height MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2008 W221 Comand Manual

377 Controls in detailSeats
Setting front passenger seat position
from rear*
The switch is located on the right rear pas-
senger door.
1To select front or rear passenger seat
2Seat height
3Head restraint height (
page 379)
4Backrest tilt
5Seat fore and aft

Press button1 to adjust the front
passenger seat.
The indicator lamp in button1 comes
on.

Adjust front passenger seat using seat
switches2,3,4 and5.

To adjust right rear passenger seat
(page 375), press button1 again.
The indicator lamp in button1 goes
out.
Seat heating
The buttons for seat heating are located on
the respective door. The red indicator
lamps on the button come on to show the
heating level selected.
i
Adjusting the passenger seat position from
the rear is not possible if you deactivate the over-
ride switch (
page 64).
Level3
Three indicator lamps on
(highest level)
The seat heating automatically
switches to level2 after approxi-
mately 5 minutes.
2
Two indicator lamps on
The seat heating automatically
switches to level1 after approxi-
mately 10 minutes.
1
One indicator lamp on
(lowest level)
The seat heating automatically
switches off after approximately
20 minutes.
off
No indicator lamp on

379 Controls in detailSeats

Switching off: Press button1 repeat-
edly until all indicator lamps go out.
Head restraints Front seat active head restraints
You cannot remove the active head re-
straint on the driver’s and front passen-
ger’s seats.
For removal contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
For information on active head restraints,
see “Active head restraints” (
page 56).
Head restraint height
1Head restraint height

Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow1.
i
If one or more of the lamps on the seat ven-
tilation button are flashing, there is insufficient
voltage available since too many electrical con-
sumers are turned on. The seat ventilation
switches off automatically.
The seat ventilation will switch back on again au-
tomatically as soon as sufficient voltage is avail-
able.
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible and the center
of the head restraint supports the back of
the head at eye level. This will reduce the po-
tential for injury to the head and neck in the
event of an accident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.i
Adjust the head restraint in such a way that
it is as close to the head as possible.


380 Controls in detailSeatsHead restraint adjusting
1Adjusting head restraint
Push or pull on the upper edge of the
head restraint cushion to the desired
position.Luxury head restraint* adjusting
1Head restraint side cushions
2Adjusting head restraint forward and
backward
You can individually adjust side
cushions1 of the luxury head restraints.

Adjusting side cushions: Pul l or pu sh
side cushions1 into desired position.

Adjusting forward or backward: Pull
or push head restraint in direction of
arrow2.
Rear head restraints
i
Depending on the seat’s set fore and aft po-
sition, the head restraint height is automatically
pre-set.
Warning!
G
When folding back the side cushions, never
reach between the side cushion and the
mounting post. You could otherwise be
trapped.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, always drive with the
rear head restraints in the upright position
when the rear seats are occupied.
Otherwise, the back of the head will not be
supported in the event of a collision. As a re-
sult, rear seat occupants could be injured.Warning!
G
Keep the area around head restraints clear
of articles (e.g. clothing) to not obstruct the
folding operation of the head restraints.


382 Controls in detailSeatsRear power head restraints*
(rear outer seats)
1Placing upright head restraint
2Head restraint tilt
3Folding down head restraint
4Head restraint tilt
Press switch up in the direction of
arrow1.
The rear outer seats power head re-
straint will place upright.

Press switch down in the direction of
arrow3.
The rear power head restraint will fold
down.

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow2 or4.
The power head restraint will be tilted.
Luxury head restraints*
(rear outer seats)1Head restraint side cushions
2Head restraint height
You can individually adjust side
cushions1 of the luxury head restraints:

Adjusting side cushions: Pul l or pu sh
side cushions1 into desired position.

Adjusting head restraint angle: Push
or pull on the lower edge of the head re-
straint cushion in the direction of
arrow2.
i
Depending on vehicle production date you
have to switch on the ignition or open the re-
spective door before adjusting the rear power
head restraints.
Warning!
G
When folding back the side cushions, never
reach between the side cushion and the
mounting post. You could otherwise be
trapped.
i
Depending on vehicle production date you
have to switch on the ignition or open the re-
spective door before adjusting the rear luxury
head restraints.

392 Controls in detailMemory functionPrior to operating the vehicle, the driver
should check and adjust the seat height,
seat position fore and aft, and seat back-
rest angle if necessary, to ensure adequate
control, reach, and comfort. The head re-
straint should also be adjusted for proper
height. See also the section on air bags
(page 42) for proper seat positioning.
In addition, adjust the steering wheel to
ensure adequate control, reach, operation
and comfort. Both the interior and exterior
rear view mirrors should be adjusted for
adequate rear vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small chil-
dren should be seated in a properly se-
cured restraint system that complies with
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards 213 and 225 and Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213 and
210.2.With the memory function you can store up
to three different configurations.
Each stored position on the driver’s side
includes the following settings:


Driver’s seat: head restraint height,
seat and backrest position, backrest
curvature in lumbar area


Multicontour seat*: sides of backrest,
backrest curvature in lumbar and
shoulder area


Drive-dynamic multicontour seat*:
activation/deactivation


Steering wheel position


Exterior rear view mirrors positionWarning!
G
Do not activate the memory function while
driving. Activating the memory function
while driving could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.
Warning!
G
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.
Even with the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* removed from the starter
switch or the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
removed from the vehicle, the power seats
can be operated. Therefore, do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. A child’s un-
supervised access to a vehicle could result
in an accident and/or serious personal
injury.

