Surprising Agility

At 17 feet long, the S550 is obviously a large car, but it doesn't feel the least bit ponderous from the driver's seat. It's pretty easy to maneuver through heavy, fast-moving highway traffic and feels rock-solid doing so, like nothing's going to move it off its line.

The big Benz also delivers a comfortable ride. An adaptive air suspension is standard on the S550, and it gives the sedan load-leveling capability as well as a lower ride height when traveling fast.

The sedan's size is most noticeable when you maneuver in tight spaces. Fortunately, there are a number of optional features that can lessen your chances of scuffing one of the bumpers, like front and rear parking sensors and a backup camera. Even with such aids, though, the S-Class can still sometimes feel like a giant when parking.

    See also:

    Checking the coolant level
    Only check the coolant level when the vehicle is on a level surface and the engine has cooled down. ► Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition lock. On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, ...

    Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC
    1 To deactivate/activate PARKTRONIC 2 Indicator lamp If indicator lamp 2 lights up, PARKTRONIC is deactivated. PARKTRONIC is automatically activated when you turn the SmartKey to position ...

    Active Blind Spot Assist
    Important safety notes Active Blind Spot Assist uses a radar sensor system to monitor the side areas of your vehicle which are in back of the driver. A warning display in the exterior mirrors d ...