ami MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2012 W221 Owner's Manual

Welcome to the world of Mercedes-Benz
Before you drive off, please familiarize
yourself with your vehicle and read this
manual, especially the safety and warning
notes. This will help you to obtain the
maximum pleasure from your vehicle and
avoid endangering yourself and others.
The equipment or model designation of your
vehicle may differ according to:
R model
R order
R country variant
R availability
Mercedes-Benz is constantly updating its
vehicles to the state of the art.
Mercedes-Benz therefore reserves the right
to introduce changes in the following areas:
R design
R equipment
R technical features
Therefore, you cannot base any claims on the
illustrations or text content in this Operator's
Manual.
The following are integral components of the
vehicle:
R Operator's Manual
R Service Booklet
R Equipment-dependent supplements
Keep these documents in the vehicle at all
times. When you sell the vehicle, always pass
the documents on to the new owner.
The technical documentation team at
Daimler AG wishes you safe and pleasant
motoring.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
A Daimler Company2215842482 É2215842482rËÍ

Selecting your home address ........159
Setting route options (avoiding:
highways, toll roads, tunnels,
ferries) ........................................... 152
Setting the route type (short
route, fast route, dynamic route or
economic route) ............................ 152
Showing/hiding the menu .............152
Starting route calculation ..............156
Switching announcements on/off . 170
Switching to ................................... 151
Traffic report .................................. 174
Troubleshooting ............................. 192
NECK-PRO head restraints
Operation ......................................... 55
Resetting after being triggered ........56
NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
Operation ......................................... 55
Resetting after being triggered ........56
Night View Assist Plus
Activating/deactivating .................357
Cleaning ......................................... 467
Display message ............................ 408
Function/notes ............................. 357
Problem (malfunction) ...................360
North orientation (navigation) ......... 184
Notes on breaking-in a new
vehicle ................................................ 302
Number keypad ................................. 129
O
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) Faults ............................................... 54
Operation ......................................... 50
System self-test ............................... 53
Occupant safety
Children in the vehicle .....................62
System overview .............................. 44
Octane number (fuel) ........................ 525
Odometer ........................................... 376
see Trip odometer
Off-road .............................................. 173
Oil see Engine oil
On-board computer
AMG menu ..................................... 379
Assistance menu ........................... 383
Audio menu ................................... 378
Displaying a service message ........462
Display messages ..........................388
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 339
Important safety notes ..................372
Menu overview .............................. 375
Message memory .......................... 388
Navigation menu ............................ 377
Operating video DVD .....................379
Operation ....................................... 373
RACETIMER ................................... 380
Service menu ................................. 385
Settings menu ............................... 385
Standard display ............................ 376
Telephone menu ............................ 382
Trip menu ...................................... 376
Opening height restriction for
trunk lid .............................................. 265
Operating system see On-board computer
Outside lighting
Delayed switch-off (COMAND) .......263
Outside temperature display ........... 373
Overhead control panel ...................... 39
Override feature Rear side windows ...........................67
Own address (navigation)
see Home address
P
Paint code number ............................ 521
Paintwork (cleaning instructions) ... 465
Panic alarm .......................................... 68
Panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel Opening/closing .............................. 97
Problem (malfunction) ...................100
Resetting ......................................... 99
Panorama sliding sunroof
Important safety notes ....................95
Parcel net ........................................... 435
Parking ............................................... 323
Important safety notes ..................323
Index17

