Tires and wheels MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2011 W221 Owner's Manual

Index ....................................................... 4Introduction ......................................... 24At a glance ........................................... 29Safety ................................................... 41Opening and closing ...........................75Seats, steering wheel and mirrors ....99COMAND ............................................ 113Lights and windshield wipers ..........271Climate control ................................. 285Driving and parking ..........................297On-board computer and displays ....363Loading, stowing and features ........421Maintenance and care ......................445Roadside assistance .........................461Tires and wheels ............................... 479Technical data ................................... 507
Contents3

S 65 AMG ...................................... 517
Tires/wheels ................................. 503
TELEAID
Automatic retrieval of vehicle data
(service due date) ..........................438
Call priority .................................... 436
Display message ............................ 383
Downloading destinations
(COMAND) ..................................... 437
Emergency call .............................. 433
Important safety notes ..................432
Locating a stolen vehicle ...............439
MB info call button ........................436
Remote vehicle locking ..................438
Roadside Assistance button ..........435
Self-test ......................................... 433
System .......................................... 433
Vehicle remote unlocking ..............438
Telephone
Accepting a call ............................. 374
Calling voicemail ............................ 198
Call waiting .................................... 198
Conference connection .................. 198
Ending an active call ......................198
Entering phone numbers ................ 197
Incoming call ................................. 197
Keypad ........................................... 118
Menu (on-board computer) ............374
Number from the phone book ........ 374
Outgoing call ................................. 197
redialing ......................................... 197
Redialing ........................................ 375
Rejecting/ending a call .................374
Sending DTMF tones ...................... 200
Single call ...................................... 198
Switching hands-free microphone
on/off ............................................ 198
Toggling ......................................... 198
Telephone basic menu
Bluetooth ®
interface ...................... 196
Telephone compartment .................. 423
Telephone number Entering ......................................... 197
Temperature
Coolant .......................................... 365
Engine oil (on-board computer) ...... 371
Outside temperature ...................... 365Setting ........................................... 290
Setting (COMAND) .........................262
Theft deterrent locking system
Immobilizer ...................................... 73
Tilt/sliding sunroof
see Sliding sunroof
Time
Setting ........................................... 142
Time format
Setting ........................................... 142
Timer (on-board computer) .............. 372
Time zone Setting ........................................... 142
Tiredness assistant
see ATTENTION ASSIST
Tire pressure
Calling up (on-board computer) .....487
Checking manually ........................487
Display message ............................ 407
Maximum ....................................... 486
Notes ............................................. 484
Recommended ............................... 483
Tire pressure monitoring system
Function/notes ............................. 487
Restarting ...................................... 489
Warning lamp ................................. 419
Tires
Aspect ratio (definition) .................501
Average weight of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................500
Bar (definition) ............................... 500
Characteristics .............................. 499
Checking ........................................ 480
Definition of terms .........................500
Direction of rotation ......................503
Distribution of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................502
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................... 499
DOT (Department of
Transportation) (definition) ............500
Flat tire .......................................... 463
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 500
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
(definition) ..................................... 500
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) (definition) .........................50120Index

Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ......500
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ...........501
Labeling (overview) ........................495
Load bearing index (definition) ......502
Load index ..................................... 498
Load index (definition) ...................501
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 501
Maximum load on a tire
(definition) ..................................... 501
Maximum permissible tire
pressure (definition) ....................... 501
Maximum tire load .........................494
Maximum tire load (definition) .......501
Optional equipment weight
(definition) ..................................... 502
PSI (pounds per square inch)
(definition) ..................................... 501
Replacing ....................................... 502
Service life ..................................... 482
Sidewall (definition) .......................502
Speed index (definition) .................500
Storing ........................................... 503
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 500
Temperature .................................. 495
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 502
Tire bead (definition) ......................502
Tire pressure (definition) ................501
Tire pressures (recommended) ......500
Tire size (data) ............................... 503
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed index ....................496
Tire tread ....................................... 481
Tire tread (definition) .....................501
Total load limit (definition) .............502
Traction ......................................... 495
Traction (definition) .......................502
Tread wear ..................................... 495
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 494
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) ....................500
Unladen weight (definition) ............501
Wear indicator (definition) .............502
Wheel rim (definition) ....................500Tires and wheels (important safety
information) ....................................... 480
Toggling .............................................. 198
Tone settings Balance and fader ..........................133
Treble and bass ............................. 133
Top Tether ............................................ 64
Towing Important safety guidelines ...........473
Installing the towing eye ................474
Removing the towing eye ...............474
Track
Selecting ........................................ 248
Track information .............................. 250
Traffic jam function ........................... 168
Traffic Program Switching off .................................. 132
Traffic report
Real-time traffic report ..................174
Traffic report read-aloud function ... 172
Traffic reports .................................... 172
Transfer case ..................................... 313
Transmission position display ......... 308
Transmission positions .................... 309
Treble and bass Adjusting ....................................... 133
Trip computer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 368
Trip odometer Calling up ....................................... 368
Resetting (on-board computer) ......369
True Image™ ...................................... 135
Trunk Automatic opening ..................... 86, 87
Emergency release ..........................88
Important safety guidelines .............85
Limiting the opening angle ............. 261
Locking separately ...........................87
Trunk lid
Display message ............................ 410
Trunk lid opening height
restriction .......................................... 261
trunk load (maximum) ...................... 516
Turn signal (display message) ......... 394
Turn signals ....................................... 274
Type plate see Vehicle identification plate Index21

