display MERCEDES-BENZ S550 4MATIC 2008 W221 Owner's Manual

Contents
Control systems................................ 83
COMAND operating safety ................... 84
COMAND introduction ......................... 85
Availability of functions while the
vehicle is in motion ........................ 85
Switching COMAND on or off ......... 85
COMAND components ................... 85
Operating COMAND ....................... 90
Main menus of COMAND ............... 96
COMAND FM/AM radio ..................... 100
Submenu overview ....................... 100
Switching to radio mode .............. 101
Switching wavebands ................... 101
Selecting stations/channels ........ 101
Saving stations ............................. 103
Station name display .................... 104
COMAND satellite radio* (USA only) . 105
Submenu overview ....................... 105
Introduction to Satellite radio....... 106
Switching to satellite radio ........... 106
Main satellite radio menu ............. 107
Selecting program category ......... 108
Tuning in channels ....................... 108
Saving channels ........................... 110
Show program info ....................... 111Channel update ............................ 111
Calling SIRIUS Service Center ...... 111
COMAND audio CD/audio DVD/MP3 112
Safety precautions ....................... 112
Notes about MP3 mode ............... 112
Notes about audio DVD operation 114
Notes about CDs/DVDs ............... 114
Notes about handling CDs/DVDs 115
Inserting CDs and DVDs............... 115
Inserting a PCMCIA card .............. 117
Ejecting CDs and DVDs ................ 117
Ejecting a PCMCIA card ............... 118
Submenu overview ....................... 119
Switching to audio CD, audio DVD
or MP3 mode ............................... 120
Stop function ............................... 121
Pause function ............................. 121
Selecting CD/DVD/MP3 media ... 121
Selecting a track .......................... 122
Fast forward/rewind .................... 122
Selecting a folder ......................... 122
Setting the audio format .............. 123
Playback options .......................... 123
COMAND video DVD (USA only) ........ 124
Automatic picture fade-out .......... 124
Notes about video DVD operation 124Notes about handling DVDs ......... 125
Functional limitations................... 125
Inserting or ejecting DVDs ........... 125
Submenu overview of
video DVD .................................... 126
Switching to video DVD mode...... 126
Hiding/showing the
DVD control menu ....................... 127
Hiding/showing the menu system 127
Fast forward/rewind .................... 127
Selecting the DVD medium .......... 127
Stop playback .............................. 128
Pause playback ............................ 128
Selecting scene/chapter ............. 128
Selecting film/track..................... 128
Screen settings ............................ 128
DVD menu.................................... 129
Stopping the film or skipping to
the beginning/end of a scene...... 130
Switching to the next highest DVD
menu level ................................... 130
Back to the film............................ 130
Setting the language and
audio format ................................ 131
Subtitles and camera angles ........ 131
Interactive content....................... 131

Contents
COMAND telephone* ........................ 132
Safety precautions ....................... 132
General notes............................... 132
Switching telephone on or off ...... 134
Activating telephone mode .......... 134
Telephone keypad ........................ 134
“911” emergency call................... 135
Entering the PIN ........................... 136
Entering the PIN2 ......................... 137
Entering the PUK/PUK2 ............... 137
Entering the unlock code ............. 137
Telephone submenu overview ...... 138
Main telephone menu .................. 139
Mailbox ........................................ 139
Call lists ....................................... 140
Incoming call ................................ 142
Making an outgoing call ............... 143
Functions during a single-call
connection ................................... 145
Transferring a call ........................ 146
COMAND phone book .................. 147
SMS messages
(Short Message Service) .............. 155
COMAND navigation .......................... 158
Safety precautions ....................... 158COMAND navigation (introduction) .... 159
Map software ................................ 159
Updating the map software........... 159
Updating process .......................... 159
Loading a DVD into the
DVD changer................................. 160
Updating ....................................... 160
General notes ............................... 163
Input restrictions .......................... 164
Navigation system
menu overview .............................. 165
Calling up the map display and
switching to navigation mode ....... 166
Basic settings ............................... 168
COMAND navigation system
(entering a destination) ...................... 172
Entering a destination by the
address ......................................... 172
Entering a destination from the
destination memory ...................... 191
Entering a destination from the
list of last destinations .................. 193
Entering a destination
from the map ................................ 193
Entering a stopover ....................... 194COMAND navigation system
(Point of interest entry) ...................... 196
Entering a POI in the
surrounding area .......................... 196
Entering a POI in the surroundings
of a given town ............................. 196
Entering a POI in a
different region ............................. 196
Designating a POI category........... 197
Entering a POI from the map ........ 203
COMAND navigation system
(real-time traffic) (USA only) ............... 204
Real-time traffic notifications
in the map .................................... 204
Displaying real-time traffic reports 205
Example message ......................... 206
COMAND navigation system
(route guidance) ................................. 207
Route guidance ............................. 207
Examples of displays and
announcements for a
driving maneuver .......................... 207
Example of a display without
driving maneuvers ........................ 209
Destination or destination area
reached ........................................ 209

