2006 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 open hood

291 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking the engine oil level with the
oil dipstick (S 350, S 430, S 500 and
S 55 AMG only)
When checking the oil level

the vehicle must be parked on level
ground


with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been sta-
tionary for at least five minutes with the
engine turned off
To check the engine oil level with the oil
dipstick, do the following:

Open the hood (
page 287).
S 350, S 430, S 500 and S 55 AMG1Oil dipstick (S 350, S 430, S 500 and
S 55 AMG only)
2Filler cap
Pull out oil dipstick1.

Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.

Fully insert oil dipstick1 into the dip-
stick guide tube.

Pull out oil dipstick1 again after ap-
proximately three seconds to obtain
accurate reading.
Oil dipstickThe oil level is correct when it is between
the lower (min) and upper (max) mark of
the oil dipstick.
iThe engine oil level can be checked by
either the oil dipstick or via the multi-
function display in the instrument clus-
ter (
page 289). The amount of engine
oil needed is shown more precisely in
the multifunction display.
iThe filling quantity between the upper
and lower marks on the oil dipstick is
approximately 2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).


294 OperationEngine compartmentCoolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze.
When checking the coolant level,

the vehicle must be parked on level
ground, and


the engine must be cool.
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 white
marking (plastic bridge) inside the cool-
ant expansion tank.


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 439).
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 and S 65 AMG:
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.

363 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.

368 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 288).
I
REMOVE KEY
You have forgotten to remove the
SmartKey.

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
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 392).
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.

397 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing 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 287) (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-
ommend that you have such work done by a
qualified technician.

402 Practical hintsReplacing wiper bladesInstalling 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.

458 IndexDriving
Abroad 281
General instructions 43, 273
Hydroplaning 277
In winter 279
Problems 54
Safety systems 79
Through standing water 280
With Distronic* 227
Driving abroad 281
Driving instructions 273
Driving off 276
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 84
ABS 79
BAS 80
ESP
®
81
Driving systems 215
ABC 232
AIRMATIC 229
Airmatic 229
Cruise control 215
Distronic* 218
Driving safety systems 79
Parktronic system* 235
Vehicle level control 230, 233E
Easy-entry/exit feature 114
Activating 170
Electrical fuses 416
Electrical system 432
Electronic Stability Program see
ESP
®
81, 445
Emergency call system 254
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 256
With Tele Aid 255
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 185
Emergency operations
Closing the power tilt/sliding
sunroof 391
Locking the vehicle 389
Opening the power tilt/sliding
sunroof 391
Remote door unlock 261
Unlocking the vehicle 388
Emergency tensioning device see
ETD 69, 445
Emission control 282
Emission control information label 422Ending
A call (telephone) 154
Engine
Cleaning 334
Compartment 287
Data 424
Message in display 342, 343
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 compartment 287
Fuse box in 418
Hood 287
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 342,
343
Engine number 422, 445
Engine oil 288
Adding 292
Additives 437
Checking level 288
Consumption 288
Display messages 366
Filler neck 291, 292, 293
Messages in display 290, 366

461 Index
Height adjustments
Vehicle level 230, 233
High beam 50
Replacing bulbs 395
High beam flasher 135
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 370
Switching on 135
High mounted brake lamp 395
High-performance brake system
(S 65 AMG only) 275
Hood 287
Closing 288
Message in display 368
Opening 287
Hydroplaning 277
I
Identification labels 422
Emission control information
label 422
Vacuum line routing diagram
label 422
Ignition 34, 36
Switching on 34, 46, 47Immobilizer 85
Activating 85
Deactivating 85
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Individual seats* 117
Head restraint height 118
Infant and child restraint systems 71
Installing 74
LATCH child seat anchors 75
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid 259
Infrared reflecting windshield 269
Inside rear view mirror
Auto-dimming 186
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 74
Towing eye bolt 415
Wiper blades 402
Instrument cluster 24, 140, 446
Cleaning 337
Coolant temperature gauge 141
Illumination 140Multifunction display 143
Outside temperature indicator 142
Selecting language 164
Integrated remote control
Canadian programming 267
Erasing memory 268
Hand-held transmitter 265
Operating 268
Rolling code programming 266
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
J
Jump starting 411