warning light MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2011 W221 Owner's Manual

1, 2, 3 ...
12 V socket ........................................ 431
4ETS see ETS/4ETS
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 339
A
ABC see Active Body Control
ABC (Active Body Control)
Display message ............................ 403
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Display message ............................ 388
Function/notes ................................ 67
Warning lamp ................................. 415
Active Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 376
Display message ............................ 404
Function/information ....................356
Active Body Control (ABC) ................ 338
Active Driving Assistance package . 355
Active Lane Keeping Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 376
Display message ............................ 404
Function/information ....................359
Active light function (display
message) ............................................ 397
Active multicontour seat .......... 106, 268
Active partition (USB devices only) Selecting ........................................ 234
Active service system
see Service interval display
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 71
Adaptive brake lamps ......................... 69
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) ..... 337
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Display message ............................ 397
Switching on/off ........................... 275
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 377
Additional speedometer ................... 377
Address book
Calling up ....................................... 201
Connecting a call ........................... 204
Creating an entry ........................... 203
Deleting an entry ........................... 204
Importing contacts ........................200
Introduction ................................... 200
Starting route guidance .................204
Voice tag ....................................... 205
Address book entry
Adopting as a home address .........175
Address entry menu .......................... 151
Air bags Display message ............................ 386
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 46
Important safety notes ....................44
Safety guidelines ............................. 43
Side impact air bag ..........................46
Window curtain air bag ....................47
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Air dehumidification
Activating/deactivating with
cooling ........................................... 289
Air distribution
Setting ........................................... 291
Setting (COMAND) .........................262
Airflow
Setting ........................................... 292
AIRMATIC ........................................... 336
AIRMATIC (display message) ............ 402
Air nozzles see Air vents .................................. 295
Air pressure
see Tire pressure
Air-recirculation mode
Activating/deactivating .................293
Air vents ............................................. 295
Glove box ....................................... 295
Important safety information .........294
Rear ............................................... 295
Setting the center air vents ...........295
Setting the side air vents ...............295
Alarm system
see ATA 4Index

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

COMAND MenuVehicle ........................................... 257
COMAND operating system .............. 116
Combination switch .......................... 274
Conference connection ..................... 198
Consumption statistics (on-board
computer) .......................................... 368
Convenience closing feature .............. 91
Convenience opening feature ............ 90
Convenience telephone Importing contacts ........................200
Coolant (engine)
Checking the level .........................450
Display message ............................ 397
Notes ............................................. 515
Temperature gauge ........................ 365
Cooling
see Climate control
Copy protection (CD/DVD) ............... 225
Cornering light (display message) ... 394
Crosshair position Saving ............................................ 180
Cruise control
Cruise control lever .......................324
Display message ............................ 407
Function/notes ............................. 323
Cup holder ......................................... 427
Center console .............................. 427
Rear compartment .........................428
Current fuel consumption (on-
board computer) ............................... 368
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) ............................................... 27
Customer Relations Department ....... 27
D
Dashboard see Cockpit
Data carrier
MUSIC REGISTER ........................... 226
Data medium
Audio DVD ..................................... 224
CD/DVD ........................................ 225
MP3 ............................................... 224
Date format
Setting ........................................... 142
Daytime running lamps
Display message ............................ 396
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 377
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (COMAND) ...........259
Interior lighting (COMAND) ............259
Destination
Adopting from the list of previous
destinations ................................... 176
Destination entry
Point of interest ............................. 160
Destination information ................... 169
Destination input .............................. 151
Address ......................................... 151
Destination memory ......................156
Intermediate stop .......................... 158
Last destination ............................. 157
Map ............................................... 157
Destination memory ......................... 175
Deleting an entry ........................... 178
My address .................................... 175
Storing a destination .....................176
Digital speedometer ......................... 368
DIRECT SELECT lever see Automatic transmission
Display (cleaning instructions) ........ 457
Display messages Brakes ........................................... 388
Calling up (on-board computer) .....380
Clearing (on-board computer) ........380
Driving systems ............................. 401
Engine ............................................ 397
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 411
Lamps ............................................ 394
Safety systems .............................. 381
Service interval display ..................451
SmartKey ....................................... 411
Tires ............................................... 407
Vehicle ........................................... 409
Distance
see Route overview
Distance recorder ............................. 368
Distance warning lamp ..................... 419
DISTRONIC PLUS ............................... 325
Deactivating ................................... 333
Display message ............................ 4068Index

