tail 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

Removing/ejecting (Rear Seat
Entertainment System) ..................251
Selecting a media type ..................224
Selecting a track ............................ 224
Sound settings (balance, bass,
fader, treble) .................................. 135
DVD audio
Operation using the on-board
computer ....................................... 379
E
EASY-ENTRY feature Activating (COMAND) ....................262
Function/notes ............................. 110
EASY-EXIT feature
Activating (COMAND) ....................262
Crash-responsive ........................... 111
Function/notes ............................. 110
EBD (electronic brake force
distribution) Display message ............................ 392
Function/notes ................................ 73
ECO function ...................................... 261
ECO start/stop function Deactivating/activating .................307
General information .......................306
Electrical fuses
see Fuses
Electronic brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Electronic Traction System
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic
Traction System)
Emergency release
Driver's door .................................... 87
Trunk ......................................... 91, 92
Vehicle ............................................. 87
Emergency spare wheel
Storage location ............................ 472
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Function ........................................... 61
Safety guidelines ............................. 45
Emissions purification
Service and warranty information ....28
Engine
Check Engine warning lamp ........... 427
Display message ............................ 404
ECO start/stop function ................306
Emergency starting ........................485
Engine number ............................... 522
Irregular running ............................ 309
Starting problems ..........................309
Starting the engine with the
SmartKey ....................................... 305
Starting with KEYLESS-GO .............305
Switching off .................................. 323
Engine electronics
Problem (malfunction) ...................309
Engine emergency stop .................... 487
Engine oil Adding ........................................... 459
Additives ........................................ 528
Checking the oil level ..................... 457
Checking the oil level using the
dipstick .......................................... 458
Checking the oil level using the
on-board computer ........................458
Display message ............................ 406
Filling capacity ............................... 524
Notes about oil grades ................... 527
Notes on oil level/consumption ....457
Temperature (on-board computer) . 379
Viscosity ........................................ 528
Entering the frequency ..................... 212
Entry Deleting ......................................... 131
Saving ............................................ 133
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) Deactivating/activating .................384
Deactivating/activating (notes) .......72
Display message ............................ 389
ETS/4ETS ........................................ 72
Function/notes ................................ 71
Important safety information ...........71
Warning lamp ................................. 424
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ................................................ 72
Exhaust check ................................... 327
Exhaust tail pipe (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 467Index11

Programmable button (COMAND) ..120
Text reader speed ..........................145
Time ............................................... 144
Time zone ...................................... 144
Voice Control System ....................145
T
Tachometer ........................................ 373
Tail lamps Display message ............................ 402
Tank
see Fuel tank
Tank content
Fuel gauge ....................................... 35
Technical data
Notes ............................................. 520
Tires/wheels ................................. 514
Vehicle data ................................... 530
TELEAID
Automatic retrieval of vehicle data
(service due date) ..........................449
Call priority .................................... 447
Display message ............................ 396
Downloading destinations
(COMAND) ..................................... 447
Emergency call .............................. 444
Important safety notes ..................443
Locating a stolen vehicle ...............450
MB info call button ........................446
Remote vehicle locking ..................449
Roadside Assistance button ..........445
Search & Send ............................... 448
Self-test ......................................... 444
System .......................................... 443
Vehicle remote unlocking ..............449
Telephone
Accepting/ending a call ................199
Accepting a call ............................. 382
Adjusting the volume for calls .......134
Basic menu (Bluetooth ®
interface) ....................................... 198
Calling (outgoing call) ....................200
Calling voicemail ............................ 201
Conference connection .................. 201
Connecting a mobile phone
(general information) .....................195
De-authorizing a mobile phone ......198
Ending an active call ......................201
Entering a number .........................200
External authorization
(Bluetooth ®
) ................................... 197
Function restrictions ......................194
General notes ................................ 193
Keypad ........................................... 120
Menu (on-board computer) ............382
Number from the phone book ........ 383
Operating options ..........................194
Overview of functions ....................201
Reception and transmission
volume ........................................... 199
Redialing ................................ 200, 383
Rejecting/ending a call .................382
Rejecting a call .............................. 199
Rejecting or accepting a waiting
call ................................................. 201
Safety notes .................................. 193
Sending DTMF tones ...................... 203
Switching hands-free microphone
on/off ............................................ 201
Toggling ......................................... 201
Using the telephone ....................... 199
see Bluetooth ®

see Call lists
Television
see TV
Temperature
Coolant .......................................... 372
Coolant (on-board computer) ......... 379
Engine oil (on-board computer) ...... 379
Outside temperature ...................... 373
Setting (climate control) ................294
Setting (COMAND) .........................265
Theft deterrent locking system
Immobilizer ...................................... 75
Tilt/sliding sunroof
see Sliding sunroof
Time
Setting summer/standard time .....144
Setting the format .........................144
Setting the time ............................. 144
Setting the time/date format ........144
Setting the time zone ..................... 144
Timing (RACETIMER) ......................... 380Index23

