2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS octane

13 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that:

service facilities or replacement parts
may not be readily available,


unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat-
alytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts,


gasoline may have a considerably low-
er octane rating, and improper fuel can
cause engine damage.Certain Mercedes-Benz models are avail-
able for delivery in Europe under our Euro-
pean Delivery Program. For details, consult
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
849 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario M4G 2L5

261 Operation
At the gas station
At the gas station
The fuel filler flap is located on the
right-hand side of the vehicle towards the
rear. Locking/unlocking the vehicle with
the remote control or the KEYLESS-GO*
card automatically locks/unlocks the fuel
filler flap.

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.

Open the fuel filler flap by pushing at
the point indicated by the arrow.
The fuel filler flap springs open.

Turn the fuel cap to the left and hold on
to it until possible pressure is released.

Take off the cap and set it in the recess
on the fuel filler flap.
To prevent fuel vapors from escaping
into open air, fully insert filler nozzle
unit.

Only fill your tank until the filler nozzle
unit cuts out – do not top up or overfill.

Replace the fuel cap by turning it to the
right.
You will hear when the fuel cap is tight-
ened.

Close the fuel filler flap.
Warning!
G
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious inju-
ry. Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid
inhaling fumes and skin contact, extinguish
all smoking materials. Never allow sparks,
flame or smoking materials near gasoline!
Warning!
G
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create pres-
sure in the system which could cause a gas
discharge. This could cause the gas to spray
back out when removing the fuel pump noz-
zle, which could cause personal injury.
iS 600: Use only premium unleaded
gasoline with a minimum Posted Oc-
tane Rating of 93 (average of
98 RON / 88 MON).
S430, S500 and S55AMG: Use only
premium unleaded gasoline with a min-
imum Posted Octane Rating of 91 (av-
erage of 96 RON / 86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can
normally be found on the fuel pump.
More information on gasoline can be
found in the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet.

372 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Brake system
0.7 US qt. (0.7 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling system
S 430
S 500
S 55 AMG
S 600
approx. 12.1 US qt. (11.5 l)
approx. 12.1 US qt. (11.5 l)
approx. 14.3 US qt. (13.5 l)
approx. 12.9 US qt. (12.2 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion / Antifreeze
Low temperature cooling system
S 600
1.31 US qt. (1.24 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion / Antifreeze
Fuel tank
including a reserve of
S430, S500,
and
S55AMG
S600
23.2 US gal. (88.0 l)
2.9 US gal. (11.0 l))
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Posted Octane 91
(Avg.of96RON/86MON)
Posted Octane 93
(Avg.of98RON/88MON)
Air conditioning system
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG
lubricant oil (never R-12)
Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system:
7.1 US qt. (6.7 l)
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
1
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water for temperatures above freezing or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and commercially available pre-
mixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze for temperatures below freezing. Follow suggested mixing ratios (
page 377).

374 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel requirements
Use only premium unleaded gasoline
meeting ASTM standard D 439:

The octane number (posted at the
pump) must be 91 min (93 for S 600).
It is an average of both the Research
(R) octane number and the Motor (M)
octane number: (R+M) / 2). This is also
known as the ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not exceed
10%; MTBE must not exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional co-solvents.
Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains 10%
ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, can be
used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufac-
turers is carbon build-up caused by gaso-
line. Mercedes-Benz recommends only the
use of quality gasoline containing additives
that prevent the build-up of carbon depos-
its.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives, carbon deposits
can build up especially on the intake valves
and in the combustion area, leading to en-
gine performance problems such as:

Warm-up hesitation


Unstable idle


Knocking / pinging


Misfire


Power loss
Do not blend any specific fuel additives
with fuel. This only results in unnecessary
cost and may be harmful to the engine op-
eration.
!To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gaso-
line must be used. If premium unleaded
gasoline is not available and low octane
fuel is used, follow these precautions:

Have the fuel tank only partially
filled with unleaded regular and fill
up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible.


Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration.


Do not exceed an engine speed of
3000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded
with a light load such as two per-
sons and no luggage.


Do not exceed 2 / 3 of maximum ac-
celerator pedal position if the vehi-
cle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain.

