
5 ContentsCoolant level  ...................................344
Adding coolant  ...........................344
Windshield and headlamp 
washer system  ...........................345
Windshield and headlamp 
washer fluid mixing ratio  .........345
Spare wheel, vehicle tools, 
storage compartment ................346
Vehicle jack .....................................347
Wheels .............................................348
Tire Replacement  .......................348
Rotating wheels  ..........................349
Spare wheel  ....................................349
Changing wheels  ........................... 351
Tire inflation pressure  ..................356
Battery .............................................357
Jump starting  ..................................359
Towing the vehicle ......................... 361
Exterior lamps  ................................364
Headlamp assembly  ...................365
Taillamp assemblies  ..................368Changing batteries in 
the electronic key  ......................371
Synchronizing 
remote control  ............................ 373
Changing batteries in the 
KEYLESS-GO-card .....................374
Emergency engine 
shut-down ...................................376
Fuel filler flap, 
manual release  ..........................376
Emergency operation of 
sliding/pop-up roof  .................. 377
Replacing wiper blades  ................ 378
Roof rack  ......................................... 380
Vehicle careCleaning and care 
of the vehicle  ............................. 382
Power washer  ............................. 383
Tar stains  .................................... 384
Paintwork, painted body 
components ................................ 384Engine cleaning ..........................384
Vehicle washing  .........................384
Ornamental moldings ................385
Headlamps, taillamps, 
turn signal lenses  ......................385
Cleaning the Distronic 
system sensor  .............................386
Cleaning the parktronic 
system sensors  ...........................386
Wiper blades  ...............................387
Light alloy wheels  ......................388
Instrument cluster  .....................388
Steering wheel and 
gear selector lever  ......................388
Cup holder ...................................388
Seat belts  .....................................389
Headliner and shelf 
below rear window .....................389
Leather upholstery .....................389
Hard plastic trim items  .............389
Plastic and rubber parts ............389 

155 Tire inflation pressure monitor
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
To ensure proper functioning of the tire inflation 
pressure monitor, the tire inflation pressure should be 
checked and corrected according to the label affixed 
inside the fuel filler flap. For a detailed description, 
refer to page 356.
The message “REACTIVATE – TIRE PRESS. MONITOR” 
appears if the tire inflation pressure shows an increase 
of 4.4 psi (0.3 bar) or more. Reactivate the tire inflation 
pressure monitor.
The tire inflation pressure monitor only functions on 
wheels equipped with the proper electronic sensors.
Inquire at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center about 
retrofitting other than original Mercedes-Benz wheels 
with electronic sensors.
Transporting a deflated road wheel in the vehicle, e.g. 
after having a flat, the tire inflation pressure monitor 
should only be activated once the flat tire and rim are 
removed from the vehicle.To prevent possible damage to the electronic sensors, 
have tire changes only performed at an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center.
For malfunction and warning messages, see page 309.
When checking the tire inflation pressure of the road 
wheels, also check the spare tire. 
The tire inflation pressure of the spare wheel, mounted 
or not mounted, is not monitored by the tire inflation 
pressure monitor.
See page 346 for location of the spare wheel, and 
page 356 for tire inflation pressure. 

281 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
The yellow ESP warning lampv in the speedometer 
dial comes on with the electronic key in starter switch 
position 2. It should go out with the engine running.
If the ESP warning message is displayed, a malfunction 
has been detected in the system. Only partial engine 
output will be available.
Have the ESP checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
For ESP warning message, see page 307.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP is also switched 
off.
Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the 
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP 
may activate (yellow ESP warning lamp in speedometer 
dial comes on). For this reason, all wheels, including the 
spare wheel, must have the same tire size. When testing the parking brake on a brake test 
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise, 
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the 
rear wheel brakes. 
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the 
ESP is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz recommended 
M+S rated radial-ply tires and / or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery 
disconnected or empty), the ESP warning message may 
be displayed with the engine running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to 
the right. The ESP warning message should go out. 

335 Contents – Practical hints
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit  .....................................336
Stowing things in the vehicle  ......336
Fuses ................................................337
Hood .................................................339
Checking engine oil level  .............342
Automatic transmission 
fluid level  ...................................343
Active body control (ABC) 
fluid level  ...................................343
Coolant level  ...................................344
Adding coolant  ...........................344
Windshield and headlamp 
washer system  ...........................345
Windshield and headlamp 
washer fluid mixing ratio  .........345Spare wheel, vehicle tools, 
storage compartment  ............... 346
Vehicle jack  .................................... 347
Wheels ............................................ 348
Tire Replacement ....................... 348
Rotating wheels  ......................... 349
Spare wheel .................................... 349
Changing wheels  ........................... 351
Tire inflation pressure  ................. 356
Battery ............................................. 357
Jump starting  ................................. 359
Towing the vehicle  ........................ 361
Exterior lamps  ............................... 364
Headlamp assembly  .................. 365
Taillamp assemblies  .................. 368Changing batteries in 
the electronic key  ..................... 371
Synchronizing 
remote control  ............................373
Changing batteries in the 
KEYLESS-GO-card ..................... 374
Emergency engine 
shut-down .................................. 376
Fuel filler flap, 
manual release  .......................... 376
Emergency operation of 
sliding/pop-up roof  ...................377
Replacing wiper blades .................378
Roof rack  .........................................380 