Roof load (maximum) ........................ 530
Route see Route guidance (navigation)
Route (navigation)
Displaying the distance to the
destination ..................................... 172
Route overview .............................. 172
Selecting an alternative route ........171
Setting route options (avoiding:
highways, toll roads, tunnels,
ferries) ........................................... 152
Setting the route type (short
route, fast route, dynamic route or
economic route) ............................ 152
Starting calculation ........................156
Route guidance
Canceling ....................................... 169
Continuing ..................................... 169
Destination reached ......................170
Lane recommendations .................167
Off-road ......................................... 173
Traffic reports ................................ 174
Route guidance (navigation) ............ 377
Route guidance (on-board
computer) .......................................... 377
Route information see Dynamic route guidance/TMC
S
Safety Children in the vehicle .....................62
Child restraint systems ....................62
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) ............................................... 50
Overview of occupant safety
systems ........................................... 44
Safety notes
Audio CD/DVD and MP3 mode .....220
Operating safety ............................ 116
Video DVD mode ........................... 240
Safety systems
see Driving safety systems
SatRadio ............................................. 216
Displaying information ...................220
Registering .................................... 217
Selecting a category ......................218
Screen
Selecting for remote control (Rear
Seat Entertainment System) ..........140
Switching on/off (Rear Seat
Entertainment System) ..................126
see Display
SD memory card
Loading .......................................... 221
Seat belts
Adjusting the driver's and front-
passenger seat belt .........................60
Adjusting the height ......................... 60
Automatic comfort-fit feature ..........62
Belt force limiters ............................ 61
Cleaning ......................................... 469
Correct usage .................................. 58
Emergency Tensioning Devices ........ 61
Fastening ......................................... 59
Important safety guidelines .............57
Releasing ......................................... 60
Safety guidelines ............................. 45
Special seat belt retractor ...............64
Switching belt adjustment on/off
(on-board computer) ......................386
Warning lamp ................................. 420
Warning lamp (function) ................... 61
Seats
Active multicontour seat ........ 108, 272
Adjusting (electrically) ...................104
Adjusting (rear compartment) ........104
Adjusting lumbar support ..............108
Adjusting the head restraint ..........106
Cleaning the cover .........................469
Correct driver's seat position ........102
Important safety notes ..................103
Multicontour seat .......................... 108
Seat heating problem ....................109
Seat ventilation problem ................109
Selecting (COMAND) .....................270
Storing settings (memory
function) ........................................ 113
Switching seat heating on/off .......108
Switching seat ventilation on/off ..109
Selecting stations (radio)
Using station presets .....................212
Using station search ......................212
Sending DTMF tones ......................... 203
Sensors (cleaning instructions) ....... 46720Index

Tow-startingEmergency engine starting ............485
Important safety notes ..................483
Track
Selecting (CD, DVD, MP3) .............. 224
Traffic Announcements (TA)
Switching off .................................. 134
Traffic jam function ........................... 171
Traffic jam message see Dynamic route guidance/TMC
Traffic reports
Real-time traffic report ..................177
Switching on/off ........................... 174
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transporting the vehicle .................. 485
Treble, adjusting (sound) .................. 135
Trim pieces (cleaning instructions) . 468
Trip computer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 376
Trip meter see Trip odometer
Trip odometer
Calling up ....................................... 376
Resetting (on-board computer) ......377
Trunk
Emergency release ....................91, 92
Important safety guidelines .............88
Limiting the opening angle ............. 265
Locking separately ...........................91
Opening/closing (automatically
from inside) ...................................... 90
Opening/closing (automatically
from outside) ................................... 90
Trunk lid
Display message ............................ 418
Opening/closing .............................. 88
Power closing feature ......................87
Trunk lid opening height
restriction .......................................... 265
Turn signals Display message ............................ 401
Switching on/off ........................... 279
TV
Automatic picture shutoff ..............240
Picture settings .............................. 240Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
U
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................87
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 86
USB
see Media Interface
V
Vanity mirror (in sun visor) .............. 438
Vehicle Correct use ...................................... 31
Data acquisition ............................... 32
Display message ............................ 417
Equipment ....................................... 28
Individual settings ..........................385
Limited Warranty ............................. 32
Loading .......................................... 500
Locking (in an emergency) ...............88
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 79
Lowering ........................................ 477
Maintenance .................................... 29
Parking for a long period ................ 325
Pulling away ................................... 305
Raising ........................................... 474
Reporting problems .........................31
Towing away .................................. 483
Transporting .................................. 485
Unlocking (in an emergency) ...........87
Unlocking (SmartKey) ......................79
Vehicle data ................................... 530
Vehicle battery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicle data ....................................... 530
see Technical data
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 530
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 88
Vehicle identification number see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 521
Index25

Product information
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use
genuine Mercedes-Benz parts, conversion
parts and accessories that have been
approved for the type of vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz tests genuine parts as well as
conversion parts and accessories which have
been specifically approved for your vehicle for
their reliability, safety and suitability. Despite
ongoing market research, Mercedes-Benz is
unable to assess other parts. Therefore,
Mercedes-Benz accepts no responsibility for
the use of such parts in Mercedes-Benz
vehicles, even if they have been
independently or officially approved. The use
of non-approved parts could affect your
vehicle's operating safety. Mercedes-Benz
therefore recommends that you use genuine
Mercedes-Benz parts, conversion parts and
accessories that have been approved for the
type of vehicle. Genuine Mercedes-Benz
parts, approved conversion parts and
accessories are available from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Here, you will receive
advice about permissible technical
modifications, and the parts will be
professionally installed.
Operator's Manual
Notes on the Operator's Manual
This Operator's Manual contains a great deal
of helpful information. We urge you to read it
carefully and familiarize yourself with the
vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life of
the vehicle, we urge you to follow the
instructions and warnings contained in this
Operator's Manual. Ignoring them could
result in damage to the vehicle or personal
injury to you or others. Vehicle damage
caused by failure to follow instructions is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Vehicle equipment
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. The equipment in your vehicle may
therefore differ from that shown in the
descriptions and illustrations. All the systems
found in your vehicle are listed in the original
purchase agreement of your vehicle. Should
you have any questions concerning
equipment and operation, please consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The Operating Instructions and the
Maintenance Booklet are important
documents and should be kept in the vehicle.
Service and vehicle operation
Service and literature
Your vehicle is covered under the terms of the
warranties printed in the Service and
Warranty Information booklet. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
exchange or repair any defective parts
originally installed in the vehicle in
accordance with the terms of the following
warranties:
R New Vehicle Limited Warranty
R Emission Systems Warranty
R Emission Performance Warranty
R California, Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island and Vermont Emission
Control Systems Warranty
R State Warranty Enforcement Laws (Lemon
Laws)
28Introduction

