ECO mode MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2008 W221 Comand Manual

436 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission
Automatic shift program
The program mode selector switch is used
to adjust

shift program


suspension tuning of Airmatic
(page 468) or ABC* (
page 470)


engine control
Program mode selector switchC Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving
Program mode selector switch (S 63 AMG
and S 65 AMG only)M Manual For manual gear shifting
(
page 440)
C Comfort For standard driving
S Sport For sporty driving
Effect
è
The transmission shifts through
third gear only.
With this selection you can use
the braking effect of the engine.
ç
The transmission shifts through
second gear only.
Allows the use of engine’s
braking power when driving:

on steep downgrades


in mountainous regions


under extreme operating
conditions
æ
The transmission operates in
first gear only.
For maximum use of engine’s
braking effect on very steep or
lengthy downgrades.

437 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
The selected program mode appears in the
multifunction display.
1Current program mode

Press the program mode selector
switch repeatedly until the letter of the
desired program mode appears in the
multifunction display.
SelectC for comfort driving (S 63 AMG
and S 65 AMG: standard driving):

The vehicle starts out in second
gear (both forward and reverse) for
gentler starts. This does not apply if
full throttle is applied or gear
range1 is selected.


Traction and driving stability are
improved on icy roads.


Upshifts occur earlier even when
you give more gas. The engine then
operates at lower rpms and the
wheels are less likely to spin.SelectS for standard driving
(S 63 AMG and S 65 AMG: sporty driv-
ing):


The vehicle starts out in first gear.


Upshifts occur later.
!
Never change the program mode when the
automatic transmission is out of park positionP.
This could result in a change of driving character-
istics for which you may not be prepared.
i
The last selected program mode (CorS) is
switched on when the engine is restarted.

443 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Emergency operation (Limp-Home Mode)
If vehicle acceleration becomes less re-
sponsive or sluggish or the transmission
no longer shifts, the transmission is most
likely operating in limp-home (emergency
operation) mode. In this mode only second
gear and reverse gear can be selected.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location.

Shift to park positionP.

Turn off the engine.

Wait at least 10 seconds before
restarting.

Restart the engine.

Shift to drive positionD (for second
gear) or reverse gearR.

Have the transmission checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.

502 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlThe automatic climate control is operation-
al whenever the engine is running. You can
operate the climate control system in ei-
ther the automatic or manual mode. The
system cools or heats the interior depend-
ing on the selected interior temperature
and the current outside temperature.
It can only function optimally when you are
driving with the windows and the tilt/slid-
ing sunroof/panorama sunroof* closed.
It is possible to completely deactivate the
climate control system (
page 503). Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.
i
If you have the air distribution and air vol-
ume automatically controlled, you can adjust the
temperature, footwell temperature and air flow.
The following basic settings are recommended:


Automatic air distribution control
(page 501)


Temperature: 72°F (22°C) (
page 504)


Footwell temperature: 0 (
page 278)


Air flow: focused (
page 279)
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pages
and in the “COMAND automatic climate
control” section (
page 273). Otherwise
the windows could fog up, impairing visibili-
ty and endangering you and others.
Warning!
G
Severe conditions (e.g. strong air pollution)
may require replacement of the filter before
its scheduled replacement interval. A
clogged filter will reduce the air volume to
the interior and the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others. Have a clogged filter replaced as
soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.i
If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate the in-
terior before driving off, see “Summer opening
feature” (
page 412). The automatic climate
control will then adjust the interior temperature
to the set value much faster.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the wind-
shield free of snow, leaves, sticks, and any other
debris.

508 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlVehicles with tilt/sliding sunroof
Convenience closing: Press
button
,
for approximately
2 seconds.
The door windows and/or tilt/sliding
sunroof will close. You can release
button
,
once the closing proce-dure has begun. The windows and
tilt/sliding sunroof continue closing
until they are fully closed. The indicator
lamp on the button comes on. The air
recirculation mode is activated.

