warning MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2008 W221 Comand Manual

399 Controls in detail
Lighting
Lighting
Exterior lamp switch
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.
i
If you drive in countries where vehicles drive
on the other side of the road than the country in
which the vehicle is registered, you must have
the headlamps modified for symmetrical low
beams. Relevant information can be obtained at
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
i
The active Bi-Xenon headlamps monitor
your steering angle and driving speed, then auto-
matically shift their beams to either side to bet-
ter follow the curvature of the road ahead,
increasing usable illumination over conventional
headlamps.
1‚
Standing lamps, left (turn left two
stops)
2ˆ
Standing lamps, right (turn left
one stop)
3M
Off
Daytime running lamp mode
(page 401)
4*
Automatic headlamp mode
Daytime running lamp mode
(page 401)
5C
Parking lamps (also tail lamps, li-
cense plate lamps, side marker
lamps, instrument panel lamps)
6B
Low beam headlamps or high
beam headlamps
7‡
Front fog lamps
8†
Rear fog lamp
i
If you hear a warning signal you have forgot-
ten to switch off the low beam headlamps or the
parking lamps before opening the driver’s door.
In addition the message “Please Switch Off
Lights” appears in the multifunction display.
Switch off the low beam headlamps or the park-
ing lamps.
If the message “Turn Lights Off or Remove Key”
appears in the multifunction display remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch or switch off
the automatic headlamp mode.
!
Failure to switch off the exterior lamps when
leaving the vehicle may result in a discharged
battery.

400 Controls in detailLightingLow beam headlamps
The low beam headlamps can be switched
on and off with the exterior lamp switch us-
ing the manual headlamp mode. 
Switching on: Turn the exterior lamp
switch to positionB.
The following lamps switch on:

Low beam headlamps


Tail and parking lamps


License plate lamps


Side marker lampsAutomatic headlamp mode
The following lamps switch on and off au-
tomatically depending on the brightness of
the ambient light:


Low beam headlamps


Tail and parking lamps


License plate lamps


Side marker lamps
Warning!
G
If the exterior lamp switch is set to*,
the headlamps will not be automatically
switched on under foggy conditions.
To minimize risk to you and to others, acti-
vate headlamps by turning exterior lamp
switch to B when driving or when traffic
and/or ambient lighting conditions require
you to do so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only
switch from position * to B with the
vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching from * to B will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions
may result in an accident.

402 Controls in detailLighting
The corresponding exterior lamps
switch on (
page 399).
USA only
When the engine is running, and you turn
the exterior lamp switch to position C
orB, the manual headlamp mode has
priority over the daytime running lamp
mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps switch
on (
page 399).Locator lighting and night security illu-
mination
The locator lighting and night security illu-
mination are described in the COMAND ve-
hicle section under “Setting locator
lighting” (
page 265) and “Setting night
security illumination” (
page 264).
Fog lampsFront fog lamps

Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionC orB (
page 399).

Pull out exterior lamp switch to first
stop.
The front fog lamps are switched on.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
exterior lamp switch comes on
(page 399).

Push in the exterior lamp switch.
The front fog lamps are switched off.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
exterior lamp switch goes out.
i
With the daytime running lamp mode
activated and the exterior lamp switch in
position M, you cannot switch on the high
beam headlamps.
The high beam flasher is available at all times.
For nighttime driving you should turn the exterior
lamp switch to positionB or * to permit
activation of the high beam headlamps.
Warning!
G
In low ambient lighting or foggy conditions,
only switch from position * to B with
the vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching from * to B will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions
may result in an accident.i
Fog lamps will operate with the parking
lamps and/or the low beam headlamps on. Fog
lamps should only be used in conjunction with
low beam headlamps. Consult your State or
Province Motor Vehicle Regulations regarding
permissible lamp operation.
i
Fog lamps cannot be switched on manually
with exterior lamp switch in position*. To
activate the fog lamps, turn exterior lamp switch
to positionB first.

405 Controls in detail
Lighting
Switching off the corner-illuminating
lamps
The combination switch for the turn signal
resets automatically after major steering
wheel movements. This will switch off the
corner-illuminating lamps if they were acti-
vated by switching on the left or right turn
signal.
If the turn signal should stay on after mak-
ing the turn, the turn signal and corner-illu-
minating lamp can be switched off by
returning the combination switch to its
original position.
Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be
switched on at all times, even with the
SmartKey removed from the starter switch
or with the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
removed from the vehicle.
The hazard warning flasher is automatical-
ly switched on if

an air bag has been triggered


S 600 and S 65 AMG, USA only: you
brake the vehicle strongly at a speed of
more than 50 mph (70 km/h) and
bring it to a complete stop
1Hazard warning flasher switch

Switching on: Press hazard warning
flasher switch.
All turn signals will flash.

