seats 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

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

R
RACETIMER (on-board computer) .... 382
Radar sensor system Activating/deactivating .................389
Display message ............................ 413
Radiator cover ................................... 459
Radio HD Radio™ .................................... 219
Selecting a station .........................380
Setting a station ............................ 216
Sound settings (balance, bass,
fader, treble) .................................. 139
Storing stations ............................. 217
Switching on .................................. 215
Switching wavebands ....................216
Radio-controlled devices
(installing) .......................................... 456
Read-aloud function .......................... 178
Reading lamp ..................................... 285
Real-time traffic reports ................... 178
Rear compartment Activating/deactivating climate
control ........................................... 296
Setting the air distribution .............299
Setting the airflow .........................299
Setting the air vents ......................303
Setting the temperature ................298
Rear fog lamp
Display message ............................ 404
Switching on/off ........................... 282
Rear seat
Adjusting ....................................... 108
Rear Seat Entertainment System
Adjusting the sound settings .........253
Audio mode (CD, DVD, MP3) .........255
AUX mode ...................................... 263
Changing batteries (remote
control, headphones) .....................251
Changing the picture format ..........254
Components/overview ..................143
Headphones (cordless) ..................146
Multiple users ................................ 253
Overview of picture settings ..........253
Remote control .............................. 144
Screen ........................................... 144
Setting the audio format ................262
System settings ............................. 254Using headphones .........................252
Using the main loudspeaker ..........252
Video DVD mode ........................... 258
Rear seats
Overview .......................................... 45
Rear view camera
Cleaning instructions .....................470
Function/notes ............................. 357
Rear-view mirror ............................... 117
Rear window blind ............................ 441
see Rear window roller sunblind
see Roller sunblind
Rear window defroster
Problem (malfunction) ...................301
Switching on/off ........................... 301
Redialing (telephone) ........................ 204
Refueling Fuel gauge ....................................... 37
Important safety notes ..................321
Refueling process ..........................322
see Fuel
Remote control
Garage door opener .......................452
Programming (garage door
opener) .......................................... 453
Remote operation
Selecting a screen (Rear Seat
Entertainment System) ..................144
Switching a screen on/off (Rear
Seat Entertainment System) ..........145
Reporting safety defects .................... 32
Reserve (fuel tank) see Fuel
Reserve fuel
Display message ............................ 409
Warning lamp ................................. 430
see Fuel
Reset function ................................... 154
Resetting (factory settings) ............. 154
Residual heat (climate control) ........ 302
Restraint system see SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Reversing lamps (display
message) ............................................ 405
Road map see Map Index19

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

Sound settingsBalance and fader ..........................139
Calling up the sound menu ............139
Rear Seat Entertainment System ...253
Surround sound ............................. 140
Treble and bass ............................. 139
Spare wheel
Notes/data .................................... 518
Storage location ............................ 474
see Emergency spare wheel
Specialist workshop ............................ 31
Speech control see Voice Control System
Speed, controlling
see Cruise control
Speedometer
Activating/deactivating the
additional speedometer .................388
Digital ............................................ 378
In the Instrument cluster .................37
Selecting the unit of
measurement ................................ 388
see Instrument cluster
SPLITVIEW ......................................... 126
SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System) Display message ............................ 399
Introduction ..................................... 48
Warning lamp ................................. 428
Warning lamp (function) ................... 48
Standing lamps
Display message ............................ 404
Switching on/off ........................... 280
Starting (engine) ................................ 308
Station memory ................................. 217
Steering (display message) .............. 420
Steering wheel Adjusting (electrically) ...................114
Button overview ............................... 39
Buttons (on-board
computer) ...................................... 375
Cleaning ......................................... 472
Important safety notes ..................114
Paddle shifters ............................... 318
Steering wheel heating ..................114
Storing settings (memory
function) ........................................ 118Steering wheel heating
Switching on/off ........................... 114
Steering wheel paddle shifters ........ 318
Stop function Audio DVD ..................................... 228
Rear Seat Entertainment System ...260
Video DVD ..................................... 247
Stopwatch (RACETIMER) ................... 382
Storing stations Manually ........................................ 217
Storing stations (radio)
Automatically ................................. 217
Stowage areas ................................... 434
Stowage compartments Armrest (under) ............................. 435
Cup holders ................................... 439
Door ............................................... 435
Eyeglasses compartment ...............435
Glove box ....................................... 434
Important safety information .........434
Parcel net ...................................... 437
Rear ............................................... 436
Rear seat backrest ......................... 436
Rear seats (between) .....................436
Stowage well ..................................... 438
Stowage well beneath the trunk
floor .................................................... 438
Summer opening see Convenience opening feature
Summer tires ..................................... 494
Sun visor ............................................ 440
Supplemental Restraint System see SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Surround sound
see 3D sound (Harman Kardon ®
surround sound system)
Surround sound (harman/
kardon ®
surround sound system)
Notes ............................................. 140
Switching on/off ........................... 140
Suspension tuning
Active Body Control .......................349
AIRMATIC ...................................... 348
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ................................................. 30122Index

