MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2013 W221 Owner's Manual

Setting the vehicle level
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road
surfaces and "Raised" for driving with snow
chains or on particularly poor road surfaces. G
WARNING
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands and
feet away from wheel housing area, and stay
away from under the vehicle when lowering
the vehicle chassis.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock. Setting raised level
X
Start the engine.
If indicator lamp 0003is not lit:
X Press button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0003lights up. The vehicle
height is adjusted to raised level.
Setting the normal level
X Start the engine.
If indicator lamp 0003is lit:
X Press button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0003goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to normal level.
Suspension tuning The electronically controlled ABC suspension
system works continuously.T
his improves
driving safety and comfort. The ABC suspension system is tuned
individually to each wheel and depends on:
R
your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition,e .g. bumps
R your individual selection, i.e .sports or
comfort
R the vehicle load
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock. Sports tuning
The firmer suspension tunin
ginSport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.
X If indicator lamp 0003 is not lit:
press
button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0003lights up. You have
selected the suspension for a sporty driving
style.
The ABC Active Body Control SPORT message appears in the multifunction
display.
Comfort tuning
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable.
Therefore, select this mode if you favor a
more comfortable driving style.
X If indicator lamp 0003 is lit:
press
button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0003goes out. You have
selected the suspension for acomfortable
driving style. Driving systems
349Driving and parking Z

The
ABC Active Body Control COMFORT message appears in the
multifunction display. 4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive)
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are
permanently driven. Together with ESP ®
, it
improves the traction of your vehicle
whenever a drive wheel spins due to
insufficien tgrip. G
WARNING
If a drive wheel is spinning due to insufficient
traction:
R While driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R While driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R Adapt yours peed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
4MATIC cannot prevent accidents resulting
from excessive speed.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground
or be fully raised. Observe the instructions
for towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary. PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The PARKTRONIC is a supplemental system.
It is not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always remains with the driver. G
WARNING
Make sure no persons or animals are in or
near the area in which you are parking/
maneuvering .Otherwise, they could be
injured.
PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasoni csensors. It indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you:
R switch on the ignition
R shift the transmission to position D,Ror N
R release the electric parkin gbrake
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18km/h). It is reactivated at lower
speeds.
PARKTRONIC monitors the area around your
vehicle using six sensors in the front and four
sensors in the rear. 0002
Example: sensors in the front bumper,
left-hand side 350
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Range of the sensors
General notes
The sensors mus
tbe free of dirt, ice and
slush. Otherwise, they may not function
correctly. Clean the sensors regularly, taking
care not to scratch or damage them
(Y page 474). Side view
Top view
Front sensors
Center approximately 40in
(approximately 100cm)
Corners approximately 24in
(approximately 60cm)
Rear sensors
Center approximately 48in
(approximately 120cm)
Corners approximately 32in
(approximately 80cm) !
When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars.
PARKTRONIC does not detec tsuch objects
when they are in the immediate vicinity of
the vehicle. You could damag ethe vehicle
or the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, the compressed-air brakes on a
truck or a pneumatic drill could cause
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
Minimum distance Center approximately 8in
(approximately 20cm)
Corners approximately 8in
(approximately 20cm)
If there is an obstacle within this range, the
relevant warning displays light up and a
warning tone sounds. If the distance falls
below the minimum, the distance may no
longer be shown.
Warning displays
The warning displays show the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle. The
warning display for the front area is in the
instrumentc
luster. The warning display for
the rear area is located on the headliner in the
rear compartment. Driving systems
351Driving and parking Z

Warning display for the fron
tarea
0002 Segments on the left-hand side of the
vehicle
0003 Segments on the right-hand side of the
vehicle
0026 Segments showing operational readiness
The warning display for each side of the
vehicle is divided into five yellow and two red
segments. PARKTRONIC is operational if
yellow segments showing operational
readiness 0026light up.
The selected transmission position
determines which warning display is active
when the engine is running. Transmission
position Warning display
D
Front area activated
R
Rear and front areas
activated
N
If the electric parking
brake is engaged: no
areas are activated
If the electric parking
brake is released:
rear and front areas
are activated
P
No areas activated
One or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the
vehicle's distance from the obstacle.
When the first red segment lights up, you hear
an intermittent warning for about two
seconds. From the second red segment, you hear a continuous warning. This indicates that
you have now reached the minimu
mdistance.
Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC 0002
To deactivate/activate PARKTRONIC
0003 Indicator lamp
If indicator lamp 0003lights up, PARKTRONIC is
deactivated.
i PARKTRONIC is automatically activated
when you tur nthe SmartKey to position 2
in the ignition lock. 352
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Problems with PARKTRONIC
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0004 Solutions
Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
You also hear a warning
tone for approximately
two seconds.
PARKTRONIC is
deactivated after
approximately
20 seconds, and the
indicator lamp in the
PARKTRONIC button
lights up. PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off.
X
If problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
PARKTRONIC is
deactivated after
approximately
20 seconds. The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.
X
Cleant he PARKTRONIC sensors (Y page 474).
X Switch the ignition back on. The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or
ultrasound waves.
X See if PARKTRONIC functions in a different location. Parking Guidance
Important safety notes Parking Guidance is an electronic parking aid
with ultrasound. Ultrasound is used to
measure the road on both sides of the vehicle.
As uitable parking space is indicated by the
parking symbol. You receive steering
instructions when parking .You may also use
PARKTRONIC (Y page 350). G
WARNING
Parking Guidance is merely an aid and may
display parking spaces that are not suitable
for parking, for example:
R no-parking areas
R parking spaces with unsuitable surfaces
(road surface) R
driveways
R entrances and exits
Parking Guidance detects and measures
potential parking spaces while driving past.
Changes to the parking space after this point
are not taken into account, for example if the
vehicle in front of or behind the parking space
changes position or objects in the parking
space are moved.
Even when using Parking Guidance, you are
still responsible for driving carefully. If you
rely on Parking Guidance alone, you could
cause an accident and injure yourself and
others.
Safety always remains your responsibility and
you must continue paying careful attention to
your immediate surroundings when parking
and maneuvering. Driving systems
353Driving and parking Z

G
WARNING
Objects located above the height range of
Parking Guidance will not be detected when
the parking space is measured. These objects
are not taken into account when the parking
procedure is calculated, e.g. overhanging
loads, tail sections or loading ramps of goods
vehicles. Under some circumstances, Parking
Guidance might therefore issu esteering
instructions too soon. Thi smay lead to a
collision .For this reason, you should avoid
using Parking Guidance in such situations. G
WARNING
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
the maneuvering range. Otherwise, they
could be injured.
! Pay particular attention to low objects or
objects with flat surfaces, such as trailer
drawbars, posts, cross beams and curbs.
These types of objects cannot be detected
by Parking Guidance and may damage the
vehicle.
When PARKTRONIC is deactivated, Parking
Guidance is also unavailable.
Use Parking Guidance for parking spaces:
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
R that are on straight roads, not bends
R that are on the same level as the road, i.e.
not on the pavement, for example. Parking
Guidance may not detect flat curbs
Parking tips:
R on narrow roads, drive past the parking
space as close as possible.
R parking spaces that are littered, overgrown
or partially occupied by trailer drawbars
might be identified incorrectly or not at all.
R snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately.
R pay attention to the PARKTRONIC
(Y page 351) warning messages during the
parking procedure. R
when transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle, you must not use Parking
Guidance.
R never use Parking Guidance with snow
chains or an emergency spare wheel
mounted.
R make sure that the tire pressures are
always correct. This has adirec teffect on
the steering instructions.
R the way you rvehicle is positioned in the
parking space after parkin gis dependent
on various factors. These include the
position and shape of the vehicles parked
in front and behind it and the conditions of
the location. In some cases, Parking
Guidance may guide you too far or not far
enough into a parking space. In some
cases, it may also lead you across or onto
the curb. If necessary, cancel the parking
procedure with Parking Guidance.
! If unavoidable, you should drive over
obstacles such as curbs slowly and not at
a sharp angle. Otherwise, you may damage
the wheels or tires.
Detecting aparking space 0002
Detected parking space on the left
0003 Parking symbol
0026 Detected parking space on the right
Parking Guidance is automatically activated
whe nyou drive forwards. The system is
operational at speeds of up to approximately
22 mph (35 km/h). While in operation, the
system independently locates and measures
parking spaces on both sides of the vehicle.
At speeds below 19 mph (30km/h), you see
white parking symbol 0003in the instrument
cluster as a status indicator. Parking 354
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Guidance only shows parking spaces on the
passenger side in the default setting. Parking
spaces on the driver's side are displayed as
soo nas the turn signal on the driver's side is
activated. To park on the driver's side, you
must leave the driver's side turn signal
switched on until you have engaged reverse
gear. If a parking space is detected, parking
symbol 0003changes to blue. Additionally, an
arrow pointing to the right 0026or left 0002is
shown.
Parking Guidance will only detect parking
spaces:
R that are closed in at the back
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
R that are at least 5 ft (1.5 m) wide
R that are at least 4.3 ft (1.3 m) longer than
your vehicle.
Ap arking space is displayed while you are
driving past it, and until you are
approximately 50 ft (15 m) away from it.
Parking The following instructions refer to parking in
a space on the front-passenger side. To park
in a space on the driver's side, mirror the
instructions. G
WARNING
The Parking Guidance is only an aid and may
no td etec tall obstacles. The Parking
Guidance does not relieve you of the
responsibility to pay attention. You are always
responsible for safety and must continue to
pay attention to your immediate surroundings
when parking and maneuvering. Otherwise,
you could endanger yourself and others. X
Stop the vehicle when the blue parking
space symbol shows the desired parking
space in the instrument cluster.
X Engage reverse gear.
The multifunction display shows the
message: Check surroundings Confirm with OK .
X Press 0011on the multifunction steering
wheel to confirm.
The display in the instrumen tcluster
switches to Parking Guidance. 0002
Green lane
0003 White bracket marking the target position
X Depending on the distance, you may have
to reverse along the lane towards the
parking space. This is indicated by green
lane 0002.
Continue backing up until you hear a tone.
Stop; the parking position has been
reached and is marked by white
bracket 0003with an arrow for the target
position. Driving systems
355Driving and parking Z

Steering tips
0002
Red lane indicating the route the vehicle
will take with the steering wheel in its
current position
0003 Yellow lane indicating the route the
vehicle will take whe nyou have turned the
steering wheel in the required direction
X Turn the steering wheel while the vehicle is
stationary until red lane 0002and yellow
lane 0003overlap.
Lane 0003is then marked in green and you
hear a tone. If the parking space is inside
the area displayed, the end of the green
lane is marked with a white bracket and an
arrow showing the target position.
Backing up into a parking space 0002
Lane turns green when the steering wheel
is turned in the correct direction
X Keep the steering wheel in that position
and reverse carefully.
X Stop as soon as you hear a tone.
The vehicle has reached the position in
which you need to countersteer. Countersteering
0002
Red lane indicating the route the vehicle
will take with the steerin gwheel in its
current position
0003 Yellow lane indicating the route the
vehicle will take when you have turned the
steering wheel in the required direction
X Turn the steering wheel while the vehicle is
stationary until red lane 0002and yellow
lane 0003overlap.
Lane 0003is then marked in green and you
hear a tone. Awhite arrow and white
bracket are shown to indicate the target
position.
Driving to the final position 0002
Lane turns green when the steering wheel
is turned in the correct direction
X Keep the steering wheel turned in that
direction and reverse carefully until you
have reached the final position.
The Parking Guidance finished message appears in the multifunction
display and a tone sounds.356
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Final position
Depending on the size of the parking space,
you may now be in an angled positio ninthe
parking space. If possible, Parking Guidance
will guide you as far back as possible towards
the rear limit of the parking space.
X Maneuver to the final position if necessary.
X Always observe the warning messages
displayed by PARKTRONIC (Y page 351).
Canceling Parking Guidance X
Press the PARKTRONIC button on the
dashboard (Y page 352).
Parking Guidance is canceled immediately
and PARKTRONIC is deactivated.
Parking Guidance is canceled automatically if
it is no longer possible to guide you into the
parking space, or if a malfunction occurs.
The parking space symbol goes out and a
warning tone sounds. The ParkingGuidance Canceled message appears in the
multifunction display. Rear view camera
Important safety notes The rear view camera is an optical parking aid.
It shows the area behind your vehicle in the
COMAND display. G
WARNING
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
the maneuvering range. Otherwise, they
could be injured. The rear view camera is located in the handle
strip of the trunk lid.
0002
Rear view camera
View through the camera The area behind the vehicle is displayed as a
mirror image, as in the rear view mirror.
G
WARNING
The rear view camera is only an aid and may
display obstacles
R from a distorted perspective
R inaccurately
R may not display obstacles at all
The rear view camera does not relieve you of
the responsibility to be cautious. Take care
and pay careful attention. The rear view
camera may not show objects which are
R very close to the rear bumper
R under the rear bumper
R above the trunk handle
You are responsible for safety at all times and
must continue to pay attention to the
immediate surroundings when parking and
maneuvering. This includes the area behind,
in front of, and beside the vehicle. Otherwise
you could endanger yourself and/or others. G
WARNING
The rear view camera will not function or will
not fully function if: Driving systems
357Driving and parking
Z

R
the trunk lid is open
R it is raining or snowing strongly or if it is
foggy
R it is night or if you are parking/
maneuvering your vehicle in a very dark
area
R a very bright white light is affecting the
camera
R the immediate vicinity is illuminated with
fluorescent light (the displa yofthe
COMAND system can flicker)
R temperature changes abruptly, for example
if you drive out of the cold into a heated
garage (condensation on the lens)
R the camera lens is dirty or covered
R the rear of your vehicle is damaged
In this case, have the position and the
setting of the camera checked at a
specialist workshop. Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you consult a Mercedes-
Benz Center for this purpose.
Do not use the rear view camera in these
situations. You could otherwise injure
yourself and other people and/or cause
damage -including damage to your vehicle -
while parking/maneuvering.
Activating the rear view camera X
Make sure tha tthe SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.
X Engage reverse gear.
The area behind the vehicle is shown in the
COMAND display with guide lines.
Guide lines in the COMAND display G
WARNING
Use of rear view camera can be dangerous if
you are color-blind or have impaired color
vision.
Only use rear view camera if you can see and
distinguish all colored guidelines shown by
rear view camera on the COMAND system
display. G
WARNING
Please note that objects that do not touch the
ground may appear to be further away than
they actually are, for example:
R the bumper of a vehicle parked behind you
R the trailer drawbar
R the ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
R the rear end of a truck
R a slanted post
In such cases, you should not use the guide
lines to judge the distance. You may misjudge
the distance, which increases the risk of
impacting the objects.
Even if the object you approach is directly on
the ground, do not approach the object any
closer than the red guide line. Example: information in the COMAND display
Guide lines
0003and 0026show the approximate
distance to the rear area. Yellow guide
line 0003indicates a distance of approximately
3 ft (1 m) and red guide line 0026indicates a
distance of approximately 10 in (0.25 m).The
distances only apply to objects that are at
ground level. Blue guide lines 0002depict the
width required for the vehicle. They are used
to align the vehicle with the edge of the road,
e.g. the curb. 358
Driving systemsDriving and parking