2016 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class SEDAN Owner's Manual

All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles:)Mand the selected gear appear in the
multifunction display.
Further information on activating manual drive
program Mon PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles
(
Ypage 250).
Shifting gears
If you pull on the left or right steering wheel
paddle shifter, the automatic transmission
switches to manual drive program Mfor a limi-
ted amount of time. Depending on which paddle
shifter is pulled, the automatic transmission
immediately shifts into the next gear down or
up, if permitted.
XTo shift up: pull the right-hand steering wheel
paddle shifter (Ypage 174).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
If the maximum engine speed on the currently
engaged gear is reached and you continue to
accelerate, the automatic transmission auto-
matically shifts up in order to prevent engine
damage.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the automatic
transmission will not shift up to the next gear
when the engine speed is very low.
XTo shift down: pull on the left-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter (Ypage 174).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
If the engine exceeds the maximum engine
speed when shifting down, the automatic
transmission protects against engine damage
by not shifting down.
Automatic down shifting occurs when coast-
ing.
Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display.
XShift to recommended gear ;according to
gearshift recommendation :when shown in
the multifunction display of the instrument
cluster.
Deactivating
If you have activated manual drive program M, it
will remain active for a certain amount of time.
Under certain conditions the minimum amount
of time is extended, e.g. in the case of lateral
acceleration, during an overrun phase or when
driving on steep terrain.
If manual drive program Mhas been deactiva-
ted, the automatic transmission shifts into the
automatic drive program that was last selected.
You can also deactivate manual drive program
M yourself:
XPull on the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter and hold it in place (Ypage 174).
or
XUse the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch the
transmission position.
or
XUse the program selector button to change
the drive program (Ypage 173).
Manual drive program Mis deactivated. The
automatic transmission switches to the pre-
viously activated drive program E(drive pro-
gram Con Mercedes-AMG vehicles) or S.
Manual drive program (Mercedes-
AMG vehicles)
General information
In this drive program, you can permanently
change gear yourself by using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must be
in position D.
Manual drive program Mis different from drive
program Swith regard to spontaneity, respon-
siveness and smoothness of gear changes.
As well as this permanent drive program M, you
can also activate temporary drive program
M (
Ypage 174).
Automatic transmission175
Driving and parking
Z

Switching on the manual drive program
In manual drive programM, you can change gear
using the steering wheel paddle shifters if the
transmission is in position D. You can see the
currently selected drive program and which gear
is engaged in the multifunction display.
XPress the program selector button
(Ypage 173) repeatedly until Mappears in
the multifunction display.
Upshifting
!In manual drive program M, the automatic
transmission does not shift up automatically
even when the engine limiting speed for the
current gear is reached. When the engine lim-
iting speed is reached, the fuel supply is cut to
prevent the engine from overrevving. Always
make sure that the engine speed does not
reach the red area of the tachometer. There is
otherwise a risk of engine damage.
:Gear indicator
;Upshift indicator
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the multi-
function display.
XWhen message ;appears in the multifunc-
tion display, pull on the right-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter.
Downshifting
XPull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Ypage 174).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear if this is permissible. Maximum acceleration
XPull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter until the transmission selects the opti-
mum gear according to the speed.
If you slow down or stop without shifting down,
the automatic transmission automatically shifts
down.
Switching off the manual drive program
XPress the program selector button
(Ypage 173) repeatedly until Cor Sappears
in the multifunction display.
176Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Problems with the transmission
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
The transmission has
problems shifting gear.The transmission is losing oil.
XHave the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately.
The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no lon-
ger changes gear.The transmission is in emergency mode.
7G-TRONIC:it is only possible to shift into secondgear and reverse
gear.
9G-TRONIC: it is only partly possible to engage the gears or the trans-
mission is in position N.
XStop the vehicle.
XShift the transmission to position P.
XSwitch off the engine.
XWait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine.
XShift the transmission to positionDor R.
7G-TRONIC: IfD is selected, the transmission shifts into second
gear, if Ris selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
XHave the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately.
Problems with PLUG-IN HYBRID operation (Ypage 254).
Transfer case
This section is only valid for vehicles with 4-
wheel drive (4MATIC). Power is always trans-
mitted to both axles.
!Performance tests may only be carried out
on a 2-axle dynamometer. The brake system
or transfer case could otherwise be damaged. Contact a qualified specialist workshop for a
performance test.
!Since ESP®engages automatically, the igni-
tion must be switched off (the SmartKey or
Start/Stop button must be in position 0or 1)
if:
Rthe electric parking brake is being tested
on a brake dynamometer
Rthe vehicle is being towed with only one
axle raised (not permitted for vehicles with
4MATIC).
The brake system could otherwise be dam-
aged.
!Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with either the front or the rear axle raised, as doing so will damage the transmission.
Refueling
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and explo-
sion.
You must avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine
and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before refueling.
GWARNING
Fuel is poisonous and hazardous to health.
There is a risk of injury.
You must make sure that fuel does not come into contact with your skin, eyes or clothing
Refueling177
Driving and parking
Z

