2017 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class CABRIOLET steering

=High-beam flasher
?Turn signal, left
XTo indicate briefly:press the combination
switch briefly to the pressure point in direc-
tion of arrow ;or?.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.
XTo indicate: press the combination switch
beyond the pressure point in direction of
arrow ;or?.
XTo switch on the high-beam headlamps:
turn the light switch to the LorÃ
position.
XPress the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of arrow :.
In the Ãposition, the high-beam head-
lamps are switched on only when it is dark and
the engine is running.
The blue Kindicator lamp on the instru-
ment cluster lights up when the high-beam
headlamps are switched on.
XTo switch off the high-beam headlamps:
move the combination switch back to its nor-
mal position.
The blue Kindicator lamp on the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Vehicles with Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Plus:
If Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus is activated, it
automatically controls activation and deactiva-
tion of the high-beam headlamps (
Ypage 109).
XHigh-beam flasher: pull the combination
switch in the direction of arrow =.
Hazard warning lamps
XTo switch the hazard warning lamps on or
off: press button :.
The turn signal lamps flash when the hazard
warning lamps are switched on. If you now
switch on a turn signal lamp using the com-
bination switch, only the turn signal lamp on
the corresponding side of the vehicle will
flash.
The hazard warning lamps switch on automati-
cally if an air bag is deployed.
The hazard warning lamps still operate if the
ignition is switched off.
Cornering light function
The cornering light function improves the illu-
mination of the road over a wide angle in the
direction you are turning, enabling better visi-
bility in tight bends, for example. It can only be
activated when the low-beam headlamps are
switched on.
Active:
Rif you are driving at speeds below 25 mph
(40 km/h) and switch on the turn signal or
turn the steering wheel
Rif you are driving at speeds between 25 mph
(40 km/h) and 45 mph (70 km/h) and turn
the steering wheel
The cornering lamp may remain lit for a short
time, but is automatically switched off after no
more than three minutes.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus
General notes
With Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, you can
automatically switch between low-beam, partial
high-beam and high-beam headlamps.
Partial high-beam is a form of illumination
whereby the high-beam is directed past other
road users. Other road users are kept out of the
high-beam. This prevents glare. When there is a
vehicle in front, for example, the high-beam
headlamps illuminate the areas to its right and
left. The vehicle in front is illuminated by the low-
beam headlamps.
The system automatically adapts the low-beam
headlamp range depending on the distance to
the other vehicle. Once the system no longer
Exterior lighting109
Lights and windshield wipers
Z

Automa tic trans mission
Import ant safety notes
GWARNIN G
If th eengin espee dis abov eth eidlin gspee d
and you engage transmission position Dor R,
th evehicl ecould pull away suddenly. There is
a ris kof an accident.
When engagin gtransmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress th ebrak epedal and do
no tsimultaneously accelerate .
GWARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position Nwhen you switch off th eengine.
The vehicl emay rol laway. There is aris kof an
accident.
Afte rswitching off th eengine, always switch
to parking position P.Preven tth eparked vehi-
cle from rollin gaway by applyin gth eparking
brake.
DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview oftrans mission positions
jPark position wit hparking loc k
kReverse gear
iNeutral
hDrive
The DIRECT SELECT lever is on th eright of th e
steering column .
The DIRECT SELECT lever always return sto it s
original position .The curren ttransmission posi-
tion P,R,N or Dappear sin th etransmission position display in th
emultifunction display
(
Ypage 132).
Engaging pa rkposition P
!If th eengin espee dis to ohigh or th evehicl e
is moving ,do no tshif tth eautomatic trans -
mission directl yfrom Dto R,from Rto Dor
directl yto P. The automatic transmission
could otherwise be damaged.
jPark position wit hparking loc k
kReverse gear
iNeutral
hDrive
XPush theDIRECT SELECT lever in th edirection
of arrow P.
Engaging pa rkposition P automatically
Park position Pis automatically engage dif:
Ryou switch off th eengin eusin gth eSmartKey
and remove th eSmartKey
Ryou switch off th eengin eusin gth eSmartKey
or usin gth eStart/Sto pbutto nand open th e
driver's door or front-passenger door
Rth edriver's door is opened when th evehicl eis
stationary or drivin gat ver ylow spee dand th e
transmission is in position Dor R
Under certain conditions, th eautomatic trans -
mission shifts automatically to transmission
position Pif th eHOLD function or DISTRONI C
PLU Sis activated. Observ eth einformation on
th eHOLD function (
Ypage 159) and on
DISTRONI CPLU S (Ypage 153).
Engaging reverse gear R
!Only shif tth eautomatic transmission to R
when th evehicl eis stationary.
Automatic transmission13 1
Driving an d parking
Z

