engine MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS 2016 Owners Manual

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment of
your vehicle available at the time of publica-
tion of the Operator's Manual. Country-spe-
cific 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 28).
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If you operate information systems and com-
munication equipment integrated in the vehi-
cle while driving, you will be distracted from
traffic conditions. You could also lose control
of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Only operate the equipment when the traffic
situation permits. If you are not sure that this
is possible, park the vehicle paying attention
to traffic conditions and operate the equip-
ment when the vehicle is stationary.
You must observe the legal requirements for the
country in which you are currently driving when
operating the on-board computer.
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles only:
G WARNING
If the instrument cluster has failed or mal-
functioned, you may not recognize function
restrictions in systems relevant to safety. The
operating safety of your vehicle may be
impaired. There is a risk of an accident.
Pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
All vehicles, except PLUG-IN HYBRID vehi-
cles:
G WARNING
If the instrument cluster has failed or mal-
functioned, you may not recognize function
restrictions in systems relevant to safety. The operating safety of your vehicle may be
impaired. There is a risk of an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have the vehicle checked
at a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately.
If the operating safety of your vehicle is
impaired, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so.
Contact a qualified specialist workshop.
The on-board computer only shows messages or
warnings from certain systems in the multifunc-
tion display. You should therefore make sure
your vehicle is operating safely at all times.
For an overview, see the instrument panel illus-
tration ( Y
page 33).
Displays and operation
Instrument cluster lighting The light sensor in the instrument cluster auto-
matically controls the brightness of the multi-
function display. In daylight, the displays in the
instrument cluster are illuminated. A dimming
function is not possible in daylight.
The lighting in the instrument cluster, in the dis-
plays and the controls in the vehicle interior can
be adjusted using the brightness control knob.
The brightness control is located between the
instrument cluster and the multimedia system
display ( Y
page 35). X
Turn the brightness control knob clockwise or
counter-clockwise.
If you turn the light switch ( Y
page 130) to the
` , X or X position, the brightness
will depend upon the brightness of the ambi-
ent light.
Tachometer
! Do not drive in the overrevving range, as this
could damage the engine.
The red band in the tachometer indicates the
engine's overrevving range.
The fuel supply is interrupted to protect the
engine when the red band is reached.
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: if you select the oper-
ating mode E-MODE , the display in the instru-
ment cluster changes from tachometer to power
meter ( Y
page 242).256
Displays and operation
On-board computer and displays

Outside temperature display You should pay special attention to road condi-
tions when temperatures are around freezing
point.
Bear in mind that the outside temperature dis-
play indicates the temperature measured and
does not record the road temperature.
The outside temperature display is in the multi-
function display ( Y
page 258).
There is a short delay before a change in outside
temperature is shown in the multifunction dis-
play.
Coolant temperature display
G WARNING
Opening the hood when the engine is over-
heated or when there is a fire in the engine
compartment could expose you to hot gases
or other service products. There is a risk of
injury.
Let an overheated engine cool down before
opening the hood. If there is a fire in the
engine compartment, keep the hood closed
and contact the fire department.
! A display message is shown if the coolant
temperature is too high.
If the coolant temperature is above 257 ‡
(125 †) do not drive any further. The engine
will otherwise be damaged.
All vehicles except PLUG ‑ IN HYBRID vehicles:
the coolant temperature gauge is in the lower
area of the tachometer ( Y
page 33).
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: the multifunction dis-
play shows the coolant temperature in the
Coolant submenu ( Y
page 269).
Under normal operating conditions and with the
specified coolant level, the coolant temperature
may rise to 255 ‡ (124 †). Operating the on-board computer
C
Multifunction display D
Right control panel

G WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer sta-
bilizes the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the follow-
ing situations: R
when using snow chains R
in deep snow R
on sand or gravel
For further information about ESP ®
, see
( Y
page 73). X
Start the engine. X
Press the

