
4 Contents
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator 
lamps in the 
instrument cluster  ....................296
On-board diagnostic system  .....296
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................296
Brake warning lamp  ..................298
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS)
indicator lamp .............................299
Fuel reserve warning .................299
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................300
Electronic stability 
program (ESP) — 
warning lamp  ..............................301
Distronic (DTR) –
warning lamp  ..............................301
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp  ..............................302Malfunction and 
indicator lamp in the
center console  ........................... 302
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp  .... 302
Malfunction and
 warning messages in the 
multifunction display  .............. 303
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................ 304
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR .......... 305
ENTRANCE POSITION  .............. 306
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 306
BRAKE LINING WEAR .............. 307
BRAKE FLUID  ............................ 307
PARKING BRAKE ....................... 308
TRUNK OPEN  ............................. 308
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability 
program) ..................................... 309
COOLANT (coolant level)  .......... 310
COOLANT 
(coolant temperature)  ................ 311LIGHTING SYSTEM .................... 312
LIGHT SENSOR ........................... 314
ACTIV E BO DY  CO NTROL 
(ABC) ............................................ 314
TIRE PRESSURE  ......................... 316
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ................... 318
CRUISE CONTROL  ..................... 319
KEY ............................................... 319
DOOR ...........................................320
HOOD ...........................................320
TELE AID  .....................................321
OIL TEMP.
(engine oil temperature)  ...........321
CHIP-CARD (KEYLESS-GO)  ......322
SELECTOR LEVER ......................323
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION  .......323
WASHER FLUID  .........................324
AIR SPRING (AirMatic)  .............325
DISTRONIC (DTR)  ......................326 

5 Contents
Practical hintsFirst aid kit  .....................................328
Stowing things in the vehicle  ......328
Fuses ................................................329
Hood ................................................. 331
Checking engine oil level  .............334
Automatic transmission
fluid level  ...................................335
Active body control 
(ABC) fluid level ........................335
Coolant level  ...................................336
Adding coolant  ...........................336
Windshield and
headlamp washer system  ........337
Windshield and
headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio  ................................337
Spare wheel, vehicle tools, 
storage compartment ................338
Vehicle jack .....................................339
Wheels .............................................340
Tire Replacement  .......................340
Rotating wheels  .......................... 341
Spare wheel  .................................... 341Changing wheels  ........................... 343
Tire inflation pressure  ................. 348
Battery ............................................. 349
Jump starting  ................................. 351
Towing the vehicle  ........................ 353
Exterior lamps  ............................... 356
Headlamp assembly  .................. 357
Taillamp assemblies  .................. 360
Trunk lamp ..................................... 362
Changing batteries in the 
electronic main key .................. 363
Synchronizing 
remote control  ............................ 365
Changing batteries in the 
KEYLESS-GO-card .................... 366
Emergency engine
shut-down .................................. 368
Fuel filler flap,
manual release  ......................... 368
Emergency operation of 
sliding/pop-up roof  .................. 369
Replacing wiper blades  ................ 370
Roof rack  ..........................................371
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle  ............................. 374
Power washer ..............................375
Tar stains  ..................................... 376
Paintwork, painted body 
components ................................. 376
Engine cleaning .......................... 376
Vehicle washing  ......................... 376
Ornamental moldings ................377
Headlamps, taillamps, 
turn signal lenses  ......................377
Cleaning the Distronic 
system sensor  .............................378
Cleaning the parktronic 
system sensors  ...........................378
Wiper blades  ...............................379
Light alloy wheels  ......................380
Instrument cluster  .....................380
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ......................380
Cup holder ...................................380
Seat belts  ..................................... 381 

154 Engine oil level indicator
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Engine oil level indicator
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level 
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check oil level approximately 5 minutes after stopping 
the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the oil pan.
The message “PERF. SERV. ON TIME” (perform service 
[engine oil level check] on time) will be displayed if the 
required waiting period has not been observed after 
stopping the engine:
•with engine at operational temperature 
approximately 5 minutes.•with engine not at operational temperature up to 
approximately 30 minutes.
The engine oil level check can be repeated after a short 
time.
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
To call up the trip odometer and main odometer, press 
button è or ÿ on the multifunction steering 
wheel until the display appears. See page 124. 
Press button j or k on the multifunction 
steering wheel repeatedly until the “MEASUREMENT 
CORRECT – ONLY IF VEH. LEVEL” engine oil level 
indicator appears. This indicator is only a reminder. 
Measurement can be cancelled by pressing button j 
or k if the vehicle is not parked on level ground. An 
incorrect reading will be recorded if you do not cancel 
the measurement. Move the vehicle to level ground and 
measure again.
The electronic key in starter switch is not in position 2 if 
the “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – SWITCH ON IGNITION” 
message appears.
The “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – MEASURING NOW” 
message is displayed after approximately 3 seconds.
MEASUREMENT CORRECT 

