ignition MERCEDES-BENZ S65AMG 2008 W221 Manual Online

636 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Parking brake
See Oper. ManualWhen you engage or release the electronic
parking brake, the red indicator lamp for
the electronic parking brake flashes for
approx.10 seconds. Afterward, it goes out
or lights up continuously. The yellow warn-
ing lamp for the electronic parking brake
lights up.
The electronic parking brake is malfunction-
ing or overheated for example due to over-
or undervoltage.Carefully drive off (page 395).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
In the event of overvoltage or undervoltage:
Remove the cause of the overvoltage or und-
ervoltage, e.g. charge the battery or restart
the engine.
Switch ignition off and back on again, and en-
gage or release electronic parking brake
(
page 395).
If the electronic parking brake still cannot be re-
leased:
Release electronic parking brake mechani-
cally (
page 673).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
(Continued on next page)
(USA only)
(Canada only)

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.

638 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Please release
parking brakeThe red indicator lamp for the electronic
parking brake flashes and you also hear a
warning signal.
You are driving with the electronic parking
brake activated, or you are carrying out an
emergency brake application with the elec-
tronic parking brake (
page 395).
Release electronic parking brake.
or
Carefully drive off (page 395).
or
Release the handle for electronic parking
brake.
(USA only)
(Canada only)Please release
parking brakeThe red indicator lamp for the electronic
parking brake flashes and the yellow warn-
ing lamp for the electronic parking brake
comes on. You also hear a warning tone.
The electronic parking brake is malfunction-
ing; braking action is restricted.While driving:
Release the handle for electronic parking
brake.
While at a standstill:
Switch off ignition and press handle for elec-
tronic parking brake until the warning mes-
sage disappears from the multifunction
display.

639 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Turn on the ignition
to release the
parking brakeThe yellow indicator lamp for the electronic
parking brake comes on.
You have tried to release the electronic
parking brake, but the ignition was not
switched on.Switch on the ignition (page 344).
(USA only)
(Canada only)
Inoperative
See Oper. ManualESP® a s w e l l a s P R E - S A F E® are switched off
due to a malfunction. In addition, the v
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on.
The ABS may not be operational and the fol-
lowing systems are not available:

BAS and BAS Plus*

PRE-SAFE® Brake*

Distronic Plus*

Cruise control

Hill start assist system
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.

674 Practical hints
Opening/closing in an emergency
Power tilt/sliding sunroof or panorama
roof with power tilt/sliding panel*
Depending on vehicle production date your
vehicle may be equipped with a crank to
open or close the tilt/sliding sunroof or
tilt/sliding panel manually should an elec-
trical malfunction occur.The drive mechanism is behind the left sun
visor.
1Cover
Remove cover1.
2Crank
Take crank2 from the Operator’s
Manual pouch.
Switch on the ignition.
Insert crank2 through the hole.
Turn crank2 clockwise to:

slide roof panel/sunroof closed

raise roof panel/sunroof at the rear
Turn crank2 counterclockwise to:

slide roof panel/sunroof open

lower roof panel/sunroof at the
rear
iIf your vehicle is not equipped with a crank
and you cannot open or close the tilt/sliding
sunroof or tilt/sliding panel due to a malfunction
contact Roadside Assistance or an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iTurn crank2 slowly and smoothly.
The tilt/sliding sunroof (
page 488) or tilt/slid-
ing panel (
page 492) must be synchronized af-
ter being operated manually.

696 Practical hints
Batteries
Starter battery
Connect the switched-off charging de-
vice to the terminals of the starter bat-
tery. Observe the operating
instructions in the manual for the
charging device while doing so.
Reinstalling starter battery
Install starter battery in engine com-
partment.
Swing retaining bar down.
Reconnecting starter battery
Make sure that the consumer battery in
the trunk is correctly installed and con-
nected.
Turn SmartKey in starter switch to po-
sition 0 and remove.
Connect the positive lead and fasten its
cover2 (
page 694).
Connect negative lead1
(
page 694).
Attach ventilation tube.
Switch on the ignition (page 344).
Start the engine (page 389).
Check vehicle functions.
!Only use charging devices with a maximum
charging voltage of 14.8 V.
Warning!G
During the charge procedure, there is a risk
of acid burns due to gases escaping from
the battery. Do not bend over the battery
during the charge procedure.
!The battery and the battery ventilation hose
must always be securely installed when the vehi-
cle is in operation.
!Always connect the starter battery in the or-
der described below. Otherwise, the vehicle’s
electronics could be damaged.
Warning!G
Do not drive without a properly installed and
connected consumer battery.
Have any work on the consumer battery car-
ried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
!Never invert the terminal connections.
!Make sure that the battery has a plug where
the ventilation tube is attached to it.

