2016 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS Owners Manual

Overhead control panel
Function Page
C
= Switches the left-hand
reading lamp on/off
134
D
3 Switches the automatic
interior lighting control
on/off 135

Door contro l panel
Function Page
C

Rear seats
i Example: vehicles with Rear Seat Entertain-
ment System
Function Page
C
DVD player (see the separate
operating instructions)
D
Cigarette lighter 335
Socket 336 Function Page

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment of
your vehicle available at the time of publica-
tion of the Operator's Manual. Country-spe-
cific differences are possible. Please note
that your vehicle may not be equipped with all
features described. This also applies to
safety-related systems and functions.
i Read the information on qualified specialist
workshops ( Y
page 28).
Hybrid vehicles
General notes Hybrid technology combines a fuel efficient
internal combustion engine with a powerful
electric motor.
Important safety notes
Danger of electric shock
G DANGER
The vehicle's high-voltage electrical system is
under high voltage. If you modify components
in the vehicle's high-voltage electrical system
or touch damaged components, you may be
electrocuted. The components in the vehi-
cle's high-voltage electrical system may be
damaged in an accident, although the damage
is not visible. There is a risk of fatal injury.
Following an accident, do not touch any high-
voltage components and never modify the
vehicle's high-voltage electrical system. Have
the vehicle towed away after an accident and
the vehicle's high-voltage electrical system
checked by a qualified specialist workshop.
When towing a vehicle after an accident, be sure
to observe the following sections: R
Transporting the vehicle ( Y
page 381)R
Towing a vehicle with both axles on the
ground ( Y
page 380)
Read the safety instructions on towing and tow-
starting ( Y
page 379). All components of the hybrid drive system are
marked with yellow warning stickers that warn
you of the danger of high voltage. The cables of
the vehicle's high-voltage electrical system are
orange in color.
The ignition must be switched off when carrying
out general tasks, such as adding washer fluid to
the windshield washer system or checking the
coolant level.
Automatic switching off of the hybrid
drive system If components of the restraint system are acti-
vated during an accident, the hybrid drive sys-
tem is automatically deactivated.
The hybrid drive system is not activated when
the vehicle is started if: R
an electrical short circuit is detected in the
hybrid drive system R
an electrical connection in the hybrid drive
system is disconnected
This ensures that you do not come into contact
with high voltage.
Manual switching off of the hybrid drive
system The hybrid drive system can be deactivated
manually using the high voltage switch-off
device.
! To prevent damage to the hybrid drive sys-
tem please observe the following instruc-
tions: R
only deactivate the hybrid drive system
manually in the following situations. R
work on the hybrid drive system may only
be carried out at a qualified specialist work-
shop, even when it has been deactivated
manually.42
Hybrid vehicles
Safety

Deactivate the hybrid system manually if: R
the u restraint system warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up after an accident R
the vehicle is badly damaged, e.g. after an
accident, and the restraint system compo-
nents were not activated R
the vehicle is badly damaged and has to be
towed or transported X
If possible, move the vehicle out of the
danger zone: shift the automatic transmis-
sion into position N .X
Release the electric parking brake. X
Roll the vehicle to a safe place and park it
safely.
Get assistance from others if necessary.
i The vehicle is locked automatically when
the ignition is switched on and the wheels are
turning. There is therefore a risk of being
locked out if the vehicle is being pushed or
tested on a dynamometer. X
Switch the ignition off. X
Shift the automatic transmission to park posi-
tion P ( Y
page 170).
Depress the electric parking brake
( Y
page 190).
Secure the vehicle against rolling away
( Y
page 406). X
To use the high-voltage switch-off device:
open the trunk lid. X
Lift the trunk floor upwards ( Y
page 329).X
Remove the right-hand paneling in the trunk.
X
Press release clip C in the direction of the
arrow and pull it out. X
Pull the high voltage switch-off device D
apart until it engages in the stop position.
If the hybrid drive system has been deactivated
due to reasons mentioned above, have it checked at a qualified specialist workshop
before reactivation.
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 vehicle
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 process, switch
off all electrical consumers, e.g. the auto-
matic climate control or the seat heating.
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: make sure that
the high-voltage battery is connected to a
charging station during long periods when the
vehicle is standing idle.
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: charging the high-
voltage battery ( Y
page 180).
Engine compartment
Before opening the hood: X
Apply the electric parking brake. X
Shift the automatic transmission to park posi-
tion P . X
Switch the ignition off.Hybrid vehicles 43
Safety Z

