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

BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 70
Basic settings see Settings
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) .................................................... 70
Bass, setting ...................................... 135
Battery (SmartKey) Checking .......................................... 82
Important safety notes ....................82
Replacing ......................................... 82
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 480
Display message ............................ 406
Important safety notes ..................478
Jump starting ................................. 481
Belt
see Seat belts
Bird's-eye view (navigation) ............. 184
Blind see Roller sunblind
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating .................385
Notes/function .............................. 360
see Active Blind Spot Assist
BlueTEC (DEF) .................................... 527
Bluetooth ®
Activating/deactivating .................147
Authorizing a device (registering) ..148
Conditions (general) ......................147
Conditions (telephone) ..................195
Connecting another mobile phone . 197
Connecting devices .......................147
De-authorizing (de-registering) a
device ............................................ 149
External authorization (general) .....149
External authorization (telephone) . 197
General information .......................147
Introduction ................................... 193
Receiving vCards ........................... 204
Searching for devices ....................148
Settings ......................................... 147
Telephone basic menu ...................198
Telephony ...................................... 195
Telephony notes ............................ 193
Bluetooth ®
interface
Telephony ...................................... 193Brake Assist System
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 396
Notes ............................................. 528
Brake fluid level ................................ 461
Brake lamps Display message ............................ 402
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 69
BAS .................................................. 70
BAS PLUS ........................................ 70
Brake fluid (notes) .........................528
Display message ............................ 389
Driving tips .................................... 327
High-performance brake system ....329
Important safety notes ..................327
Maintenance .................................. 328
Warning lamp ................................. 422
Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Breakdown assistance
see Mercedes-Benz Contact
Brightness, setting (TV, video) ......... 240
Bulbs see Changing bulbs
C
California Important notice for retail
customers and lessees ....................29
Call
Accepting/ending/rejecting .......... 199
see Telephone
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Calling voicemail ............................... 201
Call lists Displaying details ........................... 205
Introduction ................................... 209
Opening and selecting an entry .....209
Saving an entry in the address
book .............................................. 210
Capacities
see Technical data
6Index

Carsee Vehicle
Care
Carpets .......................................... 469
Car wash ........................................ 463
Display ........................................... 467
Exterior lights ................................ 466
Gear or selector lever ....................468
Matte finish ................................... 465
Night View Assist Plus ...................467
Notes ............................................. 463
Paint .............................................. 465
Plastic trim .................................... 468
Power washer ................................ 464
Rear view camera .......................... 467
Roof lining ...................................... 469
Seat belt ........................................ 469
Seat cover ..................................... 469
Sensors ......................................... 467
Steering wheel ............................... 468
Tail pipes ....................................... 467
Trim pieces .................................... 468
Washing by hand ........................... 464
Wheels ........................................... 465
Windows ........................................ 466
Wiper blades .................................. 466
Wooden trim .................................. 468
Cargo tie down rings ......................... 435
Car pool lanes .................................... 169
Car wash (care) ................................. 463
Category Satellite radio ................................ 218
CD
Copy protection ............................. 229
Fast forward/fast rewind ...............225
General information .......................229
Inserting ........................................ 220
Inserting/loading (Rear Seat
Entertainment System) ..................251
Mode, switching to ........................221
Multisession .................................. 228
Notes on discs ............................... 229
Operating the player/changer
(on-board computer) ......................379
Pause function ............................... 223
Playback options ........................... 228
Player/changer operation
(COMAND) ..................................... 220Removing/ejecting (Rear Seat
Entertainment System) ..................251
Safety notes .................................. 220
Selecting a media type ..................224
Selecting a track ............................ 224
Sound settings (balance, bass,
fader, treble) .................................. 135
Cell phone
see Mobile phone
Center console ..................................... 38
Central locking Automatic locking feature
(COMAND) ..................................... 264
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey) ........78
Changing batteries (remote
control, headphones) ........................ 247
Changing bulbs High-beam headlamps (vehicles
with halogen daytime running
lamps) ............................................ 284
High-beam headlamps (vehicles
with LED daylight lamps) ...............284
Important safety notes ..................282
Overview of bulb types ..................283
Changing direction
Announcement phase ....................166
Change of direction phase .............167
Preparation phase .........................166
Character bar ..................................... 129
Characters Entering ......................................... 130
Entering (address book, phone
book) ............................................. 132
Entering (navigation) ......................129
Child-proof locks
Important safety notes ....................66
Rear doors ....................................... 67
Children
In the vehicle ................................... 62
Restraint systems ............................ 62
Child seat
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ............................................ 65
Special seat belt retractor ...............64
Top Tether ....................................... 65
Cigarette lighter ................................ 440Index7

