airmatic MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class SEDAN 2016 W222 Owner's Manual

1, 2, 3 ...
4ETS (Electronic Traction System)see ETS/4ETS (Electronic Trac-
tion System)
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel
drive) .................................................. 213
12 V socket
see Sockets
115 V socket ...................................... 337
360° camera
Cleaning ........................................ .363
Function/notes .............................2 24
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Display message ............................ 278
Function/notes ................................ 68
Warning lamp ................................. 316
Accident
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent ................................................. 61
Activating/deactivating cooling
with air dehumidification ................. 146
Activating/deactivating Night
View Assist Plus
With spotlight function ................... 232
Active Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 271
Display message ............................ 301
Function/information .................... 234
Active Body Control (ABC)
Display message ............................ 300
Function/notes ............................. 210
Active Lane Keeping Assist
Activating/deactivating (on-
board computer) ............................ 271
Display message ............................ 301
Function/information .................... 237
Active multicontour seat .................. 117
Active Parking Assist
Detecting parking spaces .............. 217
Display message ............................ 302
Exiting a parking space .................. 219
Function/notes ............................. 216
Important safety notes .................. 216 Parking .......................................... 218
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ................................. 75
Adaptive Brake Assist
Function/notes ................................ 72
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) ..... 212
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus
Display message ............................ 293
Function/notes ............................. 133
Switching on/off ........................... 133
Additional speedometer ................... 274
Additives (engine oil) ........................ 430
Air bags
Belt bags .......................................... 48
Cushion air bags .............................. 53
Deployment ..................................... 57
Display message ............................ 289
Front air bag (driver, front
passenger) ....................................... 52
Important safety notes .................... 50
Introduction ..................................... 50
Knee bag .......................................... 52
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) ............................................... 53
PASSENGER AIR BAG i
ndicator
lamps ............................................... 46
Side impact air bag .......................... 52
Window curtain air bag .................... 53
Air vents
Glove box ....................................... 159
Important safety notes .................. 158
Rear ............................................... 160
Setting ........................................... 158
Setting the center air vents ........... 159
Setting the side air vents ............... 159
Air-conditioning system
see Climate control
AIRMATIC
Display message ............................ 299
Function/notes ............................. 212
Alarm
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) ......... 78
Switching off (ATA) .......................... 78
Switching the function on/off
(ATA) ................................................ 78
Alarm system
see ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
Anti-lock braking system
see ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Index3

Control panel ...................................40
Display message ............................ 310
Emergency locking ........................... 88
Emergency unlocking ....................... 87
Important safety notes .................... 85
Opening (from inside) ...................... 86
Power closing .................................. 87
Drinking and driving ......................... 193
Drive program
Automatic ...................................... 174
Manual ........................................... 174
Manual (Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles) ............................................... 175
SETUP (on-board computer) .......... 276
Driver's door
see Doors
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service ................. 358
Driving Assistance package ............. 234
Driving on flooded roads .................. 196
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ....... 68
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 75
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 72
BAS (Brake Assist System) .............. 69
BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic
Assist ............................................... 69
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
PLUS ................................................ 71
Distance warning function ............... 71
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution) ............................................. 75
ESP
®(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 73
Important safety information ........... 68
Overview .......................................... 68
PRE-SAFE
®Brake ............................. 75
Recuperative Brake System ............. 44
STEER CONTROL ............................. 77
Driving systems
360°camera .................................. 224
Active Blind Spot Assist ................. 234
Active Body Control ABC ............... 210
Active Lane Keeping Assist ............ 237
Active Parking Assist ..................... 216
AIRMATIC ...................................... 212
ATTENTION ASSIST ........................ 228 Cruise control ................................ 197
Display message ............................ 299
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 199
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering
Assist and Stop&Go Pilot ............... 207
Driving Assistance package
........... 234
HOLD fu