Cockpit ................................................. 36
Instrument cluster ..............................37
On-board computer and COMAND .....39
Center console .................................... 41
Overhead control panel ......................42
Door control panel .............................. 43
Rear seats ............................................ 4535At a glance

Rear seatsFunctionPage:Cup holder underneath the
rear seat armrest
439
;Cup holder in the rear seat
armrest
439
=Control panel for
multicontour seat in the
rear compartment
112
FunctionPage?Stowage compartment in
the rear seat armrest
436
AStowage box in the seat
backrest
436
Rear seats45At a glance

When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat is classified as being empty,
the 42 indicator lamp will
illuminate when the engine is started and
remain illuminated, indicating that the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat occupant is classified as
being heavier than the weight of a typical 12-
month-old child seated in a standard child
restraint or as being a small individual (such
as a young teenager or a small adult), the
42 indicator lamp will illuminate
for approximately 6 seconds when the engine
is started and then, depending on occupant
weight sensor readings from the front-
passenger seat, remain illuminated or go out.
With the 42 indicator lamp
illuminated, the front-passenger front air bag
is deactivated. With the 42
indicator lamp out, the front-passenger front
air bag is activated.
When the OCS senses that the front-
passenger seat occupant is classified as an
adult or someone larger than a small
individual, the 42 indicator lamp
will illuminate for approximately 6 seconds
when the engine is started and then go out,
indicating that the front-passenger front air
bag is activated.
If the 42 indicator lamp is
illuminated, the front-passenger front air bag
is deactivated and will not be deployed.
If the 42 indicator lamp is not
illuminated, the front-passenger front air bag
is activated and will be deployed:
R in the event of certain frontal impacts
R if impact exceeds a preset deployment
threshold
R independently of the side impact air bagsIf the front-passenger front air bag is
deployed, the rate of inflation will be
influenced by:
R the rate of vehicle deceleration as assessed
by the air bag control unit
R the front passenger's weight category as
identified by OCS
For further information, see "Air bag display
messages" ( Y page 401).GWARNING
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained on the rear
seats than on the front-passenger seat. Thus,
we strongly recommend that children be
placed in the rear seats whenever possible.
Regardless of seating position, children 12
years old and under must be seated and
properly secured in an appropriately sized
child restraint system or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
The infant or child restraint system must be
properly secured with the vehicle's seat belt,
the seat belt and Top Tether strap, or lower
anchors and Top Tether strap, fully in
accordance with the child seat
manufacturer's instructions.
Occupants, especially children, should always
sit as upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly and use an appropriate sized infant
restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
Children can be killed or seriously injured by
an inflating air bag. Note the following
important information when circumstances
require you to place a child in the front-
passenger seat:
R Your vehicle is equipped with air bag
technology designed to deactivate the
front-passenger front air bag in your vehicle
when the system senses the weight of a
typical 12-month-old child or less along
Occupant safety55SafetyZ

