tow MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS SEDAN 2013 User Guide

axle raised. Otherwise, ESP
®
may intervene
and damage the brake system.
! Do not tow vehicles with 4MATIC with the
front or rear axle raised.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
ETS/4ETS (Electronic Traction System) G
WARNING
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 68).
Traction control is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull

away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side. On vehicles with 4MATIC, more
drive torque is also transferred to the wheel
or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Y page 69).G
WARNING
ESP ®
should not be deactivated during
normal driving other than in the
circumstances described below. Disabling
the system will reduce vehicle stability in
driving maneuvers.
Do

not deactivate ESP ®
when the emergency
or spare wheel is mounted. G
WARNING
S 63 AMG: ESP ®
should not be deactivated
during normal driving. Deactivating the system results in the
following:
R
no restriction to the engine torque
R loss of system-supported traction control
"ESP OFF" is designed for driving on closed
tracks when the vehicle's own oversteering
and

understeering characteristics are desired
and requires an extremely qualified and
experienced driver who is able to handle
these critical driving situations.
You could lose control of your vehicle and
cause an accident.
Beware of these limits if you deactivate
ESP ®
.
Do not deactivate ESP ®
when the emergency
or spare wheel is mounted.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
i Vehicles with ECO start/stop function:
the ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle
comes to a stop. The engine starts
automatically when the driver wants to pull
away again. ESP ®
remains in its previously
selected status. Example: if ESP ®
was
deactivated before the engine was
switched off, ESP ®
remains deactivated
when the engine is switched on again.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel G
WARNING
Switch on ESP ®
immediately if one of the
previously
stated conditions is no longer met.
Otherwise, ESP ®
cannot stabilize the vehicle
if it begins to lurch or when a wheel spins. 72
Driving safety systems
Safety

vehicle are turning at a speed of more than
9 mph (15 km/h).
You could therefore be locked out when:
R
the vehicle is being pushed.
R the vehicle is being towed.
R the vehicle is being tested on a
dynamometer.
You can switch off the automatic locking
function via COMAND ( Y page 264).Power closing feature
The power closing feature pulls the doors and
trunk lid into their locks automatically even if
they are only partly closed. G
WARNING
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep
hands and fingers away from the door or
trunk opening when closing a door or the
trunk lid. Be especially careful when small
children are around.
If danger threatens, pull the inside or outside
door handle, or pull the trunk lid handle.
To prevent personal injury, never activate the
closing assist mechanism by tampering with
the door or trunk lid latch. G
WARNING
Only drive with the doors closed. Otherwise,
one
or more of the doors could open while the
vehicle is in motion, putting you and/or
others at risk. G
WARNING
Make sure the trunk lid is closed when the
engine is running and while driving. Among
other dangers, deadly carbon monoxide (CO)
gases

may enter the vehicle interior resulting
in unconsciousness and death. X
Power closing feature (doors): push the
door past the first detent position of the
lock.
The

power closing feature will pull the door
fully closed.
X Power closing feature (trunk lid): lightly
push the trunk lid closed.
The

power closing feature will pull the trunk
lid fully closed. Unlocking the driver's door
(mechanical key)
If

the vehicle can no longer be unlocked with
the SmartKey, use the mechanical key.
If you use the mechanical key to unlock and
open the driver's door, the anti-theft alarm
system will be triggered ( Y page 75).
X Take the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (Y page 81).
X Insert the mechanical key into the lock of
the driver's door as far as it will go. X
Firmly turn the mechanical key
counterclockwise as far as it will go to
position 1 and hold it in this position.
X Pull the door handle quickly.
The locking knob pops up.
The door is unlocked.
X Turn the mechanical key back and remove
it.
X Pull the door handle again.
X Insert the mechanical key into the
SmartKey. Doors
87
Opening/closing Z

