2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 brake fluid

382 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
In operation, your vehicle is subjected to varying
external influences 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 rustproofing in the body cavities which will last 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.

391 Contents – Technical data
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Technical dataSpare parts service ........................392
Warranty coverage .........................392
Identification labels .......................393
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............395
Technical data ................................396
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities ...................................402Engine oils ...................................... 404
Engine oil additives ...................... 404
Air conditioner refrigerant .......... 404
Brake fluid ...................................... 404
Premium unleaded gasoline ........ 405
Fuel requirements ........................ 405
Gasoline additives ......................... 406
Coolants .......................................... 406
Consumer information ................. 408

402 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n i c a l
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 fluid
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

404 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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 in the Factory
Approved Service Product pamphlet, or 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
Warranty.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.

410 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Index
AABS (Antilock brake system) .......................................278
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 306
Active body control (ABC) ............................................ 284
Fluid level ...................................................................343
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (A BC) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................320
Adaptive damping system (ADS) .................................289
Adjusting steering wheel .............................................. 102
AIR CLEANER -
malfunction and warning messages ......................333
Air conditioner refrigerant ........................................... 404
Air distribution, manual ............................................... 172
Air volume, manual ....................................................... 172
Airbag deactivation system ............................................ 88
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ........................................308
Airbags .............................................................................. 91
AIRMATIC -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 331
Airmatic system ............................................................. 285
Airmatic system
(Vehicles with Active Body Control) ......................286Alarm system ............................................................. 60, 61
Anticorrosion/antifreeze ...................255, 344, 402, 406
Antilock brake system (ABS) ...................................... 278
Malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 306
Antitheft alarm system ...................................................60
Aquaplaning .................................................................. 252
Armrest, rear seat ..........................................................201
Ashtrays .......................................................................... 204
Center console .......................................................... 204
Rear doors ................................................................. 205
Audio systems ................................................................. 124
Cassette player .......................................................... 126
CD Player ....................................................................125
Radio ...........................................................................124
Automatic central locking .............................................. 50
Automatic climate control ............................................ 166
Activated charcoal filter ........................................... 175
Adjustable air outlets,
rear passenger compartment ............................. 179
Air distribution, manual .......................................... 172
Air volume, manual .................................................. 172
Basic setting ............................................................... 171
Defogging windows ................................................... 173
Defrosting ................................................................... 173
Display and controls ................................................. 168
Dust filter ................................................................... 170

411 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Economy mode ...........................................................176
Front center console
storage compartment ventilation ...................... 178
MAXCOOL .......................................................... 170, 181
Rear window defroster ............................................. 183
Residual engine heat utilization (REST) ................176
Special settings ......................................................... 172
Switching on and off ................................................ 177
Automatic climate control, rear
Air volume, manual .................................................. 181
Basic setting .............................................................. 181
Automatic maximum cooling ....................................... 170
Rear passenger compartment climate control ..... 181
Automatic transmission ...............................................237
Emergency operation ...............................................245
Fluid level ...................................................................343
Program mode selector switch ............................... 244
Selector lever position ..............................................240
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 88
Self-test ......................................................................... 88
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 277
Battery .............................................................................357Battery recycling ...................................................... 358
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 311
Block heater ................................................................... 255
BRAKE ASSIST -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 312
Brake assist system (BAS) ........................................... 277
Brake fluid .................................. 248, 299, 304, 402, 404
BRAKE FLUID -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 313
Brake pad wear ............................................................... 313
BRAKE PAD WEAR -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 313
Brake warning lamp ..................................................... 304
Brake fluid low ......................................................... 304
Brakes .......................................... 246, 248, 277, 278, 280
Bulbs
See Replacing bulbs ................................................. 364
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .............................. 402
Card, KEYLESS-GO ..........................................................28
Catalytic converter ........................................................ 228
Center console .................................................................. 24

417 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
LLAMP SENSOR -
malfunction and warning messages ......................320
Lamps, exterior
Fog lamps ..................................................158, 367, 368
Headlamps ....................................... 158, 318, 365, 385
License plate lamps .................................................. 369
Parking lamps ..........................................158, 367, 368
Replacing bulbs ......................................................... 364
Standing lamps .........................................158, 367, 368
Stop lamps ..................................................................369
Taillamps .......................................... 158, 318, 368, 385
Turn signal lamps ................................... 366, 368, 369
Level control system
Vehicles with Active Body Control (ABC) ............. 286
Vehicles with Airmatic system ............................... 285
Lighter .............................................................................206
LIGHTING SYSTEM -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 318
Limp home mode (Automatic transmission) ............. 245
Locking and unlocking ............................................ 35, 38
Low beams
See Exterior lamps ....................................................364
Lumbar support ............................................................... 69
MMaintenance ................................................................... 217
Malfunction and indicator lamps
In the center console ............................................... 308
In the instrument cluster ........................................ 302
Malfunction and warning message memory ............. 136
Malfunction and warning messages
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) ............................ 320
AIR CLEANER ........................................................... 333
AIRMATIC ..................................................................331
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR .......................................... 311
BRAKE ASSIST .......................................................... 312
BRAKE FLUID ............................................................ 313
BRAKE PAD WEAR ................................................... 313
CHIP-CARD (KEYLESS-GO) .................................... 328
COOLANT (coolant level) ......................................... 316
COOLANT (coolant temperature) ........................... 317
CRUISE CONTROL ................................................... 325
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(engine control unit) ............................................ 310
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(several systems) .................................................. 310
DISTRONIC (DTR) .................................................... 332
DOOR .......................................................................... 326
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................................................. 324

418 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
ENTRY POSITION ..................................................... 312
ESP .............................................................................. 315
HOOD .......................................................................... 326
KEY .............................................................................325
LAMP SENSOR ..........................................................320
LIGHTING SYSTEM ................................................... 318
PARKING BRAKE ...................................................... 314
SELECTOR LEVER ....................................................329
TELE AID .................................................................... 327
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION ...................................... 329
TIRE PRESSURE ........................................................ 322
TRUNK OPEN ............................................................ 314
WASHER FLUID ........................................................ 330
Manual operation of sliding/pop-up roof ................... 377
Manual release for fuel filler flap ............................... 376
Mechanical keys ........................................................ 29, 45
Memory ................................................. 102, 103, 104, 108
Recalling ..................................................................... 109
Storing ........................................................................ 109
Mirror, exterior
Adjusting .................................................................... 104
Parking position ........................................................ 105
Mirror, exterior, rear view ............................................ 104
Mirror, inside, rear view ............................................... 103
Multicontour backrest ..................................................... 69Multifunction display .................................................... 118
Audio systems ............................................................124
Cassette player .......................................................... 126
CD player ....................................................................125
Distronic (DTR) .......................................................... 133
Engine oil level indicator .........................................122
FSS ...............................................................................122
Individual settings .................................................... 138
Malfunction/warning message memory ............... 136
Navigation system ..................................................... 132
Radio ...........................................................................124
Telephone ...................................................................127
Telephone – Incoming call ...................................... 131
Telephone – Redialing .............................................. 129
Telephone book ......................................................... 127
Tire inflation pressure monitor ..............................122
Trip and main odometer and sub menu ................122
Trip computer ............................................................ 134
Vehicle speed .............................................................122
Multifunction steering wheel ....................................... 118
Setting the audio volume ......................................... 148