ignition MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS 2017 Owner's Guide

Exterior lighting
General notes USA only: if you wish to drive during the daytime
without lights, switch off the Daytime Run‐
ning Lights function via the on-board com-
puter ( Y
page 225).
Setting the exterior lighting
Setting options Exterior lighting can be set using: R
the light switch ( Y
page 124)R
the combination switch ( Y
page 125)R
the on-board computer ( Y
page 225)
Light switch Operation
G c
Left-hand standing lampsH d
Right-hand standing lampsI `
Parking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lightingJ X
Automatic headlamp mode, controlled
by the light sensor
K X
Low-beam/high-beam headlamps
If you hear a warning tone when you leave the
vehicle, the lights may still be switched on. X
Turn the light switch to the X position.
The exterior lighting (except the parking/stand-
ing lamps) switches off automatically if you: R
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock R
open the driver's door with the SmartKey in
position 0 in the ignition lock Automatic headlamp mode
G WARNING
When the light switch is set to X , the low-
beam headlamps may not be switched on
automatically if there is fog, snow or other
causes of poor visibility due to the weather
conditions such as spray. There is a risk of an
accident.
In such situations, turn the light switch to
X .
The automatic headlamp feature is only an aid.
The driver is responsible for the vehicle's light-
ing at all times.
X is the favored light switch setting.
The light setting is automatically selected
according to the brightness of the ambient light,
but not in the event of poor visibility due to
weather conditions such as fog, snow or spray. R
With the SmartKey in position 1 in the ignition
lock, the parking lamps are switched on or off
automatically depending on the brightness of
the ambient light. R
USA only: if you have switched on the Day‐
time Running Lights function via the on-
board computer, and the engine is running,
the daytime running lamps or the parking
lamps and low-beam headlamps are switched
on or off automatically depending on the
ambient light. R
Canada only: depending on the ambient light,
the daytime running lamps or the parking and
low-beam headlamps are switched on/off
automatically when the engine is running. X
To switch on the automatic headlamps:
turn the light switch to the X position.
USA only: The daytime running lamps improve
the visibility of your vehicle during the day. Here,
the Daytime Running Lights function must
be switched on via the on-board computer
( Y
page 225).
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to the ` or X position, the manual
settings take precedence over the daytime run-
ning lamps.
Canada only: The daytime running lamps
improve the visibility of your vehicle during the
day. The daytime running lamps function is
required by law in Canada. It cannot therefore
be deactivated.124
Exterior lighting
Lights and windshield wipers

When the engine is running and the vehicle is
stationary: if you move the selector lever from a
driving position to P , the daytime running lamps
and low-beam headlamps go out after three
minutes.
When the engine is running, the vehicle is sta-
tionary and in bright ambient light: if you turn the
light switch to the ` position, the daytime
running lamps and parking lamps switch on.
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to the X position, the manual settings
take precedence over the daytime running
lamps.
Low-beam headlamps
G WARNING
When the light switch is set to X , the low-
beam headlamps may not be switched on
automatically if there is fog, snow or other
causes of poor visibility due to the weather
conditions such as spray. There is a risk of an
accident.
In such situations, turn the light switch to
X .
Even if the light sensor does not detect that it is
dark, the parking lamps and low-beam head-
lamps switch on when the ignition is switched on
and the light switch is set to the X position.
This is a particularly useful function in the event
of rain and fog. X
To switch on the low-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to posi-
tion 2 or start the engine.X
Turn the light switch to the X position.
The green X indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
Parking lamps
! If the battery charge is very low, the parking
lamps or standing lamps are automatically
switched off to enable the next engine start.
Always park your vehicle safely and in a well lit
area, in accordance with the relevant legal
stipulations. Avoid using the ` parking
lamps over a period of several hours. If pos-
sible, switch on the right-hand d or left-
hand c standing lamps. X
To switch on the parking lamps: turn the
light switch to the ` position.
The green ` indicator lamp on the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
Standing lamps Switching on the standing lamps ensures the
corresponding side of the vehicle is illuminated. X
To switch on the standing lamps: turn the
SmartKey to position 0 in the ignition lock or
remove the SmartKey. X
Turn the light switch to the c (left-hand
side of the vehicle) or d (right-hand side of
the vehicle) position.
Combination switch
C
High-beam headlamps D
Turn signal, right

