MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2015 W222 Owner's Manual

Transmission position display
General notes !
If the transmission position display in the
multifunction display is not working, you
should pull away carefully to check whether the desired transmission position is
engaged. For this purpose, we recommend
selecting transmission position Dand auto-
matic drive program E(drive program Cin
AMG vehicles, drive program E+in PLUG-IN
HYBRID vehicles) or S.
The current transmission position is shown in
the multifunction display.
The arrows in the transmission position dis-
play show how and into which transmission
positions you can change using the DIRECT
SELECT lever.
All vehicles (except AMG vehicles) :
Transmission position
; Gear
= Drive program AMG vehicles :
Transmission position
; Drive program Transmission positions
B Park position
Do not shift the transmission into
position
P(Ypage 220) unless the
vehicle is stationary. The parking
lock should not be used as a brake when parking. Always apply the
electronic parking brake in addi-
tion to the parking lock in order to
secure the vehicle.
If the vehicle electronics are mal-
functioning, the transmission may
be locked in position P. Have the
vehicle electronics checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist
workshop. C Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission to
R
when the vehicle is stationary. Automatic transmission
199Driving and parking Z

A Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to
N
while driving. Otherwise, the auto-
matic transmission could be dam-
aged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty:
shift the transmission to position N
if the vehicle is in danger of skid-
ding, e.g. on icy roads.
! Rolling in neutral
Ncan damage
the drive train. 7 Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.
Driving tips
Changing gear The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-
vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position D. This automatic gear shift-
ing behavior is determined by:
R the selected drive program (Y page 200)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
(Y page 200)
R the road speed
Accelerator pedal position Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear:
R little throttle: early upshifts
R more throttle: late upshifts Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a
lower gear depending on the engine speed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Rocking the vehicle free Rocking the vehicle free by shifting back and
forth between transmission positions Dand R
can help to free a vehicle that has become
stuck in mud or snow. The vehicle's engine
management restricts switching between
transmission positions Dand Rto speeds up
to a maximum of 5 mph (9 km/h). To shift
back and forth between transmission posi-
tions Dand R, move the DIRECT SELECT lever
up and down past the point of resistance. Program selector button
This section describes the program selector
button for all vehicles except PLUG-IN
HYBRID vehicles. Information on automatic
drive programs for PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles (Y page 285). X
All vehicles (except AMG vehicles and
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles): press pro-200
Automatic transmissionDriving an
d parking

gram selector button
:to change the
drive program.
The selected drive program appears in the
multifunction display. X
AMG vehicles: press program selector
button :repeatedly until the letter of the
desired drive program appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
The program selector button influences: R the drive program (Y page 202)
R the engine management
In AMG vehicles, drive program Eis called
drive program C.
When the engine is started, the automatic
transmission always switches to automatic
drive program E(drive program Cin AMG
vehicles).
All vehicles (except AMG vehicles and
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles) E
Economy Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
You can also activate manual drive program
M
using the steering wheel paddle shifters
(Y page 202). In manual drive program M,
you can briefly change gear yourself by using the steering wheel paddle shifters. AMG vehicles C
Controlled
Efficiency Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
M
Manual Manual gear shifting
Permanent drive program
Mis only available
for AMG vehicles.
Further information about permanent drive
program M(Y page 203).
You can also activate manual drive program
M using the steering wheel paddle shifters
(Y page 202). In manual drive program M,
you can briefly change gear yourself by using
the steering wheel paddle shifters.
For further information on the automatic drive
program, see (Y page 202). Steering wheel paddle shifters
You can activate manual drive program
Min
the E(C in AMG vehicles) and Sautomatic
drive programs using steering wheel paddle
shifters :and ;(Ypage 202). In manual
drive program M, you can briefly change gear
yourself by using the steering wheel paddle
shifters.
AMG vehicles: you can also activate manual
drive program Mwith the program selector
button (Y page 203). In manual drive pro-
gram M, you can permanently change gear
yourself by using the steering wheel paddle
shifters. Automatic transmission
201Driving and parking Z

