high beam MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2012 W221 User Guide

the high-beam headlamps are switched on
automatically. The K indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster also lights up.
When you drive slower than approximately
30 mph (45 km/h) or if other road users
are identified or if the roads are sufficiently
illuminated:
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.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
R visibility is poor, e.g. due to snow, rain, fog,
or heavy spray
R the 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:
R Road users without a lighting system of
their own, e.g. pedestrians
R Road users with dim lighting of their own,
e.g. cyclists
R Road users whose lighting is obstructed,
e.g. road users behind a guardrail
R In 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.
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 level of moisture diminishes,
depending on the length of the journey and
the weather conditions (humidity and
temperature).
If the level of moisture does not diminish:
XHave the headlamps checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Interior lighting
Overview of interior lighting
Front overhead control panel
:p Switches the left-hand reading lamp
on/off;u Switches the rear interior lighting
on/off=c Switches the front interior lighting
on/off?| Switches the automatic interior
lighting control on/offAp Switches the right-hand reading
lamp on/offInterior lighting281Lights and windshield wipersZ

Other bulbs
There are bulbs other than the Xenon bulbs
that you cannot replace. Replace only the
bulbs listed (Y page 283). 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.
GWARNING
Bulbs and lamps can be very hot. You should
therefore allow them to cool down before you
change them. Otherwise, you could be burned
if you touch them.
Keep bulbs out of the reach of children.
Otherwise, they could damage the bulbs, for
example, and injure themselves.
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.
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 halogen
daytime running lamps)
:High-beam spot lamp: H7 55 W
Bi-Xenon headlamps (vehicles with LED daytime
running lamps)
:High-beam spot lamp 13
: H11 55 W;Infrared light (Night View Assist Plus):
H11 55 W13 Due to their location, have the bulbs in the left-hand headlamp changed at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Replacing bulbs283Lights and windshield wipersZ

Changing the front bulbs
High-beam spot lamp (vehicles with
halogen daytime running lamps)XSwitch off the lights.XOpen the hood.XTurn housing cover : counter-clockwise
and pull it out.XTurn bulb holder ; counter-clockwise and
pull it out.XTake the bulb out of bulb holder ;.XInsert the new bulb into bulb holder ;.XInsert bulb holder ;.
Left-hand headlamp: cable outlet = must
be pointing up and to the right.
Right-hand headlamp: cable outlet = must
be pointing down and to the left.XTurn bulb holder ; clockwise.
Handle ? of bulb holder ; is horizontal.XAlign housing cover : and turn it
clockwise until it engages.High-beam spot lamp (vehicles with
LED-daytime running lamps)/infrared
light (Night View Assist Plus)
Due to their location, have the bulbs in the
left-hand headlamp changed at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
XSwitch off the lights.XOpen the hood.XTurn housing cover : counter-clockwise
and pull it out.XTurn bulb holder ; counter-clockwise and
pull it out.XPush the two detents on the right and left
of bulb holder ; and pull the bulb from
bulb holder ;.XInsert the new bulb into bulb holder ; until
it engages.XInsert bulb holder ; into the guide in the
headlamp.
Cable outlet = must be pointing down and
to the right.XTurn bulb holder ; clockwise.
Cable outlet = must be pointing down and
to the left.XAlign housing cover : and turn it
clockwise until it engages.284Replacing bulbsLights and windshield wipers

Night View Assist Plus
Important safety notes
In addition to the illumination provided by the
normal headlamps, Night View Assist Plus
uses infrared light to illuminate the road. The
Night View Assist Plus camera picks up the
infrared light and shows a black-and-white
image in the multifunction display. The image
shown in the multifunction display
corresponds to a road lit up by high-beam
headlamps. This enables you to see the road's
course and any obstacles in good time. If
pedestrian recognition is activated,
pedestrians recognized by the system are
highlighted in the Night View Assist Plus
display.
GWARNING
Night View Assist Plus is only an aid designed
to assist driving. It is not a substitute for
attentive driving. Do not rely solely on the
Night View Assist Plus display. Continue to
look through the windshield. You are
responsible for safety and must drive in
accordance with traffic conditions. You could
otherwise put yourself and others in danger.
The system may be impaired or unavailable if:
R there is poor visibility, e.g. due to snow,
rain, fog or heavy spray.
R the windshield is dirty, fogged up or
covered, for instance by a sticker, in the
vicinity of the camera.
R you are driving on bends, uphill gradients
or downhill gradients.
Light from the headlamps of oncoming
vehicles does not affect the Night View Assist
Plus display in the multifunction display. This
is also the case if you cannot switch on the
high-beam headlamps due to oncoming
traffic.
GWARNING
The Night View Assist Plus cannot record
objects immediately in front of or next to the
vehicle. When maneuvering, continue to look
through the windshield. Make sure no
persons or animals are in the area in which
you are maneuvering. You could otherwise
injure them.
i Infrared light is not visible to the human
eye and therefore does not glare. Night
View Assist Plus can therefore remain
switched on even if there is oncoming
traffic.:Night View Assist Plus camera
Switching on Night View Assist Plus
You can only activate Night View Assist Plus
if:
R the SmartKey is in position 2 in the ignition
lock.
R it is dark.
R the light switch is in the c or L
position.
R reverse gear has not been engaged.
Driving systems357Driving and parkingZ

