2000 MERCEDES-BENZ S55AMG engine

279 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Level control system for vehicles with
Airmatic system
The switch for the ride height adjustment is located on
the center console.
Press the switch when the engine is running:
1Raised level
2Normal level
3Indicator lampThe vehicle ride height in the normal level mode is
adjusted automatically according to the vehicle speed.
This increases vehicle safety and reduces fuel
consumption.
At speeds exceeding approximately 70 mph (110 km / h)
the vehicle ride height is reduced to approximately one
half inch (15 mm) below the normal level. The vehicle is
returned to the normal ride height setting once the
speed falls below approximately 35 mph (60 km / h).
Normal level
The system is set to normal level when the indicator
lamp (3) is not illuminated.
When the raised level ride height returns to the normal
level ride height, the indicator lamp (3) goes out.
Raised level
To select the raised level mode, press the upper half of
the switch (1). The indicator lamp (3) comes on.
Use the raised level setting for rough sections of the
road, for example.
The vehicle is raised by approximately 3/4 inch (20 mm).
The indicator lamp (3) lights up.

280 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
The message “AIR SPRING – VEHICLE RISING” appears
in the multifunction display. The display switches off
when the vehicle is raised.
Notes:
The raised level setting switches off at speeds exceeding
approximately 75 mph (120 km / h), or if vehicle speed
is operated between 50 mph (80 km / h) and 75 mph
(120 km / h) for approximately 5 minutes. The message
“AIR SPRING – LEVEL CANCELLED” appears in the
display.
The raised level setting will be stored in memory after
the electronic key is removed from the starter switch if
you did not drive at the aforementioned speeds.
See “AIR SPRING” on page 325 for malfunction and
warning messages.Level control system for vehicles with
Active Body Control (ABC)
The switch is located on the center console.
Press the switch when the engine is running:
1Raise vehicle chassis
2Lower vehicle chassis
3Indicator lamp
4Indicator lamp

283 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Adaptive damping system (ADS)
The switch is located on the center console.
Press the switch when the engine is running:
1Firm damping program I and II
2Soft damping program
3Indicator lamp
4Indicator lamp Depending upon road surface conditions, driving style,
and damping program selected, ADS will automatically
adjust for optimal ride comfort.
The selected damping mode is stored in memory when
removing the electronic key from the starter switch.
The following settings are available:
Soft damping program – indicator lamps (3, 4) are
switched off.
Firm damping program I – indicator lamp (3) lights up.
Firm damping program II – indicator lamps (3, 4) light
up.
Soft damping program
Setting for regular driving.
The soft damping mode is activated when both indicator
lamps (3, 4) are switched off.
To change from soft to firm damping mode, press upper
half of switch (2) once or twice.
P32.31-2010-26

285 Parking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Parking assist (Parktronic)
The Parktronic system assists the driver during parking
maneuvers. It visually and audibly indicates the relative
distance between the vehicle and an obstacle.
The front area of the vehicle is monitored when driving
forward. When reversing or with the gear selector lever
in position “N”, the front as well as the rear areas are
monitored.
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2,
Parktronic engages automatically at speeds up to
approximately 10 mph (15 km / h) and deactivates
during higher speeds.
Parktronic can be switched off by a control switch
located in the center console. It engages automatically
again when starting the engine.
See page 289 for Parktronic switch.
Wa r n i n g !
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is not
intended to nor does it replace the need for extreme
care. The responsibility during parking and other
critical maneuvers rests always with the driver.Special attention must be paid to objects having
smooth surfaces or low silhouettes (e.g. trailer
couplings, painted posts, or street curbs). Such
objects may not be detected by the system and can
damage the vehicle.The operational function of the Parktronic can be
affected by dirty sensors, especially at times of
snow and ice. See page 378 for notes on cleaning
the parktronic system sensors.Interference caused by other ultrasonic signals
(e.g. working jackhammers or the air brakes of
trucks) can cause the system to send erratic
indications, and should be taken into
consideration.

290 What you should know at the gas station
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data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
What you should know at the gas station
Fuel supplyOpen flap by pushing near front (arrow). Turn fuel cap
to the left and hold on to it until possible pressure in
tank has been released, then remove cap. Failure to
remove slowly could result in personal injury.
See page 368 for manual release of fuel filler flap.
Fuel
To prevent fuel vapors from escaping into open air, fully
insert filler nozzle unit.
Only fill fuel tank until the filler nozzle unit cuts out
— do not top up or overfill.
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open can
cause the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp to illuminate, see
page 296 for notes on the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp.
Wa r n i n g !
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous. It
burns violently and can cause serious injury.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid inhaling
fumes and skin contact, extinguish all smoking
materials. Never allow sparks, flame or smoking
materials near gasoline!
P88.60-2001-26
Wa r n i n g !
Overfilling of fuel tank may result in creating
pressure in the system which could cause a gas
discharge such as the gas spraying back out upon
removing the filler nozzle which could cause
personal injury.

291 What you should know at the gas station
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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.

292 What you should know at the gas station
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Tire pressure
For tire pressure, refer to tire pressure label inside the
fuel filler flap. See page 348 for further details.
Air conditioner
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant, refer to
“Technical Data”.
Spark plugs
Approved spark plugs, refer to “Technical Data”.
Windshield cleaning
To prevent damage to the engine hood, the windshield
wipers must not be folded forward in parked position.
See page 380 for cleaning the windshield.Bulbs
High and low beams: H7 (55 W),
low beam: Xenon (optional)
fog lamps: H1 (55 W),
turn signal lamps,
front 2357 NA (28.5 / 8.3 W [Yellow]),
parking and standing lamps, front: W 5W (5 W)
side marker lamps, front: 5 W / 4 cp,
turn signal lamps, rear: 1156 NA bulb,
tail and parking lamp: P 21 / 4 W,
tail, parking and rear fog lamp, driver’s side: P 21 / 4 W,
tail, parking, standing and
side marker lamp: R 5 W / 4 cp,
backup lamps: 21 W / 32 cp,
license plate lamps: 5 W / 4 cp

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.