2005 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS open hood

293 Operation
Engine compartment
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.
1Coolant expansion tank
Using a rag, turn the cap slowly approx-
imately one half turn to the left to re-
lease any excess pressure.

Continue turning the cap to the left and
remove it.The coolant level is correct if the level


for cold coolant: reaches the black top
part of the reservoir


for warm coolant: is approximately
0.6 in (1.5 cm) higher

Add coolant as required.

Replace and tighten cap.
For more information on coolant, see
“Coolants” (
page 433).
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.


Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.


Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.


Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.
!S 600:
Only open the cap on coolant expan-
sion tank1. Never open the cap be-
tween the charge-air coolers.
Otherwise, the engine could be dam-
aged.

359 Practical hints
What to do if …?
During severe operating conditions,
e.g. stop-and-go traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï
COOLANT
STOP, ENGINE OFF
The coolant is too hot.

Stop the vehicle and turn off the engine.

Only start the engine again after the mes-
sage disappears. You could otherwise
damage the engine.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
!The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

364 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
_
ENTRY POSITION
DO NOT DRIVE
Seat, exterior mirrors and steering wheel
have not yet moved to their preset driving
positions.

Wait until the seat, exterior mirrors and
steering wheel have moved to their driv-
ing positions.
The message will disappear.
Y

HOOD OPEN!
You are driving with the hood open.

Close the hood (
page 287).
I
REMOVE KEY!
You have forgotten to remove the
SmartKey.

Remove the SmartKey from the ignition.
REPLACE KEY!
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP
The SmartKey is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
AUTOMATIC LIGHT ON
REMOVE KEY!
SmartKey in starter switch position 1
or2.

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
KEY
CHECK BATTERY
The battery in the KEYLESS-GO* key is
discharged.

Replace the battery (
page 387).
KEY
NOT RECOGNIZED
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is not rec-
ognized while the engine is running be-
cause

the SmartKey is not in the vehicle


there is strong radio-frequency inter-
ference

Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.

Search for the SmartKey.
Otherwise the vehicle cannot be centrally
locked nor can the engine be started again
after it has been stopped.

392 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsReplacing bulbs for front lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a
front lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to M
(page 50).

Open the hood (
page 286) (except
for side marker lamps).
1Headlamp cover for fog lamp
2Headlamp cover for high beam halogen
headlamp bulb, parking and standing
lamp
3Headlamp cover for Bi-Xenon* (low and
high beam) or halogen (low beam)
headlamp bulb4Bulb socket for fog lamp
5Bulb socket for parking and standing
lamp
6Electrical connector for high beam
halogen headlamp bulb
7Electrical connector for low beam
headlamp bulb
8Bulb socket for turn signal lampReplacing low beam bulbs
Bi-Xenon* headlamp
Warning!
G
Do not remove the cover for the Bi-Xenon
headlamp. Because of high voltage in Xenon
lamps, it is dangerous to replace the bulb or
repair the lamp and its components. We rec-
om men d t ha t y ou ha ve s uc h w o rk do n e by a
qualified technician.

397 Practical hints
Replacing wiper blades
Installing wiper blades
Slide the wiper blade onto wiper arm
until it locks in place

Rotate the wiper blade into position
parallel to wiper arm.

Fold the wiper arm backward to rest on
the windshield. Make sure you hold
onto the wiper when folding the wiper
arm back.
!Never open the hood when the wiper
arm is folded forward.
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.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact
the windshield glass without a wiper
blade inserted.
Make certain that the wiper blades are
properly installed. Improperly installed
wiper blades may cause windshield
damage.
For your convenience, we recommend
that you have this work carried out by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