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.
Vehicle operation outside the USA
and 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 can damage the
catalytic converter.
R Gasoline may have a considerably lower
octane rating. 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
one of the following addresses:
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 safety
Safety notes
GWarning
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 when 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 has 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.
26Introduction

Exterior viewFunctionPage:Trunk lid85Vehicle tool kit462;Lights278=Rear window defroster293?Fuel filler flap313AExterior mirrors109BSliding sunroof93CDefrosting the windshield292Cleaning the windows455FunctionPageDWindshield wipers281EOpens the hood446Engine oil447Coolant450FTowing473GTires and wheels480Flat tire46330Exterior viewAt a glance

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.
i In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the
driving safety systems described in this
section work as effectively as possible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes
GWarning
Observe "Important safety notes"
( Y page 66).
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.
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the
vehicle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about
5 mph (8 km/h) upwards, regardless of road-
surface conditions. ABS works on slippery
surfaces, even when you only brake gently.
The ! warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
Braking
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.
XIf ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking
situation is over.XTo make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force.GWarning
If the ABS malfunctions, other driving systems
such as the BAS or the ESP ®
are also switched
off. Observe indicator and warning lamps that
may come on as well as messages in the
multifunction display that may appear.
If the ABS malfunctions, the wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing the steering
capability and extending the braking distance.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
GWarning
Observe "Important safety notes"
( Y page 66).
BAS operates in emergency braking
situations. If you depress the brake pedal
quickly, BAS automatically boosts the braking
force, thus shortening the stopping distance.
XKeep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.Driving safety systems67SafetyZ

XTo show the menu: press the COMAND
controller W.
XSelect Position in the navigation menu
bar by turning cVd the COMAND
controller and press W to confirm.
XSelect Where am I? and press W to
confirm.
Off-road and off-map
Important safety notes
GWarning
The COMAND navigation system may direct
you to off-road routes that your vehicle may
not be capable of traversing through without
damaging your tires, wheels or vehicle. It is
the driver’s sole responsibility to determine
the suitability of the route. Off-road routes
may be of varying conditions and their
appropriateness for use may be affected by
various factors such as time of day, time of
year and immediate weather conditions that
cannot be judged or taken into consideration
by the COMAND system.
Route guidance to a destination that is on
a non-digitized road
COMAND can guide you to destinations
which are within the area covered by the
digital map, but which are not themselves
recorded on the map.
These destinations are known as off-road
destinations, which you can enter using the
map, for example. In these cases, COMAND
guides you for as long as possible with
navigation announcements and displays on
roads known to the system.
Example display: route guidance to an off-roaddestination
:Off-road destination;Off-road route section (blue dashes)=Current vehicle position (the tip of the
triangle indicates the vehicle’s direction
of travel)
?Off-road (no street names available)
Shortly before you reach the last known point
on the map, you will hear the You will
enter an area, where turn-by-turn
guidance can not be provided
announcement.
If the vehicle reaches an area that is not on
the digitized map, the display is split into two
halves. On the right is a direction arrow which
points to off-road destination :. You will
hear the "Please follow the arrow on the
display" announcement. When the vehicle is
close to the destination, you will see the
Area of Destination Reached display
message.
Route guidance from an off-road location
to a destination
If the vehicle position is within the area
covered by the digital map, but the map does
not contain any information about that
location, the vehicle is in an off-road location.
COMAND is also able to guide you to a
destination even from an off-road location.
At the start of the route guidance, you will see
the Street unknown message, an arrow and
the distance to the destination. The arrow
shows the compass heading to the actual
destination.
Navigation171COMANDZ

