Page 9 of 474

Contents
Practical hints................................. 337
What to do if …?................................. 338
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 338
Lamp in center console................ 346
Vehicle status messages
in the multifunction display .......... 347
Where will I find ...? ........................... 379
First aid kit ................................... 379
Vehicle jack, vehicle tool kit,
luggage bowl, spare wheel ........... 379
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 383
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 383
Locking the vehicle ...................... 384
Fuel filler flap ............................... 385
Opening/closing in an emergency..... 386
Tilt/sliding sunroof ...................... 386
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 387
SmartKey ..................................... 387
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 388
Replacing bulbs ................................. 389
Bulbs ............................................ 390
Replacing bulbs for front lamps ... 392
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps..... 394Replacing wiper blades....................... 396
Removing wiper blades ................. 396
Installing wiper blades .................. 397
Flat tire ............................................... 398
Preparing the vehicle .................... 398
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 398
Battery................................................ 403
Disconnecting the battery............. 404
Removing the battery.................... 404
Charging and reinstalling the battery ...
404
Reconnecting the battery.............. 405
Jump starting ...................................... 406
Towing the vehicle .............................. 408
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 410
Fuses .................................................. 411
Aids for replacing fuses ................ 411
Fuse boxes in passenger
compartment ................................ 412
Fuse boxes in engine
compartment ................................ 413
Technical data.................................. 415
Parts service ...................................... 416
Warranty coverage ............................. 417
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 417
Identification labels ............................ 418
Layout of poly-V-belt drive.................. 419
S 430/S 500 (all models) ............. 419
S 55 AMG ..................................... 419
S 600 ............................................ 419
Engine ................................................ 420
Rims and tires .................................... 422
Same size tires ............................. 423
Mixed size tires ............................. 425
Spare wheel .................................. 426
Electrical system ................................ 427
Main dimensions and weights ............ 428
Main dimensions........................... 428
Weights......................................... 428
Page 54 of 474

52 Getting startedDrivingWindshield wipers
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.Combination switch1Single wipe
2Switching on windshield wipers
Switch on ignition (
page 34).Switching on windshield wipers
Turn the combination switch to the de-
sired position depending on the inten-
sity of the rain.
0Windshield wipers off
IIntermittent wiping (interval depen-
dent on wetness of windshield)
IINormal wiper speed
IIIFast wiper speediIntermittent wiping interval is depen-
dent on wetness of windshield. After
the initial wipe, pauses between wipes
are automatically controlled by the rain
sensor.
!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 192 of 474

190 Controls in detailGood visibility
Sun visors
The sun visors protect you from sun glare
while driving.Glare from the front
1Mounting
2Sun visor
Swing sun visor2 down.
Glare from the front and sides
Swing sun visor2 down.
Disengage sun visor2 from
mounting1.
Pivot sun visor to the side.
!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.
Warning!
G
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.
Keep the mirrors in the sun visors closed
while vehicle is in motion. Reflected glare
can endanger you and others.iFor information on vanity mirrors
(page 242).
Page 288 of 474

286 OperationEngine 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 335 of 474

333 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 system sensors
Clean the sensors1 on the bumpers
using a mild car wash detergent, such
as Mercedes-Benz approved Car Sham-
poo, with plenty of water and a soft,
non-scratchy cloth.
When using a steam cleaner or power
washer, aim nozzle only briefly from a min-
imum distance of 12 in (30 cm) at
sensors1.
Do not apply strong pressure to the sensor
cover, applying strong pressure may dam-
age the sensor cover.To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and only use 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 396).
!The windshield wipers must be in a ver-
tical position before folding them away
from the windshield. They could other-
wise damage the hood.
Page 336 of 474

334 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 396).
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 (vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure the
vehicle's on-board electronics have status
0) before cleaning the wiper blades. Other-
wise, the wiper motor could 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.
!The windshield wipers must be in a ver-
tical position before folding them away
from the windshield. They could other-
wise damage the hood. Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and re-
move SmartKey from starter switch (vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure the
vehicle's on-board electronics have status
0) before cleaning the wiper blades. Other-
wise, the wiper motor could 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.
Page 339 of 474
337 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Where will I find ...?
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency
Replacing SmartKey batteries
Replacing bulbs
Replacing wiper blades
Flat tire
Battery
Jump starting
Towing the vehicle
Fuses
Page 398 of 474
396 Practical hintsReplacing wiper bladesWiper blades in vertical position
Removing wiper blades
Turn SmartKey in starter switch
position1.
Turn combination switch to wiper
settingII (
page 52).
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, switch off wipers and re-
move SmartKey from starter switch (vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure the
vehicle's on-board electronics have status
0) before replacing a wiper blade. Other-
wise, the wiper motor could suddenly turn
on and cause injury.