Automatic drive program
Automatic drive program E Drive program
E(drive program Con MAG
vehicles) is characterized by the following:
R comfort-oriented engine settings.
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner.
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully.
R increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example.
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin.
Automatic drive program S Drive program
Sis characterized by the fol-
lowing:
R sporty engine settings
R the vehicle pulling away in first gear
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later.
R the fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic transmis- sion shift points.
Manual drive program M General notes
In this drive program, you can briefly change
gear yourself by using the steering wheel pad-
dle shifters. The transmission must be in posi- tion D.
You can activate manual drive program Min
the E(C in AMG vehicles) and Sautomatic
drive programs.
AMG vehicles: as well as temporary drive
program M, you can also activate permanent drive program
M. Further information about
permanent drive program M(Y page 203).
Activating X Shift the transmission to position D.
X Pull the left or right steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 201).
Manual drive program Mis temporarily acti-
vated.
All vehicles except AMG vehicles: M and
the selected gear appear in the multifunc-
tion display.
Further information on activating manual
drive program Mon PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles
(Y page 286).
Shifting gears
If you pull on the left or right steering wheel
paddle shifter, the automatic transmission
switches to manual drive program Mfor a
limited amount of time. Depending on which
paddle shifter is pulled, the automatic trans-
mission immediately shifts into the next gear down or up, if permitted.
X To shift up: pull the right-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter (Y page 201).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
If the maximum engine speed on the cur-
rently engaged gear is reached and you
continue to accelerate, the automatic
transmission automatically shifts up in
order to prevent engine damage.
AMG vehicles: the automatic transmission
will not shift up to the next gear when the
engine speed is very low.
X To shift down: pull on the left-hand steer-
ing wheel paddle shifter (Y page 201).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
If the engine exceeds the maximum engine speed when shifting down, the automatic
transmission protects against engine dam- age by not shifting down. 202
Automatic trans
missionDriving and parking

Automatic down shifting occurs when
coasting.
Shift recommendation The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec- ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display.
X Shift to recommended gear ;according
to gearshift recommendation :when
shown in the multifunction display of the
instrument cluster.
Deactivating
If you have activated manual drive program
M , it will remain active for a certain amount of
time. Under certain conditions the minimum
amount of time is extended, e.g. in the case of lateral acceleration, during an overrun phase
or when driving on steep terrain.
If manual drive program Mhas been deacti-
vated, the automatic transmission shifts into
the automatic drive program that was last
selected.
You can also deactivate manual drive pro-
gram Myourself:
X Pull on the right-hand steering wheel pad-
dle shifter and hold it in place (Y page 201).
or X Use the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch the
transmission position. or
X Use the program selector button to change
the drive program (Y page 200).
Manual drive program Mis deactivated.
The automatic transmission switches to
the previously activated drive program E
(drive program Con AMG vehicles) or S. Manual drive program (AMG vehicles)
General information In this drive program, you can permanently
change gear yourself by using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must
be in position D.
Manual drive program Mis different from
drive program Swith regard to spontaneity,
responsiveness and smoothness of gear
changes.
As well as this permanent drive program M,
you can also activate temporary drive pro-
gram M(Y page 202).
Switching on the manual drive program In manual drive program
M, you can change
gear using the steering wheel paddle shifters
if the transmission is in position D. You can
see the currently selected drive program and
which gear is engaged in the multifunction
display.
X Press the program selector button
(Y page 200) repeatedly until Mappears in
the multifunction display.
Upshifting !
In manual drive program
M, the automatic
transmission does not shift up automati-
cally even when the engine limiting speed
for the current gear is reached. When the
engine limiting speed is reached, the fuel
supply is cut to prevent the engine from
overrevving. Always make sure that the
engine speed does not reach the red area of Automatic transmission
203Driving and parking Z

the tachometer. There is otherwise a risk of
engine damage. :
Gear indicator
; Upshift indicator
Before the engine speed reaches the red area, an upshift indicator will be shown in the mul-
tifunction display.
X If the color in the speedometer multifunc-
tion display changes to red and the UP UPdis-
play message is shown, shift up a gear
using the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter.
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear if this is permissible.
Downshifting X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 201).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear if this is permissible.
Maximum acceleration X Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter until the transmission selects the
optimum gear according to the speed.
If you slow down or stop without shifting
down, the automatic transmission automati-
cally shifts down.
Switching off the manual drive program X
Press the program selector button
(Y page 200) repeatedly until Cor S
appears in the multifunction display. 204
Automatic transmissionDriving an
d parking

Problems with the transmission
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The transmission has
problems shifting gear. The transmission is losing oil.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop immediately. The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no
longer changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into
secondgear and reverse gear.
X Stop the vehicle.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
If D is selected, the transmission shifts into secondgear; ifRis
selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop immediately. Problems with PLUG-IN HYBRID operation (Y
page 290).Transfer case
! Performance tests may only be carried
out on a 2-axle dynamometer. The brake
system or transfer case could otherwise be
damaged. Contact a qualified specialist
workshop for a performance test.
! To prevent ESP ®
from intervening, the
ignition must be switched off (SmartKey or
the Start/Stop button in position 0or 1) if:
R the electric parking brake is being tested
on a brake dynamometer.
R the vehicle is being towed with only one
axle raised (not permitted for vehicles
with 4MATIC).
The brake system could otherwise be dam-
aged.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with either the front or the rear axle raised,
as doing so will damage the transmission. This section is only valid for vehicles with 4-
wheel drive (4MATIC). Power is always trans-
mitted to both axles. Refueling
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and explo-
sion.
You must avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine
and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before refueling. G
WARNING
Fuel is poisonous and hazardous to health.
There is a risk of injury.
You must make sure that fuel does not come into contact with your skin, eyes or clothing Refueling
205Driving and parking
Z

