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

Contents
Controls in detail............................. 331
Locking and unlocking ....................... 332
SmartKey ..................................... 332
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*....... 335
Checking batteries in the
SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*............................... 340
Loss of the SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*....... 340
Opening doors from the inside ..... 341
Power closing assist for doors
and trunk lid ................................. 342
Automatic central locking ............ 342
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ..................................... 343
Starter switch positions ..................... 344
SmartKey ..................................... 344
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*....... 345
Seats.................................................. 347
Seat adjustment ........................... 347
Seat heating* ............................... 351
Seat ventilation* .......................... 352
Head restraints............................. 353
Multicontour seats*, rear ............. 356
Easy-entry/exit feature ................ 357Steering wheel ................................... 359
Steering wheel adjustment .......... 359
Heated steering wheel* ............... 360
Mirrors ............................................... 361
Interior rear view mirror ............... 361
Exterior rear view mirrors............. 361
Power folding exterior
rear view mirrors .......................... 362
Auto-dimming rear view mirrors ... 363
Activating exterior rear view
mirror parking position................. 364
Memory function ............................... 365
Storing positions into memory ..... 366
Recalling positions from memory . 366
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 367
Fastening the seat belts .................... 368
Proper use of seat belts ............... 370
Seat belt height adjustment ......... 370
Lighting.............................................. 371
Exterior lamp switch..................... 371
Switching on high beams ............. 375
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 375
Corner-illuminating lamps ............ 376
Hazard warning flasher ................ 377
Interior lighting............................. 378Door entry lamps ......................... 379
Courtesy lighting .......................... 380
Trunk lamp ................................... 380
Windshield wipers ............................. 381
Switching on/off
windshield wipers ........................ 381
Intermittent wiping ...................... 382
Single wipe .................................. 382
Wiping with windshield washer
fluid.............................................. 382
Power windows ................................. 383
Opening and closing
power windows ............................ 383
Rear side window sunshades* ..... 385
Summer opening feature ............. 385
Convenience closing feature ........ 386
Driving and parking ........................... 389
Starting the engine ...................... 389
Driving off .................................... 392
Turn signals.................................. 393
Problems while driving ................. 393
Parking......................................... 394
Turning off the engine .................. 397
Releasing seat belts ..................... 398
Automatic transmission..................... 399
Gear selector lever....................... 399

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

68 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Adaptive Brake Lights
(S 600/S 65 AMG and USA only)
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.
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 598).
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.

81 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 346) and open the driv-
er’s door.
Deactivating
Switch on the ignition (page 344).
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 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 82).1Indicator lamp
Arming: Lock your vehicle with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*.
The turn signal lamps flash three times
to indicate that the vehicle is locked.
The indicator lamp1 flashes to indi-
cate that the alarm system is armed.
iStarting 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).
iIf 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 510) provided Tele Aid service was sub-
scribed to and properly activated, and that nec-
essary mobile phone, power supply and GPS
coverage are available.


82 Safety and Security
Anti-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.
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm, do one of the follow-
ing:
Insert the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch.
Press the Œ or ‹ button on the
SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.
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 346).
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must
be inside the vehicle.
iIf 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.
iThe alarm system will rearm automatically
again after approximately 40 seconds if no door
was opened.


333 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Factory setting
Global unlocking: Press buttonŒ.

All turn signal lamps flash once.

An acoustic signal sounds once
(if equipped and feature activated).

The locking knobs in the doors
move up.

The anti-theft alarm system is dis-
armed.
The vehicle will lock again automatically
and rearm the anti-theft alarm system
within approximately 40 seconds of un-
locking if:

neither a door nor the trunk is opened

the SmartKey is not inserted in the
starter switch

the central locking/unlocking switch is
not activated
iUSA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and
(2) this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
iCanada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
iYou can also open and close the door win-
dows and tilt/sliding sunroof, or the tilt/ sliding
panel* using the SmartKey (
page 385).
!If you cannot lock or unlock the vehicle with
the SmartKey, then either the batteries in the
SmartKey are discharged, the SmartKey is mal-
functioning or the vehicle batteries are drained.

Check the batteries in the SmartKey and re-
place them if necessary (
page 676).

Use the mechanical key to unlock the driv-
er’s door (
page 671) and the trunk
(
page 672).

Use the mechanical key to lock the driver’s
door (
page 672) and the trunk
(
page 484).

Have the vehicle batteries and their connec-
tions checked (
page 692).
If the SmartKey is malfunctioning, contact Road-
side Assistance or an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
iYour vehicle may be equipped with an
acoustic lock and unlock confirmation signal fea-
ture. If your vehicle is equipped with this feature
and the feature is activated, an acoustic signal
will sound when the vehicle is locked or unlocked
using the SmartKey. To determine whether or not your vehicle is
equipped with this feature, contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center. If equipped and
you wish to activate or deactivate the feature, or
adjust its signal volume, also contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.

