2017 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS Owners Manual

Never adjust the seat after installing the child
restraint system.
If the rear seat backrest is not engaged and
locked, this will be shown in the multifunction
display in the instrument cluster. A warning tone
also sounds.
Top Tether anchorages
The Top Tether anchorage points are installed in
the rear compartment behind the head
restraints on the parcel shelf.
X
Move the head restraint up ( Y
page 111).X
Fold up cover C of the Top Tether anchorage.X
Install the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint
system with Top Tether. Always comply with
the child restraint system manufacturer's
installation instructions when doing so. X
Route Top Tether belt

of the child restraint system must always rest on
the seat cushion of the front-passenger seat.
The backrest of the 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. Always make sure that the shoul-
der belt strap is correctly routed from the vehi-
cle belt outlet to the shoulder belt guide on the
child restraint system. The shoulder belt strap
must be routed forwards and downwards from
the vehicle belt outlet. If necessary, adjust the
vehicle belt outlet and the front-passenger seat
accordingly.
Always observe the child restraint system man-
ufacturer's installation and operating instruc-
tions.
Child-proof locks
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If children are traveling in the vehicle, they
could: R
open doors, thus endangering other people
or road users R
exit the vehicle and be caught by oncoming
traffic R
operate vehicle equipment and become
trapped
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Always activate the child-proof locks and
override feature if children are traveling in the
vehicle. When leaving the vehicle, always take
the key with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unattended in the vehicle.
Override feature for: R
the rear doors ( Y
page 65)R
the rear side windows ( Y
page 65) G WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example: R
release the parking brake. R
shift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P .R
start the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
G WARNING
If persons, particularly children are subjected
to prolonged exposure to extreme heat or
cold, there is a risk of injury, possibly even
fatal. Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle.
G WARNING
If the child restraint system is subjected to
direct sunlight, parts may get very hot. Chil-
dren may burn themselves on these parts,
particularly on the metal parts of the child
restraint system. There is a risk of injury.
If you leave the vehicle, taking the child with
you, always ensure that the child restraint
system is not exposed to direct sunlight. Pro-
tect it with a blanket, for example. If the child
restraint system has been exposed to direct
sunlight, let it cool down before securing the
child in it. Never leave children unattended in
the vehicle.64
Children in the vehicle
Safety

Child-proof locks for the rear doors
You secure each door individually with the child-
proof locks on the rear doors. A door secured
with a child-proof lock cannot be opened from
inside the vehicle. When the vehicle is unlocked,
the door can be opened from the outside. X
To activate: press the child-proof lock lever
up in the direction of arrow C .X
Make sure that the child-proof locks are work-
ing properly. X
To deactivate: press the child-proof lock
lever down in the direction of arrow D .
Override feature for the rear side win-
dows
X
To activate/deactivate: press button D .
If indicator lamp C is lit, operation of the rear
side windows is disabled. Operation is only
possible using the switches in the driver's
door. If indicator lamp C is off, operation is
possible using the switches in the rear com-
partment. When the override feature is activated, the con-
trols in the rear compartment are disabled for: R
the rear side windows R
adjustment of the front-passenger seat from
the rear compartment R
the sunblinds: -
of the rear side windows -
of the rear window -
in the roof
Pets in the vehicle
G WARNING
If you leave animals unattended or unsecured
in the vehicle, they could press buttons or
switches, for example.
As a result, they could: R
activate vehicle equipment and become
trapped, for example R
activate or deactivate systems, thereby
endangering other road users
Unsecured animals could also be flung around
the vehicle in the event of an accident or sud-
den steering or braking, thereby injuring vehi-
cle occupants. There is a risk of an accident
and injury.
Never leave animals unattended in the vehi-
cle. Always secure animals properly during
the journey, e.g. use a suitable animal trans-
port box.
Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems: R
ABS ( A nti-lock B raking S ystem)
( Y
page 66) R
BAS ( B rake A ssist S ystem) ( Y
page 66)R
BAS PLUS ( B rake A ssist S ystem PLUS) with
Cross-Traffic Assist ( Y
page 67)R
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS
( Y
page 68)Driving safety systems 65
Safety Z