Contents
Partially digitized areas ................ 210
Off-road and off-map .................... 211
Navigation announcements .......... 213
COMAND navigation system
(during route guidance)...................... 214
Cancel route guidance ................. 214
Continuing cancelled
route guidance ............................. 214
Route browser .............................. 214
Displaying route information ........ 215
Detour function ............................ 216
COMAND navigation system
(destination memory) ......................... 217
Saving a destination in the
destination memory ..................... 217
Deleting a destination from the
destination memory ..................... 218
Own address ................................ 219
COMAND navigation system
(last destinations) .............................. 223
Saving a destination permanently
in the destination memory ........... 223
Saving the vehicle position in the
list of last destinations ................. 223
Saving the crosshair position in
the list of last destinations ........... 223Deleting one of the
last destinations........................... 223
COMAND address book ..................... 224
General notes............................... 224
Address book menu overview ...... 224
Calling up the address book......... 224
Selecting an entry in the main
address book display ................... 225
Creating a new
address book entry ...................... 225
Deleting an entry.......................... 226
Searching for an
address book entry ...................... 226
Displaying a complete
address book entry ...................... 228
Displaying of a complete phone
book entry in the mobile phone ... 229
Changing an entry ........................ 229
Calling a number saved in
an entry ........................................ 231
Starting route guidance to
an entry ........................................ 231
Voice entries ................................ 232
Saving a phone book entry from
mobile phone in the COMAND
address book ............................... 233Importing data from external
Bluetooth® devices ...................... 234
COMAND system settings ................. 235
System settings menu overview... 235
Display settings ........................... 235
Time settings ............................... 235
Voice Control* settings................ 237
Setting the system language........ 238
Assigning the favorite button ....... 238
Bluetooth
® settings ...................... 239
Reset ........................................... 241
COMAND vehicle menu ..................... 242
Setting night security illumination 242
Locator lighting on/off................. 243
Exterior mirror convenience
settings ........................................ 244
Automatic locking on/off............. 245
Activating easy-entry/exit feature 246
Setting interior ambient lighting .. 247
Setting interior lighting delayed
switch-off ..................................... 248
Extending or retracting
rear window sunshade ................. 249
Trunk opening-height restriction*
on/off .......................................... 249

Contents
COMAND automatic climate control.. 251
Setting temperature ..................... 252
Adjusting air distribution .............. 253
Adjusting air volume .................... 253
Central climate control menu via
COMAND ..................................... 254
Operating rear climate control*
from the front............................... 257
COMAND seats.................................. 259
Operating seats via COMAND ...... 259
Lumbar support............................ 260
Multicontour seats*, front............ 260
Drive-dynamic
multicontour seats*, front............ 262
Instrument cluster control system ..... 264
Multifunction display .................... 264
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 265
Menus .......................................... 266
Trip menu ..................................... 268
Navi menu .................................... 269
Audio menu .................................. 271
AMG menu ................................... 273
Telephone* menu......................... 276
Assistance* menu ........................ 279
Service menu ............................... 280
Settings menu .............................. 281Voice Control*.................................... 284
Operating safety ........................... 284
Voice Control* introduction ............... 285
Spelling ......................................... 286
Command types ............................ 286
Active System ............................... 286
Controls ........................................ 287
Symbols ........................................ 288
Voice Control* telephone ................... 289
Telephone operation ..................... 289
Telephone commands ................... 290
Voice Control* navigation .................. 296
Important notes ............................ 296
Navigation operation..................... 297
Navigation commands .................. 297
Dialog for entering a
complete address ......................... 298
Commands for entering parts of
an address .................................... 303
Voice Control* address book ............. 306
COMAND address book
overview ....................................... 306
Operation with address book not
open (global) ................................. 306Operation with address book
open (local) ................................... 306
Operating and using address book 306
Available commands with the
address book not open ................. 307
Available commands with the
address book open ....................... 308
Voice Control* radio .......................... 309
Radio operation ............................ 309
Radio commands .......................... 309
Voice Control* CD/
DVD changer/MP3............................. 313
Operation...................................... 313
Commands ................................... 313
Voice Control* command list ............. 315
Command list ............................... 315
Voice Control* troubleshooting.......... 327
Help function ................................ 327
Help commands............................ 327
Help window ................................. 327
Entering digits and spelling........... 327
What to do if ... ............................. 328
Voice Control* individualization ......... 330

