2004 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 brake fluid

321 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
2
BRAKE PAD WEAR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
;(USA only)3(Canada only)
BRAKE FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP!
There is insufficient brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle and no-
tify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not solve
the problem.
;(USA only)!(Canada only)
PARK. BRAKE
RELEASE BRAKE!
You are driving with the parking brake en-
gaged.

Release the parking brake (
page 45).
Warning!
G
Driving with this message displayed can re-
sult in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately. Don’t add brake fluid
before checking the brake system. Overfill-
ing the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and
the brake fluid catching fire. You can be se-
riously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Service Book-
let.

392 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Front wheel hubs
approx. 3.5 oz. (100 g)
each
High-temperature roller bearing
grease
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. 14.3 US qt. (13.5 l)
approx. 15.85 US qt. (15 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion / Antifreeze
Low temperature cooling system
S 600
2.3 US qt. (2.2 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion / Antifreeze
Fuel tank
including a reserve of
S 430, S 500,
S55AMG
S 600
23.2 US gal. (88.0 l)
2.9 US gal. (11.0 l))
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(Avg.of96RON/86MON)
Air conditioning system
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG
lubricant oil (never R-12)
Windshield washer
3.2 US qt. (3.0 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 point. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 398).Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system:
7.1 US qt. (6.7 l)
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
1

394 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.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.
Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel requirements
Use only premium unleaded fuel:

The octane number (posted at the
pump) must be 91 min. It is an average
of both the Research (R) octane num-
ber 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.
!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
persons and no luggage.


Do not exceed 2 / 3 of maximum
accelerator pedal position if the ve-
hicle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain.

408 Index
Steering column up or down 37
Steering wheel 37
Air conditioning
Turning off 190
Turning on 190
Air pressure see Tire inflation
pressure 283
Air recirculation mode 187
Activating 187
Deactivating 188
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 192
Air volume
Adjusting 186
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 311
Airbags 59
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 71, 401
Children 60
Front 63
Passenger 63
Safety guidelines 62
Side impact 63
Window curtain 63AIRMATIC 218
Alarm
Audible 76, 84
Canceling 84
Visual 83
Alarm system
Anti-theft 83
Alignment bolt 364
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 345, 401
Antiglare
Automatic 174
Antilock brake system (ABS) 401
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 84
Canceling alarm 84
Disarming 84
Anti-theft systems 83
Anti-theft alarm system 83
Immobilizer 83
Tow-away alarm 85
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning 263
Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 232,
233, 234Ashtray 238
At the gas station 269
ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) 278
AUDIO menu 139
Operating
Cassette player 141
Selecting radio station 140
Selecting satellite radio* station
(USA only) 140
Audio system
CD mode 142
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 174
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating
(control system) 159
Automatic climate control 180
Air recirculation mode 187
Defrosting 187
Rear window defroster 189
Setting the temperature 183
Automatic headlamp mode 125

409 Index
Automatic lighting control
Activating 129
Deactivating 130
Automatic locking when driving 106
Automatic transmission 164
Accelerator position 170
Comfortable program mode 170
Deactivating steering wheel gearshift
control 173
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 173
Fluid level 278
Gear ranges 166
Gear selector lever position 167
Gear shifting malfunctions 173
Kickdown 170
One-touch gearshifting 165
Program mode selector switch 170
Selector lever position 164
Starting the engine 43
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) S 55 AMG 168
Transmission fluid 278
Winter program mode 171
Auxiliary fuse box 374B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 71
Compatible child seats 71, 401
Self-test 71
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 401
Backrest supports
Lumbar region 113
Shoulder region 112
Backup lamps 354, 358
Bulbs 354
BAS 78, 401
Messages in display 315
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 350
Check lamp 90, 91
Replacing 349
Battery discharged
Jump starting 369
Battery, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 351
Check lamp 95Battery, vehicle 280, 366
Charging 367
Disconnecting 367
Reconnecting 368
Reinstalling 367
Removing 367
Bi-Xenon headlamps 401
Block heater (Canada only) 293
Blocking
Rear window operation 74
Brake assist system (BAS) 401
Brake fluid 270, 394
Brake lamp bulbs 354
Brake lamp, high mounted 354
Brake pads
Message in display 321
Brakes 260
Warning lamp 305
Break-in period 258
Bulbs, replacing 353
Additional turn signals 353
Backup lamps 354
Brake lamps 354

