2004 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Water

395 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, 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 lossDo not blend any specific fuel additives
with fuel. This only results in unnecessary
cost and may be harmful to the engine op-
eration.
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).

396 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.The coolant solution must be used
year-round to provide the necessary corro-
sion protection and increase boil-over pro-
tection. Refer to Service Booklet for
replacement interval.
Coolant system design and coolant used
stipulate the replacement interval. The re-
placement interval published in the Ser-
vice Booklet is only applicable if MB 325.0
anticorrosion/antifreeze solution or other
Mercedes-Benz approved products of
equal specification (see Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet) are used to re-
new the coolant concentration 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 an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Anticorrosion / antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of alumi-
num parts. The use of aluminum compo-
nents in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/ antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be specifical-
ly formulated to protect the aluminum
parts. (Failure to use such anticorro-
sion/antifreeze coolant will result in a sig-
nificantly shortened service life.)
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
Mercedes-Benz 325.0
Anticorrosion / Antifreeze Agent.
Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion / antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for service.

398 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Windshield and headlamp washer system
Both the windshield and headlamp washer
systems are supplied from the windshield
washer fluid reservoir.
The washer fluid reservoir has a capacity of
approximately:

3.2 US qt. (3.0 l) in vehicles without
headlamp cleaning system*


7.4 US qt. (7.0 l) in vehicles with head-
lamp cleaning system* or heated reser-
voir

Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or con-
centrate and commercially available
premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze, depending on am-
bient temperatures).Windshield and headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and water:


1 part “S” to 100 parts water
[40 ml “S” to 1 gallon (4 liters) water].
For temperatures below freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and commercially available premixed
windshield washer solvent / antifreeze:


1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
[40 ml “S” to 1 gallon (4 liters) solvent].
Warning
G
Washer solvent /antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent /antifreeze
on hot engine parts, because it may ignite
and burn. You could be seriously burned.

413 Index
Limiting opening height of
trunk lid* 159
Rear window defroster 189
Residual heat 191
Seat heater 115, 116
Seat ventilation* 117
Tow-away alarm 85
Deactivating steering wheel gearshift
control 173
Deceleration
With Distronic* 209
Deep water see Standing water 265
Defrosting 187
Delayed switch-off
Interior illumination 158
Dialing
A number (telephone) 145
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 50
Digital clock 23
Digital speedometer 139
Direction of rotation (tires) 283Discharged battery
Jump starting 369
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 367
Displays
Digital speedometer 139
Distronic* 208
Messages 275, 312
Service indicator 294
Showing malfunctions 150
Distance
Decreasing in Distronic* 214
Increasing in Distronic* 214
Setting in Distronic* 213
Warning function 214
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 148
Distance warning function* 214
Activating 215
Deactivating 215
DTR* warning lamp 214
Intermittent warning sound 214
Symbol in multifunction display 147Distronic* 206, 402
Activated 210
Activating 211
Calling up settings 147, 209
Cleaning system sensor 299
Cruise control lever 210
Deactivated 210
Deactivating 213
Deceleration 209
Decreasing distance 214
Decreasing time interval 213
Displays in the speedometer dial 208
Distance warning function 214
Driving hints 215
Fine adjustment 212
Increasing distance 214
Increasing time interval 213
Intermittent signal tone 208
Menu 209
Messages in display 315
Sensor cover 299
Setting a higher speed 211
Setting a slower speed 212

414 Index
Setting following distance 213
Setting the current speed 211
Setting to last stored speed
("Resume" function) 212
Warning and indicator lamps 208
Door control panel 19, 28
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 249
Doors
Message in display 325
Opening from inside vehicle 96
Opening from outside 89
Downhill driving
Cruise control 204
Downshifting 165, 169, 172
Drink holder see Cup holder 236
Drinking and driving 259
Drive-dynamic seat
Adjusting 163
Drive-dynamic seat* 113
Driving
Abroad 266
General instructions 40, 259
Hydroplaning 263In winter 264
Problems 50
Safety systems 77
Through standing water 265
With Distronic* 215
Driving abroad 266
Driving instructions 259
Driving off 261
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 82
ABS 77
BAS 78
ESP 79
Driving systems 203
ABC 220
AIRMATIC 218
Cruise control 203
Distronic* 206
Driving safety systems 77
Parktronic* 224
Vehicle level control 219, 221E
Easy-entry/exit feature 108
Activating 160
Interrupting movement 161
Electrical fuses 374
Electrical system 389
Electrically folding exterior rear view
mirrors 176
Electronic Stability Program see ESP 79,
403
Emergency call system* 242
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 245
With Tele Aid* 244
Emergency engine shut-down 376
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 173
Emergency operations
Closing sliding/pop-up roof 352
Locking the vehicle 349
Opening sliding/pop-up roof 352
Remote door unlock 249
Unlocking the trunk lid 349
Unlocking the vehicle 348

428 IndexStanding water
Driving instructions 265
Starter switch 31
Positions 31
Starting difficulties 44
Starting position 31
Starting the engine 43
Steering column
Height adjustment 37
Length adjustment 37
Steering wheel
Adjusting 37
Adjustment 37
Cleaning 301
Heated steering wheel* 240
Steering wheel adjustment 37
Stolen vehicle
Tracking services 250
Stopping
Sliding/pop-up roof 200
Windows 197
Storage compartments 231
Armrest 232, 233, 234
Cup holder 236, 237Glove box 231
In front of armrest 234
Parcel net 237
Storage compartment in front of
armrest 232, 233
Storage tray 232, 233, 234
Under the front seats 235
Storing (Memory function*)
Positions into memory 122
Submenus
Convenience 160
For settings 136
In control system 138
Instrument cluster 154
Lighting 155
Resetting functions in Control
system 152
Selecting 152
Settings menu 152
Vehicle 159
Sun visors 178
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) 405Suspension tuning
For regular driving style 221
For sporty driving style 221
Setting 220
Switching off
Automatic central locking (control
system) 159
Engine 53
ESP 80
Hazard warning flasher 129
Headlamps 53
Switching on
Automatic central locking (control
system) 159
ESP 81
Front fog lamps 127
Front lamps 124
Hazard warning flasher 129
Headlamps 47
High beams 128
Parking lamps 124
Rear fog lamp 127
Windshield wipers 48