Contents
Shifting procedure ....................... 402
Transmission positions................. 403
Driving tips ................................... 406
Gear ranges ................................. 408
Automatic shift program .............. 409
Steering wheel gearshift control .. 411
Manual shift program
(S 63 AMG and S 65 AMG only) ... 413
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ...................... 416
Instrument cluster ............................. 417
Adjusting instrument cluster
display illumination ...................... 417
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 417
Tachometer .................................. 418
Outside temperature indicator ..... 418
Fuel gauge ................................... 418
Driving systems ................................. 419
Cruise control .............................. 419
DISTRONIC Plus* ......................... 424
Airmatic (S 550 only) ................... 440
Active Body Control (ABC)*.......... 442
Parktronic system* ...................... 444
Park Assist* ................................. 448
Dynamic Rear View Monitor* ....... 453
Night View Assist* ....................... 461Air vents ............................................. 466
Opening and closing air vents ....... 468
Ventilated storage compartment .. 468
Automatic climate control .................. 469
Deactivating climate control
system .......................................... 471
Operating climate control system
in automatic mode ........................ 471
Setting temperature...................... 472
Adjusting air volume ..................... 472
Front defroster.............................. 472
Rear window defroster .................. 473
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL
(USA only) ..................................... 474
Air recirculation mode .................. 474
Residual engine heat and
ventilation ..................................... 476
Rear passenger compartment
climate control* ............................ 477
Trunk .................................................. 479
Opening trunk ............................... 479
Closing trunk ................................ 480
Trunk emergency release.............. 484
Valet locking ................................. 484
Power tilt/sliding sunroof................... 486Opening and closing
power tilt/sliding sunroof ............. 486
Synchronizing ............................... 488
Panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel*............................... 489
Roller sunblinds ............................ 489
Opening and closing panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel . 490
Synchronizing ............................... 492
Loading and storing............................ 493
Roof rack* .................................... 493
Loading instructions ..................... 493
Storage compartments ................. 494
Cup holders .................................. 498
Trunk ............................................ 500
Useful features ................................... 502
Sun visors ..................................... 502
Vanity mirror in rear...................... 502
Rear window sunshade ................. 503
Ashtrays........................................ 503
Cigarette lighters .......................... 504
Power outlet ................................. 506
Floormats* ................................... 506
Telephone* ................................... 507
Tele Aid......................................... 510
Garage door opener ...................... 518

Contents
Infrared reflecting windshield ....... 524
Operation......................................... 525
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 526
Driving instructions ............................ 527
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 527
Drinking and driving ..................... 527
Pedals .......................................... 527
Power assistance ......................... 527
Brakes .......................................... 528
Driving off..................................... 530
Parking ......................................... 530
Tires ............................................. 531
Hydroplaning ................................ 531
Tire traction .................................. 532
Tire speed rating .......................... 532
Winter driving instructions ........... 533
Standing water ............................. 534
Passenger compartment .............. 535
Driving abroad .............................. 535
Control and operation of radio
transmitters.................................. 535
Catalytic converter ....................... 536
Emission control........................... 536
Coolant temperature .................... 537At the gas station .............................. 538
Refueling ...................................... 538
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 540
Engine compartment ......................... 541
Hood ............................................ 541
Engine oil ..................................... 543
Transmission fluid level ................ 546
Active Body Control* (ABC*)
fluid level...................................... 547
Coolant level ................................ 547
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 548
Tires and wheels ................................ 550
Important guidelines .................... 550
Tire care and maintenance ........... 551
Direction of rotation ..................... 553
Loading the vehicle ...................... 553
Recommended tire
inflation pressure ......................... 558
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 560
Tire labeling.................................. 567
Load identification ....................... 571
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 572
Maximum tire load ....................... 573Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 573
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 574
Tire ply material ........................... 575
Tire and loading terminology........ 576
Rotating tires ............................... 578
Winter driving .................................... 580
Winter tires .................................. 580
Snow chains................................. 581
Maintenance...................................... 582
Maintenance service indicator
message ...................................... 582
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display .............. 583
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 584
Vehicle care....................................... 585
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 585
Practical hints................................. 597
What to do if …? ................................ 598
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 598
Air bag off indicator lamp............. 610
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display.................... 612

18 Introduction
Symbols
Trademarks:

Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of
of Bluetooth SIG Inc.

ESP® and PRE-SAFE® are registered
trademark of DaimlerChrysler.

HomeLink® is a registered trademark
of Prince, a Johnson Controls
Company.

LOGIC7® is a registered trademark of
Harman International Industries, Incor-
porated.