Overview of climate control systems
General notes Observe the settings recommended on the fol-
lowing pages. The windows could otherwise fog
up.
To prevent the windows from fogging up: R
switch off climate control only briefly R
switch on air-recirculation mode only briefly R
switch on the cooling with air dehumidifica-
tion function R
switch on the defrost windshield function
briefly, if required
Climate control regulates the temperature and
air humidity in the vehicle interior. The air filter
cleans the air, thus improving the interior cli-
mate.
The "Cooling with air dehumidification" function
is available only when the engine is running.
Optimum climate control is only achieved with
the side windows and roof closed.
If you start the engine using your smartphone,
the last selected climate control setting is reac-
tivated ( Y
page 147).
The residual heat function can only be activated
or deactivated with the ignition switched off
( Y
page 140).
To enable the air conditioning, pollutant moni-
toring and air filtering systems to function cor-
rectly, an interior filter must be used at all times.
Ensure that the filter is properly installed and
that the filter housing in the engine compart-
ment is correctly and tightly sealed by the cover at all times during operation. Use filters that
have been recommended and approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Always have service work car-
ried out at a qualified specialist workshop.
The integrated filter filters out most particles of
dust and soot and completely filters out pollen.
It also reduces gaseous pollutants and odors. A
clogged filter reduces the amount of air supplied
to the vehicle interior. For this reason, you
should always observe the interval for replacing
the filter, which is specified in the Maintenance
Booklet. As it depends on environmental condi-
tions, e.g. heavy air pollution, the interval may
be shorter than stated in the Maintenance Book-
let.
i Ventilate the vehicle for a brief period during
warm weather, e.g. using the convenience
opening feature ( Y
page 92). This will speed
up the cooling process and the desired inte-
rior t emper ature will be reached more
quickly.
i It is possible that the blower may be activa-
ted automatically 60 minutes after the Smart-
Key has been removed depending on various
factors, e.g. the outside temperature. In vehi-
cles with the KEYLESS-GO or KEYLESS-GO
start function, the blower can switch on auto-
matically after the engine has been switched
off and the door opened. The vehicle is then
ventilated for 30 minutes to dry the automatic
climate control.
i Hybrid vehicles: observe the notes on cli-
mate control in the separate Operator's Man-
ual.132
Overview of climate control systems
Climate control

R
Only use air-recirculation mode briefly, e.g. if
there are unpleasant outside odors or when in
a tunnel. The windows could otherwise fog up,
since no fresh air is drawn into the vehicle in
air-recirculation mode. R
Use the residual heat function if you want to
heat or ventilate the vehicle interior when the
ignition is switched off. The residual heat
function can only be activated or deactivated
with the ignition switched off. The residual
heat function is switched off when the ignition
is switched on.
If you are controlling the rear-compartment cli-
mate control using the front control panel, note
the following: R
The

Activating/deactivating X
To activate: press th e V rocke r switch up
or down .
The indicator lamp abov e th e rocke r switch
lights up. X
To deactivate: press th e V rocke r switch
up or down .
The indicator lamp abov e th e rocke r switch
goe s out .
Problems with the "Cooling with air dehumidification" function Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The indicator lamp in th e
V butto n flashes
three times or remain s
off . Cooling wit h air
dehumidification can
also no longer be activa-
te d usin g th e multimedia
system; see th e Digital
Operator' s Manual. Cooling wit h air dehumidification has been deactivated due to a mal-
function . X
Visit a qualified specialis t workshop .
Setting climate cont rol to automatic
Gene ra l notesIn automatic mode, th e set temperature is main -
taine d automatically at a constan t level. The
system automatically regulates th e temperature
of th e dispensed air, th e airflow and th e air dis-
tribution .
During automatic controlling, th e "Cooling wit h
air dehumidification " function is activated.
Cont rol ling front climate cont rol auto-
ma tically using the front cont rol panelX
Turn th e SmartKey to position 2 in th e ignition
loc k ( Y
page 145).X
Se t th e desired temperature usin g th e

function which has not been changed manually,
however, continues to be controlled automati-
cally. When the manually set function switches
back to automatic mode, the AUTO display
reappears in the rear-compartment display.
Adjusting the climate mode settings In automatic mode you can select the following
airflow settings for the driver's and front-
passenger areas:
FOCUS high airflow, slightly cooler setting
MEDIUM medium airflow, standard setting
DIFFUSE low airflow, slightly warmer and draft-
free settingX
To set: set the climate mode using the mul-
timedia system ( Y
page 274).
Setting the temperature
General notes
You can set the temperature separately for the
following areas on vehicles without rear-com-
partment climate control: R
front footwells, left and right R
driver and front passenger area You can set the temperature separately for the
following areas on vehicles with rear-compart-
ment climate control: R
front footwells, left and right R
driver and front passenger area R
rear compartment, left and right
Setting the temperature in the front
compartment using the front control
panel X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition
lock ( Y
page 145). X
To increase or reduce: press the

