message MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2011 W221 Owner's Guide

When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat occupant is classified as
being heavier than the weight of a typical 12-
month-old child seated in a standard child
restraint or as being a small individual (such
as a young teenager or a small adult), the
42 indicator lamp will illuminate
for approximately 6 seconds when the engine
is started and then, depending on occupant
weight sensor readings from the front-
passenger seat, remain illuminated or go out.
With the 42 indicator lamp
illuminated, the front-passenger front air bag
is deactivated. With the 42
indicator lamp out, the front-passenger front
air bag is activated.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat occupant is classified as an
adult or someone larger than a small
individual, the 42 indicator lamp
will illuminate for approximately 6 seconds
when the engine is started and then go out,
indicating that the front-passenger front air
bag is activated.
If the 42 indicator lamp is
illuminated, the front-passenger front air bag
is deactivated and will not be deployed.
If the 42 indicator lamp is not
illuminated, the front-passenger front air bag
is activated and will be deployed:
R in the event of certain frontal impacts
R if impact exceeds a preset deployment
threshold
R independently of the side impact air bags
If the front-passenger front air bag is
deployed, the rate of inflation will be
influenced by:
R the rate of vehicle deceleration as assessed
by the air bag control unit
R the front passenger's weight category as
identified by OCS
For further information, see the section
regarding air bag display messages
( Y page 386).GWarning
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained on the rear
seats than on the front-passenger seat. Thus,
we strongly recommend that children be
placed in the rear seats whenever possible.
Regardless of seating position, children 12
years old and under must be seated and
properly secured in an appropriately sized
child restraint system or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
The infant or child restraint system must be
properly secured with the vehicle's seat belt,
the seat belt and Top Tether strap, or lower
anchors and Top Tether strap, fully in
accordance with the child seat
manufacturer's instructions.
Occupants, especially children, should always
sit as upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly and use an appropriate sized infant
restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
Children can be killed or seriously injured by
an inflating air bag. Note the following
important information when circumstances
require you to place a child in the front-
passenger seat:
R Your vehicle is equipped with air bag
technology designed to deactivate the
front-passenger front air bag in your vehicle
when the system senses the weight of a
typical 12-month-old child or less along
with the weight of a standard appropriate
child restraint on the front-passenger seat.
R A child in a rear-facing child restraint on the
front-passenger seat will be seriously
injured or even killed if the front-passenger
front air bag inflates in a collision which
could occur under some circumstances,
even with the air bag technology installed
in your vehicle. The only means to eliminate
this risk completely is never to place a child
in a rear-facing child restraint in the front-
passenger seat. We therefore strongly
Occupant safety49SafetyZ

Problems with the occupant classification systemProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsThe 42
indicator lamp
illuminates and
remains illuminated.
The person sitting on
the front-passenger
seat:
R weighs as much as a
typical adult
R weighs more than a
childOCS is malfunctioning.XHave OCS checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display ( Y page 386).GWarning
If the 42 indicator lamp illuminates and remains illuminated when the weight of a
typical adult or someone larger than a small individual has been detected on the passenger seat,
the system then determines the occupant cannot be a child. Do not allow any occupant to use
the passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsThe 42
indicator lamp does not
illuminate and/or does
not remain illuminated.
The front-passenger
seat is:
R unoccupied
R occupied with the
weight of a typical
12-month-old child in
a standard child
restraint or lessOCS is malfunctioning.XMake sure there is nothing between the seat cushion and the
child seat.XCheck the installation of the child restraint system.XMake sure there are no objects applying additional weight onto
the seat.XIf the 42 indicator lamp does not illuminate, have
OCS checked as soon as possible at an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center. Do not transport a child on the front-passenger
seat until OCS has been repaired.XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display ( Y page 386).GWarning
If the 42 indicator lamp does not illuminate or remains out with the weight of a
typical 12-month-old child in a standard child restraint or less, or is unoccupied, on the front-
passenger seat, do not transport a child on the front-passenger seat until the system has been
repaired.
52Occupant safetySafety

