climate control MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2008 W221 Comand Manual

523 Controls in detail
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding panel*
The tilt/sliding panel only operates with
the roller sunblinds extended.
Roof panel switch1Push back to slide roof panel open
2Push forward to slide roof panel closed
3Push up to raise roof panel
4Pull down to lower roof panel
Switch on the ignition (
page 370).

To open, close, raise, or lower the
tilt/sliding panel, move the roof panel
switch to resistance point in the re-
quired direction of arrows1 to4.
Release the roof panel switch when the
tilt/sliding panel has reached the de-
sired position.

Express-opening: Move the roof panel
switch past the resistance point in di-
rection of arrow1 and release.
The tilt/sliding panel opens
completely.

Express-raising: Move the roof panel
switch past the resistance point in di-
rection of arrow3 and release.
The tilt/sliding panel raises
completely.

Stopping during Express-operation:
Move the roof panel switch in any di-
rection.
!
Please keep in mind that weather conditions
can sometimes change rapidly. Make sure to
close the tilt/sliding panel when leaving the ve-
hicle. If water enters the vehicle interior, vehicle
electronics could be damaged which is not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
i
When the panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel is open, resonance noises may
result in addition to the usual wind noises. They
are caused by minimal pressure changes in the
passenger compartment. To reduce or eliminate
these noises, change the position of the panora-
ma roof with power tilt/sliding panel or open a
side window slightly.
i
You can also open or close the tilt/sliding
panel using the SmartKey, see “Summer open-
ing feature” (
page 412) and “Convenience
closing feature” (page 413).
Depending on current position, the tilt/sliding
panel may also open or close when the air recir-
culation button, in the control panel of the
climate control (
page 501), is pressed and
held for 2 seconds.
i
If the front roller sunblind is retracted while
being raised, it will extend first.
i
You cannot automatically close and lower
the panorama roof with power tilt/sliding panel.

527 Controls in detail
Loading and storing

Locking: Insert the mechanical key
into the glove box lock and turn it
clockwise to position3.

Unlocking: Insert the mechanical key
into the glove box lock and turn it coun-
terclockwise to position2.
Storage compartments in the front
armrest
1Storage tray/telephone* compartment
2Storage compartment (not with rear
climate control system*)

Opening storage tray/telephone*
compartment: Press button1 and
swing armrest to left or right side.

Opening storage compartment:
Press button2 and swing center arm-
rest upward.
Storage compartments below the front
seats

Opening: Pull tab1 upward and fold
cover2 forward.Eyeglasses compartment

Opening: Press mark1.

Closing: Swing eyeglasses compart-
ment upward until it engages.

544 Controls in detailUseful featuresEmergency calls
An emergency call is initiated
automatically following an accident in
which the emergency tensioning devices
(ETDs) or air bags deploy.
An emergency call can also be initiated
manually by opening the cover next to the
interior rear view mirror labeled SOS, then
briefly pressing the button located under
the cover. For instructions on initiating an
emergency call manually (
page 545).
Once the emergency call is in progress, the
indicator lamp in the SOS button will begin
to flash. The message:


“Connecting Call” appears in the multi-
function display


“Emergency Call 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


“Emergency Call Activated” appears in
the COMAND display
All information relevant to the emergency,
such as the location of the vehicle (deter-
mined by the GPS satellite location sys-
tem), vehicle model, identification number
and color are generated.
A voice connection between the Response
Center and the occupants of the vehicle
will be established automatically soon af-
ter the emergency call has been initiated.
The Response Center will attempt to deter-
mine more precisely the nature of the acci-
dent provided they can speak to an
occupant of the vehicle.The Tele Aid system is available if


it has been activated and is operation-
al. Activation requires a subscription
for monitoring services, connection,
and cellular air time


the relevant monitoring service and
GPS coverage are available and pass
the information on to the Response
Center


there is sufficient voltage in the vehicle
batteries
i
During the emergency call message “Emer-
gency Call Activated” is displayed, operation
from COMAND is not possible. The automatic cli-
mate control can be still adjusted using the
switches on the climate control panel.
i
If no vehicle occupant responds, an ambu-
lance will be sent to the vehicle immediately.
i
Location of the vehicle on a map is only pos-
sible if the vehicle is able to receive signals from
the GPS satellite network and pass the informa-
tion on to the Response Center.Warning!
G
If the indicator lamp in the SOS button is
flashing continuously and there was no
voice connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system could
not initiate an emergency call (e.g. the rele-
vant mobile phone network is not available).

605 Operation
Tires and wheels
from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades rep-
resent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and ex-
cessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C corresponds to the
minimum level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by
law.Warning!
G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Warning!
G
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underin-
flation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.

617 Operation
Vehicle care
Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from contact with
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as
MB Anticorrosion Wax, should be applied
to the engine compartment after every
engine cleaning. Before applying, all
control linkage bushings and joints should
be lubricated. The poly-V-belt and all pul-
leys should be protected from any wax.
Vehicle washing
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, do
not forget to clean the inner sides of the
wheels.Hand-wash
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight.

Only use a mild car wash detergent,
such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo.

Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water.
Direct only a very weak spray towards
the ventilation intake.

Use plenty of water and rinse the
sponge and chamois frequently.

Rinse with clean water and thoroughly
dry with a chamois.
Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on
the finish.Automatic car wash
You can have your car washed in an auto-
matic car wash from the start. Automatic
car washes without brushes are prefera-
ble.

