2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Gasoline

403 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Fuel tank
including a reserve of23.2 US gal (88.0 l)
2.9 US gal (11.0 l)Premium unleaded gasoline: Posted
Octane 91
(Avg. of 96 RON / 86 MON)
Air conditioner system R-134a refrigerant and special PAG
lubricant
Windshield washer
and headlamp
cleaning system7.1 US qt (6.7 l) MB Windshield washer concentrate
1
1 Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water for temperatures above freezing or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and
commercially available premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze for temperatures below freezing. Follow suggested mixing ratios, see
page 345.
Model Capacity Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.

405 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
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..

406 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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]),

415 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Exterior mirror adjustment .......................................... 104
Exterior mirror, front passenger side,
parking position ........................................................ 105
Exterior rear view mirrors
Electrically folding .................................................... 106
Parking position ........................................................ 105
FFirst aid kit ..................................................................... 336
Flat tire
See changing wheels ................................................ 351
Flexible service system (FSS) ...................................... 149
Footwell lighting ............................................................ 192
Front airbags .................................................................... 91
Front center console
storage compartment ventilation ........................... 178
Front seat adjustment ..................................................... 64
Fuel
Gasoline additives ....................................................406
Premium unleaded gasoline ................. 297, 403, 405
Fuel cap placement warning
See CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp ................................ 302
Fuel filler flap, manual release ................................... 376
Fuel requirements ......................................................... 405Fuel reserve warning .................................................... 305
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities .............. 402
Fuse box ......................................................................... 337
Fuses, electrical ............................................................. 337
GGarage door opener ....................................................... 210
Gasoline
Additives .................................................................... 406
Fuel requirements ................................................... 405
Premium unleaded .................................................. 405
General notes on the central locking system .............. 32
Glove box ......................................................................... 197HHazard warning flasher switch ................................... 165
Head restraints, front seats
Removal and installation ...........................................68
Head restraints, rear seat ............................................... 76
Power head restraints .................................................77
Headlamp cleaning system ........................................... 161
Headlamp mode (HEADLAMPS) .................................. 159
Headlights ....................................................................... 158