Break MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2011 W221 Owner's Manual

Bluetooth®
telephone list ................. 193
Brake fluid Notes ............................................. 514
Brake fluid level ................................ 451
Brake lamp (display message) ......... 395
Brake lamps Adaptive ........................................... 69
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 67
BAS .................................................. 67
BAS PLUS ........................................ 68
Brake fluid (notes) .........................514
Display message ............................ 389
High-performance brake system ....322
Important safety notes ..................320
Maintenance .................................. 321
Warning lamp ................................. 413
Breakdown
see Flat tire
Bulb
Infrared light .................................. 280
Bulbs
High-beam spot lamp ..................... 280
Overview ........................................ 279
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) .........27
California
Important notice for retail
customers and lessees ....................25
Call
Accepting ...................................... 197
Connecting .................................... 197
Rejecting ....................................... 197
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Calling voicemail ............................... 198
Call list Opening and selecting an entry .....205
Saving an entry in the address
book .............................................. 206
Call lists ............................................. 205
Displaying details ........................... 201
Storing an entry which has not yet
been stored ................................... 206
Call waiting ........................................ 198
Capacities
see Technical data
Care
Carpets .......................................... 459
Car wash ........................................ 453
Display ........................................... 457
Gear or selector lever ....................458
Headlamps ..................................... 456
Matte finish ................................... 455
Night View Assist Plus ...................457
Notes ............................................. 452
Paint .............................................. 454
Plastic trim .................................... 458
Power washer ................................ 454
Rear view camera .......................... 456
Roof lining ...................................... 459
Seat belt ........................................ 459
Seat covers .................................... 458
Sensors ......................................... 456
Steering wheel ............................... 458
Tail pipes ....................................... 457
Trim strips ..................................... 458
Washing by hand ........................... 454
Wheels ........................................... 454
Windows ........................................ 455
Wiper blades .................................. 456
Wooden trim .................................. 458
cargo compartment
Power closing feature ......................84
Cargo tie down rings ......................... 425
Car pool lanes .................................... 167
Category Satellite radio ................................ 215
CD
Copy protection ............................. 225
Data medium ................................. 225
General information .......................225
Inserting ........................................ 217
Multisession .................................. 224
Playback options ........................... 224
Selecting a medium .......................221
Selecting a track ............................ 221
CD/audio DVD or MP3 mode
Switching to (Rear Seat
Entertainment System) ..................2486Index

MenuExiting ................................... 135, 151
Showing ........................ 150, 238, 251
Menu (on-board computer)
AMG ............................................... 371
Assistance ..................................... 375
Audio ............................................. 370
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 332
DVD ............................................... 371
Navigation ..................................... 369
Overview of menus ........................367
Service ........................................... 377
Settings ......................................... 377
Telephone ...................................... 374
Trip ................................................ 368
Menu item
Selecting ........................................ 126
Menu overview
COMAND ....................................... 119
Message memory (on-board
computer) .......................................... 380
Messages see Display messages
Mirrors
Sun visor ........................................ 429
Mobile phone
Authorizing .................................... 193
Connecting (Bluetooth ®
interface) . 193
De-authorizing ............................... 195
External authorization ....................194
Registering (authorizing) ................193
MOExtended run-flat system ........... 467
MP3 Bit/sampling rates ......................... 225
Copyright ....................................... 225
Data medium ................................. 224
File systems ................................... 224
Formats ......................................... 225
Selecting a medium .......................221
Multicontour seat .............................. 106
Front .............................................. 266
Rear compartment .........................106
Multifunction display ........................ 366
Lane recommendations .................167
Multifunction steering wheel
Operating the on-board computer . 365
Overview .......................................... 34Multisession CDs ............................... 224
Music Register Copying music data .......................226
MUSIC REGISTER
Deleting all music files ...................227
Memory space info ........................228
Playback options ........................... 229
Switching to ................................... 226
My address
see Home address
N
Navigation Installing map software .................. 186
On-board computer .......................369
Navigation (also see route
guidance) Traffic report .................................. 172
Navigation announcements
Switching off ......................... 132, 168
Navigation menu
Showing/hiding .....................237, 251
Navigation mode
Switching to ................................... 149
NECK-PRO head restraints ............... 104
Operation ......................................... 53
Resetting after being triggered ........54
NECK-PRO luxury head restraints ... 104
Operation ......................................... 53
Resetting after being triggered ........54
Night View Assist Plus ...................... 348
Activating/deactivating .................349
Cleaning ......................................... 457
Display message ............................ 401
Malfunction .................................... 352
Problem ......................................... 352
North up orientation ......................... 181
Notes on breaking-in a new
vehicle ................................................ 298
14Index

