heating MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2008 W221 Comand Manual
Page 510 of 801
509 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Residual engine heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior.
This feature makes use of the residual heat
produced by the engine.Activating
Switch off the ignition (
page 370).
Press buttonT (
page 501) up or
down.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Deactivating
Press buttonT (
page 501) up or
down.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.Rear passenger compartment climate
control*
i
If you switch on the residual heat function
when outside temperatures are high, only the
ventilation will be switched on.
i
Regardless of the selected air volume, the
blower operates at low speed when heating. In
case of ventilation the blower operates at higher
speed.
i
How long the system will provide heating de-
pends on
the coolant temperature
the temperature set by the operator
i
The residual heat is automatically turned off:
when the ignition is switched on
after approximately 30 minutes
if the battery voltage drops
if the coolant temperature is too low
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling as given in the instructions
for the front climate control (
page 501).
Otherwise the windows could fog up, impair-
ing visibility for the driver and endangering
you and others.
Page 538 of 801
537 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cigarette lighters
1Center console cigarette lighter
Open the cover plate (
page 536).
Switch on the ignition (
page 370).
Push in cigarette lighter1.
The lighter will pop out automatically
when hot.1Rear center console lighter
Switch on the ignition (
page 370).
Push in cigarette lighter1.
The lighter will pop out automatically
when hot.
Warning!
G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the lighter; they are extremely hot. Hold the
knob only.
Make sure that any children traveling with
you do not injure themselves or start a fire
with the hot cigarette lighter.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised ac-
cess to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
To avoid possible injury to children sitting in
the rear seat, activate the override switch
(page 64). Activation of the override
switch deactivates the rear center console
lighter.
Page 539 of 801
538 Controls in detailUseful features
Power outlet
The power outlet is located in the rear cen-
ter console.
Switch on the ignition (
page 370).
Flip up cover1 and insert electrical
plug (cigarette lighter type).
Floormats*
!
The lighter socket can be used to accommo-
date 12V DC electrical accessories (up to a max-
imum of 85 W) designed for use with the
standard “cigarette lighter” plug type. Keep in
mind, however, that connecting accessories to
the lighter socket (for example extensive con-
necting and disconnecting, or using plugs that do
not fit properly) can damage the lighter socket.
With the socket damaged, the lighter may no
longer be able to be placed in the heating
(pushed-in) position, or the lighter may pop out
too early with the lighter not hot enough.
To help avoid damaging the cigarette lighter
socket, we recommend connecting 12V DC elec-
trical accessories designed for use with a stan-
dard “cigarette lighter” plug type.
i
Operation of the rear door lighters is only
possible, if the override switch (
page 64) is de-
activated.
i
If the engine is off and the cigarette lighter is
being used extensively, the vehicle battery may
become discharged.
i
The power outlet can be used to
accommodate 12V DC electrical accessories
(e.g. air pump, auxiliary lamps) up to a maximum
of 180 W.
If the engine is off and the outlet is being used
extensively, the vehicle battery may become dis-
charged.
Warning!
G
Whenever you are using floormats, make
sure there is enough clearance and that the
floormats are securely fastened.
Floormats should always be securely fas-
tened using the eyelets and the retainer
pins.
Before driving off, check that the floormats
are securely in place and adjust them if nec-
essary. A loose floormat could slip and
hinder proper functioning of the pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of
each other as this may impair pedal move-
ment.i
To install or remove the floormat more easi-
ly, move the driver’s seat or front passenger seat
as far to the rear as possible (
page 373).
Page 561 of 801
560 OperationDriving instructionsBrakes
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS or BAS Plus*) (
page 69).
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid level in
the reservoir.
The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be too low if the red brake warning lamp in
the instrument cluster comes on while the
engine is running and an acoustic warning
sounds (
page 631). Observe additional
messages in the multifunction display that
may appear (page 642).
Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking
effect. Maintain a safe distance from
vehicles in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an
accident.
!
Because the ESP
® operates automatically,
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 electronic 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
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.
Page 562 of 801
561 Operation
Driving instructions
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
park, so that the air stream can cool down
the brakes faster.
High-performance brake system
(S 63 AMG and S 65 AMG only)
The high-performance brake system is de-
signed to operate under the extremely high
operating demands required to accommo-
date the performance capabilities of the
vehicle. The brakes may produce a squeak-
ing-type noise depending on the
vehicle speed
brake force applied
ambient conditions, e.g. temperature
and humidity
As with any brake system, the wear of indi-
vidual brake system components such as
brake pads or disks strongly depends on
your driving style and the conditions under which you operate the vehicle. Thus, a driv-
ing style calling for high demand braking
will cause your vehicle’s brakes to wear
more quickly.
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.!
When driving down long and steep grades,
relieve the load on the brakes by shifting into a
lower gear to use the engine’s braking power.
This helps prevent overheating of the brakes and
reduces brake pad wear.
When using the engine’s braking power, a drive
wheel may not spin for an extended period of
time, e.g. on slippery road surfaces.
This may cause serious damage to the drivetrain
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.
Warning!
G
New vehicle brake pads and discs, and
replacement brake pads and discs may take
several hundred miles of driving until they
provide optimum braking efficiency. Until
that time, you may need to use increased
brake pedal pressure while braking. Please
be aware of this and adjust your driving and
braking accordingly during this break-in
period.
