2016 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class SEDAN Steering control

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.
iRead the information on qualified specialist
workshops (Ypage 28).
Correct driver's seat position
GWARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do the following while driving:
Radjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
Rfasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-
ing wheel and mirror and fasten your seat belt before starting the engine.
XObserve the safety guidelines on seat adjust-
ment (Ypage 105).
XCheck whether you have adjusted seat =
properly (Ypage 106). When adjusting the seat, make sure that:
Ryou are as far away from the driver's air bag as
possible
Ryou are sitting in a normal upright position
Ryou can fasten the seat belt properly
Ryou have moved the backrest to an almost
vertical position
Ryou have set the seat cushion angle so that
your thighs are gently supported
Ryou can depress the pedals properly
XCheck whether the head restraint is adjusted
properly.
When doing so, make sure that you have
adjusted the head restraint so that the back of
your head is supported at eye level by the
center of the head restraint.
XObserve the safety guidelines on steering
wheel adjustment (Ypage 120).
XMake sure that steering wheel
:is adjusted
properly (Ypage 120).
When adjusting the steering wheel, make sure
that:
Ryou can hold the steering wheel with your
arms slightly bent
Ryou can move your legs freely
Ryou can see all the displays in the instrument cluster clearly
XObserve the safety guidelines for seat belts
(Ypage 47).
XCheck whether you have fastened seat
belt ;properly (Ypage 49).
The seat belt should:
Rfit snugly across your body
Rbe routed across the middle of your shoulder
Rbe routed in your pelvic area across the hip
joints
XBefore starting off, adjust the rear-view mirror
and the exterior mirrors in such a way that you
have a good view of road and traffic condi-
tions (
Ypage 123).
XVehicles with a memory function: save the
seat, steering wheel and exterior mirror set-
tings with the memory function (
Ypage 126).
104Correct driver's seat position
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

Seats
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Children could become trapped if they adjust
the seats, particularly when unattended.
There is a risk of injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
The seats can still be adjusted when there is no
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
GWARNING
When you adjust a seat, you or other vehicle
occupants could become trapped, e.g. on the seat guide rail. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure when adjusting a seat that no one
has any body parts in the sweep of the seat.
Observe the safety notes on "Air bags"
(
Ypage 50) and "Children in the Vehicle"
(Ypage 61).
GWARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do the following while driving:
Radjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
Rfasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-
ing wheel and mirror and fasten your seat belt before starting the engine.
GWARNING
If you adjust the seat height carelessly, you or
other vehicle occupants could be trapped and
thereby injured. Children in particular could
accidentally press the electrical seat adjust-
ment buttons and become trapped. There is a
risk of injury.
While moving the seats, make sure that your
hands or other body parts do not get under the
lever assembly of the seat adjustment sys-
tem.
GWARNING
If the head restraints are not installed or not
adjusted correctly, they cannot provide pro-
tection as intended. There is an increased risk
of injury in the head and neck area, e.g. in the event of an accident or when braking.
Always drive with the head restraints instal-
led. Before driving off, make sure for every
vehicle occupant that the center of the head
restraint supports the back of the head at
about eye level.
GWARNING
The seat belt does not offer the intended level of protection if you have not moved the back-
rest to an almost vertical position. When brak-
ing or in the event of an accident, you could
slide underneath the seat belt and sustain
abdomen or neck injuries, for example. This
poses an increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Adjust the seat properly before beginning
your journey. Always ensure that the backrest
is in an almost vertical position and that the
shoulder section of your seat belt is routed
across the center of your shoulder.
!To avoid damage to the seats and the seat
heating, observe the following information:
Rkeep liquids from spilling on the seats. If
liquid is spilled on the seats, dry them as
soon as possible.
Rif the seat covers are damp or wet, do not
switch on the seat heating. The seat heat-
ing should also not be used to dry the seats.
Rclean the seat covers as recommended;
see "Interior care".
Rdo not transport heavy loads on the seats.
Do not place sharp objects on the seat
cushions, e.g. knives, nails or tools. The
seats should only be occupied by passen-
gers, if possible.
Rwhen the seat heating is in operation, do
not cover the seats with insulating materi-
als, e.g. blankets, coats, bags, seat covers,
child seats or booster seats.
!Make sure that there are no objects in the
footwell under or behind the seats when mov-
Seats105
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
Z

