2015 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class brakes

Brake force distribution, elec-
tronic
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Brake lamps
Display message ............................ 334
Brake pedal
Pedal resistance/pedal travel .......... 48
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 76
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 81
BAS .................................................. 77
BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic
Assist ............................................... 77
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 492
Display message ............................ 317
EBD .................................................. 83
High-performance brake system .... 227
Hill start assist ............................... 192
HOLD function ............................... 242
Important safety notes .................. 226
Maintenance .................................. 226
Parking brake ................................ 222
RBS warning lamp .......................... 366
Recuperative Brake System ............. 48
Riding tips ...................................... 226
Warning lamp ................................. 357
Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting) ................................... 37
Buttons on the steering wheel ......... 295C
California Important notice for retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 26
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Camera
see 360° camera
Car
see Vehicle
Car key
see SmartKey Care
360° camera ................................. 416
Car wash ........................................ 411
Carpets .......................................... 419
Display ........................................... 417
Exhaust pipe .................................. 417
Exterior lights ................................ 415
Gear or selector lever .................... 418
Interior ........................................... 417
Matte finish ................................... 414
Night View Assist Plus ................... 417
Note s............................................. 411
Paint .............................................. 413
Plastic trim .................................... 418
Power washer ................................ 413
Rear view camera .......................... 416
Roof lining ...................................... 419
Seat belt ........................................ 419
Seat cove r..................................... 418
Sensors ......................................... 415
Steering wheel ............................... 418
Trim pieces .................................... 418
Washing by hand ........................... 413
Wheels ........................................... 414
Windows ........................................ 415
Wiper blades .................................. 415
Wooden trim .................................. 418
CD player/CD changer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 304
Center console
Overview .......................................... 39
Stowage space .............................. 373
Center console in the rear com-
partment
Stowage compartment .................. 375
Central locking
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey )........ 91
Charging
see Charging the high-voltage bat-tery (important safety notes)
Charging cable
Connecting .................................... 214
Controls ......................................... 213
Important safety notes .................. 212
Indicator lamp ................................ 214
Removing ....................................... 215
Storing ........................................... 212
Warming up ................................... 211 6
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

Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 91
Lowering ........................................ 470
Maintenance .................................... 26
Operating safety .............................. 27
Parking for a long period ................ 223
Pulling away ................................... 192
Raising ........................................... 467
Reporting problems ......................... 29
Securing from rolling away ............ 466
Towing away .................................. 435
Transporting .................................. 437
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 98
Unlocking (SmartKey) ...................... 91
Vehicle data ................................... 495
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 495
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 99
Vehicle Homepage
Data protection .............................. 219
Functions ....................................... 220
General information ....................... 219
Internet connection ....................... 220
Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 488
Vehicle level
Active Body Control ABC ............... 244
Display message ............................ 341
Vehicle maintenance
see ASSYST PLUS
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 422
Video
Operating the DVD ......................... 305
VIN ...................................................... 488 W
Warning Stickers ........................................... 46
Warning and indicator lamps
ABS ................................................ 358
Brakes ........................................... 357
Check Engine ................................. 363
Coolant .......................................... 364
Distance warning ........................... 367
ESP ®
.............................................. 360
ESP ®
OFF ....................................... 361
Fuel tank ........................................ 363
Hybrid system ................................ 366 Overview .......................................... 36
Parking brake ................................ 362
PASSENGER AIR BAG ...................... 50
RBS (Recuperative Brake Sys-
tem) ............................................... 366
Reserve fue
l................................... 363
Restraint system ............................ 362
Seat belt ........................................ 355
Steering ......................................... 369
Tire pressure monitor .................... 368
Warranty .............................................. 25
Washer fluid
Display message ............................ 353
Wheel and tire combination
see Tires
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 470
Wheel chock ...................................... 466
Wheels
Changing a whee l.......................... 465
Checking ........................................ 443
Cleaning ......................................... 414
Important safety notes .................. 442
Interchanging/changing ................ 465
Mounting a new whee l................... 470
Mounting a whee l.......................... 466
Removing a whee l.......................... 469
Storing ........................................... 466
Tightening torque ........................... 470
Wheel size/tire size ....................... 471
Window curtain air bag
Operation ......................................... 59
Windows
see Side windows
Windshield
Defrosting ...................................... 175
Infrared reflective .......................... 401
Windshield washer fluid
see Windshield washer system
Windshield washer system
Adding washer fluid ....................... 409
Notes ............................................. 494
Windshield wipers
Problem (malfunction) ................... 161
Replacing the wiper blades ............ 158
Switching on/of f........................... 157
Winter driving
Important safety notes .................. 444
Slippery road surfaces ................... 228 22
Index

Warning and indicator lamps
Function Page
:
!
ABS 358
;
å
ESP®
OFF 360
÷
ESP® 360
=
#
Turn signal, left 152
?
L
Low-beam head-
lamps 151
A
K
High-beam head-
lamps 152
B
T
Parking lamps,
license plate lamp and
instrument cluster lighting 151
C
!
Turn signal, right 152
D
·
Distance warning sig-
nal 367 Function Page
E
!
Electric parking brake
(yellow) 362
F
Electric parking brake (red) 362
F
USA only !
Canada only G
;
Check Engine 363
H
Ð
Power steering 369
I
Brakes (red) 357
$
USA only J
Canada only J
ü
Seat belt 355
K
6
Restraint system 362
L
h
Tire pressure monitor 368
i
Information on warning and indicator
lamps in PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles can be
found in the "PLUG-IN HYBRID drive" sec-
tion (Y page 279). 36
Instrument clusterAt a glance