nction ............................... 208
Night View Assist Plus ................... 230
PARKTRONIC ................................. 214
Rear view camera .......................... 220
Traffic Sign Assist .......................... 229
Driving tips
AMG ceramic brakes ..................... 196
Automatic transmission ................. 173
Brakes ........................................... 194
Break-in period .............................. 161
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 205
Downhill gradient ........................... 194
Drinking and driving ....................... 193
Driving in winter ............................. 196
Driving on flooded roads ................ 196
Driving on wet roads ...................... 196
Exhaust check ............................... 193
Fuel ................................................ 192
General .......................................... 192
Hydroplaning ................................. 196
Icy road surfaces ........................... 196
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 195
Snow chains .................................. 386
Subjecting brakes to a load ........... 194
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ..... 161
Wet road surface ........................... 194
DVD video
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 267
E
EASY-ENTRY featureFunction/notes ............................. 122
EASY-EXIT feature
Crash-responsive ........................... 123
Function/notes ............................. 122
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message ............................ 280
Function/notes ................................ 75
8Index

Switching on/off ........................... 131
Start/Stop button
General notes ................................ 162
Key positions ................................. 163
Removing ....................................... 163
Starting the engine ........................ 164
Start/stop function
see ECO start/stop function
Starting (engine) ................................ 164
STEER CONTROL .................................. 77
Steering
Display message ............................ 311
Warning lamps ............................... 324
Steering Assist
see DISTRONIC PLUS
Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot
(DISTRONIC PLUS)
Display message ............................ 305
Steering assistant STEER CON-
TROL
see STEER CONTROL
Steering wheel
Adjusting (electrically) ................... 120
Button overview ............................... 35
Buttons (on-board computer) ......... 257
Cleaning ......................................... 365
EASY ENTRY/EXIT feature ............. 122
Important safety notes .................. 120
Paddle shifters ............................... 174
Steering wheel heating .................. 120
Storing settings (memory func-
tion) ............................................... 126
Steering wheel heating
Problem (malfunction) ................... 122
Switching on/off ........................... 120
Steering wheel paddle shifters ........ 174
Stop&Go Pilot
see DISTRONIC PLUS
Stowage areas ................................... 325
Stowage compartments
Armrest (under) ............................. 327
Center console .............................. 326
Center console in rear compart-
ment .............................................. 327
Cup holders ................................... 330
Door ............................................... 327
Eyeglasses compartment ............... 326
Glove box ....................................... 326 Important safety information ......... 325
Rear ............................................... 327
Rear seat backrest ......................... 328
Stowage net ................................... 329
see Stowage areas
Stowage net ....................................... 329
Stowage space
Folding table .................................. 328
Parcel net retainers ....................... 329
Securing a load .............................. 329
Stowage well beneath the trunk
floor .................................................... 329
Summer tires
In w

inter ........................................ 386
Sun visor ............................................ 333
Suspension mode
Active Body Control ABC ............... 210
Suspension setting
AIRMATIC ...................................... 212
Suspension settings
SETUP (on-board computer) .......... 276
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ................................................. 152
T
Tachometer ........................................ 256
Tail lamps
Display message ............................ 292
see Lights
Tank content
Fuel gauge ....................................... 33
Technical data
Capacities ...................................... 427
Information .................................... 425
Tires/wheels ................................. 410
Vehicle data ................................... 433
Telephone
Accepting a call (multifunction
steering wheel) .............................. 267
Display message ............................ 311
Introduction ................................... 267
Menu (on-board computer) ............ 267
Number from the phone book ........ 268
Redialing ........................................ 268
Rejecting/ending a call ................. 268
Temperature
Coolant .......................................... 257
Index19

