2016 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class SEDAN ABS

1, 2, 3 ...
4ETS (Electronic Traction System)see ETS/4ETS (Electronic Trac-
tion System)
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 213
12 V socket
see Sockets
115 V socket ...................................... 337
360° camera
Cleaning ........................................ .363
Function/notes .............................2 24
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Display message ............................ 278
Function/notes ................................ 68
Warning lamp ................................. 316
Accident
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 61
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 146
Activating/deactivating Night
View Assist Plus
With spotlight function ................... 232
Active Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 271
Display message ............................ 301
Function/information .................... 234
Active Body Control (ABC)
Display message ............................ 300
Function/notes ............................. 210
Active Lane Keeping Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 271
Display message ............................ 301
Function/information .................... 237
Active multicontour seat .................. 117
Active Parking Assist
Detecting parking spaces .............. 217
Display message ............................ 302
Exiting a parking space .................. 219
Function/notes ............................. 216
Important safety notes .................. 216 Parking .......................................... 218
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 75
Adaptive Brake Assist
Function/notes ................................ 72
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) ..... 212
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus
Display message ............................ 293
Function/notes ............................. 133
Switching on/off ........................... 133
Additional speedometer ................... 274
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 430
Air bags
Belt bags .......................................... 48
Cushion air bags .............................. 53
Deployment ..................................... 57
Display message ............................ 289
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 52
Important safety notes .................... 50
Introduction ..................................... 50
Knee bag .......................................... 52
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) ............................................... 53
PASSENGER AIR BAG i
ndicator
lamps ............................................... 46
Side impact air bag .......................... 52
Window curtain air bag .................... 53
Air vents
Glove box ....................................... 159
Important safety notes .................. 158
Rear ............................................... 160
Setting ........................................... 158
Setting the center air vents ........... 159
Setting the side air vents ............... 159
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
AIRMATIC
Display message ............................ 299
Function/notes ............................. 212
Alarm
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) ......... 78
Switching off (ATA) .......................... 78
Switching the function on/off
(ATA) ................................................ 78
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Anti-lock braking system
see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Index3

Brake Assistsee BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 283
Notes ............................................. 430
Brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Brake lamps
Display message ............................ 291
Brake pedal
Pedal resistance/pedal travel .......... 44
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 68
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 72
BAS .................................................. 69
BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic
Assist ............................................... 69
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 430
Display message ............................ 278
EBD .................................................. 75
High-performance brake system .... 196
Hill start assist ............................... 165
HOLD function ............................... 208
Important safety notes .................. 194
Maintenance .................................. 195
Parking brake ................................ 190
RBS warning lamp .......................... 315
Recuperative Brake System ............. 44
Riding tips ...................................... 194
Warning lamp ................................. 315
Breakdown
Where will I find...? ........................ 367
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting) ................................... 35
Buttons on the steering wheel ......... 257
C
California
Important notice for retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 25
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Camera
see 360° camera see Rear view camera
Car
see Vehicle
Care
360° camera ................................. 363
Car wash ........................................ 359
Carpets .......................................... 366
Display ........................................... 364
Exhaust pipe .................................. 363
Exterior lights ................................ 362
Gear or selector lever .................... 365
General notes ................................ 359
Interior ........................................... 364
Matte finish ................................... 361
Night View Assist Plus ................... 364
Paint .............................................. 361
Plastic trim .................................... 364
Power washer ................................ 360
Rear view camera .......................... 363
Roof lining ...................................... 366
Seat belt ........................................ 366
Seat cover ..................................... 365
Sensors ......................................... 362
Steering wheel ............................... 365
Trim pieces .................................... 365
Washing by hand ........................... 360
Wheels ........................................... 361
Windows ........................................ 362
Wiper blades .................................. 362
Wooden trim .................................. 365
CD player (on-board computer) ........ 266
Center console
Overview .......................................... 37
Stowage space .............................. 326
Center console in the rear com-
partment
Stowage compartment .................. 327
Central locking
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey) ........ 79
Changing the media source ............. 265
Charging
see Charging the high-voltage bat-
tery (important safety notes)
Charging cable
Connecting .................................... 185
Controls ......................................... 183
Important safety notes .................. 183
Indicator lamp ................................ 184
Index5

