
234 Starter switch — KEYLESS-GO
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
•Do not forget, the engine can be started by anyone if 
a KEYLESS-GO-card is left inside the vehicle.
•To be able to operate the vehicle in the case of a 
malfunction in the KEYLESS-GO-system (e.g. strong 
radio frequency disturbance), we recommend that 
you carry the electronic key plus mechanical key 
with you and keep them in a safe place so that they 
are always handy. Never leave the electronic key in 
the vehicle.
•To avoid radio transmission interference, never store 
the KEYLESS-GO-card together with other electronic 
items (e.g. cellular telephones, other KEYLESS-GO-
cards) or metallic objects (e.g. coins, metal foil).Notes:
With the engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the 
alternator (output) is limited.
It is therefore recommended that you turn off 
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in stop-
and-go traffic. This precaution helps to avoid draining of 
the battery.
Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system 
may be minimized by turning off the following power 
consumers, for example:
Heated seats, rear window defroster. In addition, the 
automatic climate air volume control should be set to 
the lowest position. 

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. 

297 What you should know at the gas station
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Fuel tank capacity approximately 23.2 US gal (88.0 l).
This includes approximately 2.9 US gal (11.0 l) reserve. 
Use premium unleaded gasoline: 
S430, S500, S55AMG
Posted Octane Index 91 (Average of 96 RON / 86 MON).
S600:
Posted Octane Index 93 (Average of 98 RON/88 MON).Engine oil
Checking oil level, see instructions on pages 156 
and 342.
S 430, S 500 and S 55 AMG only:
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick marking 
level: 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
Recommended engine oils, see Approved Service 
Products sheet.
Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (potable water 
quality). For further information refer to page 344. 

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. 

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.