or
XBriefly press button;backwards.
The front-passenger seat moves into the nor-
mal adjustment range at the threshold to the
area for chauffeur mode. The head restraint
folds into position.
iFurther settings are available via the mem-
ory adjustment buttons, if:
Ra position in the normal setting has already been saved
Rthe front-passenger seat has been selected
with button :
Adjusting from the driver's seat
The head restraint must be installed, in order for
the front-passenger seat to be moved into the
normal position (
Ypage 113).
The SmartKey must be in the ignition lock and in
position 1or 2, in order for the front-passenger
seat to be selected (
Ypage 162).
XTo select the front-passenger seat: press
button :repeatedly until the indicator lamp
in the button lights up.
The front-passenger seat is selected if the
indicator lamp in the button lights up.
XPress button =backwards and hold it in this
position.
The front-passenger seat moves into the nor-
mal adjustment range at the threshold of the
area for chauffeur mode. The head restraint
folds into position.
If you continue to hold down button =, the
seat continues to move backwards.
or
XBriefly press button ;backwards.
The front-passenger seat moves into the nor-
mal adjustment range at the threshold to the
area for chauffeur mode. The head restraint
folds into position.
iFurther settings are available via the mem-
ory adjustment buttons if the front-passenger
seat has been selected with button :.
Adjusting from the front-passenger seat
XPress any seat adjustment button.
The front-passenger seat moves into the nor-
mal adjustment range at the threshold of the
area for chauffeur mode. The head restraint
folds into position.
Fully reclined position of the front-
passenger seat
Setting
This function is only available on vehicles with
electrically adjustable rear seats.
You can move the front-passenger seat into a
fully reclined position. The rear seat and front-
passenger seat then provide a continuous sur-
face.
To do so:
Rmove the seat cushion of the rear seat as far
back as possible in a longitudinal direction
(
Ypage 107)
Rmove the front-passenger seat into position
for chauffeur mode (Ypage 112)
Rremove the front-passenger seat head
restraint (Ypage 113)
Rmove the front-passenger seat so that the
backrest is in a fully reclined position
(
Ypage 106)
Exiting
To exit the fully reclined position:
Rfold the backrest upright to a suitable position
Rinstall the head restraint (Ypage 113)
Adjusting the head restraints
Important safety notes
GWARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do the following while driving:
Radjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
Rfasten the seat belt
114Seats
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

The supplementary cushion is located in the
vehicle.
The supplementary cushion is attached to the
head restraint by three press studs.
Installing the supplementary cushion:
XPosition the head restraint as far forwards as
possible (Ypage 107).
XHold supplementary cushion;against the
head restraint and push press studs :into
the counterpieces.
Removing the supplementary cushion:
XPosition the head restraint as far forwards as
possible (Ypage 107).
XRelease press studs :and remove supple-
mentary cushion ;.
Adjusting the rear center head
restraints
Retracting and extending electrically
XPress and hold button :until the head
restraint has fully extended or retracted.
Folding into position mechanically
XPull the head restraint up until it engages.
Adjusting the multicontour seat
The settings for the multicontour seat are only
activated if:
Rthe seat is occupied
Rthe seat belt is fastened
The multicontour seat can be adjusted via the
multimedia system (see the separate operating
instructions).
Adjusting the active multicontour
seat
The settings for the active multicontour seat are
only activated if:
Rthe seat is occupied
Rthe seat belt is fastened
Vehicles installed with the Seat Comfort
package: you can adjust the active multicon-
tour seat for the driver and front passenger via
the multimedia system (see the separate oper-
ating instructions).
Multicontour seat in the rear
You can adjust the multicontour seats for the
outer seats using the remote control (see the
separate operating instructions).
Seats117
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
Z

Problems with the seat ventilation
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
The seat ventilation has
switched off prematurely
or cannot be switched
on.The on-board voltage is too low because too many electrical consum-
ers are switched on.
XSwitch off electrical consumers that you do not need, such as the
rear window defroster or interior lighting.
Once the battery is sufficiently charged, the seat ventilation can be
switched back on.
Steering wheel
Important safety notes
GWARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do the following while driving:
Radjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
Rfasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-
ing wheel and mirror and fasten your seat belt before starting the engine.
GWARNING
Children could injure themselves if they
adjust the steering wheel. There is a risk of
injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
The electrically adjustable steering wheel can
still be adjusted when there is no SmartKey in
the ignition lock.
Adjusting the steering wheel
:To adjust the steering wheel position (fore-
and-aft adjustment)
;To adjust the steering wheel height
iFurther related subjects:
REASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature (Ypage 122)
RStoring settings (Ypage 126)
ROperating the on-board computer
(Ypage 257).
Steering wheel heating
Switching on/off
120Steering wheel
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