section must never be exploited in a reckless
or dangerous manner which could jeopardize
the user's safety or the safety of others.
Always adjust your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions and
keep a safe distance to other road users and
objects on the street.
If a driving system malfunctions, other driving
safety systems may also switch off. Observe
indicator and warning lamps that may come
on as well as messages in the multifunction
display that may appear.GWarning!
HYBRID vehicles: It is imperative that you read
the HYBRID Supplemental Operating
Instructions included in your vehicle literature
portfolio. You may otherwise not receive all
necessary safety information and warning for
the operation of your vehicle.
i In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the
driving safety systems described in this
section work as effectively as possible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes
GWarning
Observe "Important safety notes"
( Y page 66).
GWarning
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm, steady
brake pedal pressure instead. Pumping the
brake pedal defeats the purpose of the ABS
and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the
vehicle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about
5 mph (8 km/h) upwards, regardless of road-
surface conditions. ABS works on slippery
surfaces, even when you only brake gently.
The ! warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
Braking
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.
XIf ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking
situation is over.XTo make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force.GWarning
If the ABS malfunctions, other driving systems
such as the BAS or the ESP ®
are also switched
off. Observe indicator and warning lamps that
may come on as well as messages in the
multifunction display that may appear.
If the ABS malfunctions, the wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing the steering
capability and extending the braking distance.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
GWarning
Observe "Important safety notes"
( Y page 66).
BAS operates in emergency braking
situations. If you depress the brake pedal
quickly, BAS automatically boosts the braking
force, thus shortening the stopping distance.
XKeep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.Driving safety systems67SafetyZ

Important information about using
KEYLESS-GO
RYou can use the KEYLESS-GO key as a
conventional SmartKey.
RYou can combine KEYLESS-GO functions
with those of a conventional SmartKey, e.g.
you can open the vehicle with KEYLESS-GO
and close it with the & button.
RAlways carry your KEYLESS-GO key on your
person.
RNever store the KEYLESS-GO key together
with:
-electronic devices, such as a mobile
phone or other SmartKey
-metal objects, such as coins or metal foil
Doing so may impair the function of
KEYLESS-GO.
RTo open or close the vehicle, the KEYLESS-
GO key should not be more than 3 ft (1 m)
from the door or trunk.
RIf the vehicle is parked for more than
72 hours, the KEYLESS-GO function is
deactivated. Pull an outer door handle and
switch on the ignition to reactivate the
KEYLESS-GO function.
RIf the KEYLESS-GO key is removed from the
vehicle, the system may not be able to
recognize the SmartKey anymore. The
vehicle can then no longer be locked or
started with KEYLESS-GO.
RIf the KEYLESS-GO key has been removed
from the vehicle, e.g. when another vehicle
occupant with a KEYLESS-GO key leaves
the vehicle:
-when the Start/Stop button is pressed,
or when trying to lock the vehicle using
the locking button on the outside door
handle, the Key Not Detected message
appears in the multifunction display.
-when the engine is running, the red Key
Not Detected message appears in the
multifunction display as you pull away.
Look for the KEYLESS-GO key and place
it somewhere else in the vehicle. Place
the KEYLESS-GO key on the front-
passenger seat, for example, or in your
shirt pocket.
RIf you have switched on the engine with the
Start/Stop button, you can switch it off
again by:
-pressing the Start/Stop button
-inserting the KEYLESS-GO key into the
ignition lock while the vehicle is at a
standstill and the automatic
transmission is in park position P.
RYou may inadvertently unlock the vehicle if
the KEYLESS-GO key is less than 3 ft (1 m)
from the vehicle and:
-an exterior door handle is hit by a jet of
water, or
-you clean an exterior door handle
RPlease note that any vehicle occupant can
start the engine when there is a KEYLESS-
GO key in the vehicle.
Scenario 1: There is a KEYLESS-GO key in
the vehicle and a second one outside the
vehicle. If you leave the KEYLESS-GO key
in the vehicle when you leave and lock the
vehicle, no message appears in the
multifunction display.
Scenario 2: There is a KEYLESS-GO key in
the vehicle, but none outside the vehicle. If
you get out of the vehicle and attempt to
lock it, the Key Detected In Vehicle
message appears in the multifunction
display. The vehicle is not then locked.
When starting the engine and whilst driving,
KEYLESS-GO also checks whether a valid
SmartKey is in the vehicle by periodically
establishing radio contact.
78SmartKeyOpening and closing

