2004 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Owner's Manual

288 OperationTires and wheels

Switch on ignition.

Press buttonè orÿ on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the standard display menu ap-
pears in the multifunction display
(page 134).

Press button k orj repeatedly
until you see the current inflation pres-
sures for each tire appear in the dis-
play.
iAfter you have reactivated the tire
pressure monitor, the current tire pres-
sures will only be shown after a few
minutes’ driving time.
During this time, you will see the follow-
ing message in the display:TIRE PRES. DISPLAY
APPEARS AFTER
DRIVING A FEW MINUTESiPossible differences between the read-
ings of a tire pressure gauge of an air
hose, e.g. gas station equipment, and
the vehicle’s control system can occur.
The readings issued by the control sys-
tem are more precise.
Warning!
G
When the tire pressure monitoring system
warning lamp is lit, one or more of your tires
is significantly under-inflated. You should
stop and check your tires as soon as possi-
ble, and inflate them to the proper pressure
as indicated on the vehicle’s tire information
placard. Driving on a significantly under-in-
flated tire causes the tire to overheat and
can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability. Each tire, including the
spare, should be checked monthly when
cold and set to the recommended inflation
pressure as specified in the vehicle placard
and owner’s manual.iThe recommended tire inflation pres-
sures for your vehicle can be found on
the inside of the fuel filler flap, not in
the owner’s manual.

289 Operation
Tires and wheels
Reactivating the tire pressure monitor
The tire pressure monitor must be reacti-
vated in the following situations:

If you have changed the tire pressure


If you have replaced the wheels or tires


If you have installed new wheels or
tires

Using the table on the fuel filler flap,
make sure the tire inflation pressure of
all four tires is correct.

Press button j or k repeatedly
until you see the current inflation pres-
sures for each tire appear in the display
or the following message appears in
the displayTIRE PRES. DISPLAY
APPEARS AFTER
DRIVING A FEW MINUTES
Warning!
G
The tire inflation pressure monitor does not
indicate a warning for wrongly selected in-
flation pressures. Always adjust tire inflation
pressure according to the label on the fuel
filler flap.
The tire inflation pressure monitor is not
able to issue a warning due to a sudden dra-
matic loss of pressure (e.g. tire blowout
caused by a foreign object). In this case
bring the vehicle to a halt by carefully apply-
ing the brakes and avoiding abrupt steering
maneuvers.iOperating radio transmission equip-
ment (e.g. wireless headsets, two-way
radios) in or near the vehicle could
cause the tire inflation pressure moni-
tor to malfunction.
Warning!
G
Follow recommended tire inflation pres-
sures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes,
etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified vehicle capacity weight (as indicat-
ed by the label on the pillar in the driver’s
door opening). Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.

290 OperationTires and wheels
Press the reset button on the instru-
ment cluster (
page 22).
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:
CHECK CURRENT TIRE PRES.?


Press æ button.
The following message will appear in
the multifunction display:TIRE PRES. MONITOR REACTIVATED The tire inflation pressure monitor will
now monitor the tire inflation pressure
values of all four tires.
Afterward, the following message will
appear in the display:TIRE PRES. DISPLAY
APPEARS AFTER
DRIVING A FEW MINUTESThis display appears until the individual
inflation pressure values are matched
with the tires. The individual values are
then displayed (
page 287).If you wish to cancel activation:

Press ç button.
If one of the following messages appears in
the multifunction display:


TIRE PRES. MONITOR
REACTIVATE AFTER
CORRECTING PRESSURE!


TIRE PRES.

PLEASE CORRECT!


Check the tire inflation pressures and
correct them if necessary.

Reactivate the tire inflation pressure
monitor.
iIf you are transporting a deflated tire in
the vehicle, do not activate the tire
inflation pressure monitor until

the deflated tire is no longer in the
vehicle


you have inflated the tire to the cor-
rect pressure

291 Operation
Tires and wheels
Rotating wheels
On vehicles with the same wheel size all
around, wheels can be rotated every 3 000
to 6 000 miles (5 000 to 10 000 km), or
sooner if necessary, according to the de-
gree of tire wear. The same direction of tire
rotation must be retained.
Rotate the wheels before the characteris-
tic tire wear pattern becomes visible
(shoulder wear on front wheels and tread
center wear on rear wheels).
Thoroughly clean the inner side of the
wheels after each rotation. Check and en-
sure proper tire inflation pressure. If nec-
essary, activate the tire inflation pressure
monitor.For information on wheel change, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 344) and
(
page 361).
Warning!
G
Rotate front and rear wheels only if they are
of the same size.
!Your vehicle is equipped with a tire in-
flation pressure monitor, there are
electronic components built into the
wheel.
Do not use mounting tools in the area
of the valve as they could damage the
electronic components.
To prevent damage or incorrect instal-
lation, have the tires changed at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. Wheels could become
loose if not tightened with a torque of
110 lb-ft (150 Nm).
Use only genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel
bolts specified for your vehicle's rims.

292 OperationWinter driving
Winter drivingBefore the onset of winter, have your vehi-
cle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service in-
cludes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze which is formulated
for temperatures below freezing point
(page 396).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to ensure
that the engine can be started even at
low ambient temperatures.


Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately 1⁄6 in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, ESP, and 4MATIC
in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure that all
mounted winter tires are of the same make
and have the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-
tices are available at your tire dealer or any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than 1⁄6in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

293 Operation
Winter driving
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heat-
er.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 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:


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


Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer's mounting instructions.


Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to advise you on this subject.


Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
iWhen using snow chains, vehicles with
AIRMATIC should only be driven at
raised vehicle level (
page 219). Vehi-
cles with ABC* should only be driven at
vehicle height 1 (
page 221).
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 384).
Do not use snow chains on tires mount-
ed on AMG rims.

294 OperationMaintenance
MaintenanceWe strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with
the Service Booklet at the times called for
by the FSS (Flexible Service System).
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the
designated times /mileage called for by
the FSS may result in vehicle damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
FSS will notify you when your next service
is due.
Approximately one month before your next
service is due, one of the following mes-
sages will appear in the multifunction dis-
play while you are driving or when you
switch on the ignition (example service A):SERVICE A IN XXXXX MILES (KM)
SERVICE A IN XXX DAYS
SERVICE A IN X DAY
SERVICE A DUE NOW!
The type of service due is indicated in the
multifunction display:9
Minor service (A)
´
Major service (B)
Clearing the service indicator
The service indicator is automatically
cleared after 30 seconds. You can also
clear it yourself.
Press the reset button on the instru-
ment cluster (
page 22).
Service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested ser-
vice term, you will see the following mes-
sage in the multifunction display:SERVICE A EXCEEDED BY XXXX MILES (KM)
SERVICE A EXCEEDED BY XXX DAYS
SERVICE A EXCEEDED BY X DAYAn acoustic signal will also sound.
The Mercedes-Benz Center will reset the
service indicator following a completed
service.
iThe interval between services depends
on your driving habits. A gentle driving
style, moderate engine speeds and the
avoidance of short-distance trips will
lengthen the interval between services.

295 Operation
Maintenance
Calling up the service indicator
Switch on ignition.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 139).

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 139).

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 reset button on the instrument
cluster for about three seconds.
This message appears in the multifunc-
tion display:SERVICE INTERVAL...
RESET WITH
R BUTTON FOR 3 SEC.


To confirm, press reset button 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.