warning MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS 2007 Owner's Guide

72 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsESP
®
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP
®) is
operational as soon as the engine is run-
ning and monitors the vehicle’s traction
(force of adhesive friction between the
tires and the road surface) and handling.
The ESP
® recognizes when a wheel is spin-
ning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By ap-
plying brakes to the appropriate wheel and
by limiting the engine output, the ESP
® works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP
® is
especially useful while driving off and on
wet or slippery road surfaces. The ESP®
also stabilizes the vehicle during braking
maneuvers.
The ESP
® warning lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster flashes when the ESP
® is en-
gaged.
The ESP
® warning lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster comes on when you switch on
the ignition (
page 315). It goes out when
the engine is running.
Warning!
G
When the EBP is malfunctioning, the ABS,
BAS, BAS Plus*, ESP
® and ETS are also
switched off.
If the EBP is malfunctioning, the brake sys-
tem will still function with full brake boost.
However, the rear wheels could lock up dur-
ing emergency braking situations, for exam-
ple. You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident. Adapt your driving style
to the changed driving characteristics.
Warning!
G
Never switch off the ESP
® when you see the
ESP
® warning lamp v flashing in the in-
strument cluster. In this case proceed as fol-
lows:


While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.


While driving ease up on the accelera-
tor.


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP
® cannot prevent accidents result-
ing from excessive speed.
Warning!
G
The ESP
® cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
®
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ESP
® equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.
i
DISTRONIC Plus* is switched off when the
ESP® engages.

73 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
section (
page 549) and (
page 582).
ETS
The Electronic Traction System is a compo-
nent of ESP
®.
The Electronic Traction System (ETS) im-
proves the vehicle’s ability to utilize avail-
able traction, especially under slippery road conditions. The brakes are applied to
the spinning wheel and power is trans-
ferred to the wheel(s) with traction.
The ESP
® warning lampvin the instru-
ment cluster starts to flash at any vehicle
speed, as soon as a tire loses traction and
the wheel begins to spin.
When you switch off the ESP
®, the ETS is
still enabled.Switching off the ESP
®
To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn off
the ESP
® in driving situations where it
would be advantageous to have the drive
wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for
better grip such as:


when driving with snow chains


in deep snow


in sand or gravel
i
The ESP
® will only function properly if you
use wheels of the recommended tire size
(
page 655).
!
Because of the ESP’s
® automatic operation,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 or1 or
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button* in position0
or1) when


the parking brake is being tested on a brake
test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front/rear axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
® may oth-
erwise seriously damage the brake system.
Warning!
G
If you are driving too fast, the Electronic
Traction System cannot reduce the risk of
an accident.
The ETS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle.i
If the yellow ESP
® warning lampv
comes on while driving, the ETS is being
switched off temporarily to prevent overheating
of the drive wheel brakes. In addition, the mes-
sage “ESP Currently unavailable See Oper. Man-
ual” appears in the multifunction display.
Warning!
G
The ESP
® should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
!
Turn the ESP
® on immediately if the afore-
mentioned circumstances do not apply anymore.
i
DISTRONIC Plus* cannot be activated when
the ESP
® has been switched off.

74 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsWhen you switch off the ESP
®


the ESP
® does not stabilize the vehicle


the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and
thus cut into surfaces for better grip


the traction control will still brake a
spinning wheel


the ESP
® continues to operate when
you are braking
1ESP
® off/on

Press ESP
® switch1 until the ESP
®
warning lampv in the speedometer
comes on.
The ESP
® is switched off.Switching on the ESP
®

Press ESP
® switch1.
The ESP
® warning lampv in the in-
strument cluster goes out.
You are now again in normal driving
mode with the ESP
® switched on.
i
When the ESP
® is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ESP
® warn-
ing lamp
v
in the instrument cluster flashes.
However, the ESP
® will then not stabilize the ve-
hicle.
Warning!
G
When the ESP
® warning lampv is illumi-
nated continuously, the ESP
® is switched
off.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP
®.
!
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an ex-
tended period with the ESP
® switched off. This
may cause serious damage to the drivetrain
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.