334 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Global locking: Press button‹.
With the trunk and both doors closed:

All turn signal lamps flash three
times.

An acoustic signal sounds three
times (if equipped and feature acti-
vated).

The locking knobs in the doors
move down.

The anti-theft alarm system is
armed.
Selective setting
If you frequently travel alone, you may wish
to reprogram the SmartKey so that press-
ing buttonŒ only unlocks the driver’s
door and the fuel filler flap.
Press and hold buttonsŒ and‹
simultaneously for about 5 seconds un-
til battery check lamp5 (
page 332)
flashes twice.The SmartKey will then function as fol-
lows:
Unlocking driver’s door and fuel fill-
er flap: Press buttonΠonce.

All turn signal lamps flash once.

An acoustic signal sounds once
(if equipped and feature activated).
For more information, see “Factory
setting” (
page 333).

The locking knob in the driver’s
door moves up.

The anti-theft alarm system is dis-
armed.
Global unlocking: Press buttonŒ
twice.

All turn signal lamps flash once.

An acoustic signal sounds once
(if equipped and feature activated).

The locking knobs in the doors
move up.

The anti-theft alarm system is dis-
armed.
Global locking: Press button‹.
With the trunk and both doors closed:

All turn signal lamps flash three
times.

An acoustic signal sounds three
times (if equipped and feature acti-
vated).

The locking knobs in the doors
move down.

The anti-theft alarm system is
armed.
Restoring to factory setting: Press
and hold buttonsŒ and‹ si-
multaneously for about 5 seconds until
battery check lamp5 (
page 332)
flashes twice.

338 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking

Remember that the engine can be
started by anyone with a SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO that is left inside the
vehicle.
Possibility 1: (One SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO in the vehicle, one
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO outside
the vehicle):
If you leave the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO behind when exiting and
locking the vehicle, no message
appears in the multifunction display.
Possibility 2: (One SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO in the vehicle, no
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO outside
the vehicle):
When exiting and trying to lock the ve-
hicle, the message “Key still in vehicle”
appears in the multifunction display.
The vehicle will not be locked.Factory setting
1Outside door handleGlobal unlocking: Grasp an outside
door handle1.

All turn signal lamps flash once.

An acoustic signal sounds once
(if equipped and feature activated).

The locking knobs in the doors
move up.

The anti-theft alarm system is dis-
armed.
The vehicle will lock again automatically
and rearm the anti-theft alarm system
within approximately 40 seconds of un-
locking if:

neither a door nor the trunk is opened

the central locking/unlocking switch is
not activated
iYour vehicle may be equipped with an
acoustic lock and unlock confirmation signal fea-
ture. If your vehicle is equipped with this feature
and the feature is activated, an acoustic signal
will sound when the vehicle is locked or unlocked
using the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO.
To determine whether or not your vehicle is
equipped with this feature, contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center. If equipped and
you wish to activate or deactivate the feature, or
adjust its signal volume, also contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
iThe vehicle could inadvertently be unlocked
if the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is within 3 ft
(1 m) of the vehicle and:

an outside door handle is splashed with wa-
ter, or

you attempt to clean an outside door handle.

339 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Global locking: Close all doors and
touch outside of door handle1. Do
not keep your hand in the door handle
recess.
With the trunk and both doors closed:

All turn signal lamps flash three
times.

An acoustic signal sounds three
times (if equipped and feature acti-
vated).

The locking knobs in the doors
move down.

The anti-theft alarm system is
armed.Selective setting
If you frequently travel alone, you may wish
to reprogram the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO so when you, grasp the driv-
er’s outside door handle only the driver’s
door and the fuel filler flap unlocks.
Press and hold buttonsŒ and‹
simultaneously for about 5 seconds un-
til battery check lamp5 (
page 335)
flashes twice.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO will
then function as follows:
Unlocking driver’s door and fuel fill-
er flap: Grasp the driver’s outside door
handle.

All turn signal lamps flash once.

An acoustic signal sounds once
(if equipped and feature activated).
For more information, see “Factory
setting” (
page 338).

The locking knob in the driver’s
door moves up.

The anti-theft alarm system is dis-
armed.
Global unlocking: Grasp any outside
door handle other than the driver’s out-
side door handle.

All turn signal lamps flash once.

An acoustic signal sounds once
(if equipped and feature activated).

The locking knobs in the doors
move up.

The anti-theft alarm system is dis-
armed.
iVehicles with trunk opening/closing
system*:
You can also lock the vehicle using the
KEYLESS-GO locking/closing switch
(
page 482).