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

Index ....................................................... 4Introduction ......................................... 28At a glance ........................................... 33Safety ................................................... 43Opening/closing ................................. 77Seats, steering wheel and mirrors ..101COMAND ............................................ 115Lights and windshield wipers ..........275Climate control ................................. 289Driving and parking ..........................301On-board computer and displays ....371Stowing and features .......................431Maintenance and care ......................455Breakdown assistance .....................471Wheels and tires ............................... 489Technical data ................................... 519
Contents3

Rear ............................................... 299
Setting ........................................... 298
Setting the center air vents ...........298
Setting the side air vents ...............299
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Alertness Assistant
see ATTENTION ASSIST
Alternative route ............................... 171
Ambient light setting (COMAND) ..... 263
AMG menu (on-board computer) ..... 379
Anti-lock Braking System see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Anti-theft system
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) .........75
Ashtray ............................................... 440
Assistance menu (on-board
computer) .......................................... 383
ASSYST PLUS see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Activating/deactivating ...................75
Function ........................................... 75
Switching off the alarm ....................75
ATTENTION ASSIST
Activating/deactivating .................384
Display message ............................ 408
Function/notes ............................. 356
Audio
Radio mode ................................... 211
Audio database
see MUSIC REGISTER
Audio DVD
Mode, switching to ........................221
Pause function ............................... 223
Playback options ........................... 228
Safety notes .................................. 220
Setting the audio format ................227
Stop function ................................. 223
Audio format, setting
Audio DVD ..................................... 227
Rear Seat Entertainment System ...258
Video DVD ..................................... 245
Audio menu (on-board computer) .... 378Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 403
see Lights
Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) .................................... 307
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) .......................... 307
Automatic headlamp mode .............. 277
Automatic transmission Automatic drive program ...............314
Changing gear ............................... 313
DIRECT SELECT lever .....................310
Display message ............................ 417
Driving tips .................................... 313
Emergency running mode ..............317
Kickdown ....................................... 313
Manual drive program ....................316
Problem (malfunction) ...................317
Program selector button ................314
Pulling away ................................... 305
Shift ranges ................................... 315
Starting the engine ........................305
Steering wheel paddle shifters ......314
Transmission position display ........312
Transmission positions ..................312
Automatic transmission
emergency mode ............................... 317
Autostore ........................................... 213
see Station memory (radio)
AUX (audio)
Notes/socket ................................ 239
Switching to ................................... 239
AUX (video)
Setting the picture .........................240
Setting the volume and sound .......246
Showing/hiding the menu .............246
Switching to ................................... 246
B
Back button ....................................... 119
Back support see Lumbar support
Bag hook ............................................ 435
Balance, adjusting ............................. 135
Bang & Olufsen sound system ......... 137
Index5

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

Cup holderCenter console .............................. 437
Important safety notes ..................437
Rear compartment .........................437
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) ... 31
Customer Relations Department ....... 31
D
Dashboard see Cockpit
Data
see Technical data
Data carrier
MUSIC REGISTER ........................... 230
Data medium
Audio DVD ..................................... 228
CD/DVD ........................................ 229
MP3 ............................................... 228
Date format, setting .......................... 144
Day design, setting ........................... 143
Daytime running lamp mode see Daytime running lamps
Daytime running lamps
Display message ............................ 403
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 385
Switching on/off (switch) ..............277
DEF
Adding ........................................... 321
Display message ............................ 408
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (COMAND) ...........263
Interior lighting (COMAND) ............263
Destination (navigation)
Displaying information ...................172
Entering a destination by address .. 153
Entering a destination using the
map ............................................... 160
Entering an intermediate stop .......161
Entering a point of interest ............162
Saving ............................................ 179
Selecting from the destination
memory ......................................... 159
Selecting from the list of last
destinations ................................... 159
Destination memory (navigation)
Deleting an entry ........................... 181
Entering/saving your home
address .......................................... 156
Previous destinations ....................181
Dialing a number (telephone) ........... 200
Digital speedometer ......................... 376
Digital TV see TV
DIRECT SELECT lever
see Automatic transmission
Display
Selecting the design ......................143
Settings ......................................... 143
Display (cleaning instructions) ........ 467
Displaying the arrival time ............... 172
Displaying the distance to the
destination ......................................... 172
Display messages Calling up (on-board computer) .....388
Driving systems ............................. 408
Engine ............................................ 404
General notes ................................ 388
Hiding (on-board computer) ...........388
Lights ............................................. 401
Safety systems .............................. 389
Service interval display ..................462
SmartKey ....................................... 419
Tires ............................................... 415
Vehicle ........................................... 417
Distance
see Navigation, route overview
Distance display (on-board
computer) .......................................... 383
Distance recorder ............................. 376
see Odometer
see Trip odometer
Distance warning (warning lamp) .... 428
DISTRONIC PLUS Deactivating ................................... 340
Display message ............................ 413
Displays in the multifunction
display ........................................... 339
Driving tips .................................... 340
Function/notes ............................. 332
Important safety notes ..................332Index9

