2015 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class Braking

1, 2, 3 ...
4ETS see ETS/4ETS (Electronic Trac-
tion System)
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 248
12 V socket
see Sockets
115 V socket ...................................... 385
360° camera
Cleaning .........................................4 16
Function/notes ............................ .260 A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Display message ............................ 317
Function/notes ................................ 76
Important safety notes .................... 77
Warning lamp ................................. 358
Accident
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 68
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 170
Activating/deactivating Night
View Assist Plus
With spotlight function ................... 268
Active Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 309
Display message ............................ 344
Function/informatio n.................... 270
Active Body Control (ABC)
Display message ............................ 342
Function/note s............................. 244
Active Lane Keeping Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 310
Display message ............................ 343
Function/information .................... 273
Active multicontour seat .................. 134
Active Parking Assist
Detecting parking spaces .............. 252
Display message ............................ 344
Exiting a parking space .................. 254
Function/note s............................. 251 Important safety notes .................. 251
Parking .......................................... 253
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 84
Adaptive Brake Assist
Function/note s................................ 81
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) ..... 247
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus
Display message ............................ 336
Function/note s............................. 153
Switching on/of f........................... 154
Additional speedometer ................... 313
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 492
Air bags
Belt bags .......................................... 53
Cushion air bags .............................. 59
Deployment ..................................... 65
Display message ............................ 332
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 57
Important safety notes .................... 56
Introduction ..................................... 56
Knee bag .......................................... 58
PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator
lamps ............................................... 50
Side impact air ba g.......................... 58
Window curtain air ba g.................... 59
Air vents
Glove box ....................................... 185
Important safety notes .................. 184
Rear ............................................... 185
Setting ........................................... 184
Setting the center air vents ........... 184
Setting the side air vents ............... 184
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
AIRMATIC
Display message ............................ 341
Function/note s............................. 246
Alarm
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system )......... 86
Switching off (ATA) .......................... 86
Switching the function on/off
(ATA) ................................................ 86
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Anti-lock braking system
see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) 4
Index

Drive program
Automatic ...................................... 202
Manual .......................................... .202
Manual (AMG vehicles) .................. 203
SETUP (on-board computer) .......... 314
Driver's door
see Doors
Driver's/front-passenger seat
Stowage compartment .................. 374
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service ................. 411
Symmetrical low bea m.................. 150
Driving Assistance package ............. 270
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ....... 76
ADAPTIVE BRAK E............................. 84
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 81
BAS (Brake Assist System) .............. 77
BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic
Assist ............................................... 77
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
PLUS ................................................ 79
Distance warning function ............... 80
EBD (electronic brake force distri- bution) ............................................. 83
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 81
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ........................................... 82
Important safety information ........... 76
Overview .......................................... 76
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ............................. 84
Recuperative Brake System ............. 48
STEER CONTROL ............................. 86
Driving systems
360°camera .................................. 260
Active Blind Spot Assist ................. 270
Active Body Control ABC ............... 244
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............ 273
Active Parking Assist ..................... 251
AIRMATIC ...................................... 246
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................ 264
Cruise control ................................ 229
Display message ............................ 341
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 231
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering
Assist and Stop&Go Pilot ............... 240 Driving Assistance packag
e........... 270
HOLD function ............................... 242
Night View Assist Plus ................... 266
PARKTRONIC ................................. 248
Rear view camera .......................... 256
Driving tips
AMG ceramic brakes ..................... 227
Automatic transmission ................. 200
Brakes ........................................... 226
Break-in period .............................. 188
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 238
Downhill gradient ........................... 226
Drinking and driving ....................... 224
Driving abroad ............................... 150
Driving in winter ............................. 228
Driving on flooded roads ................ 228
Driving on wet roads ...................... 228
Exhaust check ............................... 224
Fuel ................................................ 224
General .......................................... 224
Hydroplaning ................................. 228
Icy road surfaces ........................... 228
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 226
Snow chains .................................. 445
Symmetrical low beam .................. 150
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ..... 188
Wet road surface ........................... 226
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 305 E
EASY-ENTRY feature Function/note s............................. 139
EASY-EXIT feature
Crash-responsive ........................... 140
Function/note s............................. 139
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message ............................ 320
Function/note s................................ 83
ECO display
Function/note s............................. 225
On-board computer ....................... 300
ECO start/stop function
Automatic engine start .................. 194
Automatic engine switch-off .......... 193 Index
9

