
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 

148 Flexible service system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
The service indicator disappears automatically after 
30 seconds or if button  Jon the instrument cluster is 
pressed.
Calling up service indicator manually:
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 1.
Call up the trip odometer and main odometer by 
pressing button è or ÿ on the multifunction 
steering wheel until the display appears. See page 124.
Press button j or k until the FSS indicator 
appears.
The next or previous system is displayed by pressing 
button è or ÿ.
Important!
The FSS indicator is not an engine oil level indicator. 
See page 154 for engine oil level indicator.Note:
When disconnecting vehicle battery for one or more 
days at a time, such days will not be counted. Any such 
days not counted by the FSS can be added by your 
Mercedes-Benz Center. 
The interval between services is determined by the type 
of driving for which the vehicle is used. For example, 
driving at extreme speeds, and cold starts combined 
with short distance driving in which the engine does not 
reach operating normal temperature, reduce the interval 
between services. 

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 

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. 

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 

318 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
* C = Category, see page 303.
1 The engine oil level must be checked immediately. See Engine oil 
level indicator on page 154.
2 There is no oil in the engine. There is a danger of engine damage.3 There is a risk of damaging the engine or catalytic converter. The 
engine oil level must be checked immediately. See Engine oil level 
indicator on page 154.
4 The engine oil level has dropped to a critical level. 
Check the engine oil level immediately. See Engine oil level 
indicator on page 154 and check the engine for visible leakage 
(loss of oil).
Possibility of water in the engine oil. Have the engine oil checked.
5 The measuring system is malfunctioning.
When the “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – CHECK LEVEL!” 
message appears while the engine is running and at 
operating temperature, the engine oil level has dropped 
to approximately the minimum mark on the dipstick.
When this occurs, the warning will first come on 
intermittently and then stay on if the oil level drops 
further.
If no oil leaks are noted, continue to drive to the nearest 
service station where the engine oil should be topped to 
the “full” mark on the dipstick with an approved oil.
The engine oil level warnings should not be ignored. 
Extended driving with the symbol displayed could 
result in serious engine damage that is not covered by 
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Line 1Line 2C*
ENG INE  OIL LEVE L CHECK LEVEL!
1
2
ENGINE OIL LEVEL STOP, ENGINE OFF!
2
1
ENGINE OIL LEVEL REDUCE OIL LEVEL
3
2
ENGINE OIL VISIT WORKSHOP!
4
2
ENGINE OIL LEVEL VISIT WORKSHOP!
5
2 

321 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index TELE AID
* C = Category, see page 303.
1 The Tele Aid system consists of three types of response; automatic 
and manual emergency, roadside assistance and information. With 
this message displayed, one or more functions may not be 
availa ble.
See page 214 for notes on the Tele Aid.If a malfunction is indicated as outlined above, have the 
system checked at the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as 
soon as possible.OIL TEMP. (engine oil temperature)
* C = Category, see page 303.There is a danger of engine damage – change to a higher 
gear or reduce road speed.
Check the engine oil level as soon as the vehicle returns 
to operating temperature. See Engine oil level indicator 
on page 154.
Line 1Line 2C*
TELE AID VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
1
Line 1Line 2C*
OIL TEMP TOO HIGH! LOWER REVS! 2 

334 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Checking engine oil level
S 500
1Dipstick
Model S 600:
The dipstick is omitted. Engine oil level can be 
checked via the engine oil level indicator, see 
page 154.
2Oil filler capS 600
Model S 430, S 500 and S 55 AMG
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level 
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check engine oil level approximately 5 minutes after 
stopping the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the 
oil pan.
1
P18.40-0287-262
P18.40-2066-26
2