Assigning the programmable button
(favorites)
:
Programmable button
You can assign the following predefined
functions to the h programmable button:
R ECO:
you can activate or deactivate the ECO
start/stop function.
R Massage, Driver's Seat: you can switch
the massage function for the driver's seat
on and off.
R Massage, Front Passenger's Seat:
you can switch the massage function for
the front-passenger seat on and off.
R Massage, Driver's and Front
Passenger's Seat: you can switch the
massage function for the driver's and front-
passenger seats on and off.
R Display OFF: you can switch the
COMAND display off or on.
R Tow-away Alarm: you can arm or
deactivate the tow-away alarm.
R Interior Motion Sensor : you can arm or
deactivate the interior motion sensor.
R Tow-away Alarm and Interior Motion
Sensor: you can arm or deactivate the tow-
away alarm and the interior motion sensor.
R Repeat Navigation Command: you can
have the most recent recommendation by
the navigation system repeated.
X To assign the programmable button:
select Vehicle by sliding VÆ and turningcVd the COMAND controller and press
W to confirm.
X Select System and press W to confirm.
X Select Favorites
Button and press W to
confirm.
The list of predefined functions appears.
The # dot in front of the list entry indicates
the current setting.
X To change the setting: turn cVd the
COMAND
controller and select the desired
function.
X To store the setting and exit the menu:
press W the COMAND controller.
Telephone keypad :
Telephone keypad
; Folding cover120
At a glance
COMAND

Navi Audio Telephone Video Vehicle
Mode FM/AM radio Video DVD ECO
Map orientation Sat radio AUX Multicontour
seat/lumbar
settings
Point of interest
symbols on the map Disc Video off Rear window
blind
Traffic symbols on the
map Memory card EASY-ENTRY/
EXIT system
Text information on
map MUSIC
REGISTER Exterior
lighting
delayed
switch-off
O Topographical
map Media
Interface Interior
lighting
delayed
switch-off
O City view USB Ambient
lighting
O Freeway
information Rear O Automatic
mirror fold-in
function
O Volume reduction AUX O Locator
lighting
SIRIUS service Audio off O Automatic
locking
Map version O Interior
motion sensor
O Tow-away
alarm
O Trunk lid
opening height
restriction
SPLITVIEW
SPLITVIEW allows you to simultaneously use
different COMAND functions on the front-
passenger side and on the driver's side.
Depending on the viewing angle of the display
(from the driver's seat or from the front-
passenger seat), you will see two different
displays.122
At a glanceCOMAND

You can enter the characters using either the
character bar or the number keypad. In the
selection
list, you select an entry to copy it to
the address entry menu.
Option 1: city list with character bar
X Call up the city list with character bar
(Y page 153).
The

alphabetically sorted city list shows the
first available entries. Entering characters using the character
bar
X
Select N by turning COMAND controller
cVd and confirm with W. :
N character entered by user
; ANTICOKE characters automatically
added by COMAND
= List entry that most closely resembles the
current entry by the user
? To switch to the selection list
A To delete an entry
B Characters not currently available
C Characters currently available D
Currently selected character
E Character bar
F To cancel an entry
G List
The list G shows all available town names
beginning with N. The list entry that is best
suited to previous user entries is always
highlighted in the first position =,
NANTICOKE in the example.
All characters that have been entered are
displayed in black, the letter N in the
example :. The letters that are added
automatically by COMAND are displayed in
gray ;, ANTICOKE in the example.
Character bar E shows the letters still
available
for selection in black C. These can
be selected; in the example, the letter O is
highlighted D. Which characters remain
available depends on the characters already
entered by the user and on the data stored in
the digital map. Characters that are no longer
available are shown in gray B.
X Select E, W, space, Y in order and confirm
each with W. Entering characters using the number
keypad
X
Press the telephone keypad's number key
p twice in quick succession, to enter
the letter N.
The

character appears at the bottom of the
display when the key is pressed. The first
available letter is highlighted. 130
At a glance
COMAND