and that it is not swallowed. Do not inhale fuelvapors. Keep fuel away from children.
If you or others come into contact with fuel,
observe the following:
RWash away fuel from skin immediately
using soap and water.
RIf fuel comes into contact with your eyes,
immediately rinse them thoroughly with
clean water. Seek medical assistance with-
out delay.
RIf fuel is swallowed, seek medical assis-
tance without delay. Do not induce vomit-
ing.
RImmediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with fuel.
GWARNING
Electrostatic buildup can create sparks and
ignite fuel vapors. There is a risk of fire and
explosion.
Always touch the vehicle body before opening
the fuel filler flap or touching the fuel pump
nozzle. Any existing electrostatic buildup is
thereby discharged.
Do not get into the vehicle again during the refu-
eling process. Otherwise, electrostatic charge
could build up again.
!Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a
gasoline engine. Do not switch on the ignition
if you accidentally refuel with the wrong fuel.
Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuel system. Even small amounts of the wrong fuel could
result in damage to the fuel system and the
engine. Notify a qualified specialist workshop
and have the fuel tank and fuel lines drained
completely.
!Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system.
!Take care not to spill any fuel on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
!Use a filter when refueling from a fuel can.
Otherwise, the fuel lines and/or injection sys-
tem could be blocked by particles from the
fuel can. If you overfill the fuel tank, fuel could spray out
when the fuel pump nozzle is removed.
For further information on fuel and fuel quality
(
Ypage 428).
Refueling
General information
Pay attention to the important safety notes
(Ypage 177).
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: pressure in the fuel
tank must be released before refueling.
Except PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: if you
unlock/lock the vehicle from the outside, the
fuel filler flap also unlocks/locks.
The position of the fuel filler cap is displayed in
the instrument cluster 8. The arrow next to
the filling pump indicates the side of the vehicle.
Preparing to refuel
XSwitch off the engine.
XOpen the driver's door.
The on-board electronics now have status 0.
This is the same as the SmartKey having been
removed.
or, if the SmartKey is inserted in the ignition
lock:
XRemove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Opening the fuel filler flap (except
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles)
:To open the fuel filler flap
;To insert the fuel filler cap
=Tire pressure table
?Fuel type to be used
178Refueling
Driving and parking