XPress a.
The current selection is displayed.XTo activate/deactivate: press a
again.
When ATTENTION ASSIST ( Y page 356) is
activated, the À symbol appears in the
multifunction display when the ignition is on.
Activating/deactivating Blind Spot
Assist
You can use the Blind Spot Assist
function to activate or deactivate Blind Spot
Assist ( Y page 360) or Active Blind Spot
Assist ( Y page 364).
XPress = or ; on the steering wheel
to select the DriveAssist menu.XPress 9 or : to select Blind Spot
Assist .XPress a.
The current selection is displayed.XTo activate/deactivate: press a
again.
Activating/deactivating Lane Keeping
Assist
You can use the Lane Keeping Assist
function to activate/deactivate Lane Keeping
Assist ( Y page 362) or Active Lane Keeping
Assist ( Y page 367).
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the DriveAssist
menu.XPress the 9 or : button to select
Lane Keeping Assist .XPress a.
The current selection is displayed.XTo activate/deactivate: press a
again.
If Lane Keeping Assist or Active Lane keeping
Assist is activated, the multifunction display
shows the à symbol when the ignition is
switched on.
Service menu
In the Service menu you can:
R call up display messages ( Y page 388)
R check the tire pressure electronically
( Y page 497)
R call up the service due date ( Y page 462)
R check the oil level ( Y page 457)
Settings menu
Introduction
The Settings menu can be used for:
R switching the daytime running lamps on/
off
R switching Adaptive Highbeam Assist on/
off
R showing or hiding the additional
speedometer
R selecting the units for speed and distance
R switching the belt adjustment on/off
R activating/deactivating the radar sensor
system
Switching the daytime running lamps
on/off
This function is not available in Canada.
If you have activated the Daytime Running
Light function and the light switch is in the
$ or c position, the daytime running
lamps are switched on automatically when
the engine is running.
In the dark, the following also light up:
R the parking lamps
R the tail lamps
R the license plate lamp
R the side marker lamps
If you turn the light switch to a different
position, the corresponding lights are
switched on. If you switch off the daytime
running lamps at night, make sure that the
light switch is set to L or c .
The factory setting is On.
Menus and submenus385On-board computer and displaysZ

XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the 9 or : button to select
Day Running Lights .XPress the a button to confirm.XTo activate/deactivate: press a
again.
Switching Adaptive Highbeam Assist
on/off
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select
Adapt. High-beam Asst. .XPress the a button to confirm.XTo activate/deactivate: press a
again.
Switching the additional speedometer
on or off
An additional digital speedometer can be
shown in the multifunction display.
Vehicles with a kilometer speedometer: the
digital speedometer has mph units.
Vehicles with a miles speedometer: the digital
speedometer has km/h units.
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress 9 or : to select Add.
Speedometer .XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the a button to save the setting.
Selecting the unit of measurement for
distance
The Display Unit Speed-/Odometer:
function allows you to choose whether
certain displays appear in kilometers or miles.
The selected unit of measurement for
distance applies to:
R the analog speedometer
R the digital speedometer in the Trip menu
R the odometer and the trip odometer
R the trip computer
R the navigation instruction in the Navi menu
R DISTRONIC PLUS
R ASSYST PLUS service interval display
The digital speedometer shows alternative
speed units ( Y page 386).XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the 9 or : button to select
Units .XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the a button to save the setting.
The unit switches between km/h and mph.
Switching the belt adjustment on/off
For further information on belt adjustment
( Y page 60).
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the 9 or : button to select
Belt Adjustment .XPress the a button to confirm.XTo activate/deactivate: press a
again.
Activating/deactivating the acoustic
locking verification signal
If you activate the Acoustic Lock Feedb.
function, an audible signal sounds depending
on the vehicle's date of manufacture:
R when locking
or
R once when unlocking and three times when
locking
386Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsb
Check Center Brake
LampThe high-mounted brake lamp is faulty.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 282).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left Tail
and Brake
Lamp or Check Right
Tail and Brake LampThe left or right-hand tail lamp/brake lamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 282).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left High
Beam or Check Right
High BeamThe left or right-hand high beam is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 282).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left License
Plate Lamp or Check
Right License
Plate LampThe left or right-hand license plate lamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 282).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left Fog
Lamp or Check Right
Fog LampThe left-hand or right-hand front fog lamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 282).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Rear Left
Fog Lamp or Check
Rear Right Fog LampThe left-hand or right-hand rear fog lamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 282).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Front Left
Parking
Lamp or Check Front
Right Parking LampThe front left or front right parking or standing lamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 282).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.402Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsb
Please Switch Off
LightsThe lights are still switched on when you leave the vehicle. A
warning tone also sounds.XTurn the light switch to $ or c .
or
XIf the rear fog lamp is switched on: press the light switch in to
the stop.Adaptive High-beam
Assist inoperativeAdaptive Highbeam Assist is defective.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
Engine
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions+
Check Coolant
Level See Oper.
ManualThe coolant level is too low.XAdd coolant, observing the warning notes when doing so
( Y page 460).XIf coolant needs to be added more often than usual, have the
engine coolant system checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.GWARNING
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may burn
if it comes into contact with hot engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
! The coolant level is too low. Avoid making long journeys with too little coolant in the cooling
system. The engine will otherwise be damaged.
The display messages and the corresponding symbol that indicate that the coolant level is
too low must not be ignored.
404Display messagesOn-board computer and displays