X
Remove th e Start/Sto p butto n from th e igni-
tion loc k ( Y
page 162).
or X
If th e SmartKey is inserted in th e ignition lock:
remove th e SmartKey from th e ignition lock.X
Observ e th e warning note s on th e ris k of elec -
tric shock ( Y
page 42) .X
Observ e th e warning notice s about th e hoo d
( Y
page 352).
RBS driving safety system (Recupera-
tive Brake System) The Recuperative Brake Syste m support s you
when braking wit h an electronically-controlled
brak e boos t mod e and enables th e recovery of
kinetic energ y (recuperation).
G WARNIN G
If th e Recuperative Braking Syste m malfunc -
tions, braking resistanc e may be reduce d and
brak e pedal travel may be longer than usual. If
you subsequentl y depress th e brak e pedal as
usual, th e braking effec t may no t be sufficient.
There is a ris k of an accident.
In th e event of this malfunction , continue to
depress th e brak e pedal . Stop th e vehicl e in
accordanc e wit h th e traffic conditions. If nec-
essary, contact a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Further information about th e Recuperative
Brake Syste m ( Y
page 240).
Panic alarm X
To activate: press 3 butto n C for at
least on e second.
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if th e
alarm system is armed. X
To deactivate: press 3 butto n C again .
or X
Press th e Start/Sto p button.
The SmartKey mus t be in th e vehicle.
Occupant safety
Introduction to the restraint system The restrain t system can reduce th e ris k of vehi-
cle occupant s comin g int o contact wit h part s of
th e vehicle's interior in th e event of an accident.
The restrain t system can also reduce th e force s
to whic h vehicl e occupant s are subjecte d during
an accident.
The restrain t system comprises :R
seat belt system R
air bags R
child restrain t system R
child seat securin g systems
The component s of th e restrain t system wor k in
conjunction wit h eac h other . The y can only
deplo y their protective function if, at all times , all
vehicl e occupants: R
hav e fastene d their seat belt s correctl y
( Y
page 48) R
hav e adjusted their seat and head restrain t
properly ( Y
page 105).
As th e driver, you also hav e to mak e sur e that
th e steering whee l is adjusted correctly.
Observ e th e information relating to th e correc t
driver' s seat position ( Y
page 104).
You also hav e to mak e sur e that an air bag can
inflat e properly if deployed ( Y
page 50).
An air bag supplement s a correctl y wor n seat
belt . As an additional safet y device , th e air bag
increases th e level of protection for vehicl e
occupant s in th e event of an accident. Fo r exa m-
p
le, if, in th e event of an accident, th e protection
offere d by th e seat belt is sufficient, th e air bags
are no t deployed. When an acciden t occurs, only
th e air bags that increas e protection in that par-
ticular acciden t situation are deployed. How-
ever, seat belt s and air bags generally do no t
protect against objects penetrating th e vehicl e
from th e outside .44
Occupant safety
Safety

