MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS SEDAN 2012 Owners Manual

S-ClassOperator's Manual

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In this Operator's Manual, you will find the
following symbols:GWARNING
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that endanger your health or life, or the health
or life of others.
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dangers that could lead to damage to your
vehicle.
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Parts of the software in the vehicle are
protected by copyright ©
2005
The FreeType Project
http://www.freetype.org. All rights
reserved.

Welcome to the world of Mercedes-Benz
Before you drive off, please familiarize
yourself with your vehicle and read this
manual, especially the safety and warning
notes. This will help you to obtain the
maximum pleasure from your vehicle and
avoid endangering yourself and others.
The equipment or model designation of your
vehicle may differ according to:
R model
R order
R country variant
R availability
Mercedes-Benz is constantly updating its
vehicles to the state of the art.
Mercedes-Benz therefore reserves the right
to introduce changes in the following areas:
R design
R equipment
R technical features
The equipment in your vehicle may therefore
differ from that shown in the descriptions and
illustrations.
The following are integral components of the
vehicle:
R Operator's Manual
R Maintenance Booklet
R Equipment-dependent supplements
Keep these documents in the vehicle at all
times. If you sell the vehicle, always pass the
documents on to the new owner.
The technical documentation team at
Daimler AG wishes you safe and pleasant
motoring.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
A Daimler Company2215840096 É2215840096uËÍ

Index ....................................................... 4Introduction ......................................... 28At a glance ........................................... 35Safety ................................................... 47Opening/closing ................................. 81Seats, steering wheel and mirrors ..105COMAND ............................................ 119Lights and windshield wipers ..........279Climate control ................................. 293Driving and parking ..........................305On-board computer and displays ....373Stowage and features ......................433Maintenance and care ......................457Breakdown assistance .....................473Wheels and tires ............................... 491Technical data ................................... 521
Contents3

1, 2, 3 ...
115 V socket ...................................... 444
12 V socket see Sockets
4ETS
see ETS/4ETS (Electronic
Traction System)
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 350
4MATIC off-road system ................... 350
A
ABC see Active Body Control (ABC)
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Display message ............................ 391
Function/notes ................................ 73
Important safety notes ....................73
Warning lamp ................................. 425
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 297
Active Blind Spot Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 387
Function/information ....................367
Active Body Control (ABC)
Display message ............................ 412
Function/notes ............................. 348
Active Driving Assistance package . 366
Active Lane Keeping Assist Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 387
Display message ............................ 413
Function/information ....................369
Active multicontour seat .......... 112, 276
Active service system PLUS see ASSYST PLUS service interval
display
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 77
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) ..... 348
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Display message ............................ 406
Function/notes ............................. 284
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 388
Additional speedometer ................... 388
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 529
Address Entering (example) .........................157
see Address book
Address book
Calling up ....................................... 209
Connecting a call ........................... 212
Creating an entry ........................... 210
Deleting an entry ........................... 211
Entering characters .......................136
Entry as a home address ...............182
Importing contacts ........................208
Introduction ................................... 207
Starting route guidance .................212
Voice tag ....................................... 213
Air bags
Display message ............................ 401
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 52
Important safety notes ....................50
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp .................................. 54
Safety guidelines ............................. 49
Side impact air bag ..........................52
Window curtain air bag ....................53
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
Air distribution
Setting ........................................... 299
Setting (COMAND) .........................270
Air filter (display message) .............. 409
Airflow Setting ........................................... 299
Setting (COMAND) .........................271
AIRMATIC
Display message ............................ 411
Function/notes ............................. 347
Air pressure
see Tire pressure
Air vents
Glove box ....................................... 303
Important safety notes ..................302
Rear ............................................... 303
Setting ........................................... 302
Setting the center air vents ...........302
Setting the side air vents ...............303
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) 4Index

