2017 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS light

R
sections of the route have a very small radius
of curvature R
if you 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
G WARNING
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. X
Start the engine.
If indicator lamp D is not lit:X
Press button C .
Indicator lamp D lights up. The vehicle is
raised by 1.0 in (25 mm) compared to the
normal level.
The Vehicle
Rising message appears in the
multifunction display.
i The 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: R
drive at a speed over approximately 75 mph
(120 km/h) R
drive for approximately three minutes at a
speed above 50 mph (80 km/h)
Setting the normal vehicle level X
Start the engine.
If indicator lamp D is lit:X
Press button C .
Indicator lamp D 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: R
your driving style, e.g. sporty R
the road surface condition, e.g. bumps R
your individual selection, i.e. sports or com-
fort
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
i You can choose between the sporty and
comfortable mode. One of the two modes is
always active.182
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Sports tuning
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
SPORT mode ensures the best possible contact
with the road. Select this mode when employing
a sporty driving style, e.g. on winding country
roads.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: X
If indicator lamp D is not lit: press but-
ton C .
Indicator lamp D lights up. If the driving
speed is higher than 75 mph (120 km/h), the
vehicle is automatically lowered by another
0.4 in (10 mm) compared to the normal level
in sport mode.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
All other models: X
If indicator lamp D is not lit: press but-
ton C .
Indicator lamp D lights up. Sports suspen-
sion tuning is selected. The vehicle is lowered
by 0.4 in (10 mm) compared to the normal
level.
The AIRMATIC
SPORT message appears in the
multifunction display.
Comfort tuning In comfort mode, the driving characteristics of
your vehicle are more comfortable. Therefore,
select this mode if you favor a more comfortable
driving style. Select comfort mode also when
driving fast on straight roads, e.g. on straight
stretches of highway. X
If indicator lamp D is not lit: press but-
ton C .
Indicator lamp D lights up. Comfort tuning is
selected.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the AMG Suspen‐
sion System COMFORT message appears in
the multifunction display.
All other models: the AIRMATIC COMFORT
message appears on the multifunction dis-
play.
If the driving speed is higher than 75 mph
(120 km/h), the vehicle is automatically low-
ered by another 0.4 in (10 mm) compared to the
normal level in comfort mode.
Load compensation The vehicle can compensate differences in the
vehicle level by raising or lowering the axles.
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive) 4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are perma-
nently driven. Together with ESP ®
, it improves
the traction of your vehicle whenever a drive
wheel spins due to insufficient grip.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor override
the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot take
account of road, weather and traffic conditions.
4MATIC is only an aid. You are responsible for
the distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle
speed, for braking in good time and for staying in
your lane.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip: R
Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away. R
Accelerate less when driving.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle raised.
This may damage the transfer case. Damage
of this sort is not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty. All wheels must
remain either on the ground or be fully raised.
Observe the instructions for towing the vehi-Driving systems 183
Driving and parking Z

the sensors regularly, taking care not to scratch
or damage them ( Y
page 323).
Minimum distance
Center Approx. 8 in (approx. 20 cm)
Corners Approx. 6 in (approx. 15 cm)
If there is an obstacle within this range, the rel-
evant warning displays light up and a warning
tone sounds. If the distance falls below the min-
imum, the distance may no longer be shown.
Warning displays
C
Segments on the left-hand side of the vehi-
cleD
Segments on the right-hand side of the vehi-
cle

Problems with PARKTRONIC Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Only the red segments in
the PARKTRONIC warn-
ing displays are lit. You
also hear a warning tone
for approximately two
seconds.
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated and the indi-
cator lamp on the
PARKTRONIC button
lights up. PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off. X
If problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Only the red segments in
the PARKTRONIC warn-
ing displays are lit.
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated. The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference. X
Clean the PARKTRONIC sensors ( Y
page 323).X
Switch the ignition back on.
The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or ultra-
sound waves. X
See if PARKTRONIC functions in a different location.
Active Parking Assist
General notes Active Parking Assist is an electronic parking aid
with ultrasound. It measures the road on both
sides of the vehicle. A parking symbol indicates
a suitable parking space. Active steering inter-
vention and brake application can assist you
during parking and when exiting a parking
space. You may also use PARKTRONIC
( Y
page 184).
Important safety notes Active Parking Assist is merely an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your immedi-
ate surroundings. You are always responsible
for safe maneuvering, parking and exiting a
parking space. Make sure that no persons, ani-
mals or objects are in the maneuvering range.
When PARKTRONIC is switched off, Active Park-
ing Assist is also unavailable.
For vehicles with the trailer tow hitch folded out,
the minimum length for parking spaces is
slightly longer.
If you have attached a trailer to your vehicle, you
should not use Active Parking Assist. Once the
electrical connection is established between your vehicle and the trailer, Active Parking
Assist is no longer available. PARKTRONIC is
deactivated for the rear area.
G WARNING
While parking or pulling out of a parking
space, the vehicle swings out and can drive
onto areas of the oncoming lane. This could
result in a collision with another road user.
There is a risk of an accident.
Pay attention to other road users. Stop the
vehicle if necessary or cancel the Active Park-
ing Assist parking procedure.
! If unavoidable, you should drive over obsta-
cles such as curbs slowly and not at a sharp
angle. Otherwise, you may damage the
wheels or tires.
Active Parking Assist may possibly indicate
parking spaces which are not suitable for park-
ing, for example: R
where parking or stopping is prohibited R
in front of driveways or entrances and exits R
on unsuitable surfaces186
Driving systems
Driving and parking

