411 Practical hints
Jump starting
Jump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:
Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.
Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.
Only use 12-volt battery to jump start
your vehicle. Jump starting with a more
powerful battery could damage the ve-
hicle’s electrical system, which will not
be covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.
Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.
Always make sure that the jumper ca-
bles are not on or near pulleys, fans or
other parts that move when an engine
is started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting at-
tempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine us-
ing a battery quick charge unit.
If engine does not run after several un-
successful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
412 Practical hintsJump startingThe battery is located on the right side of
the trunk under the battery cover
(page 408).
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Apply parking brake.
Shift gear selector lever to positionP.
Open the trunk lid.
Remove battery cover (
page 408).
Remove red cover from positive
terminal 1. 1Positive terminal of discharged battery
2Negative terminal of discharged
battery
3Positive terminal of charged battery
4Negative terminal of charged battery
Connect positive terminals 1 and3
of the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to charged battery3
first.
Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.
Connect negative terminals2 and4
of the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to charged battery4
first.
Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
Now you can again turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.
Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals2 and4 and then
from positive terminals1 and3.
You can now turn on the lights.
Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 408).
!Never invert the terminal connections.
414 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the drivetrain, however, we
recommend the drive shaft be discon-
nected at the rear axle drive flange (ve-
hicles with 4MATIC: disconnected at
the front and rear axle drive flanges) for
any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:
the engine will not run
there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.iThe gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP and the SmartKey
will not turn in the starter switch if the
battery is disconnected or discharged.
See information on the battery
(page 408) or on jump starting
(page 411).
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position2 and activate the combina-
tion switch for the left or right turn sig-
nal in the usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.
432 Technical dataElectrical systemModel
S 350
S 430, S 430 4MATIC,
S 500, S 500 4MATIC
S 55 AMG
S 600
S 65 AMG
Generator (alternator)
14 V/150 A
14 V/180 A
14 V/220 A
14 V/180 A
Starter motor
12 V/1.7 kW
12 V/1.7 kW
12 V/1.7 kW
12 V/1.7 kW
Battery
12 V/95 Ah
12 V/95 Ah
12 V/95 Ah
12 V/95 Ah
Spark plugs
Bosch F 8 DPP 332
NGK PFR 5 R-11
NGK IL FR 6 A
NGK IFR 6Q-G
NGK NFR 6Q-G
Electrode gap
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
0.031 in (0.8 mm)
0.028 in (0.7 mm)
0.028 in (0.7 mm)
Tightening torque
18 – 22 lb-ft (25 – 30 Nm)
18 – 22 lb-ft (25 – 30 Nm)
15 – 22 lb-ft (20 – 30 Nm)
15 – 22 lb-ft (20 – 30 Nm)
448 Technical termsProgram mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic transmis-
sion between standard operationS and
comfort operationC.
S55 AMG and S65 AMG with steering
wheel gearshift control and manual
shift program: in addition toS andC
(see above), you can useM for manual
operation.
PSI
(P
ounds per s
quare i
nch)
(
page 324)
Recommended tire inflation pressure
(page 324)
REST
(Residual engine heat utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the vehi-
cle interior for a short time after the en-
gine has been turned off.Restraint systems
Seat belts, belt tensioners, air bags
and child restraint systems. As inde-
pendent systems, their protective func-
tions complement one another.
Rim
(
page 324)
RON
(Research O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line’s ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as AN-
TI-KNOCK INDEX.
Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the transmission selector le-
ver from being inadvertently moved out
of positionP without the SmartKey
turned and the brake pedal depressed.Sidewall
(
page 324)
SRS
(Supplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and air bags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.
