2017 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS traction control

1, 2, 3 ...4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic Trac-
tion System)
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 183
12 V socket
see Sockets
115 V socket ...................................... 297
360° camera
Cleaning ........................................ .3 23
Function/notes ............................ .1 94
AABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Display message ............................ 228
Function/notes ................................ 66
Warning lamp ................................. 261
Accident
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 58
Activating media mode
General notes ................................ 278
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 135
Activating/deactivating Night
View Assist Plus
With spotlight function ................... 202
Active Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 223
Display message ............................ 247
Function/information .................... 204
Active Body Control (ABC)
Display message ............................ 246
Function/notes ............................. 180
Active Lane Keeping Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 223
Display message ............................ 246
Function/information .................... 206
Active multicontour seat .................. 112
Active Parking Assist
Detecting parking spaces .............. 187
Display message ............................ 247
Exiting a parking space .................. 189 Function/notes ............................. 186
Important safety notes .................. 186
Parking .......................................... 188
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 73
Adaptive Brake Assist
Function/notes ................................ 70
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) ..... 182
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus
Display message ............................ 241
Function/notes ............................. 126
Switching on/off ........................... 127
Additional speedometer ................... 225
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 374
Address book
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 269
Adjusting the volume
Multimedia system ........................ 270
Air bags
Belt bags .......................................... 46
Cushion air bags .............................. 50
Deployment ..................................... 55
Display message ............................ 239
Front air b ag (driver, front
p assenger) ....................................... 49
Important safety notes .................... 48
Introduction ..................................... 48
Knee bag .......................................... 49
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) ............................................... 51
PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator
lamps ............................................... 43
Side impact air bag .......................... 50
Window curtain air bag .................... 50
Air vents
Glove box ....................................... 143
Important safety notes .................. 143
Rear ............................................... 143
Setting ........................................... 143
Setting the center air vents ........... 143
Setting the side air vents ............... 143
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
AIRMATIC
Display message ............................ 245
Function/notes ............................. 182
Alarm
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) ......... 764
Index

Traction (definition) ....................... 362
Tread wear .................................... .3 56
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 356
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) .................... 360
Wear indicator (definition) ............. 362
Wheel and tire combination ........... 367
Wheel rim (definition) .................... 361
see Flat tire
Top Tether ............................................ 62
Touchpad
Changing the station/music
track .............................................. 272
Character suggestions ................... 271
Deleting characters ....................... 272
Entering a space ............................ 272
Entering characters ....................... 271
Gesture control .............................. 271
Handwriting recognition ................ 272
Operating the touchpad ................. 271
Overview ........................................ 271
Quick access for Audio .................. 272
Quick access for telephone ........... 272
Switching ....................................... 271
Switching input line ....................... 272
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............ 340
Important safety notes .................. 338
Towing a trailer
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 72
Towing away
Important safety guidelines ........... 338
Installing the towing eye ................ 339
Notes for 4MATIC vehicles ............ 340
Removing the towing eye .............. .3 39
Transporting the vehicle ................ 340
With both axles on the ground ....... 339
Towing eye ......................................... 327
Traffic reports
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual ................................................. .2 69
Traffic Sign Assist
Activating ....................................... 200
Display message ............................ 249
Function/notes ............................ .1 99
Important safety notes .................. 200 Instrument cluster display ............. 200
Sw i
tching on/off ........................... 222
Transfer case ..................................... 159
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transporting the vehicle .................. 340
Trim pieces (cleaning instruc-
tions) ................................................. .3 25
Trip computer (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .2 15
Trip odometer
Calling up ....................................... 214
Resetting (on-board computer) ...... 215
Trunk
Emergency release .......................... 90
Emergency release button .............. .9 0
Important safety notes .................... 85
Locking separately ........................... 89
Opening/closing (automatically
from inside) ...................................... 89
Opening/closing (automatically
from outside) ................................... 86
Opening/closing (from outside,
HANDS-FREE ACCESS) .................... 87
Opening/closing (manually from
outside) ............................................ 86
Power closing .................................. 84
Trunk lid
Display message ............................ 255
Obstacle recognition ........................ 85
Opening dimensions ...................... 376
Opening/closing .............................. 85
Trunk load (maximum) ...................... 376
Turn signals
Display message ............................ 241
Switching on/off ........................... 125
Two-way radio
Frequencies ................................... 369
Installation ..................................... 369
Transmission output (maximum) .... 369
Windshield (infrared reflective) ...... 311
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
U
Unlocking
Emergency unlocking ....................... 8422
Index

ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 66).
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction, i.e.
power transmission between the tires and the
road surface.
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating from
the direction desired by the driver, one or more
wheels are braked to stabilize the vehicle. The
engine output is also modified to keep the vehi-
cle on the desired course within physical limits.
ESP ®
assists the driver when pulling away on
wet or slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize
the vehicle during braking.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 66).
ETS traction control is part of ESP ®
. On vehicles
with 4MATIC, 4ETS is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. In addition, more drive torque is transfer-
red to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further driv-
ing safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
If the

G DANGER
If th e exhaust pipe is blocke d or adequate
ventilation is no t possible, poisonous gase s
suc h as carbon monoxide (CO) may ente r th e
vehicle. This is th e case, e.g. if th e vehicl e
become s trapped in snow. There is a ris k of
fatal injury.
If you leav e th e engin e or th e auxiliary heating
running, mak e sur e th e exhaust pipe and area
around th e vehicl e are clear of snow. To
ensur e an adequate supply of fresh air, open a
window on th e side of th e vehicl e that is no t
facing int o th e wind.
Hav e your vehicl e winter-proofe d at a qualified
specialist workshop at th e onset of winter.
Drive particularly carefully on slipper y roa d sur -
faces. Avoid sudden acceleration , steering and
braking maneuvers . Do no t use th e cruise con-
trol or DISTRONI C PLUS.
If th e vehicl e threaten s to skid or canno t be
stoppe d when moving at low speed:X
Shift th e transmission to position N .
The outside temperature indicator is no t
designed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefor e unsuitable for that purpose .
Changes in th e outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Indicate d temperatures jus t abov e th e freezing
poin t do no t guarantee that th e roa d surfac e is
free of ice . The roa d may s till be icy, especially in
w ooded area s or on bridges .
You should pay special attention to roa d condi-
tion s when temperatures are around freezing
point.
Fo r mor e information on drivin g wit h snow
chains, see ( Y
page 345).
Fo r mor e information on drivin g wit h summer
tires , see ( Y
page 345).
Observ e th e note s in th e "Winte r operation " sec -
tion ( Y
page 345).
Driving systems
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive
Mercedes-Ben z Intelligent Drive stand s for inno-
vative driver assistanc e and safet y systems
whic h enhance comfort and support th e driver in critical situations. Wit h these intelligen t co-ordi -
nated systems Mercedes-Ben z has set a mile -
ston e on th e pat h toward s autonomous driving.
Mercedes-Ben z Intelligent Drive embraces all
elements of active and passive safet y in on e well
though t out system – for th e safet y of th e vehi-
cle occupant s and that of other roa d users.
Further information on drivin g safet y systems
( Y
page 65).
Cruise cont rol
Gene ra l notesCruis e control maintains a constan t roa d speed
for you. It brakes automatically in order to avoid
exceedin g th e set speed. Change int o a lower
gear in goo d time on lon g and steep downhill
gradients . This is especially important if th e
vehicl e is laden . By doin g so, you will mak e use
of th e braking effec t of th e engine. This relieves
th e load on th e brak e system and prevents th e
brakes from overheating and wearing to o
quickly.
You can use cruise control if you wan t to drive at
a steady speed for a prolonged period of time.
You can store any roa d speed abov e 20 mph
(30 km/h).
Import ant safety notesIf you fail to adapt your drivin g style, cruise con-
trol can neither reduce th e ris k of an acciden t
no r override th e laws of physics . Cruis e control
canno t tak e int o accoun t th e road, traffic and
weather conditions. Cruis e control is only an
aid. You are responsibl e for maintainin g a saf e
distanc e to th e vehicl e in front, for vehicl e
speed, for braking in goo d time and for stayin g in
lane.
Do no t use cruise control :R
in roa d and traffic condition s whic h do no t
allow you to maintai n a constan t speed, e.g. in
heav y traffic or on windin g roadsR
on slipper y roa d surfaces. Braking or accel-
erating could caus e th e drive wheels to lose
traction and th e vehicl e could then skidR
when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog ,
heav y rain or snow
If there is a chang e of drivers, advise th e ne w
driver of th e speed stored.Driving systems 169
Driving and parking Z

