2016 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS snow chains

The electric parking brake secures the vehicle
automatically if the HOLD function is activated
when the vehicle is stationary and: R
a system malfunction occurs. R
the power supply is not sufficient.
If a malfunction in the electric parking brake
occurs, then the transmission may also be shif-
ted into position P automatically.
MAGIC BODY CONTROL
General notes MAGIC BODY CONTROL consists of Active Body
Control (ABC), ROAD SURFACE SCAN as well as
automatic vehicle stabilization in the event of a
crosswind.
Your vehicle automatically adjusts its ride height
to improve driving safety and reduce fuel con-
sumption. The suspension mode is adjusted
according to your selection (sports or comfort),
the road surface conditions and the vehicle load.
A multifunction camera detects bumps in the
road surface before the vehicle drives over
them. This reduces chassis movements.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
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 vehi-
cle could otherwise be damaged.
Crosswind Assist
The crosswind stabilization operates by chang-
ing 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 in the speed range
between 50 mph (80 km/ h) and
130 mph (210 km/h) when driving straight
ahead or cornering gently.
Active Body Control ABC Vehicle level All vehicles except AMG vehicles: depending
on the vehicle level that has been set, the vehi-
cle 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 automati-
cally 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 con-
ditions and "Raised" for driving with snow chains
or in particularly poor road conditions.
Setting the vehicle level X
To raise the vehicle: press button C .
Indicator lamp D lights up.X
To lower the vehicle: press button C again.
Indicator lamp D goes out.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Suspension tuning
The electronically controlled ABC suspension
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.210
Driving systems
Driving and parking

R
sections of the route have a very small radius
of curvature R
you accelerate hard or brake sharply
AIRMATIC
General notes AIRMATIC is an air suspension with variable
damping for improved driving comfort. All-round
level control ensures the best possible suspen-
sion and constant ground clearance, even with a
laden vehicle. When you drive fast, the vehicle is
lowered automatically to improve driving safety
and to reduce fuel consumption. There is also
the option to manually adjust the vehicle level.
AIRMATIC consists of level setting, level control
and the Adaptive Damping System ADS PLUS.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle or
in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arches
when the vehicle is being lowered.
Vehicle level
Setting the raised vehicle level
It is possible to choose between the "Normal"
and "Raised" vehicle levels. Select the "Normal"
setting for normal road surfaces and "Raised"
for driving with snow chains or on particularly poor road surfaces. Your selection remains
stored even if you remove the SmartKey from
the ignition lock. X
Start the engine.
If indicator lamp D is not lit:X
Press button C .
Indicator lamp D lights up. The vehicle is
raised by 1.0 in (25 mm) compared to the
normal level.
The Vehicle
Rising message appears in the
multifunction display.
i The message disappears after ten seconds,
irrespective of the level reached. If necessary,
the vehicle is raised further.
The "Raised level" setting is canceled if you: R
drive at a speed above approximately 75 mph
(120 km/h) R
drive for approximately three minutes at a
speed above 50 mph (80 km/h)
Setting the normal vehicle level X
Start the engine.
If indicator lamp D is lit:X
Press button C .
Indicator lamp D goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to normal level.
Suspension tuning
General notes The Adaptive Damping System ADS PLUS auto-
matically controls the calibration of the damp-
ers.
The damping is tuned individually 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
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
i You can choose between the sporty and
comfortable mode. One of the two modes is
always active.212
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Sports tuning The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
SPORT mode ensures the best possible contact
with the road. Select this mode when employing
a sporty driving style, e.g. on winding country
roads.
All vehicles except Mercedes-AMG vehicles: X
If indicator lamp D is not lit: press but-
ton C .
Indicator lamp D lights up. Sports suspen-
sion tuning is selected. The vehicle is lowered
by 0.4 in (10 mm) compared to the normal
level.
The AIRMATIC
SPORT message appears in the
multifunction display.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: X
If indicator lamp D is not lit: press but-
ton C .
Indicator lamp D lights up. If the driving
speed is higher than 75 mph (120 km/h), the
vehicle is automatically lowered by another
0.4 in (10 mm) compared to the normal level
in sport mode.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
Comfort tuning
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics of
your vehicle are more comfortable. Therefore,
select this mode if you favor a more comfortable
driving style. Select comfort mode also when
driving fast on straight roads, e.g. on straight
stretches of highway. X
If indicator lamp D is not lit: press but-
ton C .
Indicator lamp D lights up. Comfort tuning is
selected. All vehicles except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles: the AIRMATIC COMFORT
message
appears in the multifunction display.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the AMG Suspen‐
sion System COMFORT message appears in
the multifunction display.
If the driving speed is higher than 75 mph
(120 km/h), the vehicle is automatically low-
ered in comfort mode by 0.4 in (10 mm) com-
pared to the normal level.
Load compensation The vehicle can compensate differences in the
vehicle level by raising or lowering the axles.
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive) 4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are perma-
nently driven. Together with ESP ®
, it improves
the traction of your vehicle whenever a drive
wheel spins due to insufficient grip.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor override
the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot take
account of road, weather and traffic conditions.
4MATIC is only an aid. You are responsible for
the distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle
speed, for braking in good time and for staying in
your lane.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip: R
Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away. R
Accelerate less when driving.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle raised.
This may damage the transfer case. Damage
of this sort is not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty. All wheels must
remain either on the ground or be fully raised.
Observe the instructions for towing the vehi-
cle with all wheels in full contact with the
ground.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if you
use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow chains
if necessary.Driving systems 213
Driving and parking Z