make sure that there are no persons, animals or
objects in the area in which you are maneuver-
ing.
You are always responsible for safety, and must
always pay attention to your surroundings when
parking and maneuvering. This applies to the
areas behind, in front of and beside the vehicle.
You could otherwise endanger yourself and oth-
ers.
The 360° camera will not function or will func-
tion in a limited manner: R
if the doors are open R
if the exterior mirrors are folded in R
if the trunk lid is open R
in heavy rain, snow or fog R
at night or in very dark places R
if the cameras are exposed to very bright light R
if the area is lit by fluorescent bulbs or LED
lighting (the display may flicker) R
if the camera lenses fog up, e.g. when driving
into a heated garage in winter, causing a rapid
change in temperature R
if the camera lenses are dirty or covered.
Observe the notes on cleaning
( Y
page 323) R
if the vehicle components in which the cam-
eras are installed are damaged. In this event,
have the camera position and setting checked
at a qualified specialist workshop
Do not use the 360° camera in this case. You
can otherwise injure others or cause damage to
objects or the vehicle.
The guide lines on the multimedia system show
the distances to your vehicle. The distances only
apply to road level.
The cameras in the front and in the rear area are
each protected by a flap. These flaps are opened
when the 360° camera is activated. Observe the
notes on cleaning ( Y
page 323). For technical
reasons, the flaps may remain open briefly after
the 360° camera has been deactivated.
The field of vision and other functions of the
camera system may be restricted due to addi-
tional attachments (e.g. license plate holder,
rear bicycle carrier).
On vehicl es w ith height-adjustable chassis,
dependi
ng on technical conditions, leaving the
standard height can result in: R
inaccuracies in the guide lines R
inaccuracies in the display of generated
images (top view) Activation conditions The image from the 360° camera appears if: R
the multimedia system is switched on R
the 360° Camera function is switched on
If the 360° camera is activated at speeds above
approximately 19 mph (30 km/h), a warning
message appears.
The warning message disappears if: R
the vehicle's speed falls below approximately
19 mph (30 km/h). The 360° camera is then
activated. R
the message is confirmed with the 8 but-
ton.
Switching the 360° camera on/off with
the button
X
To switch on: press button C .
Depending on whether position D or R is
engaged, the following is shown: R
full screen display with the image from the
front camera R
full screen display with the image from the
rear view camera X
To switch off: press button C again.
Switching on the 360° camera and mul-
timedia system X
Press the

and any obstacles in good time. When pedes-
trian recognition is active, pedestrians recog-
nized by the system are visually highlighted in
color in the Night View Assist Plus display with
small frame corners.
In addition, an infrared camera is integrated into
radiator trim C . The camera helps detect
pedestrians and animals. Observe the notes on
cleaning the infrared camera ( Y
page 324).
i Infrared light is not visible to the human eye
and therefore does not glare. Night View
Assist Plus can therefore remain switched on
even if there is oncoming traffic.
Important safety notes Night View Assist Plus is only an aid and is not a
substitute for attentive driving. Do not rely on
the Night View Assist Plus display. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed and for braking in good
time. Drive carefully and always adapt your driv-
ing style to suit the prevailing road and traffic
conditions.
The system may be impaired or may not function
if: R
there is poor visibility, e.g. due to snow, rain,
fog or spray R
the windshield is dirty, fogged up or covered,
for instance by a sticker, in the vicinity of the
camera R
the infrared camera in the radiator trim is
dirty, fogged up or obscured R
on bends, hilltops or downhill gradients R
at high outside temperatures
Night View Assist Plus cannot display objects
directly in front of or beside the vehicle.
It is possible that, in addition to people and ani-
mals, other objects are also marked or highligh-
ted .
Pedestrian and animal recognition
General notes
Pedestrian or animal recognition may be
impaired or inoperative if: R
pedestrians or animals are partially or entirely
obscured by other objects, e.g. parked vehi-
cles R
the silhouette of the pedestrian or of the ani-
mal in the Night View Assist Plus display is incomplete or interrupted, e.g. by powerful
light reflections R
pedestrians or animals do not contrast with
the surroundings R
the camera system no longer recognizes
pedestrians as persons due to special cloth-
ing or other objects R
pedestrians are not in an upright position, e.g.
sitting, squatting or lying R
animals are not recognized by the system,
e.g. because of their size or shape
Pedestrian and animal recognition is deactiva-
ted at temperatures above 90 ‡ (32 †). The
spotlight function and automatic delayed
switch-off are then no longer active.
Pedestrian recognition
C
Night View Assist Plus display D
Readiness symbol for active pedestrian rec-
ognition