Continue to driv e carefully and be ready to
brake, in particular when warned to do so by
DI ST RONIC PLU S.
G WAR NING
DI ST RONIC PLUS brakes your veh icle wit h up
to 50 %o f the maximum possible deceleration.
If this braking force is insufficient, DISTRONIC
PLUS warns you visually and audibly. There is
a risk of an accident.
In such cases, apply the brakes yourself and
try to take evasive action.
! When DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD func-
tion is activated, the vehicle brakes automat-
ically in certain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or similar situations: R
when towing the vehicle R
in the car wash
DISTRONIC PLUS can neither reduce the risk of
an accident if you fail to adapt your driving style
nor override the laws of physics. DISTRONIC
PLUS cannot take account of road, weather and
traffic conditions. DISTRONIC PLUS is only an
aid. You are responsible for maintaining a safe
distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle
speed, for braking in good time and for staying in
lane.
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS: R
in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed, e.g. in
heavy traffic or on winding roads R
on slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid R
when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow vehi-
cles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or vehi-
cles driving on a different line.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can be
impaired if: R
there is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors R
there is snow or heavy rain R
there is interference by other radar sources R
there are strong radar reflections, for exam-
ple, in parking garages
If DISTR ONIC PLUS no longer detects a vehicle
in front, DISTRONIC PLUS may unexpectedly
accelerate the vehicle to the stored speed.
This speed may: R
be too high if you are driving in a filter lane or
an exit lane R
be so high in the right lane that you pass vehi-
cles driving on the left (left-hand drive coun-
tries) R
be so high in the left lane that you pass vehi-
cles driving on the right (right-hand drive
countries)
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
Cruise control lever
C
Activates or increases speed D
Activates or reduces speed

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Check Tires The tire pressur e in on e or mor e tires has dropped significantly. The
whee l position is shown in th e multifunction display.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNIN G
Tir e pressures that are to o low pos e th e followin g hazards :R
they may burst, especially as th e load and vehicl e speed increase.R
they may wear excessivel y and/o r unevenly, whic h may greatl y
impair tire traction .R
th e drivin g characteristics , as well as steering and braking , may be
greatl y impaired.
There is a ris k of an accident.X
Stop th e vehicl e without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers . Pay attention to th e traffic condition s as you do so.X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 162).X
Chec k th e tires and , if necessary, follow th e instruction s for a flat
tire ( Y
page 327). X
Chec k th e tire pressur e ( Y
page 349).X
If necessary, correc t th e tire pressure.
Warnin g Tir e Mal ‐
function The tire pressur e in on e or mor e tires has dropped suddenly. The whee l
position is shown in th e multifunction display.
G WARNIN G
Drivin g wit h a flat tire poses a ris k of th e followin g hazards :R
a flat tire affects th e abilit y to steer or brak e th e vehicle.R
you could lose control of th e vehicle.R
continued drivin g wit h a flat tire will caus e excessive heat build-up
and possibl y a fire.
There is a ris k of an accident.X
Stop th e vehicl e without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers . Pay attention to th e traffic condition s as you do so.X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 162).X
Chec k th e tires and , if necessary, follow th e instruction s for a flat
tire ( Y
page 327).
Tir e Press. Monito r
Currently Unavaila‐
ble Becaus e there is interferenc e from a stron g source of radi o waves, no
signals from th e tire pressur e sensor s are detected. The tire pressur e
monitor is temporarily malfunctioning .X
Drive on .
The tire pressur e monitor restarts automatically as soo n as th e
problem has been resolved.
TirePress . Sen ‐
sor(s) Missin g There is no signal from th e tire pressur e sensor of on e or several
wheels. The pressur e of th e affecte d tire is no t displayed in th e mul-
tifunction display. X
Hav e th e fault y tire pressur e sensor replace d at a qualified special -
ist workshop . Display messages 25 3
On-board computer and displays Z

