2016 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS Owners Manual

Driving using th e internal combustion
engin e and charging th e high-voltage bat -
tery
The engin e powers th e vehicle. The engin e also
powers th e electric motor. The electric motor
operates as a generator. The high-voltag e bat -
tery is bein g charged.
The arrows fo r th e energ y flo w are shown in
white.
Driving using th e internal combustion
engin e and discharging th e high-voltage
battery
The engin e powers th e vehicle. If th e vehicl e is
approachin g a downhill gradien t wit h a hig h
potential fo r energ y recuperation , th e condition
of charg e of th e high-voltag e battery is inten-
tionally kept low or intentionally reduced.
The arrows fo r th e energ y flo w are shown in
white.
Further information on th e route-based operat -
in g strategy ( Y
page 253). Electri c operation mode
The electric motor powers th e vehicle. The high-
voltag e battery supplies energ y to th e electric
motor.
The arrows fo r th e energ y flo w are shown in
green .
Electri c operation mode and charging th e
high-voltage batter y
The electric motor is operatin g as a generator,
e.g. in overrun mod e and when brakin g
( Y
page 253). The kineti c energ y of th e vehicl e
is converted into electrica l energy. The high-
voltag e battery is bein g charged.
The arrows fo r th e energ y flo w are shown in
green .PLUG ‑ IN HYBRID operation 247
Driving and parking Z

Charging the high-voltage battery when
stationary
The engine and electric motor are switched off.
The arrows for the energy flow are not shown.
Further information on charging the high-volt-
age battery via: R
a mains socket ( Y
page 183)R
a charging station ( Y
page 186)R
a wallbox ( Y
page 185)
Displaying the total range and electrical
range
The approximate range is based on the current
driving style. X
Use

Displaying fuel consumption an d generated electricit y
C
Fue l consumptionD
Electrical energ y generate d
Every bar of th e graph displays th e averag e valu e fo r on e minute.
Fue l consumption indicator C may diffe r from th e indicator in th e Fro m Start trip compute r in th e
Tri p menu.
To reset th e values: th e values are reset alon g wit h th e Fro m Start
trip compute r ( Y
page 262).X
To selec t Consumption : turn and press th e controller .
Fue l consumption C and electrical energ y D generate d fo r th e last 15 minutes are shown in th e
COMAN D display.
Starting th e engin eThe vehicle start s in electric mode without th e
internal combustion engin e (noiseles s start).
The internal combustion engin e start s only after
th e powe r demanded by th e driver exceeds th e
available powe r that th e electric moto r can cur -
rentl y provide.
Noiseless start operation is dependen t on th e
outsid e temperature and th e operatin g temper-
ature of th e internal combustion engine. If no t all
condition s fo r noiseles s start operation are ful-
filled, th e vehicle start s wit h th e internal com-
bustion engine. X
Switc h on th e ignition .X
Depress th e brake pedal. X
Observ e th e note s on startin g th e engin e
( Y
page 164). X
Start th e vehicle ( Y
page 164).
The vehicle is operational when READY indi-
cator C lights up.PLUG ‑ IN HYBRID operation 24 9
Driving an d parking Z

Pulling away X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed. X
Shift the transmission to position D or R .X
If the Apply Brake to Shift from 'P'
display message appears in the multifunction
display, depress the brake pedal more firmly
and select the desired transmission position. X
Release the brake pedal. X
Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.
For further information on pulling away
( Y
page 165).
Driving
Program selector button Automatic drive programs E, S and E+
X
Press program selector button C to change
the drive program.
The selected drive program appears in the
multifunction display. The program selector button allows you to
choose between different driving characteris-
tics.
E Economy R
Comfortable, economical
driving R
Electric operation mode
is used as often as possi-
ble R
ECO start/stop function
is available
S Sport R
Sporty driving style with
boost mode R
The internal combustion
engine is always
switched on
E+ Economy
Plus R
Comfortable, economical
driving R
Electric operation mode
is used as often as possi-
ble R
The ECO start/stop func-
tion is available R
Double pulses in the hap-
tic accelerator pedal, as
an indication to release
the accelerator pedal
( Y
page 251) R
After the accelerator
pedal has been released,
the coasting characteris-
tics of the vehicle are
adapted to the traffic
conditions
For further information on the automatic drive
program, see ( Y
page 174).
Manual drive program
In addition to automatic drive programs E and S ,
you can switch to manual drive program M using
the steering wheel paddle shifters.
In manual drive program M , you can briefly
change gear yourself by using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must be
in position D . In manual drive program M the
internal combustion engine is always switched
on.250
PLUG ‑ IN HYBRID operation
Driving and parking