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
I (USA
only)
$ ( Canada
only)
Parkin g Brake Inop‐
erativ e The yellow $ warning lamp lights up. The red I (US A only)
or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes for about te n seconds
after th e electric parking brak e has been applie d or released. It then
goe s out or remain s lit .
The electric parking brak e is malfunctioning , e.g. because of over-
voltag e or undervoltage. X
Remove th e caus e for th e overvoltage or undervoltage, e.g. by
charging th e battery or restarting th e engine.X
Engage or release th e electric parking brake.
If it remain s impossible to apply or release th e electric parking brake:X
Switc h off th e ignition and tur n it bac k on .X
Engage or release th e electric parking brake.
If th e electric parking brak e still canno t be released:X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .
If th e electric parking brak e still canno t be applied:X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
The yellow $ warning lamp lights up and th e red I (US A only)
or $ (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes .
It is no t possibl e to apply th e electric parking brak e manually.X
Shift th e transmission to position P .X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
' (USA
only)
M ( Canada
only)
Check Brake Fluid
Level There is no t enough brak e flui d in th e brak e fluid reservoir .
In addition , th e ' (US A only) or M (Canada only) warning lamp
lights up in th e instrumen t cluste r and a warning tone sounds.
G WARNIN G
The braking effec t may be impaired.
There is a ris k of an accident.X
Pull ove r and stop th e vehicl e safely as soo n as possible, payin g
attention to roa d and traffic conditions. Do no t continu e drivin g
under any circumstances. X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 189).X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .X
Do no t add brak e fluid . This does no t correc t th e malfunction .
& Check Brake Pad Wea r The brak e pads/linings hav e reached their wear limit.
US A only: th e red ' brak e system warning lamp also lights up while
th e engin e is running. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
S Inoperative On e or mor e main features of th e mbrace system are malfunctioning .X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .Display messages 28 3
On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Collision Preven ‐
tio n Assist Plu s
Currently Unavaila‐
ble See Operator' s
Manual COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU S is temporarily no t operational.
Possibl e causes are: R
th e radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to elec -
tromagneti c radiation emitted by nearby TV or radi o station s or
other source s of electromagneti c radiation .R
th e system is outside th e operating temperature range.R
th e on-boar d voltag e is to o low.
Whe n th e causes state d abov e no longer apply, th e display message
disappears.
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU S is operational again .
If th e display message does no t disappear :X
Pull ove r and stop th e vehicl e safely as soo n as possible, payin g
attention to roa d and traffic conditions.X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 189).X
Restart th e engine.
Collision Preven ‐
tio n Assist Plu s
Inoperative COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU S is temporarily inoperative due
to a malfunction . Adaptive Brake Assis t may also hav e failed.X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
PRE-SAFE Inopera‐
tiv e See Operator' s
Manual Importan t function s of PRE-SAF E ®
hav e failed. Al l other occupant
safet y systems , e.g. air bags , remain available.X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
PRE-SAFE Functions
Currently Limite d
See Operator' s Man ‐
ual PRE ‑ S AF E ®
PLU S or PRE ‑ SAFE ®
Brake is temporarily inoperative.
Possibl e causes are: R
function is impaire d due to heav y rain or snow.R
th e radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to elec -
tromagneti c radiation emitted by nearby TV or radi o station s or
other source s of electromagneti c radiation .R
th e system is outside th e operating temperature range.R
th e on-boar d voltag e is to o low.
Whe n th e causes state d abov e no longer apply, th e display message
disappears.
PRE ‑ SAFE ®
PLU S and PRE ‑ SAFE ®
Brake are operational again .
If th e display message does no t disappear :X
Pull ove r and stop th e vehicl e safely as soo n as possible, payin g
attention to roa d and traffic conditions.X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 189).X
Restart th e engine.
PRE-SAFE Functions
Limite d See Opera‐
tor's Manual PRE ‑ S AF E ®
PLU S or PRE ‑ SAFE ®
Brake is unavailable due to a mal-
function . BA S PLU S wit h Cross-Traffic Assis t may also hav e failed.X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.284
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Radar Sensor s Dirty
See Operator' s Man ‐
ual At least on e of th e followin g drivin g systems or drivin g safet y systems
is temporarily restricted or inoperative: R
PRE-SAF E ®
PLU SR
PRE-SAF E ®
BrakeR
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLU SR
Active Lan e Keepin g Assis tR
Active Blind Spot Assis tR
DISTRONI C PLU S wit h Steering Assis t and Stop&Go Pilo t
If th e radar sensor system in fron t is dirty, Active Blind Spot Assis t will
no t perfor m a course-correcting brak e application .
Possibl e causes are: R
th e sensor s in th e radiato r trim and/o r in th e bumpers are dirtyR
th e function of th e drivin g system and/o r drivin g safet y system is
impaire d due to heav y rain or snow.
A warning tone also sounds.
Whe n th e causes state d abov e no longer apply, th e display message
disappears. Al l drivin g systems and drivin g safet y systems are oper -
ative again .
If th e display message does no t disappear :X
Pull ove r and stop th e vehicl e safely as soo n as possible, payin g
attention to roa d and traffic conditions.X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 189).X
Switc h off th e engine.X
Clean th e sensor s in th e followin g location s ( Y
page 362):R
in th e radiato r trimR
in th e fron t bumper R
in th e rear bumper, particularly in th e middle of th e rear bumperX
Restart th e engine.
The display message disappears.
Check Lef t Rea r
Bel t See Operator' s
Manual or Check
Right Rea r Bel t See
Operator' s Manual The seat belt buckl e extender on th e right or lef t of th e rear compart-
men t is no t in th e predefine d position . The belt strap may be jammed
in th e belt tongue.
G WARNIN G
If th e seat belt buckl e extender is no t in th e predefine d position , th e
seat belt canno t provid e th e intended level of protection .
There is an increased ris k of injury.X
Pull ove r and stop th e vehicl e safely as soo n as possible, payin g
attention to roa d and traffic conditions.X
Releas e th e jamming.X
Repeat th e seat belt fastenin g procedure .Display messages 28 5
On-board computer and displays Z