Excessive high demand braking will cause
correspondingly high brake wear. Please be
attentive to the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and brake condition mes-
sages in the multifunction display. Especial-
ly for high performance driving, it is
important to maintain and have the brake
system checked regularly.
Page 676 of 801
675 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Currently Unavailable
See Oper. Manual
ESP
® and PRE-SAFE
® are temporarily un-
available. It is possible that the self-diag-
nostics have not yet completed.
In addition, the yellow ESP
® warning
lampv comes on.
The brake system functions normally.
BAS Plus* and PRE-SAFE
® Brake* are also
not available.
Synchronize the ESP
®:
Drive a short distance with gentle turns at a
speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
The message disappears when ESP
® is again
available.
Currently Unavailable
See Oper. Manual
ESP
® and PRE-SAFE
® are switched off due
to undervoltage. It is possible that the bat-
tery is not charged.
The brake system functions normally.
BAS Plus* and PRE-SAFE
® Brake* are also
not available.
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
Currently Unavailable
See Oper. Manual
If the yellow ESP
® warning lampv flash-
es while driving and this message appears,
the electronic traction system has switched
off to prevent overheating of the drive
wheel brakes.
BAS Plus* and PRE-SAFE
® Brake* are also
not available.
As soon as the brakes have cooled off, the elec-
tronic traction system switches on again.
The message in the multifunction display disap-
pears and the ESP
® warning lampv goes
out.
Page 791 of 801
790 IndexPower closing assist for doors and
trunk lid 368
Power folding exterior rear view
mirrors 389
Power outlet 538
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 518
Opening/closing 518
Synchronizing 520
Power washer 616
Power windows 410
Blocking of rear window operation 64
Cleaning 622
Opening/closing 410
Practical hints 642, 705
Premium unleaded gasoline 571, 767,
770
PRE-SAFE
®
57
Message in display 656
Messages in display 663
PRE-SAFE
® Brake*
Intermittent signal tone 80
Preventive occupant safety see PRE-SAFE
®
Problems
While driving 420
With vehicle 20
Product information 13Production options weight 607
Program mode see Automatic
transmission, Automatic shift program
Program mode selector switch
Automatic shift program 436
Proper use of the vehicle 19
PSI 608
Push-start see Tow-start
R
RACETIMER see Control system
instrument cluster menus, AMG
Radio
FM/AM operation (COMAND) 102
Saving stations, FM/AM
(COMAND) 106
Selecting satellite radio channel
(Instrument cluster control
system) 295
Selecting stations 294
Submenu overview, FM/AM
(COMAND) 102
Switching wavebands, FM/AM
(COMAND) 103
Tuning in stations/channels 103
Voice Control 334Radio transmitters, control and
operation 567
Range (distance to empty) 292
Reading lamps in the front 407
Reading lamps in the rear 407
Real-time traffic (COMAND) 248
Rear door window
Blocking operation 64
Rear fog lamp
Replacing bulbs 715
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear seats
Adjustment 373
Folding back and placing upright
rear head restraints 380
Head restraints 379
Heating* 377
Multicontour* 383
Setting front passenger seat position
from rear 377
Ventilation* 378
Rear View Camera* 487
Camera lens 487
Cleaning camera lens 621
Switching on 489
View through the camera 488
Page 793 of 801
792 IndexSeat belts 52
Children in the vehicle 58
Cleaning 624
Fastening 52, 395
Force limiter 55
Messages in display 697
Proper use of 54, 397
Safety guidelines 44
Telltale 29, 55, 635
Seating capacity 586
Seats 373
adjusting front passenger seat from
driver’s seat 376
Adjustment 373
Drive-dynamic multicontour* in the
front, Adjusting (COMAND) 285
Easy entry/exit feature 384
Folding back and placing upright
rear head restraints 380
Head restraints 379
Heating* 377
Lumbar support (COMAND) 283
Memory function 392
Multicontour* in the front,
Adjusting (COMAND) 283
Operating via COMAND 282Setting front passenger seat position
from rear 377
Ventilation* 378
Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down hooks 532
Selector lever
Lock 416
Selector lever see Gear selector lever
Self-test
OCS 52
Tele Aid 543
Service and warranty information 14
Service intervals see
Maintenance service indicator
Service life, Tires 583
Service see Maintenance
Service system see Maintenance System
Service, Parts 746
Setting
Cruise control 447
DISTRONIC Plus* time interval 464
Following distance in DISTRONIC
Plus* 464
Higher speed in cruise control 449
Higher speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 461Lower speed in cruise control 450
Lower speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 462
Slower speed in cruise control 450
Slower speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 462
Speed in DISTRONIC Plus* 460
Suspension tuning (ABC*) 470
Temperature (interior) 504
Temperature (rear passenger
compartment) 510
To last stored speed (“Resume” func-
tion) in cruise control 450
To last stored speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* (“Resume” function) 463
Vehicle level control (ABC*) 471
Setting current speed 447
Settings
Calling up DISTRONIC Plus* 455
Control system in instrument cluster
menus 305
Daytime running lamp mode 306
Resetting trip odometer 292
Shelf below rear window, Cleaning and
care of 624