2016 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class SEDAN battery light

PLUG‑IN HYBRID operation
Points to remember
General notes
Hybrid technology combines a fuel efficient
internal combustion engine with a powerful
electric motor. In HYBRIDmode, the hybrid
drive system automatically selects the most effi-
cient operating mode for every driving situation. Drive the vehicle in the usual manner.
To save fuel in HYBRIDmode, the hybrid drive
system switches off the combustion engine as
often as possible during the journey when power
output requirements are low. When power out-
put requirements are low, the electric motor
powers the vehicle. The combustion engine is
automatically activated when power output
requirements are high. The engine is usually
switched off when the vehicle is stationary. Con-
sequently, there is usually no engine idling as
with combustion engine vehicles.
For pulling away and accelerating, the electric
motor supports the internal combustion engine
using the power stored in the high-voltage bat-
tery. In addition, the power is used for partially
electric driving, operation of the electric coolant
compressor and to support the 12 V on-board
electrical system. In this way the hybrid drive
system helps to reduce your vehicle's fuel con-
sumption.
Observe the driving tips on PLUG-IN HYBRID
operation (
Ypage 251).
Recuperative Brake System
If you release the accelerator pedal when the
vehicle is in motion, overrun recuperation is ini-
tiated. The electric motor is operated as a gen-
erator when in overrun mode and when you
brake. Hybrid technology converts the kinetic
energy of the vehicle into electricity and stores
it in the high-voltage battery.
Observe the important safety notes for the
Recuperative Brake System (
Ypage 44).
Important safety notes
If the engine is switched off by the ECO start/
stop function and you open the driver's door:
Ra message appears in the multifunction dis-
play and
Ra warning tone sounds
Further information (
Ypage 297).
All of the vehicle's systems remain active, if:
Rthe vehicle is stationary
Rthe combustion engine is switched off and
Rthe READY indicator in the instrument cluster
lights up
If you remove your foot from the brake pedal
while in transmission position D or R, the vehicle
may pull away automatically.
Observe the notes on the READY display of the
ECO start/stop function (
Ypage 252).
Vehicles with an electric motor generate much
less driving noise than vehicles with internal
combustion engines. As a result, your vehicle
may not be heard by other road users in certain
situations.
Depending on the vehicle's equipment and
country-specific regulations, the vehicle can be
equipped with Acoustic Vehicle Indication.
Acoustic Vehicle Indication generates a certain
sound at a speed between 0 and 19 mph
(30 km/h). This helps other road users, partic-
ularly pedestrians and cyclists, to hear your
vehicle better. The sound can also be heard
inside the vehicle.
The volume depends on the engine speed. The
faster you accelerate, the louder the sound is. At
a speed of over 19 mph (30 km/h) the sound is switched off. Above this speed, the natural
sounds from the vehicle are sufficient that it can
be heard in good time by other road users.
240PLUG‑IN HYBRID operation
Driving and parking

The electric motor supports the combustion
engine by providing additional torque when:
Rthe needle has exceeded areaA
Ryou press the haptic accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point and want to obtain
more power
Operating the on-board computer
You can display the current operating condition
of the hybrid drive system in the multifunction
display and the multimedia system display
(
Ypage 245).
In the multimedia system display, you can also
call up a graphic display of the fuel consumption
and generated electricity (
Ypage 249).
Menus and submenus
Selecting displays in the display of the
multimedia system
XPress button Øon the controller.
The vehicle menu is displayed.
XTo select Energy Flow: turn and press the
controller.
The energy flow is displayed.
or
XTo select Consumption: turn and press the
controller.
Fuel consumption and the generated electric
energy are displayed.
XTo exit the display: press the %button on
the controller.
Selecting the energy flow display in the
multifunction display
XUse Ñ on the steering wheel to call up the
list of menus.
XPress the :or9 button on the steering
wheel to select the Tripmenu.
XConfirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
XSelect Energy Flowwith: or9 .
The active hybrid components are highlighted
in the energy flow display.
Energy flow display
Overview
:Internal combustion engine
;Electric motor
=High-voltage battery condition of charge
?High-voltage battery
AEnergy flow
The active hybrid components are highlighted.