R
Snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately. R
Pay attention to the PARKTRONIC
( Y
page 215) warning messages during the
parking procedure. R
You can intervene in the steering procedure
to correct it at any time. Active Parking Assist
will then be canceled. R
When transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle, you should not use Active
Parking Assist. R
Never use Active Parking Assist when snow
chains are installed. R
Make sure that the tire pressures are always
correct. This has a direct influence on the
parking characteristics of the vehicle.
Use Active Parking Assist for parking spaces: R
parallel or at right angles to the direction of
travel R
that are on straight roads, not bends R
that are on the same level as the road, e.g. not
on the pavement
Detecting parking spaces Objects located above the height range of Active
Parking Assist will not be detected when the
parking space is measured. These are not taken
into account when the parking procedure is cal-
culated, e.g. overhanging loads, tail sections or
loading ramps of goods vehicles.
G WARNING
If there are objects above the detection range: R
Active Park Assist may steer too early R
the vehicle may not stop in front of these
objects
You may cause a collision as a result. There is
a risk of an accident.
If objects are located above the detection
range, stop and deactivate Active Parking
Assist.
For further information on the detection range
( Y
page 214). Active Parking Assist does not assist you park-
ing in spaces at right angles to the direction of
travel if: R
two parking spaces are located directly next
to one another R
the parking space is directly next to a low
obstacle such as a low curb R
you park forwards
Active Parking Assist does not assist you park-
ing in spaces that are parallel or at right angles
to the direction of travel if: R
the parking space is on a curb R
the system reads the parking space as being
blocked, for example by foliage or grass pav-
ing blocks R
the area is too small for the vehicle to maneu-
ver into R
the parking space is bordered by an obstacle,
e.g. a tree, a post or a trailer
C
Detected parking space on the left D
Parking symbol

G WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer sta-
bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the follow-
ing situations: R
when using snow chains R
in deep snow R
on sand or gravel
For further information about ESP ®
, see
( Y
page 73). X
Start the engine. X
Press the

To avoid hazardous situations: R
never install snow chains to the front
wheels R
always install snow chains in pairs to the
rear wheels.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use snow chains that have
been specially approved for your vehicle by
Mercedes-Benz, or are of a corresponding
standard of quality.
If you intend to mount snow chains, please bear
the following points in mind: R
Snow chains may not be mounted on all
wheel/tire combinations. Permissible wheel-
tire combinations ( Y
page 410).R
Only use snow chains when driving on roads
completely covered by snow. Remove the
snow chains as soon as possible when you
come to a road that is not snow-covered. R
Local regulations may restrict the use of snow
chains. Observe the appropriate regulations if
you wish to mount snow chains. R
Do not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 31 mph (50 km/h). R
On vehicles with AIRMATIC ( Y
page 212) or
Magic Body Control (MBC) ( Y
page 210), you
must drive at raised vehicle level if snow
chains have been mounted. R
When snow chains are installed, never use
Active Parking Assist ( Y
page 216).
You may wish to deactivate ESP ®
when pulling
away with snow chains installed ( Y
page 74).
You can thereby allow the wheels to spin in a
controlled manner, achieving an increased driv-
ing force (cutting action). Tire pressure
Tire pressure specifications
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Underinflated or overinflated tires pose the
following risks: R
the tires may burst, especially as the load
and vehicle speed increase. R
the tires may wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which may greatly impair tire
traction. R
the driving characteristics, as well as steer-
ing and braking, may be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures
and check the pressure of all the tires includ-
ing the spare wheel: R
monthly, at least R
if the load changes R
before beginning a long journey R
under different operating conditions, e.g.
off-road driving
If necessary, correct the tire pressure.
The data on the Tire and Loading Information
placard and tire pressure table shown here are
examples. Tire pressure specifications are vehi-
cle-specific and may deviate from the data
shown here. The tire pressure specifications
that are valid for your vehicle can be found on
the Tire and Loading Information placard and
tire pressure table on the vehicle.
General notes The recommended tire pressures for the tires
mounted at the factory can be found on the
labels described here.
Further information on tire pressures can be
obtained at a qualified specialist workshop. Tire pressure 387
Wheels and tires Z