Protection of the environment
General notes
H
Environmental note
Daimler's declared policy is one of compre-
hensive environmental protection.
The objectives are for the natural resources
that form the basis of our existence on this
planet to be used sparingly and in a manner
that takes the requirements of both nature
and humanity into account.
You too can help to protect the environment
by operating your vehicle in an environmen-
tally responsible manner.
Fuel consumption and the rate of engine,
transmission, brake and tire wear are affected by these factors:
R operating conditions of your vehicle
R your personal driving style
You can influence both factors. You should
bear the following in mind:
Operating conditions:
R avoid short trips as these increase fuel con-
sumption.
R always make sure that the tire pressures
are correct.
R do not carry any unnecessary weight.
R remove roof racks once you no longer need
them.
R a regularly serviced vehicle will contribute
to environmental protection. You should
therefore adhere to the service intervals.
R always have service work carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Personal driving style:
R do not depress the accelerator pedal when
starting the engine.
R do not warm up the engine when the vehicle
is stationary.
R drive carefully and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front.
R avoid frequent, sudden acceleration and
braking. R
change gear in good time and use each gear
only up to Ôof its maximum engine speed.
R switch off the engine in stationary traffic.
R keep an eye on the vehicle's fuel consump-
tion. H
Environmental note
Have a defective high-voltage battery dis-
posed of in an environmentally-responsible
manner. Contact a qualified specialist work-
shop which has the necessary specialist
knowledge and tools to carry out the work
required. Mercedes-Benz recommends that
you use an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for this purpose. Environmental concerns and recom-
mendations
Wherever the operating instructions require
you to dispose of materials, first try to regen-
erate or re-use them. Observe the relevant
environmental rules and regulations when
disposing of materials. In this way you will
help to protect the environment. Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts
H
Environmental note
Daimler AG also supplies reconditioned major
assemblies and parts which are of the same
quality as new parts. They are covered by the same Limited Warranty entitlements as new
parts.
! Air bags and Emergency Tensioning Devi-
ces, as well as control units and sensors for
these restraint systems, may be installed in the following areas of your vehicle:
R doors
R door pillars
R door sills
R seats
R cockpit 24
Introduction

High-voltage battery
G
WARNING
In the event of a vehicle fire, the internal pres- sure of the high-voltage battery can exceed a
critical value. In this case flammable gas
escapes through a ventilation valve on the
underbody. The gas can ignite. There is a risk of injury.
Leave the danger zone immediately. Secure
the danger area at a suitable distance, whilst
observing legal requirements. G
WARNING
If the housing of the high-voltage battery has
been damaged, electrolyte and gases may
leak out. These are poisonous and caustic.
There is a risk of injury.
Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing.
Immediately rinse electrolyte splashes off
with water and seek medical attention
straight away.
! Exhaustive discharge caused by the vehi-
cle standing idle for lengthy periods can
damage the high-voltage battery.
Hybrid vehicles: if the vehicle is idle for
lengthy periods, run it for a few minutes
once every six weeks to charge up the high- voltage battery. During the charging proc-
ess, switch off all electrical consumers, e.g.
the automatic climate control or the seat
heating.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles: if the vehicle is
idle for lengthy periods leave the high-volt- age battery connected to a charging sta-
tion.
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: charging the high-
voltage battery (Y page 209).
Engine compartment Before opening the hood:
X Apply the electric parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission to park
position P. X
Switch the ignition off.
X Remove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock (Y page 189).
or X If the SmartKey is inserted in the ignition
lock: remove the SmartKey from the igni-
tion lock.
X Observe the warning notes on the risk of
electric shock (Y page 46).
X Observe the warning notices about the
hood (Y page 404). RBS driving safety system (Recupera-
tive Brake System)
The Recuperative Braking System supports
you when braking with an electronically-con-
trolled brake boost mode and enables the
recovery of kinetic energy (recuperation). G
WARNING
If the Recuperative Braking System malfunc-
tions, braking resistance may be reduced and brake pedal travel may be longer than usual. If
you subsequently depress the brake pedal as usual, the braking effect may not be sufficient.
There is a risk of an accident.
In the event of this malfunction, continue to
depress the brake pedal. Stop the vehicle in
accordance with the traffic conditions. If nec-
essary, contact a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Further information about the Recuperative
Braking System (Y page 276).48
Hybrid vehiclesSafety