objects and pedestrians cannot be gaged accu-
rately by looking at a screen.
Animal recognition Animals can be recognized in the following sit-
uations: R
darkness R
outside built-up areas R
below an ambient temperature of 90 ‡
(32 †).
Night View Assist Plus can recognize larger ani-
mals such as deer, cows or horses using typical
characteristics.
The system does not detect: R
smaller animals, e.g. dogs and cats R
animals whose silhouette is not clearly rec-
ognizable
When detected, animals are marked with small
color frame corners. In contrast to pedestrian
recognition, there is no separate readiness sym-
bol in the multifunction display.
Activating/deactivating Night View
Assist Plus
Activation conditions You can only activate Night View Assist Plus if all
of the following conditions are met: R
the ignition is switched on ( Y
page 145) or the
engine has been started. R
the light switch is in the X or X posi-
tion. R
reverse gear has not been engaged.
Activating/deactivating X
Press button C .
If Night View Assist Plus is activated, the
Night View Assist Plus display is shown in the
multifunction display.
The infrared headlamps only switch on in the
dark from speeds of approximately 6 mph
(10 km/ h) . This means that you do not have the
full visual range while the vehicle is stationary
and cannot check whether Night View Assist
Plus is working. The infrared headlamps are
deactivated at speeds below 3 mph (5 km/h).
The Night View image continues to be displayed
until you deactivate it by pressing button C .
Automatic activation You can select the Night View Assist Auto‐
matic Activation option via the Night View
Assist menu. The pedestrian and animal search
function remains active even when the Night
View image is not displayed. In the dark, in unlit
surroundings and at speeds of more than
60 km/h, the Night View image is automatically
displayed in the multifunction display as soon as
pedestrians or animals are detected. X
In the assistance menu, select automatic acti-
vation of Night View Assist Plus
( Y
page 222).
Spotlight function
General notes Under certain conditions, the spotlight function
uses the headlamps to flash at detected pedes-
trians.
The spotlight function is only active if: R
pedestrian recognition is active R
the road surface is not lit R
the driving speed is at least 40 mph
(60 km/h) R
the "Adaptive Highbeam Assist PLUS" func-
tion is activated ( Y
page 127).
The spotlight function is not active or is active
only to a limited extent if: R
you are driving in city traffic R
there are pedestrians located in the area of an
oncoming vehicle or a vehicle in front
Activating the spotlight function
The pedestrian detection with spotlight function
is running the background. If the prerequisites
are met, the spotlight function uses the head-202
Driving systems
Driving and parking

lamps to flash four short pulses at a pedestrian
detected on or near to the road. X
In the light menu, select the spotlight function
of Night View Assist Plus ( Y
page 225).
The spotlight function does not flash at animals.
Display in the assistance graphic X
To display the assistance graphic: select
the Assistance Graphic menu using the on-
board computer ( Y
page 221).
Pedestrian symbol C in the assistance
graphic indicates the status of the spotlight
function. If the symbol is displayed not filled
in, the function is switched on. If the symbol is
displayed filled in, the conditions for the spot-
light function are met.
Problems with Night View Assist Plus Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The picture quality of
Night View Assist Plus
has deteriorated. The windshield is fogged up on the inside. X
Fold down camera cover ( Y
page 324).X
Defrost the windshield ( Y
page 139).
The windshield is iced up. X
De-ice the windshield ( Y
page 139).
The windshield wipers are smearing the windshield. X
Replace the wiper blades ( Y
page 129).
The windshield is smeared after the vehicle has been cleaned in a car
wash. X
Clean the windshield ( Y
page 322).
There is windshield chip damage in the camera's field of vision. X
Replace the windshield.
The pedestrian and ani-
mal recognition is not
available. the infrared camera in the radiator trim is dirty X
Use a soft cloth and water to clean the infrared camera. Driving systems 203
Driving and parking Z