warning lights MERCEDES-BENZ S600 2008 W221 User Guide

377 Controls in detail
Lighting
Switching off the corner-illuminating
lamps
The combination switch for the turn signal
resets automatically after major steering
wheel movements. This will switch off the
corner-illuminating lamps if they were acti-
vated by switching on the left or right turn
signal.
If the turn signal should stay on after mak-
ing the turn, the turn signal and corner-illu-
minating lamp can be switched off by
returning the combination switch to its
original position.Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be
switched on at all times, even with the
SmartKey removed from the starter switch
or with the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
removed from the vehicle.
The hazard warning flasher is automatical-
ly switched on if

an air bag has been triggered

S 600/S 65 AMG and USA only: you
brake the vehicle strongly at a speed of
more than 50 mph (70 km/h) and
bring it to a complete stop
1Hazard warning flasher switch
Switching on: Press hazard warning
flasher switch.
All turn signals will flash.
Switching off: Press hazard warning
flasher switch again.
iIf you are driving faster than 25 mph
(40 km/h) when activating the turn signal indica-
tor, the corner-illuminating lamp function is
switched off.
iThe corner-illuminating lamp may remain lit
for a short time. The corner-illuminating lamp
lights up for no more than 20 seconds with the
vehicle standing still. It is then switched off even
if the turn signal is still switched on or you have
turned the steering wheel to full lock.
iWith the hazard warning flasher activated
and the combination switch set for either left or
right turn, only the respective left or right turn
signals will operate when the SmartKey in the
starter switch is in position
1 or2 or the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button (
page 346) is
pressed once or twice.
iIf the hazard warning flasher was activated
automatically, also press hazard warning flasher
switch 1 to switch off the hazard warning flash-
er.

407 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Stopping
When you stop briefly, e.g. at traffic lights:
Leave the transmission in gear.
Hold the vehicle with the brake.
When you stop for a longer period of time
with the engine idling and/or on a hill:
Engage the electronic parking brake.
Shift into park positionP.
Maneuvering
When you maneuver in tight areas,
e.g. when pulling into a parking space:
Control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes.
Accelerate gently.
Never abruptly step on the accelerator.Rocking the vehicle
Rocking the vehicle by shifting between
drive positionD and reverse gearR can
help free a vehicle stuck in mud or snow.
The engine control system of this vehicle
electronically limits shifting between drive
positionD and reverse gearR to very low
speeds, i.e. approximately 5 mph
(9 km/h). To shift between drive
positionD and reverse gearR, move the
gear selector lever past the resistance
point up or down.
Working on the vehicleHill start assist system
On uphill grades with a gradient angle of
more than 5°, the hill start assist system
maintains the pressure in the brake sys-
tem for approximately 1 second after you
have released the brake pedal. Therefore,
you can start off smoothly without the
vehicle moving immediately after releasing
the brake pedal.
Warning!G
When working on the vehicle, engage the
electronic parking brake and shift to park
positionP. Otherwise the vehicle could roll
away.
Warning!G
The hill start assist system is not designed
to function as an electronic parking brake
and does not prevent the vehicle from mov-
ing when parked on an incline.
Always engage the electronic parking brake
in addition to shifting to park positionP.

427 Controls in detail
Driving systems
DISTRONIC Plus displays in multifunc-
tion display
1Speed of the vehicle ahead
2Set speed
3Distance warning lamp
If DISTRONIC Plus is activated, the
marker2 indicates the set speed.
When DISTRONIC Plus detects a vehicle
driving ahead of you, the ring on the speed-
ometer dial lights up between the speed of
the vehicle ahead of you and set speed2.If DISTRONIC Plus calculates that there is
a danger of collision:

The distance warning lampl in the
instrument cluster comes on.

An intermittent warning sounds.
Immediately brake the vehicle to avoid
a collision.
Under no circumstances should the
driver await the intermittent warning
sound before braking. See the follow-
ing warning note.
The intermittent warning sound ceases
and the distance warning lampl
goes out when the necessary distance
to the vehicle ahead is again
established.
iUSA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC as a
“Vehicular Radar System”. The radar sensor is
intended for use in an automotive radar system
only. Removal, tampering, or altering of the de-
vice will void any warranties, and is not permitted
by the FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
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.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the device will
void any warranties, and is not permitted. Do not
tamper with, alter, or use in any non-approved
way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
iThe vehicle speed displayed on the speed-
ometer can briefly vary from the speed setting
on the DISTRONIC Plus system.
Warning!G
An intermittent warning sounds and the dis-
tance warning lampl in the instrument
cluster is illuminated if the DISTRONIC Plus
system calculates that the distance to the


452 Controls in detail
Driving systems

Front area:
As soon as the first red segment lights
up, you will hear an intermittent warn-
ing tone for approximately two sec-
onds. Once the second red segment
lights up, you will hear a continuous
warning tone. You have reached the
minimum distance.

Rear area:
As soon as the first red segment lights
up, you will hear an intermittent warn-
ing tone for approximately two sec-
onds. Once the second red segment
lights up, you will hear a continuous
warning tone. You have reached the
minimum distance.Collision warning
Park Assist can detect obstacles from a
considerable distance. If you drive in re-
verse towards an obstacle, you will hear a
warning tone. You must then brake in or-
der to avoid a collision. The warning tone
for a collision will not sound when the vehi-
cle is at a standstill very close to the obsta-
cle. In this case, you will hear a
corresponding tone for the warning indica-
tor in the rear area.Switching Park Assist system on/off
The Park Assist system can be switched off
manually.
The Park Assist button with the indicator
lamp is located on the control panel on the
right-hand side of the instrument cluster.
1Park Assist button
2Indicator lamp
iDuring strong rainfall, the warning indicators
and warning tones may be triggered, for exam-
ple, by water splashing into the area of the sen-
sors.
iDuring strong rainfall, the collision warning
may be triggered, for example, by water splash-
ing into the area of the sensors.
iWhen the indicator lamp is on, the Park
Assist system is switched off.

