2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS check engine

344 Practical hintsBattery
Battery
The battery is located on the right side of
the trunk under the battery cover.
1Battery cover 
Pull on the outer, right-hand side of
cover1 and remove it in the direction
of the arrow.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult 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.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the SmartKey is in the starter switch.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Service Booklet for mainte-
nance intervals or contact your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery

you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch and
pressing the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button (if so equipped) on the selector
lever will have no effect


the selector lever will remain locked in
positionP

347 Practical hints
Jump starting
Jump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.


Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.


Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12V). Jump start-
ing with a more powerful battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system,
which will not be covered by the Mer-
cedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


Use only jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.


Always make sure that the jumper ca-
bles are not on or near pulleys, fans or
other parts that move when an engine
is started or running.
Warning!
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.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting at-
tempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine us-
ing a battery quick charge unit.
If engine does not run after several un-
successful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.

348 Practical hintsJump startingThe battery is located on the right side of
the trunk under the battery cover
(page 344).

Make sure that the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift gear selector lever to positionP.

Open the trunk lid.

Remove battery cover (
page 344).1Positive terminal of discharged battery
2Negative terminal of discharged
battery
3Positive terminal of charged battery
4Negative terminal of charged battery

Connect positive terminals1 and3 of
the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to charged battery3 first.

Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminals2 and4 of
the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to charged battery4 first.

Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
You can now turn on the electrical con-
sumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.

Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals2 and4 and then
from positive terminals1 and3.
You can now turn on the lights.

Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 344).
!Never invert the terminal connections.
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.

375 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
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 pro-
vides:

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 corro-
sion protection.If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-22°F (-30°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant 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 corro-
sion protection and increase boil-over pro-
tection. You should have it replaced every
15 years or 150 000 miles (250 000 km),
whichever comes first.
Coolant system design and coolant used
stipulate the replacement interval. The
above replacement interval is only applica-
ble if MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze
solution or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification (see
Factory Approved Service Products pam-
phlet) are used to renew the coolant con-
centration or bring it back up to the proper
level.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 45%
anticorrosion / antifreeze [equivalent to
freeze protection to approximately - 22°F
(-30°C)]. If you use a solution that is more than 55% anticorrosion / antifreeze [freeze
protection to approximately - 49°F
(-45°C)], the engine temperature will in-
crease due to the lower heat transfer capa-
bility of the solution. Therefore, do not use
more than this amount of
anticorrosion / antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 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 you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
sult your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

376 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.Anticorrosion / antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of alumi-
num parts. The use of aluminum compo-
nents in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/ antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be specifical-
ly formulated to protect the aluminum parts. (Failure to use such anticorro-
sion/antifreeze coolant will result in a sig-
nificantly shortened service life.)
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
Mercedes-Benz 325.0
Anticorrosion / Antifreeze Agent.Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in 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 quantityModel
Approx. freeze protection– 35°F (– 37°C)
– 49°F (– 45°C)
S 430
S 500
6.1 US qt. (5.75 l)
6.7 US qt. (6.3 l)
S 55 AMG
7.1 US qt. (7.75 l)
7.8 US qt. (7.4 l)
S 600
6.3 US qt. (6.0 l)
7.0 US qt. (6.6 l)

