light MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS SEDAN 2012 Owners Manual

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

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

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

Cup holderCenter console .............................. 439
Important safety notes ..................439
Rear compartment .........................439
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) ... 32
Customer Relations Department ....... 32
D
Dashboard see Cockpit
Data
see Technical data
Data medium
Audio DVD ..................................... 233
CD/DVD ........................................ 234
MP3 ............................................... 233
MUSIC REGISTER ........................... 234
Date format, setting .......................... 148
Day design, setting ........................... 147
Daytime running lamps Display message ............................ 405
Switching on/off (on-board
computer) ...................................... 387
Switching on/off (switch) ..............281
Dealership
see Qualified specialist workshop
DEF
Adding ........................................... 325
Display message ............................ 409
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (COMAND) ...........267
Interior lighting (COMAND) ............267
Destination (navigation)
Displaying information ...................176
Entering a destination by address .. 157
Entering a destination using the
map ............................................... 164
Entering an intermediate stop .......165
Entering a point of interest ............166
Saving ............................................ 183
Selecting from the destination
memory ......................................... 163
Selecting from the list of last
destinations ................................... 163
Destination memory (navigation)
Deleting an entry ........................... 185
Entering/saving your home
address .......................................... 160
Previous destinations ....................185
Diagnostics connection ...................... 31
Dialing a number (telephone) ........... 204
Diesel .................................................. 526
Digital speedometer ......................... 378
DIRECT SELECT lever see Automatic transmission
Display
Selecting the design ......................147
Settings ......................................... 147
Display (cleaning instructions) ........ 470
Displaying the arrival time ............... 176
Displaying the distance to the
destination ......................................... 176
Display messages Calling up (on-board computer) .....390
Driving systems ............................. 410
Engine ............................................ 406
General notes ................................ 390
Hiding (on-board computer) ...........390
Lights ............................................. 403
Safety systems .............................. 391
Service interval display ..................465
SmartKey ....................................... 421
Tires ............................................... 417
Vehicle ........................................... 419
Distance
see Navigation, route overview
Distance display (on-board
computer) .......................................... 385
Distance recorder ............................. 378
see Odometer
see Trip odometer
Distance warning (warning lamp) .... 430
DISTRONIC PLUS Deactivating ................................... 343
Display message ............................ 415
Displays in the multifunction
display ........................................... 343
Driving tips .................................... 344
Function/notes ............................. 336
Important safety notes ..................336Index9

ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction
System) ................................................ 76
Exhaust check ................................... 331
Exhaust tail pipe (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 470
Exterior lighting see Exterior lighting
Exterior mirror parking position
Adjusting (COMAND) .....................266
Exterior mirrors
Adjusting ....................................... 116
Dipping (automatic) .......................117
Folding in/out (automatically) .......116
Folding in/out (electrically) ...........116
Out of position (troubleshooting) ...116
Storing settings (memory
function) ........................................ 118
Storing the parking position ..........117
Eyeglasses compartment ................. 435
F
Factory setting (reset function) ....... 154
Fader, setting .................................... 139
Fast forward Audio mode (CD, DVD, MP3) .........230
Rear Seat Entertainment System ...260
Video DVD ..................................... 247
Fast rewind
Audio mode (CD, DVD, MP3) .........230
Rear Seat Entertainment System ...260
Video DVD ..................................... 247
Favorites (COMAND) ......................... 124
Filler cap see Fuel filler flap
First-aid kit ......................................... 474
Flat tire Changing a wheel/mounting the
spare wheel ................................... 475
MOExtended run-flat system .........480
Preparing the vehicle .....................475
Raising the vehicle .........................476
Floormat ............................................. 455
Freeway information ......................... 191
Front fog lamps ................................. 282
Display message ............................ 404
Switching on/off ........................... 282
Front-passenger seat
Adjusting from the driver's seat ..... 109
Adjusting from the rear
compartment ................................. 109
Front windshield
see Windshield
Fuel
Additives ........................................ 526
Displaying the current
consumption .................................. 378
Displaying the range ......................378
Driving tips .................................... 330
Fuel gauge ....................................... 37
Grade (gasoline) ............................ 525
Important safety notes ..................525
Premium-grade unleaded gasoline . 525
Problem (malfunction) ...................324
Quality (diesel) ............................... 526
Refueling ........................................ 321
Tank content/reserve fuel .............525
Fuel filler flap, opening/closing ....... 322
Fuel filter (display message) ............ 409
Fuel level Calling up the range (on-board
computer) ...................................... 378
Fuel tank
Capacity ........................................ 525
Problem (malfunction) ...................324
Function buttons (COMAND) ............ 123
Fuses Allocation chart ............................. 488
Before changing ............................. 488
Dashboard fuse box .......................488
Engine emergency stop .................490
Fuse box in the engine
compartment ................................. 489
Fuse box in the rear compartment . 488
Important safety notes ..................487
G
Garage door opener Clearing the memory .....................455
Notes ............................................. 452
12Index