To protect the filter system, switch the
automatic climate control to air recir-
culation mode (
page 506).
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it be-
fore running it through the automatic car
wash.
i
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of water, and
a SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is in close prox-
imity, i.e. within approximately 3 ft (approxi-
mately 1 m), the vehicle could be inadvertently
locked or unlocked.
!
Do not use scouring agents on these parts.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the vehicle.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the paint.
!
Do not clean your vehicle in an automatic
touchless car wash which uses caustic spray.
Otherwise the caustic spray will damage the
paint or ornamental moldings.
!
Make sure that the windshield wiper switch
is set to0 (
page 408). Otherwise, e.g. the rain
sensor could activate and cause the wipers to
move unintentionally. This may lead to vehicle
damage.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in exterior
rear view mirrors prior to running the vehicle
through an automatic car wash to prevent dam-
age to the mirrors.

693 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Night View Assist
Inoperative
Night View Assist* is malfunctioning.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Night View Assist
Currently Unavailable
The temperature of the camera* is too high
(page 491).

Wait until the message “Night View Assist
Available Again” appears.
In addition you can:

Swing the camera* cover down
(page 621).

Adjust the air distribution of the automatic
climate control so that air flows upward
(page 275).
Night View Assist
Lights Must Be Set
to AUTO or ON
You have tried to switch on Night View As-
sist*, but the light switch is not set to *
or B.

Turn the exterior lamp switch to * or
B (
page 399).
Night View Assist
Not in Reverse Gear
You have tried to switch on Night View As-
sist* while the automatic transmission was
in reverse gearR.

Shift the automatic transmission to park
positionP, neutral positionN or drive
positionD (
page 426).

767 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Cooling
system
Vehicles without rear passen-
ger compartment climate
control*
S 450 4MATIC
1
S 550
S 550 4MATIC
1Canada only
12.15 US qt. (11.5 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
Vehicles with rear passenger
compartment climate control*
S 450 4MATIC
1
S 550
S 550 4MATIC
13.84 US qt. (13.1 l)
S 600
14.69 US qt. (13.9 l)
S63 AMG
11.83 US qt. (11.2 l)
S65 AMG
14.69 US qt. (13.9 l)
Low temperature cooling system
S 600
2.75 US qt. (2.6 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
S65 AMG
3.28 US qt. (3.1 l)
Fuel tank
All models
23.78 US gal (90.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(Avg.of96RON/86MON)
including a reserve of
S 450 4MATIC
1
S 550
S 550 4MATIC
S 600
2.9 US gal (11.0 l)
S63 AMG
3.7 US gal (14.0 l)
S65 AMG
3.7 US gal (14.0 l)

773 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantityModel
Approximate freeze protection
– 35°F (– 37°C)
– 49°F (– 45°C)
S 450 4MATIC
1
S 550
S 550 4MATIC1Canada only
Vehicles without rear passenger
compartment climate control*
6.1 US qt. (5.75 l)
6.68 US qt. (6.33 l)
Vehicles with rear passenger com-
partment climate control*
6.92 US qt. (6.55 l)
7.61 US qt. (7.2 l)
S 600 (main cooling system)
7.34 US qt. (6.95 l)
8.08 US qt. (7.65 l)
S 600 (low temperature cooling system)
1.37 US qt. (1.3 l)
1.51 US qt. (1.43 l)
S 63 AMG
6.0 US qt. (5.6 l)
7.0 US qt. (6.16 l)
S 65 AMG (main cooling system)
7.4 US qt. (7.0 l)
8.14 US qt. (7.7 l)
S 65 AMG (low temperature cooling system)
1.64 US qt. (1.55 l)
1.81 US qt. (1.71 l)

776 IndexAspect ratio 606
Audio (COMAND) 116
CD mode 124
DVD mode 124
MP3 mode 124
Audio (Control system
instrument cluster) 294
CD changer 295
CD/DVD changer 295
DVD changer 295
Audio AUX (COMAND) 129
Audio DVD
Fast forward/rewind (COMAND) 127
Menu overview (COMAND) 123
Pause function (COMAND) 125
Stop function (COMAND) 125
Auto-dimming, Rear view mirrors 390
Automatic climate control 501
Adjusting air distribution
(COMAND) 275
Adjusting air flow from air vents
(COMAND) 279
Adjusting air volume (COMAND) 275
Adjusting the footwell temperature
(COMAND) 278Air recirculation mode 506
Central climate control menu
(COMAND) 276
Central menu for rear climate control*
(COMAND) 280
Defrosting 504
Operating the rear climate control*
from the front 279
Operating via COMAND 273
Rear window defroster 506
Selecting Mono mode
(COMAND) 277
Setting temperature (COMAND) 274
Setting the temperature 504
Setting the temperature in the rear
passenger compartment 510
Switching cooling on or off
(COMAND) 276
Automatic headlamp mode 306, 400
Automatic lighting control,
Interior lighting 406
Automatic locking when driving 368
Automatic shift program 436
Automatic transmission
Accelerator position 433
Automatic shift program 436Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 443
Fluid 765
Fluid level 578
Gear ranges 435
Gear selector lever 426
Gear shifting malfunctions 443
Hill start assist system 434
Kickdown 433
Kickdown, manual shift program
(AMG vehicles) 442
Manual shift program mode
(AMG vehicles) 440
Program mode selector switch 436
Shifting procedure 429
Starting the engine 416
Steering wheel gearshift control 438
Transmission fluid 578
Transmission positions 430
AUX
Audio 129
Video 130
AUX jacks 129