Rear window heatingMalfunction .................................... 293
Switching on/off ........................... 293
Redials ................................................ 197
Refueling ............................................ 313
Remote control .................................. 123
Programming (garage door
opener) .......................................... 440
Rear Seat Entertainment System ...138
Reporting
Malfunctions relevant to safety ........ 27
Reserve (fuel tank)
see Fuel
Reserve fuel
Display message ............................ 400
Warning lamp ................................. 418
Reset .................................................. 148
Residual heat Switching on/off ........................... 294
Restraint systems
see SRS
Reversing lamp (display message) .. 396
Roadside Assistance (breakdown) .... 25
Roller blind see Roller sunblind
Roller sunblind
Panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel ..................................... 95
Rear side windows ...........................90
Rear window .................................. 429
Rear window (COMAND) ................258
Roller sunblind of the panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel Operating (front roller sunblind) ....... 95
Operating (rear roller sunblind) ........96
Roof carrier ................................ 426, 427
Roof lining and carpets (cleaning
guidelines) ......................................... 459
Roof load (maximum) ........................ 516
Route Calculating ..................................... 154
Estimated time of arrival ................169
Route overview .............................. 170
see Route guidance (on-board
computer)
Route calculation
Starting .......................................... 154Route guidance .................................. 164
Cancel ........................................... 167
Continue ........................................ 167
Continuing ..................................... 167
Destination reached ......................168
Lane recommendations .................165
Off-road ......................................... 171
Traffic reports ................................ 172
Route guidance (on-board
computer) .......................................... 369
Route options Setting ........................................... 150
Route overview .................................. 170
Route type Setting ........................................... 150
S
Safety Children in the vehicle .....................60
Child restraint systems ....................61
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) ............................................... 48
Overview of occupant safety
systems ........................................... 42
Safety notes
Audio CD/DVD and MP3
mode ..................................... 217, 247
Operating safety ....................114, 266
Using the telephone ....................... 191
Video DVD mode ........................... 236
Safety systems
see Driving safety systems
SatRadio ............................................. 213
Displaying information ...................217
Registering .................................... 214
Selecting a category ......................215
Switching to ................................... 214
Screen
Selecting for remote operation ......138
SD memory card
Loading .......................................... 218
Seat
Active multicontour seat ........ 106, 268
Adjusting (rear compartment) ........102
Selecting (COMAND) .....................266
Index17

Information for customers in
California
Under California law you may be entitled to a
replacement of your vehicle or a refund of the
purchase price or lease price, if after a
reasonable number of repair attempts
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and/or its
authorized repair or service facilities fail to fix
one or more substantial defects or
malfunctions in the vehicle that are covered
by its express warranty. During the period 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 occurs:(1)the same substantial defect or
malfunction results in a condition that is
likely to cause death or serious bodily
injury if the vehicle is driven, that defect
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
malfunction of a less serious nature than
category (1) has been subject to repair
four or more times and you have directly
notified Mercedes-Benz in writing of the
need for its repair.(3)the vehicle is out of service by reason of
repair of the same or different substantial
defects or malfunctions for a cumulative
total of more than 30 calendar days.
Please send your written notice to:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Customer Assistance Center
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
Maintenance
The Service and Warranty Information
Booklet describes all necessary maintenance
work that should be performed at regular
intervals.
Always have the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet with you when you bring
the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. The service advisor will record each
service in the Service and Warranty
Information 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 will be
answered by Mercedes-Benz Customer
Assistance Representatives 24 hours a day,
365 days a year.
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372)
(USA)
1-800-387-0100 (Canada)
For additional information refer to the
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program brochure (in the USA) or the
Roadside Assistance section of the Service
and Warranty Information Booklet (in
Canada) You will find both in your vehicle
literature portfolio.
Change of address or ownership
In the event of a change of address, be sure
to send in the "Change of Address Notice"
found in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, or simply call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
(in the USA) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) 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.
Introduction25

