2016 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class SEDAN Steering control

The electric parking brake secures the vehicle
automatically if the HOLD function is activated
when the vehicle is stationary and:
Ra system malfunction occurs.
Rthe power supply is not sufficient.
If a malfunction in the electric parking brake
occurs, then the transmission may also be shif-
ted into position Pautomatically.
MAGIC BODY CONTROL
General notes
MAGIC BODY CONTROL consists of Active Body
Control (ABC), ROAD SURFACE SCAN as well as
automatic vehicle stabilization in the event of a
crosswind.
Your vehicle automatically adjusts its ride height
to improve driving safety and reduce fuel con-
sumption. The suspension mode is adjusted
according to your selection (sports or comfort),
the road surface conditions and the vehicle load. A multifunction camera detects bumps in the
road surface before the vehicle drives over
them. This reduces chassis movements.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle or
in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arches
when the vehicle is being lowered.
!The vehicle is lowered when the engine is
switched off. When parking, position your
vehicle so that it does not make contact with
the curb as the vehicle is lowered. Your vehi-
cle could otherwise be damaged.
Crosswind Assist
The crosswind stabilization operates by chang-
ing wheel loads through adjusting the ABC
spring struts. It reduces impairments in handling
when driving in a straight line and assists during
countersteering. Crosswind Assist is active in the speed range
between 50 mph (80 km/h)
and
130 mph (210 km/h) when driving straight
ahead or cornering gently.
Active Body Control ABC
Vehicle level
All vehicles except AMG vehicles: depending
on the vehicle level that has been set, the vehi-
cle automatically adjusts its height dependent
on the current speed. The vehicle is lowered by
up to 0.6 in (15 mm) as the speed increases. As
the speed is reduced, the vehicle is raised up to
the set vehicle height.
AMG vehicles: depending on the vehicle level
that has been selected, the vehicle automati-
cally adjusts its height dependent on the current
speed. The vehicle is lowered by up to 0.4 in
(10 mm) below the normal level as the speed
increases. As the speed is reduced, the vehicle
is raised up to the set vehicle height.
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road con-
ditions and "Raised" for driving with snow chains
or in particularly poor road conditions.
Setting the vehicle level
XTo raise the vehicle: press button:.
Indicator lamp ;lights up.
XTo lower the vehicle: press button:again.
Indicator lamp ;goes out.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Suspension tuning
The electronically controlled ABC suspension
system detects the vehicle level and the vehicle
load and adjusts the setting accordingly. You
can also choose between a particularly sporty or
a comfortable tuning.
210Driving systems
Driving and parking

The ABC suspension system is tuned individu-
ally to each wheel and depends on:
Ryour driving style, e.g. sporty
Rthe road surface condition, e.g. bumps
Ryour individual selection, i.e. sports or com-
fort
Rthe vehicle load
Rthe force of the side wind
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
SPORT mode ensures even better contact with
the road. The steering response behavior is
sporty. Select this mode when employing a
sporty driving style on flat roads, e.g. on high-
ways.
Selecting the sports suspension setting
XWhen indicator lamp ;is off:press but-
ton :repeatedly until only indicator lamp ;
is on.
Sports suspension tuning is selected.
All vehicles except AMG vehicles: the
Active Body Control SPORT
message
appears in the multifunction display.
AMG vehicles: theAMG Suspension Sys‐
tem SPORTmessage appears in the multi-
function display.
In COMFORT mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are especially comfortable. The
steering response behavior is balanced. Select
this mode if you favor a comfortable driving
style.
Selecting the comfortable suspension setting
XWhen indicator lamp ;is off:press but-
ton :repeatedly until only indicator lamp ;
is on.
Comfortable suspension tuning is selected. All vehicles except AMG vehicles:
the
Active Body Control COMFORT
message
appears in the multifunction display.
AMG vehicles: theAMG Suspension Sys‐
tem COMFORTmessage appears in the multi-
function display.
ROAD SURFACE SCAN
iThis function is not available in all countries.
The ROAD SURFACE SCAN function monitors
the road in front of the vehicle using multifunc-
tion camera :at the top of the windshield. This
function is automatically active if you select
comfort suspension tuning. The system is
operational at speeds of up to 81 mph
(130 km/h).
This function allows bumps in the road surface
to be detected before the vehicle drives over
them. The spring struts are then actuated, with
the result that chassis movements are signifi-
cantly reduced when driving over bumps.
The system is deactivated when you select the
raised vehicle level or sports mode.
The system may be impaired or may not function
if:
Rthe road surface is insufficiently lit
Rthere is poor visibility, e.g. snow, rain, fog or
spray
Rthere is glare, e.g. from the sun or from
oncoming traffic
Rthe windshield is dirty, fogged up or covered,
for instance by a sticker, in the vicinity of the
camera
Rthe road surface has no texture or is reflec-
tive, e.g. in the case of newly laid asphalt,
concrete slabs or puddles
Rthe distance to the vehicle in front is too short
Driving systems211
Driving and parking
Z