389 Index
Gear selector lever position 163
Gear shifting malfunctions 165
Kickdown 165
One-touch gearshifting 161
Program mode selector switch 164
Selector lever position 160
Starting the engine 43
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) and manual shift pro-
gram S 55 AMG 166
Transmission fluid 268
Winter program mode 166
Auxiliary cup holder 230
Inserting 230
Removing 231
Auxiliary fuse box 353
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 69
Compatible child seats 69, 381
Self-test 70
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system
381
Backrest supports
Lumbar region 108
Shoulder region 108Backup lamps 332, 336
Bulbs 332
BAS 78, 381
Messages in display 300, 310
Batteries, KEYLESS-GO* card
Check lamp 92
Checking 92
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 328, 329
Check lamp 88
Checking 88
Battery discharged
Jump starting 347
Battery, vehicle 270, 344
Charging 345
Disconnecting 345
Reconnecting 345
Reinstalling 345
Removing 345
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 381
Block heater* 279
Blocking
Rear window operation 74
Brake assist system (BAS) 381
Brake fluid 262, 373
Brake lamp bulbs 332Brake lamp, high mounted 332
Brake pads
Message in display 302
Brakes 252
Warning lamp 293
Break-in period 250
Bulbs, replacing 331
Additional turn signals 331
Backup lamps 332
Brake lamps 332
Fog lamps 331
Front lamps 331
High beam 331
High mounted brake lamp 332
License plate lamps 332, 336
Low beam 331
Parking and standing lamps 331
Parking lamps 332, 335
Rear fog lamp 332
Rear fog lamps 336
Side marker lamps 331, 335
Standing lamps 331, 332, 335
Tail lamp assemblies 332, 336
Turn signal lamps 331, 332

390 IndexC
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 381
Calling up
Distronic* settings 142
Range (distance to empty) 145
Service indicator 281
CAN system 381
Cargo tie-down hooks 223
Catalytic converter 259
CD changer* 137
CD mode 137
CD player
Operating 136
Center console 25
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 295
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 149
Central locking
Automatic 102
From inside 103
Switch 103
Switching on/off (control system) 155
Unlocking from inside 103
Central locking switch 103Changing
Batteries (SmartKey) 328, 329
CDs 137
KEYLESS-GO* card setting 91
SmartKey setting 155
Vehicle level 213, 216
Charcoal filter 182
Activating 182
Deactivating 182
Charging
Vehicle battery 345
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 294
Checking
Batteries (KEYLESS-GO* card) 92
Brake fluid 262
Coolant level 268
Oil level 262, 264
Tire inflate pressure 262
Vehicle lighting 262
Vehicle lock status (KEYLESS-GO*
card) 93Child safety 67
Airbags 58
Infant and child restraint systems 62,
67
LATCH child seat anchors 72
Cigarette lighter 233
Cleaning
Cup holder 287
Distronic* system sensor cover 285
Gear selector lever 287
Hard plastic trim items 287
Headlamps 171
Headliner 287
Instrument cluster 287
Leather upholstery 287
Light alloy wheels 286
Parktronic* system sensor 285
Plastic and rubber parts 287
Seat belts 287
Steering wheel 287
Windows 286
Windshield 48
Wiper blades 286

394 IndexEmergency call system* 237
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 240
With Tele Aid* 238
Emergency engine shut-down 355
Emergency operation (Limp Home Mode)
165
Emergency operations
Closing sliding/pop-up roof 330
Locking the vehicle 327
Opening sliding/pop-up roof 330
Remote door unlock 244
Unlocking the trunk lid 327
Unlocking the vehicle 326
Emergency tensioning device see ETD 65,
382
Emission control 259
Ending
A call (telephone) 140
Engine 362
Compartment 263
Message in display 294
Starting 43
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 43
Starting with the Smartkey 43
Turning off with the Smartkey 52Engine cleaning 284
Engine compartment 263
Fuse box in 354
Hood 263
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 294
Engine number 382
Engine oil 264
Adding 266, 267
Additives 373
Checking level 264
Consumption 264
Display messages 308
Filler neck 267
Messages in display 265, 309
Viscosity 382
Engine oil level see Oil level 262
Engine shut down in an emergency 355
Entry position
Messages in display 321
ESP 78, 382
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP 81
Switching off 80
Switching on 80
Warning lamp 290ETD 382
Safety guidelines 60
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 65
Exterior lamp switch 120
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 39
Folding electrically 170
Parking position for 158
F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 149
Fastening the seat belts 40
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 198
Distronic* 205
First aid kit 322
Flat tire 339
Lowering the vehicle 342
Mounting the spare wheel 339
Preparing the vehicle 339
Flexible Service System (FSS) 280, 383
Fog lamp, rear 123, 332
Fog lamps
Replacing bulbs 331