system or with an active tire pressure monitor
and on wheels specifically tested by Mercedes-
Benz.
Notes on driving with MOExtended tires with a
flat tire ( Y
page 328).
Vehicles equipped with MOExtended tires are
not equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the factory. It
is therefore recommended that you additionally
equip your vehicle with a TIREFIT kit if you mount
tires that do not feature run-flat properties, e.g.
winter tires. A TIREFIT kit can be obtained from
a qualified specialist workshop.
Winter operation
General notes Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Observe the notes in the "Changing a wheel"
section ( Y
page 362).
Driving with summer tires At temperatures below 45 ‡ (+7 †), summer
tires lose elasticity and therefore traction and
braking power. Change the tires on your vehicle
to M+S tires. Using summer tires at very cold
temperatures could cause cracks to form,
thereby damaging the tires permanently.
Mercedes-Benz cannot accept responsibility for
this type of damage.
G WARNING
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation pres-
sure loss. As a result, you could lose control of
your vehicle. There is a risk of accident.
Check the tires regularly for signs of damage
and replace any damaged tires immediately.
M+S tires
G WARNING
M+S tires with a tire tread depth of less than

R
Local regulations may restrict the use of snow
chains. Observe the appropriate regulations if
you wish to mount snow chains. R
Do not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 31 mph (50 km/h). R
On vehicles with AIRMATIC ( Y
page 182) or
Magic Body Control (MBC) ( Y
page 180), you
must drive at raised vehicle level if snow
chains have been mounted. R
If snow chains have been mounted, you must
not use Active Parking Assist ( Y
page 186).
You may wish to deactivate ESP ®
( Y
page 71)
when pulling away with snow chains mounted.
You can thereby allow the wheels to spin in a
controlled manner, achieving an increased driv-
ing force (cutting action).
Tire pressure
Tire pressure specifications
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Underinflated or overinflated tires pose the
following risks: R
the tires may burst, especially as the load
and vehicle speed increase. R
the tires may wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which may greatly impair tire
traction. R
the driving characteristics, as well as steer-
ing and braking, may be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures
and check the pressure of all the tires includ-
ing the spare wheel: R
monthly, at least R
if the load changes R
before beginning a long journey R
under different operating conditions, e.g.
off-road driving
If necessary, correct the tire pressure.
The data on the Tire and Loading Information
placard and tire pressure table shown here are
examples. Tire pressure specifications are vehi- cle-specific and may deviate from the data
shown here. The tire pressure specifications
that are valid for your vehicle can be found on
the Tire and Loading Information placard and
tire pressure table on the vehicle.
General notes The recommended tire pressures for the tires
mounted at the factory can be found on the
labels described here.
Further information on tire pressures can be
obtained at a qualified specialist workshop.
Tire and Loading Information placard
C
Recommended tire pressures
The Tire and Loading Information placard is on
the B-pillar on the driver's side ( Y
page 353).
The Tire and Loading Information placard con-
tains the recommended tire pressures for cold
tires. The recommended tire pressures are valid
for the maximum permissible load and up to the
maximum permissible vehicle speed.
Tire pressure table The tire pressure table is on the inside of the fuel
filler flap. It shows the tire pressure for all tires
permitted at the factory for this vehicle; see
illustration (example).346
Tire pressure
Wheels and tires