see the top view of the vehicle and the image
from the rear view camera.
Selecting the split-screen and full
screen displays
Switching between split screen views:
XTo switch to the line with the vehicle icons:
slide5the controller.
XTo select a vehicle icon: turn the controller.
Switching to full screen mode:
X180° ViewTurn and press the controller.
iThe 180° option is only available in the fol-
lowing views:
RTop view with picture from the rear view
camera
RTop view with picture from the front camera
Displays in the multimedia system
Important safety notes
The camera system may show a distorted view
of obstacles, show them incorrectly or not at all.
Obstacles are not shown by the system in the
following locations:
Runder the front and rear bumpers
Rvery close to the front and rear bumpers
Rin close range above the handle on the trunk
lid
Rvery close to the exterior mirrors
Rin the transitional areas between the various
cameras in the virtual top view
!Objects not at ground level may appear to
be further away than they actually are, e.g.:
Rthe bumper of a parked vehicle
Rthe drawbar of a trailer
Rthe ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
Rthe rear section of an HGV
Ra slanted post
Use the guidelines only for orientation.
Approach objects no further than the bottom-
most guideline.
Top view with picture from the rear view
camera
:Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 13 ft (4.0 m) from the rear of the
vehicle
;Symbol for the split screen setting with top
view and rear view camera image
=Guide line for the maximum steering angle
?Yellow lane marking tires at current steering
wheel angle (dynamic)
AYellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
BVehicle center axle (marker assistance)
CYellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 3 ft (1.0 m) from the rear of the vehi-
cle
DBumper
ERed guide line at a distance of approximately
12 in (0.30 m) from the rear of the vehicle
The guide lines are shown when the transmis-
sion is in position R.
The distance specifications only apply to
objects that are at ground level.
226Driving systems
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

Activating when driving with the electric motor:
XPull the left or right steering wheel paddle
shifter (Ypage 174).
The combustion engine is switched on. Man-
ual drive program Mis temporarily activated.
The selected gear and Mappear in the multi-
function display.
Activating when driving with the combustion
engine:
XPull the left or right steering wheel paddle
shifter (Ypage 174).
Manual drive program Mis temporarily acti-
vated. The selected gear and Mappear 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:
Ran additional point of resistance in E-MODE
operating mode (Ypage 243)
Ra double impulse in E+operating mode
(Ypage 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 (
Ypage 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+
(
Ypage 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,
you 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 Dand
braking, the electric motor will operate as a gen-
erator.
Further information on the ECO start/stop func-
tion (
Ypage 252).
Additional driving tips (
Ypage 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:
Rentirely by electric propulsion
Rin 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:
Renergy recovery takes place even when the
vehicle is decelerating purely in overrun mode
(
Ypage 240). The electric motor operates as
PLUG‑IN HYBRID operation251
Driving an d parking
Z

Outside temperature display
You should pay special attention to road condi-
tions when temperatures are around freezing
point.
Bear in mind that the outside temperature dis-
play indicates the temperature measured and
does not record the road temperature.
The outside temperature display is in the multi-function display (
Ypage 258).
There is a short delay before a change in outside
temperature is shown in the multifunction dis-
play.
Coolant temperature display
GWARNING
Opening the hood when the engine is over-
heated or when there is a fire in the engine
compartment could expose you to hot gases
or other service products. There is a risk of
injury.
Let an overheated engine cool down before
opening the hood. If there is a fire in the
engine compartment, keep the hood closed
and contact the fire department.
!A display message is shown if the coolant
temperature is too high.
If the coolant temperature is above 257 ‡
(125 †) do not drive any further. The engine
will otherwise be damaged.
All vehicles except PLUG‑ IN HYBRID vehicles:
the coolant temperature gauge is in the lower
area of the tachometer (
Ypage 33).
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: the multifunction dis-
play shows the coolant temperature in the
Coolant
submenu (Ypage 269).
Under normal operating conditions and with the
specified coolant level, the coolant temperature
may rise to 255 ‡ (124 †).
Operating the on-board computer
:Multifunction display
;Right control panel
=Left control panel
XTo activate the on-board computer: turn
the SmartKey to position 1in the ignition lock.
You can control the multifunction display and
the settings in the on-board computer using the
buttons on the multifunction steering wheel.
Left control panel
òROpens the menu list
9
:Press briefly:
RScrolls in lists
RSelects a menu or function
RIn the RadioorMediamenu:
opens the track or station list and
selects a station, an audio track or
a video scene
RIn the Telephonemenu: switches
to the phone book and selects a
name or a telephone number
9
:Press and hold:
RScrolls quickly through all lists
RIn the RadioorMediamenu:
selects a station, audio track or
video scene using rapid scrolling
RIn the Telephonemenu: starts
rapid scrolling if the phone book is
open
Displays and operation257
On-board computer and displays
Z