Switching off: Press hazard warning
flasher switch again.
i
If you are driving faster than 25 mph
(40 km/h) when activating the turn signal indica-
tor, the corner-illuminating lamp function is
switched off.
i
The corner-illuminating lamp may remain lit
for a short time. The corner-illuminating lamp
lights up for no more than 20 seconds with the
vehicle standing still. It is then switched off even
if the turn signal is still switched on or you have
turned the steering wheel to full lock.
i
With the hazard warning flasher activated
and the combination switch set for either left or
right turn, only the respective left or right turn
signals will operate when the SmartKey in the
starter switch is in position1 or2 or the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button (
page 372) is
pressed once or twice.
i
If the hazard warning flasher was activated
automatically, also press hazard warning flasher
switch 1 to switch off the hazard warning flash-
er.

410 Controls in detailPower windowsOpening and closing power windows
The door windows are opened and closed
electrically. The switches

for all door windows are on the driver’s
door


for the front passenger side window
are on the front passenger door


for each rear side window are on the
rear doors1Left front door window
2Right front door window
3Left rear door window
4Right rear door window
Warning!
G
Do not keep any part of your body up against
the side window pane when opening a win-
dow. The downward motion of the pane may
pull that part of your body down between
the window pane and the door frame and
trap it there. If there is a risk of entrapment,
release the switch and press it again to
close the window.
Warning!
G
When closing the windows, make sure that
there is no danger of anyone being harmed
by the closing procedure.
Activate the override switch (
page 64)
when children are riding in the back seats of
the vehicle. The children may otherwise in-
jure themselves, e.g. by becoming trapped
in the window opening.
The closing of the door windows can be im-
mediately halted by releasing the switch or,
if the switch was pressed past the resis-
tance point and released, by pressing the
lower part of the respective switch again.
The door windows are equipped with the ex-
press-close and automatic reversal func-
tion. If the window encounters an
obstruction that blocks its path in a circum-
stance where you pressed the switch past
the resistance point and released it to close
the window, the automatic reversal function
will stop the window and open it slightly.

411 Controls in detail
Power windows

Switch on the ignition (
page 370).

Opening: Press the lower part of
switch1 to 4 (
page 410) to the re-
sistance point.
The corresponding window will move
downwards until you release the
switch.

Closing: Press the upper part of
switch1 to 4 (
page 410) to the re-
sistance point.
The corresponding window will move
upwards until you release the switch.
If the window encounters an obstruction
that blocks its path in a circumstance where
you are closing the window by pressing and
holding the switch, by pressing and holding
button ‹ on the SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO*, by pressing and holding
the sensor surface (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*) on an outside door handle,
or by pressing and holding button, on
the climate control panel, the automatic re-
versal function will not operate.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised ac-
cess to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
i
You can also open or close the windows us-
ing the SmartKey, see “Summer opening fea-
ture” (page 412) and “Convenience closing
feature” (page 413).
Depending on current position, the windows may
also open or close when the air recirculation
button, (page 501) is pressed and held
for 2 seconds.
i
Operating the windows from the rear is not
possible if you activate the override switch
(
page 64).
i
If PRE-SAFE
® has been activated, the door
windows close automatically until only a small
gap remains.
i
With the SmartKey in starter switch
position0 or removed from the starter switch,
the power windows can be operated:


until you open the driver’s or front passenger
door


for at least 5 minutes if no door was opened
Warning!
G
If you press and hold the switch up when
closing the window, and upward movement
of the window is blocked by some obstruc-
tion including but not limited to arms, hands,
fingers, etc., the automatic reversal will not
operate.


412 Controls in detailPower windows
Express-opening: Press the lower part
of switch1 to4 (
page 410) past
the resistance point and release.
The corresponding window opens com-
pletely.

Express-closing: Press the upper part
of switch1 to4 (
page 410) past
the resistance point and release.
The corresponding window closes com-
pletely.