EBD (Electronic Brake force
Distribution) Display message ............................ 389
EBD (Electronic Brake-force
Distribution) Function/notes ................................ 71
ECO function ...................................... 257
ECO start/stop function Deactivating/activating .................303
General information .......................302
Electrical fuses
see Fuses
Electronic Brake-force Distribution
see EBD
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®

Electronic Traction System
see ETS/4ETS
Emergency call
see mbrace
Emergency release
Trunk ............................................... 88
Vehicle ............................................. 84
Emergency running mode
Automatic transmission .................313
Emergency spare wheel
Storage location ............................ 462
Emergency tensioning device
Function ........................................... 59
Safety guidelines ............................. 43
Emissions purification
Service and warranty information ....24
Engine
Irregular running ............................ 305
Starting problems ..........................305
Starting the engine with the key ....301
Starting with KEYLESS-GO .............301
Switching off .................................. 316
Warning lamp Check Engine ..........418
Engine electronics
Malfunction .................................... 305
Engine emergency stop .................... 477
Engine number .................................. 510
Engine oil Adding ........................................... 449
Checking the oil level ..................... 447
Display message ............................ 399Filling capacity ............................... 511
Lubricant additives ........................514
Notes about oil grades ................... 513
Temperature (on-board computer) . 371
Viscosity ........................................ 514
Entering characters
In the address and the phone
book .............................................. 130
Using the number pad ...................128
Entry
Deleting ......................................... 129
Saving ............................................ 131
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) Activating/deactivating ...................70
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 375
Display message ............................ 381
ETS/4ETS ........................................ 70
Important safety information ...........69
Warning lamp ................................. 416
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ................................................ 70
Example: entering an address .......... 151
Example display Audio CD mode .............................. 219
Example of operation ........................ 126
Exhaust check ................................... 320
Exhaust tail pipe (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 457
Exterior lighting see Exterior lighting
Exterior mirror parking position
Adjusting (COMAND) .....................258
Exterior mirrors
Adjusting ....................................... 109
Dipping (automatic) .......................110
Folding in/out (automatically) .......110
Folding in/out (electrically) ...........110
Out of position ............................... 110
Storing settings (memory
function) ........................................ 111
Storing the parking position ..........111
Exterior view ........................................ 30
External authorization ...................... 147
Eyeglasses compartment ................. 42310Index

Head restraintsAdjusting (electrically) ...................104
Adjusting (rear) .............................. 105
see NECK-PRO head restraints/
NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
Heating
see Climate control
High beam flasher ............................. 276
Hill start assist .................................. 302
HOLD function ................................... 335
HOLD function (display message) ... 403
Home address ................................... 175
Entering and saving .......................154
Selecting from the destination
memory ......................................... 156
Hood
Closing ........................................... 447
Display message ............................ 410
Opening ......................................... 446
Hydroplaning ..................................... 322
I
Immobilizer .......................................... 73
Incident (traffic report) ..................... 172
Indicator and warning lamps DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 419
Insect protection on the radiator .... 447
Instrument cluster Overview .......................................... 32
Submenu (on-board computer) ......377
Warning and indicator lamps ...........33
Interior lighting
Ambient light (COMAND) ...............260
Automatic control ..........................278
Interior lighting .............................. 259
Manual control ............................... 278
Reading lamp ................................. 277
Intermediate stop
Deleting ......................................... 160
Intermediate top
Entering ......................................... 158
iPod ®
Alphabetic track selection .............233
Connecting to the Media
Interface ........................................ 229
Device version ............................... 229
Selecting a category/playlist .........232
iTunes®
............................................... 233
J
Jack Storage location ............................ 462
Using ............................................. 464
Jump-starting ..................................... 471
K
KEYLESS-GO Button ............................................ 299
Convenience closing feature ............91
Display message ............................ 411
Locking ............................................ 77
Starting the engine ........................301
Unlocking ......................................... 77
Key positions
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 299
SmartKey ....................................... 299
Kickdown ................................... 309, 312
L
Lane-change assistant see Active Blind Spot Assist
see Blind Spot Assist
Lane Keeping Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 376
Display message ............................ 404
Function/information ....................354
Lane recommendations .................... 165
Explanation .................................... 167
Presentation .................................. 167
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ................................................ 63
License plate lamp (display
message) ............................................ 395
Lights Automatic headlamp mode ............273
Cornering light function .................277
Daytime running lamps ..................273
Driving abroad ............................... 272
Fog lamps ...................................... 274
Hazard warning lamps ...................276
High-beam headlamps ...................275
Light switch ................................... 272
12Index