78 Control systemsCOMAND operating safetyWarning!
G
Any alteration of electronic components or
software can cause malfunctions.
Radio, satellite radio* (USA only), amplifier,
CD changer, navigation module, telephone
and voice control systems* are intercon-
nected. Therefore, if one of the components
is not operational, or has not been re-
moved/ replaced properly, the function of
other components could be impaired.
Such conditions might seriously impair the
operating safety of your vehicle.
We recommend to have any service work on
electronic components carried out by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
In order to avoid distraction which could
lead to an accident, the driver should enter
system settings while the vehicle is at a
standstill, and operate the system only
when permitted by road, weather and traffic
conditions.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/ h), your car covers a
distance of 44 feet (approximately 14 m) ev-
ery second.
COMAND supplies you with information to
help you select your route more easily and
guide you conveniently and safely to your-
destination. For safety reasons, we encour-
age the driver to stop the vehicle in a safe
place before answering or placing a call, or
consulting the COMAND screen to read nav-
igational maps, instructions, or downloaded
information.
Warning!
G
While the navigation system provides direc-
tional assistance, the driver must remain fo-
cused on safe driving behavior, especially
attention to traffic and street signs, and
should utilize the system’s audio cues while
driving.
The navigation system does not supply any
information on stop signs, yield signs, traffic
regulations or traffic safety rules. Their ob-
servance always remains in the driver’s per-
sonal responsibility. DVD maps do not cover
all areas nor all routes within an area.

104 Control systemsCOMAND audio CD/audio DVD/MP3Safety precautions
Notes about MP3 mode
Permissible media for MP3 files

CD-R and CD-RW


DVD+R and DVD+RW


DVD-R and DVD-RW


PCMCIA card (
page 108)Permissible file systems


ISO9660 / Joliet for CDs


UDF for DVDs


FAT16 or FAT32 for PCMCIA cards with
storage medium
Multisession CDs
For multisession CDs, the first session
type of the CD determines how COMAND
will process the CD.
For example, if the first session type is ac-
cording to the audio CD standard and the
second session type is according to the
data CD standard containing MP3 tracks,
COMAND will treat the CD as a conven-
tional audio CD. This means that it is only
possible to access the audio CD tracks.
Access to the MP3 tracks is not possible.
Similarly, if the first session type is accord-
ing to the data CD standard containing
MP3 tracks and the second session type is
according to the audio CD standard, CO-
MAND will treat the CD as a data CD. This
Warning!
G
COMAND is classified as a Class 1 laser
product. You must not open the casing.
There is a risk of exposure to invisible laser
radiation if you open the casing, or if the
casing is faulty or damaged.
COMAND does not contain any parts that
you are able to maintain yourself. For safety
reasons, all maintenance work must be car-
ried out by qualified technicians.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.
Warning!
G
Only carry out the following when the vehi-
cle is stationary:

Inserting a disc


Ejecting a disc
There is a risk of accident by being distract-
ed from road and traffic conditions if you
load a CD/DVD while the vehicle is in mo-
tion.

107 Control systems
COMAND audio CD/audio DVD/MP3
Notes about handling CDs / DVDs

Only hold discs by the edge.


Handle discs carefully to prevent play-
back problems.


Avoid getting scratches, fingerprints
and dust on discs.


Clean discs from time to time with a
commercially-available cleaning cloth.
Do not wipe them with a circular mo-
tion, but only in straight lines from the
center outwards.


Only use a pen designed for such a pur-
pose to label discs.


Place discs back in their boxes after
use.


Protect discs from heat and direct sun-
light.
Inserting CDs and DVDs Loading the CD/DVD changer
The CD/DVD changer can hold up to a to-
tal of 6 audio CDs or DVDs.
1Disc slot
2Load button (all magazine trays)
3Magazine tray buttons 1 – 6Warning!
G
Only insert a CD or DVD when the vehicle is
stationary. There is a risk of accident by be-
ing distracted from road and traffic condi-
tions if you load a CD/DVD while the vehicle
is in motion.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.i
If the CD / DVD has a printed side, this must
face upwards when the CD / DVD is inserted. If
neither side is printed, the side to be played
should face downwards.
i
Each magazine tray button3 indicates the
status of the corresponding magazine tray by
means of an LED.


LED off = magazine tray is empty


LED constantly lit = magazine tray is loaded


LED flashes = CD/DVD changer requesting
disc to be loaded

109 Control systems
COMAND audio CD/audio DVD/MP3
Ejecting CDs and DVDs
Ejecting from the DVD changer
1Disc slot
2Magazine tray buttons 1 – 6
3Eject button (all discs)

Ejecting one disc: Press desired mag-
azine tray button 2.

Take disc out of slot 1.
If you do not take the disc out of
slot1, the DVD changer will draw it
back in automatically approx. 15 sec-
onds.

Ejecting all discs: Press eject
button3.
The DVD changer switches to the first
loaded tray and ejects the disc.

Take disc out of slot 1.
The DVD changer switches to the next
loaded magazine tray and ejects the
disc.