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

Vehicle levelActive Body Control (ABC) .............345
AIRMATIC ...................................... 343
Display message ............................ 410
Vehicle level (display message) ....... 409
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 472
Video see Video DVD
Video AUX
Setting the picture .........................240
Video DVD
Automatic picture shutoff ..............240
DVD menu ..................................... 244
Fast forward/rewind ...................... 242
Function restrictions ......................241
Interactive content ........................245
Notes on discs ............................... 240
Operation ....................................... 240
Operation using the on-board
computer ....................................... 379
Pause function ............................... 243
Playing conditions .......................... 241
Rear Seat Entertainment System ...254
Safety notes .................................. 240
Selecting ........................................ 242
Selecting a film/title ...................... 243
Selecting a scene/chapter ............243
Setting the audio format ................245
Setting the language ......................245
Setting the picture .........................240
Showing/hiding the control menu . 241
Showing/hiding the menu .............242
Stop function ................................. 243
Subtitles ........................................ 245
Switching to ................................... 241
VIN ...................................................... 521
Voice Control System Settings ......................................... 145
Volume, adjusting
COMAND ....................................... 134
Headphones .................................. 142
Navigation messages .....................134
Using the remote control (Rear
Seat Entertainment System) ..........140W
Waiting call ........................................ 201
Warning and indicator lamps ABS ................................................ 423
Brakes ........................................... 422
Check Engine ................................. 427
Cruise control ................................ 331
Distance warning ........................... 428
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 428
ESP ®
.............................................. 424
ESP ®
OFF ....................................... 425
Fuel tank ........................................ 428
LIM (DISTRONIC PLUS) ..................335
Overview .......................................... 36
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp .................................. 50
Reserve fuel ................................... 428
Seat belt ........................................ 420
SRS ................................................ 426
Tire pressure monitor ....................429
Warranty ............................................ 521
Washer fluid Display message ............................ 418
see Windshield washer system
Weather Band
Searching for a channel .................214
Switching on .................................. 214
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 477
Wheel chock ...................................... 474
Wheels Changing a wheel .......................... 473
Checking ........................................ 491
Cleaning ......................................... 465
Important safety notes ..................490
Interchanging/changing ................513
Mounting a wheel .......................... 476
Removing a wheel ..........................476
Storing ........................................... 514
Tightening torque ........................... 477
Wheel size/tire size .......................514
Window curtain air bag
Display message ............................ 398
Operation ......................................... 49
Windows
Cleaning ......................................... 466
see Side windows 26Index

Warning and indicator lampsFunctionPage:Turn signal279;Electric parking brake (red)422F (USA only)! (Canada only)=Electric parking brake
(yellow)
422
F (USA only)! (Canada only)?Seat belt420AESP®424BDistance warning428CBrakes422$
(USA only)J (Canada only)FunctionPageDESP®
OFF424ETire pressure monitor429FDiesel engine: preglow305GCheck engine427HABS423ISRS426JHigh-beam headlamps279KReserve fuel42836Instrument clusterAt a glance

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).
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 system consists of:
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/NECK-PRO
luxury head restraints
R PRE-SAFE ®
R Air bag system components with:
- PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp
- front-passenger seat with Occupant
Classification System (OCS)
The different air bag systems work
independently of each other. The protective
functions of the system 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 62) 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 consists of:
R the 6 SRS warning lamp
R air bags
R air bag control unit (with crash sensors)
R Emergency Tensioning Devices
R belt force limiters
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 warning lamp
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.
44Occupant safetySafety