410 Index
Fog lamps 353
Front lamps 353
High beam 353
High mounted brake lamp 354
License plate lamps 354, 358
Low beam 353
Parking and standing lamps 353
Parking lamps 354, 357
Rear fog lamp 354
Rear fog lamps 358
Side marker lamps 353, 357
Standing lamps 353, 354, 357
Tail lamp assemblies 354, 358
Turn signal lamps 353, 354
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 402
Calling up
Distronic* settings 147
Range (distance to empty) 150
Service indicator 295
CAN system 402
Cargo tie-down hooks 230Cassette player
Operating 141
Catalytic converter 267
CD changer* 142
CD mode 142
CD player
Operating 141
Center console 25
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 311
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 154
Central locking
Automatic 106
From inside 107
Switch 107
Switching on/off (control
system) 159
Unlocking from inside 107
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey) 350
Battery (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 351
CDs 142SmartKey setting 160
Vehicle level 219, 222
Charcoal filter 188
Activating 188
Deactivating 189
Charging
Vehicle battery 367
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 306
Checking
Brake fluid 270
Coolant level 278
Oil level 271, 273
Oil level via control system 274
Tire inflate pressure 271
Vehicle lighting 271
Child safety 69
Airbags 60
Infant and child restraint systems 64,
69
LATCH child seat anchors 73
Cigarette lighter 239

417 Index
Global Positioning System (GPS) 403
Glove box 231
Closing 231
Locking 231
Opening 231
Unlocking 231
Gloves (vehicle tool kit) 345
Good visibility 174
GPS 243, 403
H
Hand-held transmitter
Programming integrated remote
control 252
Hands-free microphone 27
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 301
Hazard warning flasher 128
Switching off 129
Switching on 129
Head restraint folding 119
Head restraints 109
Headlamp cleaning system* 281Headlamps
Automatic control 125
Bi-Xenon 401
Cleaning 298
Cleaning system* 177, 281
Refilling washer fluid 281
Switching off 53
Switching on 47
Headliner
Cleaning 301
Heated steering wheel* 240
Height adjustment
Head restraints 36
Steering wheel 37
Height adjustments
Vehicle level 219, 221
High beam
Replacing bulbs 353
High beam flasher 48, 128
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 330
Switching on 128
High mounted brake lamp 354Hood 272
Closing 273
Message in display 328
Opening 272
Hydroplaning 263
I
Identification labels 380
Ignition 31, 33
Switching on 43, 44
Immobilizer 83
Activating 83
Deactivating 83
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Individual seats* 118
Infant and child restraint systems 69
Installing 72
LATCH child seat anchors 73
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 247
Infrared reflecting windshield 256

420 IndexM
Main 390
Main Dimensions 390
Maintenance 12, 294
Malfunction
Displaying 150
Malfunction memory 150
Calling up 150
Manual headlamp mode 125
Manual operations
Fuel filler flap 351
Interior lighting control 130
Locking the vehicle 349
Sliding/pop-up roof 352
Unlocking the driver’s door 348
Unlocking the trunk lid 349
Massage function 113
MAXCOOL
Maximum cooling 186
Mechanical key 348
Memory function 121, 403
Recalling positions from
memory 122
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking positions 122Storing key dependent settings 122
Menus 136
AUDIO 139
Distronic* 147, 209
In control system 137, 138
Malfunction memory 150
NAVI 147
Settings menu 151
Standard display 139
Submenus 136
TEL* 144
Trip computer 148
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 27
Miles/kilometers in speedometer
Setting 154
Mirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 175
Adjusting 38
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 174
Exterior rear view mirror 38
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 162Interior rear view mirror 38
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position 122
MON 270
MON (Motor Octane Number) 404
Mph or km/h in speedometer 154
Multicontour backrest* 112
Multifunction display 134, 404
Selecting language 155
Standard display 138
Multifunction display messages
ABC 313, 318
ABS 314
BAS 315
Brake fluid 321
Brake pads 321
Check engine 306
Coolant 323
Coolant level 322
Distronic* 315
Doors 325
Engine 306
Engine oil level 326