2000 MERCEDES-BENZ S55AMG engine

396 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their suitability in
our engines. Therefore, use only engine oils
recommended by Mercedes-Benz. Information on
recommended brands is available at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Please follow Service Booklet recommendations for
scheduled oil changes. Failure to do so could result in
engine damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil. They may be
harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from blending oil
additives are not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
War ra nt y.Air conditioner refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG lubricating oil
is used in the air conditioner system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lubricating oil,
otherwise damage to the system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point of the brake
fluid is continuously reduced through the absorption of
moisture from the atmosphere. Under extremely hard
operating conditions, this moisture content can lead to
the formation of bubbles in the system thus reducing
the system’s efficiency.
The brake fluid must therefore be replaced every two
years, preferably in the spring.
It is recommended to use only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
will provide you with additional information.

397 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Premium unleaded gasoline
Caution!
To maintain the engine’s durability and performance,
premium unleaded gasoline must be used. If premium
unleaded is not available and low octane fuel is used,
follow these precautions:
•have the fuel tank filled only partially with unleaded
regular and fill up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible,
•avoid full throttle driving and abrupt acceleration,
•do not exceed an engine speed of 3000 rpm, if the
vehicle is loaded with a light load such as two
persons and no luggage,
•do not exceed
2/3 of maximum accelerator pedal
position, if the vehicle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain.Fuel requirements
Use only Premium unleaded meeting ASTM
standard D 439:
The octane number (posted at the pump) must be
91 min. It is an average of both the Research (R) octane
number and the Motor (M) octane number: (R+M) / 2).
This is also known as ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates such as
Ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be used provided the
ratio of any one of these oxygenates to gasoline does not
exceed 10%, MTBE not to exceed 15%.
The ratio of Methanol to gasoline must not exceed 3%
plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of Ethanol and Methanol is not allowed.
Gasohol, which contains 10% Ethanol and 90% unleaded
gasoline, can be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel requirements
such as resistance to spark knock, boiling range, vapor
pressure etc..

398 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufacturers is carbon
build up caused by gasoline. Mercedes-Benz
recommends the use of only quality gasoline containing
additives that prevent the build up of carbon deposits.
After an extended period of using fuels without such
additives, carbon deposits can build up especially on the
intake valves and in the combustion area, leading to
engine performance problems such as:
•warm-up hesitation,
•unstable idle,
•knocking / pinging,
•misfire,
•power loss.
Do not blend other specific fuel additives with fuel.
They only result in unnecessary cost, and may be
harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from poor fuel
quality or from blending specific fuel additives are not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water and
anticorrosion / antifreeze, which provides:
•corrosion protection,
•freeze protection,
•boiling protection (by increasing the boiling point).
The cooling system was filled at the factory with a
coolant providing freeze protection to approximately
-22°F (-30°C) and corrosion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to -22°F (-30°C), the
boiling point of the coolant in the pressurized cooling
system is reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).
The coolant solution must be used year round to provide
the necessary corrosion protection and increase in the
boil-over protection. You should have it replaced every
3years.
To provide the important corrosion protection, the
solution must be at least 45% anticorrosion / antifreeze
(equals a freeze protection to approx. - 22 °F [- 30 °C]). If
you use a solution that is more than 55% anticorrosion /
antifreeze (freeze protection to approx. - 49 °F [- 45°C]),

399 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index the engine temperature will increase due to the lower
heat transfer capability of the solution. Therefore, do not
use more than this amount of anticorrosion / antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and MB anticorrosion /
antifreeze should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for signs of leakage).
The water in the cooling system must meet minimum
requirements, which are usually satisfied by normal
drinking water. If your are not sure about the water
quality, consult your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Anticorrosion / antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of aluminium parts. The
use of aluminium components in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion / antifreeze coolant used
in such engines be specifically formulated to protect the
aluminium parts. (Failure to use such anticorrosion /
antifreeze coolant will result in a significantly
shortened service life.)
Therefore the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle: Mercedes-Benz
anticorrosion / antifreeze agent.Before the start of the winter season (or once a year in
the hot southern regions), you should have the
anticorrosion / antifreeze concentration checked. The
coolant is also regularly checked each time you bring
your vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for service.
Anticorrosion / antifreeze quantity
Model Approx. freeze protection
– 35°F
(– 37°C)– 49°F
(– 45°C)
S 430, S 500,
S 55 AMG6.1 US qt
(5.75 l)6.7 US qt
(6.3 l)
S 600 6.3 US qt
(6.0 l)7. 0 U S q t
(6.6 l)

403 Index
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cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Front center console storage
compartment ventilation .................................... 175
Rear window defroster ............................................. 180
Residual engine heat utilization (REST) ............... 174
Special settings ......................................................... 169
Switching on and off ................................................ 175
Automatic climate control, rear
Air volume, manual .................................................. 178
Basic setting .............................................................. 178
Automatic transmission ...............................................233
Emergency operation ............................................... 241
Fluid level ...................................................................335
Program mode selector switch ...............................240
Selector lever position ..............................................236
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 91
Self-test ......................................................................... 91
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 271
Battery .............................................................................349
Battery recycling .......................................................350
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR -
malfunction and warning messages ......................305
Block heater .................................................................... 251BRAKE ASSIST -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 306
Brake assist system (BAS) ............................................ 271
Brake fluid ..................................244, 293, 298, 394, 396
BRAKE FLUID -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 307
BRAKE LINING WEAR -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 307
Brake pad wear .............................................................. 307
Brake warning lamp ..................................................... 298
Brake fluid low ......................................................... 298
Brakes ........................................... 242, 244, 271, 272, 274
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .............................. 394
Card, KEYLESS-GO ..........................................................28
Catalytic converter ........................................................ 224
Center console .................................................................. 24
Center console lighting ................................................. 189
Central locking switch .................................................... 50
Central locking system .................................................... 34
Automatic central locking .........................................52
Choosing global or selective mode .....................37, 43
Electronic main key .................................................... 29

