lane assist 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

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

Setting the specified minimum
distance ......................................... 342
Warning lamp ................................. 430
Dolby ®
Digital .................................... 140
Doors Automatic locking (switch) ............... 89
Central locking/unlocking
(SmartKey) ....................................... 82
Control panel ................................... 43
Display message ............................ 420
Emergency locking ........................... 91
Emergency unlocking .......................90
Important safety notes ....................88
Opening (from inside) ......................89
Power closing feature ......................90
Drinking and driving ......................... 330
Drinks holder see Cup holder
Drive program
Automatic ...................................... 318
Manual ........................................... 319
Driver's door
see Doors
Driver's seat
see Seats
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service .................466
Symmetrical low beam ..................280
Driving Assistance package ............. 363
Driving lamps see Daytime running lamps
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......73
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 77
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............74
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) ............................................... 74
Electronic brake force distribution ...77
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) .......................................... 75
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ........................................... 76
Important safety information ...........73
Overview .......................................... 72
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake ............................. 77Driving systems
Active Blind Spot Assist .................367
Active Body Control .......................348
Active Driving Assistance
package ......................................... 366
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............369
AIRMATIC ...................................... 347
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................359
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 363
Cruise control ................................ 334
Display message ............................ 410
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 336
Driving Assistance package ...........363
HOLD function ............................... 346
Lane Keeping Assist ......................365
Night View Assist Plus ...................360
Parking Guidance ........................... 353
PARKTRONIC ................................. 350
Rear view camera .......................... 357
Driving tips
Automatic transmission .................317
Brakes ........................................... 331
Break-in period .............................. 306
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 344
Downhill gradient ........................... 331
Drinking and driving .......................330
Driving abroad ............................... 280
Driving in winter ............................. 333
Driving on flooded roads ................333
Driving on wet roads ......................333
Exhaust check ............................... 331
Fuel ................................................ 330
General .......................................... 330
Hydroplaning ................................. 333
Icy road surfaces ........................... 334
Limited braking efficiency on
salted roads ................................... 332
Pedals ............................................ 330
Snow chains .................................. 495
Symmetrical low beam ..................280
Wet road surface ........................... 331
DVD
Changer ......................................... 225
Copy protection ............................. 234
Fast forward/fast rewind ...............230
Handling ........................................ 193
Inserting ........................................ 22510Index

Manual control ............................... 286
Overview ........................................ 285
Reading lamp ................................. 285
Intermediate stop
Deleting ......................................... 166
Entering ......................................... 165
iPod ®
Alphabetical track selection ..........242
Connecting to the Media
Interface ........................................ 238
Selecting a category/playlist .........241
Supported variants ........................238
J
Jack Storage location ............................ 474
Using ............................................. 476
Jump starting (engine) ...................... 483
K
Key see SmartKey
KEYLESS-GO
Convenience closing feature ............97
Locking ............................................ 83
Start/Stop button .......................... 307
Starting the engine ........................309
Unlocking ......................................... 83
Key positions
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 307
SmartKey ....................................... 307
Kickdown
Driving tips .................................... 317
Manual drive program ....................320
L
Lamps see Warning and indicator lamps
Lane-change assistant
see Blind Spot Assist
Lane detection (automatic)
see Lane Keeping Assist
Lane Keeping Assist
Activating/deactivating .................387
Display message ............................ 413
Function/information ....................365
Lap time (RACETIMER) ...................... 382
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ................................................ 68
Letter bar see Character bar
License plate lamp (display
message) ............................................ 404
Light function, active Display message ............................ 405
Lighting
see Lights
Lights
Automatic headlamp mode ............281
Cornering light function .................284
Display message ............................ 403
Driving abroad ............................... 280
Fog lamps ...................................... 282
Hazard warning lamps ...................283
High beam flasher .......................... 283
High-beam headlamps ...................283
Light switch ................................... 280
Low-beam headlamps ....................281
Rear fog lamp ................................ 282
Standing lamps .............................. 280
Switching Adaptive Highbeam
Assist on/off ................................. 388
Switching the daytime running
lamps on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 387
Switching the daytime running
lamps on/off (switch) ....................281
Turn signals ................................... 283
see Changing bulbs
see Interior lighting
Light sensor (display message) ....... 405
Loading guidelines ............................ 434
Locator lighting setting (COMAND) . 268
Locking see Central locking
Locking (doors)
Automatic ........................................ 89
Emergency locking ........................... 91
From inside (central locking
button) ............................................. 89
Locking centrally
see Central locking
Locking verification signal (on-
board computer) ............................... 38814Index