Opening/closing the garage door ..455
Programming (button in the rear-
view mirror) ................................... 453
Gear indicator (on-board
computer) .......................................... 381
Gear or selector lever (cleaning
guidelines) ......................................... 472
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts ......... 522
Glove box ........................................... 434
GPS reception .................................... 155
Gracenote Media Database .............. 231
H
Handbrake see Parking brake
Harman/kardon ®
Logic 7 ®
surround sound system see Surround sound (harman/
kardon ®
surround sound system)
Hazard warning lamps ...................... 283
HD Radio™ ......................................... 219
Heading up (navigation) ................... 188
Headlamp cleaning system Notes ............................................. 531
Headlamps
Adding fluid to cleaning system .....464
Cleaning system (function) ............282
Fogging up ..................................... 285
see Automatic headlamp mode
Headphones
Changing batteries ........................251
Function overview ..........................146
Indicator lamp ................................ 147
Selecting a screen .........................146
Switching on/off ........................... 146
Head restraints
Adjusting ....................................... 110
Adjusting (electrically) ...................110
Adjusting (rear) .............................. 111
NECK-PRO ..................................... 110
NECK-PRO luxury ........................... 110
see NECK-PRO head restraints/
NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
Heating
see Climate control
High-beam headlamps
Changing bulbs (vehicles with
halogen daytime running lamps) ....288
Changing bulbs (vehicles with LED
daylight lamps) .............................. 288
Display message ............................ 404
Switching Adaptive Highbeam
Assist on/off ................................. 284
Switching on/off ........................... 283
Hill start assist .................................. 310
HOLD function Display message ............................ 412
Function/notes ............................. 346
Home
see Home address
Home address
Entering and saving .......................160
Selecting from the destination
memory ......................................... 163
Hood
Closing ........................................... 459
Display message ............................ 420
Opening ......................................... 458
Hydroplaning ..................................... 333
I
Ignition lock see Key positions
Immobilizer .......................................... 79
In-car hotspot see Separate operating instructions
Incident (traffic report) ..................... 178
Indicator lamps see Warning and indicator lamps
Indicators
see Turn signals
Insect protection on the radiator .... 459
Instrument cluster Overview .......................................... 37
Warning and indicator lamps ...........38
Instrument lighting
see Instrument cluster lighting
Interface (USB, iPod ®
)
see Media Interface
Interior lighting ......................... 267, 285
Ambient light (COMAND) ...............268
Automatic control ..........................286
Index13

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

Selecting a destination from the
destination memory .......................163
Selecting a destination from the
list of last destinations ................... 163
Selecting your home address ........163
Setting route options (avoiding:
highways, toll roads, tunnels,
ferries) ........................................... 156
Setting the route type (short
route, fast route, dynamic route or
economic route) ............................ 156
Showing/hiding the menu .............156
Starting route calculation ..............160
Switching announcements on/off . 174
Switching to ................................... 155
Traffic report .................................. 178
Troubleshooting ............................. 196
NECK-PRO head restraints
Operation ......................................... 59
Resetting after being triggered ........60
NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
Operation ......................................... 59
Resetting after being triggered ........60
New aluminum style carrier bars
see Separate installation instructions
Night View Assist Plus
Activating/deactivating .................360
Cleaning ......................................... 471
Display message ............................ 410
Function/notes ............................. 360
Problem (malfunction) ...................363
North orientation (navigation) ......... 188
Notes on breaking-in a new
vehicle ................................................ 306
Number keypad ................................. 133
O
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) Faults ............................................... 58
Operation ......................................... 54
System self-test ............................... 57
Occupant safety
Children in the vehicle .....................66
System overview .............................. 48
OCS
Faults ............................................... 58
Operation ......................................... 54
System self-test ............................... 57
Odometer ........................................... 378
see Trip odometer
Off-road .............................................. 177
Oil see Engine oil
On-board computer
AMG menu ..................................... 381
Assistance menu ........................... 385
Audio menu ................................... 380
Displaying a service message ........465
Display messages ..........................390
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 343
Important safety notes ..................374
Menu overview .............................. 377
Message memory .......................... 390
Navigation menu ............................ 379
Operation ....................................... 375
RACETIMER ................................... 382
Service menu ................................. 387
Settings menu ............................... 387
Standard display ............................ 378
Telephone menu ............................ 384
Trip menu ...................................... 378
Video DVD operation .....................381
Opening height restriction for
trunk lid .............................................. 269
Operating safety Diagnostics connection ...................31
Operating system
see On-board computer
Outside lighting
Delayed switch-off (COMAND) .......267
Outside temperature display ........... 375
Overhead control panel ...................... 42
Override feature Rear side windows ...........................71
Own address (navigation)
see Home address
P
Paint code number ............................ 523
Paintwork (cleaning instructions) ... 468
Panic alarm .......................................... 72
Index17

CockpitFunctionPage:Steering wheel paddle
shifters
318
;Combination switch283=Cruise control lever335?HornAInstrument cluster37BDIRECT SELECT lever314CControl panel for:Vehicle level347Suspension tuning348PARKTRONIC350Swiveling the COMAND
display
128
COMAND display
brightness
128
Instrument lighting128FunctionPageDOverhead control panel42EAutomatic climate control294FIgnition lock307Start/Stop button307GAdjusts the steering wheel114Steering wheel heating114HElectric parking brake328IDiagnostics connection31JOpens the hood458KNight View Assist Plus360LLight switch28036CockpitAt a glance