air conditioning MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS SEDAN 2012 Owners Manual

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

COMAND display
Display overview
The COMAND display shows the function currently selected and its associated menus. The
COMAND display is divided into several areas.
The radio display is shown in the example.
:Status bar;To call up the audio menu=Main function bar?Display/selection windowARadio menu barBAir-conditioning function bar
Status bar : shows the current settings for radio and telephone operation.
The main functions navigation, audio, telephone and video feature additional menus. This is
indicated by triangle ;. The following table lists the available menu items.
Main function bar = allows you to call up the desired main function.
In the example, the Audio main function is set to radio mode and display/selection
window ? is active.
Radio menu bar A allows you to operate the radio functions.
The air-conditioning functions can be operated in air-conditioning function bar B.
Menu overview
The table lists the menus available after calling up the main navigation, audio, telephone, video
or system function in the main function bar.
At a glance125COMANDZ

XTo switch the locator lighting on/off:
select Vehicle in the main function bar by
sliding XVY and turning cVd the
COMAND controller and press W to
confirm.
The main area is active.XSelect the Locator Lighting function by
sliding XVY or turning cVd the COMAND
controller and press W to confirm.
Switching the automatic locking
feature on/off
You can use this function to activate or
deactivate the automatic central locking
feature. If the automatic locking feature is
activated, your vehicle will lock centrally from
a speed of approximately 15 km/h.
Further information about the automatic
locking feature is available in the "Automatic
locking feature" section ( Y page 89).
XTo switch the automatic locking
feature on/off: select Vehicle in the
main function bar by sliding XVY andturning cVd the COMAND controller and
press W to confirm.
The main area is active.XSelect the Automatic Locking function
by sliding XVY or turning cVd the
COMAND controller and press W to
confirm.
Activating/deactivating the trunk lid
opening height restriction
XTo activate/deactivate the trunk lid
opening height restriction: select
Vehicle in the main function bar by sliding
XVY and turning cVd the COMAND
controller and press W to confirm.
The main area is active.XSelect the Trunk Opening-height
Restriction function by sliding XVY or
turning cVd the COMAND controller and
press W to confirm.
Automatic climate control
Introduction to automatic climate
control
You can operate automatic climate control
using COMAND or the buttons on the upper
section of the center console ( Y page 295).
Several special automatic climate control
functions can only be adjusted using
COMAND.
You can access the automatic climate control
menu via the air-conditioning function bar.
Vehicle269COMANDZ

To do so, make certain that the SmartKey is
in position 2 in the ignition lock.
Air-conditioning function bar
:To set the temperature, left;To set the air distribution, left=To set the airflow, left?Climate control main menu
( Y page 271)ATo set the airflow, rightBTo set the air distribution, rightCTo set the temperature, right
Setting the temperature
You can set the temperature separately for
the driver’s and front-passenger side.
XSelect left temperature display : or right
temperature display C in the air-
conditioning function bar by turning cVd
the COMAND controller and press W to
confirm.XTo adjust the temperature: slide ZVÆ or
turn cVd the COMAND controller.XTo confirm the selection: press W the
COMAND controller.
Setting the air distribution
You can set the air distribution separately for
the driver’s and front-passenger side.
XSelect left air distribution ; or right air
distribution B by turning cVd the
COMAND controller and press W to
confirm.¯Directs air through the defroster ventsPDirects air through the center and side
air ventsODirects air through the footwell ventsSDirects air through the center, side and
footwell ventsaDirects air through the defroster and
footwell vents_Directs air through the defroster,
center, side and footwell ventsbDirects air through the defroster,
center and side air ventsWControls air distribution automaticallyXTo adjust the air distribution: turn cVd
the COMAND controller.XTo confirm the selection: press W the
COMAND controller.270VehicleCOMAND