Stopping during Express-operation:
Briefly press the respective power win-
dow switch again.
Rear side window sunshades*
Closing: With the side window fully
closed, press the upper part of
switch3 or4 (
page 410).
The rear side window sunshade will be
fully closed.

Opening: Press the lower part of
switch3 or4 (
page 410).
The rear side window sunshade will be
fully opened.
Summer opening feature
If the weather is warm, you can ventilate
the vehicle before driving off by simulta-
neously:

opening the door windows and rear
side window sunshades*


opening the tilt/sliding sunroof or
tilt/sliding panel* and extending the
roller sunblinds*


turning on the seat ventilation* for the
driver’s seat
Warning!
G
Driver’s door only:
If within 5 seconds you again press the
switch past the resistance point and re-
lease, the automatic reversal will not oper-
ate.
!
If the upward movement of the window is
blocked during the closing procedure, the win-
dow will stop and open slightly. Remove the ob-
struction, press the respective power window
switch at the upper part again past the resis-
tance point and release. If the window still does
not close when there is no obstruction, press
and hold the respective power window switch at
the upper part. The side window will then close
without the obstruction sensor function.
i
The rear side window sunshade cannot be
partially closed.
i
The switches on the rear doors can also be
used to close the rear side window sunshades on
the other side of the vehicle.
i
The switches on the driver’s door take pre-
cedence over the rocker switches on the other
doors.


414 Controls in detailPower windows
Vehicles with SmartKey
Aim transmitter eye of the SmartKey
towards the sensor in the driver’s door
handle. The SmartKey must be in close
proximity to the driver’s door handle.
Vehicles with tilt/sliding sunroof

Press and hold button ‹ until the
door windows and the tilt/sliding sun-
roof are completely closed.

Release button ‹ to interrupt pro-
cedure.Vehicles with panorama roof* and/or
rear side window sunshades*

Press and hold button ‹ until the
door windows and the tilt/sliding panel
are completely closed.

Press and hold button ‹ again.
The roller sunblinds and/or rear side
window sunshades* close.

Release button ‹ to interrupt pro-
cedure.
Warning!
G
When closing the windows and the tilt/slid-
ing sunroof or tilt/sliding panel*, make sure
that there is no danger of anyone being
harmed by the closing procedure.
If potential danger exists, proceed as fol-
lows:

Release button ‹ to stop the closing
procedure. To open, press and hold but-
ton Œ. To continue the closing after
making sure that there is no danger of
anyone being harmed by the closing pro-
cedure, press and hold button‹.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:


Release the sensor surface on the out-
side door handle (
page 415) to stop
the closing procedure.


Immediately pull on the same outside
door handle and hold firmly. The door
windows and the tilt/sliding sunroof or
tilt/sliding panel* will open for as long
as the outside door handle is held but
the door is not opened.

416 Controls in detailDriving and parking
Starting the engine
Automatic transmission
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionPPark position
RReverse gear
NNeutral
DDrive position
Warning!
G
Make sure that absolutely no objects are ob-
structing the pedals’ range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all obsta-
cles. If there are any floormats or carpets in
the footwell, make sure that the pedals still
have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents and
injury.
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause un-
consciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive with at least one window
fully open.

417 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
For more information on how to operate
the gear selector lever, see “Automatic
transmission” (
page 426).
Starting with the SmartKey

Make sure the automatic transmission
is set to park positionP.
The gear position indicator in the multi-
function display should be on park
positionP.

Do not depress accelerator.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position3 and hold until the engine
starts (
page 370).
For information on turning off the engine
with the SmartKey, see “Turning off the en-
gine” (
page 424).Starting with KEYLESS-GO*
You can start your vehicle without the
SmartKey in the starter switch using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button on the
starter switch.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located in the vehicle.
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button1USA only
2Canada only
Make sure KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button is inserted in the starter switch
(page 371).

Make sure the automatic transmission
is set to park positionP.
The gear position indicator in the multi-
function display should be on park
positionP.

Depress the brake pedal during the
starting procedure.

Do not depress accelerator.
i
You can also use the “touch-start” function.
Turn the SmartKey to position3 and release it
again immediately. The engine then starts auto-
matically.
i
You can also start the engine with the auto-
matic transmission set to neutral positionN.
Warning!
G
As long as the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
is in your vehicle, the vehicle can be started.
Therefore, never leave children unattended
in the vehicle, as they could otherwise acci-
dentally start the engine.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised ac-
cess to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.