air conditioning MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2012 W221 Owner's Manual

1, 2, 3 ...
115 V socket ...................................... 442
12 V socket see Sockets
4ETS
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic
Traction System)
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 346
4MATIC off-road system ................... 346
A
ABC see Active Body Control (ABC)
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Display message ............................ 389
Function/notes ................................ 69
Important safety notes ....................69
Warning lamp ................................. 423
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 293
Active Blind Spot Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 385
Function/information ....................364
Active Body Control (ABC)
Display message ............................ 410
Function/notes ............................. 345
Active Driving Assistance package . 363
Active Lane Keeping Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 385
Display message ............................ 411
Function/information ....................367
Active Light System
Display message ............................ 403
Active multicontour seat .......... 108, 272
Active service system PLUS see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 73
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) ..... 344
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Display message ............................ 404
Function/notes ............................. 280
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 386
Additional speedometer ................... 386
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 528
Address Entering (example) .........................153
see Address book
Address book
Calling up ....................................... 205
Connecting a call ........................... 208
Creating an entry ........................... 206
Deleting an entry ........................... 207
Entering characters .......................132
Entry as a home address ...............178
Importing contacts ........................204
Introduction ................................... 203
Starting route guidance .................208
Voice tag ....................................... 208
Air bags
Display message ............................ 399
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 48
Important safety notes ....................46
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp .................................. 50
Safety guidelines ............................. 45
Side impact air bag ..........................48
Window curtain air bag ....................49
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Air distribution
Setting ........................................... 295
Setting (COMAND) .........................266
Air filter (display message) .............. 408
Airflow Setting ........................................... 295
Setting (COMAND) .........................266
AIRMATIC
Display message ............................ 409
Function/notes ............................. 343
Air pressure
see Tire pressure
Air vents
Glove box ....................................... 299
Important safety notes ..................2984Index

Servicesee ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
Service interval display
Displaying service messages .........462
Hiding service messages ...............462
Notes ............................................. 462
Service messages ..........................462
Service menu (on-board computer) . 385
Service products Brake fluid ..................................... 528
Capacities ...................................... 524
Coolant (engine) ............................ 529
DEF special additives .....................527
Engine oil ....................................... 527
Fuel ................................................ 525
Important safety notes ..................522
Refrigerant (air-conditioning
system) .......................................... 528
Washer fluid ................................... 529
Setting a station (radio)
Via manual frequency entry ...........212
Settings
Display ........................................... 143
Menu overview .............................. 121
On-board computer .......................385
Picture (COMAND) .........................240
Picture (Rear Seat Entertainment
System) ......................................... 249
Sound settings ............................... 135
System settings ............................. 143
Setting the language
COMAND ....................................... 149
Rear Seat Entertainment System ...258
Setting the night design ................... 143
Setting the text reader speed .......... 145
Setting the vehicle level ................... 345
Setting the volume Telephone calls .............................. 134
Video AUX ..................................... 246
Side impact air bag ............................. 48
Side marker lamp (display
message) ............................................ 403
Side windows Convenience closing feature ............94
Convenience opening feature ..........93
Important safety information ...........92
Opening/closing .............................. 93Problem (malfunction) .....................95
Resetting ......................................... 95
Sliding sunroof
Important safety notes ....................95
Opening/closing .............................. 96
Problem (malfunction) ...................100
Resetting ......................................... 97
see Panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel
SmartKey
Changing the battery .......................82
Changing the programming .............81
Checking the battery .......................82
Convenience closing feature ............94
Convenience opening feature ..........93
Display message ............................ 419
Door central locking/unlocking .......78
Important safety notes ....................78
Loss ................................................. 84
Mechanical key ................................ 81
Positions (ignition lock) .................303
Problem (malfunction) .....................84
Starting the engine ........................305
SMS message
see Text message
Snow chains ...................................... 493
Socket Glove box ....................................... 442
Sockets
Points to observe before use .........441
Rear compartment .........................442
Trunk ............................................. 442
Sound menu ....................................... 135
Sounds see Sound settings
Sound settings
Balance and fader ..........................135
Calling up the sound menu ............135
Rear Seat Entertainment System ...248
Surround sound ............................. 136
Treble and bass ............................. 135
Spare wheel
Storage location ............................ 472
see Emergency spare wheel
Specialist workshop ............................ 31
Speech control see Voice Control System Index21

