2015 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class steering wheel

Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road
surfaces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering
and braking maneuvers. Do not use the cruise
control or DISTRONIC PLUS.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
X Shift the transmission to position N.
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.
You should pay special attention to road con-
ditions when temperatures are around freez-
ing point.
For more information on driving with snow
chains, see (Y page 445).
For more information on driving with summer tires, see (Y page 444).
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y page 444). Driving systems
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive stands for
innovative driver assistance and safety sys-
tems which enhance comfort and support the
driver in critical situations. With these intelli-
gent co-ordinated systems Mercedes-Benz
has set a milestone on the path towards
autonomous driving.
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive embraces all elements of active and passive safety in one
well thought out system – for the safety of the
vehicle occupants and that of other road
users. Further information on driving safety systems
(Y page 76). Cruise control
General notes Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. Change into a lower gear in good time on long and steep
downhill gradients. This is especially impor-
tant if the vehicle is laden. By doing so, you
will make use of the braking effect of the
engine. This relieves the load on the brake
system and prevents the brakes from over-
heating and wearing too quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can store any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
Important safety notes If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise
control can neither reduce the risk of an acci-
dent nor override the laws of physics. Cruise
control cannot take into account the road,
traffic and weather conditions. Cruise control is only an aid. You are responsible for the dis-
tance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed,
for braking in good time and for staying in
your lane.
Do not use cruise control:
R in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
R on slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored. Driving systems
229Driving and parking Z

The support provided by the system can be
impaired 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 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
The system is switched to passive and no lon-
ger assists you by performing steering inter-
ventions if:
R you actively change lane
R you switch on the turn signal
R take your hands off the steering wheel or do
not steer for a prolonged period of time
i Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are
activated again automatically after a lane
change is completed.
Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot do not pro- vide any support:
R on very sharp corners
R when a loss of tire pressure or a defective
tire has been detected and displayed
Pay attention also to the important safety
notes for DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 232).
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 you 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 sym-
bol 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 at the latest, a warning tone also
sounds to remind you to take control of the
vehicle. Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are
switched to passive. DISTRONIC PLUS
remains active.
Activating Steering Assist and Stop&Go
Pilot X
Press button ;.
Indicator lamp :lights up. The DTR+: DTR+:
Steering Assist. On
Steering Assist. On message appears
in the multifunction display. Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are activated.
Information in the multifunction display If Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are acti-
vated but not ready for a steering interven-
tion, steering wheel symbol :appears in
gray. If the system provides you with support Driving systems
241Driving and parking Z

Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle or
in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arches
when the vehicle is being lowered.
! The vehicle is lowered when the engine is
switched off. When parking, position your
vehicle so that it does not make contact
with the curb as the vehicle is lowered. Your vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
Crosswind Assist The crosswind stabilization operates by
changing wheel loads through adjusting the
ABC spring struts. It reduces impairments in
handling when driving in a straight line and
assists during countersteering.
Crosswind Assist is active at vehicle speeds
above 50 mph (80 km/h) when driving
straight ahead or cornering gently.
Active Body Control ABC Vehicle level
All vehicles except AMG vehicles:
depend-
ing on the vehicle level that has been set, the
vehicle automatically adjusts its height
dependent on the current speed. The vehicle is lowered by up to 0.6 in (15 mm) as the
speed increases. As the speed is reduced, the
vehicle is raised up to the set vehicle height.
AMG vehicles: depending on the vehicle
level that has been selected, the vehicle auto- matically adjusts its height dependent on the
current speed. The vehicle is lowered by up to 0.4 in (10 mm) below the normal level as the
speed increases. As the speed is reduced, the vehicle is raised up to the set vehicle height.
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road
conditions and "Raised" for driving with snow chains or in particularly poor road conditions.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock. Setting the raised vehicle level
X Start the engine.
X If indicator lamp ; ;is not lit: press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. The vehicle
height is adjusted to raised level. Setting the normal vehicle level
X Start the engine.
X If indicator lamp ;
;is lit: press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to normal level.
Suspension tuning
The electronically controlled ABC suspension
system works continuously. This improves
driving safety and comfort. The system
detects the vehicle level and the vehicle load and adjusts the setting accordingly. You can
also choose between a particularly sporty or a
comfortable tuning. 244
Driving systemsDriving and parking