Information on restraint system operation can
be found under "Triggering of the Emergency
Tensioning Devices and air bags" ( Y
page 57).
For information on children traveling with you in
the vehicle and on child restraint systems, see
"Children in the vehicle" ( Y
page 61).
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Modifications to the restraint system may
cause it to no longer work as intended. The
restraint system may then not perform its
intended protective function and may fail in an
accident or trigger unexpectedly, for example.
This poses an increased risk of injury or even
fatal injury.
Never modify parts of the restraint system.
Never tamper with the wiring, the electronic
components or their software.
If it is necessary to modify an air bag system to
accommodate a person with disabilities, con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
details. USA only: for further information con-
tact our Customer Assistance Center at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1 ‑ 800 ‑ 367 ‑ 6372).
Restraint system warning lamp The functions of the restraint system are
checked after the ignition is switched on and at
regular intervals while the engine is running.
Therefore, malfunctions can be detected in
good time.
The u restraint system warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up when the ignition is
switched on. It goes out no later than a few sec-
onds after the vehicle is started. The compo-
nents of the restraint system are in operational
readiness.
A malfunction has occurred if the u restraint
system warning lamp: R
does not light up after the ignition is switched
on R
does not go out after a few seconds with the
engine running R
lights up again while the engine is running
All vehicles, except hybrid vehicles: G WARNING
If restraint system is malfunctioning, restraint
system components may be triggered unin-
tentionally or might not be triggered at all in
the event of an accident with a high rate of
vehicle deceleration. This can affect the Emer-
gency Tensioning Device or air bag, for exam-
ple. This poses an increased risk of injury or
even fatal injury.
Have the restraint system checked and
repaired in a qualified specialist workshop as
soon as possible.
Hybrid vehicles:
G DANGER
If the restraint system is malfunctioning, indi-
vidual restraint system components may be
triggered unintentionally or might not be trig-
gered at all in the event of an accident with a
high rate of vehicle deceleration. This could
affect Emergency Tensioning Devices or air
bags, for example. The vehicle's high-voltage
electrical system may also not be deactivated
as intended in the event of an accident. You
could suffer an electric shock if you touch the
damaged components of the vehicle's high-
voltage electrical system. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Have the restraint system checked and
repaired immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop. Immediately switch off the ignition
and remove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock after an accident.Occupant safety 45
Safety Z

PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp C and
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp D are
part of the Occupant Classification System
(OCS).
The indicator lamps display the status of the
front-passenger front air bag. R
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON lights up: the front-
passenger front air bag is enabled. If, in the
event of an accident, all deployment criteria
are met, the front-passenger front air bag is
deployed. R
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF lights up: the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated. It will
then not be deployed in the event of an acci-
dent.
Depending on the person in the front-passenger
seat, the front-passenger front air bag must
either be deactivated or enabled; see the fol-
lowing points. You must make sure of this both
before and during a journey. R
Children in a child restraint system:
whether the front-passenger front air bag is
enabled or deactivated depends on the instal-
led child restraint system, and the age and
size of the child. Therefore, be sure to observe
the notes on the "Occupant Classification
System (OCS)" ( Y
page 53) and on "Chil-
dren in the vehicle" ( Y
page 61). There you
will also find instructions on rearward and
forward-facing child restraint systems on the
front-passenger seat. R
All other persons: depending on the classi-
fication of the person in the front-passenger
seat, the front-passenger front air bag is ena-
bled or deactivated ( Y
page 53). Be sure to
observe the notes on "Seat
belts“ ( Y
page 46) and "Air bags"
( Y
page 50). There you can also find infor-
mation on the correct seat position. Seat belts
Introduction Seat belts are the most effective means of
restricting the movement of vehicle occupants
in the event of an accident or the vehicle rolling
over. This reduces the risk of vehicle occupants
coming into contact with parts of the vehicle
interior or being ejected from the vehicle. Fur-
thermore, the seat belt helps to keep the vehicle
occupant in the best position in relation to the
air bag.
The seat belt system comprises: R
Seat belts R
Emergency Tensioning Devices for the front
seat belts and the outer seat belts in the rear R
Seat belt force limiters for the front seat belts
and the outer seat belts in the rear R
Belt bags for the outer seat belts in the rear,
depending on the vehicle's equipment
If the seat belt is pulled out of the belt outlet
quickly or with a jerky movement, the belt
retractor locks. The belt strap cannot be extrac-
ted any further.
The Emergency Tensioning Device tightens the
seat belt in an accident, pulling the belt close
against the body. However it does not pull the
vehicle occupant back in the direction of the
backrest.
The Emergency Tensioning Device does not cor-
rect an incorrect seat position or the routing of
an incorrectly fastened seat belt.
When triggered, a seat belt force limiter helps to
reduce the force exerted by the seat belt on the
vehicle occupant.
The seat belt force limiters for the front seats are
synchronized with the front air bags, which
absorb part of the deceleration force. This can
reduce the force exerted on the vehicle occu-
pants during an accident.
! If the front-passenger seat is unoccupied,
do not insert the belt tongue into the buckle of
the front-passenger seat. This may otherwise
lead to the triggering of the Emergency Ten-
sioning Device in the event of an accident,
which will then need to be replaced.46
Occupant safety
Safety