tow MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2014 W222 Owner's Guide

If DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist is
activated but is not ready for a steering
intervention, steering wheel symbol 0043
appears in gray. If the system provides you
with support by means of steering
interventions, symbol 0043is shown in green.
Deactivating Steering Assist X
Press button 0044.
Indicator lamp 0043goes out. The DTR+: DTR+:
Steering
Steering Assist.
Assist.Off
Offmessage appears
in the multifunction display. Steering Assist
is deactivated.
When DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated,
DISTRONIC PLUS Steering Assist is
deactivated automatically. HOLD function
General notes The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
R when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when maneuvering on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away. Important safety notes G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away
despite being braked by the HOLD function if:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
R the HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
R the electrical system in the engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
Further information on deactivating the HOLD
function ( Ypage 213).
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if all of
the following conditions are fulfilled:
R the vehicle is stationary.
R the engine is running or if it has been
automatically switched off by the ECO
start/stop function.
R the driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened.
R the electric parking brake is released.
R the transmission is in position D,Ror N.
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated. 212
Driving systemsDriving and parking

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. Select
comfort mode also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. on straight stretches of
freeway.
X If indicator lamp 0044
0044 is not lit: press
button 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044lights up. Comfort tuning
is selected.
All vehicles except AMG vehicles: the
AIRMATIC COMFORT AIRMATIC COMFORT message appears in
the multifunction display.
AMG vehicles: theAMG Suspension
AMG Suspension
System COMFORT
System COMFORT message appears in the
multifunction display.
If the driving speed is higher than 75 mph
(120 km/h), the vehicle is automatically
lowered by another 0.4 in (10 mm) compared
to the normal level in comfort mode.
Load compensation The vehicle can compensate differences in
the vehicle level by raising or lowering the
axles. This is the case, for example, if people
get out or if luggage is being loaded.
Load compensation takes place if:
R a door or the trunk lid is opened
R the parked vehicle is unlocked
For larger level changes, the engine must be
running. 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
insufficient grip.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC
can neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot
take account of road, weather and traffic
conditions. 4MATIC is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in your lane.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip:
R Only depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
R Accelerate less when driving.
! 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 PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It monitors the area
around your vehicle using six sensors in the
front bumper and six sensors in the rear
bumper. PARKTRONIC indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always 218
Driving systemsDriving and parking

0043
Detected parking space on the left
0044 Parking symbol
0087 Detected parking space on the right
Active Parking Assist is switched on
automatically when driving 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.
Active Parking Assist will only detect parking
spaces:
R that are parallel or at right-angles to the
direction of travel
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
and at least 59 in (1.5 m) wide
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
and at least 39.5 in (1.0 m) longer than your
vehicle
R that are at right-angles to the direction of
travel and at least 39.5 in (1.0 m) wider
than your vehicle
i Note that Active Parking Assist cannot
measure the length of a parking space if it
is at right angles to the direction of travel.
You will need to judge whether your vehicle
will fit in the parking space.
When driving at speeds below 19 mph
(30 km/h), you will see parking symbol as a
status indicator in the instrument cluster.
When a parking space has been detected, an
arrow towards the right or the left also
appears. By default, Active Parking Assist
only displays parking spaces on the front- passenger side. Parking spaces on the
driver's side are displayed as soon as the turn
signal on the driver's side is activated. When
parking on the driver's side, this must remain
switched on until you acknowledge the use of
Active Parking Assist by pressing the
0076
button on the multifunction steering wheel.
The system automatically determines
whether the parking space is parallel or at
right-angles to the direction of travel.
A parking space is displayed while you are
driving past it, and until you are
approximately 50 ft (15 m) away from it.
Parking G
WARNING
If you leave the vehicle when it is only being
braked by Active Parking Assist it could roll
away if:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
R the electrical system in the engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected.
R the accelerator pedal has been depressed,
e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
There is a risk of an accident.
Before leaving the vehicle, always secure it
against rolling away.
i When PARKTRONIC detects obstacles,
Active Parking Assist brakes automatically
during the parking process. You are
responsible for braking in good time.
X Stop the vehicle when the parking space
symbol shows the desired parking space in
the instrument cluster.
X Shift the transmission to position R.
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
0038 message appears in the multifunction
display. Driving systems
223Driving and parking Z