You can also activate manual drive programM
using the steering wheel paddle shifters
(
Ypage 135). In manual drive program M, you
can briefly change gear yourself by using the
steering wheel paddle shifters.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
C Controlled
EfficiencyComfortable, economical
driving
S SportSporty driving style
M ManualManual gear shifting
Permanent drive program Mis only available for
Mercedes-AMG vehicles.
Further information about permanent drive pro-
gram M(
Ypage 136).
You can also activate manual drive program M
using the steering wheel paddle shifters
(
Ypage 135). In manual drive program M, you
can briefly change gear yourself by using the
steering wheel paddle shifters.
For further information on the automatic drive
program, see (
Ypage 135).
Steering wheel paddle shifters
You can activate manual drive program Min the
E (C in AMG vehicles) and Sautomatic drive
programs using steering wheel paddle shift-
ers :and ;(
Ypage 135). In manual drive
program M, you can briefly change gear yourself
by using the steering wheel paddle shifters.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: you can also activate
manual drive program Mwith the program
selector button (
Ypage 136). In manual drive
program M, you can permanently change gear
yourself by using the steering wheel paddle
shifters.
Automatic drive program
Automatic drive program E
Drive program E(drive program Con Mercedes-
AMG vehicles) is characterized by the following:
Rcomfort-oriented engine settings.
Roptimal fuel consumption resulting from the
automatic transmission shifting up sooner.
Rthe vehicle pulls away more gently in forward
and reverse gears, unless the accelerator
pedal is depressed fully.
Rthe vehicle has improved driving stability, for
example on slippery road surfaces.
Rthe automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being driven
at lower engine speeds and the wheels being
less likely to spin.
Automatic drive program S
Drive program Sis characterized by the follow-
ing:
Rsporty engine settings.
Rthe vehicle pulls away in first gear.
Rthe automatic transmission shifts up later.
The fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points.
Manual drive program M
General notes
In this drive program, you can briefly change
gear yourself by using the steering wheel paddle
shifters. The transmission must be in position D.
You can activate manual drive program Min the
E (C in Mercedes-AMG vehicles) and Sauto-
matic drive programs.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: as well as temporary
drive program M, you can also activate perma-
nent drive program M. Further information
about permanent drive program M
(
Ypage 136).
Activating
XShift the transmission to position D.
XPull the left or right steering wheel paddle
shifter (Ypage 135).
Manual drive program Mis temporarily acti-
vated.
Automatic transmission135
Driving and parking
Z

All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles:)Mand the selected gear appear in the
multifunction display.
Shifting gears
If you pull on the left or right steering wheel
paddle shifter, the automatic transmission
switches to manual drive programMfor a limi-
ted amount of time. Depending on which steer- ing wheel paddle shifter is pulled, the automatic
transmission immediately shifts into the next
gear down or up, if permitted.
XTo shift up: pull the right-hand steering wheel
paddle shifter (Ypage 135).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
If the maximum engine speed on the currently
engaged gear is reached and you continue to accelerate, the automatic transmission auto-
matically shifts up in order to prevent engine
damage.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the automatic
transmission will not shift up to the next gear
when the engine speed is very low.
XTo shift down: pull on the left-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter (Ypage 135).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
If the engine exceeds the maximum engine
speed when shifting down, the automatic
transmission protects against engine damage
by not shifting down.
Automatic down shifting occurs when coast-
ing.
Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The mul-
tifunction display shows the recommended
gear.
XShift to recommended gear ;according to
gearshift recommendation :when shown in
the multifunction display of the instrument
cluster.
Deactivating
If you have activated manual drive program M, it
will remain active for a certain amount of time.
Under certain conditions the minimum amount
of time is extended, e.g. in the case of lateral
acceleration, during an overrun phase or when
driving on steep terrain.
If manual drive program Mhas been deactiva-
ted, the automatic transmission shifts into the
automatic drive program that was last selected.
You can also deactivate manual drive program
M yourself:
XPull on the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter and hold it in place (Ypage 135).
or
XUse the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch the
transmission position.
or
XUse the program selector button to change
the drive program (Ypage 134).
Manual drive program Mis deactivated. The
automatic transmission switches to the pre-
viously activated drive program E(drive pro-
gram Con Mercedes-AMG vehicles) or S.
Manual drive program (Mercedes-
AMG vehicles)
General information
In this drive program, you can permanently
change gear yourself by using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must be
in position D.
Manual drive program Mis different from drive
program Swith regard to spontaneity, respon-
siveness and smoothness of gear changes.
As well as this permanent drive program M, you
can also activate temporary drive program
M (
Ypage 135).
Switching on the manual drive program
In manual drive program M, you can change gear
using the steering wheel paddle shifters if the
transmission is in position D. You can see the
136Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

