Page 8 of 435

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 
     
        
        Page 50 of 435

49 Getting started
Driving
Single wipe
Press switch briefly in the direction of 
arrow1.
The windshield wipers wipe one time 
without washer fluid.Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Press switch in the direction of 
arrow1 past the resistance point.
The windshield wiper operates with 
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer 
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system 
and headlamp cleaning system*” 
(
page 281).
!Do not leave windshield wipers in inter-
mittent setting when vehicle is taken to 
an automatic car wash or during wind-
shield cleaning. Wipers will operate in 
the presence of water sprayed on the 
windshield, and wipers may be dam-
aged as a result.
The switch should not be left in inter-
mittent setting as the wipers will wipe 
the windshield once every time the en-
gine is started. Dust that accumulates 
on the windshield might scratch the 
glass and/or damage the wiper blades 
when wiping occurs on a dry wind-
shield.
!If anything blocks the windshield wip-
ers (leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off 
immediately.
For safety reasons, 
turn off the engine by turning 
the SmartKey to position0 and 
withdraw SmartKey from starter 
switch
or
turn off the engine by pressing the 
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button 
and open the driver’s door (with the 
driver’s door open, starter switch is 
in position0, same as with 
SmartKey removed from starter 
switch)
before attempting to remove any block-
age.
Remove blockage.
Turn the windshield wipers on 
again.
If windshield wipers fail to function at 
all in switch positionI,
set the combination switch to the 
next highest wiper speed
have the windshield wipers 
checked at the nearest authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center 
     
        
        Page 178 of 435

177 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Windshield wipers
For more information on the windshield 
wipers, see “Windshield wipers” 
(page 48).
A rain sensor automatically controls the 
windshield wipers depending on how wet 
the windshield is.
Switch on ignition.
Set wiper switch to position I 
(page 48).
After the initial wipe, pauses between 
wipes are automatically controlled by the 
rain sensor.Headlamp cleaning system* 
(Standard on S 500, S 600, S 55 AMG)
The switch is located on the left side of the 
dashboard.
1Headlamp washer switch
Switch on ignition. 
Press switch1.
The headlamps are cleaned with a 
high-pressure water jet.
For information on filling up the washer 
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system 
and headlamp cleaning system*” 
(
page 281).
iIntermittent wiping is interrupted when 
the vehicle is at a standstill and a front 
door is opened.
!Do not leave windshield wipers in inter-
mittent setting when vehicle is taken to 
an automatic car wash or during wind-
shield cleaning. Wipers will operate in 
the presence of water sprayed on the 
windshield, and wipers may be dam-
aged as a result.
The switch should not be left in inter-
mittent setting as the wipers will wipe 
the windshield once every time the en-
gine is started. Dust that accumulates 
on the windshield might scratch the 
glass and/or damage the wiper blades 
when wiping occurs on a dry wind-
shield. 
     
        
        Page 273 of 435

272 OperationEngine compartment
Engine compartmentHood
Opening
The hood lock release lever is located in 
the driver’s footwell to the left of the park-
ing brake pedal.
1Release lever
Pull release lever 1 in direction of ar-
row.
The hood is unlocked and handle2 
will extend out of the radiator grille.
2Handle for opening the hood
Pull handle 2 to its stop out of radiator 
grille.
Pull up on the hood (do not pull up on 
the handle) and then release it.
The hood will be automatically held 
open at shoulder height by gas-filled 
struts.
Warning!
G
Do not pull the release lever while the vehi-
cle is in motion. Otherwise the hood could 
be forced open by passing air flow. 
!To avoid damage to the windshield wip-
ers or hood, never open the hood if the 
wiper arms are folded forward away 
from the windshield.
Warning!
G
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of 
moving parts when the hood is open and the 
engine is running. Make sure the hood is 
properly closed before driving. When closing 
the hood, use extreme caution not to catch 
hands or fingers.
The radiator fan may continue to run for ap-
proximately 30 seconds or even restart af-
ter the engine has been turned off. Stay 
clear of fan blades. 
     
        
        Page 300 of 435

299 Operation
Vehicle care
Cleaning the Distronic* system sensor 
cover
1Distronic* system sensor cover
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as 
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Sham-
poo, with plenty of water to clean sen-
sor cover1.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong 
force and use only a soft, non-scratchy 
cloth when cleaning the sensor cover. Do 
not attempt to wipe dirty sensors with a 
dry cloth or sponge.Cleaning the Parktronic* system 
sensors
1Parktronic* sensors
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as 
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Sham-
poo, with plenty of water to clean 
sensors1.
When using a steam cleaner or power 
washer, aim nozzle only briefly from a min-
imum distance of 4 in (10 cm) at 
sensors1.To prevent scratches, never apply strong 
force and use only a soft, non-scratchy 
cloth when cleaning the sensor. Do not at-
tempt to wipe dirty sensors with a dry cloth 
or sponge.
Wiper blades
Turn on the wipers and place it in a ver-
tical position.
For information on placing the wipers to a 
vertical position, see “Replacing wiper 
blades” (
page 359).
!Fold the windshield wiper arms away 
from the windshield to a vertical posi-
tion only. They could otherwise dam-
age the hood. 
     
        
        Page 301 of 435

300 OperationVehicle care
Clean the wiper blade inserts with a 
clean cloth and detergent solution.Window cleaning
Turn on the wipers and place it in a ver-
tical position.
For information how to place the wipers in 
a vertical position, see “Replacing wiper 
blades” (
page 359).
Use a window cleaning solution on all 
glass surfaces. 
An automotive glass cleaner is recom-
mended.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and re-
move SmartKey from starter switch before 
cleaning the wiper blades, otherwise the 
wiper motor might suddenly turn on and 
cause injury.!Fold the windshield wiper arms back 
onto the windshield before turning the 
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the 
wiper arm back. If released, the force 
of the impact from the tensioning 
spring could crack the windshield.
!Fold the windshield wiper arms away 
from the windshield in a vertical posi-
tion only. They could otherwise dam-
age the hood. Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and re-
move SmartKey from starter switch before 
cleaning the windshield, otherwise the wiper 
motor might suddenly turn on and cause in-
jury.
!Fold the windshield wiper arms back 
onto the windshield before turning the 
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the 
wiper arm back. If released, the force 
of the impact from the tensioning 
spring could crack the windshield. 
     
        
        Page 304 of 435
303 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Where will I find ...?
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency
Replacing bulbs
Replacing wiper blades
Flat tire
Battery
Jump starting
Towing the vehicle
Fuses 
     
        
        Page 360 of 435
359 Practical hints
Replacing wiper blades
Replacing wiper blades
Wiper blades in vertcal position
Removing wiper blades
Turn SmartKey in starter switch 
position1.
Turn combination switch to wiper 
settingII (
page 48).
With wiper arm in vertical position, turn 
SmartKey in starter switch to 
position0.
Fold the wiper arm forward until it 
snaps into place.
Turn the wiper blade at a right angle to 
wiper arm (arrow 1).
Slide the wiper blade sideways out of 
the retainer in the direction of 
arrow2.
!To avoid damage to the hood, the wiper 
arms should only be folded forward 
when in the vertical position.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, remove SmartKey from 
starter switch before replacing a wiper 
blade. Otherwise the motor could suddenly 
turn on and cause injury.