this can be dangerous. You could slide under
the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under
it, the seat belt would apply force at the
abdomen or neck. That could cause serious
or even fatal injuries. The seat backrest and
seat belt provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a position that is as upright as
possible and the seat belt is properly
positioned on the body.GWarning
Never let more people ride in the vehicle than
there are seat belts available. Make sure
everyone riding in the vehicle is correctly
restrained with a separate seat belt. Never
use a seat belt for more than one person at a
time.
GWarning
Damaged seat belts or seat belts that have
been subjected to stress in an accident must
be replaced and their anchoring points must
also be checked.
Only use seat belts which have been approved
by Mercedes-Benz.
Do not make any modifications to the seat
belts. This can lead to unintended activation
of the ETDs or to their failure to activate when
necessary.
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.
Have all work carried out only by qualified
technicians. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Correct use of the seat belt
GWarning
USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY
R Seat belts can only work when used
properly. Never wear seat belts in any other
way than as described in this section, as
that could result in serious injuries in the
event of an accident.
R Each occupant should wear their seat belt
at all times, because seat belts help reduce
the likelihood of and potential severity of
injuries in accidents, including rollovers.
The integrated restraint system includes
SRS (driver front air bag, front-passenger
front air bag, side impact air bags, window
curtain air bags for the side windows),
Emergency Tensioning Devices, seat belt
force limiters, and front seat knee bolsters.
The system is designed to enhance the
protection offered to properly belted
occupants in certain frontal (front air bags
and ETDs) and side (side impact air bags,
window curtain air bags, and ETDs) impacts
which exceed preset deployment
thresholds and in certain rollovers (window
curtain air bags and ETDs).
R Never wear the shoulder belt under your
arm, across your neck or off your shoulder.
In a frontal crash, your body would move
too far forward. That would increase the
chance of head and neck injuries. The seat
belt would also apply too much force to the
ribs or abdomen, which could severely
injure internal organs such as your liver or
spleen.
Adjust the seat belt so that the shoulder
section 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. For
this purpose, you can adjust the height of
the seat belt outlet.
R Position the lap belt as low as possible on
your hips and not across the abdomen. If
the lap belt is positioned across your
abdomen, it could cause serious injuries in
a crash.
R Never wear seat belts over rigid or
breakable objects in or on your clothing,
such as eyeglasses, pens, keys etc., as
these might cause injuries.56Occupant safetySafety

Many audio CDs contain CD text. COMAND
uses the information contained therein to
display the artist, album and track name.
If the audio CD does not contain any CD text
information, COMAND can use the Gracenote
Media Database to identify unknown audio
tracks when breaking in audio CD mode. This
is only possible if the relevant information is
saved in the Gracenote Media Database and
if the "Gracenote Media Database" function
is activated.
If this is the case, COMAND will display the
corresponding data such as artist, album and
track name in the relevant displays and lists.
If COMAND accesses the Gracenote Media
Database when reading an audio CD, you will
see the following message:
Selecting Gracenote® data to be displayed
If several entries exist for the CD of a
particular artist, you can select which of the
entries should be shown.
If the inserted CD does not contain any
Gracenote® data, the Gracenote Media
Database menu item is shown in gray and
cannot be selected.
XSwitch on audio CD mode (Y page 218).XSelect CD by sliding VÆ and turning cVd
the COMAND controller and press W to
confirm.
XSelect Gracenote Media Database by
turning cVd the COMAND controller and
press W to confirm.
Switch the function on O or off ª.
Updating Gracenote® music recognition
technology and the Gracenote Media
Database
The digital data on the Gracenote Media
Database becomes obsolete due to the
release of new CDs. Optimum functionality
can only be attained with up-to-date
Gracenote® music recognition technology.
Information about new versions can be
obtained from an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
You can have your music recognition
software updated there with a DVD, or you
can update it yourself.
iThe Gracenote Media Database is
updated in conjunction with the navigation
system's digital map (Y page 186).
Setting the audio format
You can only set the audio format in audio
DVD mode. The number of audio formats
available depends on the DVD. The content of
an audio DVD is called an "album", and this
can be divided into up to nine groups. A group
can contain music in different sound qualities
(stereo and multi-channel formats, for
example), or bonus tracks. Each group can
contain up to 99 tracks. If an audio DVD only
contains one audio format, the "Group" menu
item(s) cannot be selected.
XSwitch on audio DVD mode (Y page 218).XSelect DVD-A by sliding VÆ and turning
cVd the COMAND controller and press
W to confirm.
Audio223COMANDZ

Never use a bulb which has been dropped.
Such a bulb may break or even explode and
injure you.
Halogen bulbs are pressurized and can
explode when you change them, particularly
if they are very hot. You should therefore wear
eye protection and gloves when you are
changing them.
There are bulbs other than the Xenon bulbs
that you cannot replace. Replace only the
bulbs listed (Y page 279). Have the bulbs that
you cannot replace yourself changed at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Mercedes-Benz 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.
If you require assistance changing bulbs,
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Do not touch the glass tube of new bulbs with
your bare hands. Even minor contamination
can burn into the glass surface and reduce
the service life of the bulbs. Always use a lint-
free cloth or only touch the base of the bulb
when installing.
Only use bulbs of the correct type.
If the new bulb still does not light up, consult
a qualified specialist workshop.
Bulbs and lamps are an important aspect of
vehicle safety. You must therefore make sure
that these function correctly at all times.
Have the headlamp setting checked regularly.
Overview: changing bulbs/bulb types
You can change the following bulbs. The bulb
type can be found in the legend.
Bi-Xenon headlamps (vehicles with halogendaytime running lamps)
:High-beam spot lamp: H7 55 W
Bi-Xenon headlamps (vehicles with LED daytimerunning lamps)
:High-beam headlamps16: H11 55 W;Infrared light (Night View Assist Plus):
H11 55 W16Due to their location, have the bulbs in the left-hand headlamp changed at a qualified specialist workshop,e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Changing bulbs279Lights and windshield wipersZ

