engine MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS 2010 User Guide

contacting you in a timely manner should the
need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all
literature with the vehicle to make it available
to the next operator.
If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to
send in the “Notice of Purchase of Used Car”
found in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, or call the Mercedes-
Benz Customer Assistance Center (in the
USA) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372), or Customer Service (in
Canada) at 1-800-387-0100.
Operating your vehicle outside the
USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign
countries, please be aware that:
R Service facilities or replacement parts may
not be readily available.
R Unleaded gasoline for vehicles with
catalytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts.
R Gasoline may have a considerably lower
octane rating, and improper fuel can cause
engine damage.
Certain Mercedes-Benz models are available
for delivery in Europe under our European
Delivery Program. For details, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
Operating safetyGWarning!
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because the
vehicle’s electronic components are
interconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other
systems. Electronic malfunctions could
seriously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore never
turn off the engine while driving.
GWarning!
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody or
tires/wheels may cause serious damage and
impair the operating safety of your vehicle.
Such blows can be caused, for example, by
running over an obstacle, road debris or a
pothole. If you feel a sudden significant
vibration or ride disturbance, or you suspect
that damage to your vehicle as occurred:
R turn on your hazard warning flashers
R slow down carefully
R drive with caution to an area which is a safe
distance from the road
Inspect the vehicle underbody and tires/
wheels for possible damage. If the vehicle
appears unsafe, have it towed to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or other
qualified maintenance or repair facility for
further inspection or repairs.
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FunctionPage00C7 ESC OFF warning
lamp
473
0060 Parking space indicator
lamp
350
00D2 Recuperative Brake
System (RBS) warning
lamp, S 400 HYBRID only 2Green or yellow READY
indicator lamp for the
HYBRID system, S 400
HYBRID only 20086Parktronic/Parking
Guidance warning indicator
for right front area
349
0087Transmission position/
range indicator
321
006ETachometer with: 00BB Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
496
FunctionPage006FProgram mode indicator3220070Main menus for instrument
cluster control system
222
0071Outside temperature3270072Display with:Additional speedometer23500DA Adaptive Highbeam
Assist indicator lamp
301
00B2 Lane Keeping
Assistance indicator lamp
362
00AF Attention Assist
indicator lamp
355
00C7 PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
indicator lamp
232
orHOLD function indicator
lamp
3422 See separate HYBRID Supplemental Operating Instructions.Instrument cluster33At a glance221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 33Z

Vehicle equipment
i This Operator’s Manual describes all
features, standard or optional, potentially
available for your vehicle at the time of
purchase. Please be aware that your
vehicle might not be equipped with all
features described in this manual.
Occupant safety
Introduction
In this section you will learn the most
important facts about the restraint system
components of the vehicle.
The restraint systems are:
R Seat belts
R Child restraints
R
Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren
(LATCH) also known as ISOFIX
Additional protection potential is provided by:
R
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) with
- Air bags
- Air bag control unit (with crash sensors)
-
Emergency Tensioning Device (ETD) for
seat belts
- Seat belt force limiter
R NECK-PRO active front head restraints
R
Preventive occupant safety (PRE-SAFE ®
)
R Air bag system components with
- Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp
- Front passenger seat with
Occupant
Classification System (OCS)
Although the systems are independent, their
protective functions work in conjunction with
each other.
GWarning!
Modifications to or work improperly
conducted on restraint system components
or their wiring, as well as tampering with
interconnected electronic systems, can lead
to the restraint systems no longer functioning
as intended.
Air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices
(ETDs), for example, could deploy
inadvertently or fail to deploy in accidents
although the deceleration threshold for air
bag deployment is exceeded. Therefore,
never modify the restraint systems. Do not
tamper with electronic components or their
software.
i See “Children in the vehicle”
( Y page 56) for information on
R infants and children traveling with you in
the vehicle
R restraint systems for infants and children
SRS indicator lamp
The SRS system conducts a self-test when
the ignition is switched on and in regular
intervals while the engine is running. This
facilitates detection of system malfunctions.
