2004 MERCEDES-BENZ S55AMG engine

Our company and staff congratulate you
on the purchase of your new
Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demon-
stration of your trust in our company
name. Furthermore, it exemplifies your de-
sire to own an automobile that will be as
easy as possible to operate and provide
years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the ef-
forts of many skilled engineers and crafts-
men. To help assure your driving pleasure,
and also the safety of you and your passen-
gers, we ask you to make a small invest-
ment of time:


Please read this manual carefully, then
return it to your vehicle where it will be
handy for your reference.


Please follow the recommendations
contained in this manual. They are de-
signed to acquaint you with the opera-
tion of your Mercedes-Benz.


Please pay attention to the warnings
and cautions contained in this manual.
They are designed to help improve the
safety of the vehicle operator and oc-
cupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles
of safe, pleasurable driving.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
A DaimlerChrysler Company

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting safety defects ................ 18
At a glance.......................................... 19
Cockpit ................................................. 20
Instrument cluster ................................ 22
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 24
Center console ..................................... 25
Upper part ...................................... 25
Lower part ...................................... 26
Overhead control panel ........................ 27
Door control panel................................ 28
Getting started................................... 29
Unlocking ............................................. 30
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 30
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO*......... 32
Adjusting .............................................. 34
Seats .............................................. 34
Steering wheel ................................ 37
Mirrors ............................................ 38
Driving .................................................. 40
Fastening the seat belts ................. 40
Starting the engine ......................... 43
Switching on headlamps ................. 47
Turn signals and high beam ............ 47
Windshield wipers........................... 48
Problems while driving .................... 50
Parking and locking .............................. 51
Parking brake ................................. 52
Switching off headlamps................. 53
Turning off the engine..................... 53

ContentsUseful features .................................. 231
Storage compartments................. 231
Ashtrays ....................................... 238
Cigarette lighters.......................... 239
Heated steering wheel* ............... 240
Telephone*................................... 241
Tele Aid ........................................ 242
Garage door opener ..................... 250
Infrared reflecting windshield ....... 256
Operation......................................... 257
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 258
Driving instructions............................ 259
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 259
Drinking and driving ..................... 259
Pedals .......................................... 259
Power assistance ......................... 259
Brakes .......................................... 260
Driving off .................................... 261
Parking ......................................... 261
Tires ............................................. 262
Hydroplaning ................................ 263
Tire traction.................................. 263
Tire speed rating .......................... 263
Winter driving instructions ........... 264
Standing water ............................. 265
Passenger compartment .............. 266
Driving abroad.............................. 266
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 266
Catalytic converter ....................... 267
Emission control .......................... 267
Coolant temperature .................... 268At the gas station .............................. 269
Refueling ...................................... 269
Check regularly and before a
long trip ....................................... 270
Engine compartment ......................... 272
Hood ............................................ 272
Engine oil ..................................... 273
Transmission fluid level................ 278
Active Body Control* (ABC*)
fluid level ..................................... 278
Coolant ........................................ 278
Battery ......................................... 280
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 281
Tires and wheels................................ 282
Important guidelines .................... 282
Life of tires................................... 283
Direction of rotation..................... 283
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 283
Rotating wheels ........................... 291
Winter driving .................................... 292
Winter tires .................................. 292
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 293
Snow chains................................. 293