Problems with the navigation system
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsCOMAND is unable to
continue route
guidance after the
journey has been
interrupted. Route guidance is canceled if you interrupt the journey for more
than two hours.
"Interrupting the journey" refers to stopping the vehicle and
switching off COMAND. "Continuing route guidance" refers to
switching COMAND back on and driving on.
X
Continue route guidance (Y page 169).
COMAND determines the vehicle's position. Depending on the
driving situation, this may take some time.
Route guidance may be restricted during the determination of
the vehicle's location.
When positioning is complete, route guidance is resumed with
navigation announcements and route guidance displays. COMAND is unable to
determine
the vehicle's
position. COMAND has to redetermine the position of the vehicle if the
vehicle has been transported (e.g. by ferry, by motorail or after
towing).
X
Start the vehicle and pull away.
COMAND determines the vehicle's position. Depending on the
driving situation, this may take some time.
Route guidance may be restricted during the determination of
the vehicle's location.
When positioning is complete, route guidance is resumed with
navigation announcements and route guidance displays. The Navigation
function
unavailable message
appears. COMAND has an integrated hard drive on which the digital map is
stored.
To protect the hard drive from damage, COMAND switches it off
at very high temperatures. The navigation system will then be
temporarily unavailable.
X
Let the vehicle and COMAND cool down.
X To hide the message:
switch COMAND off and then on again. If an area of the hard disk has a malfunction, COMAND can no
longer access the map data in this area, for example when
calculating a route.
X
To hide the message:
switch COMAND off and then on again.
The navigation system will be operational again until it has to
access the faulty area of the hard drive once more. The message
will then reappear.
X Consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.192
Navigation
COMAND

X
To load a single magazine tray: press
respective button =.
X Remove any CD/DVD which may be in
slot :.
X Wait until the indicator lamp for button =
which has been pressed flashes quickly.
X Insert the CD/DVD to be loaded into
slot :.
If the CD/DVD has been inserted properly
and it is a permissible type, the last CD/
DVD loaded will be played.
X To load all six magazine trays: press
button ;.
The
DVD changer checks the load status of
all magazine trays and switches to the first
empty tray.
X Wait until the indicator lamp for the
respective button flashes quickly.
X Insert a disc into slot :.
The DVD changer switches to the next
empty magazine tray.
X Repeat the last two steps until all trays are
loaded.
If the CD/DVD has been inserted properly
and it is a permissible type, the last CD/
DVD loaded will be played.
i If you remove one disc while playing
another disc, the DVD changer interrupts
playback.

Playback continues once the disc
has been removed.
X To remove a disc:
press respective button
=.
X Remove the CD/DVD from slot :.
If the CD/DVD is not removed from
slot :, it will be automatically drawn in
again after a short while.
X To remove all discs: press button ?.
The
DVD changer ejects the CD/DVD from
the tray currently in use. X
Remove the CD/DVD from slot :.
The DVD changer switches to the next
loaded magazine tray and ejects the CD/
DVD.
X Repeat the last step until the magazine is
empty.
Loading and removing SD cards i
Not
all SD memory cards are designed for
the temperatures which may be reached in
the vehicle.
Due to the wide range of SD cards available
on the market, Mercedes-Benz cannot
guarantee playback for all brands of SD
memory card. X
To load an SD card:
press the SD card into
slot :. The tapered side must point
towards the right.
If the SD card contains MP3 tracks,
COMAND will play them back.
X To remove the SD card:
press the SD card
into slot : as far as it will go and then
release it again.
X Pull out the card.
Activating audio CD/DVD or MP3 mode Option 1
X
Insert a CD/DVD ( Y page 220) or an SD
card (Y
page 221) or connect a USB device
(Y page 233).
COMAND loads the medium inserted and
starts to play it. Audio
221
COMAND Z