currently selected drive program and which gear
is engaged in the multifunction display.
XPress the program selector button
(Ypage 134) repeatedly untilMappears in
the multifunction display.
Upshifting
!In manual drive program M, the automatic
transmission does not shift up automatically
even when the engine limiting speed for the
current gear is reached. When the engine lim-
iting speed is reached, the fuel supply is cut to
prevent the engine from overrevving. Always
make sure that the engine speed does not
reach the red area of the tachometer. There is
otherwise a risk of engine damage.
:Gear indicator
;Upshift indicator Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the multi-
function display.
XWhen message
;appears in the multifunc-
tion display, pull on the right-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter.
Downshifting
XPull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Ypage 135).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear if this is permissible.
Maximum acceleration
XPull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter until the transmission selects the opti-
mum gear according to the speed.
If you slow down or stop without shifting down,
the automatic transmission automatically shifts
down.
Switching off the manual drive program
XPress the program selector button
(Ypage 134) repeatedly until Cor Sappears
in the multifunction display.
Automatic transmission137
Driving and parking
Z

XConnect the adapter cable to the trickle
charger.
XConnect the adapter cable to socket ;. Con-
sult the manufacturer's operating instruc-
tions on how to doso.
If you connect the trick lecharger to the 12 V
socket on the right sideof the trunk, the battery
is not trick lecharge d.Only connect accessories
to the 12 V power socket. Accessories inc lude
coolboxes, for example. Further information on
12 V power sockets (
Ypage 260).
Even ifa trick lecharger isconnected, the trunk
lid can beclosed. Make sure that the connector
for both the connector cables isoutside of the
veh icle.
Driving tips
General driving tips
Important safety notes
GWAR NING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
wit hlimit ations, or not at all.This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You willrequire cons iderably
more effort to steer and brake. There isa risk
of an acc ident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
GWARNING
If you operate mob ilecommunication equip-
ment while driv ing, youwill be dist racted from
traff icconditions. You could also lose control
of the veh icle. There isa risk of an acc ident.
Only operate this equipment when the vehicle
isstationary.
Observe the legal requirements for the country
in which you are driving. Some jurisdictions pro-
hibit the driver from using a mobile phone while
driv ing a vehicle.
If you make a call while driving, always use
hands-free mode. Only operate the telephone
when the traffic situation permits. If you are
unsure, pull over to a safe location and stop
before operating the telephone.
Bear in mind that at a speed of only 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), the vehicle covers a
dist ance of 44 ft (approximately 14 m)per sec-
ond.
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Observe the following tips to save fuel:
XThe tires should always be inflated to the rec-
ommended tire pressure.
XRemove unnecessary loads.
XRemove roof racks when they are not needed.
XWarm up the engine at low engine speeds.
XAvoid frequent acceleration or braking.
XHave all maintenance work carried out as
indicated by the service intervals in the Main-
tenance Booklet or by the service interval dis-
play.
Fuel consumption also increases when driving in cold weather, in stop-start traffic and in hilly ter-
rain.
Drinking and driving
GWARNING
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and driving are very dangerous combinations.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can
affect your reflexes, perceptions and judg-
ment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal acci-
dent is greatly increased when you drink or
take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or tak-
ing drugs.
144Driving tips
Driving and parking