COMAND display
Display overview
The COMAND display shows the function currently selected and its associated menus. The
COMAND display is divided into several areas.
The radio display is shown in the example.
:Status bar;To call up the audio menu=Main function bar?Display/selection windowARadio menu barBAir-conditioning function bar
Status bar : shows the current settings for radio and telephone operation.
The main functions navigation, audio, telephone and video feature additional menus. This is
indicated by triangle ;. The following table lists the available menu items.
Main function bar = allows you to call up the desired main function.
In the example, the Audio main function is set to radio mode and display/selection
window ? is active.
Radio menu bar A allows you to operate the radio functions.
The air-conditioning functions can be operated in air-conditioning function bar B.
Menu overview
The table lists the menus available after calling up the main navigation, audio, telephone, video
or system function in the main function bar.
At a glance121COMANDZ

turning cVd the COMAND controller and
press W to confirm.
The main area is active.XSelect the Automatic Locking function
by sliding XVY or turning cVd the
COMAND controller and press W to
confirm.
Activating/deactivating the trunk lid
opening height restriction
XTo activate/deactivate the trunk lid
opening height restriction: select
Vehicle in the main function bar by sliding
XVY and turning cVd the COMAND
controller and press W to confirm.
The main area is active.XSelect the Trunk Opening-height
Restriction function by sliding XVY or
turning cVd the COMAND controller and
press W to confirm.
Automatic climate control
Introduction to automatic climate
control
You can operate automatic climate control
using COMAND or the buttons on the upper
section of the center console ( Y page 291).
Several special automatic climate control
functions can only be adjusted using
COMAND.
You can access the automatic climate control
menu via the air-conditioning function bar.
To do so, make certain that the SmartKey is
in position 2 in the ignition lock.
Air-conditioning function bar
:To set the temperature, left;To set the air distribution, left=To set the airflow, left?Climate control main menu
( Y page 266)ATo set the airflow, rightBTo set the air distribution, rightCTo set the temperature, right
Setting the temperature
You can set the temperature separately for
the driver’s and front-passenger side.
XSelect left temperature display : or right
temperature display C in the air-
conditioning function bar by turning cVd
the COMAND controller and press W to
confirm.Vehicle265COMANDZ

XTo adjust the temperature: slide ZVÆ or
turn cVd the COMAND controller.XTo confirm the selection: press W the
COMAND controller.
Setting the air distribution
You can set the air distribution separately for
the driver’s and front-passenger side.
XSelect left air distribution ; or right air
distribution B by turning cVd the
COMAND controller and press W to
confirm.¯Directs air through the defroster ventsPDirects air through the center and side
air ventsODirects air through the footwell ventsSDirects air through the center, side and
footwell ventsaDirects air through the defroster and
footwell vents_Directs air through the defroster,
center, side and footwell ventsbDirects air through the defroster,
center and side air ventsWControls air distribution automaticallyXTo adjust the air distribution: turn cVd
the COMAND controller.XTo confirm the selection: press W the
COMAND controller.Setting the airflow
You can set the airflow separately for the
driver’s and front-passenger side.
XSelect left airflow = or right airflow A by
turning cVd the COMAND controller and
press W to confirm.XTo adjust the airflow: slide ZVÆ or turn
cVd the COMAND controller.XTo confirm the selection: press W the
COMAND controller.
Climate control main menu
COMAND allows you to set additional
functions which cannot be selected using the
control panel in the center console. Call up
these functions using the climate control
main menu.
XTo open the climate control main
menu: select the AC climate control
symbol in the air-conditioning function bar
by turning cVd the COMAND controller
and press W to confirm.
The climate control menu opens.266VehicleCOMAND

