2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 engine coolant

402 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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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
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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 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.

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

406 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]),

407 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
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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)

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

412 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Center console lighting ................................................. 192
Central locking switch .................................................... 48
Central locking system ................................................... 33
Automatic central locking ......................................... 50
Choosing global or selective mode .....................35, 41
Electronic key .............................................................. 29
KEYLESS-GO-card ....................................................... 30
Locking and unlocking .............................................. 35
Locking and unlocking
with KEYLESS-GO-card ......................................... 38
Mechanical keys .......................................................... 45
Remote control ..................................................... 28, 33
Simultaneous use of electronic key
and KEYLESS-GO-card .......................................... 42
Summer opening/convenience feature ................... 43
Changing batteries in the KEYLESS-GO-card ........... 374
Changing wheels ........................................................... 351
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp ............ 302
Check regularly and before a long trip ......................299
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator .................................. 156
Via oil dipstick ...........................................................342
Child restraint ............................................. 81, 88, 99, 101
Child seat
See Infant and child restraint systems .................... 99CHIP-CARD (KEYLESS-GO) -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 328
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ................................ 382
COMAND, radio and telephone ................................... 216
Combination switch ....................................................... 162
Consumer information ................................................. 408
Control and operation of radio transmitters .............. 216
COOLANT (coolant level) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 316
COOLANT (coolant temperature) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 317
Coolant level
Adding ........................................................................ 344
Checking .................................................................... 344
Coolant temperature gauge .......................................... 115
Coolants .......................................................................... 406
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity ........................ 407
Courtesy lighting ........................................................... 192
Cruise control ................................................................ 258
CRUISE CONTROL -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 325
Cup holder
In front seat armrest ................................................ 202
In rear seat armrest ................................................. 203

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