637 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Parking brake
See Oper. ManualIf overheated:
Let vehicle cool down, and do not engage
electronic parking brake during this time.
or
Switch ignition off and back on again, and en-
gage or release electronic parking brake.
(USA only)
(Canada only)Parking brake
inoperativeWhen you engage or release the electronic
parking brake, the red indicator lamp for
the electronic parking brake flashes and
goes out after approx. 10 seconds. The yel-
low warning lamp for the electronic parking
brake lights up.
The electronic parking brake is malfunction-
ing.Switch ignition off and back on again, and en-
gage electronic parking brake (
page 395).
If the electronic parking brake cannot be en-
gaged:
Shift the automatic transmission to P
(
page 399).
Protect vehicle from rolling away while
parked by using a chock from the vehicle tool
kit (
page 670).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.

642 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
STOP,
car too lowYou have started driving although the vehi-
cle level was too low.
The vehicle will be raised. The Airmatic
warning lamp goes out after several sec-
onds.Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.
Engage the electronic parking brake
(
page 395).
Wait until the message disappears from the
multifunction display.
You may then drive off.
STOP,
car too lowThe Airmatic is malfunctioning.
The Airmatic warning lamp lights up contin-
uously.Stop and press the vehicle level control but-
ton to select a higher vehicle level
(
page 440).
Do not turn steering wheel too far to avoid
damaging the front fenders.
Listen for scraping noises.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
There is otherwise danger of an accident.

680 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Notes on bulb replacement
Only use 12-volt-bulbs of the same
type and with the specified watt rating.

Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.

Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.

Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.

If the newly installed bulb does not
come on, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Have the LEDs and bulbs for the following
lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center:

the Bi-Xenon lamps

the front turn signal lamps

the front fog lamps

the additional turn signal lamps in the
exterior rear view mirrors

the parking and standing lamps

the front side marker lamps

the high mounted brake lamps

the brake, tail and rear standing lamps

the rear side marker lamps

the rear fog lamp

the rear turn signal lamps

the rear side marker lamps

the license plate lamps
Replacing bulbs for front lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a
front lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to M
(
page 371).
Open the hood (page 541).
Warning!G
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot. Al-
low the lamp to cool down before changing
a bulb.
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A
bulb can explode if you:

touch or move it when hot

drop the bulb

scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.
!Do not replace the LEDs yourself. You could
otherwise damage the LEDs or parts of the vehi-
cle. Only have the LEDs replaced by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
iHave the headlamp adjustment checked
regularly.

698 Practical hints
Jump starting
Jump starting should only be performed on
the starter battery. The starter battery is
located in the engine compartment on the
passenger side (
page 694).
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.
Secure vehicle in place with electronic
parking brake (
page 395).
Shift the automatic transmission toP
(
page 399).
Turn off all electrical consumers, ex-
cept hazard warning flashers or work
lights.
Open the hood (page 541).
Start the engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.1Positive terminal of your vehicle’s
battery
2Positive terminal of other vehicle’s
battery
3Negative terminal of other vehicle’s
battery
4Negative clamp
Warning!G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(
page 692).
iVehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: remove the
KEYLESS-GO button (
page 345) and use the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO like a normal
SmartKey.

740 Index
Setting the current speed 433
Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function) 435
Warning and indicator lamps 427
Document holder 502
Door
Control panel 34, 35, 38
Entry lamps 379
Inside door handle 341
Locking 334, 339
Locking with Tele Aid 517
Messages in display 617, 648
Opening from inside vehicle 341
Opening from outside 333, 338
Power closing assist 342
Unlocking 333, 338
Unlocking with Tele Aid 517
DOT 576
Downhill driving
Cruise control 421
Drink holder see Cup holder
Drinking and driving 527
Drive-dynamic multicontour seats*, front
Adjusting (COMAND) 262Driving 389
Abroad 535
Hydroplaning 531
In winter 533
Instructions 389, 527
Problems 393
Safety systems 66
Through standing water 534
With DISTRONIC Plus* 437
Driving maneuver (COMAND) 207
Driving off 530
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 75
ABS 66
Adaptive Brake Lights (S 600 and USA
only) 68
BAS 68
BAS Plus 69
EBP 71
Electronic traction system 72
ESP
®71Driving systems 419
ABC* 442
Airmatic 440
Cruise control 419
DISTRONIC Plus* 424
Driving safety systems 66
Dynamic Rear View Monitor* 453
Park Assist* 448
Parktronic system* 444
Vehicle level control (ABC*) 443
Vehicle level control (Airmatic) 441
Driving tips 406
Kickdown 406
DVD 112
Audio (COMAND) 112
Changer (COMAND) 116
Changer (Voice Control*) 313
Ejecting (COMAND) 117
Loading (COMAND) 115
Playback options (COMAND) 123
Selecting a medium (COMAND) 121
Selecting a track (COMAND) 122
Setting the audio format
(COMAND) 123
Video (COMAND) 124