is operated in a commercial environment.
This equipment generates, uses and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications.GWarning
This equipment complies with FCC radiation
exposure limits set forth for uncontrolled
equipment and meets the FCC radio
frequency (RF) Exposure Guidelines in
Supplement C to OET65.
This equipment has very low levels of RF
energy that is deemed to comply without
maximum permissive exposure evaluation
(MPE). But it is desirable that it should be
installed and operated with at least 8 inches
(20 cm) and more between the radiator and a
person's body (excluding extremities: hands,
wrists, feet and legs.)
Correct use
Observe the following information when using
COMAND:
R the safety notes in this manual
R all road traffic regulations
i Improper work on electronic components
or other systems (such as radio, DVD
changer) and their software may result in
malfunction or failure. Even systems that
have not been modified could be affected
because the electronic systems are
connected. Electronic malfunctions can
seriously jeopardize the operational safety
of your vehicle.
i Only have work or changes to electronic
components carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop which has the
necessary specialist knowledge and tools
to carry out the work required. Daimler
recommends that you use an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for this purpose. In
particular, work relevant to safety or on
safety-related systems must be carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop.
i Protection against theft: this device is
equipped with technical provisions to
protect it against theft. Further information
on protection against theft can be obtained
from an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Vehicle equipment
These operating instructions describe all
standard and optional equipment available
for your vehicle at the time of going to print.
Country-specific deviations are possible.
Please note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all features described. This
includes safety-related systems and
functions. The equipment in your vehicle may
therefore differ from some of the descriptions
or illustrations. The original purchase
agreement lists all systems installed in your
vehicle. Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center if you have any questions about
equipment or operation.
Function restrictions
For safety reasons, some COMAND functions
are restricted or unavailable while the vehicle
is in motion. You will notice this, for example,
because you will either not be able to select
certain menu items or because COMAND will
display a message to this effect.
To protect the integrated hard drive against
damage, COMAND deactivates the drive at
very high temperatures. The following
functions will be temporarily unavailable:
R navigation system
R Voice Control System
R address book
R MUSIC REGISTER
Introduction115COMANDZ

ECOMAND: e.g. to select a station from
presets, select a track, enter directly,
enter a phone number. Rear Seat
Entertainment System: to select a
track, enter directlyFTo leave the menu (back)XPoint the remote control at the
corresponding screen and execute the
functions by pressing the corresponding
button.
i The remote control's function may be
restricted depending on the angle at which
it is pointed at the respective screen.
Selecting the screen for the remote
control
XTurn thumbwheel = until the desired
display is highlighted in the window.
Switching the screen on/off (Rear Seat
Entertainment System only)
If the key is in position 0 or 1 in the ignition
lock (see vehicle Operator's Manual), or the
key is not inserted, the screens in the rear will
switch off after 30 minutes. Before the
screens switch off, they show a message to
this effect.
You can switch the screens back on,
However, this will discharge the starter
battery.
XPoint the remote control at the rear-
compartment screen which has been
selected for remote operation.XPress button : on the remote control.
The respective rear screen switches on or
off.
i You can only switch the screens on using
the remote control if the ignition is
switched on.
Switching button lighting on/offXPress button ; on the remote control.
Depending on the previous status, the
button lighting is switched on or off.
i If you do not use the remote control for
about 15 seconds, the button lighting
switches off automatically.
Mute
XPress button B on the remote control.
The sound is switched on/off.
Adjusting the volume
This function is available for COMAND and for
the Rear Seat Entertainment System in
conjunction with corded headphones.
XPress one of buttons C on the remote
control.
The volume of the currently selected audio
or video source changes.
For COMAND, you can also adjust the
volume for phone calls and navigation
announcements.
Selecting a menu/menu item and
confirming your selection
XSelect a menu/menu item using the
=;9: buttons and press
the 9 button to confirm.124At a glanceCOMAND

