
4 Contents
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator 
lamps in the 
instrument cluster  ....................302
On-board diagnostic 
system ..........................................302
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................302
Brake warning lamp  ..................304
Supplemental restraint system 
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................305
Fuel reserve warning .................305
ABS malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................306
Electronic stability program 
(ESP) — warning lamp  ...............307
Distronic (DTR) – 
warning lamp  ..............................307
Seat belt nonusage 
warning lamp  ..............................308
Malfunction and indicator 
lamp in the 
center console  ...........................308
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....308Malfunction and warning 
messages in the 
multifunction display  .............. 309
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................. 310
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR ........... 311
ENTRANCE POSITION  ...............312
BRAKE ASSIST ............................312
BRAKE LINING WEAR ............... 313
BRAKE FLUID  ............................. 313
PARKING BRAKE ........................ 314
TRUNK OPEN  .............................. 314
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. 
(Electronic stability 
program) ...................................... 315
COOLANT 
(coolant level)  .............................. 316
COOLANT 
(coolant temperature)  ................ 317
LIGHTING SYSTEM  .................... 318
LIGHT SENSOR  .......................... 320
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL 
(ABC) ........................................... 320
TIRE PRESSURE  ........................ 322
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ................... 324CRUISE CONTROL  .....................325
KEY ...............................................325
DOOR ...........................................326
HOOD ...........................................326
TELE AID  .....................................327
CHIP-CARD 
(KEYLESS-GO) ............................328
SELECTOR LEVER ......................329
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION  .......329
WASHER FLUID  .........................330
AIR SPRING (AirMatic)  ............. 331
DISTRONIC (DTR)  ......................332
AIR CLEANER .............................333
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 

36 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Opening the trunk
The trunk lid will swing open automatically. You should 
always make sure there is sufficient clearance.
A minimum height clearance of 6 ft. (1.85 m) is 
required to open the trunk lid.
Press transmit buttonŠ until trunk lid is open.
Important!
Do not place remote control in trunk since trunk is 
locked when the lid is closed if the vehicle is centrally 
locked.
Notes:
If the trunk was previously locked separately, it will 
remain locked, see page 51.
Vehicles with optional remote trunk lid
opening / closing system, see page 56:
The switch operated opening/closing procedure can be 
immediately halted by pressing buttonŠ on the 
electronic key.KEYLESS-GO
Important!
For the KEYLESS-GO-system to function properly, the 
operator should observe the following:
•The driver should carry the KEYLESS-GO-card with 
him / her.
•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).
•To lock or unlock the vehicle, the card must be 
recognized by the system as being located outside 
the vehicle. The card must be in close proximity to a 
door or the trunk lid (approx. 3 ft. [1 m]). To activate 
the start / stop button function, the KEYLESS-GO-
card must be recognized by the system as being 
located inside the vehicle.
•If the KEYLESS-GO-card is positioned farther away 
from the vehicle (e.g. inside clothing or a briefcase) 
and can no longer be recognized by the system, the 
vehicle cannot be locked or the engine started via 
the KEYLESS-GO-system. 

225 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index During this time you will hear a chirp and voice contact 
will be interrupted. Voice contact will resume once the 
retransmission is completed. Once a call is concluded, a 
chirp will be heard and the appropriate indicator lamp 
will stop flashing. The COMAND system operation will 
resume.
Important!
If the indicator lamp continues to flash or the system 
does not reset, contact the Response Center at 
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in 
Canada), or Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance at 
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) in the USA or 
Customer Service at 1-800-387-0100 in Canada.Notes:
The indicator lamp in the respective button flashes until 
the call is concluded. Calls can only be terminated by a 
Response Center or Customer Assistance Center 
representative except Roadside Assistance and 
Information calls, which can also be terminated by 
pressing ìbutton on the multifunction steering 
wheel.
When a Tele Aid call has been initiated, the COMAND 
system audio is muted and the selected mode (radio, 
tape or CD) pauses. The optional cellular phone (if 
installed) switches off. If you must use this phone, the 
vehicle must be parked. Disconnect the coiled cord and 
place the call. The navigation system (if engaged) will 
continue to run. The display in the instrument cluster is 
available for use and spoken commands are only 
available by pressing the RPT button on the COMAND 
unit. A pop-up window will appear in the COMAND 
display to indicate that a Tele Aid call is in progress. 