Activating when driving with the electric motor: X
Pull the left or right steering wheel paddle
shifter ( Y
page 174).
The combustion engine is switched on. Man-
ual drive program M is temporarily activated.
The selected gear and M appear in the multi-
function display.
Activating when driving with the combustion
engine: X
Pull the left or right steering wheel paddle
shifter ( Y
page 174).
Manual drive program M is temporarily acti-
vated. The selected gear and M appear in the
multifunction display.
The ECO start/stop function is not available in
manual drive program M .
Haptic accelerator pedal General notes The haptic accelerator pedal helps you to
reduce the fuel consumption and emissions of
your vehicle.
There are two different functions available for
this purpose: R
an additional point of resistance in E-MODE
operating mode ( Y
page 243)R
a double impulse in E+ operating mode
( Y
page 250)
Additional point of resistance in the hap-
tic accelerator pedal The maximum available electric performance is
indicated by a tangible point of resistance in the
haptic accelerator pedal.
The additional point of resistance is available in
E-MODE operating mode ( Y
page 243).
If you depress the haptic accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point, the combustion
engine is switched on.
Double pulses in the haptic accelerator
pedal
A tangible double pulse in the haptic accelerator
pedal gives you a recommendation to release
the accelerator pedal. The combustion engine
can switch off and be disconnected from the
drive train (overrun mode).
The double pulse is available in drive program E+
( Y
page 250). After the accelerator pedal has been released,
the coasting characteristics of the vehicle are
adapted to the traffic conditions.
To avo id getting too close to the vehicle in front,
y
ou must apply the brakes manually when nec-
essary.
Driving tips General driving tips Drive carefully and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front. Avoid frequent and
sudden acceleration as well as abrupt braking.
During partial electric driving, pulling away and
acceleration, the electric motor supports the
internal combustion engine.
During overrun in transmission position D and
braking, the electric motor will operate as a gen-
erator.
Further information on the ECO start/stop func-
tion ( Y
page 252).
Additional driving tips ( Y
page 192).
Stationary vehicle If the vehicle is stopped, the combustion engine
is, for the most part, switched off. Automatic
climate control continues to function. The elec-
tromechanically assisted steering gear allows
you to use the power steering without reduced
comfort.
Acceleration Depending on the operating mode, pulling away
and driving under low load conditions are per-
formed: R
entirely by electric propulsion R
in combination with the internal combustion
engine
When accelerating at an increased or full load,
boost mode is utilized. The electric motor sup-
ports the internal combustion engine by provid-
ing additional torque when the accelerator is
depressed rapidly.
Overrun mode or braking
There are three possible operating modes when
the hybrid vehicle is decelerating: R
energy recovery takes place even when the
vehicle is decelerating purely in overrun mode
( Y
page 240). The electric motor operates asPLUG ‑ IN HYBRID operation 251
Driving an d parking Z

a generator and stores the recovered energy
in the high-voltage battery R
when the brakes are applied lightly, the vehi-
cle is slowed down further by the electric
motor. This increases the energy recovery
taking place ( Y
page 240). The electric motor
operates as a generator and stores the recov-
ered energy in the high-voltage battery R
when the brakes are applied with greater
force, the service brakes are also used to slow
the vehicle down. The two systems work
together
Urban driving Energy is recuperated during frequent deceler-
ation and stopping in city traffic.
The vehicle can be driven by the electric motor
alone up to a speed of approximately 81 mph
(130 km/h).
The vehicle is driven by the electric motor alone
only when all conditions for the automatic
engine switch-off are fulfilled.
Further information on the automatic engine
switch-off ( Y
page 252).
Driving on inter-urban roads The following phases are possible when driving
on inter-urban roads: R
rapid acceleration (boost mode) R
constant energy consumption R
energy recuperation R
electric operation mode
A great deal of recovered energy may be avail-
able, depending on the route profile. This
reduces consumption and emissions.
Highway driving
During highway driving, fuel consumption and
emissions are favorably influenced in partic ular
by reduced power losses.
The internal combustion engine will be switched
off automatically, if: R
the driver removes his or her foot from the
accelerator pedal in drive program E and a
speed of 81 mph (130 km/h) is not exceeded R
the driver removes his or her foot from the
accelerator pedal in drive program E+ and a
speed of 112 mph (180 km/h) is not excee-
ded
Further information on the automatic engine
switch-off ( Y
page 252). ECO start/stop function General notes The ECO start/stop function switches the inter-
nal combustion engine off automatically when
the vehicle stops moving and at high speeds
( Y
page 253).
All vehicle systems remain active, e.g. the auto-
matic climate control.
The ECO start/stop function is only available in
drive programs E and E+ . Electric-only operation
is only possible in drive programs E and E+ .
Additional information for drive programs E and
E+ ( Y
page 250).
Automatic engine switch-off The engine is switched off automatically, includ-
ing when: R
the driver removes his or her foot from the
accelerator pedal in drive program E and a
speed of 81 mph (13 0 km/ h) is not exceeded
( Y
page 253) R
the driver removes his or her foot from the
accelerator pedal in drive program E+ and a
speed of 112 mph (180 km/h) is not excee-
ded ( Y
page 253) R
the engine has reached its operating temper-
ature R
the driver’s seat belt is fastened and the
driver’s door is closed R
the driver only slightly depresses the accel-
erator pedal in order to, for example, maintain
the current speed for a limited distance R
the hood is closed and engaged properly R
the high-voltage battery is charged suffi-
ciently R
no malfunctions are present in the hybrid
drive system
The internal combustion engine will not be
switched off automatically, if: R
the self-diagnosis function of the engine con-
trol unit is still active R
there is a malfunction in the hybrid drive sys-
t em R
the climate control of the vehicle requires it R
the high-voltage battery is being charged
( Y
page 246) R
automatic emissions tests are running252
PLUG ‑ IN HYBRID operation
Driving and parking

