2005 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS cooling

358 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
?
VISIT WORKSHOP
There may be a malfunction in the:

Fuel injection system


Ignition system


Exhaust system


Fuel system

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
B
COOLANT
CHECK LEVEL!
The coolant level is too low.

Add coolant (
page 292).

If you have to add coolant frequently,
have the cooling system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You can be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant
level warning. Extended driving with
the message and symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Do not drive without a sufficient
amount of coolant in the cooling sys-
tem. The engine will overheat, causing
major engine damage.

361 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï
COOLANT
VISIT WORKSHOP
The cooling fan for the coolant is malfunc-
tioning.

Observe the coolant temperature display.

Have the fan replaced as soon as possi-
ble.
Î
CRUISE CONTROL
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP
Cruise control or Distronic* is malfunc-
tioning.

Have cruise control or Distronic*
checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
G
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP
The instrument cluster display is malfunc-
tioning.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
±
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP
Certain electronic systems are unable to
relay information to the control system.
The following systems may have failed:

Coolant temperature display


Tachometer


Cruise control display

Have the electronic systems checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
J
DOOR OPEN
You are attempting to drive with one or
more doors open.

Close the doors.

430 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Front wheel hubs
approx. 3.5 oz. (100 g)
each
High-temperature roller bearing
grease
Brake system
0.7 US qt. (0.7 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling system
S 430, S 500
S 55 AMG
S 600
approx. 12.1 US qt. (11.5 l)
approx. 14.3 US qt. (13.5 l)
approx. 15.85 US qt. (15 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
Low temperature cooling system
S 600
2.3 US qt. (2.2 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
Fuel tank
23.2 US gal (88.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(Avg.of96RON/86MON)
including a reserve of
S 430, S 500, S 600
2.9 US gal (11.0 l)
including a reserve of
S55AMG
3.7 US gal (14.0 l)
Air conditioning system
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG
lubricant oil (never R-12)
Windshield washer
3.2 US qt. (3.0 l)
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
1
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water for temperatures above freezing or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and commercially available pre-
mixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below freezing point. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 436).Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system
7.1 US qt (6.7 l)
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
1

433 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
In areas where carbon deposits may be en-
countered due to lack of availability of gas-
olines which contain these additives,
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of
additives approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Refer to Factory
Approved Service Products Pamphlet for a
listing of approved product(s). Follow di-
rections on product label.
Do 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 malfunction resulting from
poor fuel quality or from blending addition-
al fuel additives other than those tested
and approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles listed in the Fac-
tory Approved Service Products Pamphlet
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).The coolant solution must be used
year-round to provide the necessary corro-
sion protection and increase boil-over pro-
tection. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for
replacement interval.
Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification (see
Factory Approved Service Products pam-
phlet) are used to renew the coolant con-
centration or bring it back up to the proper
level.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 45% anticor-
rosion/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-

434 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.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 anticorrosion/
antifreeze coolant will result in a signifi-
cantly 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.

435 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantityModel
Approx. freeze protection
– 35°F (– 37°C)
– 49°F (– 45°C)
S 430, S 500
6.1 US qt. (5.75 l)
6.7 US qt. (6.3 l)
S 600 (main cooling system)
7.9 US qt. (7.5 l)
8.7 US qt. (8.25 l)
S 600 (low temperature cooling system)
1.2 US qt. (1.1 l)
1.3 US qt. (1.2 l)
S55 AMG
7.1 US qt. (6.75 l)
7.8 US qt. (7.4 l)

443 Index
A
ABC 231, 437
Messages in display 349, 354
Setting vehicle level 230, 232
ABS 25, 80, 437
Malfunction indicator lamp 338
Messages in display 350
Warning lamp 338
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 180
Accessory weight 322
Accident
In case of 54
Activating
Air conditioner (cooling) 203
Air conditioning 202
Air recirculation mode 199
Anti-theft alarm system 87
Central locking (control system) 168
Charcoal filter 200
Distance warning function* 226
Distronic* 222
Easy-entry/exit feature 170ESP 84
Exterior lamps 132
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 187
Front and rear fog lamp 132, 134
Hazard warning flasher 136
Headlamps 50
High beams 135
Ignition 34
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button 36
Immobilizer 57, 86
Limiting opening height of trunk
lid* 169
Manual shift program S 55 AMG 183
Rear window defroster 201
Residual heat 203
Seat heater 125, 126
Seat ventilation* 127
Tow-away alarm 89
Windshield wipers 52Adaptive Damping System (ADS) 229,
437
Adding
Coolant 293
Engine oil 291
Additional turn signals 390
Adjustable air vents, rear passenger
compartment 204
Adjusting 37
Air distribution 196
Air volume 198
Backrest tilt 38
Drive-dynamic seat* 172
Exterior rear view mirror 41
Head restraint height 39
Head restraint tilt 39
Instrument cluster illumination 140
Interior rear view mirror 41
Lumbar support 122
Mirrors 41
Multicontour backrest* 122
Power seat bench* 117
Seat cushion depth 38, 123

449 Index
Cruise control 214, 438
Canceling 215
Driving downhill 215
Driving uphill 215
Fine adjustment 216
Lever 221
Setting current speed 215
Setting to last stored speed (“Resume”
function) 216
Cruise control lever 214
Cup holder
Cleaning 335
Closing 250
In front seat armrest 248
In rear seat armrest 249
Opening 250
Curb weight 322
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 437
D
Daytime running lamp mode 133
Setting 165
Deactivating
Air conditioner (cooling) 202
Air recirculation mode 200
Alarm 88
Anti-theft alarm system 88Automatic climate control 202
Central locking (control system) 168
Charcoal filter 201
Defrost 199
Distance warning function* 226
Distronic* 224
Engine with the SmartKey 57
ESP 83
Exterior lamps 132
Hazard warning flasher 136
Headlamps 57
Immobilizer 86
Interior illumination delayed
switch-off 167
Limiting opening height of trunk
lid* 169
Manual shift program S 55 AMG 185
Rear window defroster 201
Residual heat 203
Seat heater 125, 126
Seat ventilation* 127
Tow-away alarm 89
Deceleration
With Distronic* 220
Deep water see Standing water 280
Defrosting 199Delayed switch-off
Interior illumination 167
Department of Transportation see DOT
Dialing
A number (telephone) 154
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 54
Digital clock 25
Digital speedometer 148
Direction of rotation (tires) 299
Discharged battery
Jump starting 406
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 404
Displays
Digital speedometer 148
Distronic* 219
Messages 289
Service indicator 328
Showing malfunctions 159
Vehicle status messages 347