Vehicle MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2008 W221 Comand Manual

Our company and staff congratulate you
on the purchase of your new
Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demon-
stration of your trust in our company
name. Furthermore, it exemplifies your de-
sire to own an automobile that will be as
easy as possible to operate and provide
years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the ef-
forts of many skilled engineers and crafts-
men. To help assure your driving pleasure,
and also the safety of you and your passen-
gers, we ask you to make a small invest-
ment of time:


Please read this manual carefully, then
return it to your vehicle where it will be
handy for your reference.


Please follow the recommendations
contained in this manual. They are de-
signed to acquaint you with the opera-
tion of your Mercedes-Benz.


Please pay attention to the warnings
and cautions contained in this manual.
They are designed to help improve the
safety of the vehicle operator and oc-
cupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles
of safe, pleasurable driving.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
A DaimlerChrysler Company

Contents
Introduction....................................... 13
Product information ............................. 13
Operator’s Manual ............................... 14
Service and warranty information .. 14
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 15
Maintenance .................................. 15
Roadside Assistance ...................... 15
Change of address or ownership.... 16
Operating your vehicle outside the
USA or Canada............................... 16
Where to find it .................................... 17
Symbols ............................................... 18
Operating safety .................................. 19
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 19
Problems with your vehicle .................. 20
Reporting safety defects...................... 21
Reporting safety defects ................ 21
Vehicle data recording......................... 22
Information regarding electronic
recording devices........................... 22
At a glance.......................................... 23
Exterior view ......................................... 24
Cockpit ................................................. 26
Instrument cluster ................................ 28
Control systems ................................... 30
Center console ..................................... 32
Upper part ...................................... 32
Overhead control panel ........................ 33
Driver’s door control panel ................... 34
Rear door control panel ........................ 35
Storage compartments ......................... 36
Rear passenger compartment .............. 38Safety and Security............................ 39
Occupant safety ................................... 40
Air bags........................................... 42
Occupant Classification System ..... 47
Seat belts........................................ 52
Active head restraints ..................... 56
Preventive occupant safety
(PRE-SAFE
®).................................... 57
Children in the vehicle .................... 58
Override switch for rear passenger
compartment .................................. 64Panic alarm .......................................... 66
Activating........................................ 66
Deactivating.................................... 66
Driving safety systems ......................... 67
ABS ................................................. 67
Adaptive Brake ............................... 68
Adaptive Brake Lights
(S 600 and S 65 AMG, USA only).... 69
BAS ................................................. 69
BAS Plus* ....................................... 70
EBP ................................................. 72
ESP
®............................................... 72
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) with the ESP
®..... 76
PRE-SAFE
® Brake* (vehicles with
DISTRONIC Plus* only) ................... 77
Anti-theft systems ................................ 82
Immobilizer ..................................... 82
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 82
Canceling the alarm ........................ 83

ContentsControl systems................................ 85
COMAND operating safety ................... 86
COMAND introduction ......................... 87
Availability of functions while the
vehicle is in motion ........................ 87
Switching COMAND on or off ......... 87
COMAND components ................... 87
Operating COMAND ....................... 92
Main menus of COMAND ............... 98
COMAND FM/AM radio ..................... 102
Submenu overview ....................... 102
Switching to radio mode .............. 103
Switching wavebands ................... 103
Selecting stations/channels ........ 103
Saving stations ............................. 106
Station name display .................... 107
COMAND satellite radio ..................... 108
Submenu overview ....................... 108
Introduction to satellite radio ....... 109
Switching to satellite radio ........... 109
Main satellite radio menu ............. 111
Selecting program category ......... 111
Tuning in channels ....................... 112
Saving channels ........................... 114
Show program info ....................... 115Channel update ............................ 115
Calling SIRIUS Service Center ...... 115
COMAND audio CD/
audio DVD/MP3 ................................ 116
Safety precautions ....................... 116
Notes about MP3 mode ............... 116
Notes about audio DVD operation 118
Notes about CDs/DVDs ............... 119
Notes about handling CDs/DVDs 120
Inserting CDs and DVDs............... 120
Inserting a PCMCIA card .............. 121
Ejecting CDs and DVDs ................ 122
Ejecting a PCMCIA card ............... 122
Submenu overview ....................... 123
Switching to audio CD,
audio DVD or MP3 mode.............. 124
Stop function ............................... 125
Pause function ............................. 125
Selecting CD/DVD/MP3 media ... 126
Selecting a track .......................... 126
Fast forward/rewind .................... 127
Selecting a folder ......................... 127
Setting the audio format .............. 128
Playback options .......................... 128
COMAND AUX ................................... 129
Audio and Video AUX jacks .......... 129Audio AUX.................................... 129
Video AUX .................................... 130
COMAND video DVD ......................... 132
Automatic picture fade-out .......... 132
Notes about video DVD operation 132
Notes about handling DVDs ......... 133
Functional limitations................... 133
Inserting or ejecting DVDs ........... 133
Submenu overview of video DVD . 134
Switching to video DVD mode...... 134
Hiding/showing the
DVD control menu ....................... 135
Hiding/showing the
menu system ............................... 135
Fast forward/rewind .................... 135
Selecting the DVD medium .......... 135
Stop playback .............................. 136
Pause playback ............................ 136
Selecting scene/chapter ............. 136
Selecting film/track ..................... 137
Screen settings ............................ 137
DVD menu.................................... 138
Stopping the film or skipping to
the beginning/end of a scene...... 138
Switching to the next highest
DVD menu level ........................... 139