Control panel ...................................40
Display message ............................ 310
Emergency locking ........................... 88
Emergency unlocking ....................... 87
Important safety notes .................... 85
Opening (from inside) ...................... 86
Power closing .................................. 87
Drinking and driving ......................... 193
Drive program
Automatic ...................................... 174
Manual ........................................... 174
Manual (Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles) ............................................... 175
SETUP (on-board computer) .......... 276
Driver's door
see Doors
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service ................. 358
Driving Assistance package ............. 234
Driving on flooded roads .................. 196
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ....... 68
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 75
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 72
BAS (Brake Assist System) .............. 69
BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic
Assist ............................................... 69
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
PLUS ................................................ 71
Distance warning function ............... 71
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution) ............................................. 75
ESP
®(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 73
Important safety information ........... 68
Overview .......................................... 68
PRE-SAFE
®Brake ............................. 75
Recuperative Brake System ............. 44
STEER CONTROL ............................. 77
Driving systems
360°camera .................................. 224
Active Blind Spot Assist ................. 234
Active Body Control ABC ............... 210
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............ 237
Active Parking Assist ..................... 216
AIRMATIC ...................................... 212
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................ 228 Cruise control ................................ 197
Display message ............................ 299
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 199
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering
Assist and Stop&Go Pilot ............... 207
Driving Assistance package
........... 234
HOLD fu

nction ............................... 208
Night View Assist Plus ................... 230
PARKTRONIC ................................. 214
Rear view camera .......................... 220
Traffic Sign Assist .......................... 229
Driving tips
AMG ceramic brakes ..................... 196
Automatic transmission ................. 173
Brakes ........................................... 194
Break-in period .............................. 161
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 205
Downhill gradient ........................... 194
Drinking and driving ....................... 193
Driving in winter ............................. 196
Driving on flooded roads ................ 196
Driving on wet roads ...................... 196
Exhaust check ............................... 193
Fuel ................................................ 192
General .......................................... 192
Hydroplaning ................................. 196
Icy road surfaces ........................... 196
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 195
Snow chains .................................. 386
Subjecting brakes to a load ........... 194
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ..... 161
Wet road surface ........................... 194
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 267
E
EASY-ENTRY featureFunction/notes ............................. 122
EASY-EXIT feature
Crash-responsive ........................... 123
Function/notes ............................. 122
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message ............................ 280
Function/notes ................................ 75
8Index

Seats, steering wheel, exterior
mirrors ........................................... 126
Storing settings (rear compart-
ment) ............................................. 127
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive
360°camera .................................. 224
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) .......... 68
Active Blind Spot Assist ................. 234
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............ 237
Active Parking Assist ..................... 216
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................ 228
BAS (Brake Assist) ........................... 69
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist PLUS)
with Cross-Traffic Assist .................. 69
Crosswind Assist (vehicles with
MAGIC BODY CONTROL) ............... 210
Crosswind Assist (vehicles with-
out MAGIC BODY CONTROL) ........... 75
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 199
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering
Assist and Stop&Go Pilot ............... 207
ESP
®(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 73
General notes ................................ 197
MAGIC BODY CONTROL ................ 210
Night View Assist Plus ................... 230
PARKTRONIC ................................. 214
PRE-SAFE
®(anticipatory occu-
pant protection) ............................... 59
PRE-SAFE
®Brake ............................. 75
PRE-SAFE®PLUS (anticipatory
occupant protection PLUS) .............. 60
Rear view camera .......................... 220
ROAD SURFACE SCAN .................. 211
Traffic Sign Assist .......................... 229
Message memory (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 277
Messages
see Display messages
see Warning and indicator lamps
Mirror turn signal
Cleaning ......................................... 362
Mirrors
see Exterior mirrors
see Rear-view mirror
see Vanity mirror (in the sun visor) Mobile phone
Frequencies ................................... 425
Installation ..................................... 425
Menu (on-board computer) ............ 267
Transmission output (maximum) .... 425
Modifying the programming
(SmartKey) ........................................... 81
MOExtended tires .............................. 368
Moun
ting wheels
Lowering the vehicle ...................... 409
Mounting a new wheel ................... 409
Preparing the vehicle ..................... 406
Raising the vehicle ......................... 406
Removing a wheel .......................... 408
Securing the vehicle against roll-
ing away ........................................ 406
MP3
Operation ....................................... 266
Multicontour seat .............................. 117
Multifunction display
Function/notes ............................. 258
Multifunction steering wheel
Operating the on-board compute r..2 57
Overview .......................................... 35
N
Navigation
Menu (on-board computer) ............ 263
Night View Assist Plus
Activating/deactivating ................. 232
Cleaning ......................................... 364
Display message ............................ 302
Function/notes .............................2 30
Pedestrian and animal recogni-
tion ................................................ 231
Problem (malfunction) ................... 234
Switching automatic activation
on/off ............................................ 270
Notes on breaking-in a new vehi-
cle ....................................................... 161
O
Occupant Classification System
(OCS)
Conditions ....................................... 53
Faults ............................................... 57
Index13