R
ESP ®
( E lectronic S tability P rogram)
( Y
page 71)R
EBD ( E lectronic B rake force D istribution)
( Y
page 73)R
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ( Y
page 73)R
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ( Y
page 73)R
STEER CONTROL ( Y
page 75)
Important safety notes If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you are
inattentive, the driving safety systems can nei-
ther reduce the risk of an accident nor override
the laws of physics. Driving safety systems are
merely aids designed to assist driving. You are
responsible for maintaining the distance to the
vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for braking in
good time, and for staying in lane. Always adapt
your driving style to suit the prevailing road and
weather conditions and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
The driving safety systems described only work
as effectively as possible when there is ade-
quate contact between the tires and the road
surface. Pay particular attention to the informa-
tion regarding tires, recommended minimum
tire tread depths etc. in the "Wheels and tires"
section ( Y
page 343).
In wintry driving conditions, always use winter
tires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snow chains.
Only in this way will the driving safety systems
described in this section work as effectively as
possible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way that
the wheels do not lock when you brake. This
allows you to continue steering the vehicle when
braking.
The % ABS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h), regardless of road-surface conditions.
ABS works on slippery surfaces, even when you
only brake gently. Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 66).
G WARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp ( Y
page 261) and dis-
play messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster ( Y
page 228).
Braking X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal vigorously until the braking sit-
uation is over. X
To make a full brake application: depress
the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel a
pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indication
of hazardous road conditions, and functions as a
reminder to take extra care while driving.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
General information BAS operates in emergency braking situations.
If you depress the brake pedal quickly, BAS
automatically boosts the braking force, thus
shortening the stopping distance.
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 66).66
Driving safet y system s
Sa fety

G WARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of an accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
Brakes X
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated.
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) with Cross-Traffic Assist
General information BAS PLUS can help you to minimize the risk of a
collision with a vehicle or a pedestrian and
reduce the effects of such a collision. If BAS
PLUS detects a danger of collision, you are
assisted when braking.
i Pay attention to the important safety notes
in the "Driving safety systems" section
( Y
page 66).
BAS PLUS is only available in vehicles with the
Driving Assistance Plus package.
For BAS PLUS to assist you when driving, the
radar sensor system and the camera system
must be operational.
With the help of a sensor system and a camera
system, BAS PLUS can detect obstacles: R
that are in the path of your vehicle for an
extended period of time R
that cross the path of your vehicle
In addition, pedestrians in the path of your vehi-
cle can be detected.
BAS PLUS detects pedestrians by using typical
characteristics such as the body contours and
posture of a person standing upright.
If the radar sensor system or the camera system
is malfunctioning, BAS PLUS functions are
restricted or no longer available. The brake sys-
tem is still available with complete brake boost-
ing effect and BAS. i Observe the restrictions described in the
"Important safety notes" section
( Y
page 67).
Important safety notes
G WARNING
BAS PLUS cannot always clearly identify
objects and complex traffic situations.
In such cases, BAS PLUS may: R
intervene unnecessarily R
not intervene
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake. Terminate the
intervention in a non-critical driving situation.
G WARNING
BAS PLUS cannot always clearly identify peo-
ple, this is especially the case if they are mov-
ing. BAS PLUS cannot intervene in these
cases. There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake.
G WARNING
BAS PLUS does not react: R
to small people, e.g. children R
to animals R
to oncoming vehicles R
when cornering
As a result, BAS PLUS may not intervene in all
critical situations. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake.
In the event of snowfall or heavy rain, the rec-
ognition can be impaired.
Recognition by the radar sensor system is also
impaired if: R
there is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors R
there is interference by other radar sources R
there are strong radar reflections, for exam-
ple in parking garagesDriving safety systems 67
Safety Z

R
a narrow vehicle is traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike R
a vehicle is traveling in front on a different line R
vehicles quickly move into the radar sensor
system detection range
Recognition by the camera system is also
impaired in the event of: R
dirt on the camera or if the camera is covered R
glare on the camera system, e.g. from the sun
being low in the sky R
darkness R
or if: -
pedestrians move quickly, e.g. into the path
of the vehicle -
the camera system no longer recognizes a
pedestrian as a person due to special cloth-
ing or other objects -
a pedestrian is concealed by other objects -
the typical outline of a person is not distin-
guishable from the background
Following damage to the front end of the vehicle,
have the configuration and operation of the
radar sensors checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. This also applies to collisions at slow
speeds where there is no visible damage to the
front of the vehicle.
Following damage to the windshield, have the
configuration and operation of the camera sys-
tem checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
Function To avoid a collision, BAS PLUS calculates the
brake force necessary if: R
you approach an obstacle, and R
BAS PLUS has detected a risk of collision
When driving at a speed
under20 mph(30 km/h) : if you depress the
brake pedal, BAS PLUS is activated. The
increase in brake pressure will be carried out at
the last possible moment.
When driving at a speed
above20 mph(30 km/h) : if you depress the
brake pedal sharply, BAS PLUS automatically
raises the brake pressure to a value adapted to
the traffic situation.
BAS PLUS provides braking assistance in haz-
ardous situations with vehicles in front within a
speed range between 4 mph (7 km/h) and
155 mph (25 0 km/ h) . At speeds of up to approximately 44 mph
(70 km/h), BAS PLUS can react to: R
stationary objects in the path of your vehicle,
e.g. stopped or parked vehicles R
pedestrians in the path of your vehicle R
obstacles crossing your path, which move in
the detection range of the sensors and are
recognized by them
i If BAS PLUS demands particularly high brak-
ing force, preventative passenger protection
measures (PRE-SAFE ®
) are activated simulta-
neously ( Y
page 57). X
Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
BAS P LUS is deactivated and the brakes func-
ti
on as usual, if: R
you release the brake pedal. R
there is no longer a risk of collision. R
no obstacle is detected in front of your vehi-
cle. R
you depress the accelerator pedal. R
you activate kickdown.
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
PLUS
General information COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS consists
of a distance warning function with an autono-
mous braking function and Adaptive Brake
Assist.
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS can help
you to minimize the risk of a front-end collision
with a vehicle ahead or reduce the effects of
such a collision.
If COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS
detects that there is a risk of a collision, you will
be warned visually and acoustically. If you do not
react to the visual and audible collision warning,
autonomous braking can be initiated in critical
situations. If you apply the brake yourself in a
critical situation, the COLLISION PREVENTION
ASSIST PLUS adaptive Brake Assist assists you.68
Driving safety systems
Safety