Roadside Assistance (breakdown) .... 29
Roller blind see Roller sunblind
Roller sunblind
Panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel .................................. 100
Rear side windows ...........................96
Rear window .................................. 441
Rear window (COMAND) ................266
Roller sunblind of the panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel Operating (front roller sunblind) ....101
Operating (rear roller sunblind) ......101
Roof carrier ........................................ 438
Roof lining and carpets (cleaning
guidelines) ......................................... 472
Roof load (maximum) ........................ 531
Route (navigation) Displaying the distance to the
destination ..................................... 176
Route overview .............................. 176
Selecting an alternative route ........175
Setting route options (avoiding:
highways, toll roads, tunnels,
ferries) ........................................... 156
Setting the route type (short
route, fast route, dynamic route or
economic route) ............................ 156
Starting calculation ........................160
see Route guidance (navigation)
Route guidance
Canceling ....................................... 173
Continuing ..................................... 173
Destination reached ......................174
Lane recommendations .................172
Off-road ......................................... 177
Traffic reports ................................ 178
Route guidance (navigation) ............ 379
Route guidance (on-board
computer) .......................................... 379
Route information see Dynamic route guidance/TMC
S
Safety Children in the vehicle .....................66
Child restraint systems ....................66
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) ............................................... 54
Overview of occupant safety
systems ........................................... 48
Safety notes
Audio CD/DVD and MP3 mode .....225
Operating safety ............................ 120
Video DVD mode ........................... 245
Safety systems
see Driving safety systems
SatRadio ............................................. 221
Displaying information ...................224
Registering .................................... 221
Selecting a category ......................222
Screen
Selecting for remote control (Rear
Seat Entertainment System) ..........144
Switching on/off (Rear Seat
Entertainment System) ..................129
see Display
SD memory card
Loading .......................................... 226
Seat belts
Adjusting the driver's and front-
passenger seat belt .........................64
Adjusting the height ......................... 64
Automatic comfort-fit feature ..........66
Belt force limiters ............................ 65
Cleaning ......................................... 472
Correct usage .................................. 62
Emergency Tensioning Devices ........ 65
Fastening ......................................... 63
Important safety guidelines .............61
Releasing ......................................... 64
Safety guidelines ............................. 49
Special seat belt retractor ...............68
Switching belt adjustment on/off
(on-board computer) ......................388
Warning lamp ................................. 422
Warning lamp (function) ................... 64
Seats
Active multicontour seat ........ 112, 276
Adjusting (electrically) ...................108
Adjusting (rear compartment) ........108
Adjusting lumbar support ..............112
Adjusting the head restraint ..........110
Cleaning the cover .........................472
Correct driver's seat position ........10620Index

Instrument cluster
Displays
FunctionPage:Coolant temperature374;Fuel gauge=PARKTRONIC350?Multifunction display376SpeedometerATransmission position315BTachometer375CDrive program317DParking Guidance353FunctionPageEUnit of measurement for
the speedometer
388
FOutside temperature375GAdditional speedometer388HHOLD function346Ä PRE-SAFE ®
Brake77IAdaptive Highbeam Assist284Lane Keeping Assist or
Active Lane Keeping Assist365, 369ATTENTION ASSIST359Instrument cluster37At a glance

