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

Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head
restraints. Head restraints are intended to
help reduce injuries during an accident.
! To avoid damage to the seats and the seat
heating, observe the following information:
R keep liquids from spilling on the seats. If
liquid is spilled on the seats, dry them as
soon as possible.
R if the seat covers are damp or wet, do not
switch on the seat heating. The seat
heating should also not be used to dry
the seats.
R clean the seat covers as recommended;
see the "Interior care" section.
R do not transport heavy loads on the
seats. Do not place sharp objects on the
seat cushions, e.g. knives, nails or tools.
The seats should only be occupied by
passengers, if possible.
R when the seat heating is in operation, do
not cover the seats with insulating
materials, e.g. blankets, coats, bags,
seat covers, child seats or booster seats.
! When you move the seats, make sure that
there are no objects in the footwell or
behind the seats. Otherwise, you could
damage the seats and the objects.
i The head restraints in the front seats are
equipped with the NECK-PRO system. For
this reason, it is not possible to remove the
head restraints from the front seats.
For design reasons, the rear-compartment
head restraints cannot be removed.
Please contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center for more information.Adjusting the seats:Head restraint height;Seat height=Seat cushion angle?Seat cushion lengthASeat fore-and-aft adjustmentBBackrest angle
i If PRE-SAFE ®
has been activated, the
front-passenger seat and the electrically
adjustable rear seats are moved into a
more favorable position.
i You can store the seat settings using the
memory function ( Y page 113).
i To ensure the largest possible range of
seat settings, certain seat adjustment
functions will automatically activate other
seat adjustment functions.
i Depending on the seat fore-and-aft
setting, the head restraint height is
adjusted automatically.
Adjusting the rear seat electrically
You can only adjust the outer seats in the rear
electrically.
104SeatsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

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

Icon for real-time traffic reportsIconDescriptionTraffic reports in the map displayWarning (red)A warning appears, for example, relating to lost
cargo.Caution (yellow)A warning appears, for example, relating to
roadwork that does not affect the flow of traffic.Slow-moving trafficThis appears at the beginning of a traffic jam
(average speed 25 - 45 mph) if route guidance is
active and the route leads through an area of
congested traffic.
Yellow car icons may appear in conjunction with
this icon.Traffic jam on the
routeThis appears at the beginning of a traffic jam
(average speed 5 - 20 mph) if route guidance is
active and the route leads through an area of
congested traffic.
Red car icons may appear in conjunction with this
icon.Blocked route section
on the routeAppears at the beginning of a blocked route
section if route guidance is active and the route
leads through the blocked section.
The XXXX icons may appear in conjunction with
this icon.Yellow line
with arrowsIncidentsPossible traffic blocks (e.g. roadwork)
Appears on the side of the road affected (direction
of travel)Green line
with arrowsUnimpeded traffic
flowNo delays
Only appears on the side of the road (direction of
travel) on which traffic flow is unimpededSlow-moving traffic
(stop/start traffic)
(yellow vehicle)High volume of traffic, average speed
40 – 72 km/h (25 – 45 mph). In order to indicate
the volume of traffic, more than one symbol may
appear.Traffic jam on the
route (stop/start
traffic) (red vehicle)Very high volume of traffic, average speed
8 – 32 km/h (5 – 20 mph).XXXXBlocked route sectionUnusable section of road. In order to indicate the
length of the blocked section, more than one
symbol may appear.176NavigationCOMAND

XSelect a track by turning cVd and press
W to confirm.
The track is played and the corresponding
folder is now the active folder.
Copying music files from audio CDs to
the hard disk
Audio files can be copied from CD to
COMAND's hard disk.
XSelect Audio by sliding VÆ and turning
cVd the COMAND controller and press
W to confirm.XSwitch on CD/audio DVD or MP3 mode
( Y page 221).XSelect a medium ( Y page 224).
The audio CD is played.XTo copy all music tracks: select REC by
sliding VÆ and turning cVd and confirm
with W.:Audio source;Destination=Total length of all tracks from the audio
source?Title selectionATo start the copying processBName of the copied dataCCancel procedure without copying filesDMedia position in the media listXSelect START by sliding VÆ and turning
cVd and confirm with W.
All music tracks from the audio CD are
copied to COMAND's MUSIC REGISTER as
MP3 files.XTo copy individual music tracks: select
Track Select. by sliding VÆ and turning
cVd and confirm with W.
The track list appears.XSelect individual tracks by turning cVd
and confirm with W.XSelect START by turning cVd and confirm
with W.
The selected music tracks from the audio
CD are copied to COMAND's MUSIC
REGISTER as MP3 files.
If the audio CD contains CD text or
Gracenote ®
data, this will be used for naming
when the tracks are copied. The data is then
copied to the MUSIC REGISTER in the
following structure: artist/album/track. The
copied titles can then be selected and played
using the music search in the MUSIC
REGISTER.
XTo delete music files: (Y page 233).
Gracenote Media Database
Introduction
This function is only available in audio CD
mode.
There is a version of the music recognition
software from Gracenote ®
, Emeryville,
California, USA on the hard disk. You will
recognize this by the logo which can be seen
in the bottom right-hand corner of certain
audio displays.
226AudioCOMAND