For technical reasons, the flap may remain
open briefly after the rear view camera has
been deactivated.
Activating/deactivating the rear view
camera X
To activate: make sure that the SmartKey
is in position 2in the ignition lock.
X Make sure that the Activation by R
Activation by R
gear
gear function is selected in COMAND (see
the separate operating instructions).
X Engage reverse gear.
The rear view camera flap opens. The area
behind the vehicle is shown in the
COMAND display with guide lines.
The image from the rear view camera is
available throughout the maneuvering
process.
To deactivate: the rear view camera
deactivates if you shift the transmission to P
or after driving forwards a short distance.
Displays in the COMAND display The rear view camera may show a distorted
view of obstacles, show them incorrectly or
not at all. The rear view camera does not show
objects in the following positions:
R very close to the rear bumper
R under the rear bumper
R in the area immediately above the tailgate
handle
! Objects not at ground level may appear to
be further away than they actually are, e.g.:
R the bumper of a parked vehicle
R the drawbar of a trailer
R the ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
R the rear section of an HGV
R a slanted post
Use the guidelines only for orientation.
Approach objects no further than the
bottom-most guideline. 0043
Yellow guide line at a distance of
approximately 13 ft (4.0 m) from the rear
of the vehicle
0044 White guide line without turning the
steering wheel, vehicle width including
the exterior mirrors (static)
0087 Yellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
0085 Yellow lane marking tires at current
steering wheel angle (dynamic) 0083
Yellow guide line at a distance of
approximately 3 ft (1.0 m) from the rear
of the vehicle
0084 Vehicle center axle (marker assistance)
006B Bumper
006C Red guide line at a distance of
approximately 12 in (0.30 m) from the
rear of the vehicle
The guide lines are shown when the
transmission is in position R.
The distance specifications only apply to
objects that are at ground level. Driving systems
227Driving and parking Z

