ignition MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2008 W221 Comand Manual

652 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Front Passenger
Airbag Enabled
See Oper. Manual
With the seat unoccupied and the ignition switched on (
page 370),


the 59indicator lamp right of the instrument cluster should
illuminate and remain illuminated, indicating that the OCS (
page 47)
has deactivated the air bag.


the message “Front Passenger Airbag Enabled See Oper. Manual” or the
message “Front Passenger Airbag Disabled See Oper. Manual” should not
appear in the multifunction display at any time the seat is unoccupied.
Wait at last 60 seconds for the system to complete the necessary check
cycles and to make sure neither message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
If above conditions are met, you can occupy the front passenger seat again.
Depending on the front passenger classification sensed by the OCS
(
page 47), the 59indicator lamp will remain illuminated or go
out.
If above conditions are not met, the system is not working properly. Have the
system checked as soon as possible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
If the 59indicator lamp re-
mains illuminated with an adult occupant on
the front passenger seat even after
performing the above corrective steps, do
not have any passenger use the front pas-
senger seat until the system has been re-
paired.

667 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Parking Brake
See Oper. Manual
The red indicator lamp for the electronic
parking brake is either on or off and the yel-
low warning lamp for the electronic parking
brake comes on.
The electronic parking brake is malfunction-
ing.
To release:
Pull handle of electronic parking brake
(page 422).
or

Carefully drive off (
page 422).

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
To engage:

Switch off ignition and press handle for elec-
tronic parking brake until the warning mes-
sage on the multifunction display disappears.
(USA only)(Canada only)

669 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Parking Brake
See Oper. Manual
The red indicator lamp for the electronic
parking brake flashes and the yellow warn-
ing lamp for the electronic parking brake
lights up.
The electronic parking brake is malfunction-
ing.

Switch ignition off and back on again, and en-
gage or release electronic parking brake
(page 422).
or

Carefully drive off (
page 422).

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
(USA only)(Canada only)

670 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Parking Brake
See Oper. Manual
When you engage or release the electronic
parking brake, the red indicator lamp for
the electronic parking brake flashes for
approx.10 seconds. Afterward, it goes out
or lights up continuously. The yellow warn-
ing lamp for the electronic parking brake
lights up.
The electronic parking brake is malfunction-
ing or overheated for example due to over-
or undervoltage.

Carefully drive off (
page 422).

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
In the event of overvoltage or undervoltage:

Remove the cause of the overvoltage or und-
ervoltage, e.g. charge the battery or restart
the engine.

Switch ignition off and back on again, and en-
gage or release electronic parking brake
(page 422).
If the electronic parking brake still cannot be re-
leased:

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
(Continued on next page)
(USA only)(Canada only)

671 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Parking Brake
See Oper. Manual
If overheated:
Let vehicle cool down, and do not engage
electronic parking brake during this time.
or

Switch ignition off and back on again, and en-
gage or release electronic parking brake.
(USA only)(Canada only)
Parking Brake
Inoperative
When you engage or release the electronic
parking brake, the red indicator lamp for
the electronic parking brake flashes and
goes out after approx. 10 seconds. The yel-
low warning lamp for the electronic parking
brake lights up.
The electronic parking brake is malfunction-
ing.

Switch ignition off and back on again, and en-
gage electronic parking brake (
page 422).
If the electronic parking brake cannot be en-
gaged:

Shift the automatic transmission to park
positionP (
page 426).

Protect vehicle from rolling away while
parked by using a chock from the vehicle tool
kit (
page 707).

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.

672 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Please Release
Parking Brake
The red indicator lamp for the electronic
parking brake flashes and you also hear a
warning signal.
You are driving with the electronic parking
brake activated, or you are carrying out an
emergency brake application with the elec-
tronic parking brake (
page 422).

