start stop button MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2008 W221 Comand Manual
Page 28 of 801
27 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Combination switch
High beam
Corner-illuminating lamps
Windshield wipers
Turn signals
403
404
408
420
2
Lever for
Cruise control
DISTRONIC Plus*
447
451
3
Horn
4
Multifunction steering wheel
288
5
Instrument cluster
28
6
Steering wheel gearshift con-
trol
438
7
Gear selector lever for
automatic transmission
416
Item
Page
8
Control panel with
Front passenger front
air bag indicator lamp
Vehicle level control
switch
Electronic Stability Pro-
gram (ESP
®) switch
Parktronic*/Park Assist*
deactivation switch
Swivel COMAND display
COMAND/instrument
cluster display
illumination
51
469,
471
74
475,
480
89
444
9
COMAND display
87
a
Overhead control panel
33
b
Automatic climate control
Center console, upper part
501
32
Item
Page
c
Glove box lock
526
d
Cover of compartment with
CD/DVD changer
PCMCIA card slot
120
121
e
Center console, lower part
30
f
Starter switch
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button
370
371
g
Steering wheel adjustment
Heated steering wheel*
386
387
h
Electronic parking brake
422
j
Door control panel
34
k
Hood lock release
573
l
Night View Assist*
491
m
Exterior lamp switch
399
Page 53 of 801
52 Safety and SecurityOccupant safetySelf-test Occupant Classification
System
After turning the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position1 or2 or pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button once or
twice (
page 372), the 59
indicator lamp1 located in the center
console illuminates. If an adult occupant is
properly sitting on the front passenger
seat and the system senses the occupant
as being an adult, the 59 indi-
cator lamp will illuminate and go out after
approximately 6 seconds.
If the seat is not occupied and the system
senses the front passenger seat as being
empty, the 59indicator lamp
will illuminate and not go out.For more information, see the “Practical
hints” section (
page 640).
Seat belts
The use of seat belts and infant and child
restraint systems is required by law in all
50 states, the District of Columbia, the
U.S. territories and all Canadian provinces.
Even where this is not the case, all vehicle
occupants should have their seat belts fas-
tened whenever the vehicle is in motion.
Warning!
G
If the 59 indicator lamp should
not illuminate, the system is not functioning.
You must contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center before seating any
child on the front passenger seat.Warning!
G
Never place anything between seat cushion
(e.g. pillow), since it reduces the effective-
ness of the Occupant Classification System.
The bottom of the child seat must make full
contact with the passenger seat cushion. An
incorrectly mounted child seat could cause
injuries to the child in case of an accident,
instead of increasing protection for the
child.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of child seats.
Page 67 of 801
66 Safety and SecurityPanic alarm1Â button
Activating
Press and hold  button for at least
1 second.
An audible alarm and flashing exterior
lamps will operate briefly.
Deactivating
Press  button again.
or
Insert the SmartKey or the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* in starter switch.
or
Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button (
page 372).
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must
be inside the vehicle.
i
USA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and
(2) this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
i
Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
Page 74 of 801
73 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
section (
page 634) and (
page 642).Electronic traction system
The electronic traction system is a compo-
nent of ESP
®.
The electronic traction system improves
the vehicle’s ability to utilize available trac-
tion, especially under slippery road condi-
tions by applying the brakes to a spinning
wheel.
When you switch off the ESP
®, the elec-
tronic traction system is still enabled.
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* and cruise control are
switched off when the ESP
® engages.
i
The ESP
® will only function properly if you
use wheels of the recommended tire size
(
page 754).
!
Vehicles without 4MATIC:
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.
For information on vehicles with 4MATIC, see
“Four wheel electronic traction system (4MATIC)
with the ESP
®” (page 76).
Warning!
G
If you are driving too fast, the electronic
traction system cannot reduce the risk of an
accident.
The electronic traction system cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle.
Page 78 of 801
77 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
PRE-SAFE
® Brake* (vehicles with
DISTRONIC Plus* only)
PRE-SAFE
® Brake* can assist you in mini-
mizing the risk of a rear-end collision with
a vehicle in front of you and in reducing the
severity of an accident. At speeds over ap-
prox 20 mph (30 km/h), it will
warn you of a possible collision
automatically begin to brake the vehi-
cle lightly in a speed range of up to
112 mph (180 km/h)
activate preventative occupant safety
measures (PRE-SAFE
®) (page 57)
Warning!
G
If you see the ESP
® warning lampv
flashing in the speedometer, 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.
!
Do not tow with one axle raised.
Otherwise the transfer case can be damaged,
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.
!
Performance testing must only be conduct-
ed on a two-axle dynamometer.
Otherwise the transfer case can be damaged,
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.
!
Because the ESP
® operates automatically,
the engine and the 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.
Active braking action through ESP
® may other-
wise seriously damage the front or rear axle
brake system.
Operational tests with the engine running can
only be conducted on a two-axle dynamometer.
Warning!
G
PRE-SAFE
® Brake is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The responsibility for the vehicle
speed and the distance to the vehicle ahead,
including most importantly brake operation
to assure safe stopping distance, always re-
mains with the driver.
Page 84 of 801
83 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
1Indicator lamp
Arming: Lock your vehicle with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*.
