2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class brake fluid

374 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
In operation, your vehicle is subjected to varying
external inf luences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the underbody and
cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by extreme and varying
climatic conditions, but also by air polution, road salt,
tar, gravel and stone chipping. Grease and oil, fuel,
coolant, brake fluid, bird droppings, insects, tree resins
etc. should be removed immediately to avoid paint
damage. Frequent washing reduces and/or eliminates
the aggressiveness and potency of the above adverse
influences.More frequent washings are necessary to deal with
unfavorable conditions; for example, near the ocean, in
industrial areas (smoke, exhaust emissions), or during
winter operation.
You should check your vehicle from time to time for
stone chipping or other damage. Any damage should be
repaired as soon as possible to prevent the start of
corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underside of the vehicle.
A prerequisite for a thorough check is a washing of the
underbody followed by a thorough inspection. Damaged
areas need to be reundercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the factory with a wax-
base ru stproof ing in th e body cavities w hich will la st for
the lifetime of the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by Mercedes-Benz
because of the possibility of incompatibility between
materials used in the production process and others
applied later.
We have selected car-care products and compiled
recommendations which are specially matched to our
vehicles and which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain Mercedes-Benz approved car-care
products at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Wa r n i n g !
Many cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are poisonous, others are flammable. Always follow
the instructions on the particular container.
Always open your vehicle’s doors or windows when
cleaning the inside.Never use fluids or solvents that are not designed
for cleaning your vehicle.

383 Contents - Technical data
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Technical dataSpare parts service ........................384
Warranty coverage .........................384
Identification labels .......................385
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............387
Technical data ................................388
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities ...................................394Engine oils ...................................... 396
Engine oil additives ...................... 396
Air conditioner refrigerant .......... 396
Brake fluid ...................................... 396
Premium unleaded gasoline ........ 397
Fuel requirements ........................ 397
Gasoline additives ......................... 398
Coolants .......................................... 398
Consumer information ................. 400

394 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Vehicle components and their respective lubricants must match. Therefore use only brands tested and recommended
by us. Please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at your Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model Capacity Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter S 430, S 500
S 55 AMG
S 6008.5 US qt (8.0 l)
8.0 US qt (7.5 l)
10.0 US qt (9.5 l)Recommended engine oils
Automatic
transmission9.6 US qt (9.1 l) Automatic transmission fluid
Rear axle 1.7 US qt (1.6 l) Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Hydraulic system for
adaptive damping
system (ADS) or active
body control (ABC)approx. 5.3 US qt (5.0 l) MB Hydraulic f luid
Power steering approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l) MB Power steering fluid
Front wheel hubs approx. 2.1 oz (60 g) each High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system 0.7 US qt (0.7 l) MB Brake fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling system S 430, S 500
S 55 AMG
S 600approx. 12.1 US qt (11.5 l)
approx. 12.1 US qt (11.5 l)
approx. 12.7 US qt (12.0 l)MB Anticorrosion / antifreeze

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.

402 Index
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data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Index
AABS (Antilock brake system) .......................................272
Malfunction indicator lamp .....................................300
Active body control (ABC) ............................................278
Fluid level ...................................................................335
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 314
Adaptive damping system (ADS) .................................283
Adjusting steering wheel .............................................. 105
Air conditioner refrigerant ...........................................396
Air distribution, manual ............................................... 169
AIR SPRING (AirMatic) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................325
Air volume, manual ....................................................... 169
Airbag deactivation system ............................................ 91
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ........................................302
Airbags .............................................................................. 94
Airmatic system .............................................................279
Airmatic system
(Vehicles with Active Body Control) ......................280
Alarm system ............................................................. 62, 64
Anticorrosion/antifreeze ................... 251, 336, 394, 398Antilock brake system (ABS) ...................................... 272
Malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 300
Antitheft alarm system ...................................................62
Aquaplaning .................................................................. 248
Armrest, rear seat .......................................................... 198
Ashtrays ...........................................................................201
Center console ...........................................................201
Rear doors ................................................................. 202
Audio systems .................................................................125
Cassette player ..........................................................127
CD Player ....................................................................126
Radio ...........................................................................125
Automatic central locking ..............................................52
Automatic climate control ............................................ 164
Activated charcoal filter ...........................................172
Adjustable air outlets,
rear passenger compartment ............................. 176
Air distribution, manual .......................................... 169
Air volume, manual .................................................. 169
Basic setting ............................................................... 168
Defogging windows ...........................................170, 171
Defrosting ...................................................................170
Display and controls ................................................. 166
Dust filter ................................................................... 167
Economy mode ..........................................................173

403 Index
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data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
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

409 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Standing lamps ........................................ 156, 359, 360
Stop lamps .................................................................. 361
Taillamps .......................................... 156, 312, 360, 377
Turn signal lamps ................................... 358, 360, 361
Level control system
Vehicles with Active Body Control
(ABC) ......................................................................280
Vehicles with Airmatic system ...............................279
LIGHT SENSOR -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 314
Lighter .............................................................................203
LIGHTING SYSTEM -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 312
Limp home mode
(Automatic transmission) ........................................ 241
Locking and unlocking ............................................ 36, 40
Lumbar support ............................................................... 73
MMaintenance ................................................................... 213
Malfunction and indicator lamps
In the center console ................................................302
In the instrument cluster .........................................296
Malfunction and warning message memory ............. 136
Malfunction and warning messagesACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) ............................. 314
AIR SPRING (AirMatic) ........................................... 325
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR ......................................... 305
BRAKE ASSIST ......................................................... 306
BRAKE FLUID ........................................................... 307
BRAKE LINING WEAR ............................................ 307
CHIP-CARD (KEYLESS-GO) .................................... 322
COOLANT (coolant level) ......................................... 310
COOLANT (coolant temperature) ........................... 311
CRUISE CONTROL .................................................... 319
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(engine control unit) ........................................... 304
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(several systems) ................................................. 304
DISTRONIC (DTR) .................................................... 326
DOOR .......................................................................... 320
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. .............................................. 309
ENGINE OIL LEVEL .................................................. 318
ENTRANCE POSITION ............................................ 306
HOOD ......................................................................... 320
KEY .............................................................................. 319
LIGHT SENSOR .......................................................... 314
LIGHTING SYSTEM ................................................... 312
OIL TEMP. (engine oil temperature) ......................321
PARKING BRAKE ..................................................... 308
SELECTOR LEVER .................................................... 323