Vehicle equipment ............................298
Notes on breaking in a new vehicle 298
Driving ............................................... 298
Automatic transmission ...................306
Refueling ............................................ 313
Parking ............................................... 316
Driving tips ........................................ 319
Driving systems ................................ 323297Driving and parking

Vehicle equipment
i This manual describes all the standard
and optional equipment of your vehicle
which was available at the time of
purchase. Country-specific differences are
possible. Bear in mind that your vehicle
may not feature all functions described
here. This also refers to safety-related
systems and functions.
Notes on breaking in a new vehicle
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more you look after the engine when it is
new, the happier you will be with its
performance in the future.
R Drive at varying vehicle speeds and engine
speeds for the first 1000 miles (1500 km)
for this reason.
R Avoid overstraining the vehicle during this
period, e.g. driving at full throttle.
R Change gear in good time, at the latest
when the tachometer needle is 2
/ 3 of the
way to the red area in the tachometer
display.
R Do not manually shift to a lower gear to
brake the vehicle.
R If possible, do not depress the accelerator
pedal past the point of resistance
(kickdown).
R Only select shift ranges 3, 2 or 1 when
driving slowly, e.g. in mountainous terrain.
R Ideally, drive program E (on AMG vehicles:
drive program C) should be selected for
driving the first 1000 miles (1500 km).
After 1000 miles (1500 km) you may
gradually bring the vehicle up to full road and
engine speeds.
Additional breaking-in notes for AMG
vehicles:
R For the first 1000 miles (1500 km), do not
exceed a speed of 85 mph (140 km/h).
R Only allow the engine to briefly reach a
maximum engine speed of 4500 rpm.
R Shift gears in good time.
i Also observe these breaking-in notes
when the vehicle's engine or axle gear have
been replaced.
i Always observe the respective limit
speeds.
Driving
Important safety notes
GWarning
Make sure absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals' range of movement.
Keep the driver's footwell clear of all
obstacles. If there are any floormats or
carpets in the footwell, make sure the pedals
still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents and
injury.
GWarning
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle's ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
GWarning
It is dangerous to shift AUTOTRONIC out of
parking position P or neutral position N if the
engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your
foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in
reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle
and hit someone or something. Only shift into
298DrivingDriving and parking

! Vehicles with 4MATIC: as the ESP®
system operates automatically, the engine
and the ignition system must be switched
off (SmartKey in position 0 or 1 in the
ignition lock or Start/Stop button in
position 0 or 1) when:
R testing the electric parking brake on a
brake dynamometer.
R you intend to have the vehicle towed with
one of the axles raised.
Braking maneuvers triggered automatically
by ESP ®
may seriously damage the brake
system.
If your brake system is only subjected to
moderate loads, you should regularly test
your brake system's function by forcefully
depressing the brake pedal when driving at
high speed. This also improves the brake
pads' friction.GWarning
Make sure that you do not endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
A description of Brake Assist (BAS) can be
found on ( Y page 67) or of BAS PLUS on
( Y page 68).
High-performance brake system for
AMG vehicles
The high-performance brake system is only
installed on the S 63 AMG and S 65 AMG.
GWarning
New vehicle brake pads and discs, and
replacement brake pads and discs may take
several hundred miles of driving until they
provide optimum braking efficiency. Until that
time, you may need to use increased brake
pedal pressure while braking. Please be aware
of this and adjust your driving and braking
accordingly during this break-in period.
Excessive high-demand braking will cause
correspondingly high brake wear. Please be
attentive to the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and brake condition
messages in the multifunction display.
Especially for high performance driving, it is
important to maintain and have the brake
system checked regularly.
The high-performance brake system is
designed for heavy loads. This may lead to
noise when braking. This will depend on:
R speed
R braking force
R environmental conditions, such as
temperature and humidity
The wear of individual components of the
brake system, such as the brake pads/linings
or brake discs, depends on the individual
driving style and operating conditions.
Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning
If water has accumulated to a certain depth
on the road surface, there is a danger of
hydroplaning occurring, even if:
R you drive at low speeds
R the tires have adequate tread depth
For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or
in conditions in which hydroplaning can occur
you must drive in the following manner:
R Lower your speed
R Avoid ruts
R Brake carefully
Driving on flooded roads
! Do not drive through flooded areas.
Check the depth of any water before driving
through it. Drive slowly through standing
water. Otherwise, water may enter the
vehicle interior or the engine compartment.
This can damage the electronic
components in the engine or AUTOTRONIC.
Water can also be drawn in by the engine's
air suction nozzles and this can cause
engine damage.
322Driving tipsDriving and parking