Battery MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2008 W221 Comand Manual

607 Operation
Tires and wheels
DOT (D
epartment o
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
GVW (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GVW must never exceed the
GVWR indicated on the certification label
located on the driver’s door B-pillar.GVWR (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on certi-
fication label located on the driver’s door
B-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kilopascals (kPa) to 1 psi; another
metric unit for air pressure is bars. There
are 100 kilopascals (kPa) to 1 bar.
Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
total load limit, and production options
weight.Maximum tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire
under normal driving conditions.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by
68 kilograms (150 lbs).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.
Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed
regular production options weighing over
5 lbs (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.

610 OperationWinter drivingBefore the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service
includes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “MB Summerfit”
to a premixed windshield washer sol-
vent/antifreeze which is formulated for
below freezing temperatures
(page 772).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure that the engine can be started,
even at low ambient temperatures.


Tire change.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated
tires provide special winter performance.
Make sure the tires you use show the
mountain/snowflake.marking on the
tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance requirements
of the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and the Rubber Association of Can-
ada (RAC) and have been designed specif-
ically for use in snow conditions. Use of
winter tires is the only way to achieve the
maximum effectiveness of the ABS, EBP,
ESP
® and 4MATIC in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure that all
mounted winter tires are of the same make
and have the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your
vehicle, you must place a notice to this
effect where it will be seen by the driver.
Such notices are available from your tire
dealer or from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than 1/6in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.

614 OperationMaintenance
Resetting the maintenance service indicator
In the event that the maintenance service
on your vehicle is not carried out by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center, you can
have the maintenance service indicator re-
set. The automotive maintenance facility
carrying out the maintenance service will
find the information for resetting the main-
tenance service indicator in the mainte-
nance-relevant information for your
vehicle. Such information is available from
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
directly from Mercedes-Benz.
i
If the battery is disconnected, the days of
disconnection will not be included in the count
shown by the maintenance service indicator.
To arrive at the true maintenance service dead-
line, you will need to subtract these days from
the days shown in the maintenance service indi-
cator message or maintenance service indicator
display.
i
If the maintenance service indicator was in-
advertently reset, have an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center correct it.
Only reset if the proper maintenance service has
been performed. Resetting the system without
performing the proper service as called for by
the maintenance service indicator will result in
engine damage and/or other vehicle damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

629 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
-
The yellow Antilock
Brake System (ABS)
indicator lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The ABS has switched off.
The battery may not be charged sufficiently.
When the voltage is above this value again,
the ABS is operational again and the ABS in-
dicator lamp should go out.
If the ABS indicator lamp does not go out:
Have the generator (alternator) and the
battery checked.
When the voltage is above this value again,
the ABS is operational again.
;(USA only)3(Canada only)-
v
The red brake warning
lamp comes on while the
engine is running. In addi-
tion, the yellow ABS mal-
function indicator lamp,
and the yellow ESP
®
warning lamp come on
and an acoustic warning
sounds.
A malfunction in the Electronic Brake Pro-
portioning (EBP) was detected. The ABS,
BAS, ESP
® and PRE-SAFE
® are also
switched off (see messages in multifunction
display).
The brake system continues to function
normally, but without electronic support.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Read and observe messages in the mul-
tifunction display (
page 642).

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of an accident.

646 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
DISTRONIC PLUS
Currently Unavailable
See Oper. Manual
DISTRONIC Plus* is switched off and is
temporarily unavailable.
DISTRONIC Plus* is deactivated if:

the DISTRONIC Plus* cover in the radi-
ator grille is dirty


the radar sensors* do not sense any
other vehicles or objects, i.e. road sign
or similar to this, for a long time


the system is overheated


its function is impaired as a result of
heavy precipitation or fog


the battery voltage is insufficient

Clean the DISTRONIC Plus* cover in the radiator grille
(page 619).

Restart the vehicle.

Try activating DISTRONIC Plus* again later.

Wait until the system cools down or the battery recovers.
DISTRONIC Plus* will be operational again without you needing to
restart the engine if:


the dirt (e.g. slush) loosens while you are driving


the system detects that the radar sensors* are fully available
again


the message in the multifunction display disappears
DISTRONIC Plus* is switched off because
the radar sensor system* is temporarily in-
operative due to electromagnetic interfer-
ence near television and radio transmitter
stations, toll stations, speed measuring
systems, etc.

