2006 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 tow

385 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
The vehicle tool kit includes:

One interchangeable slot/Phillips
screwdriver


One towing eye bolt


One wheel bolt wrench with socket
wrench


One alignment bolt


One pair of gloves


One fuse extractor


One fuse chart for the main fuse box


Spare fusesVehicle jack
To prepare the vehicle jack for use

Remove the vehicle jack from the spare
wheel well under the trunk floor.

Push the crank handle up.

Turn the crank handle clockwise until it
engages (operational position).Storing the vehicle jack in the trunk

Retract the vehicle jack arm to the
base of the vehicle jack.

Push the crank handle up.

Turn the crank handle counterclock-
wise to the end of the stop (storage po-
sition).
!To prevent damage, always disengage
trunk floor handle from trunk lid and
lower trunk floor before closing the
trunk lid.


399 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Parking and standing lamp bulb
Press the tab on cover2 and remove
cover.

Pull out the bulb socket5 with the
bulb.

Pull the bulb out of the bulb socket5.

Insert a new bulb in the bulb socket5.

Reinstall the bulb socket5.

Press cover2 onto the housing until
the tab engages.Side marker lamp bulb

Carefully slide lamp towards rear.

Remove front end first.

Twist bulb socket counterclockwise
and pull out.

Pull bulb out of the bulb socket.

Insert new bulb in socket.

Reinstall bulb socket, push in and twist
clockwise.

To reinstall lamp, set rear end in
bumper and let front end snap into
place.
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a rear
lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to M
(page 50).

Open the trunk (
page 103).

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.

413 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment. This method is pref-
erable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised (except vehi-
cles with 4MATIC) only so far as necessary
to have the vehicle moved to a safe loca-
tion where the recommended towing
methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with SmartKey in starter switch
turned to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 88) and the automatic central
locking (
page 112).
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing
so could damage the transfer case,
which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground.
Observe instructions for towing the ve-
hicle with all wheels on the ground.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised (not permissible for vehicles
with 4MATIC), the engine must be shut
off (SmartKey in starter switch
position0 or 1). Otherwise the ESP
®
will immediately be engaged and will
apply the rear wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the selector lever must
be in positionN and the SmartKey
must be in starter switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).

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.

415 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
1Cover on right side of front bumper
2Cover on right side of rear bumperRemoving cover

Press mark on cover in the direction of
arrow.

Lift cover off to reveal the threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.
Installing towing eye bolt

Take towing eye bolt and wheel wrench
out of trunk (
page 384).

Screw towing eye bolt clockwise into
its stop and tighten with wheel wrench.
Removing towing eye bolt

Loosen towing eye bolt counterclock-
wise with wheel wrench.

Unscrew towing eye bolt.

Store towing eye bolt and wheel
wrench in trunk.
Installing cover

Fit cover and snap into place.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, or KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button (
page 35) in
position2, the vehicle doors lock if the
left front wheel as well as the right rear
wheel are turning at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(
page 88).
To prevent the vehicle doors from lock-
ing, deactivate the automatic central
locking (
page 112).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to vehicle chassis,
frame or suspension parts.

451 Index
A
ABC 232, 443
Messages in display 351
Setting vehicle level 230, 233
ABS 25, 79, 443
Malfunction indicator lamp 340
Messages in display 353
Warning lamp 340
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 177
Accessory weight 323
Accident
In case of 54
Activating
Air conditioner (cooling) 202
Air conditioning 202
Air recirculation mode 198
Anti-theft alarm system 86
Central locking (control system) 168
Charcoal filter 200
Distance warning function* 227
Distronic* 223
Easy-entry/exit feature 170
ESP
®
83
Exterior lamps 132
Exterior rear view mirror parking position 187
Front and rear fog lamp 132, 134
Hazard warning flasher 136
Headlamps 50
High beams 135
Ignition 34
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button 36
Immobilizer 57, 85
Limiting opening height of trunk
lid* 169
Manual shift program S 55 AMG and
S 65 AMG 184
Rear window defroster 201
Residual heat 202, 207
Seat heater 125, 126
Seat ventilation* 127
Tow-away alarm 88
Windshield wipers 52
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) 229,
443
Adding
Coolant 294
Engine oil 292
Additional turn signals 395
Adjustable air vents, rear passenger compartment 204
Adjusting 37
Air distribution 196, 206
Air volume 197
Backrest tilt 38
Drive-dynamic seat* 171
Exterior rear view mirrors 41
Head restraint height 39
Head restraint tilt 39
Instrument cluster illumination 140
Interior rear view mirror 41
Lumbar support 122
Mirrors 41
Multicontour backrest* 122
Power seat bench* 117
Seat cushion depth 38, 123
Seat cushion tilt 38
Seat fore and aft adjustment 38
Seat height 38
Seat in the lumbar region 123
Seat in the shoulder region 123
Seats 37
Steering column height 40
Steering column in or out 40
Steering column up or down 40
Steering wheel 40

452 IndexADS 229, 443
Air bag off indicator lamp 348
Air bags 61
BabySmart
TM air bag deactivation
system 73, 443
Children 62
Front 65
Passenger 65
Safety guidelines 64
Side impact 66
Window curtain 66
Air conditioning
Turning off 202
Turning on 202
Air pressure 323
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air recirculation mode 198
Activating 198
Deactivating 199
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 204
Air volume
Adjusting 197
AIRMATIC 229
Airmatic 229, 443
Messages in display 358Alarm
Audible 78, 87, 89
Canceling 87, 89
Visual 86
Alarm system
Anti-theft 86
Anti-theft alarm system indicator
lamp 27
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 385,
406, 443
Antiglare
Automatic 186
Antilock brake system (ABS) 443
Antilock Brake System see ABS 25
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 86
Canceling alarm 87
Disarming 87
Anti-theft systems 85
Anti-theft alarm system 86
Anti-theft alarm system indicator
lamp 27
Immobilizer 85
Tow-away alarm 88
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning 277Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 243,
244, 245, 246
Ashtray 249
Aspect ratio 323
At the gas station 284
ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) 293
AUDIO menu 148
Selecting CD track 150
Selecting MP3-CD track 150
Selecting radio station 149
Selecting satellite radio* station (USA
only) 149
Audio system
CD mode 151
Auto-dimming for rear view mirror 186
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 168
Automatic climate control 192
Air recirculation mode 198
Defrosting 197
Rear window defroster 201
Setting the temperature 195
Setting the temperature in the rear
passenger compartment 206