701 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground or with the front axle raised, the start-
er battery must be connected and charged. Oth-
erwise:

you will not be able to switch on the ignition

you will not be able to engage the automatic
transmission in neutral positionN
(
page 402)

you cannot release the electronic parking
brake
For information on charging the starter battery
see “Batteries” (
page 692) or see “Jump start-
ing” (
page 697).
!Make sure that the electronic parking brake
is released. If the electronic parking brake is
malfunctioning, release it mechanically
(
page 673).
!If the vehicle is towed with the front axle
raised (not permissible for vehicles with
4MATIC), the automatic transmission must be in
positionN and the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* in
starter switch position0 or1). Active braking
action through the ESP
® may otherwise seriously
damage the brake system.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the automatic transmission must be
shifted to neutral positionN and the SmartKey
or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* must be in start-
er switch position2.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground or the front axle raised, the vehicle
may be towed only for distances up to 30 miles
(50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
!If the vehicle is towed, the transmission
must be in neutral positionN.
If you turn off the engine using

the SmartKey and

remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch
or

open a front door

the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button and
open a front door
the transmission will shift to park positionP
automatically.

702 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
If you want the gear position to remain in
neutral positionN, observe the following
instructions.
Vehicles with SmartKey:
With the vehicle at a standstill and the
ignition switched on shift the
automatic transmission to neutral
positionN.
If engaged, manually release the
electronic parking brake (
page 395).
Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the starter switch.Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
With the vehicle at a standstill, depress
the brake pedal and keep it pressed.
Shift the automatic transmission to
park positionP.
Release the brake pedal.
Remove the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button from the starter switch
(
page 345).
Insert the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
into the starter switch.
With the ignition switched on shift the
automatic transmission to neutral
positionN.
If engaged, manually release the
electronic parking brake (
page 395).
Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO in the
starter switch.
Warning!G
When leaving the SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch, do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle.
It is possible for children to switch on the
ignition which could result in unsupervised
use of vehicle equipment. Unsupervised use
of vehicle equipment could result in an
accident and/or serious personal injury.
iWhen towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, please note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* in
starter switch position 2, the vehicle doors lock
if the left front wheel as well as the right rear
wheel are turning at vehicle speeds of approxi-
mately 9mph (15km/h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle doors from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking
(
page 245).
iTo signal turns while being towed with the
hazard warning flasher in use, turn SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* in starter switch to
position2 and activate the combination switch
for the left or right turn signal in the usual
manner – only the selected turn signal will
operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher will operate again.

744 Index
Headlamp cleaning system 375, 548
Washer fluid 727, 733
Headlamps
Automatic control 372
Automatic headlamp mode 282
Cleaning lenses 589
Cleaning system 548
Manual headlamp mode 282
Messages in display 653
Refilling washer fluid 549
Headliner and shelf below rear window,
Cleaning and care of 594
Heated steering wheel* 360
Height adjustments
Vehicle level (ABC*) 443
High beam
Replacing bulbs 679
High beam flasher 375
High beam headlamp
Indicator lamp 29High mounted brake lamp 679
High-performance brake system
(AMG vehicles only) 529
Hood 541
Message in display 649
Opening 541
Horn 27
Hydroplaning 531
I
Identification labels 712
Identification Number, Vehicle (VIN) 713
Ignition 344, 346
Switching on 344
Switching on, KEYLESS-GO* 346
Immobilizer 81
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Individualization
Voice Control* 330
Infant and child restraint systems see Chil-
dren in the vehicle
Inflation pressure see Tires
Infrared reflecting windshield 524
Inside door handle 341Instrument cluster 28, 417
Coolant temperature gauge 29, 417
Fuel gauge 29
Illumination 417, 463
Lamps 598
Multifunction display 264
Outside temperature indicator 418
Selecting the language
(COMAND) 238
Interior lighting 378
Activating automatic control 378
Ambient lighting (COMAND) 247
Deactivating automatic control 378
Delayed switch-off (COMAND) 248
In the rear 379
Reading lamps in the front 379
Reading lamps in the rear 379
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 361
Auto-dimming 363
Interior storage spaces see Storage com-
partments

745 Index
J
Jack 669, 687
Jacking up the vehicle 687
Jump starting 697
K
Key, Mechanical 671
Loss of 340
Key, SmartKey 332
Battery check lamp 332, 334
Factory setting 333
Global locking and unlocking 333
Lock button 332
Locking and unlocking 332
Loss of 340
Messages in display 651
Opening button for trunk 332
Panic button 65
Remote control 332
Restoring to factory setting 334
Selective setting 334
Starting the engine 390
Switching on ignition with 344
Turning off engine 397
Unlock button 332Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 335
Battery check lamp 335, 339
Closing, Trunk 479
Factory setting 338
Global locking and unlocking 338
Important notes on using
KEYLESS-GO* 336
Lock button 335
Locking and unlocking 335
Loss of 340
Messages in display 650
Opening button for trunk 335
Panic button 65
Remote control 335
Restoring to factory setting 340
Selective setting 339
Starting the engine 390
Switching on ignition with 346
Turning off engine 398
Unlock button 335
Kickdown 406
Kilopascal 577L
Labels 712
Certification 712
Emission control information 713
Tire and Loading Information 554
Vacuum line routing diagram 713
Lamp bulbs, exterior 678
Lamps, exterior
Front 679
Light sensor 654
Rear 679
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 29, 66, 598
Air bag Off 46
Battery check lamp (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 339
Battery check lamp (SmartKey) 334
Brake warning lamp 29
Brakes 599
Combination low tire pressure* mal-
function telltale 29, 608
Distance warning lamp* 29, 604
DISTRONIC Plus* 29, 427, 604
Electronic parking brake 29, 600
Engine diagnostics 29, 602
Engine malfunction 29, 602