Contents
Off-road and off-map .................... 241
Navigation announcements .......... 243
COMAND navigation system
(during route guidance)...................... 244
Cancel route guidance ................. 244
Continuing cancelled
route guidance ............................. 244
Route browser .............................. 244
Displaying info .............................. 245
Displaying route information ........ 246
Detour function ............................ 246
COMAND navigation system
(real-time traffic) ................................ 248
Real-time traffic notifications
in the map .................................... 248
Displaying real-time
traffic reports ............................... 249
Example message ........................ 250
COMAND navigation system
(destination memory) ......................... 251
Saving a destination in
the destination memory ............... 251
Deleting a destination
from the destination memory ....... 253
Own address ................................ 254COMAND navigation system
(last destinations) .............................. 258
Saving a destination permanently
in the destination memory ........... 258
Saving the vehicle position in
the list of last destinations ........... 258
Saving the crosshair position in
the list of last destinations ........... 258
Deleting one of
the last destinations..................... 258
COMAND system settings ................. 259
System settings menu overview ... 259
Display settings............................ 259
Time settings................................ 259
Voice Control settings .................. 261
Setting the system language ........ 262
Assigning the favorite button ....... 263
Reset............................................ 263
COMAND vehicle menu ..................... 264
Setting night security illumination 264
Locator lighting on/off ................. 265
Exterior mirror
convenience settings ................... 266
Automatic locking on/off ............. 267
Activating easy-entry/exit feature 268
Setting interior ambient lighting... 269Setting interior lighting
delayed switch-off ........................ 270
Extending or retracting rear
window sunshade ........................ 271
Trunk opening-height
restriction* on/off ....................... 272
COMAND automatic climate control . 273
Setting temperature ..................... 274
Adjusting air distribution .............. 275
Adjusting air volume .................... 275
Central climate control menu via
COMAND ..................................... 276
Operating rear climate control*
from the front .............................. 279
COMAND seats ................................. 282
Operating seats via COMAND ...... 282
Lumbar support ........................... 283
Multicontour seats*, front ........... 283
Drive-dynamic multicontour
seats*, front................................. 285
Instrument cluster control system..... 287
Multifunction display.................... 287
Multifunction steering wheel........ 288
Menus .......................................... 289
Trip menu ..................................... 291
Navi menu .................................... 292