V
Vanity mirror (in the sun visor)........ 333
Vehicle
Correct use ...................................... 29
Data acquisition ............................... 29
Display message ............................ 308
Equipment ....................................... 25
Individual settings .......................... 269
Limited Warranty ............................. 29
Loading .......................................... 394
Locking (in an emergency) ............... 88
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 79
Lowering ........................................ 409
Maintenance .................................... 26
Operating safety .............................. 27
Parking .......................................... 189
Parking for a long period ................ 192
Pulling away ................................... 165
Raising ........................................... 406
Reporting problems ......................... 29
Securing from rolling away ............ 406
Towing away .................................. 379
Transporting .................................. 381
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 87
Unlocking (SmartKey) ...................... 79
Vehicle data ................................... 433
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 433
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 88
Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 426
Vehicle level
Active Body Control ABC ............... 210
AIRMATIC ...................................... 212
Display message ............................ 300
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 367
Video
Operating the DVD ......................... 267
VIN
Type plate ...................................... 426
W
WarningStickers ........................................... 42
Warning and indicator lamps
ABS ................................................ 316 Brakes ........................................... 315
Check Engine ................................. 320
Coolant .......................................... 320
Distance warning ........................... 322
ESP
®.............................................. 317
ESP®OFF ....................................... 319
Fuel tank ........................................ 320
General notes ................................ 313
Hybrid drive system ....................... 315
Overview .......................................... 34
Parking brake ................................ 319
PASSENGER AIR BAG ...................... 46
RBS (Recuperative Brake Sys-
tem) ............................................... 315
Reserve fuel ................................... 320
Restraint system ............................ 319
Seat belt ........................................ 313
Steering ......................................... 324
Tire pressure monitor .................... 323
Warranty .............................................. 25
Washer fluid
Display message ............................ 311
Wheel and tire combinations
Tires ............................................... 412
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 409
Wheel chock ...................................... 406
Wheels
Changing a wheel .......................... 405
Checking ........................................ 385
Cleaning ......................................... 361
General notes ................................ 410
Important safety notes .................. 384
Information on driving .................... 384
Interchanging/changing ................ 405
Mounting a new wheel ................... 409
Mounting a wheel .......................... 406
Removing a wheel .......................... 408
Snow chains .................................. 386
Storing ........................................... 405
Tightening torque ........................... 409
Wheel size/tire size ....................... 410
Window curtain air bag
Display message ............................ 288
Operation ......................................... 53
Windows
see Side windows
22Index

Rsections of the route have a very small radius
of curvature
Ryou accelerate hard or brake sharply
AIRMATIC
General notes
AIRMATIC is an air suspension with variable
damping for improved driving comfort. All-round
level control ensures the best possible suspen-
sion and constant ground clearance, even with a
laden vehicle. When you drive fast, the vehicle is
lowered automatically to improve driving safety
and to reduce fuel consumption. There is also
the option to manually adjust the vehicle level.
AIRMATIC consists of level setting, level control and the Adaptive Damping System ADS PLUS.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle or
in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arches
when the vehicle is being lowered.
Vehicle level
Setting the raised vehicle level
It is possible to choose between the "Normal"
and "Raised" vehicle levels. Select the "Normal"
setting for normal road surfaces and "Raised"
for driving with snow chains or on particularly poor road surfaces. Your selection remains
stored even if you remove the SmartKey from
the ignition lock.
XStart the engine.
If indicator lamp ;is not lit:
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. The vehicle is
raised by 1.0 in (25 mm) compared to the
normal level.
The Vehicle
Risingmessage appears in the
multifunction display.
iThe message disappears after ten seconds,
irrespective of the level reached. If necessary,
the vehicle is raised further.
The "Raised level" setting is canceled if you:
Rdrive at a speed above approximately 75 mph
(120 km/h)
Rdrive for approximately three minutes at a
speed above 50 mph (80 km/h)
Setting the normal vehicle level
XStart the engine.
If indicator lamp ;is lit:
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to normal level.
Suspension tuning
General notes
The Adaptive Damping System ADS PLUS auto-
matically controls the calibration of the damp-
ers.
The damping is tuned individually to each wheel
and depends on:
Ryour driving style, e.g. sporty
Rthe road surface condition, e.g. bumps
Ryour individual selection, i.e. sports or com-
fort
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
iYou can choose between the sporty and
comfortable mode. One of the two modes is
always active.
212Driving systems
Driving and parking