Setting the airflow
You can set the airflow separately for the
driver’s and front-passenger side.
XSelect left airflow = or right airflow A by
turning cVd the COMAND controller and
press W to confirm.XTo adjust the airflow: slide ZVÆ or turn
cVd the COMAND controller.XTo confirm the selection: press W the
COMAND controller.
Climate control main menu
COMAND allows you to set additional
functions which cannot be selected using the
control panel in the center console. Call up
these functions using the climate control
main menu.
XTo open the climate control main
menu: select the AC climate control
symbol in the air-conditioning function bar
by turning cVd the COMAND controller
and press W to confirm.
The climate control menu opens.
Climate control main menu
You can:
R switch cooling with dehumidification on or
off ( Æ )
R control climate control centrally ( Mono)
R adjust the Footwell Temperature
R set the Airflow for the air vents
R operate the Rear air conditioning from the
front
Switching cooling with air
dehumidification on/off
Cooling is operational when the engine is
running, and cools according to the selected
interior temperature for the vehicle. Cooling
also dehumidifies the air inside the vehicle
and, thereby, prevents the windows from
fogging up.
GWARNING
If you switch off cooling with
dehumidification, the vehicle will not be
cooled and the air not dehumidified in warm
weather conditions. The windows can mist up
faster. This could result in your no longer
being able to observe the traffic conditions
properly and you may cause an accident.
i Condensation may collect on the
underside of the vehicle when the cooler is
operating.
XSelect the climate control main menu in the
air-conditioning function bar by turningVehicle271COMANDZ

cVd the COMAND controller and press
W to confirm.
The climate control menu opens.XTo switch on: select Æ and press W.XTo switch off: select Æ and press W.
A tick appears.
Controlling climate control centrally
You can use the Mono function to set all the
air-conditioning zones in the vehicle to the
same settings. If the Mono function is
switched on and you adjust climate control
on the driver’s side, these changes will also
be made in all the air-conditioning zones.
XSelect the climate control main menu in the
air-conditioning function bar by turning
cVd the COMAND controller and press
W to confirm.
The climate control menu opens.XSelect Mono and press W.
A tick appears when the function is
selected.
The Mono function is automatically switched
off if you:
R change settings for automatic climate
control on the front-passenger side using
COMAND
R press one of the rocker switches to operate
automatic climate control on the front-
passenger side
R press one of the rocker switches on the
rear-compartment control panel
Adjusting the footwell temperature
You can use the Footwell Temperature
function to set the temperature difference
between the footwell and the rest of the
vehicle interior.
i This setting is quite effective in automatic
mode, especially at low outside
temperatures.
The greater the value you set, the higher the
temperature in the footwell.XSelect the climate control main menu in the
air-conditioning function bar by turning
cVd the COMAND controller and press
W to confirm.
The climate control menu opens.XSelect Footwell Temperature and press
W .
A scale appears.XTo change the temperature difference:
slide ZVÆ or turn cVd.XTo confirm your selection: press W.272VehicleCOMAND

Setting the blower settings for the air
vents
This function allows you to determine the way
the air is blown through the air vents in
automatic mode.
You can select:
R Focused (high blower setting)
R Medium (standard setting)
R Diffuse (low blower setting)
i This setting is quite effective in automatic
mode, especially at high outside
temperatures.
If the vehicle has become very warm and the
automatic air conditioning is cooling the
interior, the blower settings are briefly
canceled.XSelect the climate control main menu in the
air-conditioning function bar by turning
cVd the COMAND controller and press
W to confirm.
The climate control menu opens.XSelect Airflow and press W.
A menu appears.
The current setting is indicated by a # dot.XTo change the airflow: slide ZVÆ or turn
cVd .XTo confirm your selection: press W.
Operating the rear-compartment air-
conditioning system from the front
The rear-compartment air-conditioning
system is operated in the same way as
climate control for the driver and front
passenger.
Switching on operation of the rear-
compartment air conditioning from the
frontXSelect the climate control main menu in the
air-conditioning function bar by turning
cVd the COMAND controller and press
W to confirm.
The climate control menu opens.XSelect Rear Y and press W.
Rear appears in the main menu on the air-
conditioning function bar. The rear-
compartment air-conditioning system can
be controlled from the front.
Main menu for the rear-compartment air-
conditioning system
In the main menu for the rear-compartment
air-conditioning system, you can:
R switch back to front-compartment climate
control operation
R switch off the rear-compartment air
conditioning
R switch automatic mode for the rear-
compartment air conditioning on/off
XTo open the main menu: select the
climate control main menu in the air
conditioning function bar and press W.
The current setting is indicated by a # dot.
Vehicle273COMANDZ

