ECU MERCEDES-BENZ S550 2007 W221 Owner's Guide

70 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsThe pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.
Emergency brake maneuver
Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 544).
Adaptive Brake
Adaptive Brake provides a high level of
braking safety as well as increased braking
comfort.Adaptive Brake Lights (S 600 and
USA only)
Depending on vehicle production date the
brake lamps flash in quick intervals while
you are braking in order to signal to cars
behind you that

you are braking strongly at a speed of
more than 30 mph (50 km/h)


you are braking with the aid of BAS or
BAS Plus*
If you bring the car to a complete stop by
hard braking at a speed of more than
40 mph (70 km/h), the hazard warning
flasher automatically comes on as soon as
the vehicle is at a standstill. While the vehi-
cle is stationary, the brake lamps are con-
tinuously lit up. Once you drive faster than
6 mph (10 km/h) afterward, the hazard
warning flasher goes out.
Warning!
G
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the BAS,
BAS Plus*, ESP
® and ETS are also switched
off.
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability and extending the brak-
ing distance.
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency
beyond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction af-
forded. The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, atten-
tive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents.
The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dan-
gerous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.

71 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
BAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing the braking distance.
Apply continuous full braking pressure
until the emergency braking situation is
over.
The ABS will prevent the wheels from
locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
section (
page 544).
BAS Plus*
BAS Plus operates in emergency braking
situations and uses radar sensors to as-
sess the traffic situation.When you step quickly on the brake pedal
in an emergency braking situation,
BAS Plus automatically regulates the
brake pressure to a level that is suitable for
the traffic situation.
If BAS Plus requires a particularly high
brake pressure, PRE-SAFE
® is activated at
the same time.

Step on the brake pedal until the emer-
gency braking situation is over.
During this process, ABS prevents the
wheels from locking up.
Once you take your foot off the brake ped-
al or when there is no longer a risk of colli-
sion, the brake pedal functions again as
usual. BAS Plus is deactivated.
EBP
The Electronic Brake Proportioning (EBP)
enhances braking effectiveness by allow-
ing the rear brakes to supply a greater pro-
portion of the braking effort in straight line
breaking without a loss of vehicle stability.
Warning!
G
When the BAS is malfunctioning, the brake
system is still functioning normally, but with-
out the additional brake boost available that
BAS would normally provide in an emergen-
cy braking maneuver. Therefore, the braking
distance may increase.
Warning!
G
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking efficiency beyond that af-
forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes
and tires or the traction afforded. The BAS
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, fol-
lowing another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of a BAS equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dan-
gerous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.

72 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsESP
®
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP
®) is
operational as soon as the engine is run-
ning and monitors the vehicle’s traction
(force of adhesive friction between the
tires and the road surface) and handling.
The ESP
® recognizes when a wheel is spin-
ning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By ap-
plying brakes to the appropriate wheel and
by limiting the engine output, the ESP
® works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP
® is
especially useful while driving off and on
wet or slippery road surfaces. The ESP®
also stabilizes the vehicle during braking
maneuvers.
The ESP
® warning lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster flashes when the ESP
® is en-
gaged.
The ESP
® warning lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster comes on when you switch on
the ignition (
page 315). It goes out when
the engine is running.
Warning!
G
When the EBP is malfunctioning, the ABS,
BAS, BAS Plus*, ESP
® and ETS are also
switched off.
If the EBP is malfunctioning, the brake sys-
tem will still function with full brake boost.
However, the rear wheels could lock up dur-
ing emergency braking situations, for exam-
ple. You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident. Adapt your driving style
to the changed driving characteristics.
Warning!
G
Never switch off the ESP
® when you see the
ESP
® warning lamp v flashing in the in-
strument cluster. In this case proceed as fol-
lows:


While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.


While driving ease up on the accelera-
tor.


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP
® cannot prevent accidents result-
ing from excessive speed.
Warning!
G
The ESP
® cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
®
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ESP
® equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.
i
DISTRONIC Plus* is switched off when the
ESP® engages.