The SRS indicator lamp 0081 in the
instrument cluster comes on when the
ignition is switched on. It goes out no later
than a few seconds after the engine has been
started.
The SRS components are in operational
readiness when the SRS indicator lamp
0081 is not lit while the engine is running.
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GWarning!
The SRS self-check has detected a
malfunction when the SRS indicator lamp
0081
R does not come on at all
R fails to go out after approximately
4 seconds after the engine was started
R comes on after the engine was started or
while driving
For your safety, we strongly recommend that
you contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately to have the system
checked. Otherwise the SRS may not be
activated when needed in an accident, which
could result in serious or fatal injury. The SRS
might also deploy unexpectedly and
unnecessarily which could also result in injury
as well.
In addition, improper work on the SRS creates
a risk of rendering the SRS inoperative or
causing unintended air bag deployment. Work
on the SRS must therefore only be performed
by qualified technicians. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is necessary to modify an air bag system
to accommodate a person with disabilities,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
USA only: Call our Customer Assistance
Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) for details.
Air bags
GWarning!
Air bags are designed to reduce the potential
of injury and fatality in certain
R frontal impacts (front air bags)
R side impacts (side impact air bags and
window curtain air bags)
R rollovers (window curtain air bags)
However, no system available today can
completely eliminate injuries and fatalities.
Deployment of the air bags temporarily
releases a small amount of dust from the air
bags. This dust, however, is neither harmful
to your health, nor does it indicate a fire in the
vehicle. The dust might cause some
temporary breathing difficulty for people with
asthma or other breathing trouble. To avoid
this, you may wish to get out of the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so. If you have any
breathing difficulty but cannot get out of the
vehicle after the air bag inflates, then get fresh
air by opening a window or door.GWarning!
To reduce the risk of injury when the front air
bags inflate, it is very important for the driver
and front passenger to always be in a properly
seated position and to wear their respective
seat belt.
For maximum protection in the event of a
collision always be in normal seated position
with your back against the seat backrest.
Fasten your seat belt and make sure it is
properly positioned on your body.
Since the air bag inflates with considerable
speed and force, a proper seating position
and correct positioning of the hands on the
steering wheel will help to keep you at a safe
distance from the air bag. Occupants who are
not wearing their seat belt, are not seated
properly or are too close to the air bag can be
seriously injured or killed by an air bag as it
inflates with great force instantaneously:
R Sit with the seat belt properly fastened in a
position that is as upright as possible with
your back against the seat backrest.
R Move the driver’s seat as far back as
possible, still permitting proper operation
of vehicle controls. The distance from the
center of the driver’s chest to the center of
the air bag cover on the steering wheel
must be at least 10 inches (25 cm) or more.
You should be able to accomplish this by
adjusting the seat and steering wheel. If
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Occupant Classification System
The Occupant Classification System (OCS)
activates or deactivates the front passenger
front air bag automatically. The respective
status is based on the classified occupant
weight category determined by weight sensor
readings from the front passenger seat.
The system does not deactivate
R the front passenger side impact air bag
R the window curtain air bag
R the Emergency Tensioning Devices (ETDs)
To be classified correctly, the front passenger
must sit
R with the seat belt properly fastened
R in a position that is as upright as possible
with the back against the seat backrest
R with the feet on the floor
If the occupant’s weight is transferred to
another object in the vehicle (e.g. by leaning
on armrests), the OCS may not be able to
properly approximate the occupant’s weight
category.
If your seat, including the trim cover and
cushion, needs to be serviced in any way, take
the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Only seat accessories approved by
Mercedes-Benz may be used.
Both the driver and the front passenger
should always use the 007F007D
indicator lamp as an indication of whether or
not the front passenger is properly
positioned.GWarning!
If the 007F007D indicator lamp
illuminates when an adult or someone larger
than a small individual is in the front
passenger seat, have the front passenger
reposition himself or herself in the seat until
the 007F007D indicator lamp goes out.