Contents
Driving abroad .............................. 567
Control and operation of
radio transmitters......................... 567
Catalytic converter ....................... 568
Emission control........................... 568
Coolant temperature .................... 569
At the gas station............................... 570
Refueling ...................................... 570
Check regularly and
before a long trip .......................... 572
Engine compartment.......................... 573
Hood ............................................ 573
Engine oil...................................... 575
Transmission fluid level ................ 578
Active Body Control* (ABC*)
fluid level ...................................... 579
Coolant level ................................ 579
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 580
Tires and wheels ................................ 582
Important guidelines .................... 582
Tire care and maintenance ........... 583
Direction of rotation ..................... 585
Loading the vehicle ...................... 585
Recommended tire
inflation pressure ......................... 590Checking tire inflation pressure ... 592
Tire labeling.................................. 598
Load identification ....................... 601
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN) ..
602
Maximum tire load ....................... 603
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 603
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 604
Tire ply material ........................... 606
Tire and loading terminology ........ 606
Rotating tires ............................... 609
Winter driving .................................... 610
Winter tires .................................. 610
Snow chains ................................. 611
Maintenance ...................................... 612
Maintenance service
indicator message ........................ 612
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display............... 613
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 614
Vehicle care ....................................... 615
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 615
Practical hints................................. 627
What to do if …? ................................ 628
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 628
Air bag off indicator lamp............. 640
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display.................... 642
Where will I find ...? ........................... 705
First aid kit ................................... 705
Vehicle jack, vehicle tool kit,
luggage bowl, Minispare wheel .... 705
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 708
Unlocking the vehicle................... 708
Locking the vehicle ...................... 709
Resetting activated head restraints ... 710
Head restraints (standard) ........... 710
Luxury head restraints* ............... 711
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 712
Replacing bulbs ................................. 714
Bulbs ............................................ 715
Replacing bulbs for front lamps ... 717
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 721
Placing wiper arms in
vertical position ........................... 721
Removing wiper blades ................ 722
Installing wiper blades ................. 722

Contents
Flat tire .............................................. 723
Preparing the vehicle ................... 723
Mounting the spare wheel............ 723
Batteries ............................................ 729
Disconnecting starter battery ...... 731
Removing starter battery ............. 732
Charging battery .......................... 732
Reinstalling starter battery........... 733
Reconnecting starter battery ....... 733
Jump starting ..................................... 734
Towing the vehicle ............................. 737
Towing with front wheels raised ... 738
Towing with all wheels
on the ground............................... 739
Installing towing eye bolt ............. 740
Fuses ................................................. 741
Fuse boxes in
engine compartment .................... 742
Fuse boxes in
passenger compartment .............. 743
Emergency engine shut-down ...... 744
Technical data.................................. 745
Parts service....................................... 746
Warranty coverage ............................. 747
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 747
Identification labels ............................ 748
Layout of poly-V-belt drive .................. 750
S 450 4MATIC, S 550 and
S 550 4MATIC............................... 750
S 63 AMG ..................................... 750
S 600 and S 65 AMG .................... 750
Engine ................................................ 751
Rims and tires .................................... 754
Same size tires ............................. 755
Mixed size tires ............................. 757
Spare wheel .................................. 759
Electrical system ................................ 760
Main dimensions and weights ............ 762
Main dimensions........................... 762
Weights ......................................... 763Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. .......... 764
Capacities ..................................... 764
Engine oils .................................... 769
Engine oil additives ....................... 769
Air conditioning refrigerant ........... 769
Brake fluid .................................... 769
Premium unleaded gasoline.......... 770
Fuel requirements......................... 770
Gasoline additives......................... 771
Coolants ....................................... 771
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 774
Index................................................. 775

13
Product information

Introduction
Product information
Please observe the following in your own
best interest:
We recommend using Genuine
Mercedes-Benz Parts as well as conversion
parts and accessories explicitly approved
by us for your vehicle model.
We have tested these parts to determine
their reliability, safety and special suitabili-
ty for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.We are unable to make an assessment for
other products and therefore cannot be
held responsible for them, even if in indi-
vidual cases an official approval or authori-
zation by governmental or other agencies
should exist. Use of such parts and acces-
sories could adversely affect the safety,
performance or reliability of your vehicle.
Please do not use them.Genuine Mercedes-Benz Parts as well as
conversion parts and accessories ap-
proved by us are available at any autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center where you will
receive comprehensive information, also
on permissible technical modifications,
and where proper installation will be per-
formed.