O
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) Faults ............................................... 52
Operation ......................................... 48
System self-test ............................... 51
Occupant safety
Children in the vehicle .....................60
System overview .............................. 42
Octane number (fuel) ........................ 512
Odometer ........................................... 368
Off-map .............................................. 171
Off-road .............................................. 171
4MATIC .......................................... 339
Oil
see Engine oil
On-board computer
AMG menu ..................................... 371
Assistance menu ........................... 375
Audio menu ................................... 370
Display messages ..........................380
Important safety notes ..................364
Instrument cluster submenu ..........377
Lighting submenu .......................... 377
Message memory .......................... 380
Navigation menu ............................ 369
Operating video DVD .....................371
Operation ....................................... 365
Overview of menus ........................367
Service menu ................................. 377
Settings menu ............................... 377
Standard display submenu ............368
Telephone menu ............................ 374
Trip menu ...................................... 368
Opening height restriction for
trunk lid .............................................. 261
Operating system see On-board computer
Orientation in direction of travel ..... 181
Outside lighting Delayed switch-off (COMAND) .......259
Outside temperature
Display ........................................... 365
Overhead control panel
Overview .......................................... 36
Override feature
Rear side windows ...........................65P
Paint code number ............................ 509
Paintwork (cleaning instructions) ... 454
Panic alarm .......................................... 66
Panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel Opening/closing .............................. 95
Resetting ......................................... 97
Parking ............................................... 316
Parking aid Parking Guidance ........................... 342
PARKTRONIC ................................. 339
Rear view camera .......................... 346
Parking brake
Display message ............................ 389
Electric parking brake ....................317
Parking Guidance .............................. 342
Display message ............................ 405
Parking lamp (display message) ...... 396
Parking position Exterior mirror on the front-
passenger side ............................... 111
Exterior mirrors (COMAND) ...........258
PARKTRONIC
Activating/deactivating .................341
Function/notes ............................. 339
Malfunction .................................... 342
Problem ......................................... 342
Range of the sensors .....................340
Warning display ............................. 341
Passcode
Entering ................................. 147, 194
Pause function ................................... 220
Pedals ................................................. 319
Permanent four-wheel drive see 4MATIC
Phone book
Calling up ....................................... 201
Creating an entry ........................... 203
Deleting an entry ........................... 204
Introduction ................................... 200
Plastic trim (cleaning instructions) . 458
Playback options .............. 224, 229, 234
Point of interest Category ........................................ 161
Entering ......................................... 160
Entering a name ............................. 160Index15