XPress the fuel filler flap in the direction of
arrow:.
The fuel filler flap swings up.
XTurn the fuel filler cap counterclockwise and
remove it.
XInsert the fuel filler cap into the holder on the
inside of the fuel filler flap.
XCompletely insert the filler neck of the fuel
pump nozzle into the tank, hook in place and
refuel.
XOnly fill the tank until the pump nozzle
switches off.
Do not add any more fuel after the pump stops
filling for the first time. Otherwise, fuel may
leak out.
Opening the fuel filler flap (PLUG-IN
HYBRID vehicles)
XPull switch :.
Indicator lamp ;flashes and the Please
Wait Depressurizing Tankmessage
appears in the multifunction display.
If the fuel filler cap is open, indicator lamp ;
lights up.
The Tank is Depressurized Ready for
Refuelingmessage appears in the multi-
function display.
Please be sure to observe the information on
refueling on the fuel filler flap.
There is a malfunction if:
Rindicator lamp ;first flashes and then goes
out
Rthe yellow engine diagnostics warning lamp
lights up
iFrom a speed of 2 km/h, the fuel filler cap
can no longer be opened.
iThe opening process for the fuel filler cap
may take up to 15 minutes.
:To insert the fuel filler cap
;Tire pressure table
=Fuel type to be used
XTurn the fuel filler cap counterclockwise and
remove it.
XInsert the fuel filler cap into the holder on the inside of the fuel filler flap.
XCompletely insert the filler neck of the fuel
pump nozzle into the tank, hook in place andrefuel.
XOnly fill the tank until the pump nozzle
switches off.
Do not add any more fuel after the pump stopsfilling for the first time. Otherwise, fuel may
leak out.
Closing the fuel filler flap
XReplace the cap on the filler neck and turn
clockwise until it engages audibly.
XClose the fuel filler flap.
Close the fuel filler flap before locking the vehi-
cle.
If you drive at speeds above 1 mph (2 km/h)
with the fuel filler flap open, the Fuel Filler
Flap Openmessage is shown in the multifunc-
tion display.
If you are driving with the fuel filler cap open, the
8 reserve fuel warning lamp flashes. A mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display
(
Ypage 296).
In addition, the ;Check Engine warning
lamp may light up (
Ypage 320).
iFor further information on warning and indi-
cator lamps in the instrument cluster, see
(
Ypage 320).
Refueling179
Driving and parking
Z

Problems with fuel and the fuel tank
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
Fuel is leaking from the
vehicle.GWARNING
The fuel line or the fuel tank is faulty.
Risk of explosion or fire.
XApply the electric parking brake.
XSwitch off the engine.
XMake sure that the ignition is switched off (Ypage 162).
or
XWhen using the SmartKey, turn the SmartKey to position 0in the
ignition lock and remove it (Ypage 162).
XDo not restart the engine under any circumstances.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
The fuel filler flap cannot
be opened.The fuel filler flap is not unlocked.
XUnlock the vehicle (Ypage 79).
XPLUG-IN HYBRID Vehicles: depressurize the fuel tank
(Ypage 178).
The SmartKey battery is discharged or nearly discharged.
XUnlock the vehicle using the mechanical key (Ypage 81).
The fuel filler flap is unlocked, but the opening mechanism is jammed.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
Charging the high-voltage battery
(PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles)
Important safety notes
GDANGER
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.
GWARNING
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.
GDANGER
If you use incorrectly installed mains sockets or adapters, extension cables or similar to
connect the charging cable to a mains socket,
this could lead to fires or an electric shock.
There is a risk of fatal injury.
180Charging the high-voltage battery (PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles)
Driving and parking

To avoid hazardous situations, observe the
following:
ROnly connect the charging cable to mains
sockets that:
-are installed correctly and
-have been approved by an electrical spe-
cialist.
RFor safety reasons, only use the charging
cables supplied with the vehicle, or charg-
ing cables which have been approved for
use with this vehicle.
RNever use a damaged charging cable.
RDonot use:
-Extension cables
-Cable drums
-Multiple sockets
RDo not use a socket adapter to connect the
charging cable to the mains socket. The
only exception is if the adapter has been
tested and approved by the manufacturer
for charging the high-voltage battery in an
electric vehicle.
RAlways observe the safety notes in the
socket adapter's operating instructions.
GDANGER
Connecting the charging cable to the vehicle
via an incorrectly installed wallbox or by
means of adapters, extension cables or simi-
lar could cause a fire or an electric shock.
There is a risk of fatal injury.
To avoid hazardous situations, observe the
following:
ROnly connect the charging cable to a wall-
box if:
-the wallbox is installed correctly
-the wallbox has been inspected by a
qualified electrician and
-the charging cable is undamaged
RDo not extend the charging cable
RDo not use an adapter
RAlways observe the safety notes in the wall-
box's operating instructions The vehicle's high voltage electrical system is
under high voltage.
RDo not tamper with the high-voltage compo-
nents or the orange cables of the high-voltage
electrical system.
RDo not touch high-voltage components or the
orange cables of the high-voltage electrical
system when a vehicle has been involved in a
crash.
RNever touch damaged components or the
damaged orange cables of the high-voltage
electrical system.
RDo not remove the covers of the high-voltage
electrical system components that are
marked with a warning sticker.
General notes
Method of operation
The vehicle is equipped with a high-voltage bat-
tery for driving. The high-voltage battery stores
the energy needed to operate the electric motor
and releases it again.
The electric motor uses energy that has been
stored in the high-voltage battery when pulling
away, accelerating and during the journey.
In overrun mode, kinetic energy is converted by
means of energy recuperation into electrical
energy and stored in the high-voltage battery.
Information on overrun mode (
Ypage 253).
The high-voltage battery can be charged as fol-
lows:
Rthrough energy recuperation while the vehicle is in motion
Rthrough the combustion engine while driving
in CHARGE operating mode (Ypage 243)
Rwith the relevant charging cable at an electri-
cal outlet while the vehicle is stationary
Rat a wallbox while the vehicle is stationary
Rat a charging station while the vehicle is sta-
tionary
The high-voltage battery can be charged in a
nominal voltage range from 100 V to 240 V.
You can view the condition of charge of the high-
voltage battery in the multifunction display. You
can find information in "PLUG-IN HYBRID oper-
ation", section "Menus and submenus" under
"Energy flow display" (
Ypage 245).
Charging the high-voltage battery (PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles)181
Driving and parking
Z

