2015 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class hybrid

G
WARNING
After a short time, hill start assist will no lon-
ger brake your vehicle and it could roll away.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Therefore, quickly move your foot from the
brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. Never
leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start
assist.
Hill start assist is not active if: R you are pulling away on a level road or on a
downhill gradient.
R the transmission is in position N.
R the electric parking brake is applied.
R ESP ®
is malfunctioning. ECO start/stop function (all vehicles
except plug-in hybrid)
Introduction This section describes the ECO start/stop
function for all vehicles except PLUG-IN
HYBRID vehicles. Information on the ECO
start/stop function in PLUG-IN HYBRID vehi-
cles (Y page 288).
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is stop- ped under certain conditions.
The engine starts automatically when the
driver wants to pull away again. The ECO
start/stop function thereby helps you to
reduce the fuel consumption and emissions
of your vehicle.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically and you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted
automatically. The vehicle may begin moving. There is a risk of accident and injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the ignition and secure the vehicle against
rolling away. General notes
:
ECO start/stop display
If the engine has been switched off automat-
ically by the ECO start/stop function, the
è ECO symbol is shown in the multifunc-
tion display.
Every time you switch on the engine using the SmartKey or the Start/Stop button, the ECO
start/stop function is activated.
The ECO start/stop function is only available in drive program E(drive program Con AMG
vehicles).
Automatic engine switch-off If the vehicle is braked to a standstill in
Dor N,
the ECO start/stop function switches off the engine automatically.
The ECO start/stop function is operational
when:
R the indicator lamp in the ECO button is lit
green.
R the outside temperature is within the range
that is suitable for the system.
R the engine is at normal operating temper-
ature.
R the set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached.
R the battery is sufficiently charged.
R the system detects that the windshield is
not fogged up when the air-conditioning
system is switched on. Driving
193Driving and parking Z

Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor R,
the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do not simultaneously accelerate. G
WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position Nwhen you switch off the engine.
The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an
accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
Observe the important safety notes for PLUG-
IN HYBRID vehicles (Y page 46).DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmission positions j
Park position with parking lock
k Reverse gear
i Neutral
h Drive
The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steering column. The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns to
its original position. The current transmission
position P,R, Nor Dappears in the transmis-
sion position display (Y page 199) in the mul-
tifunction display.
Engaging park position P !
If the engine speed is too high or the vehi-
cle is moving, do not shift the automatic
transmission directly from Dto R, from Rto
D or directly to P. The automatic transmis-
sion could otherwise be damaged. j
Park position with parking lock
k Reverse gear
i Neutral
h Drive
X Push the DIRECT SELECT lever in the direc-
tion of arrow P.
Engaging park position P automatically Park position
Pis automatically engaged if:
R you switch off the engine using the Smart-
Key and remove the SmartKey.
R you switch off the engine using the Start/
Stop button and open the driver's door.
R you open the driver's door when the vehicle
is stationary or driving at very low speed
and the transmission is in position Dor R.
Engaging reverse gear R !
Only shift the automatic transmission to
R
when the vehicle is stationary. Automatic trans
mission
197Driving an d parking Z

Transmission position display
General notes !
If the transmission position display in the
multifunction display is not working, you
should pull away carefully to check whether the desired transmission position is
engaged. For this purpose, we recommend
selecting transmission position Dand auto-
matic drive program E(drive program Cin
AMG vehicles, drive program E+in PLUG-IN
HYBRID vehicles) or S.
The current transmission position is shown in
the multifunction display.
The arrows in the transmission position dis-
play show how and into which transmission
positions you can change using the DIRECT
SELECT lever.
All vehicles (except AMG vehicles) :
Transmission position
; Gear
= Drive program AMG vehicles :
Transmission position
; Drive program Transmission positions
B Park position
Do not shift the transmission into
position
P(Ypage 220) unless the
vehicle is stationary. The parking
lock should not be used as a brake when parking. Always apply the
electronic parking brake in addi-
tion to the parking lock in order to
secure the vehicle.
If the vehicle electronics are mal-
functioning, the transmission may
be locked in position P. Have the
vehicle electronics checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist
workshop. C Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission to
R
when the vehicle is stationary. Automatic transmission
199Driving and parking Z

A Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to
N
while driving. Otherwise, the auto-
matic transmission could be dam-
aged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty:
shift the transmission to position N
if the vehicle is in danger of skid-
ding, e.g. on icy roads.
! Rolling in neutral
Ncan damage
the drive train. 7 Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.
Driving tips
Changing gear The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-
vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position D. This automatic gear shift-
ing behavior is determined by:
R the selected drive program (Y page 200)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
(Y page 200)
R the road speed
Accelerator pedal position Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear:
R little throttle: early upshifts
R more throttle: late upshifts Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a
lower gear depending on the engine speed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Rocking the vehicle free Rocking the vehicle free by shifting back and
forth between transmission positions Dand R
can help to free a vehicle that has become
stuck in mud or snow. The vehicle's engine
management restricts switching between
transmission positions Dand Rto speeds up
to a maximum of 5 mph (9 km/h). To shift
back and forth between transmission posi-
tions Dand R, move the DIRECT SELECT lever
up and down past the point of resistance. Program selector button
This section describes the program selector
button for all vehicles except PLUG-IN
HYBRID vehicles. Information on automatic
drive programs for PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles (Y page 285). X
All vehicles (except AMG vehicles and
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles): press pro-200
Automatic transmissionDriving an
d parking

gram selector button
:to change the
drive program.
The selected drive program appears in the
multifunction display. X
AMG vehicles: press program selector
button :repeatedly until the letter of the
desired drive program appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
The program selector button influences: R the drive program (Y page 202)
R the engine management
In AMG vehicles, drive program Eis called
drive program C.
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 and
PLUG-IN HYBRID 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 202). 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
Permanent drive program
Mis only available
for AMG vehicles.
Further information about permanent drive
program M(Y page 203).
You can also activate manual drive program
M using the steering wheel paddle shifters
(Y page 202). In manual drive program M,
you can briefly change gear yourself by using
the steering wheel paddle shifters.
For further information on the automatic drive
program, see (Y page 202). Steering wheel paddle shifters
You can activate manual drive program
Min
the E(C in AMG vehicles) and Sautomatic
drive programs using steering wheel paddle
shifters :and ;(Ypage 202). 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 203). In manual drive pro-
gram M, you can permanently change gear
yourself by using the steering wheel paddle
shifters. Automatic transmission
201Driving and parking Z

Automatic drive program
Automatic drive program E Drive program
E(drive program Con MAG
vehicles) is characterized by the following:
R comfort-oriented engine settings.
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner.
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.
Automatic drive program S Drive program
Sis characterized by the fol-
lowing:
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 transmis- sion shift points.
Manual drive program M General notes
In this drive program, you can briefly change
gear yourself by using the steering wheel pad-
dle shifters. The transmission must be in posi- tion D.
You can activate manual drive program Min
the E(C in AMG vehicles) and Sautomatic
drive programs.
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 203).
Activating X Shift the transmission to position D.
X Pull the left or right steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 201).
Manual drive program Mis temporarily acti-
vated.
All vehicles except AMG vehicles: M and
the selected gear appear in the multifunc-
tion display.
Further information on activating manual
drive program Mon PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles
(Y page 286).
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 trans-
mission 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 201).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
If the maximum engine speed on the cur-
rently engaged gear is reached and you
continue to accelerate, the automatic
transmission automatically shifts up in
order to prevent engine damage.
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 steer-
ing wheel paddle shifter (Y page 201).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
If the engine exceeds the maximum engine speed when shifting down, the automatic
transmission protects against engine dam- age by not shifting down. 202
Automatic trans
missionDriving and parking

Problems with the transmission
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The transmission has
problems shifting gear. The transmission is losing oil.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop 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 work-
shop immediately. Problems with PLUG-IN HYBRID operation (Y
page 290).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 dam-
aged.
! 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 trans-
mitted 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 explo-
sion.
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 Refueling
205Driving and parking
Z

and that it is not swallowed. Do not inhale fuel
vapors. Keep fuel away from children.
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 with-
out delay.
R If fuel is swallowed, seek medical assis-
tance without delay. Do not induce vomit-
ing.
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 igni-
tion 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 quali-
fied 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 490). Refueling
General information Pay attention to the important safety notes
(Y
page 205).
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: pressure in the
fuel tank must be released before refueling.
Except PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: If you
unlock/lock the vehicle from the outside, the fuel filler flap also unlocks/locks.
The position of the fuel filler cap is displayed
8 in the instrument cluster. The arrow
next to the filling pump indicates the side of
the vehicle.
Preparing to refuel X
Switch off the engine.
X Open the driver's door.
The on-board electronics now have status
0. This is the same as the SmartKey having
been removed.
or, if the SmartKey is inserted in the ignition
lock: X Remove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock. 206
RefuelingDriving and parking