Contents
Maintenance ...................................... 294
Clearing the service indicator ...... 294
Service term exceeded ................ 294
Calling up the service indicator .... 295
Resetting the service indicator..... 295
Vehicle care ....................................... 296
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 296
Practical hints.................................. 303
What to do if …? ................................. 304
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 304
Lamp in center console................. 311
Messages in the display ................ 312
Where will I find ...? ............................ 344
First aid kit .................................... 344
Vehicle jack, vehicle tool kit,
luggage bowl, spare wheel ............ 344
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 348
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 348
Locking the vehicle ....................... 349
Replacing batteries in
the SmartKey/ SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* ............................... 349
Fuel filler flap ................................ 351
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 352
Sliding/pop-up roof ...................... 352
Replacing bulbs .................................. 353
Bulbs ............................................. 353
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 355
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 358Replacing wiper blades ...................... 359
Removing wiper blades ................. 359
Installing wiper blades .................. 360
Flat tire............................................... 361
Preparing the vehicle .................... 361
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 361
Battery ............................................... 366
Disconnecting the battery ............ 367
Removing the battery ................... 367
Charging and reinstalling battery .. 367
Reconnecting the battery ............. 368
Jump starting...................................... 369
Towing the vehicle.............................. 371
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 373
Fuses.................................................. 374
Fuse boxes in passenger
compartment ................................ 374
Fuse boxes in engine
compartment ................................ 375
Emergency engine shut-down ....... 376

ContentsTechnical data.................................. 377
Spare parts service ............................ 378
Warranty coverage ............................. 379
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 379
Identification labels............................ 380
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 381
S 430 / S 500 (all models)........... 381
S 55 AMG ..................................... 381
S 600 ........................................... 381
Engine ................................................ 382
Rims and tires .................................... 384
Same size tires ............................. 385
Mixed size tires ............................ 387
Spare wheel ................................. 388
Electrical system................................ 389
Main dimensions and weights............ 390
Main dimensions .......................... 390
Weights ........................................ 390Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 391
Capacities .................................... 391
Engine oils.................................... 393
Engine oil additives ...................... 393
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 393
Brake fluid .................................... 394
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 394
Fuel requirements ........................ 394
Gasoline additives ........................ 395
Coolants....................................... 395
Windshield and headlamp washer
system ......................................... 398
Consumer information ....................... 399
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 399
Technical terms............................... 401Index................................................. 407

13 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that:

service facilities or replacement parts
may not be readily available,


unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat-
alytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts,


gasoline may have a considerably low-
er octane rating, and improper fuel can
cause engine damage.Certain Mercedes-Benz models are avail-
able for delivery in Europe under our Euro-
pean Delivery Program. For details, consult
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9

16 IntroductionOperating safety
Operating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:

the safety precautions in this manual


the “Technical data” section in this
manual


traffic rules and regulations


motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are in-
terconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other sys-
tems. Electronic malfunctions could seri-
ously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires / wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage and impair the
operating safety of your vehicle. If you feel a
sudden significant vibration or ride distur-
bance, or you suspect that damage to your
vehicle has occurred, you should turn on
your hazard warning flashers, carefully slow
down, and drive with caution to an area
which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires / wheels for possible damage. If the ve-
hicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair fa-
cility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning!
G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself. Re-
moval of any of these labels may cause you
and others to be unaware of certain risks
which may result in an accident and/or per-
sonal injury.

23 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Coolant temperature gauge
132
2
Fuel gauge with:Fuel reserve warning lamp
308
3
LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp
47
KRight turn signal
indicator lamp
4
Speedometer with:vESP warning lamp
308
lDistance warning
lamp
Vehicles without Distronic*:
Warning lamp without func-
tion. It illuminates when the
ignition is on. It should go
out when the engine is run-
ning.
307
5
Tachometer
133
6
Right display with: 308
Item
Page
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator
48
-Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) warning
lamp
304
7
Reset button
131
8
Display with:

Program mode
170


Gear range indicator
166


Digital clock (see
COMAND operating in-
structions)
9
Multifunction display
with:

Trip odometer
132


Main odometer
132
Stored speed for:

Cruise control
203


Distronic*
206
Item
Page
a
Outside temperature indica-
tor
133
b
Left display with:1Supplemental
restraint system
indicator lamp
310
;Brake warning lamp,
USA only
305
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only?Engine malfunction
indicator lamp, USA
only
306
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada onlyHTire pressure warning
lamp
287,
309
c
Knob for instrument cluster
illumination
131