The energy flow is indicated by arrows. The
arrows have a different color depending on the
operating state.
Automatic engine switch-off
The engine and electric motor are switched off.
The arrows for the energy flow are not shown.
The condition of charge of the high-voltage bat-
tery is shown when the SmartKey is in position 2
in the ignition lock.
PLUG‑IN HYBRID operation245
Driving and parking
Z

Engine running while vehicle is stationary
The combustion engine is running while the
vehicle is stationary. The high-voltage battery is
not being charged.
The arrows for the energy flow are not shown.
The combustion engine is highlighted.
Charging while vehicle is stationary
The engine powers the electric motor. The elec-
tric motor operates as a generator. The high-
voltage battery is being charged.
The arrow representing energy flow is shown in
white.
Driving using the engine
The engine powers the vehicle.The arrows for the energy flow are shown in
white.
Driving using the engine plus boost mode
If you rapidly depress the accelerator, the elec-
tric motor supports the internal combustion
engine by providing additional torque.
The arrows for the energy flow are shown in red.
Driving using the engine plus energy
recovery
The engine powers the vehicle. The electric
motor is operating as a generator, e.g. in over-
run mode and when braking (
Ypage 253). The
kinetic energy of the vehicle is converted into
electrical energy. The high-voltage battery is
being charged.
The arrows for the energy flow are shown in
green.
246PLUG‑IN HYBRID operation
Driving and parking

a generator and stores the recovered energy
in the high-voltage battery
Rwhen the brakes are applied lightly, the vehi-
cle is slowed down further by the electric
motor. This increases the energy recovery
taking place (
Ypage 240). The electric motor
operates as a generator and stores the recov-
ered energy in the high-voltage battery
Rwhen 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 (
Ypage 252).
Driving on inter-urban roads
The following phases are possible when driving
on inter-urban roads:
Rrapid acceleration (boost mode)
Rconstant energy consumption
Renergy recuperation
Relectric 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 particular
by reduced power losses.
The internal combustion engine will be switched
off automatically, if:
Rthe driver removes his or her foot from the
accelerator pedal in drive program Eand a
speed of 81 mph (130 km/h) is not exceeded
Rthe 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 (
Ypage 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
(
Ypage 253).
All vehicle systems remain active, e.g. the auto-
matic climate control.
The ECO start/stop function is only available in
drive programs Eand E+. Electric-only operation
is only possible in drive programs Eand E+.
Additional information for drive programs Eand
E+ (
Ypage 250).
Automatic engine switch-off
The engine is switched off automatically, includ-
ing when:
Rthe driver removes his or her foot from the
accelerator pedal in drive program Eand a
speed of 81 mph (130km/ h)is not exceeded
(
Ypage 253)
Rthe 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 (
Ypage 253)
Rthe engine has reached its operating temper- ature
Rthe driver’s seat belt is fastened and the
driver’s door is closed
Rthe driver only slightly depresses the accel-
erator pedal in order to, for example, maintain
the current speed for a limited distance
Rthe hood is closed and engaged properly
Rthe high-voltage battery is charged suffi-
ciently
Rno malfunctions are present in the hybrid
drive system
The internal combustion engine will not be
switched off automatically, if:
Rthe self-diagnosis function of the engine con-
trol unit is still active
Rthere is a malfunction in the hybrid drive sys-
tem
Rthe climate control of the vehicle requires it
Rthe high-voltage battery is being charged
(Ypage 246)
Rautomatic emissions tests are running
252PLUG‑IN HYBRID operation
Driving and parking

Automa tic engine start
The automatically switched-off internal combus -
tio nengin estart sautomatically in certai nsitua-
tions ,if:
Rth epower demand from th edriver via th e
accelerato rpedal is greate rthan th eelectric
motor alon ecan provide
Rth edriver switches to driv eprogram Sor M
Rthecondition of charge of th ehigh-voltage
battery has reached th elower limit
Rth esettings of th eautomatic climat econtrol
require it, e.g. at external temperatures abov e
30 †
Overru nmod e
In overrun mode, th ecombustio nengin eis
switched off and is disconnected from th edriv e
train. The electric motor:
Rgenerates low thrust ,whic hcorrespond sto
th eoverrun mod eof an active combustio n
engin e
Rfunction sas agenerator and produce sth e
necessary energ yfor th eauxiliary consumer s
and charge sth ehigh-voltage battery
Ove rrun mod eis possible in th efollowin gspee d
range:
Rin driv eprogram Ebelow 81 mph (13 0km/h)
Rin driv eprogram E+below 11 2mph
(18 0km/h)
In driv eprogram E+,after th eaccelerato rpedal
has been released th ecoasting characteristic s
of th evehicl eare adapted to th etraffic condi-
tions .Further information about th ehaptic
accelerato r
p
edal (Ypage 251).
