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

Index ....................................................... 4Introduction ......................................... 24At a glance ........................................... 29Safety ................................................... 41Opening and closing ...........................75Seats, steering wheel and mirrors ....99COMAND ............................................ 113Lights and windshield wipers ..........271Climate control ................................. 285Driving and parking ..........................297On-board computer and displays ....363Loading, stowing and features ........421Maintenance and care ......................445Roadside assistance .........................461Tires and wheels ............................... 479Technical data ................................... 507
Contents3

WindshieldDefrosting ...................................... 292
Infrared reflective .......................... 442
Windshield washer fluid (display
message) ............................................ 410
Windshield washer system Adding washer fluid .......................450
Notes ............................................. 515
Windshield wipers
Replacing the wiper blades ....281, 282
Switching on/off ........................... 281
Troubleshooting ............................. 282
Winter operation ....................... 323, 482
Radiator cover ............................... 447
Winter tires ........................................ 482
Wiper blades Cleaning ......................................... 456
Z
ZAGAT ®
rating service ...................... 163
Index23

Exterior viewFunctionPage:Trunk lid85Vehicle tool kit462;Lights278=Rear window defroster293?Fuel filler flap313AExterior mirrors109BSliding sunroof93CDefrosting the windshield292Cleaning the windows455FunctionPageDWindshield wipers281EOpens the hood446Engine oil447Coolant450FTowing473GTires and wheels480Flat tire46330Exterior viewAt a glance

Vehicle equipment ............................272
Exterior lighting ................................ 272
Interior lighting ................................. 277
Changing bulbs ................................. 278
Windshield wipers ............................281271Lights and windshield wipers

Vehicle equipment
iThis 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.
Exterior lighting
Important safety notes
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you drive with the lights
switched on even during the daytime. In some
countries, operation of the headlamps varies
due to legal requirements and self-imposed
obligations.
Notes on driving abroad
Convert to symmetrical low beam when
driving abroad: switch the headlamps to
symmetrical low beam in countries in which
traffic drives on the opposite side of the road
from the country where the vehicle is
registered. This prevents oncoming traffic
from being dazzled. Symmetrical lights do not
illuminate as large an area of the edge of the
road.
Have the headlamps converted at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, as close to the border
as possible before driving in these countries.
Convert to asymmetrical low beam after
returning: have the headlamps converted
back to asymmetrical low beam at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, as soon as possible
after crossing the border when returning.
Light switch
Operation
1WLeft-hand standing lamps2XRight-hand standing lamps3$Lights off/daytime running lamps4cAutomatic headlamp mode/daytime
running lamps
5TSide lamps, license plate and
instrument lighting
6LLow-beam/high-beam headlamps7NFog lamps148RRear fog lamps
The turn signals, high-beam headlamps and
the high-beam flasher are operated using the
combination switch (Y page 274).
! Switch off the parking lamps and standing
lamps when you leave the vehicle. This
prevents the battery from discharging.
The exterior lighting (except the side lamps/
standing lamps) switches off automatically if
you:
Rremove the key from the ignition lock
Ropen the driver's door with the key in
position 0
If you hear a warning tone when you leave the
vehicle, the lights may still be switched on.
XTurn the light switch to $ or c.
or
XIf the rear fog lamp is switched on: press
the light switch in to the stop.14Only vehicles with Bi-Xenon headlamps without Intelligent Light System* are equipped with front fog lamps.272Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers* optional