The ABC suspension system is tuned individ-
ually to each wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection, i.e. sports or com-
fort
R the vehicle load
R the force of the side wind
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock. The firmer suspension setting in SPORT mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
The steering response behavior is sporty.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style on flat roads, e.g. on highways.
Selecting the sports suspension tuning
X If indicator lamp ; ;is not lit: press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a sporty driving
style.
All vehicles except AMG vehicles: the
Active Body Control SPORT
Active Body Control SPORT message
appears in the multifunction display.
AMG vehicles: theAMG
AMG Suspension Suspension Sys‐
Sys‐
tem SPORT
tem SPORT message appears in the multi-
function display. In COMFORT mode, the driving characteris-
tics of your vehicle are especially comforta-
ble. The steering response behavior is bal-
anced. Select this mode if you favor a com-
fortable driving style.
Selecting the standard comfort mode sus-
pension tuning
X If indicator lamp ;
; is not lit: press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a comfortable driv-
ing style.
All vehicles except AMG vehicles: the
Active Active Body
BodyControl
Control COMFORT
COMFORTmessage
appears in the multifunction display.
AMG vehicles: theAMG
AMG Suspension
Suspension Sys‐
Sys‐
tem
tem COMFORT
COMFORT message appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
ROAD SURFACE SCAN i
This function is not available in all coun-
tries. Driving systems
245Driving and parking Z

Problems with PARKTRONIC
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
You also hear a warning
tone for approximately
two seconds.
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated and the
indicator lamp on the
PARKTRONIC button
lights up. PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off.
X If problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated. The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.
X Clean the PARKTRONIC sensors (Y page 415).
X Switch the ignition back on. The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or
ultrasound waves.
X See if PARKTRONIC functions in a different location. Active Parking Assist
General notes Active Parking Assist is an electronic parking
aid with ultrasound. It measures the road on
both sides of the vehicle. A parking symbol
indicates a suitable parking space. Active
steering intervention and brake application
can assist you during parking and when exit-
ing a parking space. You may also use
PARKTRONIC (Y page 248).
Important safety notes Active Parking Assist is merely an aid. It is not
a replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking
and exiting a parking space. Make sure that
no persons, animals or objects are in the
maneuvering range.
When PARKTRONIC is switched off, Active
Parking Assist is also unavailable. G
WARNING
While parking or pulling out of a parking
space, the vehicle swings out and can drive
onto areas of the oncoming lane. This could
result in a collision with another road user.
There is a risk of an accident.
Pay attention to other road users. Stop the
vehicle if necessary or cancel the Active Park- ing Assist parking procedure.
! If unavoidable, you should drive over
obstacles such as curbs slowly and not at a sharp angle. Otherwise, you may damage
the wheels or tires.
Active Parking Assist may possibly indicate
parking spaces which are not suitable for
parking, for example:
R where parking or stopping is prohibited
R in front of driveways or entrances and exits
R on unsuitable surfaces Driving systems
251Driving and parking Z

:
Detected parking space on the left
; Parking symbol
= Detected parking space on the right
Active Parking Assist is switched on automat-
ically when driving forwards. The system is
operational at speeds of up to approximately 22 mph (35 km/h). While in operation, the
system independently locates and measures
parking spaces on both sides of the vehicle.
Active Parking Assist will only detect parking spaces:
R parallel or at right angles to the direction of
travel
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
and at least 59 in (1.5 m) wide
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
and at least 39.5 in (1.0 m) longer than your
vehicle
R that are at right angles to the direction of
travel and at least 39.5 in (1.0 m) wider
than your vehicle
i Note that Active Parking Assist cannot
measure the size of a parking space if it is at
right angles to the direction of travel. You
will need to judge whether your vehicle will
fit in the parking space.
When driving at speeds below 19 mph
(30 km/h), you will see the parking symbol as a status indicator in the instrument cluster.
When a parking space has been detected, an arrow towards the right or the left also
appears. By default, Active Parking Assist
only displays parking spaces on the front-
passenger side. Parking spaces on the driv- er's side are displayed as soon as the turn
signal on the driver's side is activated. When
parking on the driver's side, this must remain switched on until you acknowledge the use of
Active Parking Assist by pressing the a
button on the multifunction steering wheel.
The system automatically determines
whether the parking space is parallel or at
right angles to the direction of travel.
A parking space is displayed while you are
driving past it, and until you are approx-
imately 50 ft (15 m) away from it.
Pa rking G
WARNING
If you leave the vehicle when it is only being
braked by Active Parking Assist it could roll
away if:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
R the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected.
R the accelerator pedal has been depressed,
e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
There is a risk of an accident.
Before leaving the vehicle, always secure it
against rolling away.
i When PARKTRONIC detects obstacles,
Active Parking Assist brakes automatically
during the parking process. You are respon- sible for braking in good time.
X Stop the vehicle when the parking space
symbol shows the desired parking space in
the instrument cluster.
X Shift the transmission to position R.
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
% message appears in the multifunction
display. Driving systems
253Driving and parking Z