X
Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.
X Make sure that the Activation by R
Activation by R
gear
gear function is selected in COMAND (see
the separate operating instructions).
X To show the 360° camera image: engage
reverse gear.
The area behind the vehicle is shown in the
COMAND display in split-screen mode. You
see the top view of the vehicle and the
image from the rear view camera.
Selecting the split-screen and full
screen displays Switching between split screen views:
X
To switch to the line with the vehicle icons:
slide the controller 00970052.
X To select a vehicle icon: turn the controller.
Switching to full screen mode:
X Turn and press the controller to select
Fullscreen
Fullscreen.
i The full screen option is only available in
the following views:
R Top view with picture from the rear view
camera
R Top view with picture from the front
camera
Displays in the COMAND display Important safety notes
The camera system may show a distorted
view of obstacles, show them incorrectly or
not at all. Obstacles are not shown by the
system in the following locations:
R under the front and rear bumpers
R very close to the front and rear bumpers
R in close range above the handle on the
trunk lid
R very close to the exterior mirrors
R in the transitional areas between the
various cameras in the virtual top view !
Objects not at ground level may appear to
be further away than they actually are, e.g.:
R the bumper of a parked vehicle
R the drawbar of a trailer
R the ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
R the rear section of an HGV
R a slanted post
Use the guidelines only for orientation.
Approach objects no further than the
bottom-most guideline.
Top view with picture from the rear view
camera 0043
Yellow guide line at a distance of
approximately 13 ft (4.0 m) from the rear
of the vehicle
0044 Symbol for the split screen setting with
top view and rear view camera image
0087 Guide line for the maximum steering angle
0085 Yellow lane marking tires at current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
0083 Yellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic) 232
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Problems with Night View Assist
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions The picture quality of
Night View Assist Plus
has deteriorated. The windshield is fogged up on the inside.
X Fold down camera cover (Y page 359).
X Defrost the windshield (Y page 162). The windshield is iced up.
X
De-ice the windshield (Y page 161). The windshield wipers are smearing the windshield.
X
Replace the wiper blades (Y page 147). The windshield is smeared after the vehicle has been cleaned in a
car wash.
X
Clean the windshield (Y page 357). There is windshield chip damage in the camera's field of vision.
X Replace the windshield. The pedestrian and
animal recognition is
not available. The infrared camera in the radiator grill is dirty.
X
Use a soft cloth and water to clean the infrared camera. Driving Assistance PLUS package
General notes The Active Driving Assistance PLUS package
consists of DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 201),
Active Blind Spot Assist (Y page 240) and
Active Lane Keeping Assist (Y page 243).
Active Blind Spot Assist General notes
Active Blind Spot Assist uses a radar sensor
system, pointed toward the rear of the
vehicle, to monitor the area to the sides of the
vehicle which the driver is unable to see. A
warning display in the exterior mirrors draws
your attention to vehicles detected in the
monitored area. If you then switch on the
corresponding turn signal to change lane, you
will also receive an optical and audible
warning. If a risk of lateral collision is detected, corrective braking may help you
avoid a collision. Active Blind Spot Assist
evaluates the free space in the direction of
travel and to the side before making a course-
correcting brake application. For this, Active
Blind Spot Assist uses radar sensors which
are pointed in the direction of travel.
Active Blind Spot Assist supports you from a
speed of approximately 20 mph (30 km/h).
Important safety notes
Active Blind Spot Assist is only an aid and is
not a substitute for attentive driving.
G
WARNING
Active Blind Spot Assist does not react to:
R vehicles overtaken too closely on the side,
placing them in the blind spot area
R vehicles which approach with a large speed
differential and overtake your vehicle 240
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Change of direction without lane
recommendation
0043
Road into which the change of direction
leads
0044 Distance to change of direction and visual
distance display
0087 Change-of-direction symbol
When a change of direction is to be made, you
will see symbol 0087for the change of direction
and distance graphic 0044. The distance
indicator shortens towards the top of the
display as you approach the point of the
announced change of direction. The change
of direction starts once the distance display
reaches zero.
Change of direction with lane
recommendation 0043
Road into which the change of direction
leads
0044 Distance to change of direction and visual
distance display
0087 Change-of-direction symbol
0085 Lane recommendation Other status indicators of the
navigation system
0043
Additional information
Other possible additional information:
R New Route... New Route... orCalculating Route
Calculating Route: a
new route is being calculated.
R Road Not Mapped
Road Not Mapped : the vehicle position is
inside the area of the digital map but the
road is not recognized, e.g. off-road
position.
R No Route No Route : no route could be calculated to
the selected destination.
R 004B: You have reached the destination or an
intermediate destination. Radio menu
0043
Waveband
0044 Station frequency with memory position
0087 Name of artist
0085 Name of track
0083 Genre 254
Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions The yellow
0024warning lamp and the red 0049(USA
only)/ 0024(Canada only) indicator lamp light up.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning.
To release:
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Release the electric parking brake manually.
or
X Release the electric parking brake automatically ( Ypage 192).
If the electric parking brake still cannot be released:
X Do not drive on.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The red
0049(USA only)/ 0024(Canada only) indicator lamp
flashes and the yellow 0024warning lamp lights up.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning.
To release:
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Release the electric parking brake manually.
To apply:
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Apply the electric parking brake manually.
If the red 0049(USA only)/ 0024(Canada only) indicator lamp
continues to flash:
X Do not drive on.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Ypage 408).
X Shift the transmission to P.
X Turn the front wheels towards the curb.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. 270
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays

Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
Safety
Seat belts Warning/
indicator
lamp 0051 0051
Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and 0050
0050Solutions 00E9
0051
After starting the engine, the red seat belt warning lamp lights up for
6 seconds.
The seat belt warning lamp reminds the driver and front passenger to fasten
their seat belts.
X Fasten your seat belt (Y page 59).00E9
0051
After starting the engine, the red seat belt warning lamp lights up. In
addition, a warning tone sounds for up to 6 seconds.
The driver's seat belt is not fastened.
X Fasten your seat belt (Y page 59).
The warning tone ceases. 00E9
0051
The red seat belt warning lamp lights up after the engine starts, as soon as
the driver's or the front-passenger door is closed.
The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt.
X Fasten your seat belt (Y page 59).
The warning lamp goes out.
There are objects on the front-passenger seat.
X Remove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow them in a
secure place.
The warning lamp goes out. 00E9
0051
The red seat belt warning lamp flashes and an intermittent audible warning
sounds.
The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt. The vehicle is
being driven faster than 15 mph (25 km/h) or has briefly been driven faster
than 15 mph (25 km/h).
X Fasten your seat belt (Y page 59).
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent warning tone ceases.
There are objects on the front-passenger seat. The vehicle is being driven
faster than 15 mph (25 km/h) or has briefly been driven faster than 15 mph
(25 km/h).
X Remove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow them in a
secure place.
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent warning tone ceases. 302
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Useful information
............................316
Stowage areas .................................. 316
Features ............................................. 322 315Stowage and features