N
Neutral
D Drive
i The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns
to its original position. The current
transmission
position P, R, N or D appears
in the transmission position display
(Y page 312) in the multifunction display.
Engaging park position P X
Push the DIRECT SELECT lever in the
direction of arrow P.
i The automatic transmission shifts
automatically into park position P if you
open the driver's door when the vehicle is
stationary

or driving at very low speed, and
the transmission is in position D or R.
! If the engine speed is too high or the
vehicle is moving, do not shift the
automatic transmission directly from D to
R, from R to D or directly to P. The
automatic transmission could otherwise be
damaged.
Engaging reverse gear R !
Only shift the automatic transmission to
R when the vehicle is stationary.
i The ECO start/stop function is not
available when reverse gear is engaged.
For further information on the ECO start/
stop function, see ( Y page 306).
X When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
X Push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the
first point of resistance.
Neutral N with ECO start/stop function
activated The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is
braked to a standstill when in neutral
N and
the brake is still depressed. For further information on the ECO start/stop
function (
Y page 306).
Shifting to neutral N X
When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
X Push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down
to the first point of resistance.
If the engine has been switched off, the
automatic transmission automatically
switches to N.
Remaining in neutral N
If the automatic transmission is to remain in
neutral N, e.g. for washing the vehicle in car
washes

with a towing device, please observe
the following instructions: G
WARNING
When leaving the SmartKey in the starter
switch, do not leave children unattended in
the

vehicle. It is possible for children to switch
on the ignition which could result in
unsupervised use of vehicle equipment.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment could
result in an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
Using the SmartKey:
R make sure that the ignition is switched on.
R when the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
R shift to neutral N.
R release the brake pedal.
R if applied, release the electric parking
brake.
R switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
Using KEYLESS-GO:
R make sure that the ignition is switched on.
R when the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
R engage park position P.
R release the brake pedal. Automatic transmission
311
Driving and parking Z

A
Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to
N
while driving. The transmission
could otherwise be damaged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing
the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty:
only shift the transmission to
position N if the vehicle is in danger
of skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
! Rolling in neutral N can damage
the drive train. 7
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.
Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts to the
individual gears automatically when it is in
transmission position D. This automatic
gearshifting behavior is determined by:
R a shift range restriction, if selected
R the selected drive program
E/S or, for AMG vehicles,
C/S/M (Y page 314)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed Driving tips
Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X
Vehicles for USA except AMG vehicles:
fully depress the accelerator pedal.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Vehicles for Canada except AMG
vehicles: depress the accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
Rocking the vehicle free Rocking the vehicle free by shifting back and
forth between transmission positions
D and
R can help to free a vehicle that has become
stuck in mud or snow. The engine
management system of the vehicle limits
shifting

back and forth between transmission
positions D and R to a maximum speed of
5 mph (9 km/h). To shift back and forth
between transmission positions D and R,
move the selector lever up and down beyond
the pressure point.
Working on the vehicle G
WARNING
When working on the vehicle, engage the
electronic parking brake and shift the
automatic transmission into park position P.
Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury. Automatic transmission
313Driving and parking Z

Problems with the transmission
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsThe transmission has
problems shifting gear. The transmission is losing oil.
X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center,
immediately. The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no
longer changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into second
gear and reverse gear.
X Stop the vehicle.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Wait at least 10 seconds before restarting the engine.
X Shift the transmission to position D or R.
If D
is selected, the transmission shifts into second gear; if R is
selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center,
immediately. Transfer case
This section is only valid for vehicles with 4-
wheel drive (4MATIC). Power is always
transmitted to both axles.
! Performance tests may only be carried
out on a 2-axle dynamometer. The brake
system

or transfer case could otherwise be
damaged. Contact a qualified specialist
workshop for a performance test.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
this purpose.
! To prevent ESP ®
from intervening, the
ignition must be switched off (SmartKey or
the Start/Stop button in position 0 or 1) if:
R the electric parking brake is being tested
on a brake dynamometer.
R the vehicle is being towed with only one
axle raised (not permitted for vehicles
with 4MATIC). The brake system could otherwise be
damaged.
Refueling
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Gasoline and diesel fuels are highly flammable
and poisonous. They burn violently and can
cause serious injury.
Never allow sparks, flames or smoking
materials near gasoline or diesel fuel!
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline or diesel
fuel, avoid inhaling fumes and any skin or
clothing contact. Extinguish all smoking
materials.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the
inhalation of fuel vapors are damaging your
health. Refueling
317
Driving and parking Z