Selecting a category/playlist .........236
Supported variants ........................233
J
Jack Storage location ............................ 472
Using ............................................. 474
Jump starting (engine) ...................... 481
K
Key see SmartKey
KEYLESS-GO
Convenience closing feature ............94
Locking ............................................ 79
Start/Stop button .......................... 303
Starting the engine ........................305
Unlocking ......................................... 79
Key positions
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 303
SmartKey ....................................... 303
Kickdown
Driving tips .................................... 313
Manual drive program ....................316
L
Lamps see Warning and indicator lamps
Lane-change assistant
see Blind Spot Assist
Lane detection (automatic)
see Lane Keeping Assist
Lane Keeping Assist
Activating/deactivating .................385
Display message ............................ 411
Function/information ....................362
Lap time (RACETIMER) ...................... 380
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ................................................ 65
Letter bar see Character bar
License plate lamp (display
message) ............................................ 402
Lighting see Lights
Lights
Automatic headlamp mode ............277
Cornering light function .................280
Display message ............................ 401
Driving abroad ............................... 276
Fog lamps ...................................... 278
Hazard warning lamps ...................279
High beam flasher .......................... 279
High-beam headlamps ...................279
Light switch ................................... 276
Low-beam headlamps ....................277
Parking lamps ................................ 276
Rear fog lamp ................................ 278
Switching Adaptive Highbeam
Assist on/off ................................. 386
Switching the daytime running
lamps on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 385
Switching the daytime running
lamps on/off (switch) ....................277
Turn signals ................................... 279
see Changing bulbs
see Interior lighting
Light sensor (display message) ....... 403
LIM indicator lamp Cruise control ................................ 331
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 335
Loading guidelines ............................ 432
Locator lighting setting (COMAND) . 264
Locking see Central locking
Locking (doors)
Automatic ........................................ 86
Emergency locking ........................... 88
From inside (central locking
button) ............................................. 86
Locking centrally
see Central locking
Locking verification signal (on-
board computer) ............................... 386
Logic 7 ®
(Harman Kardon ®
surround sound system) see 3D sound (Harman Kardon ®
surround sound system) 14Index