In the event of a collision, the air bag control
unit will not allow front passenger front air bag
deployment when the OCS has classified the
front passenger seat occupant as weighting
as much as or less than a typical 12-month-
old child in a standard child restraint or if the
front passenger seat is classified as being
empty.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat occupant is classified as
being up to or less than the weight of a typical
12-month-old child in a standard child
restraint, the 007F007D indicator lamp
will illuminate when the engine is started and
remain illuminated, indicating that the front
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat is classified as being empty,
the 007F007D indicator lamp will
illuminate when the engine is started and
remain illuminated, indicating that the front
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat occupant is classified as
being heavier than the weight of a typical
12-month-old child seated in a standard child
restraint or as being a small individual (such
as a young teenager or a small adult), the
007F007D indicator lamp will illuminate
for approximately 6 seconds when the engine
is started and then, depending on occupant
weight sensor readings from the seat, remain
illuminated or go out. With the
007F007D indicator lamp illuminated,
the front passenger front air bag is
deactivated. With the 007F007D
indicator lamp out, the front passenger front
air bag is activated.
When the OCS senses that the front
passenger seat occupant is classified as an
adult or someone larger than a small
individual, the 007F007D indicator lamp
will illuminate for approximately 6 seconds
when the engine is started and then goes out,
indicating that the front passenger front air
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If the driver’s seat belt is not fastened when
the engine is started, an additional warning
chime will sound. The warning chime goes out
after approximately 6 seconds or once the
driver’s seat belt is fastened.
If after these 6 seconds the driver’s or the
front passenger’s seat belt (with the front
passenger seat occupied) is not fastened with
front doors closed,
R the seat belt telltale 0082 remains
illuminated for as long as either the driver’s
or front passenger’s seat belt is not
fastened.
R and if the vehicle speed once exceeds
15 mph (25 km/h), the seat belt telltale
0082 starts flashing and a warning chime
sounds with increasing intensity for a
maximum of 60 seconds or until the
driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt are
fastened.
If you and/or your passenger release the
seat belt during driving, the seat belt
telltale 0082 starts flashing and the
warning chime sounds as described before.
If the driver’s or the front passenger’s seat
belt remains unfastened after 60 seconds,
the warning chime stops sounding, the seat
belt telltale 0082 stops flashing but
continues to be illuminated.
After a vehicle standstill, the warning chime
is reactivated and the seat belt telltale
0082 is flashing again if the vehicle speed
once exceeds 15 mph (25 km/h).
The seat belt telltale 0082 will only go out if
both the driver’s and the front passenger’s
seat belt (with the front passenger seat
occupied) are fastened, or the vehicle is
standing still and a front door is opened.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
( Y page 493).Emergency Tensioning Device (ETD),
seat belt force limiter
The seat belts for the front seats and rear
outer seats are equipped with ETDs and seat
belt force limiters.
The ETDs are designed to activate in the
following cases:
R in frontal or rear-end impacts exceeding
the system’s preset deployment threshold
R in side impacts exceeding the system’s
preset deployment threshold on the far
side of the impact
R in certain vehicle rollovers
R if the restraint systems are operational and
functioning correctly, see “SRS indicator
lamp” ( Y page 40)
The ETDs for the front seats will only activate
if the front seat belts are fastened (latch plate
properly inserted into buckle).
The ETDs for the rear outer seats will activate
with or without the respective seat belts
fastened.
In an impact, the ETDs remove slack from the
seat belts in such a way that the seat belts fit
more snugly against the body. Seat belt force
limiters, when activated, are employed to
help reduce the peak force exerted by the
seat belts on occupants during a crash.
i The ETDs do not correct an incorrect seat
position or incorrectly worn seat belts.
The ETDs do not pull occupants back
toward the seat backrest.
GWarning!
Pyrotechnic ETDs that were activated must be
replaced.
For your safety, when disposing of the
pyrotechnic ETDs always follow our safety
instructions. These are available at any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The PRE-SAFE ®
system has electrically
operated reversible pre-tensioners that do
not require replacement after activation.