Convenience opening: Press
button
,
for approximately
2 seconds.
The door windows and/or tilt/sliding
sunroof will return to their previous po-
sition. You can release button
,
once the opening procedure has be-
gun. The windows and tilt/sliding sun-
roof continue opening until they have
reached their previous positions. The
indicator lamp on the button goes out.
The air recirculation mode is deactivat-
ed.Vehicles with panorama roof*

Convenience closing: Press and hold
button
,
until the door windows and
the tilt/sliding panel are closed or have
reached the desired position. The indi-
cator lamp on the button comes on.
The air recirculation mode is activated.

Convenience opening: Press and hold
button
,
until the door windows and
the tilt/sliding panel are opened or
have reached the desired position.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. The air recirculation mode is deac-
tivated.
Vehicles with panorama roof*:
When using the air recirculation mode with
convenience closing feature, should the up-
ward movement of a window be blocked by
some obstruction including, but not limited
to arms, hands, fingers, etc., the automatic
reversal feature will not operate.
In the event that the procedure causes po-
tential danger, the closing of the door win-
dows or the tilt/sliding panel can be
immediately halted by releasing
button,.
The closing of the door windows and the
tilt/sliding sunroof or tilt/sliding panel* can
be reversed by again pressing and holding
button,.
i
A window or tilt/sliding sunroof will only re-
turn to its previous position if it has not been
moved to another position using the respective
window switch or tilt/sliding sunroof switch af-
ter it was closed with button,.
A window or tilt/sliding sunroof that has been
moved will remain in its current position if
button, is used to reopen the remaining
windows or tilt/sliding sunroof.


525 Controls in detail
Loading and storing
Loading and storing
Roof rack*

Flip the covers upward.

Only attach the roof-rack system to the
anchorage points under the covers.
Observe manufacturer’s instructions
for installation.
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle oc-
cupants and luggage/cargo should not
exceed the load limit as indicated on the
corresponding placard located on the driv-
er’s door B-pillar (
page 585).
Warning!
G
Only use roof racks approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to
avoid damage to the vehicle.
Follow the manufacturer’s installation
instructions. Otherwise, an improperly
attached roof rack system or its load could
become detached from the vehicle.
Do not exceed the maximum roof load of
220 lb (100 kg).
Take into consideration that when the roof
rack is loaded, the handling characteristics
are different from those when operating the
vehicles without the roof rack loaded.
!
Load the roof rack in such a way that the ve-
hicle cannot be damaged while driving.
Make sure


you can fully raise tilt/sliding sunroof or the
panorama roof with tilt/sliding panel*


you can fully open the trunk
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible using cargo tie-down hooks
and fastening materials appropriate for the
weight and size of the load.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle and can cause in-
jury to vehicle occupants unless the items
are securely fastened in the vehicle.


546 Controls in detailUseful featuresRoadside Assistance button• and
Information button¡
The Roadside Assistance button• and
the Information button¡ are located in
the storage compartment below the front
armrest (
page 527).
1Information button¡
2Roadside Assistance button•Roadside Assistance button•

Press and hold Roadside Assistance
button • (for longer than
2 seconds).
A call to a Mercedes-Benz Roadside As-
sistance dispatcher will be initiated.
The button will flash while the call is in
progress. The message:

“Connecting Call” appears in the
multifunction display


“Roadside Assistance Activated”
appears in the COMAND display
and the audio system is muted.
When the connection is established, the
message:


“Call Connected” appears in the multi-
function display


“Roadside Assistance Activated”
appears in the COMAND display The Tele Aid system will transmit data gen-
erating the vehicle identification number,
model, color and location (subject to avail-
ability of cellular and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants
of the vehicle will be established.

Describe the nature of the need for as-
sistance.
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such
as labor and/or towing, charges may ap-
ply. Refer to the Roadside Assistance Man-
ual for more information.
These programs are only available in the
USA:


Sign and Drive services: Services such
as jump start, a few gallons of fuel or
the replacement of a flat tire with the
vehicle spare tire are obtainable.