Climate control main menu
You can:
R switch cooling with dehumidification on or
off ( Æ )
R control climate control centrally ( Mono)
R adjust the Footwell Temperature
R set the Airflow for the air vents
R operate the Rear air conditioning from the
front
Switching cooling with air
dehumidification on/off
Cooling is operational when the engine is
running, and cools according to the selected
interior temperature for the vehicle. Cooling
also dehumidifies the air inside the vehicle
and, thereby, prevents the windows from
fogging up.
GWARNING
If you switch off cooling with
dehumidification, the vehicle will not be
cooled and the air not dehumidified in warm
weather conditions. The windows can mist up
faster. This could result in your no longer
being able to observe the traffic conditions
properly and you may cause an accident.
i Condensation may collect on the
underside of the vehicle when the cooler is
operating.
XSelect the climate control main menu in the
air-conditioning function bar by turningcVd the COMAND controller and press
W to confirm.
The climate control menu opens.XTo switch on: select Æ and press W.XTo switch off: select Æ and press W.
A tick appears.
Controlling climate control centrally
You can use the Mono function to set all the
air-conditioning zones in the vehicle to the
same settings. If the Mono function is
switched on and you adjust climate control
on the driver’s side, these changes will also
be made in all the air-conditioning zones.
XSelect the climate control main menu in the
air-conditioning function bar by turning
cVd the COMAND controller and press
W to confirm.
The climate control menu opens.XSelect Mono and press W.
A tick appears when the function is
selected.
The Mono function is automatically switched
off if you:
Vehicle267COMANDZ

Rchange settings for automatic climate
control on the front-passenger side using
COMAND
R press one of the rocker switches to operate
automatic climate control on the front-
passenger side
R press one of the rocker switches on the
rear-compartment control panel
Adjusting the footwell temperature
You can use the Footwell Temperature
function to set the temperature difference
between the footwell and the rest of the
vehicle interior.
i This setting is quite effective in automatic
mode, especially at low outside
temperatures.
The greater the value you set, the higher the
temperature in the footwell.XSelect the climate control main menu in the
air-conditioning function bar by turning
cVd the COMAND controller and press
W to confirm.
The climate control menu opens.XSelect Footwell Temperature and press
W .
A scale appears.XTo change the temperature difference:
slide ZVÆ or turn cVd.XTo confirm your selection: press W.Setting the blower settings for the air
vents
This function allows you to determine the way
the air is blown through the air vents in
automatic mode.
You can select:
R Focused (high blower setting)
R Medium (standard setting)
R Diffuse (low blower setting)
i This setting is quite effective in automatic
mode, especially at high outside
temperatures.
If the vehicle has become very warm and the
automatic air conditioning is cooling the
interior, the blower settings are briefly
canceled.XSelect the climate control main menu in the
air-conditioning function bar by turning
cVd the COMAND controller and press
W to confirm.
The climate control menu opens.XSelect Airflow and press W.
A menu appears.
The current setting is indicated by a # dot.XTo change the airflow: slide ZVÆ or turn
cVd .XTo confirm your selection: press W.
Operating the rear-compartment air-
conditioning system from the front
The rear-compartment air-conditioning
system is operated in the same way as
268VehicleCOMAND

climate control for the driver and front
passenger.
Switching on operation of the rear-
compartment air conditioning from the
frontXSelect the climate control main menu in the
air-conditioning function bar by turning
cVd the COMAND controller and press
W to confirm.
The climate control menu opens.XSelect Rear Y and press W.
Rear appears in the main menu on the air-
conditioning function bar. The rear-
compartment air-conditioning system can
be controlled from the front.
Main menu for the rear-compartment air-
conditioning system
In the main menu for the rear-compartment
air-conditioning system, you can:
R switch back to front-compartment climate
control operation
R switch off the rear-compartment air
conditioning
R switch automatic mode for the rear-
compartment air conditioning on/off
XTo open the main menu: select the
climate control main menu in the air
conditioning function bar and press W.
The current setting is indicated by a # dot.
To switch back to operation of the rear-
compartment air-conditioning system from
the front:XIn the climate control main menu, select
Front Climate Control and press W.
The air-conditioning function bar shows the
climate control settings for the driver and
front passenger.
To switch off the rear-compartment air
conditioning:
XIn the climate control main menu, select
Rear Climate Control OFF and press
W .
To switch on automatic mode for the rear-
compartment air conditioning:
XIn the climate control main menu, select
Rear Automatic and press W.
Automatic mode for the rear-compartment
air-conditioning system is switched on.
Seats
Lumbar supports
The lumbar support in the backrest of the
driver's and front-passenger seats can be
adjusted to provide optimum support for your
back.
XTo select the seat: press the T
function button.
The main area of the COMAND display is
active. A scale appears.Vehicle269COMANDZ

