Page 361 of 474

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.
Page 362 of 474
360 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï
COOLANT
STOP, ENGINE OFF
The poly-V-belt could be broken.
Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise the
engine will overheat due to an inoperative
water pump which may result in damage
to the engine.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
If it is intact:
Restart the engine only after the message
disappears from the multifunction dis-
play. Doing so could result in serious en-
gine damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Observe the coolant temperature gauge
(page 141).
Drive immediately to the nearest autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center. Adjust driv-
ing to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.
Page 363 of 474
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.
Page 417 of 474
415 Technical data
Parts service
Warranty coverage
Identification labels
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Engine
Rims and tires
Electrical system
Main dimensions and weights
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Page 421 of 474
419 Technical data
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
S 430/S 500 (all models)
1Automatic belt tensioner
2ABC tandem pump (pump for
power-steering assistance and ABC
chassis)
3Air conditioning compressor
4Crankshaft
5Coolant pump
6Generator (alternator)
7Idler pulley
S55AMGThe S 55 AMG has two poly-V-belts (belt one
shown in purple/belt two shown in black). 1Idler pulley
2Automatic belt tensioner
3ABC tandem pump (pump for
power-steering assistance and ABC
chassis)
4Air conditioning compressor
5Crankshaft
6Coolant pump
7Generator (alternator)
8Idler pulley
9Automatic belt tensioner
aSupercharger
S600
1Automatic belt tensioner
2ABC tandem pump (pump for
power-steering assistance and ABC
chassis)
3Air conditioning compressor
4Crankshaft
5Coolant pump
6Generator (alternator)
7Idler pulley
8Idler pulley
9Idler pulley
Page 431 of 474

429 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
CapacitiesVehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore use only
brands tested and approved by us.Please refer to the Factory Approved Ser-
vice Products pamphlet, or inquire at your
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter
S 430
S 500
S 55 AMG
S 600
8.5 US qt. (8.0 l)
8.5 US qt. (8.0 l)
7.9 US qt. (7.5 l)
9.5 US qt. (9.0 l)
Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission
S 600
9.1 US qt. (8.6 l)
8.1 US qt. (7.7 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear axle
S55AMG
S 600
1.7 US qt. (1.6 l)
2.1 US qt. (2.0 l)
2.1 US qt. (2.0 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Front axle
S 430 4MATIC
S 500 4MATIC
0.63 US qt. (0.6 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Transfer case
S 430 4MATIC
S 500 4MATIC
0.62 US qt. (0.585 l)
MB Transfer Case Oil
Hydraulic system for ADS or ABC
4.2 US qt. (4.0 l)
MB Hydraulic Fluids
Power steering
approx. 1.1 US qt. (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid (Pentosin
CHF 11S)
Page 432 of 474

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
Page 433 of 474

431 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance
System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada
vehicles). For a listing of approved engine
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet, or
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of
specification other than those expressly
required for the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles), or
changing of oil and oil filter at change
intervals longer than those called for by
the Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS (Canada Vehicles) will result in engine
damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Please follow Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles)
recommendations for scheduled oil
changes. Failure to do so will result in
engine damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.Damage or
malfunctions resulting from blending oil
additives are not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil is used in the air condition-
ing system.Never use R-12 (CFC) or miner-
al-based lubricating oil. Otherwise damage
to the system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere. Under extremely strenu-
ous operating conditions, this moisture
content can lead to the formation of bub-
bles in the system, thus reducing the sys-
tem’s efficiency.Therefore, the brake fluid
must be replaced every two years, prefera-
bly in the spring.Only brake fluid approved
by Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will pro-
vide you with additional information.