more effective and usable when traffic speeds
vary. It is not however, intended to, nor does
it, replace the need for extreme care.
The responsibility for the vehicle's speed,
distance to the preceding vehicle and, most
importantly, brake operation to ensure a safe
stopping distance, always remains with the
driver.
The DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take street and
traffic conditions into account.
Complex driving situations are not always
fully recognized by the DISTRONIC PLUS. This
could result in wrong or missing distance
warnings.
If you want DISTRONIC PLUS to assist you,
the radar sensor system must be activated
( Y page 389) and operational.
If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC
PLUS operates in the same way as cruise
control in the speed range between 20 mph
(Canada: 30 km/h) and120 mph (Canada:
200 km/h). If a vehicle is driving in front of
you, it operates in the speed range between
0 mph and (0 km/h) 120 mph (Canada:
200 km/h).
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS while driving on
roads with steep gradients.
As DISTRONIC PLUS transmits radar waves,
it can resemble the radar detectors of the
responsible authorities. You can refer to the
relevant chapter in the Operator's Manual if
questions are asked about this.
i USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC
as a “Vehicular Radar System”. The radar
sensor is intended for use in an automotive
radar system only. Removal, tampering, or
altering of the device will void any
warranties, and is not permitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.i Canada only: This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference,
and
2. this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the
device will void any warranties, and is not
permitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or use
in any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.GWARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS distance is not a substitute
for the active intervention of the driver. It does
not detect pedestrians or stationary objects,
nor can it detect, recognize or predict the
road's course or the movements of vehicles
in front. DISTRONIC PLUS can only brake the
vehicle using 40% of the vehicle's maximum
available brake force.
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow
vehicles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or
vehicles driving in the lane beyond the lane
next to your vehicle, especially if the vehicles
are not driving on the middle of their lane.
The driver must always pay careful attention
to the road, weather and traffic conditions.
The driver must drive, steer and brake in a
manner which will allow him to always have
control of the vehicle.
Sources of high-frequency radio waves, such
as toll stations, speed-measuring radar, etc.,
can cause DISTRONIC PLUS to fail
temporarily.
GWARNING
The DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take road and
traffic conditions into account. Only use the
DISTRONIC PLUS if the road, weather and
traffic conditions make it advisable to travel
at a constant speed.
Driving systems337Driving and parkingZ

If these conditions are fulfilled, your vehicle
is accelerated. Acceleration will be
interrupted if changing lanes takes too long
or if the distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front becomes too small.
i When changing lanes, DISTRONIC PLUS
monitors the left lane on left-hand drive
vehicles and the right lane on right-hand
drive vehicles.GWARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS and Active Blind Spot Assist
are only aids designed to assist driving.
They do not relieve you of the responsibility
of paying attention. The driver remains fully
responsible for the vehicle's distance from
other vehicles, the vehicle's speed and for
braking in good time. Always pay attention to
traffic conditions and your surroundings.
Otherwise, you may fail to recognize dangers
in time, cause an accident and injure yourself
and others.
Stopping
GWARNING
Never get out of the vehicle when DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated.
DISTRONIC PLUS must also never be
operated, activated or deactivated by a
passenger or from outside the vehicle.
DISTRONIC PLUS does not replace the
electric parking brake and must not be used
for parking.
The DISTRONIC PLUS braking effect is
canceled and the vehicle can start moving if:
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated using the
cruise control lever.
R you accelerate.
R there is a malfunction in the system or an
interruption in the power supply, e.g.
battery failure.
R the electrical system in the engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses are
tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected.
If you wish to leave the vehicle or park it,
deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS and secure the
vehicle against rolling away.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle
in front is stopping, it brakes your vehicle until
it is stationary.
Once your vehicle is stationary, it remains
stationary and you do not need to depress the
brake.
i After a time, the electric parking brake
secures the vehicle and relieves the service
brake.
i Depending on the specified minimum
distance, your vehicle will come to a
standstill at a sufficient distance behind the
vehicle in front. The specified minimum
distance is set using the control on the
cruise control lever.
Setting a speedGWARNING
Keep in mind that it may take a brief moment
until the vehicle has made the necessary
adjustments.
Increase or decrease the set vehicle speed to
a value that the prevailing road conditions and
legal speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden
and unexpected acceleration or deceleration
of the vehicle could cause an accident and/
or serious injury to you and others.
XPress the cruise control lever up : for a
higher speed or down ; for a lower speed.XTo adjust the speed in 1 mph
increments (1 km/h increments): briefly
press the cruise control lever up : or
down ; to the pressure point.
The last speed stored is increased or
decreased every time the cruise control
lever is pushed up : or down ;.XTo adjust the speed in 5 mph
increments (10 km/h increments):
briefly press the cruise control leverDriving systems341Driving and parkingZ