and that it is not swallowed. Do not inhale fuel
vapors. Keep fuel away from children.
If you or others come into contact with fuel,
observe the following:
R Wash away fuel from skin immediately
using soap and water.
R If fuel comes into contact with your eyes,
immediately rinse them thoroughly with
clean water. Seek medical assistance with-
out delay.
R If fuel is swallowed, seek medical assis-
tance without delay. Do not induce vomit-
ing.
R Immediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with fuel. G
WARNING
Electrostatic buildup can create sparks and
ignite fuel vapors. There is a risk of fire and
explosion.
Always touch the vehicle body before opening the fuel filler flap or touching the fuel pump
nozzle. Any existing electrostatic buildup is
thereby discharged.
Do not get into the vehicle again during the
refueling process. Otherwise, electrostatic
charge could build up again.
! Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a
gasoline engine. Do not switch on the igni-
tion if you accidentally refuel with the
wrong fuel. Otherwise, the fuel will enter
the fuel system. Even small amounts of the wrong fuel could result in damage to the
fuel system and the engine. Notify a quali-
fied specialist workshop and have the fuel
tank and fuel lines drained completely.
! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system.
! Take care not to spill any fuel on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
! Use a filter when refueling from a fuel can.
Otherwise, the fuel lines and/or injection system could be blocked by particles from
the fuel can.
If you overfill the fuel tank, fuel could spray
out when the fuel pump nozzle is removed.
For further information on fuel and fuel quality
(Y page 490). Refueling
General information Pay attention to the important safety notes
(Y
page 205).
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: pressure in the
fuel tank must be released before refueling.
Except PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: If you
unlock/lock the vehicle from the outside, the fuel filler flap also unlocks/locks.
The position of the fuel filler cap is displayed
8 in the instrument cluster. The arrow
next to the filling pump indicates the side of
the vehicle.
Preparing to refuel X
Switch off the engine.
X Open the driver's door.
The on-board electronics now have status
0. This is the same as the SmartKey having
been removed.
or, if the SmartKey is inserted in the ignition
lock: X Remove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock. 206
RefuelingDriving and parking

Opening the fuel filler flap (except
PLUG-IN hybrid vehicles)
:
To open the fuel filler flap
; To insert the fuel filler cap
= Tire pressure table
? Fuel type to be used
X Press the fuel filler flap in the direction of
arrow :.
The fuel filler flap swings up.
X Turn the fuel filler flap counter-clockwise
and remove it.
X Insert the fuel filler cap into the holder on
the inside of the fuel filler flap.
X Completely insert the filler neck of the fuel
pump nozzle into the tank, hook in place
and refuel.
X Only fill the tank until the pump nozzle
switches off.
Do not add any more fuel after the pump
stops filling for the first time. Otherwise,
fuel may leak out. Opening the fuel filler flap (PLUG-IN
HYBRID vehicles) X
Pull switch :.
Indicator lamp ;flashes and the Please Please
Wait Depressurizing Tank
Wait Depressurizing Tank message
appears in the multifunction display.
If the fuel filler cap is open, indicator
lamp ;lights up.
The Tank is Depressurized Ready Tank is Depressurized Ready
for Refueling
for Refueling message appears in the
multifunction display.
Please be sure to observe the information
on refueling on the fuel filler flap.
There is a malfunction if: R indicator lamp ;first flashes and then
goes out
R the yellow engine diagnostics warning lamp
lights up
i From a speed of 2 km/h, the fuel filler cap
can no longer be opened.
i The opening process for the fuel filler cap
may take up to 15 minutes. Refueling
207Driving and parking Z

:
To insert the fuel filler cap
; Tire pressure table
= Fuel type to be used
X Turn the fuel filler flap counter-clockwise
and remove it.
X Insert the fuel filler cap into the holder on
the inside of the fuel filler flap.
X Completely insert the filler neck of the fuel
pump nozzle into the tank, hook in place
and refuel.
X Only fill the tank until the pump nozzle
switches off.
Do not add any more fuel after the pump
stops filling for the first time. Otherwise,
fuel may leak out.
Closing the fuel filler flap X
Replace the cap on the filler neck and turn
clockwise until it engages audibly.
X Close the fuel filler flap.
If you drive at speeds above 2 km/hw ith the
fuel filler flap open, the Tankklappe
Tankklappe offen offen
(Fuel filler flap open)
(Fuel filler flap open) message is
shown in the multifunction display.
i Close the fuel filler flap before locking the
vehicle.
i For further information on warning and
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster,
see (Y page 363).
i If you are driving with the fuel filler cap
open, the 8reserve fuel warning lamp
flashes. A message appears in the multi-
function display (Y page 339). In addition, the
;Check Engine warning
lamp may light up (Y page 363).
For further information on warning and indi- cator lamps in the instrument cluster, see
(Y page 363). 208
RefuelingDriving and parking