Tires
S 400 4MATIC Summer tires R18
Tires Wheels
BA: 245/50 R1 8 10 0 W BA: 8.0 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset: 1.61 in (41 mm)
R19
Tires Wheels
FA: 245/45 R19 102 Y XL
RA: 275/40 R19 (101 Y) XL 2
FA: 8.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.42 in (36 mm)
RA: 9.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.71 in (43.5 mm)
FA: 245/45 R19 102 Y XL
RA: 275/40 R19 101 Y 2
FA: 8.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.50 in (38 mm) 5
RA: 9.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.50 in (38 mm) 5
R20
Tires Wheels
FA: 245/40 R20 99 Y XL 3, 4
RA: 275/35 R20 102 Y XL 2, 3, 4
FA: 8.5 J x 20 H2
Wheel offset: 1.42 in (36 mm)
RA: 9.5 J x 20 H2
Wheel offset: 1.71 in (43.5 mm)
FA: 245/40 R20 99 Y XL 3, 4
RA: 275/35 R20 102 Y XL 2, 3, 4
FA: 8.5 J x 20 H2
Wheel offset: 1.44 in (36.5 mm)
RA: 9.5 J x 20 H2
Wheel offset: 1.73 in (44 mm)
FA: 245/40 R20 99 Y XL 3
RA: 275/35 R20 102 Y XL 2, 3
FA: 8.5 J x 20 H2
Wheel offset: 1.50 in (38 mm) 5
RA: 9.5 J x 20 H2
Wheel offset: 1.50 in (38 mm) 5
2
Use of snow chains not permitted. Observe the notes in the "Snow chains" section. 5
Only in conjunction with AMG line (code 951). 3
Available as MOExtended tires 4
Not in conjunction with AMG line (code 951).412
Wheel and tire combinations
Wheels and tires

All-weather tires R18
Tires Wheels
BA : 245/50 R18 10 0 H M+S 3, 4
BA : 8. 0 J x 18 H2
Whee l offset : 1.61 in (41 mm)
R19
Tires Wheels
FA : 245/45 R19 10 2 H XL M+S 3, 4
RA: 275/40 R19 10 1 H M+S 2, 3, 4
FA : 8. 5 J x 19 H2
Whee l offset : 1.42 in (36 mm)
RA: 9. 5 J x 19 H2
Whee l offset : 1.71 in (43.5 mm)
FA : 245/45 R19 10 2 H XL M+S 3
RA: 275/40 R19 10 1 H M+S 2, 3
FA : 8. 5 J x 19 H2
Whee l offset : 1.50 in (38 mm) 5
RA: 9. 5 J x 19 H2
Whee l offset : 1.50 in (38 mm ) 5
Winter tires R18
Tires Wheels
BA : 245/50 R18 10 4 V XL M+S M 3
BA : 8. 0 J x 18 H2
Whee l offset : 1.61 in (41 mm)
R19
Tires Wheels
BA : 245/45 R19 10 2 V XL M+S M 3
BA : 8. 5 J x 19 H2
Whee l offset : 1.42 in (36 mm)
BA : 245/45 R19 10 2 V XL M+S M 3
BA : 8. 5 J x 19 H2
Whee l offset : 1.50 in (38 mm) 5
3
Available as MOExtended tires 4
Not in conjunctio n wit h AM G lin e (code 951).2
Use of snow chain s no t permitted. Observ e th e note s in th e "Snow chains" section.5
Only in conjunctio n wit h AM G lin e (code 951).Wheel and tire combinations 413
Wheels and tires Z