To switch back to operation of the rear-
compartment air-conditioning system from
the front:XIn the climate control main menu, select
Front Climate Control and press W.
The air-conditioning function bar shows the
climate control settings for the driver and
front passenger.
To switch off the rear-compartment air
conditioning:
XIn the climate control main menu, select
Rear Climate Control OFF and press
W .
To switch on automatic mode for the rear-
compartment air conditioning:
XIn the climate control main menu, select
Rear Automatic and press W.
Automatic mode for the rear-compartment
air-conditioning system is switched on.
Seats
Lumbar supports
The lumbar support in the backrest of the
driver's and front-passenger seats can be
adjusted to provide optimum support for your
back.
XTo select the seat: press the T
function button.
The main area of the COMAND display is
active. A scale appears.XTo move to the lower menu bar: select
by sliding ZVÆ the COMAND controller
and press W to confirm.
i
When you press the T function button,
the previously adjusted seat is active.
XTo adjust the lumbar support: select by
sliding XVY or turning cVd the COMAND
controller and press W to confirm.
Multicontour seat
i
Information about the components and
operating principles of COMAND can be
found on ( Y page 122).
The contour of the driver's seat and front-
passenger seat backrests can be individually
adjusted to provide optimum support for your
back. This is achieved by controlling the
pressure in the air chambers in the
multicontour seat.
The adjustments are made using the
COMAND display.
i When you adjust the multicontour seat,
you may hear the air being pumped in or
released.
You can adjust the following air cushions:
R seat side bolsters
R seat backrest side bolsters
R backrest curvature in the lumbar region
R backrest curvature in the upper back
region
XMake sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.XPress the T function button.
Selecting the seat
You must first select the seat for which you
wish to make adjustments.
XPress the T function button.
The main area is active.XTo move to the lower menu bar: select
by sliding ZVÆ the COMAND controller
and press W to confirm.274VehicleCOMAND

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

Windows fogged up on the outsideXSwitch on the windshield wipers.XActivate automatic climate control.
iYou should only select this setting until
the windshield is clear again.
Rear window defroster
Activating/deactivating
GWARNING
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driving.
Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.
The rear window defroster has a high current
draw. You should therefore switch it off as
soon as the window is clear. Otherwise, the
rear window defroster switches off
automatically after several minutes.
If the battery voltage is too low, the rear
window defroster may switch off.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XPress the ¤ rocker switch up or down.
The indicator lamp in the ¤ rocker
switch lights up or goes out.
Problems with the rear window
defroster
The rear window defroster has deactivated
prematurely or cannot be activated.
XSwitch off any consumers that are not
required, e.g. reading lamps or interior
lighting.
When the battery is sufficiently charged,
the rear window defroster is activated
again automatically.Activating/deactivating air-
recirculation mode
You can deactivate the flow of fresh air if
unpleasant odors are entering the vehicle
from outside. The air already inside the
vehicle will then be recirculated.GWARNING
Fogged windows impair visibility,
endangering you and others. If the windows
begin to fog on the inside, switching off the
air recirculation mode immediately should
clear interior window fogging. If interior
window fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning is activated, or press the ¬
button.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XTo activate: press the g rocker switch
up or down.
The indicator lamp in the g rocker
switch lights up.
i Air-recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside
temperatures. The indicator lamp in the
g 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 g rocker
switch up or down.
The indicator lamp in the g rocker
switch goes out.Operating the climate control systems301Climate controlZ