Problems with the steering wheel heating
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
The steering wheel heat-
ing has switched off pre-
maturely or cannot be
switched on.The on-board voltage is too low because too many electrical consum-
ers are switched on.
XSwitch off electrical consumers that you do not need, such as the
rear window defroster or interior lighting.
EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature adjusts
the steering wheel and the driver's seat, you
and other vehicle occupants – particularly
children – could become trapped. There is a
risk of injury.
While the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is mak-
ing adjustments, make sure that no one has
any body parts in the sweep of the seat and
the steering wheel.
If there is a risk of becoming trapped by
Rthe steering wheel: move the steering
wheel adjustment lever.
Rthe seat: press the switch for seat adjust-
ment.
The adjustment process is stopped.
Press one of the memory function position
switches. The adjustment process is stopped.
This function is only available on vehicles with
memory function.
GWARNING
If children activate the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT fea-
ture, they can become trapped, particularly
when unattended. There is a risk of injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
GWARNING
If you drive off while the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT
feature is making adjustments, you could lose
control of the vehicle. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always wait until the adjustment process is
complete before driving off.
The EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature makes getting in
and out of your vehicle easier.
You can activate and deactivate the EASY-
ENTRY/EXIT feature using the multimedia sys-
tem (see the separate operating instructions).
Position of the steering wheel and the
driver's seat when the EASY-ENTRY/
EXIT feature is active
The steering wheel tilts upwards and the driver's
seat moves backwards if you:
Rremove the SmartKey from the ignition lock
Rwith KEYLESS-GO: open the driver's door;
KEYLESS-GO must be in position 1
Rwith the SmartKey:open the driver's door;
the SmartKey must be in position 0or 1in the
ignition lock (
Ypage 162)
Ropen the driver's door when the ignition is
switched off
iThe steering wheel only tilts upwards and
the driver's seat only moves backwards if the
driving position is stored after seat or steering wheel adjustment.
The last position of the steering wheel or seat is
stored if:
Rthe ignition is switched off
Rthe setting is stored with the memory function
(Ypage 126).
iThe steering wheel only moves upwards if it
has not already reached the upper stop. The
driver's seat only moves backwards if it is not
already in the rearmost position.
122Steering wheel
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

Position of the steering wheel and the
driver's seat for driving
The steering wheel and the driver's seat are
moved to the previously set position if:
Rthe driver's door is closed and you insert the
SmartKey into the ignition lock
Ryou close the driver's door when the ignition
is switched on
Ryou press the Start/Stop button once on vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO
iThe steering wheel and the driver's seat only
return to the last set position when the driving
position is stored after seat or steering wheel
adjustment.
The last position of the steering wheel or seat is
stored if:
Rthe ignition is switched off
Rthe setting is stored with the memory function
(Ypage 126).
Crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature
If the crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature is trig-
gered in an accident, the steering column will
move upwards when the driver's door is opened
or the SmartKey is removed from the ignition
lock. This makes it easier to exit the vehicle and
rescue the occupants.
The crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature is only
operational if the EASY-EXIT/ENTRY feature is
activated in the multimedia system (see the sep-
arate operating instructions).
Mirrors
Rear-view mirror
XAnti-glare mode: flick anti-glare lever :for-
wards or back.
Exterior mirrors
Important safety notes
GWARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do the following while driving:
Radjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
Rfasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-
ing wheel and mirror and fasten your seat belt before starting the engine.
GWARNING
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side reduces the size of the image. Visible
objects are actually closer than they appear.
This means that you could misjudge the dis-
tance from road users traveling behind, e.g.
when changing lane. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
For this reason, always make sure of the
actual distance from the road users traveling
behind by glancing over your shoulder.
Adjusting the exterior mirrors
Mirrors123
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
Z

XPress memory buttonM: and one of the
arrows on adjustment button ;within three
seconds.
The parking position is stored if the exterior
mirror does not move.
XIf the mirror moves out of position, repeat the
steps.
Calling up a stored parking position set-
ting
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the ignition
lock (Ypage 162).
XAdjust the exterior mirror on the front-
passenger side using button =.
XEngage reverse gear.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger
side moves to the stored parking position.
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger side
moves back to its original position:
Ras soon as you exceed a speed of 9 mph
(15 km/h)
Rabout ten seconds after you have disengaged
reverse gear
Rif you press button ?for the exterior mirror
on the driver's side
Memory function
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you use the memory function on the driver's side while driving, you could lose control of
the vehicle as a result of the adjustments
being made. There is a risk of an accident.
Only use the memory function on the driver's
side when the vehicle is stationary.
GWARNING
When the memory function adjusts the seat or steering wheel, you and other vehicle occu-
pants – particularly children – could become
trapped. There is a risk of injury.
While the memory function is making adjust-
ments, make sure that no one has any body
parts in the sweep of the seat or steering
wheel. If somebody becomes trapped, imme-
diately release the memory function position
button. The adjustment process is stopped.
GWARNING
Children could become trapped if they acti-
vate the memory function, particularly when
unattended. There is a risk of injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
The memory function can be used at any time,
e.g. even when the SmartKey isn't in the ignition
lock.
Storing settings
The memory function is only available in vehicles
with the memory package.
With the memory function, you can store up to
three different settings, e.g. for three different
people.
The following settings are stored as a single
memory preset:
Rseat, backrest, head restraint position and
contour of the backrest in the lumbar region
Ractive multicontour seat: side bolsters of the
backrest, shoulder of the backrest, contour of
the backrest, dynamic function level
Rseat heating: distribution of the heated sec-
tions of the seat cushion and backrest
Rdriver's side: position of the exterior mirrors
on the driver's and front-passenger sides
126Memory function
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors