tow MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2014 W222 User Guide

Never tamper with the wiring as well as
electronic components or their software. You
should have all work to electrical and
electronic equipment carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop.
If you make any changes to the vehicle
electronics, the general operating permit is
rendered invalid.
! There is a risk of damage to the vehicle if:
R the vehicle becomes stuck, e.g. on a high
curb or an unpaved road
R you drive too fast over an obstacle, e.g.
a curb or a hole in the road
R a heavy object strikes the undercarriage
or parts of the chassis
In situations like this, the body, the
undercarriage, chassis parts, wheels or
tires could be damaged without the
damage being visible. Components
damaged in this way can unexpectedly fail
or, in the case of an accident, no longer
withstand the strain they are designed to.
In such situations, have the vehicle
checked and repaired immediately at a
qualified specialist workshop. If on
continuing your journey you notice that
driving safety is impaired, pull over and
stop the vehicle immediately, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. In
such cases, visit a qualified specialist
workshop. Declarations of conformity
Vehicle components which receive
and/or transmit radio waves USA:
"The wireless devices of this vehicle
comply with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: 1) These devices may not cause
harmful interference, and 2) These devices
must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the
party responsible for compliance could void
the user’s authority to operate the
equipment."
Canada:
"The wireless devices of this vehicle
comply with Industry Canada license-exempt
RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) These devices
may not cause interference, and (2) These
devices must accept any interference,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device." Diagnostics connection
The diagnostics connection is only intended
for the connection of diagnostic equipment at
a qualified specialist workshop. G
WARNING
If you connect equipment to the diagnostics
connection in the vehicle, it may affect the
operation of the vehicle systems. As a result,
the operating safety of the vehicle could be
affected. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not connect any equipment to a
diagnostics connection in the vehicle. G
WARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict the
pedal travel or obstruct a depressed pedal.
The operating and road safety of the vehicle
is jeopardized. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are
stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter
the driver's footwell. Install the floormats
securely and as specified in order to ensure
sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not use
loose floormats and do not place floormats on
top of one another.
! If the engine is switched off and
equipment on the diagnostics connection
is used, the starter battery may discharge.
Connecting equipment to the diagnostics
connection can lead to emissions monitoring
information being reset, for example. This 26
Introduction

Rear seats
i
Example: vehicles with Rear Seat
Entertainment System Function Page
0043
DVD player (see the
separate operating
instructions)
0044
Cigarette lighter 326
Socket
328 Function Page
0087
Cup holder 322
0085
Stowage compartment in
the rear seat armrest
319
0083
Stowage box in the seat
backrest
319
Coolbox 331Rear seats
41At a glance

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.
If the air bags are deployed, you will hear a
bang, and a small amount of powder may also
be released. Only in rare cases will the bang
affect your hearing. The powder that is
released generally does not constitute a
health hazard and does not indicate that there
is a fire in the vehicle. The dust might cause
some temporary breathing difficulty for
people with asthma or other breathing
trouble. To avoid this, you may wish to get out
of the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
You can also open the window to allow fresh
air to enter the vehicle interior. The 0075SRS
warning lamp lights up.
The air bags are deployed if the air bag control
unit detects the need for deployment. Only in
the event of such a situation will the air bags
provide their supplemental protection.
If the driver and front passenger do not wear
their seat belts, 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 passenger 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
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. i
After an air bag has been deployed, have
the vehicle towed to the nearest qualified
specialist workshop, even if your vehicle is
ready to drive.
Front air bags Driver's air bag
0043deploys in front of the
steering wheel; front-passenger front air
bag 0044deploys in front of and above the glove
box.
The front air bags increase protection for the
driver's and front passenger's head and
chest.
They are deployed:
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of vehicle acceleration or deceleration in a
longitudinal direction
R if the system determines that air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R independently of other air bags in the
vehicle
The release time of the front air bags is
dependent upon the use of the seat belt.
If the vehicle rolls over, the front air bags are
generally not deployed.
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 48
Occupant safetySafety

Important safety notes
The intervention of PRE-SAFE
®
PLUS cannot
prevent an imminent collision.
The driver is not warned when PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS intervenes.
PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS does not intervene:
R if the vehicle is backing up
R when the vehicle is towing a trailer and
there is a risk of a rear-end collision
PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS does not perform braking
actions while the vehicle is in motion or when
Parking Guidance is active.
Function PRE-SAFE
®
PLUS intervenes in certain
situations if the radar sensor system detects
an imminent head-on or rear-end collision.
PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS takes the following
measures depending on the hazardous
situation detected:
R If the radar sensor system detects that a
head-on collision is imminent, the seat
belts are pre-tensioned.
R If the radar sensor system detects that a
rear-end collision is imminent:
-the brake pressure is increased if the
driver applies the brakes when the
vehicle is stationary.
- the seat belts are pre-tensioned.
The PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS braking application is
canceled in the following situations:
R if the accelerator pedal is depressed when
a gear is engaged
R if the risk of a collision passes or is no
longer detected
R if DISTRONIC PLUS indicates an intention
to pull away
If the hazardous situation passes without
resulting in an accident, the original settings
are restored. Automatic measures after an
accident
Immediately after an accident, the following
measures are implemented, depending on
the type and severity of the impact:
R by activating the hazard warning lamps
R the emergency lighting is activated
R the vehicle doors are unlocked
R the front side windows are lowered
R the electrically adjustable steering wheel is
raised
R the engine is switched off
R vehicles with seat belt extenders: the
seat-belt buckles for the outer rear seats
are illuminated and extend forwards
R vehicles with mbrace: automatic
emergency call
R vehicles with the hybrid drive system:
the hybrid system is deactivated Seat belts
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Objects next to the front seat that block the
belt buckle or the moving belt anchorage on
the front seat impair the function of the
Emergency Tensioning Devices. The
Emergency Tensioning Devices may not
function as intended and the seat belt may no
longer provide the intended protection. This
poses an increased risk of injury or even fatal
injury.
Before starting the journey, make sure that
there are no objects around the belt buckle or
between the front seat and door. G
WARNING
The seat belt does not offer the intended level
of protection if the backrest is not in the
upright position. When braking or in the event
of an accident, you could slide underneath the
seat belt and sustain abdomen or neck Occupant safety
57Safety
Z

belt warning lamp flashes again if the vehicle
speed again exceeds 15 mph (25 km/h).
The 0076 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 0076seat
belt warning lamp, see "Warning and
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster,
seat belts" (Y page 302).
Emergency Tensioning Devices, seat
belt force limiters G
WARNING
Pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning Devices
that have been deployed are no longer
operational and are unable to perform their
intended protective function. This poses an
increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Therefore, have pyrotechnic Emergency
Tensioning Devices which have been
triggered immediately replaced at a qualified
specialist workshop.
! If the front-passenger seat is not
occupied, do not engage the seat belt
tongue in the buckle on the front-
passenger seat. Otherwise, in the event of
an accident the different stages of the
Emergency Tensioning Devices could be
triggered.
i An electric motor is used by PRE-SAFE ®
to trigger the tightening of the seat belt in
hazardous situations. This procedure is
reversible.
The front seat belts and the outer seat belts
in the rear are equipped with Emergency
Tensioning Devices 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.
If the seat belt is also equipped with a seat
belt force limiter and this is triggered, the
force exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle
occupant is reduced.
When triggered, seat belt force limiters help
to reduce the 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,
which absorb part of the deceleration force.
This results in the force exerted on the
occupant being 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 45)
R the front-passenger seat is occupied and
the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle on
the front-passenger side
R the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle on
each of the three-point seat belts in front
The ETDs on the outside seats in the rear
compartment are triggered independently of
the lock status of the seat belts.
The various stages of the Emergency
Tensioning Devices are triggered depending
on the type and severity of an accident:
R in the event of a head-on or rear-end
collision if the vehicle decelerates or
accelerates rapidly in a longitudinal
direction during the initial stages of the
impact.
R in the event of a side impact if the vehicle
decelerates or accelerates rapidly in a
lateral direction on the side opposite to the
impact.
R in certain situations where the vehicle rolls
over if the system determines that it can
provide additional protection. 62
Occupant safetySafety

of reacting to moving objects that have
already been recognized as such at least once
over the period of observation. Adaptive
Brake Assist does not react to stationary
obstacles. ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 70).
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between the tires and
the road surface.
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. 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.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System) i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 70).
ETS/4ETS traction control is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side. In addition, more drive torque is
transferred to the wheel or wheels with
traction.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further
driving safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident. Drive on carefully. Have ESP
®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: switch off the
ignition when the electric parking brake is
being tested on a brake dynamometer.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
Vehicles without 4MATIC: observe the notes
on ESP ®
(Y page 377) when towing the
vehicle with a raised rear axle.
ESP ®
is deactivated if the 00BBwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engine is running.
If the 00E5 warning lamp lights up
continuously, ESP ®
is not available due to a
malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 305) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 266).
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
Characteristics of ESP ® General information
If the
00E5 ESP warning lamp goes out before
beginning the journey, ESP ®
is automatically
active.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the 00E5ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any
circumstances.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the
prevailing road and weather conditions. 76
Driving safety systemsSafety

driver's door had been previously
unlocked
Automatic locking feature
X
To disarm: press and hold button 0043for
about five seconds until a tone sounds.
X To arm: press and hold button 0044for about
five seconds until a tone sounds.
i If you press one of the two buttons and
do not hear a tone, the relevant setting has
already been selected.
The vehicle is locked automatically when the
ignition is switched on and the wheels are
turning.
You could therefore be locked out if:
R the vehicle is being pushed.
R the vehicle is being towed.
R the vehicle is on a roller dynamometer.
i You can switch the automatic locking
function on and off using COMAND (see the
separate operating instructions). Power closing
Power closing pulls the doors and trunk lid
into their locks automatically even if they are
only partly closed. X
To power close a door: push the door into
the lock up to the first detent position.
Power closing will pull the door fully closed.
X To power close the trunk lid: lightly push
the trunk lid closed.
The power closing function pulls the trunk
lid closed. Unlocking the driver's door
(mechanical key)
If the vehicle can no longer be locked or
unlocked with the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO,
use the mechanical key.
X Take the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (Y page 86).
X Insert the mechanical key into the lock of
the driver's door as far as it will go. X
Turn the mechanical key counter-clockwise
as far as it will go to position 0047and hold
it in this position.
The locking knob pops up and the door
unlocks.
X Turn the mechanical key back and remove
it.
X Insert the mechanical key into the
SmartKey.
If you use the mechanical key to unlock and
open the driver's door, the anti-theft alarm
system will be triggered. Switch off the alarm
(Y page 81). 92
DoorsOpening and closing

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Read the information on qualified
specialist workshops: (Y page 27).Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle
Important safety notes
The sensors of certain drive and driving safety
systems automatically reset during driving for
a certain distance after the vehicle has been
delivered or after repairs have been carried
out. Complete system effectiveness is
reached only after completion of this teach-
in procedure.
New and replaced brake pads and discs only
reach their optimum braking effect after
several hundred kilometers of driving.
Compensate for this by applying greater force
to the brake pedal. The first 1000 miles(1500 km)
The more you look after the engine when it is
new, the more satisfied you will be with its
performance in the future.
R You should therefore drive at varying
vehicle and engine speeds for the first
1000 miles (1500 km).
R Avoid heavy loads, e.g. driving at full
throttle, during this period.
R When shifting gears manually, upshift in
good time, before the tachometer needle
reaches 00C3of the way to the red area of the
tachometer. R
Do not manually shift to a lower gear to
brake the vehicle.
R Try to avoid depressing the accelerator
pedal beyond the point of resistance
(kickdown).
R All vehicles (except AMG vehicles):
ideally, for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km),
drive in program E.
After 1000 miles (1500 km), you can increase
the engine speed gradually and accelerate
the vehicle to full speed.
Additional breaking-in notes for AMG
vehicles:
R Do not drive faster than 85 mph
(140 km/h) for the first 1,000 miles
(1,500 km).
R Only allow the engine to reach a maximum
engine speed of 4,500 rpm briefly.
R Change gear in good time.
R Ideally, for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km),
drive in program C.
You should also observe these notes on
breaking in if the engine or parts of the drive
train on your vehicle have been replaced.
Always observe the respective speed limits. Driving
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict the
pedal travel or obstruct a depressed pedal.
The operating and road safety of the vehicle
is jeopardized. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are
stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter
the driver's footwell. Install the floormats
securely and as specified in order to ensure
sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not use
loose floormats and do not place floormats on
top of one another. 170
DrivingDriving and parking

X
If the transmission is in position Dor N:
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the
first point of resistance.
X If the transmission is in position P: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT
SELECT lever up past the first point of
resistance.
i The ECO start/stop function is not
available when reverse gear is engaged.
Further information on the ECO start/stop
function ( Ypage 175).
Shifting to neutral N G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
R open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
R get out and disrupt traffic.
R operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake.
R shifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P
R Start the engine.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children.
X If the transmission is in position Dor R:
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down
to the first point of resistance.
X If the transmission is in position P: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT
SELECT lever up or down to the first point
of resistance.
If the engine has been switched off, the
automatic transmission automatically shifts
to N. If the automatic transmission is to remain in
neutral
N, e.g. for washing the vehicle in car
washes with a towing device, please observe
the following instructions:
Using the SmartKey:
R Make sure that the ignition is switched on.
R When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
R Shift to neutral N.
R Release the brake pedal.
R If the electric parking brake is engaged,
release it.
R Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
With the Start/Stop button:
R Make sure that the ignition is switched on.
R When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
R Engage park position P.
R Release the brake pedal.
R Pull the Start/Stop button out of the
ignition.
R Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
R Switch on the ignition.
R Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
R Shift to neutral N.
R Release the brake pedal.
R If the electric parking brake is engaged,
release it.
R Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
Engaging drive position D X
If the transmission is in position Ror N:
push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past
the first point of resistance.
X If the transmission is in position P: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT
SELECT lever down past the first point of
resistance. 180
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

0044
Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to
N
while driving. Otherwise, the
automatic transmission could be
damaged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty:
shift the transmission to position
N if the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
! Rolling in neutral Ncan damage
the drive train. 003A
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.
Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts to the
individual gears automatically when it is in
transmission position D. This automatic
gearshifting behavior is determined by:
R the selected drive program E/S(drive
programs C/Son the AMG vehicles)
(Y page 182)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed Driving tips
Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X
Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a
lower gear depending on the engine speed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Rocking the vehicle free Rocking the vehicle free by shifting back and
forth between transmission positions
Dand
R can help to free a vehicle that has become
stuck in mud or snow. The vehicle's engine
management restricts switching between
transmission positions Dand Rto speeds up
to a maximum of 5 mph (9 km/h). To shift
back and forth between transmission
positions Dand R, move the DIRECT SELECT
selector lever up and down past the point of
resistance. Program selector button
X
All vehicles (except AMG vehicles):
press program selector button 0043to
change the drive program.
The selected drive program appears in the
multifunction display. 182
Automatic transmissionDriving an
d parking