155 Engine oil level indicator
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index One of the following messages will subsequently appear 
on the indicator:
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – O.K.”
No oil needs to be added.
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 1.0 QUART”
(Canada: 1.0 L)
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 1.5 QUART”
(Canada: 1.5 L)
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – ADD 2.0 QUART”
(Canada: 2.0 L)
See “Checking engine oil level”, on page 334 for 
instructions on adding engine oil.
“ENGINE OIL LEVEL – REDUCE OIL LEVEL”
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be siphoned or drained off. It could 
cause damage to the engine and catalytic converter not 
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The “MEASURING NOT POSSIBLE” message will be 
displayed if a proper oil level check cannot be 
performed. The engine oil level check can be repeated 
after a short while.S 430, S 500 and S 55 AMG only:
Perform the engine oil level check with the dipstick, if it 
cannot be completed via the multifunction display.
See “Checking engine oil level”, page 334.
In this case we recommend that you have the system 
checked at a Mercedes-Benz Center.
Notes:
See malfunction and warning messages on page 303 
and page 318 if an engine oil level indicator appears in 
the multifunction display when the engine is running.
The engine oil level cannot be checked while the engine 
is running. The “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – NOT WHEN 
ENGINE ON” message will appear.
Engine oil consumption
Engine oil consumption checks should only be made 
after the break-in period. During the break-in period, 
higher oil consumption may be noticed and is normal. 
Frequent driving at high engine speeds results in 
increased consumption. 

251 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
•Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil 
which is not approved for winter operation. For 
viscosity (SAE / CCMC class) and filling quantity, 
see page 396.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion / antifreeze 
concentration.
•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp 
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a 
premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze 
which is formulated for below freezing 
temperatures, see page 337.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing 
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps 
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low 
ambient temperatures.•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on 
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe 
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated 
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.
Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the 
ABS and ESP can only be achieved with M+S rated 
radial-ply tires and / or snow chains recommended by 
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
Block heater (for Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center. 

291 What you should know at the gas station
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Fuel tank capacity approximately 23.2 US gal (88.0 l).
This includes approximately 2.9 US gal (11.0 l) reserve. 
Use premium unleaded gasoline: 
S 430, S 500, S 55 AMG
Posted Octane Index 91 (Average of 96 RON / 86 MON).
S 600:
Posted Octane Index 93 (Average of 98 RON/88 MON).Engine oil
Checking oil level, see instructions on pages 154 
and 334.
S 430, S 500 and S 55 AMG only:
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick marking 
level: 2,1 US qt (2.0 l).
Recommended engine oils, see Approved Service 
Products sheet.
Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (potable water 
quality). For further information refer to page 336. 

293 Check regularly and before a long trip
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Check regularly and before a long trip 1Windshield washer and 
headlamp cleaning system
For refilling reservoir see page 337.
2Coolant level, 
see “Adding coolant” on page 336
3Engine oil level, 
see “Engine oil level checking” on page  154 and 334
4Brake fluid, 
see “Brake fluid” on page 396
Opening hood, see page 331.
Ve h i c l e  l i g h t i n g : Check function and cleanliness. For 
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on 
page 356.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 156. 

295 Contents - Instrument cluster display
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator 
lamps in the 
instrument cluster  ....................296
On-board diagnostic system  .....296
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................296
Brake warning lamp  ..................298
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS)
indicator lamp .............................299
Fuel reserve warning .................299
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................300
Electronic stability 
program (ESP) — 
warning lamp  ..............................301
Distronic (DTR) –
warning lamp  ..............................301
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp  ..............................302Malfunction and 
indicator lamp in the
center console  ........................... 302
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp  .... 302
Malfunction and
 warning messages in the 
multifunction display  .............. 303
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................ 304
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR .......... 305
ENTRANCE POSITION  .............. 306
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 306
BRAKE LINING WEAR .............. 307
BRAKE FLUID  ............................ 307
PARKING BRAKE ....................... 308
TRUNK OPEN  ............................. 308
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability 
program) ..................................... 309
COOLANT (coolant level)  .......... 310
COOLANT 
(coolant temperature)  ................ 311LIGHTING SYSTEM .................... 312
LIGHT SENSOR ........................... 314
ACTIV E BO DY  CO NTROL 
(ABC) ............................................ 314
TIRE PRESSURE  ......................... 316
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ................... 318
CRUISE CONTROL  ..................... 319
KEY ............................................... 319
DOOR ...........................................320
HOOD ...........................................320
TELE AID  .....................................321
OIL TEMP.
(engine oil temperature)  ...........321
CHIP-CARD (KEYLESS-GO)  ......322
SELECTOR LEVER ......................323
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION  .......323
WASHER FLUID  .........................324
AIR SPRING (AirMatic)  .............325
DISTRONIC (DTR)  ......................326