73 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
section (
page 549) and (
page 582).
ETS
The Electronic Traction System is a compo-
nent of ESP
®.
The Electronic Traction System (ETS) im-
proves the vehicle’s ability to utilize avail-
able traction, especially under slippery road conditions. The brakes are applied to
the spinning wheel and power is trans-
ferred to the wheel(s) with traction.
The ESP
® warning lampvin the instru-
ment cluster starts to flash at any vehicle
speed, as soon as a tire loses traction and
the wheel begins to spin.
When you switch off the ESP
®, the ETS is
still enabled.Switching off the ESP
®
To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn off
the ESP
® in driving situations where it
would be advantageous to have the drive
wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for
better grip such as:


when driving with snow chains


in deep snow


in sand or gravel
i
The ESP
® will only function properly if you
use wheels of the recommended tire size
(
page 655).
!
Because of the ESP’s
® automatic operation,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 or1 or
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button* in position0
or1) when


the parking brake is being tested on a brake
test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front/rear axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
® may oth-
erwise seriously damage the brake system.
Warning!
G
If you are driving too fast, the Electronic
Traction System cannot reduce the risk of
an accident.
The ETS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle.i
If the yellow ESP
® warning lampv
comes on while driving, the ETS is being
switched off temporarily to prevent overheating
of the drive wheel brakes. In addition, the mes-
sage “ESP Currently unavailable See Oper. Man-
ual” appears in the multifunction display.
Warning!
G
The ESP
® should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
!
Turn the ESP
® on immediately if the afore-
mentioned circumstances do not apply anymore.
i
DISTRONIC Plus* cannot be activated when
the ESP
® has been switched off.

74 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsWhen you switch off the ESP
®


the ESP
® does not stabilize the vehicle


the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and
thus cut into surfaces for better grip


the traction control will still brake a
spinning wheel


the ESP
® continues to operate when
you are braking
1ESP
® off/on

Press ESP
® switch1 until the ESP
®
warning lampv in the speedometer
comes on.
The ESP
® is switched off.Switching on the ESP
®

Press ESP
® switch1.
The ESP
® warning lampv in the in-
strument cluster goes out.
You are now again in normal driving
mode with the ESP
® switched on.
i
When the ESP
® is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ESP
® warn-
ing lamp
v
in the instrument cluster flashes.
However, the ESP
® will then not stabilize the ve-
hicle.
Warning!
G
When the ESP
® warning lampv is illumi-
nated continuously, the ESP
® is switched
off.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP
®.
!
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an ex-
tended period with the ESP
® switched off. This
may cause serious damage to the drivetrain
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.

75 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating
With the SmartKey: Remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch.

With the KEYLESS-GO*: Turn off the
engine (
page 317) and open the driv-
er’s door.
Deactivating

Switch on the ignition (
page 315).
Anti-theft alarm system
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens:

a door


the trunk


the hood
The alarm will stay on even if the activating
element (a door, for example) is immedi-
ately closed.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when


the vehicle is raised


the vehicle is opened with the
mechanical key


a door is opened from the inside
To cancel the alarm after it has been trig-
gered, see “Canceling the alarm”
(
page 76).1Indicator lamp

Arming: Lock your vehicle with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*.
The turn signal lamps flash three times
to indicate that the alarm system is ac-
tivated. The indicator lamp1 flashes
to indicate that the alarm system is
armed.
i
Starting the engine will also deactivate the
immobilizer.
In case the engine cannot be started (yet the ve-
hicle’s battery is charged), the system is not op-
erational. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the
USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
i
If the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response Center is ini-
tiated automatically by the Tele Aid system
(
page 462) provided Tele Aid service was sub-
scribed to and properly activated, and that nec-
essary mobile phone, power supply and GPS
coverage are available.


76 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systems
Disarming: Unlock your vehicle with
the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*.
The turn signal lamps flash once to in-
dicate that the alarm system is dis-
armed.
Tow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.
To cancel the alarm after it has been trig-
gered, see “Canceling the alarm”
(page 76).

Arming: Lock your vehicle with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*.
The tow-away alarm is automatically
armed after about 30 seconds.

Disarming: Unlock your vehicle with
the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*.
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm
feature, switch off the tow-away alarm be-
fore towing the vehicle, or when parking on
a surface subject to movement, such as a
ferry or auto train. To switch off the tow-away alarm, see
“Switching on/of the tow-away alarm”
(
page 228).
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm, do one of the follow-
ing:
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.