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

1 in the ignition lock or if the ignition has
been switched on using the Start/Stop
button.
Engaging the electric parking brake
automatically
The electric parking brake is automatically
applied if HOLD or DISTRONIC PLUS brakes
the vehicle until it is stationary and at least
one of the following conditions is fulfilled:
R the engine is switched off.
R the driver's door is open and the seat belt
is not fastened.
R the hood is released.
R the trunk lid is opened while the automatic
transmission is in position R.
R the vehicle is stationary for a lengthy
period.
The red F (USA only) or ! (Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up.
i In addition to the electric parking brake,
P may also be engaged automatically.
Releasing the electric parking brake
automatically
The electric parking brake is released
automatically when the following conditions
are simultaneously fulfilled:
R the engine is running.
R the automatic transmission is in position
D or R.
R the hood is closed.
R your seat belt is fastened.
R you depress the accelerator pedal.
If the automatic transmission is in position
R , the trunk lid must be closed.
If your seat belt is not fastened, the following
conditions must be fulfilled to automatically
release the electric parking brake:
R the driver's door is closed.
R you shift out of P or you have previously
driven faster than 3 km/h.
R you have shifted out of P or you have
previously driven faster than 2 mph
(3 km/h).
Emergency braking
The vehicle can also be braked during an
emergency using the electric parking brake.
XWhile driving, push handle : of the electric
parking brake ( Y page 324).
i
The vehicle is braked as long as you keep
the handle of the electric parking brake
pressed. The longer the electric parking
brake handle is depressed, the greater the
braking force.
During braking:
R a warning tone sounds.
R the Please Release Parking Brake
message appears.
R the red F (USA only) or ! (Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
When the vehicle has been braked to a
standstill, the electric parking brake is
engaged.
Parking the vehicle for a long period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharge.
XConnect a trickle charger.
i You can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
Parking325Driving and parkingZ

Lap evaluation
This function is only available if you have
stored at least two laps and have stopped the
RACETIMER.
XPress = or ; on the steering wheel
to select the AMG menu.XPress the 9 button repeatedly until the
lap evaluation is shown.
Each lap is shown in a separate submenu.
The fastest lap is indicated by flashing
symbol :.:Lap;Lap time=Top speed during lap?Lap lengthAAverage lap speedXPress the 9 or : button to select a
different lap evaluation.
Telephone menu
Introduction
You can establish a Bluetooth ®
connection to
COMAND ( Y page 195).
GWARNING
A driver's attention to the road must always
be his/her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we
recommend that you pull over to a safe
location and stop before placing or taking a
telephone call. If you choose to use the
telephone while driving, please use the hands-
free device and only use the telephone when
weather, road and traffic conditions permit.
Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from
using a mobile phone while driving a vehicle.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h ), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximately
14 m) every second.XSwitch on the mobile phone and COMAND
( Y page 133).XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Telephone
menu.
You will see one of the following display
messages in the multifunction display:
R Telephone Ready or the name of the
network provider: the mobile phone has
found a network and is ready to receive.
R No Service : no network is available, or the
mobile phone is searching for a network.
Accepting a call
If someone calls you when you are in the
Telephone menu, a display message
appears in the multifunction display, for
example:
XPress the 6 button on the steering
wheel to accept an incoming call.
If you are not in the Telephone menu, you
can still accept a call.
Rejects or ends a call
XPress the ~ button on the steering
wheel.
If you are not in the Telephone menu, you can
still reject or end a call.
382Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

XMake sure that the base of the jack is
positioned directly under the jacking point.XTurn crank ? clockwise until jack = sits
completely on jacking point ; and the
base of the jack lies evenly on the ground.XTurn crank ? until the tire is raised a
maximum of 1.2 inches (3 cm) off the
ground.
Removing a wheel
XUnscrew the uppermost wheel bolt
completely.XScrew alignment bolt : into the thread
instead of the wheel bolt.XUnscrew the remaining wheel bolts fully.
! Do not place wheel bolts in sand or on a
dirty surface. The bolt and wheel hub
threads could otherwise be damaged when
you screw them in.
XRemove the wheel.Mounting a new wheelGWARNING
Always replace wheel bolts that are damaged
or rusted.
Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.
Damaged wheel hub threads should be
repaired immediately. Do not continue to
drive under these circumstances! Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.
Incorrect wheel bolts or improperly tightened
wheel bolts can cause the wheel to come off.
This could cause an accident. Make sure to
use the correct wheel bolts.
GWARNING
Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts.
Other wheel bolts may come loose.
Do not tighten the wheel bolts when the
vehicle is raised. Otherwise, the vehicle could
fall off the jack.
GWARNING
Make sure to use the original length wheel
bolts when remounting the original wheel
after it has been repaired.
Wheel bolts for:
:All alloy wheels and the "Minispare"
emergency spare wheel for alloy wheels;"Minispare" emergency spare wheel for
steel wheels
! Always use wheel bolts : to fit the
"Minispare" emergency spare wheel with
476Flat tireBreakdown assistance