Tele Aid System
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, Roadside Assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
vided that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
453 Index
Automatic headlamp mode 132
Automatic lighting control
Activating 137
Deactivating 137
Automatic locking when driving 112
Automatic shift program
Automatic transmission 179
Automatic transmission 173
Accelerator position 177
Automatic shift program 179
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 185
Fluid level 293
Gear ranges 178
Gear selector lever position 173, 175
Gear shifting malfunctions 185
Kickdown 177
Kickdown, manual shift program
S 55 AMG and S 65 AMG 185
Manual shift program S 55 AMG and
S 65 AMG 183
Manual shifting 180
One-touch gearshifting 180
Selector lever position 173
Starting the engine 46Steering wheel gearshift control
S 55 AMG and S 65 AMG 181
Transmission fluid 293
Auxiliary fuse box 417
B
BabySmart
TM
Air bag deactivation system 73
Compatible child seats 73, 443
Self-test 73
BabySmart
TM air bag deactivation
system 443
Backrest supports
Lumbar region 123
Shoulder region 123
Backup lamps 395, 400
Bulbs 395
Bar 323
BAS 80, 444
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 95
Checking 95
Replacing 392
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking 101
Battery discharged
Jump starting 411Battery, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Check lamp 101
Replacing 393
Battery, vehicle 295, 408
Charging 409
Disconnecting 409
Reconnecting 410
Reinstalling 409
Removing 409
Bead 323
Bi-Xenon headlamps 444
Block heater (Canada only) 328
Blocking
Rear window operation 77
Brake assist system (BAS) 444
Brake fluid 285, 437
Brake lamp bulbs 395
Brake lamp, high mounted 395
Brake pads
Message in display 361
Brakes 274
High-performance brake system
(S 65 AMG only) 275
Warning lamp 341
Break-in period 272
454 IndexBulbs, replacing 394
Additional turn signals 395
Backup lamps 395
Brake lamps 395
Fog lamps 395
Front lamps 395
High beam 395
High mounted brake lamp 395
License plate lamps 395, 400
Low beam 395
Parking and standing lamps 395
Parking lamps 395, 399
Rear fog lamp 395, 400
Rear fog lamps 399
Side marker lamps 395, 399
Standing lamps 395, 399
Tail lamp assemblies 395
Tail lamp unit 400
Turn signal lamps 395
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 444
Call priority
Tele Aid 260Calling up
Distronic* settings 156
Maintenance service indicator 330
Range (distance to empty) 158
CAN system 444
Canceling
Cruise control 216
Cargo tie-down hooks 240
Catalytic converter 282
CD changer* 151
CD mode 151
CD operation
Selecting tracks 150
Center console 27
Air bag off indicator lamp 348
Front passenger front air bag off indica-
tor lamp 348
Lighter 250
Centigrade (°C)
Setting temperature units 163
Central locking
Automatic 112
From inside 113
Switch 113Switching on/off (control
system) 168
Unlocking from inside 113
Change of address or ownership 12
Changing
CDs 151
SmartKey setting 169
Vehicle level 231, 234
Charcoal filter 200
Activating 200
Deactivating 200
Charging
Vehicle battery 409
Checking
Brake fluid 285
Coolant level 294
Oil level 286, 288
Oil level via control system 289
Tire inflate pressure 286
Vehicle lighting 286
Child safety 71
Air bags 62
Infant and child restraint systems 71
LATCH child seat anchors 75
Cigarette lighter 250
457 Index
Dialing
A number (telephone) 154
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 54
Digital clock 25
Digital speedometer 148
Direction of rotation (tires) 300
Discharged battery
Jump starting 411
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 409
Displays
Digital speedometer 148
Distronic* 220
Messages 290
Service indicator 329
Showing malfunctions 159
Vehicle status messages 349
Distance
Decreasing in Distronic* 226
Increasing in Distronic* 226
Setting in Distronic* 225
Warning function 226
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 157Distance warning function* 226
Activating 227
Deactivating 227
Distance warning lamp 226
Intermittent warning sound 226
Symbol in multifunction display 156
Distronic* 218, 445
Activated 222
Activating 223
Calling up settings 156, 221
Cleaning system sensor 335
Cruise control lever 222
Deactivated 222
Deactivating 225
Deceleration 221
Decreasing distance 226
Decreasing time interval 225
Displays in the speedometer dial 220
Distance warning function 226
Driving hints 227
Fine adjustment 224
Increasing distance 226
Increasing time interval 225
Intermittent signal tone 220
Menu 221
Messages in display 354Sensor cover 335
Setting a higher speed 224
Setting a slower speed 224
Setting following distance 225
Setting the current speed 223
Setting to last stored speed (“Resume”
function) 224
Warning and indicator lamps 220
Document holder 241
Door control panel 30
Door entry lamps 139
Door unlock
With Tele Aid 261
Doors
Message in display 365
Opening from inside vehicle 102
Opening from outside 94, 99
DOT 323, 445
Downhill driving
Cruise control 216
Downshifting 180
Drink holder see Cup holder 248
Drinking and driving 273
Drive-dynamic seat* 124
Adjusting 171