Information for customers in
California
Under California law you may be entitled to a
replacement of your vehicle or a refund of the
purchase price or lease price, if after a
reasonable number of repair attempts
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and/or its
authorized repair or service facilities fail to fix
one or more substantial defects or
malfunctions in the vehicle that are covered
by its express warranty. During the period of
18 months from original delivery of the
vehicle or the accumulation of 18 000 miles
(approximately 29 000 km) on the odometer
of the vehicle, whichever occurs first, a
reasonable number of repair attempts is
presumed for a retail buyer or lessee if one or
more of the following occurs:(1)the same substantial defect or
malfunction results in a condition that is
likely to cause death or serious bodily
injury if the vehicle is driven, that defect
or malfunction has been subject to repair
two or more times, and you have directly
notified Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC in
writing of the need for its repair.(2)the same substantial defect or
malfunction of a less serious nature than
category (1) has been subject to repair
four or more times and you have directly
notified Mercedes-Benz in writing of the
need for its repair.(3)the vehicle is out of service by reason of
repair of the same or different substantial
defects or malfunctions for a cumulative
total of more than 30 calendar days.
Please send your written notice to:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Customer Assistance Center
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
Maintenance
The Service and Warranty Booklet describes
all the necessary maintenance work which
should be done at regular intervals.
Always have the Service and Warranty
Booklet with you when you bring the vehicle
to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. The
service advisor will record every service for
you in the Service and Warranty Booklet.
Roadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program offers technical help in the event of
a breakdown. Calls to the toll-free Roadside
Assistance Hotline are answered by our
agents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372)
(USA)
1-800-387-0100 (Canada)
For additional information, refer to the
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program brochure (USA) or the "Roadside
Assistance" section in the Service and
Warranty booklet (Canada). You will find both
in your vehicle literature portfolio.
Change of address or change of
ownership
In the event of a change of address, please
send us the "Change of Address Notice"
found in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, or simply call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
(in the USA) at the hotline number
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372) or
Customer Service Center (in Canada) at
1-800-387-0100. This will assist us in
contacting you in a timely manner should the
need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave the
entire literature in the vehicle so that it is
available to the next owner.
Introduction29

If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to
send in the "Notice of Purchase of Used Car"
found in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, or call the Mercedes-
Benz 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.
Vehicle operation outside the USA
and Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign
countries, please be aware that:
R service facilities or replacement parts may
not be readily available.
R unleaded fuel for vehicles with a catalytic
converter may not be available. Leaded fuel
may cause damage to the catalytic
converter.
R the fuel may have a considerably lower
octane rating. Unsuitable fuel can cause
engine damage.
Some Mercedes-Benz models are available
for delivery in Europe through our European
Delivery Program. For details, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or write to
one of the following addresses.
In the USA
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
Operating safety
Safety notes
GWARNING
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because the
vehicle's electronic components are
interconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other
systems. Electronic malfunctions could
seriously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function when the
engine is running. You should therefore never
turn off the engine while driving.
GWARNING
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody or
tires/wheels may cause serious damage and
impair the operating safety of your vehicle.
Such blows can be caused, for example, by
running over an obstacle, road debris or a
pothole.
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that damage
to your vehicle has occurred:
R turn on your hazard warning flashers.
R slow down carefully.
R drive with caution to an area which is a safe
distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and tires/
wheels for possible damage. If the vehicle
appears unsafe, have it towed to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or other
qualified maintenance or repair facility for
further inspection or repairs.
30Introduction

To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle
Safety Hotline toll-free at
1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go
to: http://www.safercar.gov ; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA Headquarters,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, West Building,
Washington, DC 20590.
You can also obtain additional information
about vehicle safety from:
http://www.safercar.gov .
Limited Warranty
! Follow the instructions in this manual
about the proper operation of your vehicle
as well as about possible vehicle damage.
Damage to your vehicle that arises from
culpable contraventions against these
instructions are not covered either by
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty or by the
New or Used-Vehicle Warranty of
Daimler AG.
Data stored in the vehicle
Information about electronic data
acquisition in the vehicle
( Including notice pursuant to California Code
§ 9951)
Your vehicle records electronic data. If your
vehicle is equipped with mbrace 1
, data is
transmitted in the event of an accident.
This information helps, for example, to test
vehicle systems after an accident and to
continually improve vehicle safety.
Daimler AG can access this data and submit
it:
R for safety research or vehicle diagnosis
purposes
R with the consent of the vehicle owner
R on the instruction of prosecuting
authorities
R for use in arbitration of disputes that
involve Daimler AG, its affiliates or its sales
and service organizations
R as otherwise required or permitted by law.
Please observe the mbrace 1
purchase
agreement for further details on the recording
and transfer of data by this system.1 The system is called TELE AID in Canada.32Introduction

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

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

XTurn the mechanical key counter-clockwise
from position 1 as far as it will go to
position 2.
The trunk is unlocked.XTurn the mechanical key back to position
1 and remove it.XInsert the mechanical key into the
SmartKey.
Trunk emergency release
You can open the trunk lid from inside the
vehicle with the emergency release button.
XBriefly press emergency release
button :.
The trunk lid unlocks and opens.
The trunk lid can be unlocked and opened
with the trunk lid emergency release when
the vehicle is stationary or while driving.
Trunk lid emergency release light:
R emergency release button : flashes for
30 minutes after the trunk lid is opened.
R emergency release button : flashes for
60 minutes after the trunk lid is closed.
The trunk lid emergency release does not
open the trunk lid if the battery is
disconnected or discharged.
Side windows
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When opening or closing the door windows,
make sure that there is no danger of anyone
being harmed by the opening/closing
procedure.
The door windows are equipped with
automatic operation and the anti-entrapment
feature. If in automatic mode a door window
encounters an obstruction that blocks its
path, the anti-entrapment feature will stop the
door window and open it slightly.
The door windows operate differently when
the switch is pulled. See the "Problems with
door windows" section for details.
The closing of the door windows can be
immediately halted by releasing the switch or,
if the switch was pulled past the resistance
point and released, by either pressing or
pulling the respective switch.
Activate the override switch when children
are riding in the back seats of the vehicle. The
children may otherwise injure themselves,
e.g. by becoming trapped in the door window
opening.
GWARNING
Do not keep any part of your body up against
the window pane when opening a window. The
downward motion of the pane may pull that
part of your body down between the window
pane and the door frame and trap it there. If
there is a risk of entrapment, release the
switch and pull it to close the window.
92Side windowsOpening/closing