Low-beam headlampsXTo switch on the low-beam headlamps:
turn the key in the ignition lock to position
2 or start the engine.XTurn the light switch to L.
The T indicator lamp on the light switch
lights up.
Daytime running lamps
Daytime running lamps in Canada
The "daytime running lamps" function is
required by law in Canada. It cannot therefore
be deactivated.
XTurn the light switch to $ or c .
When the engine is on: depending on the
ambient light, the daytime running lamps or
the low-beam headlamps are switched on.
When the low-beam headlamps are
activated, the T indicator lamp on the
light switch lights up.
When the engine is running and the vehicle is
stationary or if the electronic parking brake is
applied: if you move the selector lever from a
driving position to P, the daytime running
lamps/low-beam headlamps go out after
three minutes.
When the engine is running, the vehicle is
stationary and in high ambient light
brightness: if you turn the light switch
to T , you turn on the daytime running
lamps and low-beam headlamps.
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to L, the manual settings take
precedence over the daytime running lamps.
Daytime running lamps in the USA
In the USA, the daytime running lamps are
deactivated upon delivery from the factory.
XTo activate: activate the daytime running
lamps function in the on-board computer
( Y page 377).XTurn the light switch to $ or c .
When the engine is on: depending on the
ambient light, the daytime running lamps or
the low-beam headlamps are switched on.
When the low-beam headlamps are
activated, the T indicator lamp on the
light switch lights up.
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to T or L , the manual settings
take precedence over the daytime running
lamps.
Automatic headlamps
GRisk of accident
If the light switch is set to c, the low-beam
headlamps will not come on automatically if
it is foggy. This could endanger you and
others. Therefore, turn the light switch to
L in fog.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid. The driver is responsible for the vehicle's
lighting at all times.
GRisk of accident
When it is dark or foggy, turn the light switch
quickly from c to L . Otherwise, the
headlamps could switch off temporarily and
you could cause an accident.
XTo switch on automatic headlamp
mode: turn the light switch to c.
Key in position 1 in the ignition lock: the
side lamps are switched on or off
automatically depending on the brightness
of the ambient light.
With the engine running: depending on the
brightness of the ambient light, the daytime
running lamps 15
or the side lamps and low-
beam headlamps are switched on or off
automatically.15 Only if daytime running lamps have been activated via the on-board computer.Exterior lighting273Lights and windshield wipersZ

When the low-beam headlamps are
switched on, the T indicator lamp on
the light switch lights up.
Front fog lamps and rear fog lamp
Front fog lamps
GWarning!
If you suspect that driving conditions will be
foggy, turn the light switch to L before you
start your journey. Otherwise, your vehicle
may not be visible and you could endanger
yourself and others.
GWarning!
In low ambient lighting or foggy conditions,
only switch from position c to L with
the vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching from c to L will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions may
result in an accident.
XTo switch on the front fog lamps: turn
the key in the ignition lock to position 2 or
start the engine.XTurn the light switch to L or T . If the
light switch is set to c, you cannot
switch on the fog lamps.XPull the light switch out to the first detent.
The green N indicator lamp on the light
switch lights up.XTo switch off the front fog lamps: press
the light switch in as far as it will go.
The green N indicator lamp on the light
switch goes out.
Rear fog lamps
XTo switch on the rear fog lamp: turn the
key in the ignition lock to position 2 or start
the engine.XTurn the light switch to L or T
(vehicles with fog lamps) or turn the light
switch to L (vehicles without fog
lamps). When the light switch is set toc , you cannot switch on the rear fog
lamp.XTurn the light switch to L. When the
light switch is set to T, you cannot
switch on the rear fog lamp.XPull the light switch out to the second stop
(vehicles with fog lamps) or pull it out to the
stop (vehicles without fog lamps).
The yellow R indicator lamp on the light
switch lights up.XTo switch off the rear fog lamp: press the
light switch in as far as it will go.
The yellow R indicator lamp on the light
switch goes out.
Combination switch
Turn signal
:High-beam headlamps;Right turn signal=High-beam flasher?Left turn signalXTo indicate briefly: press the combination
switch briefly to the pressure point in the
direction of arrow ; or ?.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.XTo indicate: press the combination switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction
of arrow ; or ?.274Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers

High-beam headlampsXTo switch on the high-beam headlamps:
turn the key in the ignition lock to position
2 or start the engine.
XTurn the light switch to L.XPress the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of
arrow :.
The K indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
XTo switch off the high-beam
headlamps: move the combination switch
back to its normal position.
The K indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
GWarning!
The Adaptive Highbeam Assist is only an aid
intended to support you while driving. The
driver is and remains responsible for proper
vehicle lighting in accordance with the
prevailing light, sight and traffic conditions.
The system may be impaired or unavailable
when
Rvisibility is poor, e.g. due to snow, rain, fog,
or heavy spray
Rthe optical sensor area of the windshield is
dirty, fogged up, or covered by a sticker for
example
The system cannot recognize the following
road users:
RRoad users without a lighting system of
their own, e.g. pedestrians
RRoad users with dim lighting of their own,
e.g. cyclists
RRoad users whose lighting is obstructed,
e.g. road users behind a guardrail
RIn some seldom cases, even road users with
a lighting system of their own may be
recognized too late or not at all.
The automatic high-beam headlamps will then
not be deactivated or it will be activated in
spite of preceding or oncoming road users.
This could endanger you and/or others and
cause an accident. Always pay close attention
to the traffic situation and switch off the high
beam manually if necessary.
You can use this function to set the
headlamps to change between low beam and
high beam automatically. The system
recognizes vehicles with their lights on, either
approaching from the opposite direction or
traveling in front of your vehicle, and
consequently switches the headlamps from
high beam to low beam.
The system automatically adapts the low-
beam headlamp range depending on the
distance to the other vehicle. Once the
system no longer detects any other vehicles,
it reactivates the high-beam headlamps.
The system's optical sensor is located behind
the windshield near the overhead control
panel.
XTo activate: activate the Adaptive
Highbeam Assist function using the on-
board computer (Y page 377).
XTurn the light switch to c.Exterior lighting275Lights and windshield wipersZ

XPress the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of arrow :
(Y page 274).
When the low-beam headlamps are
switched on, the _ indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
If you are driving at speeds above
approximately 28 mph (45 km/h):
the headlamp range is set automatically
depending on the distance between the
vehicle and other road users.
If you are driving at speeds above
approximately 35 mph (55 km/h) and no
other road users are detected:
the high-beam headlamps are switched on
automatically. The K indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster also lights up.
If you are driving at speeds below
approximately 30 mph (45 km/h) or other
road users are detected or the roads are
illuminated sufficiently:
the high-beam headlamps are switched off
automatically. The K indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster goes out. The _
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
stays on.
XTo deactivate: move the combination
switch back to its normal position.
The _ indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
High-beam flasher
XTo switch on: turn the key in the ignition
lock to position 1 or 2 or start the engine.
XPull the combination switch briefly in the
direction of arrow =.Hazard warning lamps
The hazard warning lamps automatically
switch on if:
Ran air bag is deployed.
Rthe vehicle decelerates rapidly from a
speed of more than 45 mph (70 km/h) and
comes to a standstill.
XTo switch on the hazard warning lamps:
press button :.
All turn signals flash. If you now switch on
a turn signal using the combination switch,
only the turn signal lamp on the
corresponding side of the vehicle will flash.
XTo switch off the hazard warning
lamps: press button :.
The hazard warning lamp switches off
automatically after full brake application if the
vehicle then reaches a speed of above 6 mph
(10 km/h).
iThe hazard warning lamps still operate if
the ignition is switched off.
Headlamp cleaning system
The headlamps are cleaned automatically if
the "Wipe with washer fluid" function is
operated ten times while the lights are on and
the engine is running (Y page 281). When you
switch off the ignition, the automatic
headlamp cleaning system is reset and
counting is resumed from 0.
276Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers

Cornering light function
The cornering light function improves the
illumination of the road over a wide angle in
the direction you are turning, enabling better
visibility in tight bends, for example. It can
only be activated when the low-beam
headlamps are switched on.
Active:
Rif you are driving at speeds below 25
(40 km/h) and switch on the turn signals
or turn the steering wheel.
Rif you are driving at speeds between
25 mph (40 km/h) and
45 mph (70 km/h) and turn the steering
wheel.
Not active: if you are driving at speeds above
25 mph (40 km/h) or switch off the turn
signals or turn the steering wheel to the
straight-ahead position.
The cornering light function may remain lit for
a short time, but is automatically switched off
after no more than three minutes.
Headlamps fogged up on the inside
The headlamps may fog up on the inside if
there is high atmospheric humidity.
XDrive with the headlamps switched on.
The headlamps clear up after a short
distance.
If the moisture does not disappear, the
headlamp casing is not sealed correctly and
moisture has been able to enter.
XHave the headlamps checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Interior lighting
Overview of interior lighting
Front overhead control panel
:p To switch the left-hand reading lamp
on/off
;u To switch the rear interior lighting
on/off
=c To switch the front interior lighting
on/off
?| To switch the automatic interior
lighting control on/off
Ap To switch the right-hand reading
lamp on/off
Rear-compartment overhead control panel
:Reading lamp;Press p consecutively to:Switch the reading lamp and interior
lighting on
Switch only the reading lamp onInterior lighting277Lights and windshield wipersZ