383 Technical terms
FSS
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Service indicator in the multifunction
display that informs the driver when
the next vehicle maintenance service is
due.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.
GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the
vehicle without the use of a SmartKey.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.
Lock button
Button on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the lock button down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.
Memory function*
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and mirror positions for
each SmartKey or, if so equipped, KEY-
LESS-GO* card.Menu
The control system displays are ar-
ranged in menus. Each menu contains
a number of commands for particular
systems. In the Audio menu, for exam-
ple, you will find the commands
Select
radio station
or Operate CD player
.
Using commands, you can directly
change the settings for your vehicle.
MON
(M
otor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline's
ability to resist undesired detonation
(knocking). The average of both the
MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as AN-
TI-KNOCK INDEX.
Multifunction display
Display field in the speedometer used
to present information provided by the
control system.

385 Technical terms
RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as AN-
TI-KNOCK INDEX.
Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the transmission selector le-
ver from being inadvertently moved out
of positionP without the SmartKey
turned and the brake pedal depressed.
SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.Tele Aid System
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, Roadside Assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
viding that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Telematics*
A combination of the terms “telecom-
munications” and “informatics.”
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.Tire speed rating
Part of a tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is ap-
proved.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the
road via the tires.
VIN
(V
ehicle I
dentification N
umber)
The number set by the manufacturer
and stamped on the body to uniquely
identify each vehicle produced.
Voice control system*
Voice control system for car phones,
portable cell phones and audio sys-
tems (radio, CD, etc.).

399 Index
Menus 131
AUDIO 135
Control system 383
Distronic* 142, 202
In control system 133, 134
Malfunction memory 145
NAVI 142
Settings menu 146
Standard display 135
Submenus 132
TEL* 139
Trip computer 143
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 27
Miles/kilometers in speedometer
Setting 149
Spare wheel
Mounting 339
Mirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 169
Adjusting 38
Automatic antiglare for rear view mirror
168
Exterior rear view mirror 39Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 158
Inside rear view mirror 38
Storing exterior rear view mirror park-
ing position 118
MON 261
MON (Motor Octane Number) 383
Mph or km/h in speedometer 149
Multicontour seat* 107
Multifunction display 130, 383
Selecting language 150
Standard display 134
Multifunction display messages
ABC 297, 299
ABS 298
BAS 300, 310
Brake fluid 302
Brake pads 302
Check engine 294
Coolant 305
Coolant level 304
Distronic* 307
Doors 307
Engine 294
Engine oil level 309
Entry position 321Fuel reserve tank 311
Hood 311
Key 311
KEYLESS-GO* card 303
Lamps 314
Parking brake 315
Selector lever 307
TeleAid 320
Telephone* 321
Tires 318
Trunk 321
Washer fluid 321
Multifunction steering wheel 24, 131, 384
Buttons 131
N
Navigation system
Operating 142
See separate COMAND* operating in-
structions
Night security illumination 122
O
Occupant safety 56
Airbags 57
Children and airbags 58
Children in the vehicle 67

403 Index
Trip odometer 128
Residual heat utilization 185, 384
Residual ventilation 185
REST (Residual engine heat utilization) 384
Restraint system see Infant and child re-
straint systems 67, 71
Rims and Tires 364
Roadside assistance 12
Tele Aid* 240
Rolling code programming 246
RON 261
RON (Research Octane Number) 385
Roof rack 222
Rotating wheels 277
Rubber parts
Cleaning 287
S
Safety
Occupant 56
Safety belts see Seat belts 40
Safety defects
Reporting 18
Safety systems
Driving 76
Screwdriver (vehicle tool kit) 323Searching
Radio station 136
Seat belt force limiter 65
Seat belts 62
Cleaning 287
Fastening 40
Proper use of 42, 64
Safety guidelines 60
Warning lamp 294
Seat cushion depth
Adjusting 108
Seat for and aft adjustment 114
Seat heater
Switching off 111
Switching on 111
Seat height 114
Seat ventilation*
Switching off 110
Switching on 110
Seats 104
Adjusting 34
Adjusting lumbar support 108
Adjusting shoulder support 108
Easy entry/exit feature 104
Heater 111
Massage function 109Multicontour seat* 107
Rear power seat bench* 113
Rear seats 113
Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down hooks 223
Selector lever
Lock 43
Message in display 307
Position 160
Self-test
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation sys-
tem 70
Tele Aid* 238
Service
Calling up the service indicator 281
Major service (Service B) 280
Minor service (Service A) 280
Overdue 280
Types 280
When due 280
Service (maintenance) 280
Service and warranty information 10
Service indicator 280
Calling up 281
Clearing 280, 281
Service life (tires) 273