MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS SEDAN 2012 Owners Manual

Windshield wipers
Switching the windshield wipers on/
off
GWARNING
Wiper blades are components that are subject
to wear and tear. Replace the wiper blades
twice a year, preferably in the spring and fall.
Otherwise the windshield will not be wiped
properly. As a result, you may not be able to
observe surrounding traffic conditions and
could cause an accident.
! Do not operate the windshield wipers
when the windshield is dry, as this could
damage the wiper blades. Moreover, dust
that has collected on the windshield can
scratch the glass if wiping takes place when
the windshield is dry.
! If the windshield wipers leave smears on
the windshield after the vehicle has been
washed in an automatic car wash, wax or
other residues may be the reason for this.
Clean the windshield using washer fluid
after washing the vehicle in an automatic
car wash.
Combination switch
1$ Windshield wipers off2Ä Intermittent wipe, low 143Å
Intermittent wipe, high 154°
Continuous wipe, slow5¯ Continuous wipe, fastBí Single wipe/ î To wipe the
windshield using washer fluidXSwitch on the ignition.XTurn the combination switch to the
corresponding position.
! Intermittent wiping with rain sensor: due
to optical influences and the windshield
becoming dirty in dry weather conditions,
the windshield wipers may be activated
inadvertently. This could then damage the
windshield wiper blades or scratch the
windshield.
For this reason, you should always switch
off the windshield wipers in dry weather.
In the Ä or Å position, the appropriate
wiping frequency is set automatically
according to the intensity of the rain. In
the Å position, the rain sensor is more
sensitive than in the Ä position, causing
the windshield wipers to wipe more
frequently.
Replacing the wiper blades
Important safety notes
GWARNING
For safety reasons, switch off the windshield
wipers and remove the SmartKey from the
ignition lock before changing the wiper blades
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: make sure that
the on-board electronics are in state 0).
Otherwise, the wiper motor could be switched
on suddenly and cause injury.
! Never open the hood if a windshield wiper
arm has been folded away from the
windshield.
Never fold a windshield wiper arm without
a wiper blade back onto the windshield.
14 Rain sensor set to low sensitivity.
15 Rain sensor set to high sensitivity.Windshield wipers289Lights and windshield wipersZ

Hold the windshield wiper arm firmly when
you change the wiper blade. If you release
the windshield wiper arm without a wiper
blade and it falls onto the windshield, the
windshield may be damaged by the force of
the impact.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have
the wiper blades replaced by a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
! Always position the windshield wiper
arms vertically before folding them away
from the windshield. By doing so, you will
avoid damage to the hood.
! To avoid damaging the wiper blades,
make sure that you touch only the wiper
arm of the wiper.
Changing the windshield wiper blades
Moving the wiper blades to a vertical
position
Vehicles without KEYLESS-GO
XTurn the SmartKey to position 1 or 2 in the
ignition lock.XSet the windshield wipers to
position °.XWhen the wiper arms have reached a
vertical position, turn the SmartKey to
position 0 and remove it from the ignition
lock.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO
XSwitch off the engine.XRemove your foot from the brake pedal.XSet the windshield wipers to
position °.XPress the Start/Stop button repeatedly
until the windshield wipers start.XWhen the wiper arms have reached a
vertical position, press the Start/Stop
button.Removing the wiper bladesXFold the wiper arm away from the
windshield until it engages.XSet the wiper blade at right angles to the
wiper arm.XRemove the wiper blade from the retaining
pin on the wiper arm in the direction of the
arrow.
Installing the wiper blades
XPush the new wiper blade onto the
retaining pin on the wiper arm in the
opposite direction to the arrow.
Make sure that the wiper blade slides fully
onto the retaining pin on the wiper arm.XTurn the wiper blade parallel to the wiper
arm.XFold the wiper arm back onto the
windshield.
Problems with the windshield wipers
The windshield wipers are obstructed
Leaves or snow, for example, may be
obstructing the windshield wiper movement.
The wiper motor has been deactivated.
XFor safety reasons, you should remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock.
or
XSwitch off the engine using the Start/Stop
button and open the driver's door.XRemove the cause of the obstruction.XSwitch the windshield wipers back on.290Windshield wipersLights and windshield wipers