Press the Œ or ‹ button on the
SmartKey.
In vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:

Grasp an outside door handle.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must
be within 3 ft. (1 m) of the vehicle.

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton (
page 317).
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must
be inside the vehicle.
i
If the turn signal lamps does not flash three
times one of the following elements may not be
properly closed:


a door


the trunk
Close the respective element and lock the vehi-
cle again.
i
The alarm system will rearm automatically
again after approximately 40 seconds if no door
was opened.
i
If the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response Center is ini-
tiated automatically by the Tele Aid system
(
page 462) provided Tele Aid service was sub-
scribed to and properly activated and that neces-
sary mobile phone, power supply and GPS
coverage are available.
i
When you unlock your vehicle, the tow-away
protection disarms automatically.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed until you
lock your vehicle again.


220 Control systemsCOMAND vehicle menuIn this menu, you can program the follow-
ing vehicle functions:
Setting night security illumination
(Exterior Lighting Delayed Switch-off)
Use this function to set whether and how
long you would like the exterior lighting to
illuminate during darkness after exiting the
vehicle and all doors closed.
The exterior lighting automatically goes
out after the delayed switch-off time has
expired.
You can select:

“0 sec.”, the delayed switch-off feature
is deactivated


“15 sec.”, “30 sec.”, “45 sec.”, or
“60 sec.”, the delayed switch-off fea-
ture is activated

Select “Vehicle”.
The main area is active.

Selecting “Exterior Lighting Delayed
Switch-off” menu: Slide omp or
rotateymz.

Confirming selection: Press n.

Selecting length of time: Slide qmr
or rotate ymz.

Confirming selection: Press n.
or

Select “Vehicle”
“Vehicle”
“Exte-
rior Lighting Delayed Switch-off”.
A selection list appears.
The current setting is indicated by a
dotR.
Function
Page
Exterior Lighting Delayed
Switch-off
220
Locator Lighting
221
Exterior Mirror Convenience Set-
tings
222
Automatic Locking
223
Easy Entry/Exit Feature
224
Interior Ambient Light
225
Interior Lighting Delayed
Switch-off
226
Rear Window Sunshade
227
Trunk Opening-height Restriction
227
Tow-away Alarm
228
i
The components and operating principles of
COMAND can be found on (
page 79).
i
You can reactivate this function within
10 minutes by opening a door.

221 Control systems
COMAND vehicle menu

Selecting length of time: Slide qmr
or rotate ymz.

Confirming selection: Press n.
To activate night security illumination:

Select delayed switch-off period (see
above).

Turn the exterior lamp switch to
position* before turning off the en-
gine.
Locator lighting on/off
With the locator lighting feature activated
and the exterior lamp switch in position
*(
page 346), the following lamps will
switch on during darkness when the vehi-
cle is unlocked from the outside:


Parking lamps


Tail lamps


License plate lamps


Front fog lamps


Door entry lamps in the mirror


Side marker lamps
The locator lighting switches off when the
driver’s door is opened.If you do not open a door after unlocking
the vehicle with the SmartKey, the lamps
will switch off automatically after approxi-
mately 40 seconds.

Select “Vehicle”.
The main area is active.

Selecting “Locator Lighting” func-
tion: Slide omp or rotate ymz.

Confirming selection: Press n.

Switching locator lighting on or off:
Press n.
or
i
The components and operating principles of
COMAND can be found on (
page 79).


318 Controls in detailSeatsSeat adjustment
You can adjust the lumbar support, multi-
contour seats for driver and front passen-
ger, as well as drive-dynamic multicontour
seats using COMAND (
page 236).
Warning!
G
All seat, head restraint adjustments, as well
as fastening of seat belts, must be done be-
fore the vehicle is put into motion.Warning!
G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
back in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide un-
der the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the ab-
domen or neck. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat
belts provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a nearly upright position and
belts are properly positioned on the body.
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt
(page 339).
Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being ad-
justed.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle.
Even with the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* removed from the starter
switch or the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
removed from the vehicle, the power seats
can be operated when the respective door is
open. Therefore, do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
Warning!
G
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing position. 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
appropriate infant, or toddler restraint, or
booster seat recommended for the size and
weight of the child. For additional informa-
tion, see “Children in the vehicle”
(page 61).
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and
the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.