346 Spare wheel
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage compartment
1Jack
2Luggage bowl with vehicle tool kit, towing eye bolt, 
fuses, fuse extractor and fuse chart
3Storage tray
4Spare wheelLift trunk floor and engage handle in upper edge of 
trunk.
Always lower trunk floor before closing trunk lid.
To remove the spare wheel: 
Take out the vehicle tool kit tray.
Turn the luggage bowl counterclockwise and remove the 
spare wheel.
To store spare wheel:
Place spare wheel in wheel well and secure it with 
luggage bowl. Turn luggage bowl clockwise to its stop.
Place vehicle tool kit tray in luggage bowl.
P40.10-0523-26
1
4
3
2 

347 Vehicle jack
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Ve h i c l e  j a c k
To prepare the jack for use:
Remove the jack from the spare wheel well under the 
trunk floor, push the crank handle up and turn 
clockwise until it engages (operational position).Storing the jack in the trunk:
Retract the jack arm to the base of the jack, push the 
crank handle up and turn counterclockwise to the end 
of the stop (storage position).
P58.10-2001-26
Wa r n i n g !
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the 
vehicle at the jack tubes built into either side of the 
vehicle. To help avoid personal injury, use the jack 
only to lift the vehicle during a wheel change. 
Never get beneath the vehicle while it is supported 
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from the area 
under the lifted vehicle. Always firmly set parking 
brake and block wheels before raising vehicle with 
jack.Do not disengage parking brake while the vehicle is 
raised. Be certain that the jack is always vertical 
when in use, especially on hills. Always try to use 
the jack on level surface. Be sure that the jack arm 
is fully inserted in the jack tube. Always lower the 
vehicle onto sufficient capacity jackstands before 
working under the vehicle. 

349 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Rotating wheels
The wheels can be rotated according to the degree of 
tire wear while retaining the same direction of travel.
Rotating, however, should be carried out as 
recommended by the tire manufacturer, before the 
characteristic tire wear pattern (shoulder wear on front 
wheels and tread center wear on rear wheels) becomes 
visible, as otherwise the driving properties deteriorate.
Notes:
Thoroughly clean the inner side of the wheels any time 
you rotate the wheels or wash the vehicle underside.
The use of retread tires is not recommended. Retread 
tires may adversely affect the handling characteristics 
and safety of the vehicle.
Dented or bent rims can cause tire pressure loss and 
damage to the tire beads. For this reason, check rims for 
damage at regular intervals. The rim flanges must be 
checked for wear before a tire is mounted. Remove 
burrs, if any.
Check and ensure proper tire inflation pressure after 
rotating the wheels. For tire inflation pressure see 
inside of fuel filler flap and also page 296.Spare wheel
Spare wheel S 430, S 500 and S 600 
(except Sport Package)
Important!
The spare wheel rim is mounted with a full size tire of 
the same type as on the vehicle, and is fully functional. 
However, that spare wheel rim is weight optimized and 
has a limited service life of 12 000 miles (20 000 km) 
use before a standard wheel rim must replace it.
In the case of a flat tire, you may temporarily use the 
spare wheel.
Do not operate vehicle with more than one spare wheel 
mounted.
Wa r n i n g !
The spare wheel rim is for temporary use only. Use 
for over a total of 12 000 miles (20 000 km) 
(aggregate of all uses) may cause wheel rim failure 
leading to an accident and possible injuries. 

350 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Spare wheel S 55 AMG and Sport Package
S55AMG, S600 with Sport Package:
The spare wheel rim size is 7 
1/2 J x 17 H2 with tire size 
225 / 60 R17 98H.
S430, S500 with Sport Package:
The spare wheel rim size is 7 
1/2 J x 16 H2 with tire size 
225 / 60 R16 98H.
In the case of a flat tire or breakdown, you may 
temporarily use the spare wheel, while observing the 
following restrictions: 
•Do not exceed vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km / h).
•Drive to the nearest repair facility to have the flat 
tire repaired or replaced as appropriate.
•Do not operate vehicle with more than one spare 
wheel mounted.
For additional information, refer to page 398.
Wa r n i n g !
The spare wheel rim is for temporary use only. Use 
for over a total of 12 000 miles (20 000 km) may 
cause wheel rim failure leading to an accident and 
possible injuries. The dimensions of the spare wheel are different 
from those of road wheels. As a result, the vehicle 
handling characteristics change when driving with 
a mounted spare wheel.The spare wheel should only be used temporarily, 
and replaced with a regular road wheel as quickly 
as possible.