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Driving safety systems
Introduction
This section contains information about the
following driving safety systems:
R ABS (
Antilock Brake System)
R Adaptive Brake
R Adaptive Brake Lights
R BAS (
Brake Assist System)
R BAS PLUS (
Brake Assist System PLUS)
R EBP (
Electronic Brake Proportioning)
R ESC (
Electronic Stability Control)
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (
Preventive Occupant
Safety System Brake)
i In winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of most of the driving
systems described in this section is only
achieved with winter tires, or snow chains
as required.
Safety notes
GWarning!
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:
R Excessive speed, especially in turns
R Wet and slippery road surfaces
R Following another vehicle too closely
The driving safety systems described in this
section cannot reduce these risks or prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle. They cannot increase braking or
steering efficiency beyond that afforded by
the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires
or the traction afforded.
Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents.
The capabilities of a vehicle equipped with the
driving safety systems described in this
section must never be exploited in a reckless
or dangerous manner which could jeopardize
the user’s safety or the safety of others.
Always adjust your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions and
keep a safe distance to other road users and
objects on the street.
If a driving system malfunctions, other driving
safety systems may also switch off. Observe
indicator and warning lamps that may come
on as well as messages in the multifunction
display that may appear.GWarning!
HYBRID vehicles: It is imperative that you read
the HYBRID Supplemental Operating
Instructions included in your vehicle literature
portfolio. You may otherwise not receive all
necessary safety information and warning for
the operation of your vehicle.
ABS
GObserve Safety notes, see page 63.GWarning!
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm, steady
brake pedal pressure instead. Pumping the
brake pedal defeats the purpose of the ABS
and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do not
lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of
approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will
respond even to light brake pressure.
The ABS indicator lamp 0031 in the
instrument cluster comes on when you switch
on the ignition. It goes out when the engine
is running.
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vehicle characteristics into consideration,
thus achieving an optimal braking effect.
In addiditon, Adaptive Brake provides the
HOLD function (Y page 342) and the hill-start
assist system ( Y page 341).
For more information on the brake system,
see ( Y page 435).
Adaptive Brake Lights
i This function is only available for the
S 600 and the S 65 AMG (USA only).
The brake lamps flash in quick intervals
R while you are braking hard at a speed of
more than 30 mph (50 km/h)
R when you are braking with the aid of BAS
R when you are braking with the aid of BAS
PLUS.
This helps to alert drivers behind you.
If you bring the car to a complete stop by hard
braking at a speed of more than 40 mph
(70 km/h), the hazard warning flasher comes
on automatically as soon as the vehicle is at
a standstill. While the vehicle is stationary,
the brake lamps are continuously lit up. Once
you drive faster than 6 mph (10 km/h)
afterward, the hazard warning flasher goes
out.
EBP
GObserve Safety notes, see page 63.
The Electronic Brake Proportioning (EBP)
enhances braking effectiveness by allowing
the rear brakes to supply a greater proportion
of the braking effort in straight-line braking
without a loss of vehicle stability.
GWarning!
If the EBP malfunctions, the brake system will
still function with full brake boost. However,
the rear wheels could lock up during
emergency braking situations, for example.
You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident.
Adapt your driving style to the changed
driving characteristics.
ESC
GObserve Safety notes, see page 63.
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is
operational as soon as the engine is running.
It monitors the vehicle’s traction (force of
adhesive friction between the tires and the
road surface) and handling.
The ESC recognizes that the vehicle deviates
from the direction of travel as intended by the
driver. By applying brakes to individual
wheels and by limiting the engine output, the
ESC works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESC is
especially useful while driving off and on wet
or slippery road surfaces. The ESC also
stabilizes the vehicle during braking and
steering maneuvers.
The ESC warning lamp 00F2 in the instrument
cluster comes on when you switch on the
ignition. It goes out when the engine is
running.
GWarning!
Never switch off the ESC when you see the
ESC warning lamp 00F2 flashing in the
instrument cluster. In this case proceed as
follows:
R When driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R While driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid. The ESC cannot
prevent accidents resulting from excessive
speed.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC:
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Because the ESC operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or
1 or KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in
position 0 or 1) when the electronic parking
brake is being tested on a brake test
dynamometer.