Even where this is not required by law, all
vehicle occupants should correctly fasten
their seat belts before starting the journey. G
WARNING
If the seat belt is incorrectly fastened, it can-
not protect as intended. Furthermore, an
incorrectly fastened seat belt can cause addi- tional injury, for example, in an accident, dur-
ing braking or when abruptly changing direc-
tion. This poses an increased risk of injury or
even fatal injury.
Make sure that all vehicle occupants are
seated properly with a correctly fastened seat belt. G
WARNING
The seat belt does not offer the intended level of protection if you have not moved the back-
rest to an almost vertical position. When brak-
ing or in the event of an accident, you could
slide underneath the seat belt and sustain
abdomen or neck injuries, for example. This
poses an increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Adjust the seat properly before beginning
your journey. Always ensure that the backrest
is in an almost vertical position and that the
shoulder section of your seat belt is routed
across the center of your shoulder. G
WARNING
Objects next to the front seat that block the
belt buckle or the moving belt anchorage on
the front seat impair the function of the Emer- gency Tensioning Devices. The Emergency
Tensioning Devices may not function as inten-
ded and the seat belt may no longer provide
the intended protection. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Before starting the journey, make sure that
there are no objects around the belt buckle or between the front seat and door. G
WARNING
Persons under 5 ft (1.50 m) in heightcannot
fasten the seat belt correctly without an addi- tional suitable restraint system. If the seat
belt is incorrectly fastened, it cannot protect
as intended. Furthermore, an incorrectly fas-
tened seat belt can cause additional injury, for example, in an accident, during braking or an
abrupt change of direction. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
For this reason, always secure persons under
5 ft (1.50 m) in height in suitable restraint
systems.
If a child younger than 12 years and under 5 ft
(1.50 m) in height is traveling in the vehicle:
R always secure the child in a child restraint
system suitable for this Mercedes-Benz
vehicle. The child restraint system must be
appropriate to the age, weight and size of
the child
R always observe the instructions and safety
notes on the belt bags for the outer seat
belts in the rear (Y page 53)
R always observe the instructions and safety
notes in the "Children in the vehicle" sec-
tion of this Operator's Manual
(Y page 69) in addition to the child
restraint system manufacturer's installa-
tion instructions
R be sure to observe the instructions and
safety notes on the "Occupant classifica-
tion system (OCS)" (Y page 59) G
WARNING
The seat belts may not perform their intended protective function if:
R they are damaged, modified, extremely
dirty, bleach or dyed
R the seat belt buckle is damaged or
extremely dirty
R the Emergency Tensioning Devices, belt
anchorages or inertia reels have been modi-
fied
Seat belts may sustain non-visible damage in an accident, e.g. due to glass splinters. Modi-
fied or damaged seat belts may tear or fail,
e.g. in an accident. Modified Emergency Ten-
sioning Devices could accidentally trigger or 52
Occupant safetySafety

The side impact air bag on the front-
passenger side (front) deploys in the fol-
lowing situations:
- the OCS system detects that the front-
passenger seat is occupied or
- the belt tongue is engaged in the belt
buckle of the front-passenger seat
R Window curtain air bag on the side of
impact, independently of the use of the
seat belt and independently of whether the front-passenger seat is occupied
R Window curtain air bags on the driver's and
front-passenger side in certain situations
when the vehicle rolls over, if the system
determines that deployment can offer addi-
tional protection to that provided by the
seat belt
i Not all air bags are deployed in an acci-
dent. The different air bag systems work
independently of each other.
How the air bag system works is deter-
mined by the severity of the accident detec- ted, especially the vehicle deceleration or
acceleration and the apparent type of acci-dent:
R frontal collision
R side impact
R rollover PRE-SAFE
®
(anticipatory occupant
protection system)
Introduction In certain hazardous situations, PRE-SAFE
®
takes pre-emptive measures to protect the
vehicle occupants.
Important safety notes !
Make sure that there are no objects in the
footwell under or behind the seats when
moving the seats back. There is a risk that
the seats and/or the objects could be dam-
aged. Despite your vehicle being equipped with the
PRE-SAFE ®
system, the possibility of per-
sonal injuries occurring as a result of an acci- dent cannot be eliminated. Always adapt your
driving style to suit the prevailing road and
weather conditions and maintain a safe dis-
tance from the vehicle in front. Drive care-
fully.
Function PRE-SAFE
®
intervenes:
R in emergency braking situations, e.g. when
BAS is activated
R in critical driving situations, e.g. when phys-
ical limits are exceeded and the vehicle
understeers or oversteers severely
R vehicles with the Driving Assistance pack-
age: when a driver assistance system inter-
venes powerfully or the radar sensor sys-
tem detects an imminent danger of colli-
sion in certain situations
PRE-SAFE ®
takes the following measures
depending on the hazardous situation detec-
ted:
R the front seat belts are pre-tensioned.
R if the vehicle skids, the panorama roof with
power tilt/sliding panel and the side win-
dows are closed so that only a small gap
remains.
R the front-passenger seat is adjusted if it is
in an unfavorable position.
R for vehicles with electrically adjustable rear
seats: the outer rear seats are adjusted if
they are in an unfavorable position.
R vehicles with a multicontour seat: the air
pressure in the side bolsters of the seat
backrest is increased.
R vehicles with seat belt extenders: the seat
belts of the outer rear seats are pre-ten-
sioned.
If the hazardous situation passes without
resulting in an accident, PRE-SAFE ®
slackens
the belt pre-tensioning. On vehicles with mul-
ticontour seats, the air pressure in the side Occupant safety
67Safety Z

