tow 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

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

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

Tiredness assistantsee ATTENTION ASSIST
Tire pressure
Calling up (on-board computer) .....497
Checking manually ........................497
Display message ............................ 415
Maximum ....................................... 496
Notes ............................................. 495
Recommended ............................... 493
Tire pressure monitoring system
Function/notes ............................. 497
Restarting ...................................... 499
Warning lamp ................................. 429
Tires
Aspect ratio (definition) .................512
Average weight of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................511
Bar (definition) ............................... 510
Characteristics .............................. 510
Checking ........................................ 491
Definition of terms .........................510
Direction of rotation ......................514
Display message ............................ 415
Distribution of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................513
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................... 509
DOT (Department of
Transportation) (definition) ............510
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 511
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
(definition) ..................................... 511
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) (definition) .........................511
Important safety notes ..................490
Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ......511
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ...........512
Labeling (overview) ........................506
Load bearing index (definition) ......513
Load index ..................................... 509
Load index (definition) ...................512
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 511
Maximum load on a tire
(definition) ..................................... 512Maximum permissible tire
pressure (definition) ....................... 512
Maximum tire load .........................504
Maximum tire load (definition) .......512
Optional equipment weight
(definition) ..................................... 512
PSI (pounds per square inch)
(definition) ..................................... 512
Replacing ....................................... 513
Service life ..................................... 491
Sidewall (definition) .......................512
Speed rating (definition) ................511
Storing ........................................... 514
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 510
Temperature .................................. 506
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 513
Tire bead (definition) ......................512
Tire pressure (definition) ................512
Tire pressures (recommended) ......511
Tire size (data) ............................... 514
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 507
Tire tread ....................................... 491
Tire tread (definition) .....................512
Total load limit (definition) .............513
Traction ......................................... 505
Traction (definition) .......................513
Tread wear ..................................... 505
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 505
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) ....................511
Unladen weight (definition) ............512
Wear indicator (definition) .............513
Wheel rim (definition) ....................511
see Flat tire
Tonal properties
see Sound settings
Top Tether ............................................ 65
Towing Important safety guidelines ...........483
Installing the towing eye ................483
Removing the towing eye ...............484
With the rear axle raised ................484
Towing away
With both axles on the ground .......48424Index

Tow-startingEmergency engine starting ............485
Important safety notes ..................483
Track
Selecting (CD, DVD, MP3) .............. 224
Traffic Announcements (TA)
Switching off .................................. 134
Traffic jam function ........................... 171
Traffic jam message see Dynamic route guidance/TMC
Traffic reports
Real-time traffic report ..................177
Switching on/off ........................... 174
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transporting the vehicle .................. 485
Treble, adjusting (sound) .................. 135
Trim pieces (cleaning instructions) . 468
Trip computer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 376
Trip meter see Trip odometer
Trip odometer
Calling up ....................................... 376
Resetting (on-board computer) ......377
Trunk
Emergency release ....................91, 92
Important safety guidelines .............88
Limiting the opening angle ............. 265
Locking separately ...........................91
Opening/closing (automatically
from inside) ...................................... 90
Opening/closing (automatically
from outside) ................................... 90
Trunk lid
Display message ............................ 418
Opening/closing .............................. 88
Power closing feature ......................87
Trunk lid opening height
restriction .......................................... 265
Turn signals Display message ............................ 401
Switching on/off ........................... 279
TV
Automatic picture shutoff ..............240
Picture settings .............................. 240Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
U
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................87
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 86
USB
see Media Interface
V
Vanity mirror (in sun visor) .............. 438
Vehicle Correct use ...................................... 31
Data acquisition ............................... 32
Display message ............................ 417
Equipment ....................................... 28
Individual settings ..........................385
Limited Warranty ............................. 32
Loading .......................................... 500
Locking (in an emergency) ...............88
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 79
Lowering ........................................ 477
Maintenance .................................... 29
Parking for a long period ................ 325
Pulling away ................................... 305
Raising ........................................... 474
Reporting problems .........................31
Towing away .................................. 483
Transporting .................................. 485
Unlocking (in an emergency) ...........87
Unlocking (SmartKey) ......................79
Vehicle data ................................... 530
Vehicle battery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicle data ....................................... 530
see Technical data
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 530
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 88
Vehicle identification number see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 521
Index25

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

Rear seatsFunctionPage:Cup holder underneath the
rear seat armrest
437
;Cup holder in the rear seat
armrest
437
=Control panel for
multicontour seat in the
rear compartment
108
?Stowage compartment in
the rear seat armrest
434
AStowage box in the seat
backrest
434
42Rear seatsAt a glance

