2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S55AMG light

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.

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

367 Technical data
Rims and tires
Spare wheel
S 430, S 430 4MATIC
S 500, S 500 4MATIC
(except Sport Package*)
S 430, S 430 4MATIC, S 500, S 500 4MATIC
(Sport Package*)
S 600, S 55 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
7½ J x 17 H2
8 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset
2.0 in. (51 mm)
1.73 in. (44 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
-
245 / 45 R18 96Y
All-season tires (radial-ply tires)
225 / 55 R17 97H M+S AS
-

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.

381 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
BabySmart
TM
airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the front passenger seat. The
system will automatically deactivate
the front passenger-side airbag when
such a seat is properly installed (indica-
tor lamp PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF in
the center console lights up). See your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
availability.BabySmart
TM
compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the front
passenger-side airbag if a
BabySmartTM compatible child seat is
installed.
BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
Bi-xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-xenon headlamps produce low beam
and high beam.CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.

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

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