2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 4MATIC oil level

281 Operation
Maintenance
Calling up the service indicator
Switch on ignition.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 135).

Press button
k
or
j
on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until FSS indi-
cator with the service symbol
9
or
´
and the service deadline appears
in the multifunction display.
Resetting the service indicator
In the event that the service on your vehi-
cle is not carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, you can reset the
service indicator yourself.
Switch on ignition.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 135).

Press button
k
or
j
on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until the FSS
indicator with the service symbol
9

or
´
and the service deadline ap-
pears in the multifunction display.

Press the reset button
J
(page 22)
to the right in the instrument cluster for
about two seconds.
This message appears in the multifunc-
tion display:
SERVICE INTERVAL?
RESET WITH R BUTTON

To confirm, hold down the reset knob
until you hear a signal.
The service indicator now displays the
reset interval.
iIf the battery is disconnected, the days
of disconnection will not be included in
the count shown by the service indica-
tor. To arrive at the true service dead-
line, you will need to subtract these
days from the days shown in the ser-
vice indicator.
Do not confuse the service indicator
with the engine oil level indicator
:
.
iIf the service indicator was inadvertent-
ly reset, have a Mercedes-Benz Center
correct it.
Only reset if the proper service has
been performed. Resetting the system
without performing proper service as
called for by the FSS will cause the FSS
to incorrectly determine the next ser-
vice interval which will result in engine
damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

297 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
ABC
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
DRIVE CAREFULLY
!
The capability of the ABC system is restrict-
ed. This can impair the handling.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).

Visit a service center as soon as pos-
sible.
The vehicle is losing oil.

Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so.
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
STOP, CAR TOO LOW!
The vehicle is parked on an extremely
uneven surface.

Press the vehicle level control button
to select level 2 (
page 215).
ABC is malfunctioning.

Stop and press the vehicle level con-
trol button to select a higher vehicle
level (
page 215).

Do not turn steering wheel too far to
avoid damaging the front fenders.

Listen for scraping noises.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).

Visit a service center as soon as pos-
sible.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The display for ABC or the ABC system it-
self is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.

308 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
STOP, ENGINE OFF!
There is no oil in the engine. There is a dan-
ger of engine damage.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt
as soon as possible.

Turn off the engine.

Add engine oil.
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
REDUCE OIL LEVEL
You have added too much engine oil. There
is a risk of damaging the engine or the cat-
alytic converter.

Have oil siphoned. Observe all legal
requirements with respect to its dis-
posal.
ENGINE OIL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The engine oil has dropped to a critical lev-
el.

Check the engine oil level
(page 264) and add oil as required.

If you must add engine oil frequently,
have the engine checked for possible
leaks.
There is water in the oil.

Have the oil checked.

309 Practical hints
What to do if …?
When the
ENGINE OIL LEVEL – CHECK LEV-
EL!
message appears while the engine is
running and at operating temperature, the
engine oil level has dropped to approxi-
mately the minimum mark on the dipstick.When this occurs, the warning will first
come on intermittently and then stay on if
the oil level drops further.
If no oil leaks are noted, continue to drive
to the nearest service station where the
engine oil should be topped to the “full”
mark on the dipstick with an approved oil.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The measuring system is malfunctioning.

Have the measuring system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CHECK LEVEL!
The engine oil level is too low.

Check the engine oil level
(page 264) and add oil as required.
!The engine oil level warnings should
not be ignored. Extended driving with
the symbol displayed could result in se-
rious engine damage that is not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

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.

387 Index
A
ABC 213
Messages in display 297, 299
Setting vehicle level 212, 215
ABS 76, 381
Malfunction indicator lamp 291
Messages in display 298
Warning lamp 291
Accelerator position, automatic transmis-
sion 165
Accident
In case of 49
Activating
Air conditioner (cooling) 184
Air conditioning 184
Air recirculation mode 180
Anti-theft alarm system 83
Central locking (control system) 155
Charcoal filter 182
Distance warning function* 208
Distronic* 204
Easy-entry/exit feature 156
ESP 80
Exterior lamps 121Exterior rear view mirror parking posi-
tion 169
Front and rear fog lamp 121
Hazard warning flasher 124
Headlamps 46
High beams 123
Ignition 31
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button 33
Immobilizer 52, 82
Rear window defroster 183
Residual heat 185
Seat heater 111, 112
Seat ventilation* 110
Tow-away alarm 84
Windshield wipers 47
Activating steering wheel gearshift control
166
Downshifting 167
Upshifting 166
Adding
Coolant 269
Engine oil 266, 267
Additional turn signals 331Adjustable air vents, rear passenger com-
partment 186
Adjusting 34
Air distribution 178
Air volume 179
Backrest tilt 36
Drive-dynamic seats 159
Exterior rear view mirror 39
Head restraint height 37
Head restraint tilt 37
Inside rear view mirror 38
Instrument cluster illumination 127
Lumbar support 104
Mirrors 38
Multicontour seat* 107
Power seat bench* 113
Seat cushion depth 36, 108
Seat cushion tilt 36
Seat fore and aft adjustment 36
Seat height 36
Seat in the lumbar region 108
Seat in the shoulder region 108
Seats 34
Steering column height 38
Steering column length 38
Steering wheel 37

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