Route-based operating strategy
Forth eroute-based operating strategy, th esys-
te m factors in information about th eexpecte d
rout ewhen rout eguidance is active.
The information on th erout eis provide dby th e
multimedia system and includes th efollowing:
Rroad categories
Rspee dlimitation s
Rdataon downhill gradients The use of electric energ
yis automatically opti-
mally distributed from th ebeginnin gto th een d
of th ejourney, usin ginformation about th e
route. The distribution is pre-emptive and takes
int oconsideration :
Rthesections of th ejourney ahead
Rth eenerg yconsumption on th ewhole rout e
The condition of charge of th ehigh-voltage bat -
tery is thus systematically controlled. In addi-
tion, th econtrol function takes int oaccoun t
that:
Rth efuel saving sthroug hth euse of electrical
energ ycan vary, depending on th erout e(e.g.
urban ,interurban or highway)
Rth euse of electrical energ yis held available in
particular for electric operation (e.g. urban
routes)
The vehicl ethus automatically select sth eopti-
mum driving mod efor th erespectiv esectio nof
th eroute.
The route-based operating strategy is available
under th efollowin gconditions:
Rdriv eprogram E+is selected
RHYBRID driving mod eis selected
Ractive rout eguidance is activated
Rsuitable map dat ais available
When th eroute-based operating strategy is
bein gused, th earea in fron tof th evehicl eis
shown as green in th emultifunction display.
Parking
XApply th eelectric parking brake.
The red !indicator lamp in th einstrumen t
cluste rlight sup.
XUse th eDIRECT SELECT leve rto shif tth e
automatic transmission to P.
XSwitch theignition off .
The READY indicator in th einstrumen tcluste r
goes out .
Further information on parking and switching off
th einternal combustio nengin e (
Ypage 190).
PLUG‑ IN HYBRID operation253
Driving and parking
Z

condition of charge of the high-voltage bat-
tery for the departure time set.
Further information on charging the high-volt-
age battery (PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles)
(
Ypage 181).
Head-up display submenu
Selecting other displays
:Vehicle speed display
;Vehicle speed and navigation instruction
display
=Vehicle speed display and Traffic Sign Assist
Using the Display Content
function, you can
choose from up to four display options depend-
ing on the vehicle's equipment. The selected
contents appear in the head-up display.
In Mercedes-AMG vehicles, you can also choose
between two AMG displays. If you select an
AMG display, the head-up display shows AMG-
specific contents.
XPress the òbutton on the steering wheel
to open the menu list.
XPress :or9 on the steering wheel to
select the Settingsmenu.
XConfirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
XPress :or9 to select the Head-upDisplaysubmenu.
XPressato confirm.
XPress :or9 to select Display Con‐tent.
XPressato confirm.
A graphic selection list appears.
XPress :or9 to select the desired dis-
play.
XPress the abutton to confirm the selec-
tion. For further information about the traffic sign
displays, see Traffic Sign Assist (
Ypage 229).
Further information on navigation displays can
be found in the multimedia system; see the sep-
arate operating instructions.
Setting the position
You can adjust the position of the head-up dis-
play on the windshield. You can compensate for
height differences if the seat positions are
changed, for example.
XSwitch on the head-up display (Ypage 259).
XPress the òbutton on the steering wheel
to open the menu list.
XPress the :or9 button on the steering
wheel to select the Settingsmenu.
XConfirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
XPress :or9 to select the Head-upDisplaysubmenu.
XPressato confirm.
XPress :or9 to select the Positionfunction.
XPress theabutton to save the setting.