Defrosting th e windshield
General notes You can use this function to defrost th e wind-
shield or to clear a fogge d up windshield or fron t
sid e windows on th e inside.
Switc h of f th e "Windshield defrosting" function
as soo n as th e windshield is clear again .
Switchin g th e "Windshield defrosting"
function on or off X
Tur n th e SmartKey to position 2 in th e ignition
loc k ( Y
page 145).X
To activate : press th e d rocker switch on
th e fron t contro l panel up or down .
The indicator lamp in th e d rocker switch
lights up.
The climat e contro l syste m switches to th e
followin g functions:R
hig h airflowR
hig h temperatureR
air distribution to th e windshield and fron t
sid e windowsR
air-recirculation mode of fR
windshield heatin g onR
coolin g wit h air dehumidification onX
To deactivate : press th e d rocker switch
up or down .
The indicator lamp in th e d rocker switch
goe s out . The previously selecte d setting s are
restored . Air-recirculation mode remain s
deactivated.
Defrosting th e windows
Windows fogged up on th e insideX
Activat e th e "Coolin g wit h air dehumidifica-
tion " function wit h th e V rocker switch .
or X
Activat e th e "Coolin g wit h air dehumidifica-
tion " function via th e multimedia system; see
th e Digital Operator's Manual. X
Switc h on automatic mode usin g th e X
rocker switch . X
If th e windows continue to fo g up: activat e th e
"Windshield defrosting" function usin g th e
d rocker switch . The windshield heatin g is
switched on .
i You should only selec t this setting until th e
windshield is clear again .
Windows fogged up on th e outsid eX
Activat e th e windshield wipers .X
Switc h on automatic mode usin g th e X
rocker switch .
i If you clean th e windows regularly, they do
no t fo g up so quickly.
Rea r window defroster
General notes The rea r window defroster has a hig h curren t
draw. You should therefore switch it of f as soo n
as th e rea r window is clear . Otherwise , th e rea r
window defroster switches of f automatically
after severa l minutes.
If th e battery voltage is to o low, th e rea r window
defroster may switch off.
Activating or deactivating X
Tur n th e SmartKey to position 2 in th e ignition
loc k ( Y
page 145). X
Press th e l rocker switch up or down .
The indicator lamp in th e l rocker switch
lights up or goe s out .Operating the climate control systems 13 9
Climate control

Problems with the rear window defroster Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The rear window
defroster has deactiva-
ted prematurely or can-
not be activated. The battery has not been sufficiently charged. X
Switch off any consumers that are not required, e.g. reading lamps,
interior lighting or the seat heating.
When the battery is sufficiently charged, the rear window defroster
can be activated again.
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off
General notes You can also temporarily deactivate the flow of
fresh air manually if unpleasant odors are enter-
ing the vehicle from outside. The air already
inside the vehicle will then be recirculated.
If you switch on air-recirculation mode, the win-
dows can fog up more quickly, in particular at
low temperatures. Only use air-recirculation
mode briefly to prevent the windows from fog-
ging up.
Activating/deactivating X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition
lock ( Y
page 145).X
To activate: press the r rocker switch up
or down.
The indicator lamp in the r rocker switch
lights up.
Air-recirculation mode switches on automati-
cally: R
at high outside temperatures R
at high levels of pollution R
in a tunnel
The indicator lamp in the r rocker switch is
not lit when automatic air-recirculation mode is
activated. Outside air is added after about
30 minutes. X
To deactivate: press the r rocker switch
up or down.
The indicator lamp in the r rocker switch
goes out. Air-recirculation mode deactivates automati-
cally: R
after approximately five minutes at outside
temperatures below approximately 41 ‡
(5 †) R
after approximately five minutes if cooling
with air dehumidification is deactivated R
after approximately 30 minutes at outside
temperatures above approximately 41 ‡
(5 †) if the "Cooling with air dehumidifica-
tion" function is activated
Switching the residual heat on or off
General notes Vehicles with rear-compartment climate
control: once the engine is switched off, it is
possible to make use of the residual heat of the
engine to continue heating or ventilating the
rear and front compartment of the vehicle for
approximately 15 minutes. If the "Residual heat"
function is set for only the front or only the rear
compartment, it is possible to continue heating
or ventilating for approximately 30 minutes.
Vehicles without rear-compartment climate
control: once the engine is switched off, it is
possible to make use of the residual heat of the
engine to continue heating or ventilating the
front compartment of the vehicle for approx-
imately 30 minutes.
The heating or ventilation time depends on the
temperature that has been set.140
Operating the climate control systems
Climate control