aRIn all menus: confirms the selected
entry in the list
RIn theRadioorMediamenu:
opens the list of available radio
sources or media
RIn the Telephonemenu: switches
to the phone book and starts dial-
ing the selected number
ñRSwitches off the Voice Control
System (see the separate operat-
ing instructions)
%Press briefly:
RBack
RIn the RadioorMediamenu: dese-
lects the track or station list or list
of available radio sources or media
RHides display messages
RExits the telephone book/redial
memory
%Press and hold:
RCalls up the standard display in the
Tripmenu
Right control panel
~RRejects or ends a call
RExits the telephone book/redial
memory
6RMakes or accepts a call
RSwitches to the redial memory
W
XRAdjusts the volume
8RMute
óRSwitches on the Voice Control Sys-
tem (see the separate operating
instructions)
Multifunction display
:Top status bar
;Display
=Bottom status bar
Display panel ;shows the selected menu or
submenu and display messages.
XTo open the menu list: press theòbut-
ton on the steering wheel.
The menu list appears in display panel ;.
Possible top status bar displays:
R--‡ Outside temperature (Ypage 257)
R# Turn signal, left (Ypage 131)
RLLow-beam headlamps (Ypage 131)
RKHigh-beam headlamps (Ypage 132)
RTParking lamps and license plate lighting
(Ypage 131)
R! Turn signal, right (Ypage 131)
Possible bottom status bar displays:
Rè ECO start/stop function (Ypage 166)
RREADYPLUG-IN HYBRID operation activated
(Ypage 249)
RHYBRIDOperating mode display in PLUG-IN
HYBRID vehicles, further displays
(
Ypage 242)
Rè Electric range (PLUG-IN HYBRID vehi-
cles)
Rë HOLD function (Ypage 208)
RjActive Parking Assist (Ypage 216)
R_ Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus
(Ypage 133)
Ra DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist and
Stop&Go Pilot (Ypage 207)
R--- km/hAdditional speedometer
(Ypage 274)
258Displays and operation
On-board computer and displays

Video DVD operation
XSwitch on the multimedia system (see sepa-
rate operating instructions).
XPress theòbutton on the steering wheel
to open the menu list.
XPress :or9 on the steering wheel to
select the Mediamenu.
XConfirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
XTo select a DVD single drive or DVD media:
press abriefly.
The list containing the media sources
appears.
XPress :or9 to select the correspond-
ing DVD single drive or disc.
XPress ato confirm the selection.
XTo open the scene list: press the:or
9 button briefly.
XTo select the next or previous scene in the
scene list: press the:or9 button
briefly.
XTo select a scene from the scene list using
rapid scrolling: press and hold:or9
until desired scene :is reached.
XPress ato confirm the selection.
Telephone menu
Introduction
GWARNING
If you operate information systems and com-
munication equipment integrated in the vehi-
cle while driving, you will be distracted from
traffic conditions. You could also lose control
of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Only operate the equipment when the traffic
situation permits. If you are not sure that this is possible, park the vehicle paying attention
to traffic conditions and operate the equip-
ment when the vehicle is stationary.
When telephoning, you must observe the legal
requirements for the country in which you are
currently driving.
XSwitch on the mobile phone (see the manu-
facturer’s operating instructions).
XSwitch on the multimedia system (see sepa-
rate operating instructions).
XEstablish a Bluetooth®connection to the mul-
timedia system; see the separate operating
instructions.
XPress the òbutton on the steering wheel
to open the menu list.
XPress :or9 on the steering wheel to
select the Telephonemenu.
XConfirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
You will see one of the following display mes-
sages in the multifunction display:
RPhone READYor the name of the network
provider: the mobile phone has found a net-
work and is ready to receive.
RPhone No Service: there is no network
available or the mobile phone is searching for
a network.
Accepting a call
If someone calls you when you are in the Tele‐phonemenu, a display message appears in the
multifunction display.
You can accept a call at any time regardless of
the menu selected.
Menus and submenus267
On-board computer and displays
Z