396 Controls in detailFastening the seat belts
1Seat belt outlet
2Latch plate
3Buckle
4Release button

Pull the seat belt smoothly from the
seat belt outlet 1.

Place the shoulder portion of the seat
belt across the top of your shoulder
and the lap portion across your hips.

Push latch plate2 into buckle3 until
it clicks.

If necessary, adjust the seat belt to the
correct height (
page 398) (depend-
ing on vehicle production date).

If necessary, tighten the lap portion to
a snug fit by pulling shoulder portion
up.

To release the seat belt, press release
button4 and guide latch plate back to
seat belt outlet.
Warning!
G
Read and observe the additional warning no-
tices printed in the “Safety and Security”
section (
page 40).

397 Controls in detail
Fastening the seat belts
Proper use of seat belts

Do not twist the seat belt when fasten-
ing.


Adjust seat belt so that the shoulder
portion is located as close as possible
to the middle of the shoulder (it should
not touch the neck). Never pass the
shoulder portion of the seat belt under
your arm.


Position the lap belt as low as possible
on your hips (over hip joint) and not
across the abdomen.


Place the seat backrest in a nearly up-
right position.


Never use a seat belt for more than one
person at a time.


Do not fasten a seat belt around a per-
son and another object at the same
time. When using a seat belt to secure
infant restraints or toddler restraints or
children in booster seats, always follow
the child seat manufacturer’s instruc-
tions.


Check your seat belt during travel to
make sure that it is properly posi-
tioned.


Make sure the seat belt is always fitted
snugly. Take special care of this when
wearing loose clothing.For more information, see “Seat belts”
(
page 52).
Seat belt height adjustment
automatically
Depending on production date, your vehi-
cle automatically adjusts the seat belt
height for the driver’s and passenger’s
seat as well as for the rear outer seats.
Comply with the instructions on how to
properly fasten a seat belt (
page 395).
Warning!
G
Do not pass seat belts over sharp edges.
They could tear.
Do not allow the seat belt to get caught in
the door or in the seat adjustment mecha-
nism. This could damage the seat belt.
Never attempt to make modifications to
seat belts. This could impair the effective-
ness of the seat belts.
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash, they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
Damaged seat belts or seat belts that were
highly stressed in an accident must be re-
placed. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

398 Controls in detailFastening the seat beltsSeat belt height adjustment manually
Depending on vehicle production date, you
can adjust the height of the seat belt for
the driver’s and front passenger seat. The
seat belts for the rear outer seats are ad-
justed automatically.
1Seat belt height adjuster
2Release button

Raising: Slide the seat belt height
adjuster1 upward.
The seat belt height adjuster1 engag-
es in different positions.

Lowering: Press and hold release
button2.

Slide the seat belt height adjuster1
downward.

Release button and make sure the seat
belt height adjuster1 engages into
place.

468 Controls in detailDriving systemsObstacles and stationary vehicles
DISTRONIC Plus does not brake for obsta-
cles or stationary vehicles. If, for example,
the vehicle detected in front of you chang-
es lanes to bypass an obstacle or station-
ary vehicle in front of it, DISTRONIC Plus
will not brake for the obstacle or stationary
vehicle.Cross-traffic
DISTRONIC Plus may inadvertently detect
crossing vehicles. If you switch on DIS-
TRONIC Plus, for example, at a traffic light
with cross-traffic, the vehicle may sudden-
ly start to drive off.
Airmatic
Airmatic automatically selects the opti-
mum suspension tuning and ride height for
your vehicle.
Airmatic consists of two components:

Level control system


Adaptive Damping System (ADS)
The ADS automatically selects the opti-
mum damping for the respective driv-
ing conditions. At the same time the
suspension is set to either sporty or
comfort.

469 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Vehicle level control with Airmatic
Your vehicle automatically adjusts its ride
height to:

increase vehicle safety


reduce fuel consumption
The vehicle chassis ride height is raised or
lowered according to the selected level
setting and to the vehicle speed:


W it h inc re a sing s pe ed, ri de hei ght is re -
duced by up to approximately 0.8 in
(20 mm).


With decreasing speed, the ride height
is again raised to the selected vehicle
level.The following vehicle level settings can be
selected when the vehicle is stationary:
Select the “Raised” level setting only when
required by current driving conditions.
Otherwise:


Fuel consumption may increase.


Handling may be impaired.1Vehicle level control switch
2Indicator lamp

Start the engine.

Briefly press switch1 to change from
one level setting to the other.
The message:
“Vehicle Rising”
appears in the multifunction display
when changing from normal level to
raised level.
The indicator lamp2 is then lit. The
display switches off when the vehicle is
raised.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands
and feet away from wheel housing area, and
stay away from under the vehicle when low-
ering the vehicle chassis.
i
These height adjustments are so small that
you may not notice any change.
LevelNormal
For driving on normal roads.
The indicator lamp is off.
Raised
For driving on rough roads or
with snow chains. The indica-
tor lamp is on.