Release electronic parking brake.
or

Carefully drive off (
page 422).
or

Release the handle for electronic parking
brake.
(USA only)(Canada only)
Please Release
Parking Brake
The red indicator lamp for the electronic
parking brake flashes and the yellow warn-
ing lamp for the electronic parking brake
comes on. You also hear a warning tone.
The electronic parking brake is malfunction-
ing; braking action is restricted.
While driving:
Release the handle for electronic parking
brake.
While at a standstill:

Switch off ignition and press handle for elec-
tronic parking brake until the warning mes-
sage disappears from the multifunction
display.

673 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Turn On the Ignition
to Release the
Parking Brake
The yellow indicator lamp for the electronic
parking brake comes on.
You have tried to release the electronic
parking brake, but the ignition was not
switched on.

Switch on the ignition (
page 370).
(USA only)(Canada only)
Inoperative
See Oper. Manual
ESP
® as well as PRE-SAFE
® are switched off
due to a malfunction. In addition, the v
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on.
The ABS may not be operational and the fol-
lowing systems are not available:


BAS and BAS Plus*


PRE-SAFE
® Brake*


Distronic Plus*


Cruise control


Hill start assist system

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.

685 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Close Doors
to Lock Vehicle
You wanted to lock the vehicle but not all
doors were closed.

Close doors and lock vehicle again.
Don’t Forget
Your Key
This display appears (for a maximum of
60 seconds) if the driver’s door is opened
with the engine turned off and no SmartKey
in the starter switch.
This message is only a reminder.

Take the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* with you when leaving the ve-
hicle.
Take Your Key
From Ignition
You have forgotten to remove the
SmartKey.

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Replace
Key Battery
The batteries in the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* are discharged.

Replace the batteries (
page 712).
Key Detected
In Vehicle
A SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* left in the
vehicle was recognized while locking the ve-
hicle from the outside.

Take the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* out of
the vehicle.

733 Practical hints
Batteries
Starter battery
Connect the switched-off charging de-
vice to the terminals of the starter bat-
tery. Observe the operating
instructions in the manual for the
charging device while doing so.
Reinstalling starter battery
Install starter battery in engine com-
partment.

Swing retaining bar down.
Reconnecting starter battery

Make sure that the consumer battery in
the trunk is correctly installed and con-
nected.

Turn SmartKey in starter switch to po-
sition 0 and remove.

Connect the positive lead and fasten its
cover2 (
page 731).

Connect negative lead1
(page 731).

Attach ventilation tube.

Switch on the ignition (
page 370).

Start the engine (
page 416).

Check vehicle functions.
!
Only use charging devices with a maximum
charging voltage of 14.8 V.
Warning!
G
During the charge procedure, there is a risk
of acid burns due to gases escaping from
the battery. Do not bend over the battery
during the charge procedure.
!
The battery and the battery ventilation hose
must always be securely installed when the vehi-
cle is in operation.
!
Always connect the starter battery in the or-
der described below. Otherwise, the vehicle’s
electronics could be damaged.
Warning!
G
Do not drive without a properly installed and
connected consumer battery.
Have any work on the consumer battery car-
ried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
!
Never invert the terminal connections.
!
Make sure that the battery has a plug where
the ventilation tube is attached to it.

737 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground or front wheels raised (except
vehicles with 4MATIC) only so far as neces-
sary to have the vehicle moved to a safe
location where the recommended towing
methods can be employed.!
To prevent damage during transport, do not
tie down vehicle by its chassis or suspension
parts.
!
Before towing the vehicle observe the fol-
lowing instructions:


Do not tow-start the vehicle.


Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment
with the ignition switched off.


Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Tow-
ing with sling-type equipment over bumpy
roads will damage radiator and supports.


Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the properly installed towing eye bolt.
Never attach a tow cable, tow rope or tow
rod to the vehicle chassis, frame or suspen-
sion parts. For more information see “Install-
ing towing eye bolt” (
page 740).
i
If the battery is disconnected or discharged


the SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch


the automatic transmission will remain
locked in park positionP.
For more information see “Batteries”
(
page 729) or “Jump starting” (
page 734).