2016 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class SEDAN fuel

Rsections of the route have a very small radius
of curvature
Ryou accelerate hard or brake sharply
AIRMATIC
General notes
AIRMATIC is an air suspension with variable
damping for improved driving comfort. All-round
level control ensures the best possible suspen-
sion and constant ground clearance, even with a
laden vehicle. When you drive fast, the vehicle is
lowered automatically to improve driving safety
and to reduce fuel consumption. There is also
the option to manually adjust the vehicle level.
AIRMATIC consists of level setting, level control and the Adaptive Damping System ADS PLUS.
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.
Vehicle level
Setting the raised vehicle level
It is possible to choose between the "Normal"
and "Raised" vehicle levels. Select the "Normal"
setting for normal road surfaces and "Raised"
for driving with snow chains or on particularly poor road surfaces. Your selection remains
stored even if you remove the SmartKey from
the ignition lock.
XStart the engine.
If indicator lamp ;is not lit:
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. The vehicle is
raised by 1.0 in (25 mm) compared to the
normal level.
The Vehicle
Risingmessage appears in the
multifunction display.
iThe message disappears after ten seconds,
irrespective of the level reached. If necessary,
the vehicle is raised further.
The "Raised level" setting is canceled if you:
Rdrive at a speed above approximately 75 mph
(120 km/h)
Rdrive for approximately three minutes at a
speed above 50 mph (80 km/h)
Setting the normal vehicle level
XStart the engine.
If indicator lamp ;is lit:
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to normal level.
Suspension tuning
General notes
The Adaptive Damping System ADS PLUS auto-
matically controls the calibration of the damp-
ers.
The damping is tuned individually 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
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
iYou can choose between the sporty and
comfortable mode. One of the two modes is
always active.
212Driving systems
Driving and parking

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

Displaying fuel consumption andgenerated electricit y
:Fuelconsumption
;Electrical energ ygenerate d
Every bar of th egraph displays th eaverag evalu efo ron eminute.
Fue lconsumption indicator :may diffe rfrom th eindicator in th eFro m
Starttrip compute rin th e
Tri pmenu.
To reset th evalues: thevalues are reset alon gwit hth eFro mStart
trip compute r (Ypage 262).
XTo selectConsumption:turn and press th econtroller .
Fue lconsumption :and electrical energ y; generate dfo rth elast 15 minutes are shown in th e
COMAN Ddisplay.
Starting th eengin e
The vehicle start sin electric mode without th e
internal combustion engin e(noiseles sstart).
The internal combustion engin estart sonly after
th epowe rdemanded by th edriver exceeds th e
available powe rthat th eelectric moto rcan cur -
rentl yprovide.
Noiseless start operation is dependen ton th e
outsid etemperature and th eoperatin gtemper-
ature of th einternal combustion engine. If no tall
condition sfo rnoiseles sstart operation are ful-
filled, th evehicle start swit hth einternal com-
bustion engine.
XSwitc hon th eignition .
XDepress th ebrake pedal.
XObserv eth enote son startin gth eengin e
(Ypage 164).
XStart th evehicle (Ypage 164).
The vehicle is operational when READY indi-
cator :lights up.
PLUG‑ IN HYBRID operation249
Driving an d 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

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

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).
Important safety notes
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.
You must observe the legal requirements for the
country in which you are currently driving when
operating the on-board computer.
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles only:
GWARNING
If the instrument cluster has failed or mal-
functioned, you may not recognize function
restrictions in systems relevant to safety. The
operating safety of your vehicle may be
impaired. There is a risk of an accident.
Pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
All vehicles, except PLUG-IN HYBRID vehi-
cles:
GWARNING
If the instrument cluster has failed or mal-
functioned, you may not recognize function
restrictions in systems relevant to safety. The
operating safety of your vehicle may be
impaired. There is a risk of an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have the vehicle checked
at a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately.
If the operating safety of your vehicle is
impaired, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so.
Contact a qualified specialist workshop.
The on-board computer only shows messages or
warnings from certain systems in the multifunc-
tion display. You should therefore make sure
your vehicle is operating safely at all times.
For an overview, see the instrument panel illus- tration (
Ypage 33).
Displays and operation
Instrument cluster lighting
The light sensor in the instrument cluster auto-
matically controls the brightness of the multi-
function display. In daylight, the displays in the
instrument cluster are illuminated. A dimming
function is not possible in daylight.
The lighting in the instrument cluster, in the dis-plays and the controls in the vehicle interior can
be adjusted using the brightness control knob.
The brightness control is located between the
instrument cluster and the multimedia system
display (
Ypage 35).
XTurn the brightness control knob clockwise or
counter-clockwise.
If you turn the light switch (
Ypage 130) to the
T, ÃorL position, the brightness
will depend upon the brightness of the ambi-
ent light.
Tachometer
!
Do not drive in the overrevving range, as this
could damage the engine.
The red band in the tachometer indicates the
engine's overrevving range.
The fuel supply is interrupted to protect the
engine when the red band is reached.
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: if you select the oper-
ating mode E-MODE, the display in the instru-
ment cluster changes from tachometer to power
meter (
Ypage 242).
256Displays and operation
On-board computer and displays