SIRIUS and related marks are trade-
marks of SIRIUS Satellite Radio Inc.The following symbols are found in this
Operator’s Manual:
* Optional equipment is identified
with an asterisk. Since standard
equipment varies between models,
the descriptions and illustrations in
this manual may differ slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehi-
cle.
This symbol points to instructions for
you to follow.
A number of these symbols appearing
in succession indicates a multiple-step
procedure.
 page This symbol tells you where to
look for further information on a
topic.
This continuation symbol marks
a warning which is continued on
the next page.
This continuation symbol marks
a procedure which is continued
on the next page.
-> This symbol is used to indicate
cross-references to term defini-
tions.
DisplayWords appearing in the multi-
function display and COMAND
display are printed in the type
shown here.
Warning!G
Warning notices draw your attention to haz-
ards that may endanger your health or life,
or the health or life of others.
!Highlights hazards that may result in dam-
age to your vehicle.
iHelpful hints or further information you may
find useful.

27 At a glance
Cockpit
ItemPage
1Combination switch

High beam

Corner-illuminating lamps

Windshield wipers

Turn signals
375
376
381
393
2Lever for

Cruise control

DISTRONIC Plus*
420
424
3Horn
4Multifunction steering wheel265
5Instrument cluster28
6Steering wheel gearshift con-
trol411
7Gear selector lever for
automatic transmission389
ItemPage
8Control panel with

Front passenger front
air bag indicator lamp

Vehicle level control
switch

Electronic Stability Pro-
gram (ESP®) switch

Parktronic*/Park Assist*
deactivation switch

Swivel COMAND display

COMAND/instrument
cluster display
illumination
50
441,
443
73
447,
452
87
417
9COMAND display85
aOverhead control panel33
bAutomatic climate control
Center console, upper part 469
32
ItemPage
cGlove box lock494
dCover of compartment with

CD/DVD changer

PCMCIA card slot
115
117
eCenter console, lower part30
fStarter switch
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button344
345
gSteering wheel adjustment
Heated steering wheel* 359
360
hHeadlamp cleaning button375
jElectronic parking brake395
kHood lock release541
lDoor control panel34
mNight View Assist*461
nExterior lamp switch371

29 At a glance
Instrument cluster
ItemPage
1Coolant temperature gauge417
2Fuel gauge with:
Fuel tank reserve warning
lamp
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator lamp
-ABS indicator lamp
=SRS indicator lamp
605
375
598
607
3Parktronic*/Park Assist*
warning indicator for left
front area 446,
451
4Multifunction display with:
Speedometer
0
USA only
!
Canada onlyElectronic
parking brake
warning or indi-
cator lamps600
ItemPage
;
USA only
3
Canada onlyBrake warning
lamp599
HCombination low tire
pressure/TPMS mal-
function telltale, USA
only
Low tire pressure*
telltale, Canada only608
LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp393
KRight turn signal
indicator lamp393
vESP® warning lamp604
lDistance warning
lamp*178,
427,
604
1Vehicles without DISTRONIC Plus*: Warning lamp
without function. It illuminates when the ignition is
on. It should go out when the engine is running.
ItemPage
5Parktronic*/Park Assist*
warning indicator for right
front area 446,
451
6Gear position/range
indicator 408
7Tachometer with:
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp602
8Selected program mode indi-
cator 410
9Main menu for control sys-
tem, multifunction display264
aOutside temperature 418
bDisplay with:
Additional speedometer282
:PRE-SAFE® Brake*
indicator279

31 At a glance
Control systems
ItemPage
1Lto cancel Voice
Control*
back287
265
2$to scroll up
%to scroll down
&to scroll to the right
(to scroll to the left
#to confirm selection
3Multifunction display 264
4sto take a call
to dial
to redial
tto end a call
to reject an incoming
call
æto increase volume
çto decrease volume
Fto mute276
276
ItemPage
5!to activate Voice
Control*
to accept a call287
142
6Instrument cluster illumina-
tion417
7Swivel COMAND display 87
8COMAND display illumination87
9COMAND display86
aCD/DVD changer115
bPCMCIA card slot117
cFavorite button238
dRear head restraints retract
button354
eProgram mode selector
switch for:

automatic transmission
shift program

suspension tuning of
Airmatic (only S 550) or
ABC*
409
440
442
ItemPage
fShortcut button for:

CD/DVD

radio
120
101
gBack button94
hHazard warning flasher377
jSeat menu259
kShortcut button for:

telephone*

navigation
132
166
lCOMAND on/off button86
mVolume control96
nMute button96
oTelephone keypad134
pCOMAND controller88