SOSsee mbrace
Sound
Switching on/off ........................... 132
Sound Mode ....................................... 135
Sound settings .................................. 133
Spare wheel Notes/data .................................... 506
Storage location ............................ 462
see Emergency spare wheel
Speedometer
Activating/deactivating
additional speedometer (on-
board computer) ............................ 377
Additional speedometer (on-
board computer) ............................ 368
Setting the unit (on-board
computer) ...................................... 377
SPLITVIEW ......................................... 120
SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System) Display message ............................ 384
Introduction ..................................... 42
Warning lamp ................................. 417
Warning lamp (function) ................... 42
Standard display (on-board
computer) .......................................... 368
Starting the engine Important safety notes ..................301
State/province
Selecting ........................................ 152
Station
Selecting ........................................ 209
Storing ........................................... 210
see Radio
Station search ................................... 209
Steering (display message) .............. 410
Steering wheel Adjusting (electrically) ...................108
Buttons (on-board computer) ......... 365
Cleaning ......................................... 458
Important safety notes ..................107
Memory function (storing
settings) ......................................... 108
Steering wheel heating ..................108
Storing settings (memory
function) ........................................ 111Steering wheel paddle shifters ........ 310
Storage options Selecting ........................................ 177
Stowage compartments
Armrest (under) ............................. 423
Door ............................................... 423
Glove box ....................................... 422
Rear ............................................... 424
Stowage space
Cup holders ................................... 427
Important safety information .........422
Rear seat backrest ......................... 425
Rear seats (between) .....................424
Stowage well ..................................... 426
Trunk floor (under) .........................426
Submenu (on-board computer)
Instrument cluster .........................377
Lights ............................................. 377
Standard display ............................ 368
Summer and standard time
Switching ....................................... 142
Summer opening
see Convenience opening feature
Sun visor ............................................ 428
Supplemental Restraint System see SRS
Surround sound ................................. 134
Suspension tuning ............................ 337
Active Body Control .......................338
Switching off the alarm (ATA) ............ 73
System language Setting ........................................... 148
System settings (COMAND)
Programmable button ....................118
T
Tachometer ........................................ 365
Tail lamp (display message) ............. 395
Taillight see Tail lamps
Tank content
Fuel gauge ....................................... 32
Technical data ................................... 508
S 550 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY ..... 516
S 550 BlueEFFICIENCY ..................516
S 600 ............................................. 516
S 63 AMG ...................................... 517
Index19

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.
Occupant safety
Overview of occupant safety
In this section you will learn the most
important facts about the restraint system
components of the vehicle.
The restraint systems are:
R Seat belts
R Child restraint systems
R LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat anchors
Additional protection is provided by:
R SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
R NECK-PRO head restraints
R PRE-SAFE ®
R Air bag system components with:
- PASSENGER air bag OFF indicator lamp
- USA only: front passenger seat with
Occupant Classification System (OCS)
- Canada only: front passenger seat with
BabySmart™ air bag deactivation system
The different air bag systems work
independently of each other. The protective
functions of the systems work in conjunction
with each other. Not all air bags are deployed
in an accident.
GWarning
Modifications to or work improperly
conducted on restraint system components
or their wiring, as well as tampering with
interconnected electronic systems, can lead
to the restraint systems no longer functioning
as intended.
Air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices
(ETDs), for example, could deploy
inadvertently or fail to deploy in accidents
although the deceleration threshold for air
bag deployment is exceeded. Therefore,
never modify the restraint systems. Do not
tamper with electronic components or their
software.
i See "Children in the vehicle"
( Y page 60) for more information on
infants and children traveling with you in
the vehicle and restraints for infants and
children.
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Introduction
SRS reduces the risk of occupants coming
into contact with the vehicle's interior in the
event of an accident. It can also reduce the
effect of the forces to which occupants are
subjected during an accident.
SRS consists of:
R the 6 SRS warning lamp
R air bags
R air bag control unit (with crash sensors)
R belt tensioners
R belt force limiters
SRS warning lamps
SRS functions are checked regularly when
you switch on the ignition and when the
engine is running. Therefore, malfunctions
can be detected in good time.
The 6 SRS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out no later than a few seconds
after the engine is started.
The SRS components are in operational
readiness when the 6 SRS warning lamp
goes out while the engine is running.
42Occupant safetySafety