Engine Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
= See Operator' s Man ‐
ual The battery is no t bein g charged.
A warning tone also sounds.
Possibl e causes are: R
a defective alternato rR
defective powe r electronics (PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles)R
a torn poly-V-belt R
a malfunction in th e electronics
! Do no t continu e driving. The engin e could otherwise overheat.X
Pull ove r and stop th e vehicl e safely and switch off th e engine, pay-
ing attention to roa d and traffic conditions.X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 189).X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .
= Sto p Vehicl e See
Operator' s Manual The battery is no longer bein g charged and th e battery charg e level is
to o low.
A warning tone also sounds. X
Pull ove r and stop th e vehicl e safely and switch off th e engine, pay-
ing attention to roa d and traffic conditions.X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 189).X
Observ e th e instruction s in th e = See Operator' s Manual
display message .X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop .
= Sto p Vehicl e Leave
Engine Runnin g The battery charg e level is to o low.X
Pull ove r and stop th e vehicl e safely as soo n as possible, payin g
attention to roa d and traffic conditions. Do no t continu e drivin g
under any circumstances. X
Leav e th e engin e running.X
Wait until th e display message disappear s before pullin g away.
= Start Engine See
Operator' s Manual The engin e is switched off and th e battery charg e level is to o low.X
Switc h off electrical consumer s that you do no t need, suc h as th e
rear window defroste r and interior lighting .X
Leav e th e engin e runnin g for a few minute s or drive a lon g distance.
The battery is bein g charged.Display messages 29 5
On-board computer and displays Z

Hybrid drive system Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
r Vehicle Operational
Switch the Ignition
Off Before Exiting PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles:
You are leaving the vehicle when it is in a ready-to-drive state. The
READY indicator in the multifunction display is on. A warning tone also
sounds.
If you leave the vehicle: X
Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Y
page 189).X
Switch off the ignition and remove the SmartKey.
If you do not leave the vehicle: X
Switch off the electrical consumers, e.g. automatic climate control,
seat heating.
Please note the following: the electrical consumers are supplied by the
12 V battery. If the vehicle is left in a ready-to-drive state for an exten-
ded period, it will switch off once the 12 V battery is almost empty. It
will then only be possible to start the vehicle using a second battery
(jump-starting).
Change the current
drive program
before changing the
operating mode. or
Exit manual drive
program M before
changing the operat‐
ing mode. PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles:
You have attempted to change the operating mode when in automatic
drive program S (Sport) or manual drive program M .X
Activate the drive program E (Economy) or E+ (Economy Plus)
( Y
page 250). X
Select the preferred operating mode HYBRID , E-MODE , E-SAVE or
CHARGE ( Y
page 243).
E-MODE Currently
Unavailable PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles:
The condition of charge of the high-voltage battery has dropped to the
lower limit and the E-MODE operating mode has been switched off.
Driving with the internal combustion engine is activated and the oper-
ating mode switches to the basic HYBRID setting.X
Continue driving using the internal combustion engine.
You can switch to the E-SAVE or CHARGE operating mode as
required ( Y
page 243).
If you select CHARGE , the high-voltage battery is charged.
Once the charge level display for the high-voltage battery has
increased slightly, you can switch to the E-MODE operating mode
again. Display messages 297
On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
Onl y E-MODE Availa ‐
ble Power Limite d
Refuel Immediately PLUG-I N HYBRID vehicles:
The fuel tan k has been run dry and th e combustion engin e has been
switched off .
A warning tone also sounds.
The vehicl e will be powered by electrical energ y only. Performance is
restricted and th e vehicl e may accelerate mor e slowly than normal.X
Refue l at th e neares t gas station without fail .
In th e "Total range and electric range" menu, you can display th e
approximat e range of th e vehicl e ( Y
page 248).
Engine wil l not
restar t Servic e
required You canno t start th e engin e again due to a malfunction .
A warning tone also sounds.
If th e engin e is running:X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop .
If you switch off th e engine:X
Secur e th e vehicl e against rollin g away ( Y
page 189).X
Notify a qualified specialist workshop or breakdown service.
á Towing Not Permit ‐
ted See Operator' s
Manual The hybrid drive system is faulty. X
Hav e th e vehicl e transporte d on a transporte r or trailer to th e near-
est qualified specialist workshop .