14 IntroductionOperator’s ManualThis Operator’s Manual contains a great
deal of useful information. We urge you to
read it carefully and familiarize yourself
with the vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life
of the vehicle, we urge you to follow the in-
structions and warnings contained in this
manual. Ignoring them could result in dam-
age to the vehicle or personal injury to you
or others. Vehicle damage caused by fail-
ure to follow instructions is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the
equipment described in this manual.
Therefore, you may find explanations for
optional equipment not installed in your
vehicle. If you have any questions about
the operation of any equipment, any autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad to
demonstrate the proper procedures.We continuously strive to improve our
product, and ask for your understanding
that we reserve the right to make changes
in design and equipment. Therefore, infor-
mation, illustrations and descriptions in
this Operator’s Manual might differ from
your vehicle.
Optional equipment is also described in
this manual, including operating instruc-
tions wherever necessary. Since they are
special-order items, the descriptions and
illustrations herein may vary slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are
not shown or described in this Operator’s
Manual, any authorized Mercedes-Benz
C e n t e r w i l l b e g l a d t o i n f o r m y o u o f c o r r e c t
care and operating procedures. The Oper-
ator’s Manual and Maintenance Booklet
are important documents and should be
kept with the vehicle.
Service and warranty information
The Service and Warranty Information
Booklet contains detailed information
about the warranties covering your
Mercedes-Benz, including:

New Vehicle Limited Warranty


Emission System Warranty


Emission Performance Warranty


California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont Emission Control System
Warranty
(California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont only)


State Warranty Enforcement Laws
(Lemon Laws)

15 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Important notice for California retail
buyers and lessees of Mercedes-Benz automobiles
Under California law you may be entitled to
a replacement of your vehicle or a refund
of the purchase price or lease price, if
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and/or its au-
thorized repair or service facilities fail to fix
one or more substantial defects or mal-
functions in the vehicle that are covered by
its express warranty after a reasonable
number of repair attempts. During the pe-
riod of 18 months from original delivery of
the vehicle or the accumulation of
18 000 miles (approximately 29 000 km)
on the odometer of the vehicle, whichever
occurs first, a reasonable number of repair
attempts is presumed for a retail buyer or
lessee if one or more of the following oc-
curs: (1) the same substantial defect or mal-
function results in a condition that is
likely to cause death or serious bodily
injury if the vehicle is driven, that de-
fect or malfunction has been subject to
repair two or more times, and you have
directly notified Mercedes-Benz USA,
LLC in writing of the need for its repair,
(2) the same substantial defect or mal-
function of a less serious nature than
category (1) has been subject to repair
four or more times and you have direct-
ly notified us in writing of the need for
its repair, or
(3) the vehicle is out of service by reason
of repair of the same or different sub-
stantial defects or malfunctions for a
cumulative total of more than
30 calendar days.
Written notification should not be sent to a
dealer, it should be addressed to:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Customer Assistance Center
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
Maintenance
The Maintenance Booklet describes all the
necessary maintenance work which should
be performed at regular intervals.
Always have the Maintenance Booklet with
you when you take the vehicle to an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for service.
The service advisor will record each ser-
vice in the booklet for you.Roadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program provides factory trained technical
help in the event of a breakdown. Calls to
the toll-free Roadside Assistance number
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA)
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada)
will be answered by Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Representatives
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

16 IntroductionOperator’s ManualFor additional information refer to the
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Pro-
gram brochure (in the USA) or the Road-
side Assistance section of the Service &
Warranty Information booklet (in Canada)
in your vehicle literature portfolio.Change of address or ownership
If you change your address, be sure to
send in the “Change of Address Notice”
found in the Service and Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet, or simply call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center (in the USA) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer
Service (in Canada) at 1-800-387-0100.
This will assist us in contacting you in a
timely manner should the need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all
literature with the vehicle to make it avail-
able to the next operator.If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to
send in the “Notice of Purchase of Used
Car” found in the Service and Warranty In-
formation Booklet, or call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Cen-
ter (in the USA) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes,
or Customer Service (in Canada) at
1-800-387-0100.
Operating your vehicle outside the USA
or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that:

service facilities or replacement parts
may not be readily available,


unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat-
alytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts,


gasoline may have a considerably low-
er octane rating, and improper fuel can
cause engine damage.Certain Mercedes-Benz models are avail-
able for delivery in Europe under our Euro-
pean Delivery Program. For details, consult
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9