Qualified specialist workshop
An authorized Mercedes-Benz Center is a
qualified specialist workshop. It has the
necessary specialist knowledge, tools and
qualifications to correctly carry out the work
required on your vehicle. This is especially the
case for work relevant to safety.
Observe the notes in the service booklet.
Always have the following work carried out at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center:
R work relevant to safety
R service and maintenance work
R repair work
R alterations, installation work and
modifications
R work on electronic components
Proper use
GWARNING
There are various warning stickers affixed to
your vehicle. Their purpose is to alert you and
others to various dangers. Therefore, do not
remove any warning stickers unless the
sticker clearly states that you may do so.
If you remove any warning stickers, you or
others could fail to recognize certain dangers
and be injured.
The proper use of the vehicle requires that
you familiarize yourself with the following
information and rules:
R safety notes in this Operator's Manual
R technical data in this Operator's Manual
R traffic rules and regulations
R laws and safety standards pertaining to
motor vehicles
Problems with your vehicle
If you should experience a problem with your
vehicle, particularly one that you believe may
affect its safe operation, we urge you to
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately to have the problem diagnosed
and rectified. If the problem is not resolved to
your satisfaction, please discuss the problem
again with a Mercedes-Benz Center or
contact us at one of the following addresses.
In the USA
Customer Assistance Center
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada
Customer Relations Department
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
Reporting malfunctions relevant to
safety
For the USA only:
The following text is reproduced as required
of all manufacturers according to Title 49,
Code of U.S. Federal Regulations, Part 575
pursuant to the National Traffic and Motor
Vehicle Safety Act of 1966.
Reporting safety defects
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect
which could cause a crash or could cause
injury or death, you should immediately
inform the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition to
notifying Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may
open an investigation, and if it finds that a
safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it
may order a recall and remedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your
dealer, or Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
Introduction31Z

XMake sure that the surface of the battery is
free from lint, grease and all other forms of
contamination.XInsert the front tabs of battery tray
cover : and then press to close it.XInsert the mechanical key into the
SmartKey.XCheck the function of all SmartKey buttons
on the vehicle.SmartKey83Opening/closingZ

the route, changes of direction and lane
recommendations. Navigation
announcements guide you to your
destination.
"Route guidance inactive" means that no
destination has been entered and that no
route has been calculated.
Showing/hiding the menuXTo hide the menu: slide ZV the COMAND
controller over the map.
The Full Screen menu item is shown.XConfirm the Full Screen menu item
shown by pressing W.
The map can be seen in the full-screen
display.XTo show the menu: press W the COMAND
controller when the map is shown in full-
screen.
Basic settings
Route mode
Setting route type and route options
You can select the following route types:
R Fast Route : COMAND calculates the
route with the shortest (minimized) journey
time.
R Dynamic Route : same route type as Fast
Route . In addition, COMAND takes traffic
reports into account during route
guidance 6
. Thus, the navigation system is
able to guide you around a blocked section,
for example. If a faster route is determined
due to a received RDS-TMC traffic
announcement, the navigation system
changes the route. If possible, it will bypass
blocked roads.
R Eco Route : the ECO route is an economical
route that takes traffic announcements
into account (see dynamic route).
R Short Route : COMAND calculates the
route with the shortest possible
(minimized) route distance.
In addition to route types, route options can
also be set.
You can select the following route options:
R Use Carpool Lanes
R Minimize highways
R Minimize Toll Roads
R Minimize Tunnels
R Minimize Ferries
R Minimize Motorail Trains
If you select route options with a tick, the
corresponding types of roads will be avoided
in the route guidance where possible.XTo activate navigation mode: press the
S function button once or twice.XTo show the menu: press W the COMAND
controller.XSelect Navi in the main function bar by
sliding ZV and turning cVd the COMAND
controller and press W to confirm.XSelect Mode and press W to confirm.:To select the route type;To set route optionsXSelect a route type and press W to confirm.
The ä icon indicates the current setting.6
Traffic reports are not available in all countries.152NavigationCOMAND