Repeat last step until magazine is emp-
ty.
Ejecting a PCMCIA card
1Eject button
2Slot for PCMCIA card
Press eject button 1 twice.
The PCMCIA card is ejected.

Take PCMCIA card out of slot 2.
Warning!
G
Only eject a disc when the vehicle is station-
ary. You may otherwise be distracted from
the traffic conditions and could cause an ac-
cident.
i
If you eject one disc while playing another
disc, the DVD changer interrupts playback. Play-
back continues once the disc has been ejected.

115 Control systems
COMAND telephone*
COMAND telephone*
Safety precautions
General notes
Calls disconnected while the vehicle is
in motion
A call may be disconnected if:

there is insufficient network coverage


you move from one transmitter/receiv-
er area (cell) into another and no chan-
nels are free or the cell is fullOperating options
If the mobile phone is inserted in the cra-
dle, you can use the mobile phone func-
tions with the following devices:


COMAND / telephone keypad


Multifunction steering wheel


Voice Control*


Bluetooth headset
The descriptions in this section assume
that the mobile phone is inserted in the
cradle. Exceptions to this are clearly stat-
ed.
Warning!
G
Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from
using a cellular telephone while driving.
Whether or not prohibited by law, for safety
reasons, the driver should not use the cellu-
lar telephone while the vehicle is in motion.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location before
placing or answering a call.
If you nonetheless choose to use the cellular
phone while driving, please use the hands-
free feature and be sure to pay attention to
the traffic situation at all times. Use the cel-
lular phone only when road, weather and
traffic conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approxima-
tely 14 m) every second.
Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury.
i
The components and operating principles of
COMAND can be found on (
page 79) and
(
page 87).
i
In order for the functions described in this
section to work correctly, the Bluetooth headset
must be linked to COMAND (
page 217).
Please make sure any Bluetooth headset linked
with the mobile phone is switched off or that the
headset is linked with COMAND before you use
the functions described in this section.

117 Control systems
COMAND telephone*
Activating telephone mode
Select “Telephone”
“Telephone”

“Telephone”.
or

Press s on telephone keypad.
Telephone keypad
1Telephone keypad
2Folding coverWith the telephone keypad you can:


Enter and clear numbers and special
characters


Reject, accept, connect and end calls

Entering characters: Select “Tele-
phone”
“Telephone”
“Telephone”.

Fold up cover 2.

Enter characters using A- #.

Deleting individual characters:
Press*.

Deleting an entire word or number:
Press and hold * until the word or
number is deleted.
“911” emergency call
The following conditions must be fulfilled
in order to make a “911” emergency call:

The phone is switched on


A mobile network is available


There is a valid SIM card in the phone
(not necessary in all mobile networks)
If you cannot make an emergency call, you
must initiate rescue measures yourself.
The “911” emergency call is a public ser-
vice. Any misuse is punishable by law.
i
You can enter the * character by
pressing> once. Pressing this button again
within 1.5 seconds enters the + character.
Warning!
G
The “911” emergency call system is a public
service. Using it without due cause is a crim-
inal offense.i
This function places a call to the local 911
provider. It does not initiate a Tele Aid call.
i
If no SIM card is inserted in the mobile
phone, you can only initiate a “911” emergency
call by using COMAND and the mobile phone.

140 Control systemsCOMAND navigation (introduction)Safety precautions
Map software
The digital maps generated by the map
software become outdated in the same
way as conventional road maps. Optimum
route guidance can only be provided by the
navigation system in conjunction with the
most up-to-date map software.
Information about new map software ver-
sions can be obtained from an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, only enter a destination
when the vehicle is stationary. When the ve-
hicle is in motion, a passenger should enter
the destination. Study manual and select
route before driving.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.
COMAND calculates the route to the desti-
nation without taking account of the follow-
ing, for example:

Traffic lights


Stop and right-of-way signs


Parking or stopping prohibited areas


Lane merging


Other road and traffic rules and regula-
tions


Narrow bridges
COMAND may give incorrect navigation
commands if the data in the digital map
does not correspond with the actual
road/traffic situation. DVD maps do not
cover all areas nor all routes within an area.
For example, if the traffic routing has been
changed or the direction of a one-way road
has been reversed.
For this reason, you must always observe
applicable road and traffic rules and regula-
tions during your journey. Road and traffic
rules and regulations always have priority
over the navigation commands generated by
the system.
Warning!
G
Navigation announcements are intended to
direct you while driving without diverting
your attention from the road and driving.
Please always use this feature instead of
consulting the map display for directions.
Consulting the symbols or map display for
directions may cause you to divert your at-
tention from driving and increase your risk
of an accident.