451 Index
Driving systems 214
ABC 231
AIRMATIC 229
Airmatic 229
Cruise control 214
Distronic* 217
Driving safety systems 80
Parktronic system* 235
Vehicle level control 230, 232
E
Easy-entry/exit feature 114
Activating 170
Electrical fuses 411
Electrical system 427
Electrically folding exterior rear view
mirrors 188
Electronic Stability Program see ESP 82,
439
Emergency call system* 255
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 257
With Tele Aid 256
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 185Emergency operations
Closing the power tilt/sliding
sunroof 386
Locking the vehicle 384
Opening the power tilt/sliding
sunroof 386
Remote door unlock 262
Unlocking the vehicle 383
Emergency tensioning device see
ETD 69, 439
Emission control 282
Emission control information label 418
Ending
A call (telephone) 154
Engine 420
Compartment 286
Message in display 340, 341
Starting 46
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 47
Starting with the SmartKey 46
Turning off with the SmartKey or the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 57
Engine cleaning 332
Engine compartment 286
Fuse box in 413
Hood 286Engine malfunction indicator lamp 340,
341
Engine number 418, 439
Engine oil 287
Adding 291
Additives 431
Checking level 287
Consumption 287
Display messages 362
Filler neck 291
Messages in display 289, 362
Viscosity 439
Engine oil level see Oil level 285
Entry position
Messages in display 364
ESP 82, 439
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP 85
Switching off 83
Switching on 84
Synchronizing 352
Warning lamp 342, 343
ETD 439
Safety guidelines 64
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 69
Exterior lamp switch 131

454 IndexHeight adjustments
Vehicle level 230, 232
High beam 50
Replacing bulbs 390
High beam flasher 135
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 366
Switching on 135
High mounted brake lamp 390
Hood 286
Closing 287
Message in display 364
Opening 286
Hydroplaning 277
I
Identification labels 418
Emission control information
label 418
Vacuum line routing diagram
label 418
Ignition 34, 36
Switching on 34, 46, 47Immobilizer 86
Activating 86
Deactivating 86
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Individual seats* 117
Head restraint height 118
Infant and child restraint systems 71
Installing 75
LATCH child seat anchors 76
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 260
Infrared reflecting windshield 270
Inside rear view mirror
Auto-dimming 186
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 75
Towing eye bolt 410
Wiper blades 397Instrument cluster 24, 140, 439
Cleaning 335
Coolant temperature gauge 141
Illumination 140
Multifunction display 143
Outside temperature indicator 142
Selecting language 164
Integrated remote control
Canadian programming 268
Erasing memory 269
Hand-held transmitter 266
Operating 269
Rolling code programming 267
Interior illumination
Delayed switch-off 167
Interior lighting 137
Activating automatic control 137
Deactivating automatic control 137
Manual operation 137
Reading lamps in the front 138
Reading lamps in the rear 138
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 41

459 Index
One-touch gearshifting 175
Canceling gear range limit 175
Downshifting 175
Upshifting 175
Opening
Ashtray 251
Cup holder 250
Doors from the inside 102
Fuel filler flap 283
Fuel filler flap manually 385
Glove box 244
Hood 286
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 211
Power windows 207
Side windows 208
Storage compartment in the center
console 245
Storage compartments in the
armrest 246
Storage compartments in the center
console 246, 247
Trunk 103
Trunk lid from the inside 104
Trunk with SmartKey 95Opening in an emergency
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 386
Operating
COMAND* see separate operating in-
structions
Garage door opener 269
Integrated remote control 269
Navigation system 155
Radio 149
Radio transmitters 280
Telephone* 153
Vehicle outside the USA and
Canada 13
Operating safety 16
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings 332
Outside temperature indicator 142
Overdue maintenance service 329
Overhead control panel 29
Garage door opener 29
Reading lamp 29
Rear view mirror 29
Tele Aid button 29Override switch see Blocking of rear win-
dow operation 78
Overspeed range 440
P
Paintwork 331
Panic alarm 79
Panic button on SmartKey 79
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 250
Parcel net in trunk 250
Parking 55, 275
Parking and standing lamps
Replacing bulbs 390
Parking assist
Parktronic system* 235
Parking brake 48, 56
Engaging 56
Message in display 356
Releasing 48
Warning sound 49
Parking lamps
Replacing bulbs 390, 394
Switching on 131