The turn signal lamps flash three times
to indicate that the vehicle is locked.
The indicator lamp1 flashes to indi-
cate that the alarm system is armed.
Disarming: Unlock your vehicle with
the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*.
The turn signal lamps flash once to in-
dicate that the alarm system is dis-
armed.
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm, do one of the follow-
ing:
Insert the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch.
Press the Œ or ‹ button on the
SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.
In vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Grasp an outside door handle.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must
be within 3 ft (1 m) of the vehicle.
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton (
page 372).
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must
be inside the vehicle.
i
If the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response Center is ini-
tiated automatically by the Tele Aid system
(
page 542) provided Tele Aid service was sub-
scribed to and properly activated, and that nec-
essary mobile phone, power supply and GPS
coverage are available.
i
If the turn signal lamps does not flash three
times one of the following elements may not be
properly closed:
a door
the trunk
Close the respective element and lock the vehi-
cle again.
i
The alarm system will rearm automatically
again after approximately 40 seconds if no door
was opened.
Page 135 of 801
134 Control systemsCOMAND video DVDSubmenu overview of video DVDSwitching to video DVD mode
Insert a DVD (
page 120).
or
Select “Video” “Video” “Video
DVD”.
or
Press the M shortcut button once or
twice.
DVD-V
Pause/Play
Stop
Changer
Sound
DVD Functions
Pause playback
Pause Playback
Select medium
Treble
Brightness
Continue playback
Stop playback
Bass
Contrast
Restart playback
Balance/Fader
Color
3D Sound
16:9 Optimized4:3Widescreen
i
The M shortcut button takes you directly
to the previously set disc mode (audio CD/DVD,
MP3-CD/DVD or video DVD). The number of
times you have to press the shortcut button de-
pends on the previously set mode.
Page 137 of 801
136 Control systemsCOMAND video DVDStop playback
Select “Video” “Video” “Video
DVD”.
Show the menu system, if necessary
(page 135).
Stop play: Select “Stop”.
In the display, “Pause” changes to
“Play”.
Continue playback: Select “Play”.
Play is continued from the point at
which it was stopped.
Stop playback: Select “Stop” again
while playback is stopped.
or
Select “Stop” twice in quick succession
during playback.
Resume playback: Select “Play”.
Playbacks starts again from the begin-
ning.
Pause playback
Select “Video” “Video” “Video
DVD”.
Show the menu system, if necessary
(page 135).
Pause playback: Select “Pause”.
In the display, “Pause” changes to
“Play”.
Continue playback: Select “Play”.
Play is continued from the point at
which it was stopped.
Selecting scene/chapter
Entering scene/chapter using the
COMAND controller
Make sure that the control menu is
shown (
page 135).
Skipping forwards or back: Slide
omp or turn ymz.
Entering the scene/chapter using the
telephone keypad
Press> on the telephone keypad
(page 144).
Enter scene/chapter using the A-
9 buttons.
COMAND tunes in to the scene/chap-
ter entered.
Page 288 of 801
287 Control systems
Instrument cluster control system
Instrument cluster control system
The control system is activated as soon as
the SmartKey in the starter switch is
turned to position2 or as soon as the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
(page 372) is in position2. The control
system enables you to:
call up information about your vehicle
change vehicle settings
For example, you can use the control sys-
tem to find out when your vehicle is next
due for service, to call up statistical data
on your vehicle, and much more.
The control system relays information to
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
1Line for main menus
2Text field in multifunction display
Settings, functions, submenus as well as
any malfunctions are shown to you in the
text field.
Warning!
G
A driver’s attention to the road and traffic
conditions must always be his/her primary
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others, se-
lecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions per-
mit it to be done safely.
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.
Page 298 of 801
297 Control systems
Instrument cluster control system
1Gear indicator
2RACETIMER
3Seconds display
4Lap
Starting RACETIMER: Press æ.
Displaying intermediate time:
Pressç.
The intermediate time is shown for
5 seconds.
Stopping RACETIMER: Press æ.
To select a different display, press
$, ( or &.Saving lap time and starting a new lap
Press buttonç while the timer is
running.
The intermediate time will be shown for
5 seconds.
Press buttonç within 5 seconds.
The intermediate time shown will be
saved as a lap time.
The RACETIMER begins timing the new
lap. The new lap begins to be timed as
soon as the intermediate time is called
up.
1Gear indicator
2RACETIMER
3Best lap time
i
You can start the RACETIMER when the en-
gine is running or the starter switch is in
position2 (
page 370).
i
While the RACETIMER is being displayed,
you cannot adjust the audio volume using but-
tons æ or ç.
i
When you stop the vehicle and turn the
Smartkey to position 1 (
page 370) or, in vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO*, turn off the engine and
do not open the driver’s door, the RACETIMER
stops timing. Timing is resumed when you switch
the ignition back on or restart the engine and
then press æ button.
i
When you switch on the Night View Assist*
(
page 491) while the RACETIMER is operating,
the RACETIMER will continue to run in the back-
ground but cannot be operated with the multi-
function steering wheel buttons.
To stop the RACETIMER, switch off the Night
View Assist* first.
i
You can save up to 16 laps.