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

Rregardless of whether the front-passenger
seat is occupied
R independently of seat belt use
R if the vehicle overturns and the system
determines that window curtain air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R independently of the front air bags
Window curtain air bags : will not deploy in
impacts with deceleration rates which do not
exceed the system's preset deployment
thresholds for vehicle deceleration or
acceleration. You will then be protected by
the fastened seat belt.
Occupant Classification System
(OCS)
How the occupant classification
system works
The Occupant Classification System (OCS)
categorizes the occupant on the front-
passenger seat by means of a weight sensor.
The front-passenger front air bag is
deactivated automatically for certain weight
categories. The 42 indicator
lamp shows you the current status. If the
42 indicator lamp is illuminated,
the front-passenger front air bag is
deactivated.
The system does not deactivate:
R the side impact air bag
R the window curtain air bag
R the Emergency Tensioning Devices
To be classified correctly, the front passenger
must sit:
R with the seat belt fastened correctly
R in a position that is as upright as possible
with their back against the seat backrest
R with their feet on the floor
If the front-passenger's weight is transferred
to another object in the vehicle (e.g. by
leaning on armrests), OCS may not be able to
approximate the occupant's weight category.
If the front-passenger seat, the seat cover or
the seat cushion are damaged, have the
necessary repair work carried out at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use seat
accessories which have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Both the driver and the passenger should
always use the 42 indicator
lamp as an indication of whether or not the
passenger is properly positioned.GWARNING
If the 42 indicator lamp lights up
when an adult or someone larger than a small
individual is in the front-passenger seat, have
the front passenger reposition himself or
herself in the seat until the 42
indicator lamp goes out.
In the event of a collision, the air bag control
unit will not allow front-passenger front air
bag deployment when the OCS has classified
the front-passenger seat occupant as
weighing as much as or less than a typical 12-
month-old child in a standard child restraint
or if the front-passenger seat is classified as
being empty.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat occupant is classified as
being up to or less than the weight of a typical
12-month-old child in a standard child
restraint, the 42 indicator lamp
will illuminate when the engine is started and
remain illuminated, indicating that the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat is classified as being empty,
the 42 indicator lamp will
illuminate when the engine is started and
remain illuminated, indicating that the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat occupant is classified as
being heavier than the weight of a typical 12-
month-old child seated in a standard child
50Occupant safetySafety

Belt warning for the driver and front
passenger
Regardless of whether the driver and front
passenger have fastened their seat belts
already, the 7 seat belt warning lamp
lights up for 6 seconds after every engine
start. It then goes out if the driver and the
front passenger have fastened their seat
belts.
If the driver's seat belt is not fastened after
the engine is started, an additional warning
tone will sound. The warning tone goes out
after approximately six seconds or once the
driver's seat belt is fastened.
If the driver or front passenger have not
fastened their seat belt after 6 seconds and
the doors are closed, the 7 seat belt
warning lamp lights up.
R until the driver or the front passenger have
fastened their seat belts
R if a vehicle speed of 15 mph(25 km/h) is
exceeded once, a warning tone with
increasing intensity sounds additionally for
a maximum of 60 seconds or until the driver
or front passenger have fastened their seat
belts.
If the driver or front passenger undo their seat
belts during the journey, the 7 seat belt
warning lamp lights up and the warning tone
sounds again.
The warning tone ceases even if the driver or
front passenger have still not fastened their
seat belt after 60 seconds. The 7 seat belt
warning lamp stops flashing but continues to
be lit.
Once the vehicle is stationary, the warning
tone is reactivated and the 7 seat belt
warning lamp starts to flash again if the
vehicle speed exceeds 15 mph(25 km/h)
once.
The 7 seat belt warning lamp only goes
out if:
R both the driver and the front passenger
have fastened their seat belts.
or
R the vehicle is stationary and a door is open.
i For more information on the 7 seat
belt warning lamp, see "Warning and
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster,
seat belt" ( Y page 420).
Emergency Tensioning Devices, belt
force limiters
The front seat belts and the outer seat belts
in the rear are equipped with ETDs and seat
belt force limiters.
The ETDs tighten the seat belts in an accident,
pulling them close against the body.
The ETDs do not correct incorrect seat
positions or incorrectly fastened seat belts.
The ETDs do not pull vehicle occupants back
towards the backrest.
Seat belt force limiters, when triggered, help
to reduce the peak force exerted by the seat
belt on the vehicle occupant.
The seat belt force limiters for the front seats
are synchronized with the front air bags.
These take on a part of the deceleration force.
Thus, the force exerted on the occupant is
distributed over a greater area.
The ETDs can only be activated when:
R the ignition is switched on.
R the restraint systems are operational; see
"SRS warning lamp" ( Y page 44).
R the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle on
each of the lap-shoulder belts in the front.
R the front-passenger seat is occupied and
the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle on
the front-passenger side.
The ETDs on the outside seats in the rear
compartment are triggered independently of
the lock status of the seat belts.
The ETDs are triggered depending on the type
and severity of an accident:
R if, in the event of a head-on or rear-end
collision, the vehicle decelerates or
accelerates rapidly in a longitudinal
Occupant safety61SafetyZ

