2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS winter tires

279 Operation
Winter driving
Block heater*
(Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heat-
er.
The electrical cable may be installed at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Snow chains
When using snow chains, vehicles with
AIRMATIC should only be driven at raised
vehicle level (
page 212). Vehicles with
ABC* should only be driven at vehicle
height 1 (
page 215).
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to ex-
ceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:


Using snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.


Chains should only be used on the rear
wheels. Follow the manufacturer's
mounting instructions.


Use only snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to advise you on this subject.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the
ESP (
page 80) before setting the ve-
hicle in motion. This will improve the
vehicle‘s traction.
!Even on vehicles with all-wheel drive,
use snow chains on rear tires only.
Do not use snow chains with tire sizes
245/45 R 18 on 8
1/2 x 18 rims and
265/40 R 18 in general (
page 364).
Do not use snow chains on tires mount-
ed on AMG rims.

365 Technical data
Rims and tires
Same size tires
S 430, S 430 4MATIC
S 500, S 500 4MATIC
(except Sport Package*)
S 600
(except Sport Package)
S 430, S 500
S 600
(Sport Package*)
S 55 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
7½ J x17 H2
8 J x18 H2
1
1For use with snow chains contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
8 J x18 H2
1 or 8½ J x18 EH2
2
2Must not be used with snow chainsWheel offset
1.81 in. (46 mm)
1.73 in. (44 mm)
1.73 in. (44mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
-
245 / 45 R18 96Y
1
-
All-season tires (radial-ply tires)
225 / 55 R17 97H M+S AS
-
-
Winter tires (radial-ply tires)
225 / 55 R17 97H M+S
245 / 45 R18 100V XL M+S
1 or
245/ 45 R18 96H M+S
1
245/ 45 R18 100V XL M+S
1 or
245/ 45 R18 96H M+S
1

366 Technical dataRims and tiresMixed size tires
S 430 4MATIC, S 500 4MATIC
(Sport Package*)
Rims (light alloy)
8 J x18 H2
1,2
or 8½ J x18 EH2
3
1For use with winter tires only2For use with snow chains contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center3Must not be used with snow chainsWheel offset
1.73 in. (44 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
245 / 45 R18 100Y XL
Winter tires (radial-ply tires)
245 / 45 R18 100V XL M+S
2 or
245/ 45 R18 96H M+S
2
S 430 , S 500, S 600 (Sport Package*)
S 55 AMG
Front axle:
AMG light alloy rims
8½ J x 18 EH2
1
8½ J x 18 EH2
1
Wheel offset
1.73 in. (44 mm)
1.73 in. (44 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
245 / 45 R18 100Y XL
245 / 45 R18 100Y XL
Rear axle:
AMG light alloy rims
9 J x 18 EH2
1
9 J x 18 EH2
1
Wheel offset
1.73 in. (44 mm)
1.73 in. (44 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
265 / 40 R18 101Y XL
1
1Must not be used with snow chains
265 / 40 R18 101Y XL
1

407 Index
Upgrade signals 243
TeleAid
Messages in display 320
Telematics* 385
Telephone* 236
Answering a call 140
Dialing a number from the phone book
140
Ending a call 140
Hands-free microphone 27
Loading phone book* 140
Messages in display 321
Operating 139
Redialing 141
Temperature
Display mode 149
Setting interior temperature 177
Setting units in display 149
Tires 274
Tie-down hooks (Trunk) 223
Tightening torque 385
Tightening torque (Wheel bolts) 342
Time
Setting digital clock 23
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 262, 273Tire speed rating 255, 385
Tire traction 255
Tires 272, 378
Direction of rotation 273
Driving instructions 254
Messages in display 318
Retreads 272
Service life 273
Temperature 274
Tread depth 278
Wear pattern 277
Winter 278
Tools 322
Tow-away alarm 84
Arming 84
Disarming 84
Disarming for transport 84
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit) 323
Installing 351
Towing the vehicle 349
Tracking services
For stolen vehicle 244
Traction 164, 385
Transmission see Automatic transmission
268
Tread depth (tires) 278Trip computer 143
Trip odometer
Resetting 128
Trunk
Auxiliary fuse box 353
Closing 97
Closing from the inside 99
Lock button, KEYLESS-GO* 93
Locking separately 98
Message in display 321
Opening 95
Opening from inside vehicle 96
Opening from the inside 99
Parcel net 232
Tie-down hooks 223
Trunk lid 95, 99
Trunk lock 327
Unlocking in an emergency 327
Unlocking separately 98, 102
Unlocking with SmartKey 89, 94
Trunk lid emergency release 96
Trunk lid opening/closing system* 99
Turn signal lamps
Replacing bulbs 331, 332

409 Index
Checking 262
Vehicle lock status
Checking (KEYLESS-GO*) 93
Vehicle tool kit 322, 323
Alignment bolt 323
Fuse chart 323
Fuse extractor 323
Hex-socket wrench 323
Open-end wrench 323
Screwdriver 323
Spare fuses 323
Universal pliers 323
Wheel wrench 323
Vehicle washing 284
Ventilation
Storage compartment 184
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) 385
Voice control system* 385
Hands-free microphone 27
W
Warning lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Warning sounds
Distance warning function* 207
Distronic* 201
Drivers seat belts 62Parking brake 45
Warranty coverage 359
Washing the vehicle 282
Wear pattern (tires) 277
Weights 370
Wheel change
Tightening torque 342
Wheels
Rotating 277
Tires and wheels 272
Window curtain airbags 61
Windows see Side windows
Windshield
Refilling washer fluid 271
Replacing wiper blades 337
Washer fluid 271
Windshield washer fluid
Message in display 321
Refilling 271
Wiping with 48
Windshield wipers 47, 171
Fast wiper speed 47
Intermittent wiping 47
Replacing wiper blades 337
Single wipe 47
Switching on 47Wiping with windshield washer fluid 48
Winter driving 278
Block heater* 279
Snow chains 279
Tires 278
Transmission program mode 166
Winter driving instructions 256
Winter tires 278
Wiper blades
Cleaning 286
Installing 338
Removing 337
Replacing 337
Wiping
And washing simultaneously 48
Interval 47
With windshield washer fluid 48
Wrench, hex-socket (vehicle tool kit) 323
Wrench, open-end (vehicle tool kit) 323
Wrench, wheel (vehicle tool kit) 323
X
Xenon headlamps
Bi-Xenon 381