Active braking action through the ESC may
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! Vehicles without 4MATIC:
Because the ESC operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or
1 or KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in
position 0 or 1) when the electronic parking
brake is being tested on a brake test
dynamometer or when the vehicle is being
towed with one axle raised.
Active braking action through the ESC may
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! The ESC will only function properly if you
use wheels of the recommended tire size
as specified in the “Technical data” section
of this Operator’s Manual.
i The DISTRONIC PLUS and cruise control
switch off automatically when the ESC
engages.
Electronic Traction System
(ETS/4-ETS) GObserve Safety notes, see page 63.
The ETS (Electronic Traction System) and
4-ETS (four-wheel Electronic Traction
System, vehicles with 4MATIC only) are
components of the ESC. The ETS/4-ETS
improves the vehicle’s ability to utilize
available traction, especially under slippery
road conditions by applying the brakes to a
spinning wheel. Vehicles with 4MATIC also
transfer more power to the wheel(s) with
traction.
When you switch off the ESC, the
ETS/4-ETS is still enabled.
Switching off the ESC
Switching off the ESC (except S 63 AMG)
GWarning!
The ESC should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the
circumstances described below. Disabling
the system will reduce vehicle stability in
driving maneuvers.
Do not switch off the ESC when a spare wheel
is mounted.
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch off
the ESC. This allows the drive wheels to spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip, for
example
R when driving with snow chains
R in deep snow
R in sand or gravel
GWarning!
Switch on the ESC immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not apply
anymore. Otherwise the ESC will not stabilize
the vehicle when it is starting to skid or a
wheel is spinning.
When you switch off the ESC,
R the ESC does not stabilize the vehicle
R the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and thus cut
into surfaces for better grip
R the ETS/4-ETS will still apply the brakes to
a spinning wheel
R the ESC continues to operate when you are
braking
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Rthe cruise control or the DISTRONIC PLUS
cannot be activated
R the cruise control or the DISTRONIC PLUS
switch off if activated
i When the ESC is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ESC
warning lamp 00F2 in the instrument
cluster flashes. However, the ESC will then
not stabilize the vehicle.XWith the engine running, switch off the ESC
via the control system ( Y page 231).GWarning!
When the ESC OFF warning lamp 00C7 is on,
the ESC is switched off.
When the ESC warning lamp 00F2 and the
ESC OFF warning lamp 00C7 are on
continuously, the ESC is not operational due
to a malfunction.
When the ESC is switched off or not
operational, vehicle stability in standard
driving maneuvers is reduced.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESC.
! Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESC switched off.
This may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Switching off the ESC (S 63 AMG only)
GWarning!
The ESC should not be switched off during
normal driving.
Disabling of the system will result in the
following:
R no restriction to engine torque
R loss of system-supported traction control
“ESC OFF” is designed for driving on closed
tracks when the vehicle’s natural oversteer
and understeer characteristics are desired
and requires a highly skilled and experienced
driver able to handle these critical driving
situations.
You could lose control of your vehicle and
cause an accident.
Please be aware of these limits when you
switch off the ESC.
Do not switch off the ESC when a spare wheel
is mounted.
When you switch off the ESC,
R the ESC does not stabilize the vehicle
R the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin
R the ETS will still apply the brakes to a
spinning wheel
R the ESC operates while you are braking
R the cruise control or the DISTRONIC PLUS
cannot be activated
R the cruise control or the DISTRONIC PLUS
switch off if activated
i When the ESC is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ESC
warning lamp 00F2 in the instrument
cluster flashes. However, the ESC will then
not stabilize the vehicle.XWith the engine running, switch off the ESC
via the control system ( Y page 231).GWarning!
When the ESC OFF warning lamp 00C7 is on,
the ESC is switched off.
When the ESC warning lamp 00F2 and the
ESC OFF warning lamp 00C7 are on
continuously, the ESC is not operational due
to a malfunction.
When the ESC is switched off or not
operational, vehicle stability in standard
driving maneuvers is reduced.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESC.
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