Alertness Assistantsee ATTENTION ASSIST
Alternative route ............................... 175
Ambient light setting (COMAND) ..... 268
AMG menu (on-board computer) ..... 381
Anti-lock Braking System see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Anti-Theft Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Ashtray ............................................... 442
Assistance menu (on-board
computer) .......................................... 385
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) Activating/deactivating ...................79
Function ........................................... 79
Switching off the alarm ....................79
ATTENTION ASSIST
Activating/deactivating .................386
Display message ............................ 410
Function/notes ............................. 359
Audio
Radio mode ................................... 215
Audio database
see MUSIC REGISTER
Audio DVD
Mode, switching to ........................226
Pause function ............................... 227
Playback options ........................... 232
Safety notes .................................. 225
Setting the audio format ................232
Stop function ................................. 228
Audio format, setting
Audio DVD ..................................... 232
Rear Seat Entertainment System ...262
Video DVD ..................................... 249
Audio menu (on-board computer) .... 380
Authorized Mercedes-Benz Center see Qualified specialist workshop
Authorized workshop
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUTO lights
Display message ............................ 405
see Lights
Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) .................................... 311
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) .......................... 311Automatic headlamp mode .............. 281
Automatic transmission Automatic drive program ...............318
Changing gear ............................... 317
DIRECT SELECT lever .....................314
Display message ............................ 419
Drive position (ECO start/stop
function) ........................................ 315
Driving tips .................................... 317
Emergency running mode ..............321
Engaging drive position .................. 315
Engaging neutral ............................ 315
Engaging reverse gear ...................314
Engaging the park position ............314
Kickdown ....................................... 317
Manual drive program ....................319
Neutral (ECO start/stop function) . 315
Problem (malfunction) ...................321
Program selector button ................317
Pulling away ................................... 309
Shift ranges ................................... 318
Starting the engine ........................309
Steering wheel paddle shifters ......318
Transmission position display ........315
Transmission positions ..................316
Automatic transmission
emergency mode ............................... 321
Autostore ........................................... 217
see Station memory (radio)
AUX (audio)
Notes/socket ................................ 243
Switching to ................................... 244
AUX (video)
Setting the picture .........................244
Setting the volume and sound .......250
Showing/hiding the menu .............250
Switching to ................................... 250
B
Back button ....................................... 123
Back support see Lumbar support
Bag hook ............................................ 437
Balance, adjusting ............................. 139
Bang & Olufsen sound system ......... 141
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 74
Index5

Basic settingssee Settings
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) .................................................... 74
Bass, setting ...................................... 139
Battery (SmartKey) Checking .......................................... 85
Important safety notes ....................85
Replacing ......................................... 85
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 482
Display message ............................ 407
Important safety notes ..................480
Jump starting ................................. 483
Belt
see Seat belts
Bird's-eye view (navigation) ............. 188
Blind see Roller sunblind
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating .................387
Notes/function .............................. 363
see Active Blind Spot Assist
BlueTEC (DEF) .................................... 527
Bluetooth ®
Activating/deactivating .................151
Authorizing a device (registering) ..152
Conditions (general) ......................151
Conditions (telephone) ..................199
Connecting another mobile phone . 201
Connecting devices .......................151
De-authorizing (de-registering) a
device ............................................ 153
External authorization (general) .....153
External authorization (telephone) . 201
General information .......................151
Introduction ................................... 197
Receiving vCards ........................... 208
Searching for devices ....................152
Settings ......................................... 151
Telephone basic menu ...................202
Telephony ...................................... 199
Telephony notes ............................ 197
Bluetooth ®
interface
Telephony ...................................... 197
Brake Assist System
see BAS (Brake Assist System) Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 398
Notes ............................................. 529
Brake fluid level ................................ 464
Brake lamps Display message ............................ 404
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 73
BAS .................................................. 74
BAS PLUS ........................................ 74
Brake fluid (notes) .........................529
Display message ............................ 391
Driving tips .................................... 331
High-performance brake system ....333
Important safety notes ..................331
Maintenance .................................. 332
Parking brake ................................ 328
Warning lamp ................................. 424
Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Brightness, setting (TV, video) ......... 244
Bulbs see Changing bulbs
C
California Important notice for retail
customers and lessees ....................29
Call
Accepting/ending/rejecting .......... 203
see Telephone
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Calling voicemail ............................... 205
Call lists Displaying details ........................... 209
Introduction ................................... 213
Opening and selecting an entry .....213
Saving an entry in the address
book .............................................. 214
Capacities
see Technical data
Car
see Vehicle
6Index