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. 

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 

343 Engine compartment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index The engine oil level can be checked by either the oil 
dipstick or via the multifunction display in the 
instrument cluster, see page 156.
Wipe the oil dipstick clean prior to checking the engine 
oil level. Fully insert dipstick in tube, and remove after 
three seconds to obtain accurate reading.
The oil level must be between the lower 
mark (min) and the upper mark (max) 
on the oil dipstick.
Unscrew the oil filler cap and add oil carefully if you 
need to top up the oil.
S 430, S 500 and S 55 AMG:
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick marking 
level is approximately 2.0 US qt (2.0 l).
S 600:
Follow the message appearing on the engine oil level 
indicator display (page 156) as to quantity to be added.
Re-install oil filler cap.
Do not overfill the engine.
 Excessive oil must be drained 
or siphoned. It could cause damage to engine and 
catalytic converter not covered by the Mercedes-Benz 
Limited Warranty.See Malfunction and warning messages on page 309 if 
an engine oil level display appears on the multifunction 
indicator when the engine is running.
Note:
See page 156 for engine oil level indicator.
Automatic transmission fluid level
The transmission has a permanent fill of automatic 
transmission fluid.
Regular automatic transmission fluid level checks and 
changes are not required. For this reason the dipstick is 
omitted.
If you notice fluid leaks or gear shifting malfunctions, 
have your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check the 
transmission fluid level.
Active body control (ABC) fluid level
Regular fluid level check is not required.
If you notice fluid leaks or malfunctions, have your 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check the 
ABC-system. 

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 

417 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
LLAMP SENSOR - 
malfunction and warning messages  ......................320
Lamps, exterior
Fog lamps  ..................................................158, 367, 368
Headlamps  ....................................... 158, 318, 365, 385
License plate lamps  .................................................. 369
Parking lamps  ..........................................158, 367, 368
Replacing bulbs ......................................................... 364
Standing lamps .........................................158, 367, 368
Stop lamps ..................................................................369
Taillamps  .......................................... 158, 318, 368, 385
Turn signal lamps  ................................... 366, 368, 369
Level control system
Vehicles with Active Body Control (ABC)  ............. 286
Vehicles with Airmatic system  ............................... 285
Lighter .............................................................................206
LIGHTING SYSTEM - 
malfunction and warning messages  ...................... 318
Limp home mode (Automatic transmission)  ............. 245
Locking and unlocking  ............................................ 35, 38
Low beams
See Exterior lamps ....................................................364
Lumbar support  ............................................................... 69
MMaintenance ................................................................... 217
Malfunction and indicator lamps
In the center console  ............................................... 308
In the instrument cluster  ........................................ 302
Malfunction and warning message memory  ............. 136
Malfunction and warning messages
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC)  ............................ 320
AIR CLEANER  ........................................................... 333
AIRMATIC ..................................................................331
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR .......................................... 311
BRAKE ASSIST  .......................................................... 312
BRAKE FLUID  ............................................................ 313
BRAKE PAD WEAR  ................................................... 313
CHIP-CARD (KEYLESS-GO)  .................................... 328
COOLANT (coolant level)  ......................................... 316
COOLANT (coolant temperature)  ........................... 317
CRUISE CONTROL  ................................................... 325
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(engine control unit) ............................................ 310
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(several systems)  .................................................. 310
DISTRONIC (DTR)  .................................................... 332
DOOR .......................................................................... 326
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ................................................. 324