2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S55AMG 364

Contents
Technical data................................. 357
Spare parts service ............................ 358
Warranty coverage............................. 359
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 359
Identification labels ........................... 360
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 361
S 430 / S 500.............................. 361
S 55 AMG..................................... 361
S 600 ........................................... 361
Engine................................................ 362
Rims and tires.................................... 364
Same size tires............................. 365
Mixed size tires ............................ 366
Spare wheel ................................. 367
Electrical system ............................... 368
Main dimensions ............................... 369
Weights.............................................. 370
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .......... 371
Capacities .................................... 371
Engine oils.................................... 373
Engine oil additives ...................... 373
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 373
Brake fluid .................................... 373
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 374Fuel requirements ......................... 374
Gasoline additives......................... 374
Coolants ....................................... 375
Windshield and headlamp washer
system .......................................... 377
Consumer information ........................ 378
Uniform tire quality grading .......... 378
Technical terms................................ 381Index.................................................. 387

279 Operation
Winter driving
Block heater*
(Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heat-
er.
The electrical cable may be installed at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Snow chains
When using snow chains, vehicles with
AIRMATIC should only be driven at raised
vehicle level (
page 212). Vehicles with
ABC* should only be driven at vehicle
height 1 (
page 215).
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to ex-
ceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:


Using snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.


Chains should only be used on the rear
wheels. Follow the manufacturer's
mounting instructions.


Use only snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to advise you on this subject.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the
ESP (
page 80) before setting the ve-
hicle in motion. This will improve the
vehicle‘s traction.
!Even on vehicles with all-wheel drive,
use snow chains on rear tires only.
Do not use snow chains with tire sizes
245/45 R 18 on 8
1/2 x 18 rims and
265/40 R 18 in general (
page 364).
Do not use snow chains on tires mount-
ed on AMG rims.

364 Technical dataRims and tires
Rims and tiresUse only tires and rims which have been
specifically developed for your vehicle and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Other tires and rims can have detrimental
effects, such as:

Poor handling characteristics


Increased noise


Increased fuel consumption
!Moreover, tires and rims not approved
by Mercedes-Benz may, under load, ex-
hibit dimensional variations and differ-
ent tire deformation characteristics
that could cause them to come into
contact with the vehicle body or axle
parts. Damage to the tires or the vehi-
cle can be the result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. A tire inflation
pressure table is located on the fuel fill-
er cap of the vehicle. The tire pressure
should be checked regularly and
should only be adjusted on cold tires.
Follow tire manufacturer’s mainte-
nance recommendation included with
vehicle.

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