The windshield wipers are inoperative
The windshield wiper drive is malfunctioning.
XSelect another wiper speed on the
combination switch.XHave the windshield wipers checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
The spray nozzles are misaligned
The windshield washer fluid from the spray
nozzles no longer hits the center of the
windshield. The spray nozzles are misaligned.
XHave the spray nozzles adjusted at a
qualified specialist workshop.Windshield wipers291Lights and windshield wipersZ

292

Useful information ............................294
Overview of climate control sys-
tems ................................................... 294
Operating the climate control sys-
tems ................................................... 296
Setting the air vents .........................302293Climate control

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 Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops ( Y page 31).
Overview of climate control systems
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Severe conditions (e.g. strong air pollution)
may require replacement of the filter before
its scheduled replacement interval. A clogged
filter will reduce the air volume to the interior
and the windows could fog up, impairing
visibility and endangering you and others.
Have a blocked filter replaced at a Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible.
GWARNING
Follow the recommended settings for heating
and cooling given on the following pages.
Otherwise, the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
Automatic climate control controls the
temperature and the humidity in the vehicle
interior and filters undesirable substances
from the air.
Automatic climate control is only operational
when the engine is running 16
. Optimum
operation is only achieved if you drive with the
side windows and sliding sunroof/panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel closed.
You can also set some automatic climate
control functions via COMAND (Y page 269).
i Ventilate the vehicle for a brief period
during warm weather, e.g. using the
convenience opening feature ( Y page 96).
This will speed up the cooling process and
the desired vehicle interior temperature
will be reached more quickly.
i The integrated filter can filter out most
particles of dust, and completely filters out
pollen. 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 conditions, e.g.
heavy air pollution, the interval may be
shorter than stated in the Maintenance
Booklet.
i It is possible that the blower may be
activated automatically 40 minutes after
the SmartKey is removed. The vehicle is
then ventilated for 30 minutes to dry the
air-conditioning system.16 The residual heat function can only be activated/deactivated if the ignition is switched off.294Overview of climate control systemsClimate control

Automatic climate control panelFront control panel:Sets climate control to automatic mode, left (Y page 297);Sets the temperature, left ( Y page 298)=Sets the airflow, left ( Y page 299)?Defrosts the windshield ( Y page 300)AActivates/deactivates air-recirculation mode ( Y page 301)BSwitches climate control on /off( Y page 296)CSwitches the residual heat function on/off( Y page 302)DSwitches the rear window defroster on/off ( Y page 301)ESets the airflow, right ( Y page 299)FSets the temperature, right ( Y page 298)GSets climate control to automatic mode, right ( Y page 297)Rear control panelHSets the temperature, left ( Y page 298)ISets the air distribution, left ( Y page 299)JSets the airflow ( Y page 299)KOFF Switches rear-compartment climate control off ( Y page 296)AUTO Sets rear-compartment climate control to automatic mode ( Y page 297)MAN Sets rear-compartment climate control to manual mode ( Y page 297)LSets the air distribution, right ( Y page 299)MSets the temperature, right ( Y page 298)Overview of climate control systems295Climate controlZ

Notes on using climate control
Below, you can find a number of notes and
recommendations to help you use climate
control optimally.
R Activate climate control using the Ã
rocker switch. The indicator lamp in the
à rocker switch lights up.
R Set the temperature to 72 ‡ (22 † ).
R Only use the "defrosting" function briefly
until the windshield is clear again.
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 as in air-recirculation
mode no fresh air is drawn into the vehicle.
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.
Operating the climate control
systems
Activating/deactivating climate
control
Important information
GWARNING
When the climate control system is
deactivated, the outside air supply and
circulation are also deactivated. Only choose
this setting for a short time. Otherwise the
windows could fog up, impairing visibility and
endangering you and others.
i Switch on climate control primarily using
the à rocker switch ( Y page 297).
Switching the front climate control on/
off using the front control panelXTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XTo activate: press the ^ rocker switch
up or down.
The indicator lamp in the rocker switch
goes out. The previously selected settings
come into effect again.XTo deactivate: press the ^ rocker
switch up or down.
The indicator lamp in the rocker switch
lights up.
Switching the rear-compartment
climate control on/off using the front
control panel
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XActivate the Y rear compartment
function via COMAND ( Y page 273).
The rear-compartment climate control can
be controlled via the front control panel
using the Y rear compartment function.XTo activate: press the ^ rocker switch
up or down.
The indicator lamp in the rocker switch
goes out. The previously selected settings
come into effect again.XTo deactivate: press the ^ rocker
switch up or down.
The indicator lamp in the rocker switch
lights up.296Operating the climate control systemsClimate control