High and low outside temperatures
Low outside temperatures
At very low outside temperatures the maximum
power output of the high-voltage battery may be
reduced. The high-voltage battery is then no
longer able to provide the normal electrical
power output.
High outside temperatures
To prevent damage to the high-voltage battery
due to very high outside temperatures, the max-
imum power output of the high-voltage battery
is reduced by the vehicle.
Energy consumption and electrical
range
The maximum electrical range is generally
reduced by:
Rhigh and low outside temperatures
Roperating the climate control system
Rswitching on consumers
The battery's physical characteristics are such
that leaving the vehicle parked for long periods
at low outdoor temperatures without charging it
can lead to:
Ra reduction in battery performance
Rlonger charge times
Notes on battery care
Avoid storing or transporting the vehicle at
excessively high or low temperatures over a long
period.
If you park the vehicle and leave it stationary for
long periods:
Rcheck the condition of charge of the high-
voltage battery more often
Rconnect the vehicle to a power supply
This prevents self-discharge and damage to the
high-voltage battery.
Terms of use
Please note the information on exceptions and
limitations in warranty documentation and in
the Maintenance Booklet.
Handling the charging cable and charg- ing cable controls
Do not leave the charging cable controls
(Ypage 183) hanging loose from an electrical
outlet. Otherwise, this could result in a poor
contact with the electrical outlet and malfunc-
tions when charging the vehicle.
To ensure that the brackets within the charging
cable controls are not subjected to incorrect
loads, observe the following:
RNever lift or carry the controls by the charging
cable connector or the mains plug.
RTo transport the charging cable, the charging cable can be:
-wrapped around the controls or
-secured to the housing of the controls
Heat generated by the charging cable
and charging cable connector
Pay attention to the "Important safety notes"
(Ypage 180).
During the charging process, the charging cable
and charging cable connector may heat up.
The charging cable and the charging cable con-
nector will only heat up within the permissible
limiting values, provided that:
Rthe power supply and the charging cable are
not damaged
Rthe instructions for handling the charging
cable and controls on the charging cable are
observed
If the charging cable or charging cable connec-
tor become too hot, have the mains power sup-
ply checked.
Protection device against overvoltage
!Overvoltage in the mains supply may dam-
age the vehicle. For this reason, the vehicle is
equipped with a protection device against
overvoltage in the mains supply. This device
may be triggered during severe thunder-
storms, for example, and may lead to the buil-
ding's fuse being tripped and an interruption
in the power supply. These functions protect
the vehicle. After the building fuse is switched on again, the charging process resumes auto-
matically. Following an interruption in the
power supply or tripping of the building's fuse,
it may take up to 10 minutes for charging to
resume automatically.
182Charging the high-voltage battery (PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles)
Driving and parking