Sports tuning
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
SPORT mode ensures the best possible contact
with the road. Select this mode when employinga sporty driving style, e.g. on winding country
roads.
All vehicles except Mercedes-AMG vehicles:
XIf indicator lamp ;is not lit:press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. Sports suspen-
sion tuning is selected. The vehicle is lowered by 0.4 in (10 mm) compared to the normal
level.
The AIRMATIC
SPORTmessage appears in the
multifunction display.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles:
XIf indicator lamp ;is not lit:press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. If the driving
speed is higher than 75 mph (120 km/h), the
vehicle is automatically lowered by another
0.4 in (10 mm) compared to the normal level
in sport mode.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT
mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
Comfort tuning
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics of
your vehicle are more comfortable. Therefore,
select this mode if you favor a more comfortable
driving style. Select comfort mode also when
driving fast on straight roads, e.g. on straight
stretches of highway.
XIf indicator lamp ;is not lit:press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. Comfort tuning is
selected. All vehicles except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles:
theAIRMATIC COMFORT
message
appears in the multifunction display.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: theAMG Suspen‐
sion System COMFORTmessage appears in
the multifunction display.
If the driving speed is higher than 75 mph
(120 km/h), the vehicle is automatically low-
ered in comfort mode by 0.4 in (10 mm) com-
pared to the normal level.
Load compensation
The vehicle can compensate differences in the
vehicle level by raising or lowering the axles.
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive)
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are perma-
nently driven. Together with ESP®, it improves
the traction of your vehicle whenever a drive
wheel spins due to insufficient grip.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor override
the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot take
account of road, weather and traffic conditions. 4MATIC is only an aid. You are responsible for
the distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle
speed, for braking in good time and for staying in
your lane.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip:
ROnly depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
RAccelerate less when driving.
!Never tow the vehicle with one axle raised.
This may damage the transfer case. Damage
of this sort is not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty. All wheels must
remain either on the ground or be fully raised.
Observe the instructions for towing the vehi-
cle with all wheels in full contact with the
ground.
iIn wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if you
use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow chains
if necessary.
Driving systems213
Driving and parking
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
¨
VehicleRisingPlease Wai t
The vehiclelevel is to olow when th evehicl eis stationary. Awarning
tone also sounds.
XDo no tpull away.
The vehicl elevel is set when th edisplay message disappears.
¨
Sto pVehicl eVehi‐cle Too Low
You hav epulled away while th evehicl elevel is still to olow.
AIRMATIC set sth evehicl eto th eselected level after ashort period.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 189).
XWait until th edisplay message disappear sbefore pullin gaway.
AIRMATIC is defective. Awarning tone also sounds.
XDo no tdrive at speeds abov e50 mph (80 km/h).
XMak eonly slight steering movements. Otherwise ,th efron tfender
or th etires could be damaged if th esteering movement is to olarge.
XListe nfor scraping sounds.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely, payin gattention to roa dand
traffic conditions, and set ahigher vehicl elevel.
Dependin gon th emalfunction ,it may be possibl eto rais eth evehi-
cle .
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
¨
Malfunction
The AIRMATIC function is restricted. The vehicle's handlin gcharac -
teristics may be affected.
XDo no tdrive at speeds abov e50 mph (80 km/h).
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
ABC MalfunctionStopVehicl eThe Active Body Control (ABC) vehicl elevel is to olow.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
Afte r afew seconds, th evehicl elevel is adjusted and th edisplay
message disappears.
The multifunction display continuousl yshows th edisplay message .
The vehicl eis leaking oil.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions. Do no tcontinu edrivin g
under any circumstances.
XConsult aqualified specialist workshop .
The multifunction display continuousl yshows th edisplay message .
Active Body Control (ABC) is malfunctioning .
XDo notdrive at speeds abov e50 mph (80 km/h).
XMak eonly slight steering movements. Otherwise ,th efron tfender
or th etires could be damaged if th esteering movement is to olarge.
XListe nfor scraping sounds.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
300Display messages
On-board computer and displays