PRE-SAFE®
(preventative occupant
protection)GWARNING
The PRE-SAFE ®
system reduces the impact of
an accident on vehicle occupants, as long as
their seat belts have been fastened correctly.
Although your vehicle is equipped with a PRE-
SAFE ®
system, the possibility of injury in the
event of an accident cannot be ruled out. You
should therefore always drive carefully and
adapt your driving style to the prevailing road,
weather and traffic conditions.
PRE-SAFE ®
takes preemptive measures to
protect occupants in certain hazardous
situations.
PRE-SAFE ®
intervenes:
R when BAS PLUS intervenes powerfully on
vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS
R if, on vehicles with DISTRONIC PLUS, the
radar sensor system detects an imminent
danger of collision in certain situations
R in critical driving situations, e.g. when
physical limits are exceeded and the
vehicle understeers or oversteers severely
PRE-SAFE ®
takes the following measures
depending on the hazardous situation
detected:
R the front seat belts are pre-tensioned.
R the front-passenger seat or the electrically
adjustable outer seats in the rear are
adjusted if they are in an unfavorable
position.
R vehicles with a multicontour seat or active
multicontour seat: the air pressure in the
side bolsters of the seat cushion and
backrest is increased.
R vehicles with multicontour seats in the
rear: the air pressure in the backrest side
bolsters of the outer seats in the rear is
increased.
R if the vehicle skids, the sliding sunroof/
panorama roof with power tilt/sliding
panel and the side windows are closed so
that only a small gap remains.
If the hazardous situation passes without
resulting in an accident, PRE-SAFE ®
slackens
the belt pretensioning. The air pressure in the
side bolsters on the multicontour seat/active
multicontour seat is reduced again. All
settings made by PRE-SAFE ®
can then be
reversed.
If the seat belts are not released:XMove the backrest back slightly, but only
when the vehicle is stationary.
The belt pretensioning is reduced and the
locking mechanism is released.GWARNING
Make sure that nobody can become trapped
as you adjust the seat.
! Make sure that there are no objects in the
footwell or behind the seats when resetting
the seats. There is a risk that the seats
and/or the objects could be damaged.
More information about seat-belt
adjustment, a convenience function
integrated into PRE-SAFE ®
, can be found in
the "Seat-belt adjustment" section
( Y page 64).
NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-
PRO luxury head restraints
NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO luxury
head restraints increase protection of the
driver's and front-passenger's head and
neck. In the event of a rear collision of a
certain severity, the NECK-PRO head
restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
on the driver's and front-passenger seats are
moved forwards and upwards. This provides
better head support.
GWARNING
Do not attach any objects (e.g. a coat hanger)
to the NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO
luxury head restraints. Otherwise, the NECK-
Occupant safety59SafetyZ

PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head
restraints may not function properly and in
the event of a rear-end collision may not offer
the protection they are designed to provide.GWARNING
Seat or head restraint covers can cause a
malfunction when the NECK-PRO head
restraints/NECK PRO luxury head restraints
are activated or when the side impact air bags
are deployed, or they can prevent this
completely. The NECK-PRO head restraints/
NECK PRO luxury head restraints or side
impact air bags can therefore not provide the
intended protection. Do not use any seat or
head restraint covers.
If the NECK-PRO head restraints/NECK-PRO
luxury head restraints have been triggered in
an accident, reset the NECK-PRO head
restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
on the driver's and front-passenger seats
( Y page 60). Otherwise, the additional
protection will not be available in the event of
another rear-end collision. NECK-PRO head
restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
that have been triggered are moved forwards
and can no longer be adjusted.
GWARNING
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint so that it is as close
to the head as possible and the center of the
head restraint supports the back of the head
at eye level. This will reduce the potential for
injury to the head and neck in the event of an
accident or similar situation.
Resetting triggered NECK-PRO head
restraints
Important safety notes
GWARNING
For reasons of safety, have the NECK-PRO
head restraints/NECK-PRO luxury head
restraints checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center after a rear-end
collision.GWARNING
When pushing back the NECK-PRO head
restraint cushion, make sure your fingers do
not become caught between the head
restraint cushion and the cover. Failure to
observe this could result in injuries.
NECK-PRO head restraints
i Resetting the NECK-PRO head restraints
requires a lot of strength. If you have
difficulty resetting the NECK-PRO head
restraints, have this work carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
XPress the base of the NECK-PRO head
restraint cushion back in the direction of
arrow ; as far as it will go.XPush the NECK-PRO head restraint cushion
down into the guide in the direction of
arrow = as far as it will go.XFirmly fold the NECK-PRO head restraint
cushion back in the direction of arrow :
until it engages.XRepeat this procedure for the second
NECK-PRO head restraint.
NECK-PRO luxury head restraints
i If you have difficulty resetting the NECK-
PRO luxury head restraints, have this work
carried out at a qualified specialist
60Occupant safetySafety