CareCarpets .......................................... 472
Car wash ........................................ 466
Display ........................................... 470
Exterior lights ................................ 469
Gear or selector lever ....................472
Interior ........................................... 470
Matte finish ................................... 468
Night View Assist Plus ...................471
Notes ............................................. 466
Paint .............................................. 468
Plastic trim .................................... 471
Power washer ................................ 467
Rear view camera .......................... 470
Roof lining ...................................... 472
Seat belt ........................................ 472
Seat cover ..................................... 472
Sensors ......................................... 470
Steering wheel ............................... 472
Tail pipes ....................................... 470
Trim pieces .................................... 472
Washing by hand ........................... 467
Wheels ........................................... 468
Windows ........................................ 469
Wiper blades .................................. 469
Wooden trim .................................. 472
Cargo tie down rings ......................... 437
Car pool lanes .................................... 173
Car wash (care) ................................. 466
Category Satellite radio ................................ 222
CD
Copy protection ............................. 234
Fast forward/fast rewind ...............230
General information .......................234
Inserting ........................................ 225
Inserting/loading (Rear Seat
Entertainment System) ..................255
Mode, switching to ........................226
Multisession .................................. 233
Notes on discs ............................... 234
Operating the player/changer
(on-board computer) ......................381
Pause function ............................... 227
Playback options ........................... 232
Player/changer operation
(COMAND) ..................................... 225Removing/ejecting (Rear Seat
Entertainment System) ..................256
Safety notes .................................. 225
Selecting a media type ..................228
Selecting a track ............................ 229
Sound settings (balance, bass,
fader, treble) .................................. 139
Center console ..................................... 41
Central locking Automatic locking feature
(COMAND) ..................................... 269
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey) ........82
Changing batteries (remote
control, headphones) ........................ 251
Changing bulbs High-beam headlamps (vehicles
with halogen daytime running
lamps) ............................................ 288
High-beam headlamps (vehicles
with LED daylight lamps) ...............288
Important safety notes ..................286
Overview of bulb types ..................287
Changing direction
Announcement phase ....................171
Change of direction phase .............171
Preparation phase .........................171
Character bar ..................................... 133
Characters Entering ......................................... 134
Entering (address book, phone
book) ............................................. 136
Entering (navigation) ......................133
Child-proof locks
Important safety notes ....................70
Rear doors ....................................... 71
Children
In the vehicle ................................... 66
Restraint systems ............................ 66
Child seat
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ............................................ 68
Special seat belt retractor ...............68
Top Tether ....................................... 69
Cigarette lighter ................................ 442
Cleaning Mirror turn signal ........................... 470Index7

Climate controlAutomatic climate control .............295
COMAND ....................................... 269
Controlling automatically ...............297
Controlling centrally (COMAND) ....272
Cooling with air dehumidification ..297
Cooling with air dehumidification
(COMAND) ..................................... 271
Defrosting the windows .................300
Defrosting the windshield ..............300
Important safety notes ..................294
Indicator lamp ................................ 297
Main menu ..................................... 271
Maximum cooling .......................... 300
Notes on using automatic climate
control ........................................... 296
Overview of systems ......................294
Problems with cooling with air
dehumidification ............................ 297
Problem with the rear window
defroster ........................................ 301
Rear compartment (COMAND) ......273
Rear control panel .........................295
Setting the air distribution .............299
Setting the airflow .........................299
Setting the airflow (COMAND) .......273
Setting the air vents ......................302
Setting the footwell temperature
(COMAND) ..................................... 272
Setting the temperature ................298
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ............................................ 301
Switching on/off ........................... 296
Switching residual heat on/off ......302
Switching the rear window
defroster on/off ............................ 301
Coat hooks ......................................... 436
Cockpit Overview .......................................... 36
see Instrument cluster
Color, setting (TV, video) .................. 244
COMAND At a glance (overview) .................... 122
Back button ................................... 123
Basic functions .............................. 137
Components .................................. 122
Display ........................................... 125
Example of operation .....................132Function buttons ........................... 123
Menu overview .............................. 125
Remote control .............................. 129
Switching on/off ........................... 137
System settings ............................. 147
COMAND controller ........................... 122
COMAND display Cleaning instructions .....................129
Folding in and swiveling .................128
Setting ........................................... 147
COMAND operating system .............. 122
Combination switch .......................... 283
Compass function ............................. 192
Conference connection ..................... 205
Consumption statistics (on-board
computer) .......................................... 378
Contrast, setting (TV, video) ............ 244
Convenience closing feature .............. 97
Convenience opening feature ............ 96
Convenience telephone Importing contacts ........................208
Convenience telephony .................... 197
Introduction ................................... 197
Coolant (engine)
Checking the level .........................463
Display message ............................ 406
Filling capacity ............................... 530
Notes ............................................. 530
Temperature (on-board computer) . 381
Temperature gauge ........................ 374
Cooling
see Climate control
Copy protection (CD/DVD) ............... 234
Cornering light function Display message ............................ 403
Function/notes ............................. 284
Cruise control
Cruise control lever .......................335
Deactivating ................................... 336
Display message ............................ 417
Driving system ............................... 334
Function/notes ............................. 334
Important safety notes ..................334
Setting a speed .............................. 335
Storing and maintaining current
speed ............................................. 3358Index