Switching the rear-compartment
climate control on/off using the rear
control panelXTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XTo switch on: press rocker switch
K (Y page 295) up or down and select
AUTO .
or
XPress rocker switch K(Y page 295) up or
down and select MAN.XTo switch off: press rocker switch
K (Y page 295) up or down and select
OFF .
Activating/deactivating cooling with
air dehumidification
Important information
The cooling with air dehumidification function
is only available when the engine is running.
The air inside the vehicle is cooled and
dehumidified according to the temperature
selected.
GWARNING
If you switch off the cooling function, the
vehicle will not be cooled when weather
conditions are warm. The windows can fog up
more quickly. Window fogging may impair
visibility and endanger you and others.
Condensation may drip from the underside of
the vehicle when it is in cooling mode. This is
normal and not a sign that there is a
malfunction.
You can activate or deactivate the cooling
with air dehumidification function via
COMAND ( Y page 271).
i The cooling with air dehumidification
function uses refrigerant R134a. This
coolant does not contain
chlorofluorocarbons, and therefore does
not damage the ozone layer.
Problems with the cooling with air
dehumidification function
If you can no longer switch on the cooling with
air dehumidification function via COMAND,
the cooling with air dehumidification function
is switched off due to a malfunction.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
Setting climate control to automatic
GWARNING
If you switch off the cooling function, the
vehicle will not be cooled when weather
conditions are warm. The windows can fog up
more quickly. Window fogging may impair
visibility and endanger you and others.
In automatic mode, the set temperature is
maintained automatically at a constant level.
The system automatically regulates the
temperature of the dispensed air, the airflow
and the air distribution.
Automatic mode will achieve optimal
operation if cooling with air dehumidification
is also activated. If desired, cooling with air
dehumidification can be deactivated.
Controlling the front climate control
using the front control panel
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XSet the desired temperature.X To switch on: press the à rocker
switch up or down.
The indicator lamp in the à rocker
switch lights up.Operating the climate control systems297Climate controlZ

XTo deactivate: press the K rocker
switch up or down.
The indicator lamp in the à rocker
switch goes out.
or
XSet the air distribution using COMAND
( Y page 270).
The indicator lamp in the à rocker
switch goes out.
Controlling the rear-compartment
climate control automatically using the
front control panel
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XActivate the Y rear compartment
function via COMAND ( Y page 273).
Rear-compartment climate control can be
controlled via the front control panel using
the Y rear compartment function.XSet the desired temperature.X To switch on: press rocker switch Ã
up or down.
The indicator lamp in the à rocker
switch lights up.XTo deactivate: press the K rocker
switch up or down.
The indicator lamp in the à rocker
switch goes out.
or
XSet the air distribution using COMAND
( Y page 270).
The indicator lamp in the à rocker
switch goes out.
i To return to the standard display, activate
the front climate control function via
COMAND ( Y page 273).
i The rear display changes to the standard
display automatically after five seconds.
Controlling the rear-compartment
climate control automatically using the
rear control panelXTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XSet the desired temperature.X To activate: press rocker switch K up or
down and select AUTO(Y page 295).XTo deactivate: press rocker switch K up
or down and select MAN or
OFF (Y page 295).
Setting the temperature
Climate control climate zones
You can select different temperature settings
for the driver's and front-passenger sides as
well as for the left and right sides of the rear
compartment and the footwells.
Setting the temperature in the front
compartment using the front control
panel
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XTo increase/reduce: press the w
rocker switch up or down.
Only change the temperature setting in
small increments. Start at 72 ‡ (22 † ).
i You can also use COMAND to set the
temperature ( Y page 270).
298Operating the climate control systemsClimate control