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops ( Y page 31).
Overview of climate control systems
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Severe conditions (e.g. strong air pollution)
may require replacement of the filter before
its scheduled replacement interval. A clogged
filter will reduce the air volume to the interior
and the windows could fog up, impairing
visibility and endangering you and others.
Have a blocked filter replaced at a Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible.
GWARNING
Follow the recommended settings for heating
and cooling given on the following pages.
Otherwise, the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
The automatic climate control controls the
temperature and the humidity in the vehicle
interior and filters undesirable substances
from the air.
The automatic climate control is only
operational when the engine is running 16
.
Optimum operation is only achieved if you
drive with the side windows and sliding
sunroof/panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel closed.
You can also set some automatic climate
control functions via COMAND (Y page 265).
i Ventilate the vehicle for a brief period
during warm weather, e.g. using the
convenience opening feature ( Y page 93).
This will speed up the cooling process and
the desired vehicle interior temperature
will be reached more quickly.
i The integrated filter can filter out most
particles of dust and completely filters out
pollen. A clogged filter reduces the amount
of air supplied to the vehicle interior. For
this reason, you should always observe the
interval for replacing the filter, which is
specified in the Service Booklet. As it
depends on environmental conditions, e.g.
heavy air pollution, the interval may be
shorter than stated in the Service Booklet.
i It is possible that the blower may be
activated automatically 40 minutes after
the SmartKey is removed. The vehicle is
then ventilated for 30 minutes to dry the
air-conditioning system.16 The residual heat function can only be activated/deactivated if the ignition is switched off.290Overview of climate control systemsClimate control

Windows fogged up on the outsideXSwitch on the windshield wipers.XActivate automatic climate control.
iYou should only select this setting until
the windshield is clear again.
Rear window defroster
Activating/deactivating
GWARNING
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driving.
Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.
The rear window defroster has a high current
draw. You should therefore switch it off as
soon as the window is clear as it only switches
off automatically after several minutes.
If the battery voltage is too low, the rear
window defroster may switch off.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XPress the ¤ rocker switch up or down.
The indicator lamp in the ¤ rocker
switch lights up or goes out.
Problems with the rear window
defroster
The rear window defroster has deactivated
itself prematurely or cannot be activated.
XSwitch off any consumers that are not
required, e.g. reading lamps or interior
lighting.
When the battery is sufficiently charged,
the rear window defroster is activated
again automatically.
Activating/deactivating air-
recirculation mode
You can deactivate the flow of fresh air if
unpleasant odors are entering the vehicle
from outside. The air already inside the
vehicle will then be recirculated.GWARNING
Fogged windows impair visibility,
endangering you and others. If the windows
begin to fog on the inside, switching off the
air recirculation mode immediately should
clear interior window fogging. If interior
window fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning is activated, or press the ¬
button.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XTo activate: press the g rocker switch
up or down.
The indicator lamp in the g rocker
switch lights up.
i Air-recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside
temperatures. The indicator lamp in the
g rocker switch is not lit when
automatic air-recirculation mode is
activated.
Outside air is added after about 30
minutes.
X To deactivate: press the g rocker
switch up or down.
The indicator lamp in the g rocker
switch goes out.
i Air-recirculation mode deactivates
automatically:
R after approximately five minutes if
outside temperatures are less than about
41 ‡ (5 †)
R after approximately five minutes if
cooling with air dehumidification is
deactivated
R after approximately 30 minutes if outside
temperatures are over about
41 ‡ (5 †)
Operating the climate control system297Climate controlZ