bolsters is reduced again. All settings made
by PRE-SAFE ®
can then be reversed.
If the seat belt pre-tensioning is not reduced:
X Move the seat backrest or seat back
slightly when the vehicle is stationary.
The seat belt pre-tensioning is reduced and
the locking mechanism is released.
The seat-belt adjustment is an integral part of
the PRE-SAFE ®
convenience function. Infor-
mation about the convenience function can
be found under "Belt adjustment"
(Y page 55). PRE-SAFE
®
PLUS (anticipatory occu-
pant protection system PLUS)
Introduction PRE-SAFE
®
PLUS is only available in vehicles
with the Driving Assistance package.
Using the radar sensor system, PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS is able to detect that a head-on or rear-
end collision is imminent. In certain hazard-
ous situations, PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS takes pre-
emptive measures to protect the vehicle
occupants.
Important safety notes The intervention of PRE-SAFE
®
PLUS cannot
prevent an imminent collision.
The driver is not warned when PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS intervenes.
PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS does not intervene if the
vehicle is backing up.
PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS does not perform braking
actions while the vehicle is in motion or when
Parking Guidance is active.
Function PRE-SAFE
®
PLUS intervenes in certain situa-
tions if the radar sensor system detects an
imminent head-on or rear-end collision. PRE-SAFE
®
PLUS takes the following meas-
ures depending on the hazardous situation
detected:
R if the radar sensor system detects that a
head-on collision is imminent, the seat
belts are pre-tensioned.
R if the radar sensor system detects that a
rear-end collision is imminent:
- the brake pressure is increased if the
driver applies the brakes when the vehi-
cle is stationary.
- the seat belts are pre-tensioned.
The PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS braking application is
canceled:
R if the accelerator pedal is depressed when
a gear is engaged
R if the risk of a collision passes or is no lon-
ger detected
R if DISTRONIC PLUS indicates an intention
to pull away
If the hazardous situation passes without
resulting in an accident, the original settings
are restored. Automatic measures after an acci-
dent
Immediately after an accident, the following
measures are implemented, depending on
the type and severity of the impact:
R the hazard warning lamps are activated
R the emergency lighting is activated
R the vehicle doors are unlocked
R the front side windows are lowered
R the electrically adjustable steering wheel is
raised
R the engine is switched off and the fuel sup-
ply is cut off
R vehicles with seat belt extenders: the seat-
belt buckles for the outer rear seats are
illuminated and extend forwards 68
Occupant safetySafety

Stop the vehicle immediately, paying atten-
tion to road and traffic conditions. Reactivate the special seat belt retractor and secure the
child restraint system properly.
All seat belts except the driver's seat belt are equipped with a special seat belt retractor.
When activated, the special seat belt retrac-
tor ensures that the seat belt will not slacken
once the child restraint system has been
secured.
Installing a child restraint system:
X Always comply with the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions.
X Pull the seat belt smoothly from the belt
outlet.
X Engage the seat belt tongue in the belt
buckle.
Activating the special seat belt retractor:
X Pull the seat belt out fully and let the inertia
reel retract it again.
While the seat belt is retracting, you should
hear a ratcheting sound. The special seat
belt retractor is activated.
X Push the child seat restraint system down
so that the seat belt is tight and does not
loosen.
Removing a child restraint system/deactivat-
ing the special seat belt retractor:
X Always comply with the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions.
X Press the release button on the belt buckle,
hold the belt tongue firmly and guide it back
towards the belt outlet.
The special seat belt retractor is deactiva-
ted. Child restraint system
The use of seat belts and child restraint sys-
tems is required by law in:
R all 50 states
R the U.S. territories
R the District of Columbia
R all Canadian provinces
You can obtain further information about the correct child restraint system from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is installed incor- rectly on a suitable seat, it cannot protect as
intended. The child cannot then be restrained in the event of an accident, heavy braking or
sudden changes of direction. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Make sure that you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions and the notes on use. Please ensure,
that the base of the child restraint system is
always resting completely on the seat cush-
ion. Never place objects, e.g. cushions, under or behind the child restraint system. Only use
child restraint systems with the original cover
designed for them. Only replace damaged
covers with genuine covers. G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is installed incor- rectly or is not secured, it can come loose in
the event of an accident, heavy braking or a
sudden change in direction. The child
restraint system could be thrown about, strik- ing vehicle occupants. There is an increased
risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always install child restraint systems prop-
erly, even if they are not being used. Make
sure that you observe the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation instructions.
You will find further information on stowing
objects, luggage or loads under "Loading
guidelines" (Y page 372).70
Children in the vehicleSafety