X
To cancel the procedure: press the%
button on the multifunction steering wheel or pull away.
or
X To park using Active Parking Assist:
press the abutton on the multifunction
steering wheel.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate
Park Assist Active Accelerate
and and Brake
Brake Observe
Observe Surroundings
Surroundings mes-
sage 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 can-
celed.
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 park- ing 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
and Brake
Brake Observe
Observe Surroundings
Surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
i You will achieve the best results by wait-
ing 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 com-
plete, 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 appli-
cations. When Active Parking Assist is fin-
ished, you must steer and brake again your-
self. 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 posi-
tion 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 can-
cel the parking procedure with Active Park- ing 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 sup-
port 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 starting
position as it is maneuvering into the park- ing space.
R a maneuvering distance of at least 3.3 ft
(1.0 m) must be available. 254
Driving systemsDriving
and parking

Active Parking Assist can only assist you with
exiting a parking space if you have parked thevehicle parallel to the direction of travel using
Active Parking Assist.
i If PARKTRONIC detects obstacles, Active
Parking Assist brakes automatically whilst
the vehicle exits the parking space. You are
responsible for braking in good time.
X Start the engine.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Switch on the turn signal in the direction
you are pulling away.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play %.
X To cancel the procedure: press the%
button on the multifunction steering wheel
or pull away.
or
X To exit a parking space using Active
Parking Assist: press theabutton on
the multifunction steering wheel.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate
Park Assist Active Accelerate
and and Brake
Brake Observe
Observe Surroundings
Surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
X Let go of the multifunction steering wheel.
X Pull away, being ready to brake at all times.
Do not exceed a maximum speed of
approximately 6 mph (10 km/h) when exit-
ing a parking space. Otherwise Active Park- ing Assist will be canceled.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor Ras
required or according to the message while
the vehicle is stationary.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction. The Park Assist
Park Assist
Active Accelerate and Brake
Active Accelerate and Brake
Observe Observe Surroundings
Surroundings message appears
in the multifunction display.
i You will achieve the best results by wait-
ing for the steering procedure to complete before pulling away. If you back up after activation, the steering
wheel is moved to the straight-ahead posi-
tion.
X Drive forwards and back up as prompted by
the PARKTRONIC warning displays, several
times if necessary.
Once you have exited the parking space com- pletely, the steering wheel is moved to the
straight-ahead position. You hear a tone and
the Park Assist Finished
Park Assist Finished message
appears in the multifunction display. You will
then have to steer and merge into traffic on
your own. PARKTRONIC is still available. You
can take over the steering, before the vehicle has exited the parking space completely. This
is useful, for example when you recognize
that it is already possible to pull out of the
parking space.
Canceling Active Parking Assist X
Stop the movement of the multifunction
steering wheel or steer yourself.
Active Parking Assist will be canceled at
once. The Park Assist Canceled Park Assist Canceled mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
or X Press the PARKTRONIC button
(Y page 250).
PARKTRONIC is switched off and Active
Parking Assist is immediately canceled.
The Park Assist Canceled Park Assist Canceled message
appears in the multifunction display.
Active Parking Assist is canceled automati-
cally if:
R the electric parking brake is engaged
R transmission position Pis selected
R parking using Active Parking Assist is no
longer possible
R you are driving faster than 6 mph (10 km/h)
R a wheel spins, ESP ®
intervenes or fails. The
÷ warning lamp lights up in the instru-
ment cluster.
A warning tone sounds. The parking symbol
disappears and the multifunction display Driving systems
255Driving and parking Z