Remote control
Overview
:To switch the screen on/off;To switch button lighting on/off=To select the screen for remote control
operation (COMAND, SPLITVIEW, L
REAR and REAR R can be selected)
?To select a menu or menu itemATo confirm a selection or settingBTo switch sound on/off (for corded
headphones)
CTo adjust the volume (for corded
headphones)
DTo skip, fast-forward/fast-rewindETo select a track, to enter directlyFTo leave the menu (back)Selecting the screen for the remote
control
You can use the remote control to operate
one of the two rear screens at a time. To do
so, you must switch the remote control to the
desired screen.
XTo select the left-hand screen: turn
thumbwheel = until "L REAR" is
highlighted in the window.
XTo select the right-hand screen: turn
thumbwheel = until "REAR R" is
highlighted in the window.
Switching the screen on/off
If the key in the ignition lock is in position 0
or 1 or if the key is not in the ignition lock, the
rear screens will switch off after 30 minutes.
Before the screens switch off, they show a
message to this effect.
You can switch the screens back on,
However, this will discharge the starter
battery.
XPoint the remote control at the rear-
compartment screen which has been
selected for remote operation.
XPress button : on the remote control.
The respective rear screen switches on or
off.
iYou can only switch the screens on using
the remote control if the ignition is
switched on.
Switching button lighting on/off
XPress button ; on the remote control.
Depending on the previous status, the
button lighting is switched on or off.
iIf you do not use the remote control for
about 15 seconds, the button lighting
switches off automatically.
Switching the sound on/off (corded
headphones only)
XPress button B on the remote control.
The sound is switched on/off.
138At a glanceCOMAND

guides you through the training with spoken
instructions.
XSelect Vehicle in the main function bar by
turning cVd the COMAND controller and
press W to confirm.
XSelect System by turning cVd the
COMAND controller and press W to
confirm.
XSelect Voice Control and press W to
confirm.
XSelect Start new individualization
and press W to confirm.
You see and hear a prompt asking whether
you would like further information.
XSelect Yes or No and press W to confirm.
If you select No, the first part of
individualization begins. You will be asked
whether you would like to train digits or
voice commands.
If you select Yes, you will see and hear
information on the individualization
process. The first part of individualization
then begins automatically.
XTo close the display: press W the
COMAND controller.
You will be asked whether you would like
to train digits or voice commands.
At the end of the first part, a prompt will
appear asking whether you wish to begin the
second part.
XSelect Yes or No and press W to confirm.
If you select No, individualization will be
canceled. The data from the first part is
stored automatically.
If you select Yes, the second part will begin.
Individualization is completed at the end of
the second part. You will see a message to
this effect. The data from the second part is
stored automatically.
Canceling the first or second part of
individualization
XConfirm Cancel by pressing W the
COMAND controller.
A prompt appears asking whether you
really wish to cancel.
XSelect Yes or No and press W to confirm.
If you select Yes, individualization will be
canceled. The data from the part canceled
is not stored.
If you select No, the current part begins
again.
Deleting existing individualization data
XSelect Vehicle by turning cVd the
COMAND controller and press W to
confirm.
XSelect System and press W to confirm.XSelect Voice Control and press W to
confirm.
XSelect Delete individualization and
press W to confirm.
A prompt appears asking whether you
really wish to delete.
144System settingsCOMAND

