2004 MERCEDES-BENZ S55AMG fuel pressure

285 Operation
Tires and wheels
Checking tire pressure electronically*
(vehicles produced up to approximate-
ly October 2003)
The tire inflation pressure monitor only
functions on wheels that are equipped with
the proper electronic sensors. It monitors
the tire inflation pressure, as selected by
the driver, in all four tires. A warning is is-
sued to alert you to a decrease in pressure
in one or more of the tires.
Tire pressure inquiries are made using the
multifunction display (
page 134). The in-
flation pressures are displayed only after a
few minutes travel time.
You can select the unit of measure used for
the tire inflation pressure by changing the
setting in the control system (
page 134).

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.
iCheck with an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to determine
the equipment installed in your vehicle.
iPossible 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
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.

286 OperationTires and wheels
Activating the tire inflation pressure
monitor
You must activate the tire inflation pres-
sure monitor in the following cases:

If you have changed the tire pressure


If you have replaced the wheels or tires


If you have installed new wheels or
tires

Make sure the tire pressure is correctly
set.

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 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 AFTER DRIVING
A FEW MINS.
REACTIVATE USING
R-BUTTON
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.
iIf transporting a deflated road wheel or
additional wheel sensors in the vehicle,
the tire inflation pressure monitor
should not be reactivated until the de-
flated wheel or additional wheel sen-
sors have been removed from the
vehicle. Otherwise, the deflated wheel
or additional sensors could cause the
tire inflation pressure monitor system
to malfunction.

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.

309 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
H
The yellow warning lamp for the
tire pressure monitor comes on.
The tire pressure monitor detects a loss of
pressure in at least one tire.

Bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers.
Observe the traffic situation around you.

Take note of the messages in the multi-
function display.
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 vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Each tire,
including the spare, should be checked
monthly when cold and set to the recom-
mended 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.

384 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. This may result in damage to the
tires or the vehicle.
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 flap 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.

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.

429 Index
Symbol (Distronic*)
Distance warning function* 147
Synchronizing
ESP 316
Power windows 198
Sliding/pop-up roof 202
T
Tachometer 133
Overspeed range 133
Tail lamps
Cleaning 298
Replacing bulbs 354, 358
Tar stains 297
Tele Aid
Information 247
Initiating an emergency call
manually 245
Roadside assistance 246
Tele Aid System 242
Tele Aid button 27
Tele Aid System 405
Tele Aid* 242
Emergency calls 244
Remote door unlock 249Stolen vehicle tracking services 250
System self-check 243
Upgrade signals 248
TeleAid
Messages in display 334
Telematics* 405
Telephone holder*
Storage compartment in front of
armrest 234
Telephone* 241
Answering a call 145
Dialing a number from the phone
book 145
Ending a call 145
Hands-free microphone 27
Loading phone book* 146
Messages in display 334
Operating 144
Redialing 146
Temperature
Display mode 154
Setting interior temperature 183
Setting units in display 154
Tires 284
Tie-down hooks (Trunk) 230Tightening torque 405
Tightening torque (Wheel bolts) 365
Time
Setting digital clock 23
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 271, 283
Tire inflation pressure see the placard on
the fuel filler flap
Tire speed rating 263, 406
Tire traction 263
Tires 282, 399
Direction of rotation 283
Driving instructions 262
Messages in display 336, 339
Retreads 282
Service life 283
Temperature 284
Tire pressure monitor warning
lamp* 309
Tread depth 292
Wear pattern 291
Winter 292
Tools 344