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

The
! ABS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched on. It goes out when the engine is running.
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 76). G
WARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid- ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information on the ABS warning lamp (Y page 358) and
display messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster (Y page 317).
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h) , regardless of road-surface condi-
tions. ABS works on slippery surfaces, even
when you only brake gently.
Braking X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal vigorously until the braking sit- uation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel a pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions, and func-
tions as a reminder to take extra care while
driving. BAS (Brake Assist System)
General information BAS operates in emergency braking situa-
tions. If you depress the brake pedal quickly,
BAS automatically boosts the braking force,
thus shortening the stopping distance.
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 76). G
WARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of an accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
Braking X
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) with Cross-Traffic Assist
General information i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 76).
BAS PLUS is only available on vehicles with
the Driving Assistance package.
For BAS PLUS to assist you when driving, the radar sensor system and the camera system
must be operational.
With the help of a sensor system and a cam-
era system, BAS PLUS can detect obstacles:
R that are in the path of your vehicle for an
extended period of time
R that cross the path of your vehicle Driving safety systems
77Safety Z

Function
To avoid a collision, BAS PLUS calculates the
brake force necessary if:
R you approach an obstacle, and
R BAS PLUS has detected a risk of collision
When driving at a speed under 20 mph
(30 km/h) : if you depress the brake pedal,
BAS PLUS is activated. The increase in brake pressure will be carried out at the last possi-
ble moment.
When driving at a speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h) : if you depress the brake pedal
sharply, BAS PLUS automatically raises the
brake pressure to a value adapted to the traf-
fic situation.
BAS PLUS provides braking assistance in haz- ardous situations with vehicles in front within
a speed range between 4 mph (7 km/h) and
155 mph (250 km/h).
At speeds of up to approximately 44 mph
(70 km/ h), BAS PLUS can react to:
R stationary objects in the path of your vehi-
cle, e.g. stopped or parked vehicles
R pedestrians in the path of your vehicle
R objects crossing your path and that are
recognized in the detection range of the
sensors
i If BAS PLUS demands particularly high
braking force, preventative passenger pro-
tection measures (PRE-SAFE ®
) are activa-
ted simultaneously.
X Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
BAS PLUS is deactivated and the brakes func-
tion as usual again, if:
R you release the brake pedal.
R there is no longer a risk of collision.
R no obstacle is detected in front of your
vehicle.
R you depress the accelerator pedal.
R you activate kickdown. COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
PLUS
General information COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS con-
sists of a distance warning function with an
autonomous braking function and adaptive
Brake Assist.
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS can
help you to minimize the risk of a front-end
collision with a vehicle ahead or reduce the
effects of such a collision.
If COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS
detects that there is a risk of a collision, you
will be warned visually and acoustically. If you do not react to the visual and audible collision
warning, autonomous braking can be initiated in critical situations. If you apply the brake
yourself in a critical situation, the COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS adaptive Brake
Assist assists you.
Important safety notes In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
R there is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R there is snow or heavy rain
R there is interference by other radar sources
R there are strong radar reflections, for
example in parking garages
R a narrow vehicle traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
R a vehicle traveling in front on a different line
R new vehicles or after a service on the COL-
LISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS system
Observe the notes in the section on break-
ing-in (Y page 188).
Following damage to the front end of the vehi- cle, have the configuration and operation of
the radar sensor checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. This also applies to colli-
sions at low speeds where there is no visible
damage to the front of the vehicle. Driving safety systems
79Safety Z

If the autonomous braking function requires a
particularly high braking force, preventative
passenger protection measures (PRE-SAFE ®
)
are activated simultaneously.
Adaptive Brake Assist i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 76).
Adaptive Brake Assist provides braking assis-
tance in hazardous situations at speeds
above 4 mph (7 km/h). It uses radar sensor
technology to assess the traffic situation. G
WARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist cannot always clearly
identify objects and complex traffic situa-
tions.
In such cases, Adaptive Brake Assist can:
R intervene unnecessarily
R not intervene
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit- uation and be ready to brake. Terminate the
intervention in a non-critical driving situation. G
WARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossing traffic
R when cornering
As a result, the Adaptive Brake Assist may not intervene in all critical conditions. There is a
risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit- uation and be ready to brake.
Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicated but non-critical driving condi-
tions may also cause Brake Assist to inter-
vene.
If adaptive Brake Assist is not available due to a malfunction in the radar sensor system, the brake system remains available with full
brake boosting effect and BAS.
With the help of adaptive Brake Assist, the
distance warning signal can detect obstacles
that are in the path of your vehicle for an
extended period of time.
If adaptive Brake Assist detects a risk of col-
lision with the vehicle in front, it calculates
the braking force necessary to avoid a colli-
sion. If you apply the brakes forcefully, adap-
tive Brake Assist will automatically increase
the braking force to a level suitable for the
traffic conditions.
X Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will work normally again if:
R you release the brake pedal.
R there is no longer any danger of a collision.
R no obstacle is detected in front of your
vehicle.
Adaptive Brake Assist is then deactivated.
If adaptive Brake Assist demands particularly
high braking force, preventative passenger
protection measures (PRE-SAFE ®
) are activa-
ted simultaneously.
Up to a speed of approximately 155 mph
(250 km/h), adaptive Brake Assist is capable
of reacting to moving objects that have
already been detected as such at least once
over the period of observation.
Up to a speed of approximately 44 mph
(70 km/h), adaptive Brake Assist reacts to
stationary obstacles. ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 76).
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between the tires and
the road surface. Driving safety systems
81Safety Z