Ryour individual selection, i.e. sports or
comfort
Rthe vehicle load
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Sports tuning
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode if you prefer a firmer
suspension tuning.
XIf indicator lamp ; is not lit: press
button :.
Indicator lamp ; lights up. You have
selected the suspension for a sporty driving
style.
The ABC Active Body Control SPORT
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Comfort tuning
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you prefer a more comfortable
driving style.
XIf indicator lamp ; is lit: press
button :.
Indicator lamp ; goes out. You have
selected the suspension for a comfortable
driving style.
The ABC Active Body Control
COMFORT message appears in the
multifunction display.
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive)
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are
permanently driven. Together with ESP®, it
improves the traction of your vehicle
whenever a drive wheel spins due to
insufficient grip.
GWarning!
If a drive wheel is spinning due to insufficient
traction:
RWhile driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
RWhile driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
RAdapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The 4MATIC cannot prevent accidents
resulting from excessive speed.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground
or be fully raised. Observe the instructions
for towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
iIn wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary.
PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes
GWarning!
The PARKTRONIC is a supplemental system.
It is not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always remains with the driver.
Driving systems339Driving and parkingZ

GWarning!
The system cannot detect objects located
above the area that the sensors scan. These
objects, e.g. protruding load, overhang, or
truck tail lifts, will be ignored when computing
the parking procedure. The Parking Guidance
might therefore provide untimely steering
instructions. This could cause a collision.
Thus, do not use the Parking Guidance in such
situations.
GWarning!
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You could
otherwise injure them.
! Pay particular attention to low objects or
objects with flat surfaces, such as trailer
drawbars, posts, cross beams and curbs.
These types of objects cannot be detected
by Parking Guidance and may damage the
vehicle.
When PARKTRONIC is deactivated, Parking
Guidance is also unavailable.
Use Parking Guidance for parking spaces:
Rthat are parallel to the direction of travel
Rthat are on straight roads, not bends
Rthat are on the same level as the road, i.e.
not on the pavement, for example. Parking
Guidance may not detect flat curbs
Parking tips:
ROn narrow roads, drive as close to the
parking space as possible.
RParking spaces that are littered, overgrown
or partially occupied by trailer drawbars
might be identified incorrectly or not at all.
RSnowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately.
RPay attention to the PARKTRONIC warning
messages during the parking procedure
(Y page 341).
RWhen transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle, you must not use Parking
Guidance.
RNever use Parking Guidance with snow
chains or an emergency spare wheel
installed.
RMake sure that the tire pressures are
always correct. This has a direct effect on
the steering instructions.
RThe way your vehicle is positioned in the
parking space after parking is dependent
on various factors. These include the
position and shape of the vehicles parked
in front and behind it and the conditions of
the location. In some cases, Parking
Guidance may guide you too far or not far
enough into a parking space. In some
cases, it may also lead you across or onto
the curb. If necessary, cancel the parking
procedure with Parking Guidance.
! If unavoidable, you should drive over
obstacles such as curbs slowly and not at
a sharp angle. Otherwise, you may damage
the wheels or tires.
Detecting parking spaces
:Detected parking space on the left;Parking symbol=Detected parking space on the right
Parking Guidance is automatically activated
when you drive forwards. The system is
operational at speeds of up to approximately
22 mph (35 km/h). While in operation, the
system independently locates and measures
parking spaces on both sides of the vehicle.
At speeds below 19 mph (30 km/h), you see
white parking symbol ; in the instrument
cluster as a status indicator. Parking
Guidance only shows parking spaces on the
passenger side in the default setting. Parking
spaces on the driver's side are displayed as
Driving systems343Driving and parkingZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsCruise Control
ohne
Funktion InoperativeCruise control is faulty.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Cruise Control
--- mphA condition for activating cruise control has not been met.
You wanted to save a speed of less than 20 mph (30 km/h).XIf the situation allows, drive faster than 20 mph ( 30 km/h) and
save the speed.XCheck the activation conditions for cruise control
( Y page 323).
Tires
GWarning
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You may
lose control of the vehicle. Continued driving with a flat tire will cause excessive heat build-up
and possibly a fire.
GWarning
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires wear excessively and/or unevenly, adversely affect
handling and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail from being overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can adversely affect handling and ride comfort, wear
unevenly, increase stopping distance, and result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they are
more likely to become punctured or damaged by road debris, potholes etc.
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsTire Pressures
Displayed After
Driving A Few
MinutesThe tire pressure monitor is measuring the tire pressure.XDrive on.
The tire pressures appear in the multifunction display after you
have been driving for a few minutes.Tire Pressure
Monitor
InoperativeThe TPMS is faulty.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Tire Pressure
Monitor
Inoperative No
Wheel SensorsThe wheels mounted do not have a suitable tire pressure sensor.
The tire pressure monitor is deactivated.XMount wheels with suitable tire pressure sensors.
The TPMS is activated automatically after driving for a few
minutes.Display messages407On-board computer and displaysZ