2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S600 charge battery

235 Starting and turning off the engine
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Starting and turning off the engine
Before starting
Ensure that parking brake is engaged and that selector
lever is in position “P” or “N”.
Important!
In areas where temperatures frequently drop below -4
°F
(-20
°C) we recommend that an engine block heater be
installed. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
advise you on this subject, see page 255.
Starting with the electronic key
Do not depress accelerator.
Turn electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
Briefly turn electronic key in starter switch clockwise to
the stop and release. The starter will engage until the
engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops,
turn electronic key completely to the left and repeat
starting the engine.After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Important!
Due to the installed starter non-repeat feature, the
electronic key must be turned completely to the left
before attempting to start the engine again.
Note:
Too many unsuccessful starting attempts may discharge
the battery.
Turning off with the electronic key
Put the selector lever in position “P” and turn the
electronic key in the starter switch to position 0 to stop
the engine.
The electronic key can only be removed with the
selector lever in position “P”.

255 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
•Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil
which is not approved for winter operation. For
viscosity (SAE / CCMC class) and filling quantity,
seepage404.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion / antifreeze
concentration.
•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a
premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze
which is formulated for below freezing
temperatures, see page 345.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low
ambient temperatures.•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.
Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
ABS and ESP can only be achieved with M+S rated
radial-ply tires and / or snow chains recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
Block heater (for Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

357 Battery
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index The spare tire should be checked periodically for
condition and inflation. Spare tire will age and become
worn over time even if never used, and thus should be
inspected and replaced when necessary.Battery
Important!
Battery replacement information:
The maintenance-free battery is located in the trunk
under the right-hand wheel well cover panel.
The service life of the battery is dependent on its
condition of charge. The battery should always be kept
sufficiently charged, in order to last an optimum length
of time.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires can
result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they
are more likely to become punctured or damaged
by road debris, potholes etc.. Follow recommended
inflation pressures.Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified
vehicle capacity weight (as indicated by the label
on the driver’s door latch post). Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe injury or death.Never lean over batteries while connecting, you
might get injured.Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow
this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water and seek medical help if necessary.A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is
flammable and explosive. Keep flames or sparks
away from battery, avoid improper connection of
jumper cables, smoking etc..

358 Battery
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you have the
battery charge checked frequently, and corrected if
necessary, especially if you use the vehicle less than
approximately 200 miles (300 km) per month,
mostly for short distance trips, or if it is not used for
long periods of time.
Only charge a battery with a battery charger after the
battery has been disconnected from the vehicle’s
electrical circuit.
Always disconnect the battery negative lead first and
connect last.
When removing and connecting the battery, always
make sure that all electrical consumers are off and the
electronic key is in starter switch position 0. The
battery, its filler caps, the vent tube and the opposite
plug must always be securely installed when the vehicle
is in operation.
While the engine is running the battery terminal clamps
must not be loosened or detached, otherwise the
generator and other electronic components would be
damaged.Note:
The gear selector lever will remain locked in
position “P” and the electronic key cannot be turned in
the starter switch, if the vehicle battery disconnected or
discharged.
After reconnecting the battery also set the clock (see
COMAND operator’s manual) resynchronize the front
seat head restraints, the express feature of the power
windows, the sliding / pop-up roof, and the electronic
stability program (see head restraints on page 68, power
windows on page 184, sliding/pop-up roof on page 189,
and electronic stability program on page 280).
Battery recycling
Batteries contain materials that can harm the
environment with improper disposal.
Large 12 Volt storage batteries contain lead.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred method of
disposal.
Many states require sellers of batteries to accept old
batteries for recycling.

359 Jump starting
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Jump startingImportant!
A discharged battery can freeze at approximately +14
°F
(–10
°C). In that case, it must be thawed out before
jumper cables are used. Attempting to jump start a
frozen battery can result in it exploding, causing
personal injury.
Jumper cable specifications:
•Minimum cable cross-section of 25 mm
2 or
approximately 2 AWG
•Maximum length of 11.5 ft. (3.5 m).
If the battery is discharged, the engine should be started
with jumper cables and the (12 V) battery of another
vehicle.
Only use 12 V battery to jump start your vehicle. Jump
starting with more powerful battery could damage the
vehicle’s electrical systems, which will not be covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The battery is located in the trunk under the right-hand
wheel well cover panel.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and can lead
to a battery explosion and severe injury or death.Never lean over batteries while connecting or jump
starting, you might get injured.Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow
this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is
flammable and very explosive. Keep flames or
sparks away from battery, avoid improper
connection of jumper cables, smoking etc..Read all instructions before proceeding.

360 Jump starting
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Proceed as follows:
1. Position the vehicle with the charged battery so that
the jumper cables will reach, but never let the
vehicles touch. Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
2. On both vehicles:
•Turn off engine and all lights and accessories,
except hazard warning flashers or work lights.
•Apply parking brake and shift selector lever to
position “P”.
Important!
3. Clamp one end of the first jumper cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the discharged battery and
the other end to the positive (+) terminal of the
charged battery. Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal parts.
4. Clamp one end of the second jumper cable to the
grounded negative (–) terminal of the charged
battery and the final connection to the negative (–)
under hood terminal of the disabled vehicle.Important!
5. Start engine of the vehicle with the charged battery
and run at high idle. Make sure the cables are not
on or near pulleys, fans, or other parts that move
when the engine is started. Allow the discharged
battery to charge for a few minutes. Start engine of
the disabled vehicle in the usual manner.
6. After the engine has started, remove jumper cables
by exactly reversing the above installation
sequence, starting with the last connection made
first. When removing each clamp, make sure that it
does not touch any other metal while the other end
is still attached.
Note:
If engine does not run after several unsuccessful
starting attempts, have it checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel may damage the catalytic
converter.

361 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Towing the vehicleImportant!
When towing the vehicle, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
electronic key in starter switch position 2 (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO: in “On” position, see page 232), the
vehicle doors lock if the left front wheel as well as the
right rear wheel are turning at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking. See
“VEHICLE” under “Individual settings” on page 146.
Towing of the vehicle should only be done using the
properly installed towing eye bolt. Never attach tow
cable, tow rope or tow rod to vehicle chassis, frame
or suspension parts.
Note:
The selector lever will remain locked in position “P” and
the electronic key cannot be turned in the starter switch
if the battery is disconnected or discharged. See battery
on page 357 or jump starting on page 359.
Wa r n i n g !
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, make certain that the electronic key is in
starter switch position 2. The maximum towing
speed and distance with the vehicle on the ground
is 30 mph (50 km/h) and 30 miles (50 km).If the electronic key is left in the starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the switch. To unlock, remove
electronic key from starter switch and reinsert.