Aut oma tic engine startThe automatically switched-off internal combus -
tio n engin e start s automatically in certai n situa-
tions , if:R
th e power demand from th e driver via th e
accelerato r pedal is greate r than th e electric
motor alon e can provideR
th e driver switches to driv e program S or MR
th e condition of charge of th e high-voltage
battery has reached th e lower limitR
th e settings of th e automatic climat e control
require it, e.g. at external temperatures abov e
30 †
Over ru n mod eIn overrun mode, th e combustio n engin e is
switched off and is disconnected from th e driv e
train. The electric motor: R
generates low thrust , whic h correspond s to
th e overrun mod e of an active combustio n
engin eR
function s as a generator and produce s th e
necessary energ y for th e auxiliary consumer s
and charge s th e high-voltage battery
Ove rrun mod e is possible in th e followin g spee d
range: R
in driv e program E below 81 mph (13 0 km/h)R
in driv e program E+ below 11 2 mph
(18 0 km/h)
In driv e program E+ , after th e accelerato r pedal
has been released th e coasting characteristic s
of th e vehicl e are adapted to th e traffic condi-
tions . Further information about th e haptic
accelerato r p edal ( Y
page 251).
Route-based operating strategy Fo r th e route-based operating strategy, th e sys-
te m factors in information about th e expecte d
rout e when rout e guidance is active.
The information on th e rout e is provide d by th e
multimedia system and includes th e following:R
road categories R
spee d limitation sR
dat a on downhill gradients The use of electric energ y is automatically opti-
mally distributed from th e beginnin g to th e en d
of th e journey, usin g information about th e
route. The distribution is pre-emptive and takes
int o consideration : R
th e sections of th e journey aheadR
th e energ y consumption on th e whole rout e
The condition of charge of th e high-voltage bat -
tery is thus systematically controlled. In addi-
tion, th e control function takes int o accoun t
that: R
th e fuel saving s throug h th e use of electrical
energ y can vary, depending on th e rout e (e.g.
urban , interurban or highway) R
th e use of electrical energ y is held available in
particular for electric operation (e.g. urban
routes)
The vehicl e thus automatically select s th e opti-
mum driving mod e for th e respectiv e sectio n of
th e route.
The route-based operating strategy is available
under th e followin g conditions: R
driv e program E+ is selected R
HYBRID driving mod e is selectedR
active rout e g uidance is activated R
suitable map dat a is available
When th e route-based operating strategy is
bein g used, th e area in fron t of th e vehicl e is
shown as green in th e multifunction display.
Parking X
Apply th e electric parking brake.
The red $ indicator lamp in th e instrumen t
cluste r light s up. X
Use th e DIRECT SELECT leve r to shif t th e
automatic transmission to P .X
Switch th e ignition off .
The READY indicator in th e instrumen t cluste r
goes out .
Further information on parking and switching off
th e internal combustio n engin e ( Y
page 190).PLUG ‑ IN HYBRID operation 253
Driving and parking Z

Problems with PLUG-IN HYBRID operation
Internal combustion engine Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
You cannot start the
internal combustion
engine. The multifunc-
tion display shows no
display messages. The
READY indicator in the
multifunction display is
off. For example, self-diagnosis is not yet complete or the hybrid drive
system is malfunctioning. X
Switch off the ignition and turn it back on. X
Try to start the internal combustion engine again.
If the internal combustion engine still does not start: X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
You wish to pull away,
but the ECO start/stop
function does not start
the internal combustion
engine. The READY indi-
cator in the multifunc-
tion display is off. The ECO start/stop function has failed. The warning and indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster light up. X
Shift the transmission to P .X
Switch off the ignition and turn it back on. X
Start the engine.
The hybrid drive system is faulty. X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Recuperative Brake System Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Braking resistance is
reduced and brake pedal
travel is longer than
usual.
G Risk of accident
The Recuperative Brake System is malfunctioning. X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction dis-
play ( Y
page 277). X
Observe the information regarding indicator and warning lamps in
the instrument cluster ( Y
page 315) .254
PLUG ‑ IN HYBRID operation
Driving and parking