bags will continue to provide supplemental
crash protection for occupants.
Front air bags
GWarning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 44).
The front air bags increase protection for the
driver's and front-passenger's head and
chest.
Driver's air bag : deploys in front of the
steering wheel; front-passenger air bag ;
deploys in front of and above the glove box.
They are deployed:
Rin the event of certain frontal impacts
Rif the system determines that air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
Rif the seat belt is fastened
Rindependently of other air bags in the
vehicle
If the vehicle overturns, the front air bags are
generally not deployed unless the system
detects high vehicle deceleration in a
longitudinal direction.
Your vehicle has adaptive, two-stage front air
bags. In the event of a collision, the air bag
control unit evaluates the vehicle
deceleration. When the first deployment
threshold is reached, the front air bag is filled
with enough propellant gas to reduce the risk
of injuries. The front air bag is fully deployed
if a second deployment threshold is exceeded
within a few milliseconds.
The deployment of the front-passenger air
bag is also influenced by the weight category
of the front passenger, which is determined
by the Occupant Classification System (OCS)
(Y page 48).
The lighter the passenger side occupant, the
higher the vehicle deceleration rate required
for second stage inflation of the front-
passenger front air bag. In the second stage,
the front air bags are inflated with the
maximum amount of propellant gas available.
In impact situations with deceleration or
acceleration values lower than the vehicle
deceleration or acceleration values preset in
the system, the front air bags are not
deployed. You will then be protected by the
seat belt.
The front-passenger air bag will only deploy
if:
Rthe system, based on the OCS weight
sensor readings, has detected that the
front-passenger seat is occupied.
Rthe 42 indicator lamp in the
center console is not lit, (Y page 48)
Rthe impact exceeds a preset deployment
threshold.
Side impact air bags
GWarning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 44).
GWarning!
The pressure sensors for side impact air bag
control are located in the doors. Do not
modify any components of the doors or door
trim panels including, for example, the
addition of door speakers.
Improper repair work on the doors or the
modification or addition of components to the
doors create a risk of rendering the side
impact air bags inoperative or causing
unintended air bag deployment. Work on the
46Occupant safetySafety

Window curtain air bags : are deployed:
R on the side on which an impact occurs
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, e.g. in a side impact
R regardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied
R independently of seat belt use
R if the vehicle overturns and the system
determines that window curtain air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R independently of the front air bags
Window curtain air bags : will not deploy in
impacts with deceleration rates which do not
exceed the system’s preset deployment
thresholds for vehicle deceleration or
acceleration. You will then be protected by
the seat belt.
Occupant classification system (OCS)
Operating principles of the Occupant
Classification System
OCS categorizes the occupant on the front-
passenger seat by means of a weight sensor.
The front-passenger front air bag is
automatically deactivated for certain weight
categories. The respective status can be
recognized by the 42 indicator
lamp. With the 42 indicator
lamp illuminated, the front-passenger front
air bag is deactivated.
The system does not deactivate:
R the side impact air bag
R the window curtain air bag
R the Emergency Tensioning Devices
To be classified correctly, the front passenger
must sit:
R with the seat belt properly fastened
R in a position that is as upright as possible
with the back against the seat backrest
R with their feet on the floor
If the front-passenger's weight is transferred
to another object in the vehicle (e.g. by
leaning on armrests), OCS may not be able to
approximate the occupant's weight category.
If the front passenger seat, the seat cover, or
the seat cushion are damaged, have the
necessary repair work carried out at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use seat
accessories that have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Both the driver and the front passenger
should observe the 42 indicator
lamp to determine whether or not the front
passenger is positioned correctly.GWarning
If the 42 indicator lamp lights up
when an adult or someone larger than a small
individual is in the front-passenger seat, have
the front passenger reposition himself or
herself in the seat until the 42
indicator lamp goes out.
In the event of a collision, the air bag control
unit will not allow front-passenger front air
bag deployment when the OCS has classified
the front-passenger seat occupant as
weighing as much as or less than a typical 12-
month-old child in a standard child restraint
or if the front-passenger seat is classified as
being empty.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat occupant is classified as
being up to or less than the weight of a typical
12-month-old child in a standard child
restraint, the 42 indicator lamp
will illuminate when the engine is started and
remain illuminated, indicating that the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat is classified as being empty,
the 42 indicator lamp will
illuminate when the engine is started and
remain illuminated, indicating that the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
48Occupant safetySafety