direction during the initial stages of the
impact
R if, in the event of a side impact, on the side
opposite the impact the vehicle
decelerates or accelerates rapidly in a
lateral direction
R if, in certain situations where the vehicle
overturns, the system determines that it
can provide additional protection
If the air bags are deployed, you will hear a
bang, and a small amount of powder may also
be released. Only in rare cases will the bang
affect your hearing. The powder that is
released generally does not constitute a
health hazard. The 6 SRS warning lamp
lights up.GWARNING
Pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning Devices
that have been deployed must be renewed.
For your safety, when disposing of Emergency
Tensioning Devices, always observe the
safety instructions. These are available from
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The PRE-SAFE ®
system has electrically
operated reversible pre-tensioners that do
not require replacement after activation.
! If the front-passenger seat is not
occupied, do not engage the seat belt
tongue in the buckle on the front-
passenger seat. Otherwise, the Emergency
Tensioning Device could be triggered in the
event of an accident.
Automatic comfort-install feature
The front seat belts have an automatic
comfort-install feature. In vehicles with a rear
bench seat with electrically adjustable outer
seats, the seat belts for the outer seats have
an automatic comfort-install feature. The
automatic comfort-install feature reduces the
retraction force of the seat belts. This results
in increased seat belt comfort.
Children in the vehicle
Child restraint systems
Important safety notes
We recommend that all infants and children
be properly secured in an infant or child
restraint system at all times while the vehicle
is in motion.
The use of seat belts and infant and child
restraint systems is required by law in all 50
states, the District of Columbia, the U.S.
territories and all Canadian provinces.
Infants and children must always be seated in
an appropriate infant or child restraint system
recommended for the size and weight of the
child. The infant or child restraint system
must be properly secured in accordance with
the manufacturer's instructions. All infant or
child restraint systems must meet U.S.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213
and 225 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards 213 and 210.2.
An information label on the child restraint
system indicates whether it meets these
standards. This information is also provided
in the installation instructions supplied with
the child restraint system.
Always read and follow the manufacturer's
instructions when using an infant or child
restraint system or booster seat.
Observe all warning signs in the vehicle
interior and on the infant or child restraint.
GWARNING
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained on the rear
seats than on the front-passenger seat. Thus,
we strongly recommend that children be
placed in the rear seats whenever possible.
Regardless of seating position, children 12
years old and under must be seated and
properly secured in an appropriately sized
child restraint system or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
62Children in the vehicleSafety

RADAPTIVE BRAKE
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:
R Excessive speed, especially in turns
R Wet and slippery road surfaces
R Following another vehicle too closely
The driving safety systems described in this
section cannot reduce these risks or prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle. They cannot increase braking or
steering efficiency beyond that afforded by
the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires
or the traction afforded.
Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents.
The capabilities of a vehicle equipped with the
driving safety systems described in this
section must never be exploited in a reckless
or dangerous manner which could jeopardize
the user's safety or the safety of others.
Always adjust your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions and
keep a safe distance to other road users and
objects on the street.
If a driving system malfunctions, other driving
safety systems may also switch off. Observe
indicator and warning lamps that may come
on as well as messages in the multifunction
display that may appear.
GWARNING
HYBRID vehicles: It is imperative that you read
the HYBRID Supplemental Operating
Instructions included in your vehicle literature
portfolio. You may otherwise not receive all
necessary safety information and warning for
the operation of your vehicle.
i Please note that the driving safety
systems described only work as effectively
as possible when there is adequate contact
between the tires and the road surface. Pay
particular attention to the information
regarding tires, recommended minimum
tire tread depths etc. in the "Wheels and
tires" section ( Y page 490).
In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the
driving safety systems described in this
section work as effectively as possible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y page 69).
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the
vehicle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about
5 mph(8 km/h) upwards, regardless of road-
surface conditions. ABS works on slippery
surfaces, even when you only brake gently.
GWARNING
If the ABS malfunctions, other driving systems
such as the BAS or the ESP ®
are also switched
off. Observe indicator and warning lamps that
may come on as well as messages in the
multifunction display that may appear.
If the ABS malfunctions, the wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing the steering
capability and extending the braking distance.
The ! warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
Braking
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.
Driving safety systems69SafetyZ