Front control panel X
Turn th e SmartKey to position 0 in th e ignition
loc k or remove it ( Y
page 145).X
To activate: press th e ! or V rocke r
switch up or down .
The indicator lamp in th e ! or V rocke r
switch lights up.
The blowe r will run at a low spee d regardless of
th e airflow setting .
If you activat e th e residual heat function at high
temperatures , only th e ventilation will be acti-
vated. The blowe r run s at medium speed.X
To deactivate: press th e ! or V
rocke r switch up or down .
The indicator lamp in th e ! or V rocke r
switch goes out .
Rear control panel X
Turn th e SmartKey to position 0 in th e ignition
loc k or remove it ( Y
page 145).
The RES T display appear s on th e rear com-
partmen t display.X
To activate: press rocke r switch t up or
down ( Y
page 133).
The indicator lamp in rocke r switch t lights
up. X
To deactivate: press rocke r switch t up or
down ( Y
page 133).
The indicator lamp in rocke r switch t goes
out . RES T goes out on th e rear compartmen t
display.
i If you do no t activat e th e residual heat func-
tion , RES T goes out automatically after fiv e
minute s on th e rear compartmen t display.
Residual heat is deactivated automatically: R
after approximately 30 minute si f the residual
heat function is activated in the front or rear
compartment R
after approximately 15 minutes if the residual
heat function is activated in the front and rear
compartments R
when the ignition is switched on R
if the battery voltage drops Perfume atomizer
Operating the perfume atomizer
G WARNING
If children open the vial, they could drink the
perfume or it could come into contact with
their eyes. There is a risk of injury. Do not
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
If the perfume liquid has been drunk, consult
a doctor. If perfume comes into contact with
your eyes or skin, rinse the eyes with clean
water. If you continue to experience difficul-
ties, consult a doctor.
H Environmental note
Full vials must not be dis-
posed of with household
waste. They must be collec-
ted separately and recycled
to protect the environment.
Dispose of full vials in an
environmentally responsible
manner and take them to a
harmful substance collec-
tion point.
C
Vial lid
D
Vial
The perfume atomizer helps to improve driving
comfort.
Via the multimedia system you can: R
switch the perfume atomizer on/off R
regulate the perfume intensity ( Y
page 274).Operating the climate control systems 141
Climate control Z

There is a risk of fire and an accident. Release
the parking brake fully before driving off.
! Do not warm up the engine with the vehicle
stationary. Drive off immediately. Avoid high
engine speeds and driving at full throttle until
the engine has reached its operating temper-
ature.
Only shift the automatic transmission to the
desired drive position when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery roads.
You could otherwise damage the drive train.
! At low engine oil temperatures under 68 ‡
(+20 †), the maximum engine speed is limi-
ted in order to protect the engine. To protect
the engine and maintain smooth engine oper-
ation, avoid driving at full throttle when the
engine is cold.
Hybrid vehicles: make sure that you read the
separate operating instructions. Otherwise, you
may not recognize dangers.
SmartKey positions
SmartKey
Z
To remove the SmartKey
G
Power supply for some consumers, such as
the windshield wipers
H
Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
I
To start the engine
The SmartKey can be turned in the ignition lock
even if it is not the correct SmartKey for the
vehicle. The ignition is not switched on. The
engine cannot be started. Start/Stop button General notes All vehicles are equipped with a removable
Start/Stop button.
The Start/Stop button must be inserted in the
ignition lock and the SmartKey must be in the
vehicle.
When you insert the Start/Stop button into the
ignition lock, the system needs approximately
two seconds recognition time. You can then use
the Start/Stop button.
Pressing the Start/Stop button several times in
succession corresponds to the different Smart-
Key positions in the ignition lock. This is only the
case if you are not depressing the brake pedal.
If you depress the brake pedal and press the
Start/Stop button, the engine starts immedi-
ately.
A check which periodically establishes a radio
connection between the vehicle and the Smart-
Key determines whether a valid SmartKey is in
the vehicle. This occurs, for example, when
starting the engine.
To start the vehicle without actively using the
SmartKey: R
the Start/Stop button must be inserted in the
ignition lock. R
the SmartKey must be in the vehicle. R
the vehicle must not be locked with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO ( Y
page 78).
Do not keep the SmartKey: R
with electronic devices, e.g. a mobile phone
or another SmartKey. R
with metallic objects, e.g. coins or metal foil. R
inside metallic objects, e.g. a metal case.
This can affect the functionality of the Smart-
Key.
Do not keep the SmartKey in the temperature-
controlled cup holder ( Y
page 292). Otherwise,
the SmartKey will not be detected, e.g. when
starting the engine with the Start/Stop button.
If you lock the vehicle with the SmartKey's
remote control or with KEYLESS-GO, after a
short time: R
you will not be able to switch on the ignition
with the Start/Stop button. R
you will not be able to start the engine with the
Start/Stop button until the vehicle is
unlocked again. Driving 145
Driving and parking Z