XSelect Yes or No and press W to confirm.
If you select No, the process will be aborted.
If you select Yes, the individualization is
deleted. You will see a message to this
effect.
Bluetooth® settings
General information about Bluetooth®
Bluetooth® technology is the standard for
short-range wireless data transmission of up
to approximately 10 meters. Bluetooth®
allows, for example, the exchange of vCards.
Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of
Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) Inc.
Requirements for a Bluetooth®
connection
You can connect mobile phones and
notebooks with COMAND.
To do so, the following conditions need to be
met:
RBluetooth®-capable devices, e.g. mobile
phones, must comply with a certain profile
in order to be connected to COMAND.
Every Bluetooth® device has its own
specific Bluetooth® name.
RBluetooth® must be activated in COMAND
and on the respective Bluetooth® device;
see the separate operating instructions.
Rthe Bluetooth® device must be "visible" to
COMAND in order for COMAND to find and
display it. For the setting procedures,
please see the operating instructions for
the Bluetooth® device.
iOnce a mobile phone has been
connected, reception and transmission
volume may change.
Activating/deactivating Bluetooth®
XSelect Vehicle in the main function bar by
turning cVd the COMAND controller and
press W to confirm.
XSelect System by turning cVd the
COMAND controller and press W to
confirm.
XSelect Bluetooth by turning cVd the
COMAND controller and press W to
confirm.
XSelect Bluetooth activated and press
W to confirm.
This switches Bluetooth® on O or off ª.
Connecting Bluetooth® devices
General information
Before using your Bluetooth® device with
COMAND for the first time, you will need to
connect it.
Connecting is comprised of:
Rsearching for a Bluetooth® device and
Rsubsequently authorizing it
iYou can connect up to ten devices to
COMAND.
For more information on suitable mobile
phones and on connecting a Bluetooth®-
capable mobile phone to COMAND, visit
http://www.mbusa-mobile.com or call
the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372)
(US) or Customer Service at
1-800-387-0100 (Canada).
System settings145COMANDZ

System language settings
This function allows you to determine the
language for the menu displays and the
navigation announcements. The selected
language affects the characters available for
entry.
If you change the system language, the
language for Voice Control System will be
also be changed. If the selected language is
not supported by Voice Control System,
"English" will be selected.XSelect Vehicle by turning cVd the
COMAND controller and press W to
confirm.XSelect System and press W to confirm.XSelect Language and press W to confirm.
You see the language list. The # dot
indicates the current setting.XSelect the language by turning cVd the
COMAND controller and press W to
confirm.
COMAND loads the selected language and
sets it.
i In Arabic as well as some other countries,
the selection option English (Arabic
map) is available when setting the system
language. This language setting shows the
menus and input data in COMAND in
English and the map in Arabic for certain
countries. The destination is entered in
English.
Reset function
You can reset COMAND to the factory
settings. Amongst other things, this will
delete all personal data (e.g. station presets,
address book entries, entries in the
destination memory and in the list of previous
destinations in the navigation system).
Resetting is recommended before selling or
transferring ownership of your vehicle, for
example.
XSelect Vehicle in the main function bar by
turning cVd the COMAND controller and
press W to confirm.XSelect System by turning cVd the
COMAND controller and press W to
confirm.XSelect Reset and press W to confirm.
A prompt appears asking whether you wish
to reset.XSelect Yes or No and press W to confirm.
If you select No, the process will be aborted.
If you select Yes, another prompt appears
asking whether you really wish to reset.XSelect Yes or No and press W to confirm.
If you select Yes, a message will be shown.
COMAND is reset and restarted.
If you select No, the process will be aborted.
Navigation
Vehicle equipment
i These Operating Instructions describe all
standard and optional equipment available
for your vehicle at the time of purchase.
Please note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all features described.
Introduction
Important safety notes
GWarning
For safety reasons, only enter a destination
when the vehicle is stationary. When the
vehicle is in motion, a passenger should enter
the destination. Study manual and select
route before driving.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximately
14 m) every second.
148NavigationCOMAND