2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S55AMG Owner's Manual

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
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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)

408 Consumer information
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Consumer information
This has been prepared as required of all manufactures
of passenger cars under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal
Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the “National Traffic
and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966”.
Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
All passenger car tires must conform to federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
(1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
Tread wear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Wa r n i n g !
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straightahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.

409 Consumer information
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The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire‘s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
Wa r n i n g !
The temperature grade for this tire is established
for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause excessive heat build up
and possible tire failure.

410 Index
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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
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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
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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

413 Index
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DDashboard ......................................................................... 22
Deep water
Driving instructions ................................................. 256
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 310
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 310
Display illumination .......................................................114
Distronic (DTR) .......................................................133, 261
Activation of Distronic ............................................. 264
Additional driving hints .......................................... 269
Cleaning sensor ........................................................ 386
Deactivation of Distronic .........................................266
Displays in the speedometer dial ........................... 276
Distance warning function ...................................... 272
Distronic settings ......................................................273
Driving with Distronic activated ............................267
Invalid attempts to activate ..................................... 265
Multifunction display ...............................................275
Warning lamp ............................................................307
DISTRONIC (DTR) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................332
DOOR - malfunction and warning messages ............. 326
Door control panel ........................................................... 20Door entry lamps ........................................................... 192
Doors
Power closing assist .................................................... 48
Drinking and driving .................................................... 247
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel ............................................ 247
Driving instructions ..................................................... 247
Driving off ...................................................................... 249
EEasy-entry/exit feature ...................................................63
Electronic key ................................................................... 29
Changing batteries ................................................... 371
Starting the engine .................................................. 235
Turning off the engine ............................................ 235
Electronic main key
Synchronizing remote control ............................... 373
Electronic stability program (ESP) ............................. 280
ESP control switch ................................................... 282
Malfunction and warning messages ...................... 315
Synchronizing ........................................................... 281
Warning lamp ........................................................... 307
Emergency call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 219
Emergency engine shut-down ...................................... 376