The SRS components are in operational
readiness when the 6 SRS warning lamp
is not lit while the engine is running .GWARNING
The SRS self-check has detected a
malfunction if the 6 SRS warning lamp:
R does not come on at all
R fails to go out approximately 4 seconds
after the engine was started
R comes on after the engine was started or
while driving
For your safety, Mercedes-Benz strongly
recommends that you have the system
checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Otherwise the SRS
may not be activated when it is needed in an
accident, which could result in serious or fatal
injury. The SRS might also deploy
unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could
also result in injury.
In addition, improper work on the SRS creates
a risk of rendering the SRS inoperative or
causing unintended air bag deployment. Work
on the SRS must therefore only be performed
by qualified technicians. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is necessary to modify an air bag system
to accommodate a person with disabilities,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for details. USA only: Call our Customer
Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) for details.
Safety guidelines for seat belts,
Emergency Tensioning Devices (ETDs)
and air bags
GWARNING
R Damaged seat belts or seat belts that have
been subjected to stress in an accident
must be replaced. Their anchoring points
must also be checked. Only use seat belts
installed or supplied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
R Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency
Tensioning Devices (ETDs) contain
perchlorate material, which may require
special handling and regard for the
environment. Check your national disposal
guidelines. California residents, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/
Perchlorate/index.cfm .
R Air bags and ETDs are designed to function
on a one-time-only basis. An air bag or ETD
that has deployed must be replaced. PRE-
SAFE ®
has electrically operated reversible
belt tensioners in addition to the
pyrotechnic ETDs.
R Do not pass seat belts over sharp edges.
They could tear.
R Do not make any modification that could
change the effectiveness of the seat belts.
R Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
R No modifications of any kind may be made
to any components or wiring of the SRS.
R Do not change or remove any component
or part of the SRS.
R Do not install additional trim material, seat
covers, badges, etc. to the:
- padded steering wheel boss
- front-passenger air bag cover
- outer side of front seat bolsters
- side trim next to the rear seat backrest
- roof lining trim
R Do not install additional electrical/
electronic equipment on or near SRS
components and wiring.
R Keep area between air bags and occupants
free of objects (e.g. packages, purses,
umbrellas, etc.).
R Do not hang items such as coat hangers
from the coat hooks or handles over the
door. These items may be thrown around in
the vehicle and cause head and otherOccupant safety45SafetyZ

injuries when the window curtain air bag is
deployed.
R Air bag system components will be hot after
an air bag has inflated. Do not touch them.
R Never place your feet on the instrument
panel, dashboard, or on the seat. Always
keep both feet on the floor in front of the
seat.
R Improper repair work on the SRS creates a
risk of rendering the SRS inoperative or
causing unintended air bag deployment.
Work on the SRS must therefore only be
performed by qualified technicians.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
R For your protection and the protection of
others, when scrapping the air bag unit or
ETD, our safety instructions must be
followed. These instructions are available
from any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
R Given the considerable deployment speed,
required inflation volume, and the material
of the air bags, there is the possibility of
abrasions or other, potentially more serious
injuries resulting from air bag deployment.
If you sell your vehicle, Mercedes-Benz
strongly recommends that you inform the
subsequent owner that the vehicle is
equipped with SRS. Also, refer them to the
applicable section in the Operator's Manual.
Air bags
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Air bags are designed to reduce the incidence
of injuries and fatalities in certain situations:
R frontal impacts (driver's and front-
passenger front air bags)
R side impacts (side impact air bags and
window curtain air bags)
R rollover (window curtain air bags)
However, no system available today can
completely eliminate injuries and fatalities.
When the air bags are deployed, a small
amount of powder is released. The powder
generally does not constitute a health hazard
and does not indicate that there is a fire in the
vehicle. In order to prevent potential
breathing difficulties, you should leave the
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. If you
have any breathing difficulty but cannot get
out of the vehicle after the air bag inflates,
then get fresh air by opening a window or
door.GWARNING
To reduce the risk of injuries during front air
bag inflation, the driver and front-passenger
must always be seated correctly and have
their seat belts fastened accordingly.
For maximum protection in the event of a
collision, you must always be in the normal
seat position with your back against the
backrest. Fasten your seat belt and make sure
that it is correctly positioned on your body.
Since the air bag inflates with considerable
speed and force, a proper seating position
and correct positioning of the hands on the
steering wheel will help to keep you at a safe
distance from the air bag. Occupants who are
not wearing their seat belt, are not seated
properly or are too close to the air bag can be
seriously injured or killed by an air bag as it
inflates with great force instantaneously:
R Sit with the seat belt properly fastened in a
position that is as upright as possible with
your back against the seat backrest.
R Move the driver's seat as far back as
possible, still permitting proper operation
of vehicle controls. The distance from the
center of the driver's chest to the center of
the air bag cover on the steering wheel
must be at least 10 inches (25 cm) or more.
You should be able to accomplish this by
adjusting the seat and steering wheel. If
you have any difficulties, please contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
46Occupant safetySafety