ATTENTION ASSIST
Important safety notes
ATTENTION ASSIST helps you during long,
monotonous journeys such as on freeways
and interstate highways. It is active in the
range between 50 mph (80 km/h) and
112 mph (180 km/h).
If ATTENTION ASSIST detects typical
indicators of fatigue or increasing lapses in
concentration on the part of the driver, it
suggests you take a break.
GWARNING
ATTENTION ASSIST is only an aid and may
detect your tiredness or lapses in
concentration too late or not at all. It is not a
substitute for a well-rested and attentive
driver.
Fatigue may cause you to recognize
hazardous situations too late, misjudge a
situation or react more slowly. For this
reason, make sure you feel rested before you
begin driving and during your journey. Make
sure that you take regular breaks in time,
particularly on long journeys. Otherwise, you
may fail to recognize dangers in time, cause
an accident and injure yourself and others.
ATTENTION ASSIST assesses your level of
fatigue or lapses in concentration by taking
the following criteria into account:
R your personal driving style, e.g. steering
characteristics
R driving conditions, e.g. time, driving time
The functionality of ATTENTION ASSIST is
restricted and warnings may be delayed or
not occur at all:
R if the road condition is poor, e.g. if the
surface is uneven or if there are potholes
R if there is a strong side wind
R if you have adopted a sporty driving style
with high cornering speeds or high rates of
acceleration
R if you are predominantly driving slower
than 50 mph (80 km/h) or faster than
112 mph (180 km/h)
R if you are currently using COMAND or
making a telephone call with it
R if the time has been set incorrectly
R in active driving situations, such as when
you change lanes or change your speed
Warning and display messages in the
multifunction displayXActivate ATTENTION ASSIST using the on-
board computer ( Y page 386).
Symbol : appears in the multifunction
display.
If ATTENTION ASSIST is active, you will be
warned no sooner than 20 minutes after your
journey has begun. You will then hear an
intermittent warning tone twice, and the
Attention Assist: Drowsiness
Detected message appears in the
multifunction display.
XIf necessary, take a break.XPress a to confirm the message.
On long journeys, take regular breaks in good
time to allow yourself to rest properly. If you
do not take a break, you will be warned again
after 15 minutes at the earliest. The
precondition for this is that
ATTENTION ASSIST still detects typical
indicators of fatigue or increasing lapses in
concentration.
Driving systems359Driving and parkingZ

Problems with Night View Assist PlusProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsThe picture quality of
Night View Assist Plus
has deteriorated.The windshield wipers are smearing the windshield.XReplace the wiper blades ( Y page 289).The windshield is smeared after the vehicle has been cleaned in a
car wash.XClean the windshield ( Y page 469).There is windshield chip damage in the camera's field of vision.XReplace the windshield.The windshield is fogged up on the inside.XDefrost the windshield ( Y page 300).The windshield is iced up.XDe-ice the windshield ( Y page 300).There is dirt on the inside of the windshield.XClean the inside of the windshield ( Y page 469).Driving Assistance package
General notes
i The Driving Assistance package is only
available on vehicles with HYBRID.
The Driving Assistance package consists of
DISTRONIC PLUS ( Y page 336), Blind Spot
Assist ( Y page 363) and Lane Keeping Assist
( Y page 365).
Blind Spot Assist
Important safety notes
Blind Spot Assist uses a radar sensor system
to monitor the areas on both sides of your
vehicle. It supports you from speeds of
approximately 20 mph (30 km/h). A warning
display in the exterior mirrors draws your
attention to vehicles detected in the
monitored area. If you then switch on the
corresponding turn signal to change lane, you
will also receive an optical and audible
collision warning. Blind Spot Assist uses
sensors in the rear bumper for monitoring
purposes.GWARNING
Blind Spot Assist is only an aid designed to
assist driving. It may fail to detect some
vehicles and is no substitute for attentive
driving.
Blind Spot Assist cannot detect road and
traffic conditions. It may fail to detect narrow
vehicles, such as motorcycles or bicycles, or
may only detect them too late.
Monitoring may be affected by dirty sensors,
strong spray or poor visibility caused by snow,
rain or mist, for example. In this case, vehicles
are detected late or not at all.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions and
your surroundings. Otherwise, you may fail to
recognize dangers in time, cause an accident
and injure yourself and others.
i USA only:
Driving systems363Driving and parkingZ