342 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2012 W221 Owner's Manual

Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 338
Warning lamp ................................. 428
Dolby Digital ...................................... 136
Doors Automatic locking (switch) ............... 86
Central locking/unlocking
(SmartKey) ....................................... 78
Control panel ................................... 40
Display message ............................ 418
Emergency locking ........................... 88
Emergency unlocking .......................87
Important safety notes ....................85
Opening (from inside) ......................86
Power closing feature ......................87
Drinking and driving ......................... 326
Drinks holder see Cup holder
Drive program
Automatic ...................................... 314
Manual ........................................... 316
Driver's door
see Doors
Driver's seat
see Seats
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service .................463
Symmetrical low beam ..................276
Driving Assistance package ............. 360
Driving safety systems ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......69
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 73
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............70
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) ............................................... 70
Electronic brake force distribution ...73
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) .......................................... 71
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ........................................... 72
Important safety information ...........69
Overview .......................................... 68
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ............................. 73
Driving systems
Active Blind Spot Assist .................364
Active Body Control .......................345Active Driving Assistance
package ......................................... 363
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............367
AIRMATIC ...................................... 343
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................356
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 360
Cruise control ................................ 330
Display message ............................ 408
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 332
Driving Assistance package ...........360
HOLD function ............................... 342
Lane Keeping Assist ......................362
Night View Assist Plus ...................357
Parking Guidance ........................... 350
PARKTRONIC ................................. 347
Rear view camera .......................... 354
Driving tips
Automatic transmission .................313
Brakes ........................................... 327
Break-in period .............................. 302
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 340
Downhill gradient ........................... 327
Drinking and driving .......................326
Driving abroad ............................... 276
Driving in winter ............................. 330
Driving on flooded roads ................329
Driving on wet roads ......................329
Exhaust check ............................... 327
Fuel ................................................ 326
General .......................................... 326
Hydroplaning ................................. 329
Icy road surfaces ........................... 330
Limited braking efficiency on
salted roads ................................... 328
Pedals ............................................ 326
Snow chains .................................. 493
Symmetrical low beam ..................276
Wet road surface ........................... 327
DVD
Changer ......................................... 220
Copy protection ............................. 229
Fast forward/fast rewind ...............225
Handling ........................................ 189
Inserting ........................................ 220
Inserting/loading (Rear Seat
Entertainment System) ..................251
Notes on discs ............................... 22910Index

Gracenote Media Database .............. 226
H
Handbrake see Parking brake
Harman/kardon ®
Logic 7 ®
surround sound system see Surround sound (harman/
kardon ®
surround sound system)
Hazard warning lamps ...................... 279
HD Radio™ ......................................... 215
Heading up (navigation) ................... 184
Headlamp cleaning system Notes ............................................. 529
Headlamps
Adding fluid to cleaning system .....461
Cleaning system (function) ............278
Fogging up ..................................... 281
see Automatic headlamp mode
Headphones
Changing batteries ........................247
Function overview ..........................142
Indicator lamp ................................ 143
Selecting a screen .........................142
Switching on/off ........................... 142
Head restraints
Adjusting ....................................... 106
Adjusting (electrically) ...................106
Adjusting (rear) .............................. 107
NECK-PRO ..................................... 106
NECK-PRO luxury ........................... 106
see NECK-PRO head restraints/
NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
Heating
see Climate control
High-beam headlamps
Changing bulbs (vehicles with
halogen daytime running lamps) ....284
Changing bulbs (vehicles with LED
daylight lamps) .............................. 284
Display message ............................ 402
Switching Adaptive Highbeam
Assist on/off ................................. 280
Switching on/off ........................... 279
Hill start assist .................................. 306
HOLD function
Display message ............................ 411
Function/notes ............................. 342
Home
see Home address
Home address
Entering and saving .......................156
Selecting from the destination
memory ......................................... 159
Hood
Closing ........................................... 457
Display message ............................ 418
Opening ......................................... 456
Hydroplaning ..................................... 329
I
Ignition lock see Key positions
Immobilizer .......................................... 75
Incident (traffic report) ..................... 174
Indicator lamps see Warning and indicator lamps
Indicators
see Turn signals
Insect protection on the radiator .... 457
Instrument cluster Overview .......................................... 35
Warning and indicator lamps ...........36
Instrument lighting
see Instrument cluster lighting
Interface (USB, iPod ®
)
see Media Interface
Interior lighting
Ambient light (COMAND) ...............263
Automatic control ..........................282
Interior lighting .............................. 263
Manual control ............................... 282
Overview ........................................ 281
Reading lamp ................................. 281
see Interior lighting
Intermediate stop
Deleting ......................................... 162
Entering ......................................... 161
iPod ®
Alphabetical track selection ..........237
Connecting to the Media
Interface ........................................ 234
Index13