547 Controls in detail
Useful features
Information button¡
Press and hold Information button
¡ (for longer than 2 seconds).
A call to the Customer Assistance Cen-
ter will be initiated. The button will
flash while the call is in progress. The
message:

“Connecting Call” appears in the
multifunction display


“Information Call Activated” ap-
pears in the COMAND display
and the audio system is muted.
When the connection is established, the
message:


“Call Connected” appears in the multi-
function display


“Information Call Activated” appears in
the COMAND display
The Tele Aid system will transmit data gen-
erating the vehicle identification number,
model, color and location (subject to avail-
ability of cellular and GPS signals).A voice connection between the Customer
Assistance Center representative and the
occupants of the vehicle will be estab-
lished. Information regarding the operation
of your vehicle, the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or Mercedes-Benz
USA products and services is available to
you.
For more details concerning the Tele Aid
system, please visit www.mbusa.com and
use your ID and password (sent to you sep-
arately) to learn more (USA only).
i
The indicator lamp in the Roadside Assis-
tance button• remains illuminated in red for
approximately 10 seconds during the system
self-check after switching on the ignition (togeth-
er with the SOS button and the Information
button¡).
See system self-check (
page 543) if the indi-
cator lamp does not come on in red or stays on
longer than approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Roadside Assistance
button• is flashing continuously and no
voice connection to the Response Center was
established, the Tele Aid system could not ini-
tiate a Roadside Assistance call (e.g. the relevant
mobile phone network is not available). The mes-
sage:


“Call Failed” appears in the multifunction
display for approximately 10 seconds


“Call could not be connected!” appears in
the COMAND display. Confirm the message
pressing
n
(page 90).
Roadside Assistance calls can be terminated us-
ing button t on the multifunction steering
wheel or COMAND (page 141).
i
The indicator lamp on the Information
button¡ remains illuminated in red for ap-
proximately 10 seconds during the system
self-check after switching on the ignition (togeth-
er with the SOS button and the Roadside Assis-
tance button•).
See system self-check (
page 543) if the indi-
cator lamp does not come on in red or stays on
longer than approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Information
button¡ is flashing continuously and no
voice connection to the Response Center was
established, then the Tele Aid system could not
initiate an Information call (e.g. the relevant

565 Operation
Driving instructions
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of

All models except S 63 AMG and
S65AMG:
130 mph (210 km/h)


S 63 AMG:
S 65 AMG:
155 mph (250 km/h)


S 63 AMG with Performance Package*:
S 63 AMG with increased top speed*:
S 65 AMG with increased top speed*:
186 mph (300 km/h)
The factory equipped tires on your vehicle
may have a tire speed rating above the
maximum speed permitted by the elec-
tronic speed limiter.
Make sure your tires have the required tire
speed rating as specified for your vehicle in
the “Technical data” section (
page 754),
for example when purchasing new tires.
For information on how to identify the tire
speed rating on a tire’s sidewall, see “Tire
size designation, load and speed rating”
(
page 598).If you are uncertain about the correct read-
ing of the information given on a tire’s side-
wall, any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center will be glad to assist you.
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
or DISTRONIC Plus* system under such
conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to neutral
positionN. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action.Road salts and chemicals can adversely af-
fect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal braking effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking efficien-
cy should be tested as soon as possible af-
ter driving is resumed.i
For information on speed ratings for winter
tires, see (
page 601) and (
page 610).
i
For information on driving with snow chains,
see “Snow chains” (
page 611).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.

577 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick (all models except S 600 and
S65AMG)
To check the engine oil level with the oil
dipstick, do the following:
Open the hood (
page 573).
S 550 and S 63 AMG1Oil dipstick
2Upper mark
3Lower mark
S 450 4matic and S 550 4matic1Oil dipstick
2Upper mark
3Lower mark
Pull out oil dipstick1.

Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.

Fully insert oil dipstick1 into the dip-
stick guide tube.

Pull out oil dipstick1 again after ap-
proximately 3 seconds to obtain accu-
rate reading.The oil level is correct when it is between
lower mark3 (min.) and upper mark2
(max.) of the oil dipstick.

If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil (
page 578).
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (page 765) and
(
page 769).
For more information on messages in the
multifunction display concerning engine
oil, see the “Practical hints” section
(page 642).
i
S 450 4MATIC, S 550 and S 550 4MATIC:
The filling quantity between the upper and lower
marks on the oil dipstick is approximately
2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).
i
S 63 AMG only:
The filling quantity between the upper and lower
marks on the oil dipstick is approximately
1.6 US qt. (1.5 l).