steering wheel 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

Mirrorssee Exterior mirrors
see Rear-view mirror
see Vanity mirror
Mobile phone
Menu (on-board computer) ............382
Modifying the programming
(SmartKey) ........................................... 81
MOExtended run-flat system ........... 477
MP3 Bit/sampling rates ......................... 229
Copyright ....................................... 229
Data medium ................................. 228
Fast forward/fast rewind ...............225
File systems ................................... 228
Formats ......................................... 229
Mode, switching to ........................221
Notes ............................................. 228
Operating ....................................... 379
Pause function ............................... 223
Playback options ........................... 228
Safety notes .................................. 220
Selecting a media type ..................224
Selecting a track ............................ 224
Sound settings (balance, bass,
fader, treble) .................................. 135
Multicontour seat
Front .............................................. 270
Rear compartment .........................108
Multifunction display
Function/notes ............................. 374
Lane recommendations .................169
Multifunction steering wheel
Adjusting the volume .....................134
Operating the on-board computer . 373
Overview .......................................... 37
Using the telephone ....................... 199
Multisession CD ................................ 228
Music files Recording ...................................... 226
Music Register
Copying music data .......................230
MUSIC REGISTER
Deleting all music files ...................232
Deleting individual music files .......233
Disk space information ..................232
Folder functions ............................. 232
General notes ................................ 230Playback options ........................... 233
Switching to ................................... 230
Music search ..................................... 225
Music storage see MUSIC REGISTER
Mute ................................................... 134
N
Navigation Adjusting the volume of the
navigation announcements ............134
Alternative route ............................ 171
Basic settings ................................ 152
Blocking a route section affected
by a traffic jam ............................... 171
Compass function ..........................188
Destination memory ......................178
Displaying destination
information (arrival time, distance
to destination) ............................... 172
Entering/saving your home
address .......................................... 156
Entering a destination ....................153
Entering a destination by address .. 153
Entering a destination using the
map ............................................... 160
Entering an intermediate stop .......161
Entering a point of interest ............162
Entering characters (character
bar) ................................................ 129
Freeway information ......................187
General notes ................................ 151
GPS reception ................................ 151
Installing map software .................. 188
Lane recommendation ...................167
Off-road/off-map (off-road
destination) .................................... 173
On-board computer .......................377
Previous destinations ....................181
Repeating announcements ............170
Route guidance .............................. 166
Route overview .............................. 172
Safety notes .................................. 150
Selecting a destination from the
destination memory .......................159
Selecting a destination from the
list of last destinations ................... 159
16Index

Speed, controllingsee Cruise control
Speed Limit Assist
see Speed Limit Assist
Speedometer
Activating/deactivating the
additional speedometer .................386
Digital ............................................ 376
In the Instrument cluster .................35
Selecting the unit of
measurement ................................ 386
see Instrument cluster
SPLITVIEW ......................................... 122
SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System) Display message ............................ 397
Introduction ..................................... 44
Warning lamp ................................. 426
Warning lamp (function) ................... 44
Standing lamps
Display message ............................ 402
Switching on/off ........................... 276
Starting (engine) ................................ 304
Station memory ................................. 213
Steering (display message) .............. 418
Steering wheel Adjusting (electrically) ...................110
Button overview ............................... 37
Buttons (on-board
computer) ...................................... 373
Important safety notes ..................109
Paddle shifters ............................... 314
Steering wheel heating ..................110
Storing settings (memory
function) ........................................ 113
Steering wheel (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 468
Steering wheel heating Switching on/off ........................... 110
Steering wheel paddle shifters ........ 314
Stop function Audio DVD ..................................... 223
Rear Seat Entertainment System ...255
Video DVD ..................................... 243
Stopwatch (RACETIMER) ................... 380
Storing stations Manually ........................................ 213Storing stations (radio)
Automatically ................................. 213
Stowage compartments
Armrest (under) ............................. 433
Cup holders ................................... 437
Door ............................................... 433
Eyeglasses compartment ...............433
Glove box ....................................... 432
Important safety information .........432
Parcel net ...................................... 435
Rear ............................................... 434
Rear seat backrest ......................... 434
Rear seats (between) .....................434
Stowage well ..................................... 436
Stowage well beneath the trunk
floor .................................................... 436
Summer opening see Convenience opening feature
Summer tires ..................................... 492
Sun visor ............................................ 438
Supplemental Restraint System see SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Surround sound
see 3D sound (Harman Kardon ®
surround sound system)
Surround sound (harman/
kardon ®
surround sound system)
Notes ............................................. 136
Switching on/off ........................... 136
Suspension tuning
Active Body Control .......................346
AIRMATIC ...................................... 344
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ................................................. 297
Switching between picture
formats (TV, video) ............................ 240
Switching between summer time
and standard time ............................. 144
Switching off the alarm (ATA) ............ 75
Switching the hands-free
microphone on/off ............................ 201
Switching wavebands (radio) ........... 212
System settings
Bluetooth ®
..................................... 147
Date ............................................... 144
Language ....................................... 14922Index

CockpitFunctionPage:Steering wheel paddle
shifters
314
;Combination switch279=Cruise control lever331?HornAInstrument cluster35BDIRECT SELECT lever310CControl panel for:Vehicle level343Suspension tuning344PARKTRONIC347Swiveling the COMAND
display
124
COMAND display
brightness
124
Instrument lighting124FunctionPageDOverhead control panel39EAutomatic climate control290FIgnition lock303Start/Stop button303GAdjusts the steering wheel109Steering wheel heating110HElectric parking brake324IOn-board diagnostics
socketJOpens the hood456KNight View Assist Plus357LLight switch27634CockpitAt a glance

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