Instrument cluster
Displays
FunctionPage:Coolant temperature372;Fuel gauge=PARKTRONIC347?Multifunction display374SpeedometerATransmission position312BTachometer373CDrive program314DParking Guidance350FunctionPageEUnit of measurement for
the speedometer
386
FOutside temperature373GAdditional speedometer386HHOLD function342Ä PRE-SAFE ®
Brake73IAdaptive Highbeam Assist280Lane Keeping Assist or
Active Lane Keeping Assist362, 367ATTENTION ASSIST356Instrument cluster35At a glance

When you deactivate ESP®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.XTo deactivate: (Y page 384).
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.GWARNING
When the å ESP®
OFF warning lamp is lit,
ESP ®
is deactivated.
If the ÷ ESP®
warning lamp and the
å ESP®
OFF warning lamp remain lit,
ESP ®
is not available due to a malfunction.
When ESP ®
is deactivated 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 ESP ®
.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
XTo activate: (Y page 384).
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y page 69).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking.GWARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the braking system
remains available with full brake boosting
effect. However, the rear wheels can still lock,
e.g. under full braking. This could cause you
to lose control of your vehicle and cause an
accident. You should therefore adapt your
driving style to the different handling
characteristics.
XObserve the notes on warning and indicator
lamps ( Y page 423) as well as display
messages ( Y page 392).
ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety
and offers increased braking comfort. In
addition to the braking function, ADAPTIVE
BRAKE also has the HOLD function
( Y page 342) and hill start assist
( Y page 306). For further information, see
Driving tips ( Y page 327).
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is only available in vehicles
with DISTRONIC PLUS.
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y page 69).
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can help you to minimize
the risk of a frontal collision with a vehicle
ahead or reduce the effects of such a
collision. If PRE-SAFE ®
Brake has detected a
risk of collision, you will be warned visually
and acoustically as well as by automatic
braking. PRE-SAFE ®
Brake cannot prevent a
collision without your intervention.
At speeds above approximately
4 mph (7 km/h), this function warns you
when you are rapidly approaching the vehicle
in front. An intermittent warning tone will
Driving safety systems73SafetyZ

Obstructions and stationary vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for
obstacles or stationary vehicles. If, for
example, the detected vehicle turns a corner
and reveals an obstacle or stationary vehicle,
DISTRONIC PLUS will not brake for these.
Crossing vehicles
DISTRONIC PLUS may mistakenly detect
vehicles that are crossing your lane.
Activating DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic lights
with crossing traffic, for example, could cause
your vehicle to pull away unintentionally.
HOLD function
General notes
The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
R when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when maneuvering on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.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.
Activation conditions
You can activate the HOLD function if:
R the vehicle is stationary.
R the driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened.
R the electric parking brake is released.
R the hood is closed.
R the transmission is in position R, N or D.
The trunk lid must be closed in position R.
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
Activating the HOLD function
XMake sure that the activation conditions
are met.XDepress the brake pedal.XQuickly depress the brake pedal further
until HOLD display : appears in the
instrument cluster.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.342Driving systemsDriving and parking

XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the DriveAssist
menu.XPress the 9 or : button to select
Distance Display .XPress a.
The DISTRONIC PLUS distance display
( Y page 339) appears in the multifunction
display.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
GWARNING
Under no circumstances should you
deactivate ESP ®
when the ÷ ESP®
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes. 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 to suit the prevailing road
and weather conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid. ESP ®
cannot
prevent accidents resulting from excessive
speed.
For further information about ESP ®
, see
( Y page 71).
XStart the engine.XPress = or ; on the steering wheel
to select the DriveAssist menu.XPress the 9 or : button to select
ESP .XPress the a button.XTo deactivate: press a again.
The å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on.GWARNING
When the å ESP®
OFF warning lamp is lit,
ESP ®
is deactivated.
If the ÷ ESP®
warning lamp and the
å ESP®
OFF warning lamp remain lit,
ESP ®
is not available due to a malfunction.
When ESP ®
is deactivated 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 ESP ®
.XTo activate: press a again.
The å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Activating/deactivating PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is only available in vehicles
with DISTRONIC PLUS.
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the DriveAssist
menu.XPress 9 or : to select PRE-SAFE
Brake .XPress a.
The current selection is displayed.XTo activate/deactivate: press a
again.
When PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ( Y page 73) is
activated, the multifunction display shows
the Ä symbol as long as the HOLD
function is not activated ( Y page 342).
Activating/deactivating ATTENTION
ASSIST
This function is not available in HYBRID
vehicles.
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the DriveAssist
menu.XPress the 9 or : button to select
Attention Assist .384Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

Display messages
General notes
GWARNING
All categories of messages contain important information which should be taken note of and,
where a malfunction is indicated, addressed as soon as possible at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Failure to repair the condition noted may cause damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property damage or personal injury.
Display messages appear in the multifunction display.
Display messages with graphic displays may be shown in simplified form in the Operator's
Manual and may differ from the messages shown in the multifunction display.
Please respond in accordance with the display messages and follow the additional notes in
this Operator's Manual.
Certain display messages are accompanied by an audible warning tone or a continuous tone.
When you stop and park the vehicle, please observe the notes on the HOLD function
( Y page 342) and parking ( Y page 323).
Hiding display messages
You can hide some display messages with a low priority.
XPress the a or % button on the steering wheel to hide the display message.
The display message is cleared.
Display messages with a low priority are shown in either yellow or white.
Display messages with a high priority are shown in red.
You cannot hide display messages of the highest priority. The multifunction display shows
these messages continuously until the causes for the messages have been remedied.
Message memory
The on-board computer saves certain display messages. You can call up the display messages
in the message memory .
XPress the = or ; button on the steering wheel to select the Service menu.
If there are display messages, the multifunction display shows, for example, 2 messages.XPress the 9 or : button to select the entry, e.g. 2 messages.XConfirm with a.XPress the 9 or : button to scroll through the display messages.
When the ignition is switched off, all display messages are deleted apart from some high-
priority display messages. Once the causes of the high-priority display messages have been
rectified, the corresponding display messages are also deleted.
388Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsABC
Vehicle Rising
Please Wait BrieflyThe ABC vehicle level is too low when the vehicle is stationary.XDo not pull away.
The vehicle level is set when the display message disappears.ABC
MalfunctionThe ABC function is restricted. The vehicle's handling
characteristics may be affected.XDo not drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h).XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.HOLD
OffThe HOLD function is deactivated. The vehicle is skidding.
A warning tone also sounds.XReactivate the HOLD function later ( Y page 342).The HOLD function is deactivated. When the brake pedal is firmly
depressed, an activation condition is not fulfilled.
A warning tone also sounds.XCheck the activation conditions for the HOLD function
( Y page 342).Radar Sensors
Deactivated See
Oper. ManualThe radar sensor system is deactivated.XSwitch on the radar sensor system ( Y page 387).Lane Keeping
Assist Currently
Unavailable. See
Operator's Manual
or Lane Keeping
Assist Currently
Unavailable. See
Operator's ManualLane Keeping Assist or Active Lane Keeping Assist is deactivated
and temporarily inoperative if:
R the windshield is dirty in the camera's field of vision.
R visibility is impaired due to heavy rain, snow or fog.
R there are no lane markings for a longer period.
R the lane markings are worn, dark or covered, for example by dirt
or snow.
Lane Keeping Assist or Active Lane Keeping Assist is operational
again and the display message disappears if:
R the dirt (e.g. slush) drops away while the vehicle is in motion.
R the system recognizes that the camera is fully operational again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:XClean the windshield.Lane Keeping
Assist Inoperative
or Active Lane
Keeping Assist
InoperativeLane Keeping Assist or Active Lane Keeping Assist is defective.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Display messages411On-board computer and displaysZ