XPress :or9 to adjust the position to a
level from Level+5(up) toLevel-5(down).
XPress the aor% button to save the
setting.
Using the Memory function, you can save and
call up the set position of the head-up display as
a single memory preset (
Ypage 126).
Setting the brightness
The brightness of the head-up display is auto-
matically adjusted to the surrounding ambient
light. You can also individually adjust the bright-
ness of the head-up display.
XSwitch on the head-up display (Ypage 259).
XPress òon the steering wheel to open the
menu list.
XPress the :or9 button on the steering
wheel to select the Settingsmenu.
XConfirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
XUse : or9 to select the Head-upDisplaysubmenu.
XPressato confirm.
XPress :or9 to select the Brightnessfunction.
XPress theabutton to save the setting.
Menus and submenus273
On-board computer and displays
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
F(USA
only)
!( Canada
only)
Parkin gBrake Inop‐
erativ e
The yellow !warning lamp lights up. The red F(USAonly)
or ! (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes for about te nseconds
after th eelectric parking brak ehas been applie dor released. It then
goe sout or remain slit .
The electric parking brak eis malfunctioning ,e.g. because of over-
voltag eor undervoltage.
XRemove th ecaus efor th eovervoltage or undervoltage, e.g. by
charging th ebattery or restarting th eengine.
XEngage or release th eelectric parking brake.
If it remain simpossible to apply or release th eelectric parking brake:
XSwitc hoff th eignition and tur nit bac kon .
XEngage or release th eelectric parking brake.
If th eelectric parking brak estill canno tbe released:
XConsult aqualified specialist workshop .
If th eelectric parking brak estill canno tbe applied:
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
The yellow!warning lamp lights up and th ered F (USAonly)
or ! (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes .
It is no tpossibl eto apply th eelectric parking brak emanually.
XShift th etransmission to position P.
XVisitaqualified specialist workshop .
$(USA
only)
J( Canada
only)
Check Brake Fluid
Level
There is no tenough brak eflui din th ebrak efluid reservoir .
In addition ,th e$ (USAonly) or J(Canada only) warning lamp
lights up in th einstrumen tcluste rand awarning tone sounds.
GWARNIN G
The braking effec tmay be impaired.
There is aris kof an accident.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions. Do no tcontinu edrivin g
under any circumstances.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 189).
XConsult aqualified specialist workshop .
XDo notadd brak efluid .This does no tcorrec tth emalfunction .
#
CheckBrakePadWear
The brak epads/linings hav ereached their wear limit.
US Aonly: th ered $ brakesystem warning lamp also lights up while
th eengin eis running.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
G
Inoperative
Oneor mor emain features of th embrace system are malfunctioning .
XVisitaqualified specialist workshop .
Display messages283
On-board computer and displays
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
#
See Operator'sMan ‐ual
The battery is no tbein gcharged.
A warning tone also sounds.
Possibl ecauses are:
Radefective alternato r
Rdefective powerelectronics (PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles)
Ra torn poly-V-belt
Ramalfunction in th eelectronics
!Do no tcontinu edriving. The engin ecould otherwise overheat.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely and switch off th eengine, pay-
ing attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 189).
XConsult aqualified specialist workshop .
#
StopVehicl eSeeOperator' sManual
The battery is no longer bein gcharged and th ebattery charg elevel is
to olow.
A warning tone also sounds.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely and switch off th eengine, pay-
ing attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 189).
XObserv eth einstruction sin th e# See Operator' sManualdisplay message .
XConsultaqualified specialist workshop .
#
StopVehicl eLeaveEngine Runnin g
The battery charg elevel is to olow.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions. Do no tcontinu edrivin g
under any circumstances.
XLeav eth eengin erunning.
XWait until th edisplay message disappear sbefore pullin gaway.
#
Start Engine SeeOperator' sManual
The engin eis switched off and th ebattery charg elevel is to olow.
XSwitc hoff electrical consumer sthat you do no tneed, suc has th e
rear window defroste rand interior lighting .
XLeaveth eengin erunnin gfor afew minute sor drive alon gdistance.
The battery is bein gcharged.
Display messages29 5
On-board computer and displays
Z