2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 4MATIC brake fluid

373 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines. Therefore, only
use engine oils recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Information on recom-
mended brands is available in the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet, or at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Please follow FSS 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 opera-
tion.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil is used in the air condition-
ing system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lu-
bricating oil, as 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 strenu-
ous operating conditions, this moisture
content can lead to the formation of bub-
bles in the system, thus reducing the sys-
tem’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be re-
placed every two years, preferably in the
spring.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will pro-
vide you with additional information.

388 IndexAir conditioning
Turning off 184
Turning on 184
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure 273
Air recirculation mode 180
Activating 180
Deactivating 181
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 186
Air volume
Adjusting 179
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 295
Airbags 57
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation sys-
tem 69, 381
Children 58
Front 61
Passenger 61
Safety guidelines 60
Side impact 61
Window curtain 61
AIRMATIC 211
Alarm
Audible 75, 83
Canceling 83
Visual 82Alarm system
Anti-theft 82
Alignment bolt 341
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 323, 381
Antiglare
Automatic 168
Antilock brake system (ABS) 381
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 83
Canceling alarm 83
Disarming 83
Anti-theft systems 82
Anti-theft alarm system 82
Immobilizer 82
Tow-away alarm 84
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning 255
Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 225,
226, 227, 228
Ashtray 232
At the gas station 261
ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) 268
AUDIO menu 135
Selecting radio station 136
Audio system
CD mode 137Automatic antiglare for rear view mirror
168
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control sys-
tem) 155
Automatic climate control 174
Air recirculation mode 180
Defrosting 180
Rear window defroster 183
Setting the temperature 177
Automatic headlamp mode 121
Automatic lighting control
Activating 125
Deactivating 125
Automatic locking when driving 102
Automatic transmission 160
Accelerator position 165
Activating steering wheel gearshift
control 166
Comfortable program mode 164
Deactivating steering wheel gearshift
control 167
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 165
Fluid level 268
Gear ranges 162

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

396 IndexH
Hand-held transmitter
Programming integrated remote con-
trol 246
Hands-free microphone 27
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 287
Hazard warning flasher 124
Switching off 124
Switching on 124
Head restraint folding 114
Head restraints 105
Headlamp cleaning system* 271
Headlamps
Automatic control 121
Bi-Xenon 381
Cleaning 284
Cleaning system* 171, 271
Refilling washer fluid 271
Switching off 51
Switching on 46
Headliner
Cleaning 287
Heated steering wheel* 235
Height adjustment
Head restraints 37Steering wheel 37
Height adjustments
Vehicle level 212, 215
High beam
Replacing bulbs 331
High beam flasher 46, 123
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 313
Switching on 123
High mounted brake lamp 332
Hood 263
Closing 264
Message in display 311
Opening 263
Hydroplaning 255
I
Identification labels 360
Ignition 31, 33
Switching on 43
Immobilizer 82
Activating 82
Deactivating 82
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Individual seats* 114Infant and child restraint systems 67
Installing 71
LATCH child seat anchors 72
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 242
Infrared reflecting windshield 248
Inside rear view mirror
Adjusting 38
Antiglare 168
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 71
Towing eye bolt 351
Wiper blades 338
Instrument cluster 22, 127, 383
Cleaning 287
Coolant temperature gauge 128
Illumination 127
Multifunction display 130
Outside temperature indicator 129
Selecting language 150
Integrated remote control
Canadian programming 247
Erasing memory 247
Hand-held transmitter 246
Operating 247

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

402 Index
Selecting stations 136
Station search 136
Station selection setting 154
Radio transmitters, control and operation
258
Range (distance to empty)
Calling up 145
Rear fog lamp 332
Bulb 332
Switching on 123
Rear lamp bulbs
Replacing 336
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear passenger compartment
Adjustable air vents 186
Rear seat head restraints
Folding back with switch 106
Placing upright 106
Rear seats 106
Rear seats 113
Fore and aft adjustment 114
Head restraint folding 114
Individual seats* 114
Passenger seat fore and aft adjustment
116
Passenger seat head restraint height 116
Passenger seat height 116
Rear seat head restraints 106
Seat height 114
Setting passenger seat position from
rear* 115
Rear view mirror 27
Rear view mirror automatic antiglare 168
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window
Blocking operation 74
Rear window defroster 183
Activating 183
Deactivating 183
Rear window sunshade* 173
Reconnecting
Vehicle battery 345
Regular checks 262
Regular driving style 214
Reinstalling vehicle battery 345
Remote controls
Integrated 246
SmartKey 86
Remote door unlock
With Tele Aid* 244
Remote Vehicle Diagnostics 384Removing
Vehicle battery 345
Wheel 341
Wiper blades 337
Replacing
Backup lamp bulbs 336
Brake fluid 373
Brake lamp bulbs 336
Bulbs 331
Front lamp bulbs 333
License plate lamp bulbs 336
Parking lamp bulbs 335
Rear fog lamp bulbs 336
Rear lamp bulbs 332, 336
Rear turn signal bulbs 336
Side marker lamp bulbs 335
Standing lamp bulbs 335
Wiper blades 337
Reporting
Safety defects 18
Reset knob in the instrument cluster 146
Resetting
All functions (control system) 146
All functions of a submenu 147
Fuel consumption 144
Service indicator (FSS) 281

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