To avoid hazardous situations:
Rnever install snow chains to the front
wheels
Ralways install snow chains in pairs to the
rear wheels.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use snow chains that have
been specially approved for your vehicle by
Mercedes-Benz, or are of a corresponding
standard of quality.
If you intend to mount snow chains, please bear
the following points in mind:
RSnow chains may not be mounted on all
wheel/tire combinations. Permissible wheel-
tire combinations (
Ypage 410).
ROnly use snow chains when driving on roads
completely covered by snow. Remove the
snow chains as soon as possible when you
come to a road that is not snow-covered.
RLocal regulations may restrict the use of snow
chains. Observe the appropriate regulations if
you wish to mount snow chains.
RDo not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 31 mph (50 km/h).
ROn vehicles with AIRMATIC (Ypage 212) or
Magic Body Control (MBC) (Ypage 210), you
must drive at raised vehicle level if snow
chains have been mounted.
RWhen snow chains are installed, never use
Active Parking Assist (Ypage 216).
You may wish to deactivate ESP®when pulling
away with snow chains installed (Ypage 74).
You can thereby allow the wheels to spin in a
controlled manner, achieving an increased driv- ing force (cutting action).
Tire pressure
Tire pressure specifications
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Underinflated or overinflated tires pose the
following risks:
Rthe tires may burst, especially as the load
and vehicle speed increase.
Rthe tires may wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which may greatly impair tire
traction.
Rthe driving characteristics, as well as steer-
ing and braking, may be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures
and check the pressure of all the tires includ-
ing the spare wheel:
Rmonthly, at least
Rif the load changes
Rbefore beginning a long journey
Runder different operating conditions, e.g.
off-road driving
If necessary, correct the tire pressure.
The data on the Tire and Loading Information
placard and tire pressure table shown here are
examples. Tire pressure specifications are vehi-
cle-specific and may deviate from the data
shown here. The tire pressure specifications
that are valid for your vehicle can be found on
the Tire and Loading Information placard and
tire pressure table on the vehicle.
General notes
The recommended tire pressures for the tires
mounted at the factory can be found on the
labels described here.
Further information on tire pressures can be
obtained at a qualified specialist workshop.
Tire pressure387
Wheels and tires
Z

Mounting a wheel
Preparing the vehicle
XStop the vehicle on solid, non-slippery and
level ground.
XApply the electric parking brake manually.
XBring the front wheels into the straight-ahead position.
XShift the transmission to position P.
XMake sure that "normal" level is selected for
AIRMATIC (Ypage 212) or Active Body Con-
trol (ABC) (Ypage 210).
XSwitch off the engine.
XOpen the driver's door.
The on-board electronics now have status 0.
This is the same as the SmartKey having been
removed.
XRemove Start/Stop button from ignition lock (Ypage 162).
or, if the SmartKey is inserted in the ignition
lock:
XRemove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
XMake sure that the engine cannot be started
via your smartphone (Ypage 164).
XIf included in the vehicle equipment, remove
the tire-change tool kit from the vehicle.
XSafeguard the vehicle against rolling away.
Securing the vehicle to prevent it from
rolling away
If your vehicle is equipped with a wheel chock, it can be found in the tire-change tool kit
(
Ypage 367).
The folding wheel chock is an additional safety
measure to prevent the vehicle from rolling
away, for example when changing a wheel.
XFold both plates upwards :.
XFold out lower plate;.
XGuide the lugs on the lower plate fully into the
openings in base plate =.
XPlace chocks or other suitable items under
the front and rear of the wheel that is diago-
nally opposite the wheel you wish to change.
Raising the vehicle
GWARNING
If you do not position the jack correctly at the
appropriate jacking point of the vehicle, the
jack could tip over with the vehicle raised.
There is a risk of injury.
Only position the jack at the appropriate jack-
ing point of the vehicle. The base of the jack
must be positioned vertically, directly under
the jacking point of the vehicle.
!The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jacking points. Other-
wise, your vehicle could be damaged.
Observe the following when raising the vehi-
cle:
RTo raise the vehicle, only use the vehicle-spe-
cific jack that has been tested and approved
by Mercedes-Benz. If used incorrectly, the
jack could tip over with the vehicle raised.
RThe jack is designed only to raise and hold the
vehicle for a short time while a wheel is being
changed. It must not be used for performing
maintenance work under the vehicle.
RAvoid changing the wheel on uphill and down- hill slopes.
RBefore raising the vehicle, secure it from roll-
ing away by applying the parking brake and
406Changing a wheel
Wheels and tires