XEngage belt tongue ; in buckle =.
Seat-belt adjustment: if necessary, the
driver's and front-passenger seat belts
automatically adjust to the upper body
( Y page 60).XIf necessary, adjust the seat belt to the
appropriate height ( Y page 60).XIf necessary, pull upwards on the shoulder
section of the seat belt to tighten the belt
across your body.
All seat belts except the driver's seat belt are
equipped with a special seat belt retractor to
securely fasten child restraint systems in the
vehicle. For further information on special
seat belt retractors, see ( Y page 64).
For more information about releasing the seat
belt with release button ?, see "Releasing
seat belts" ( Y page 60).
Seat belt adjustment
The seat-belt adjustment function adjusts the
driver's and front-passenger seat belt to the
upper body of the occupants.
The belt strap is tightened slightly when:
R you engage the belt tongue in the belt
buckle and you then turn the SmartKey to
position 2 in the ignition lock.
R the SmartKey is in position 2 in the ignition
lock and you then engage the belt tongue
in the buckle.
The seat-belt adjustment will apply a
retraction force if any slack is detected
between the occupant and the seat belt. Do
not hold on to the seat belt tightly while it is
adjusting. You can switch the seat-belt
adjustment on and off in the on-board
computer ( Y page 386).
The seat-belt adjustment is an integral part of
the PRE-SAFE ®
convenience function. More
information about PRE-SAFE ®
can be found
in the "PRE-SAFE ®
(preventative occupant
protection)" section ( Y page 55).
Belt height adjustment
You can adjust the seat belt height on the
driver's seat and the front-passenger seat.
Adjust the height so that the upper part of the
seat belt is routed across the center of your
shoulder.
XTo raise: slide the belt sash guide upwards.
The belt sash guide engages in various
positions.XTo lower: press and hold belt sash guide
release :.XSlide the belt sash guide downwards.XRelease belt sash guide release : and
make sure that the belt sash guide has
engaged.
The seat belts for the outer seats in the rear
are adjusted automatically.
Releasing seat belts
XPress release button ?(Y page 59) and
guide belt tongue ; back towards belt
sash guide :.
!
Make sure that the seat belt is fully rolled
up. Otherwise, the seat belt or belt tongue
will be trapped in the door or in the seat
mechanism. This could damage the door,
the door trim panel and the seat belt.
Damaged seat belts can no longer fulfill
their protective function and must be
replaced. Consult an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
60Occupant 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

The brakes will work normally again if:
R you release the brake pedal.
R there is no longer any danger of a rear-end
collision.
R no obstacle is detected in front of your
vehicle.
BAS PLUS is then deactivated.
For BAS PLUS to assist you when driving, the
radar sensor system must be switched on and
operational, see "Radar sensor system" in the
index.GWARNING
BAS PLUS cannot always clearly identify
objects and complex traffic situations. BAS
PLUS cannot intervene in these cases.
There is a risk of an accident. Always pay
careful attention to the traffic situation and be
ready to brake.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if there is:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R snow or heavy rain
R interference by other radar sources
R the possibility of strong radar reflections,
for example in parking garages
R a narrow vehicle traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
R a vehicle traveling in front on a different line
GWARNING
BAS PLUS does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossing traffic
R in curves
As a result, BAS PLUS cannot intervene in
critical situations. There is a risk of an
accident. Always pay careful attention to the
traffic situation and be ready to brake.
Following damage to the front end of the
vehicle, have the configuration and operation
of the radar sensors checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. This also applies to
collisions at low speeds where there is no
visible damage to the front of the vehicle.
If BAS PLUS is not available due to a
malfunction in the radar sensor system, the
brake system remains available with full
brake boosting effect and BAS.
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes
i See the "Important safety notes" section
( Y page 69).
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle. If necessary, the engine output is also
modified to keep the vehicle on the desired
course within physical limits. ESP ®
assists
the driver when pulling away on wet or
slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the
vehicle during braking.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ÷ ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
GWARNING
Under no circumstances should you
deactivate ESP ®
when the ÷ ESP®
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes. Proceed as follows:
R when driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R while driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R adapt your speed to suit the prevailing road
and weather conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid. ESP ®
cannot
prevent accidents resulting from excessive
speed.
! The ignition must be switched off if the
vehicle is being towed with the front or rear
Driving safety systems71SafetyZ