RDo not lean your head or chest close to the
steering wheel or dashboard.
R Only hold the steering wheel by the rim.
Placing hands and arms inside the rim can
increase the risk and potential severity of
hand/arm injury when the driver front air
bag inflates.
R Adjust the front-passenger seat as far back
as possible from the dashboard when the
seat is occupied.
R Occupants, especially children, should
never place their bodies or lean their heads
in the area of the door where the side
impact air bag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should the side
impact air bag be deployed. Always sit as
upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly and use an appropriately sized
child restraint, infant restraint or booster
seat recommended for the size and weight
of the child.
Failure to follow these instructions can result
in severe injuries to you or other occupants.
If you sell your vehicle, it is important that you
make the buyer aware of this safety
information. Be sure to give the buyer this
Operator's Manual.GWARNING
Accident research shows that the safest place
for children in an automobile is in a rear seat.
There is a possibility for a side impact air bag-
related injury if occupants, especially
children, are not properly seated or restrained
when next to a side impact air bag which
needs to deploy rapidly in a side impact in
order to do its job.
To help avoid the possibility of injury, please
follow these guidelines:
(1)Occupants, especially children,
should never place their bodies or
lean their heads in the area of the
door where the side impact air bag
inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death shouldthe side impact air bag be
deployed.(2)Always sit as upright as possible,
wear the seat belt properly and use
an appropriately sized infant
restraint, toddler restraint, or
booster seat recommended for the
size and weight of the child. and
for children 12 years old and
under, use an appropriately sized
infant restraint, toddler restraint,
or booster seat recommended for
the size and weight of the child.(3)Always wear seat belts properly.
If you believe that, even with the use of these
guidelines, it would be safer for your rear seat
occupants to have the rear mounted side
impact air bags deactivated, then
deactivation can be carried out upon your
written request at an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center at an additional cost.
Please contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call the Customer Assistance
Center (in the USA) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372), or Customer Service (in
Canada) at 1-800-387-0100 for details.
The air bags are only deployed if the air bag
control unit detects the need for deployment.
Only in the event of such a situation will they
provide their supplemental protection.
The driver and passenger should always wear
their seat belts. Otherwise, it is not possible
for the air bags to provide their supplemental
protection.
In the event of other types of impacts and
impacts below air bag deployment
thresholds, the air bags will not deploy. The
driver and passengers will then be protected
to the extent possible by a properly fastened
seat belt. A properly fastened seat belt is also
needed to provide the best possible
protection in a rollover.
Air bags provide additional protection; they
are not, however, a substitute for seat belts.
All vehicle occupants must fasten their seat
Occupant safety47SafetyZ

belts regardless of whether your vehicle is
equipped with air bags or not.
It is important for your safety and that of your
passenger to have deployed air bags replaced
and to have any malfunctioning air bags
repaired. This will help to make sure the air
bags continue to perform their protective
function for the vehicle occupants in the
event of a crash.
Front air bags
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 front air
bag ; deploys in front of and above the glove
box.
They are deployed:
R in the event of certain frontal impacts
R if the system determines that air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R if the seat belt is fastened
R independently 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. In the first deployment stage,
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 front
air bag is also influenced by the weight
category of the front passenger, which is
determined by the Occupant Classification
System (OCS) ( Y page 50).
The lighter the passenger side occupant, the
higher the vehicle deceleration rate required
(predicted at the start of the impact) 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.
The front air bags are not deployed in
situations where a low impact severity is
predicted. You will then be protected by the
fastened seat belt.
The front-passenger front air bag will only
deploy if:
R the system, based on the OCS weight
sensor readings, detects that the front-
passenger seat is occupied.
R the 42 indicator lamp in the
center console is not lit, ( Y page 50).
R the air bag control unit predicts a high
impact severity.
Side impact air bagsGWARNING
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
doors must therefore only be performed by
48Occupant safetySafety