Avoiding a section of the route blocked
by a traffic jam
This function blocks a section of the route
ahead of you. You can set the length of the
blocked route section. If possible, COMAND
calculates a detour around the blocked
section of the route.
XTo activate navigation mode: press the
S function button once or twice.XTo show the menu: press W the COMAND
controller.XSelect Route in the navigation system
menu bar by turning cVd the COMAND
controller and press W to confirm.XSelect Detour and press W to confirm.XTo block a section of the route: select
More or Less repeatedly and confirm using
W until the desired section has been
selected.
i The total length of the section that can be
blocked is defined by the digital map. The
menu items are available accordingly.
XTo start route calculation: select Start
and press W to confirm.XTo delete the blocked section: select
Delete while the message is shown and
press W to confirm.
COMAND calculates the route without the
block.
Selecting an alternative route
With the "Alternative route" function, routes
other than the original one can be calculated.
XTo activate navigation mode: press the
S function button once or twice.XTo show the menu: press W the COMAND
controller.XSelect Route in the navigation system
menu bar by turning cVd the COMAND
controller and press W to confirm.XSelect Alternative Route and press W
to confirm.
You see the selected route. The display now
shows a split-screen view. On the left-hand
side, one or more alternative routes are
shown from start to destination. The
current route is highlighted dark blue; other
alternative routes appear light blue.:Distance, expected arrival time and
expected journey duration;Displays incidents which are on the route=Displays the selected route settingsXTo select the next or previous
alternative route: select Next or
Previous and press W to confirm.
Possible alternative routes are shown in the
following order: Current Route, Fast
Route , Eco Route , Short Route and
Alternative Route .XTo select the original route: select Back
a corresponding number of times and press
W to confirm.XTo start route guidance using the
selected alternative route: select Start
and press W to confirm.
COMAND accepts the alternative route.
i The change of route mode in the
alternative route menu only applies to the
current route guidance. For example, if the
original route was a short route, the next
route will also be calculated as a short
route. This is also the case if a dynamic
route is selected in the alternative route
menu.
Navigation171COMANDZ

Off-road during route guidance
Due to roadworks, for example, there may be
differences between the data on the digital
map and the actual course of the road.
In such cases, the system will temporarily be
unable to locate the vehicle position on the
digital map and thus considers the vehicle to
be in an off-road position.
In the display, you will see the Street
unknown message, an arrow and the distance
to the destination. The arrow shows the
compass heading to the last road you were
driving on.
As soon as the system can assign the vehicle
position to the map again, route guidance
continues in the usual way.
Route guidance on roads that are not
completely digitalized
COMAND attempts to avoid roads that have
not been completely digitalized. If the
vehicle's position or the destination is located
in an area that has not been completely
digitalized, then no active route guidance is
performed. Instead, the map shows a dashed
route along the roads and the target direction
is shown with an arrow. You hear the
announcement: "You will enter an area,
where turn-by-turn guidance can not be
provided. Please follow the arrow on the
display". Once these roads have been left,
regular route guidance is resumed.
Traffic reports
Prerequisite
i The SatRadio mode described below
requires optional satellite radio equipment
and a subscription to SIRIUS XM Satellite
Radio Traffic Message Service. Further
details on SatRadio are available in the
"SatRadio" section ( Y page 216).
COMAND can receive traffic reports via
SatRadio and incorporate them in the
navigation system. Traffic messages and map
symbols can then be shown in the COMAND
display.
COMAND uses high quality traffic data.
Nevertheless, there may be differences
between the traffic reports received and the
actual road and traffic conditions.
Switching traffic reports on/offXTo switch on: set the route type to
Dynamic Route 7
(Y page 152).XTo switch off: select the Fast Route or
Short Route route type (Y page 152).
i
COMAND calculates a new route if you
change the route type setting with route
guidance active. If you change the route
type setting when route guidance is
inactive, COMAND uses the new setting for
the next route guidance.
Real-time traffic reports on the map
COMAND can show certain traffic incidents
on the map. The incidents are shown on the
map at a scale from 1/16 mi to 20 mi.
XSet the map scale ( Y page 182).12Icon display for the section of route
affected3Icon for incident on the route4Current position and direction of travel5Map scale7 Traffic reports are not available in all countries.174NavigationCOMAND