V
Vanity mirror (in the sun visor)........ 333
Vehicle
Correct use ...................................... 29
Data acquisition ............................... 29
Display message ............................ 308
Equipment ....................................... 25
Individual settings .......................... 269
Limited Warranty ............................. 29
Loading .......................................... 394
Locking (in an emergency) ............... 88
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 79
Lowering ........................................ 409
Maintenance .................................... 26
Operating safety .............................. 27
Parking .......................................... 189
Parking for a long period ................ 192
Pulling away ................................... 165
Raising ........................................... 406
Reporting problems ......................... 29
Securing from rolling away ............ 406
Towing away .................................. 379
Transporting .................................. 381
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 87
Unlocking (SmartKey) ...................... 79
Vehicle data ................................... 433
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 433
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 88
Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 426
Vehicle level
Active Body Control ABC ............... 210
AIRMATIC ...................................... 212
Display message ............................ 300
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 367
Video
Operating the DVD ......................... 267
VIN
Type plate ...................................... 426
W
WarningStickers ........................................... 42
Warning and indicator lamps
ABS ................................................ 316 Brakes ........................................... 315
Check Engine ................................. 320
Coolant .......................................... 320
Distance warning ........................... 322
ESP
®.............................................. 317
ESP®OFF ....................................... 319
Fuel tank ........................................ 320
General notes ................................ 313
Hybrid drive system ....................... 315
Overview .......................................... 34
Parking brake ................................ 319
PASSENGER AIR BAG ...................... 46
RBS (Recuperative Brake Sys-
tem) ............................................... 315
Reserve fuel ................................... 320
Restraint system ............................ 319
Seat belt ........................................ 313
Steering ......................................... 324
Tire pressure monitor .................... 323
Warranty .............................................. 25
Washer fluid
Display message ............................ 311
Wheel and tire combinations
Tires ............................................... 412
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 409
Wheel chock ...................................... 406
Wheels
Changing a wheel .......................... 405
Checking ........................................ 385
Cleaning ......................................... 361
General notes ................................ 410
Important safety notes .................. 384
Information on driving .................... 384
Interchanging/changing ................ 405
Mounting a new wheel ................... 409
Mounting a wheel .......................... 406
Removing a wheel .......................... 408
Snow chains .................................. 386
Storing ........................................... 405
Tightening torque ........................... 409
Wheel size/tire size ....................... 410
Window curtain air bag
Display message ............................ 288
Operation ......................................... 53
Windows
see Side windows
22Index

Warning and indicator lamps
FunctionPage
:!ABS316
;åESP®OFF317
÷ESP®317
=#Turn signal, left131
?LLow-beam headlamps131
AKHigh-beam headlamps132
BTParking lamps, license
plate and instrument cluster
lighting
131
C! Turn signal, right131
D·Distance warning322
E!Electric parking brake
(yellow)319
FunctionPage
FElectric parking brake (red)319
F USA only
!Canada only
G;Engine diagnostics320
HÐ Power steering324
IBrakes (red)315
$USA only
JCanada only
JéRBS (Recuperative
Brake System)315
Kü Seat belts313
L6Restraint system45
MhTire pressure monitor323
iInformation on additional indicator and
warning lamps for PLUG-IN vehicles can be
found in the "PLUG-IN HYBRID operation"
section (
Ypage 242).
34Instrument cluster
At a glance

PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp:and
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp ;are
part of the Occupant Classification System
(OCS).
The indicator lamps display the status of the
front-passenger front air bag.
RPASSENGER AIR BAG ON lights up: the front-
passenger front air bag is enabled. If, in the
event of an accident, all deployment criteria
are met, the front-passenger front air bag is
deployed.
RPASSENGER AIR BAG OFF lights up: the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated. It will
then not be deployed in the event of an acci-
dent.
Depending on the person in the front-passenger
seat, the front-passenger front air bag must
either be deactivated or enabled; see the fol-
lowing points. You must make sure of this both
before and during a journey.
RChildren in a child restraint system:
whether the front-passenger front air bag is
enabled or deactivated depends on the instal-
led child restraint system, and the age and
size of the child. Therefore, be sure to observe
the notes on the "Occupant Classification
System (OCS)" (
Ypage 53) and on "Chil-
dren in the vehicle" (Ypage 61). There you
will also find instructions on rearward and
forward-facing child restraint systems on the
front-passenger seat.
RAll other persons: depending on the classi-
fication of the person in the front-passenger
seat, the front-passenger front air bag is ena-
bled or deactivated (
Ypage 53). Be sure to
observe the notes on "Seat
belts“ (
Ypage 46) and "Air bags"
(Ypage 50). There you can also find infor-
mation on the correct seat position.
Seat belts
Introduction
Seat belts are the most effective means of
restricting the movement of vehicle occupants
in the event of an accident or the vehicle rolling over. This reduces the risk of vehicle occupants
coming into contact with parts of the vehicle
interior or being ejected from the vehicle. Fur-
thermore, the seat belt helps to keep the vehicle
occupant in the best position in relation to the
air bag.
The seat belt system comprises:
RSeat belts
REmergency Tensioning Devices for the front
seat belts and the outer seat belts in the rear
RSeat belt force limiters for the front seat belts
and the outer seat belts in the rear
RBelt bags for the outer seat belts in the rear,
depending on the vehicle's equipment
If the seat belt is pulled out of the belt outlet
quickly or with a jerky movement, the belt
retractor locks. The belt strap cannot be extrac-
ted any further.
The Emergency Tensioning Device tightens the
seat belt in an accident, pulling the belt close
against the body. However it does not pull the
vehicle occupant back in the direction of the
backrest.
The Emergency Tensioning Device does not cor- rect an incorrect seat position or the routing of
an incorrectly fastened seat belt.
When triggered, a seat belt force limiter helps to
reduce the force exerted by the seat belt on the
vehicle occupant.
The seat belt force limiters for the front seats are
synchronized with the front air bags, which
absorb part of the deceleration force. This can
reduce the force exerted on the vehicle occu-
pants during an accident.
!If the front-passenger seat is unoccupied,
do not insert the belt tongue into the buckle of
the front-passenger seat. This may otherwise
lead to the triggering of the Emergency Ten-
sioning Device in the event of an accident,
which will then need to be replaced.
46Occupant safety
Safety

If it is absolutely necessary to install a child
restraint system on the front-passenger seat, be
sure to observe the correct positioning of the
child restraint system. Never place objects
under or behind the child restraint system, e.g.
cushions. Fully retract the seat cushion length.
The entire base of the child restraint system
must always rest on the seat cushion of the
front-passenger seat. The backrest of the
forward-facing child restraint system must lie as
flat as possible against the backrest of the front-
passenger seat.
The child restraint system must not touch the
roof or be subjected to a load by the head
restraint. Adjust the angle of the seat backrest
and the head restraint position accordingly.
Only then can OCS be guaranteed to function
correctly. Always observe the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation and operating
instructions.
Occupant Classification System opera-
tion (OCS)
:PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp
;PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
The indicator lamps indicate whether the front-
passenger front air bag is activated or deactiva-
ted.
XPress the start/stop button once or twice, or
turn the SmartKey to position 1or 2in the
ignition lock.
The system carries out a self-diagnosis test.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF and PASSENGER
AIR BAG ON indicator lamps must light up simul-
taneously for about six seconds.
The indicator lamps then display the status of
the front-passenger front air bag:
RPASSENGER AIRBAG ON lights up: the front-
passenger front airbag is enabled. If, in the case of an accident, all deployment criteria
are met, the front-passenger front air bag is
deployed.
RPASSENGER AIRBAG OFF lights up: the front-
passenger front airbag is disabled. It will then
not be deployed in the event of an accident.
If the status of the front-passenger front air bag changes whilst the vehicle is in motion, an air
bag display message may appear in the instru-
ment cluster (
Ypage 289). Always observe the
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON and PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF indicator lamps when the front-
passenger seat is occupied. Make sure that the
status of the front-passenger front air bag is
correct before and during a journey.
GWARNING
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp is lit, the front-passenger front air bag is
disabled. It will not be deployed in the event of
an accident and cannot perform its intended
protective function. A person in the front-
passenger seat could then, for example, come
into contact with the vehicle's interior, espe-
cially if the person is sitting too close to the
dashboard. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
When the front-passenger seat is occupied,
always ensure that:
Rthe classification of the person in the front- passenger seat is correct and the front-
passenger front air bag is enabled or disa-
bled in accordance with the person in the
front-passenger seat
Rthe front-passenger seat has been moved
back as far back as possible.
Rthe person is seated correctly.
Make sure, both before and during the jour-
ney, that the status of the front-passenger
front air bag is correct.
GWARNING
If you secure a child in a rearward-facing child
restraint system on the front-passenger seat
and the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator
lamp is lit up, the front-passenger front air bag may deploy in an accident. The child could be
54Occupant safety
Safety