404 Index
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Electronic reserve key ................................................ 30
KEYLESS-GO-card ....................................................... 31
Locking and unlocking .............................................. 36
Locking and unlocking
with KEYLESS-GO-card ......................................... 40
Mechanical keys ................................................... 30, 47
Remote control ..................................................... 28, 34
Simultaneous use of
electronic main key
and KEYLESS-GO-card .......................................... 44
Summer opening/convenience feature ................... 45
Changing batteries in the
KEYLESS-GO-card .....................................................366
Changing wheels ...........................................................343
CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp .....................................296
Check regulary and before a long trip .......................293
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator .................................. 154
Via oil dipstick ...........................................................334
Child restraint ...........................................84, 91, 102, 104
CHIP-CARD (KEYLESS-GO) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................322
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ................................. 374
COMAND, radio and telephone ................................... 212
Combination switch ...................................................... 160Consumer information ................................................. 400
Control and operation
of radio transmitters ................................................. 212
COOLANT (coolant level) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 310
COOLANT (coolant temperature) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 311
Coolant level
Adding ........................................................................ 336
Checking .................................................................... 336
Coolant temperature gauge .......................................... 117
Coolants .......................................................................... 398
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity ........................ 399
Courtesy lighting ........................................................... 189
Cruise control ................................................................ 253
CRUISE CONTROL -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 319
Cup holder
In front seat armrest ................................................. 199
In rear seat armrest ................................................. 200
DDashboard ......................................................................... 22
Daytime running lamp .................................................. 158

405 Index
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Deep water
Driving instructions .................................................252
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................304
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................304
Display illumination .......................................................116
Distronic (DTR) ...................................................... 134, 256
Activation of Distronic .............................................259
Additional driving hints ..........................................264
Cleaning sensor ........................................................378
Deactivation of Distronic ......................................... 261
Displays in the speedometer dial ...........................270
Distance warning function ......................................267
Distronic settings ......................................................268
Driving with Distronic activated ............................262
Invalid attempts to activate .....................................260
Multifunction display ...............................................269
Warning lamp ............................................................ 301
DISTRONIC (DTR) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................326
DOOR -
malfunction and warning messages ......................320
Door control panel ........................................................... 20
Door entry lamps ........................................................... 189Doors
Power closing assist .................................................... 50
Drinking and driving .................................................... 243
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel ............................................ 243
Driving instructions ..................................................... 243
Driving off ...................................................................... 245
EEasy-entry/exit feature ...................................................66
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 309
Electronic main key .........................................................29
Changing batteries .................................................. 363
Synchronizing remote control ............................... 365
Electronic stability program (ESP) ..............................274
ESP control switch .................................................... 276
Malfunction and warning messages ..................... 309
Synchronizing .......................................................... 275
Warning lamp ............................................................301
Emergency call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 214
Emergency engine shut-down ..................................... 368
Emergency operation of
sliding/pop-up roof .................................................. 369

406 Index
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cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) ......................... 93
SRS indicator lamp ...................................................299
Emergency trunk lid release button ............................. 61
Emergency unlocking in case of accident ................... 52
Emission control ............................................................225
Emission control label ..................................................386
Engine compartment ..................................................... 331
Engine malfunction
CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp ................................296
Engine oil additives .......................................................396
Engine oil consumption ................................................ 155
Engine oil level
Checking ........................................................... 154, 334
Warning ...................................................................... 318
ENGINE OIL LEVEL -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 318
Engine oil level indicator .............................................. 154
Engine oils ......................................................................396
Entrance lamps, exit lamps .......................................... 189
ENTRANCE POSITION -
malfunction and warning messages ......................306
ESP (Electronic stability program) .............................. 274
ESP control switch .................................................... 276
Malfunction and warning messages ......................309
Synchronizing ...........................................................275Warning lamp ............................................................301
ETR (Emergency tensioning retractor) .........................93
SRS indicator lamp .................................................. 299
Exterior lamp
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 312
Exterior lamp switch ..................................................... 156
Daytime running lamp mode .................................. 158
Headlamp cleaning system ...................................... 159
Exterior lamps ............................................................... 356
Fog lamps ..........................................................359, 360
Headlamp assembly ................................................. 357
High mounted stop lamp .......................................... 361
License plate lamps .................................................. 361
Low and high beam .................................................. 358
Parking lamps ...................................................359, 360
Replacing bulbs ........................................................ 356
Side marker lamps ................................................... 360
Standby bulb function ............................................. 362
Standing lamps .................................................359, 360
Stop lamp ....................................................................361
Taillamp assemblies ................................................ 360
Turn signal lamps ................................... 358, 360, 361
Exterior mirror adjustment .......................................... 107
Exterior mirror, front passenger side,
parking position ........................................................108