loss warning system or with the activated tire
pressure monitoring system.
The maximum permissible distance which
can be driven in run-flat mode depends on the
load in the vehicle. You can drive 50 miles
(80 km) if the vehicle is partially laden and
18 miles (30 km) if it is fully laden.
The maximum permissible distance which
can be driven in run-flat mode is counted from
the moment the tire pressure loss warning
appears in the multifunction display.
You must not exceed a maximum speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).GWARNING
The handling characteristics of your vehicle
deteriorate in run-flat mode, for example:
R when cornering
R when braking
R when accelerating rapidly
Adapt your driving style accordingly and avoid
sudden changes in direction and sudden
acceleration, as well as driving over obstacles
(i.e. curbs, potholes), and driving off-road.
This is particularly the case when the vehicle
is heavily laden.
The maximum permissible distance that can
be driven in run-flat mode depends to a large
extent on the loads placed on the vehicle. It
can be shorter due to high speeds, a heavy
load, sudden changes in direction, the road
surface condition, outside temperature, etc.,
or further if you drive carefully and
conservatively.
Do not continue to drive in run-flat mode if:
R you hear banging noises.
R the vehicle starts to shake.
R you see smoke and smell rubber.
R ESP ®
is intervening constantly.
R there are tears in the sidewalls of the tire.
After driving in run-flat mode, you must have
the wheel(s) checked for damage at a
qualified specialist workshop which has the
necessary specialist knowledge and tools to
carry out the work required. The defective tire
must be replaced in every case.
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.
i When replacing one or all tires, make sure
that you only use tires marked
MOExtended and of the specified size for
the vehicle.
Battery
Important safety notes
In order for the battery to achieve the
maximum possible service life, it must always
be sufficiently charged.
! Have the battery checked regularly at a
qualified specialist workshop, such as an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Adhere to the service intervals indicated in
the service booklet or ask a qualified
specialist workshop, such as an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Have the battery charge checked more
frequently if you use the vehicle mainly for
short trips or if you leave it standing idle for
a lengthy period.
Only replace a battery with a battery that has
been recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
Consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
if you wish to leave your vehicle parked for a
long period of time.
GWARNING
Hybrid vehicles: be sure to read the "HYBRID"
supplement. Otherwise, you could fail to
recognize dangers.
GWARNING
Comply with safety precautions and take
protective measures when handling batteries.
478BatteryBreakdown assistance

Jump-startingGWARNING
Failure to follow these directions will cause damage to the electronic components, and can lead
to a battery explosion and severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting or jump starting. You might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is flammable and explosive. Keep flames or
sparks away from battery, avoid improper connection of jumper cables, smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery can result in it exploding, causing personal injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
GWARNING
Hybrid vehicles: be sure to read the "HYBRID" supplement. Otherwise, you could fail to recognize
dangers.
! Avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts. Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may
damage the catalytic converter 27
and create a risk of fire.
Do not use a rapid-charging device to start the engine.
Make sure the jumper cables are not damaged.
Make sure the jumper cables are not touching any other metal objects when they are
connected to the battery.
If your vehicle's battery is discharged, the engine can be jump-started from another vehicle
or from a second battery using jumper cables.
Observe the following points:
XThe battery is not accessible in all vehicles. If the other vehicle's battery is not accessible,
jump-start the vehicle using a second battery or a jump-starting device.XOnly jump-start the vehicle when the engine is cold and the catalytic converter system has
cooled down 28
.XDo not start the engine if the battery is frozen. Let the battery thaw first.XJump-starting may only be performed from batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V.XOnly use jumper cables which have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.XMake sure that the jumper cables cannot come into contact with parts, such as the pulley
or the fan. These parts move when the engine is started and while it is running.XIf the battery is fully discharged, leave the battery that is being used to jump-start connected
for a few minutes before attempting to start. This charges the empty battery a little.
i Jumper cables and further information about jump-starting can be obtained from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, for example.
27 Only vehicles with a gasoline engine.
28 Only vehicles with a gasoline engine.Jump-starting481Breakdown assistanceZ