Wait until the message in the multifunction display disappears.
DISTRONIC PLUS
Inoperative
DISTRONIC Plus* is malfunctioning.
BAS Plus* and PRE-SAFE
® Brake* are also
not available.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as pos-
sible.

653 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Next Service X
Due in ... days
Due in ... mls (km)
Service X must be carried out in ... days or
after ... miles (kilometers) (
page 612).

Have the maintenance service carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only Shift to
Position 'P' When
Vehicle Is Stationary
You have tried to shift the automatic trans-
mission to park positionP using the gear
selector lever although the vehicle is still in
motion.

Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

Shift the automatic transmission to park positionP.

Engage the electronic parking brake (
page 422).
Park Assist
Currently Unavailable
See Oper. Manual
Park Assist* is deactivated because the
area around the sensors* in the front or the
rear bumper (
page 620) is dirty.

Clean the front and rear bumper (
page 620).
Park Assist* is deactivated because the
battery voltage is insufficient.

Have the battery checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Park Assist* is switched off because the ra-
dar sensor system* is temporarily inopera-
tive due to electromagnetic interference
near television and radio transmitter sta-
tions, toll stations, speed measuring sys-
tems, etc.

Wait until the message in the multifunction display disappears.
Park Assist
Inoperative
Park Assist* is unavailable due to a mal-
function.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as pos-
sible.

654 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Blind Spot Assist
Currently Unavailable
See Oper. Manual
Blind Spot Assist* is deactivated because
the area around the sensors* in the front
or the rear bumper (
page 620) is dirty.

Clean the front and rear bumper (
page 620).
Blind Spot Assist* is deactivated because
the battery voltage is insufficient.

Have the battery checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Blind Spot Assist* is switched off because
the radar sensor system* is temporarily in-
operative due to electromagnetic interfer-
ence near television and radio transmitter
stations, toll stations, speed measuring
systems, etc.

Wait until the message in the multifunction display disappears.
Blind Spot Assist
Inoperative
Blind Spot Assist* is unavailable due to a
malfunction.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.

655 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Parking Guidance
Currently Unavailable
See Oper. Manual
Advanced Parking Guidance* is deactivat-
ed because the area around the sensors*
in the front or the rear bumper
(page 620) is dirty.

Clean the front and rear bumper (
page 620).
Advanced Parking Guidance* is deactivat-
ed because the battery voltage is insuffi-
cient.

Have the battery checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Advanced Parking Guidance* is switched
off because the radar sensor system* is
temporarily inoperative due to electromag-
netic interference near television and radio
transmitter stations, toll stations, speed
measuring systems, etc.

Wait to see if the interference is temporary or do not use Ad-
vanced Parking Guidance*. Try in a location where the inter-
fering transmission might not be present.
Parking Guidance
Canceled
Advanced Parking Guidance* has been
canceled because:

the vehicle is sliding


the bumper became dirty in the area of
the sensors (
page 620)


there has been a malfunction

Use Advanced Parking Guidance* again later.
If the parking space symbol is not shown in the multi-function dis-
play at a speed below 10 mph (16 km/h):

Clean the bumpers (
page 620).
or

Restart the engine.
or

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

670 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Parking Brake
See Oper. Manual
When you engage or release the electronic
parking brake, the red indicator lamp for
the electronic parking brake flashes for
approx.10 seconds. Afterward, it goes out
or lights up continuously. The yellow warn-
ing lamp for the electronic parking brake
lights up.
The electronic parking brake is malfunction-
ing or overheated for example due to over-
or undervoltage.

Carefully drive off (
page 422).

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
In the event of overvoltage or undervoltage:

Remove the cause of the overvoltage or und-
ervoltage, e.g. charge the battery or restart
the engine.

Switch ignition off and back on again, and en-
gage or release electronic parking brake
(page 422).
If the electronic parking brake still cannot be re-
leased:

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
(Continued on next page)
(USA only)(Canada only)

678 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

alternator malfunctioning


broken poly-V-belt

Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe loca-
tion.

Engage the electronic parking brake
(page 422).

Check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:

Do not continue to drive. Otherwise the en-
gine will overheat due to an inoperative water
pump which may result in damage to the en-
gine.

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:

Drive immediately to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
There is a malfunction in the electronic
system.

Have the system checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.