Important safety notes In particular, th e detection of obstacles can be
impaired if: R
there is dirt on th e sensor s or anythin g else
covering th e sensor sR
there is snow or heav y rainR
there is interferenc e by other radar source sR
there are stron g radar reflections, for exam-
ple in parking garages R
a narrow vehicl e is traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike R
a vehicl e is traveling in fron t on a differen t lin eR
th e vehicl e is ne w or after a servic e on th e
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU S sys-
te m
Observ e th e note s in th e section on breaking -
in ( Y
page 144).
Followin g damag e to th e fron t en d of th e vehicle,
have th e configuration and operation of th e
radar sensor checke d at a qualified specialist
workshop. This also applie s to collision s at slow
speeds wher e there is no visible damag e to th e
fron t of th e vehicle.
Activating/deactivating The COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU S is
automatically active after switching on th e igni-
tion .
You can activat e or deactivat e COLLISION PRE -
VENTION ASSIST PLU S in th e on-board com-
puter ( Y
page 222). When deactivated, th e dis-
tance warning function and th e autonomous
braking function are also deactivated.
If COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU S is
deactivated, th e

Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicated but non-critical driving conditions
may also cause the system to display a warning.
Autonomous braking function If the driver does not react to the distance warn-
ing signal in a critical situation, COLLISION PRE-
VENTION ASSIST PLUS can assist with the
autonomous braking function.
The autonomous braking function is available in
the following speed ranges: R
from 4 mph (7 km/h) to approx. 65 mph
(105 km/h) for moving objects R
from 4 mph (7 km/h) to approx. 31 mph
(50 km/h) for stationary objects
Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicated but non-critical driving conditions
may also cause the Autonomous Braking Func-
tion to intervene.
If the autonomous braking function requires a
particularly high braking force, preventative
passenger protection measures (PRE-SAFE ®
)
are activated simultaneously ( Y
page 57).
Adaptive Brake Assist
General information
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 66).
With the help of adaptive Brake Assist, the dis-
tance warning signal can detect obstacles that
are in the path of your vehicle for an extended
period of time.
If adaptive Brake Assist detects a risk of colli-
sion with the vehicle in front, it calculates the
braking force necessary to avoid a collision. If
you apply the brakes forcefully, adaptive Brake
Assist will automatically increase the braking
force to a level suitable for the traffic conditions.
Adaptive Brake Assist provides braking assis-
tance in hazardous situations at speeds above
4 mph (7 km/h). It uses radar sensor technology
to assess the traffic situation.
Up to a speed of approximately 155 mph
(250 km/h), Adaptive Brake Assist is capable of
reacting to moving objects that have already
been detected as such at least once over the
period of observation.
Up to a speed of approximately 44 mph
(70 km/h), Adaptive Brake Assist reacts to sta-
tionary obstacles. If adaptive Brake Assist demands particularly
high braking force, preventative passenger pro-
tection measures (PRE-SAFE ®
) are activated
simultaneou sly ( Y
page 57). X
Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will work normally again if: R
you release the brake pedal. R
there is no longer any danger of a collision. R
no obstacle is detected in front of your vehi-
cle.
Adaptive Brake Assist is then deactivated.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist cannot always clearly
identify objects and complex traffic situa-
tions.
In such cases, Adaptive Brake Assist can: R
intervene unnecessarily R
not intervene
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake. Terminate the
intervention in a non-critical driving situation.
G WARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist does not react: R
to people or animals R
to oncoming vehicles R
to crossing traffic R
when cornering
As a result, the Adaptive Brake Assist may not
intervene in all critical conditions. There is a
risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake.
Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicated but non-critical driving conditions
may also cause Brake Assist to intervene.
If adaptive Brake Assist is not available due to a
malfunction in the radar sensor system, the
brake system remains available with full brake
boosting effect and BAS.70
Driving safet y system s
Sa fety