Excessive heavy braking results in correspond-
ingly high brake wear. Observe the brake wear
warning lamp in the instrument cluster and note
any brake status messages in the multifunction
display. Especially for high performance driving,it is important to maintain and have the brake
system checked regularly.
Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning
If water has accumulated to a certain depth on
the road surface, there is a danger of hydro-
planing occurring, even if:
Ryou drive at low speeds
Rthe tires have adequate tread depth
For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or in
conditions in which hydroplaning may occur,
you must drive in the following manner:
Rlower your speed
Ravoid ruts
Ravoid sudden steering movements
Rbrake carefully
Driving on flooded roads
!Do not drive through flooded areas. Check
the depth of any water before driving through
it. Drive slowly through standing water. Oth-
erwise, water may enter the vehicle interior or
the engine compartment. This can damage
the electronic components in the engine or
the automatic transmission. Water can also
be drawn in by the engine's air suction nozzles
and this can cause engine damage.
Winter driving
GWARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
GDANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle
becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open a
window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
Have your vehicle winter-proofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road sur-
faces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and
braking maneuvers. Do not use the cruise con-
trol or DISTRONIC PLUS.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
XShift the transmission to position N.
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the freezing
po int d
o not guarantee that the road surface is
free of ice. The road may still be icy, especially in
wooded areas or on bridges.
You should pay special attention to road condi-
tions when temperatures are around freezing
point.
For more information on driving with snow
chains, see (
Ypage 304).
For more information on driving with summer
tires, see (
Ypage 304).
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation" sec-
tion (
Ypage 304).
Driving systems
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive stands for inno-
vative driver assistance and safety systems
which enhance comfort and support the driver in
148Driving system s
Driving an d parking

DISTRONIC PLUS is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal.
DISTRONIC PLUS is automatically deactivated
if:
Ryou engage the electric parking brake or if thevehicle is automatically secured with the elec-
tric parking brake
RESP®intervenes or you deactivate ESP®
Rthe transmission is in the P,R or Nposition
Ryou pull the cruise control lever towards you
in order to pull away and the front-passenger
door or one of the rear doors is open
Rthe vehicle is skidding
Ryou activate Active Parking Assist
If DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated, you will hear a tone. The DISTRONIC
PLUSOffmessage will
be displayed in the multifunction display for
approximately five seconds.
Tips for driving with DISTRONIC PLUS
General notes
Pay particular attention in the following traffic
situations:
RCornering, entering and exiting a bend: the
ability of DISTRONIC PLUS to detect vehicles
when cornering is limited. Your vehicle may
brake unexpectedly or late.
RDriving on a different line: DISTRONIC PLUS
may not detect vehicles which are not driving
in the middle of their lane. The distance to the
vehicle in front will be too short.
ROther vehicles changing lane: DISTRONIC
PLUS has not detected the vehicle cutting in
yet. The distance to this vehicle will be too
short.
RNarrow vehicles: DISTRONIC PLUS does not
detect the vehicle in front on the edge of the
road because of its narrow width. The dis-
tance to the vehicle in front will be too short.
RObstacles and stationary vehicles:
DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for obsta-
cles or stationary vehicles. If, for example, the detected vehicle turns a corner and reveals an
obstacle or stationary vehicle, DISTRONIC
PLUS will not brake for these.
RCrossing vehicles: DISTRONIC PLUS may mis-
takenly detect vehicles that are crossing your
lane. Activating DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic
lights with crossing traffic, for example, could cause your vehicle
to p
ull away unintention-
ally.
In such situations, brake if necessary.
DISTRONIC PLUS is then deactivated.
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist
and Stop&Go Pilot
General notes
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and
Stop&Go Pilot helps you keep the vehicle in the
center of the lane by means of moderate steer-
ing interventions in a speed range from
0–125 mph (0–200 km/h).
It monitors the area in front of your vehicle by
means of multifunction camera :, at the top of
the windshield.
In a speed range from 0 - 37 mph (0 - 60 km/h),
Stop&Go Pilot focuses on the vehicle in front,
taking into account lane markings, e.g. when
you are following vehicles in a traffic jam.
At speeds of more than 37 mph (60 km/h),
Steering Assist focuses on clear lane markings
(left and right), only focusing on the vehicle in
front if clear lane markings are not present.
Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot do not pro-
vide any support if these conditions do not exist.
DISTRONIC PLUS must be active in order for the
function to be available.
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style, DISTRONIC
PLUS with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot
can neither reduce the risk of an accident nor
override the laws of physics. It cannot take
account of road, weather and traffic conditions.
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and
Stop&Go Pilot is only an aid. Yo u a
re responsible
for the distance to the vehicle in front, for vehi-
156Driving system s
Driving an d parking