-based energy management is available
under the following conditions:
R drive program E+is selected
R HYBRID driving mode is selected
R active route guidance is activated
R suitable map data is available
When map-based energy management is
engaged, the area in front of the vehicle in the
multifunction display will be green. Parking
X Apply the electric parking brake.
The red !indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
X Use the DIRECT SELECT lever to shift the
automatic transmission to P.
X Switch the ignition off.
The READY indicator in the instrument clus-
ter goes out.
Further information on parking and switching off the internal combustion engine
(Y page 221). PLUG-IN HYBRID operation
289Driving and parking Z

Problems with PLUG-IN HYBRID operation
Internal combustion engine Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions You cannot start the
internal combustion
engine. The multifunc-
tion display shows no
display messages. The
READY indicator in the
multifunction display is
off. For example, the self-diagnosis is not yet complete or the hybrid
system is malfunctioning.
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Try to start the internal combustion engine again.
If the internal combustion engine still does not start: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. You wish to pull away,
but the ECO start/stop
function does not start
the internal combus-
tion engine. The READY
indicator in the multi-
function display is off. The ECO start/stop function has failed. The warning and indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster light up.
X Shift the transmission to P.
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Start the engine. The hybrid system is malfunctioning.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Recuperative Brake System
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M MSolutions Braking resistance is
reduced and brake
pedal travel is longer
than usual.
G
Risk of accident
The Recuperative Brake System is malfunctioning.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display (Y page 316).
X Observe the information regarding indicator and warning lamps
in the instrument cluster (Y page 366) .290
PLUG-IN HYBRID operationDriving and parking

Hybrid system
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The hybrid system was
deactivated automati-
cally. You have been in an accident.
The hybrid system remains deactivated if:
R the internal combustion engine cannot be restarted after a few
seconds.
R the red SRS warning lamp 6in the instrument cluster is lit.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The hybrid system was
deactivated automati-
cally. The multifunction
display also shows a
display message. An electrical short circuit has occurred in the hybrid system or an
electrical connection has been disconnected.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display (Y page 316).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. PLUG-IN HYBRID operation
291Driving and parking Z

292

Useful information
............................294
Important safety notes .....................294
Displays and operation .....................294
Menus and submenus ......................299
Display messages ............................. 316
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster ............................355 293On-board computer and displays

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional equip- ment 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 special-
ist workshops (Y page 29). Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you operate information systems and com-
munication equipment integrated in the vehi- cle 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 equip-
ment 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.
Only PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: G
WARNING
If the instrument cluster has failed or mal-
functioned, 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.
Pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
All vehicles except PLUG-IN HYBRID vehi-
cles: G
WARNING
If the instrument cluster has failed or mal-
functioned, 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 immedi-
ately.
If the operating safety of your vehicle is
impaired, pull over as soon as it is safe to do
so. Contact a qualified specialist workshop.
The on-board computer only shows messages
or warnings from certain systems in the mul- tifunction display. You should therefore make
sure your vehicle is operating safely at all
times.
For an overview, see the instrument panel
illustration (Y page 35). 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. Coolant temperature display
G
WARNING
Opening the hood when the engine is over-
heated or when there is a fire in the engine
compartment could expose you to hot gases
or other service products. There is a risk of
injury.
Let an overheated engine cool down before
opening the hood. If there is a fire in the
engine compartment, keep the hood closed
and contact the fire department. 294
Displays and operationOn-board computer and displays