2006 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 409

Contents
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 318
Maximum tire load ....................... 319
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 320
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 320
Tire ply material ........................... 322
Tire and loading terminology ........ 323
Rotating tires ............................... 326
Winter driving .................................... 327
Winter tires .................................. 327
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 328
Snow chains................................. 328
Maintenance...................................... 329
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator........................... 330
Maintenance service
term exceeded ............................. 330
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator........................... 330
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 331
Vehicle care ....................................... 332
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 332
Practical hints.................................. 339
What to do if …? ................................. 340
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 340
Lamp in center console................. 348
Vehicle status messages
in the multifunction display ........... 349
Where will I find ...? ............................ 384
First aid kit.................................... 384
Vehicle jack, vehicle tool kit,
luggage bowl, spare wheel ............ 384
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 388
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 388
Locking the vehicle ....................... 389
Fuel filler flap ................................ 390
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 391
Tilt/sliding sunroof ....................... 391
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 392
SmartKey ...................................... 392
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ....... 393
Replacing bulbs .................................. 394
Bulbs ............................................. 395
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 397
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 399Replacing wiper blades ...................... 401
Removing wiper blades ................. 401
Installing wiper blades .................. 402
Flat tire............................................... 403
Preparing the vehicle .................... 403
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 403
Battery ............................................... 408
Disconnecting the battery ............ 409
Removing the battery ................... 409
Charging and reinstalling
the battery .................................... 409
Reconnecting the battery ............. 410
Jump starting...................................... 411
Towing the vehicle.............................. 413
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 415
Fuses.................................................. 416
Aids for replacing fuses ................ 416
Fuse boxes in passenger
compartment ................................ 417
Fuse boxes in engine
compartment ................................ 418

409 Practical hints
Battery
Disconnecting the battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.

Open the trunk (
page 103).

Read and observe safety instructions
and precautions (
page 408).

Remove the battery cover1.
2Positive terminal
3Negative terminal

Use a 10-mm open-end wrench to dis-
connect the battery negative lead3.

Remove cover2 from the positive ter-
minal.

Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Removing the battery
Remove the screw securing the bat-
tery.

Remove the battery support and
bracket.

Take out the battery.
Charging and reinstalling the battery
Charge battery in accordance with the
instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.

Reinstall the charged battery. Follow
the previously described steps in re-
verse order.
Warning!
G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
An accessory battery charge unit specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available, permitting the charging of the bat-
tery in its installed position. Contact an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information and availability. Charge battery
in accordance with the separate instruc-
tions for the accessory battery charger.

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

469 Index
Reinstalling vehicle battery 409
Remote control
SmartKey 92
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 96
Remote controls
Integrated 265
Remote door unlock
With Tele Aid 261
Removing
Vehicle battery 409
Wheel 406
Wiper blades 401
Replacing
Backup lamp bulbs 399
Battery (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 393
Brake fluid 437
Brake lamp bulbs 399
Bulbs 394
Front lamp bulbs 397
License plate lamp bulbs 400
Parking lamp bulbs 399
Rear fog lamp bulbs 399, 400
Rear lamp bulbs 395, 399
Rear turn signal bulbs 399
Side marker lamp bulbs 399Standing lamp bulbs 399
Wiper blades 401
Reporting
Safety defects 18
Reset button in the instrument
cluster 160
Resetting
All functions (control system) 160
All functions of a submenu 161
Fuel consumption 158
Maintenance service indicator 331
Trip odometer 141
Residual heat utilization 202, 207, 448
Residual ventilation 202, 207
REST (Residual engine heat
utilization) 448
Restraint system see Infant and child re-
straint systems 71, 74
Rim 324
Rims and Tires 426
Roadside assistance 12
Tele Aid 257
Rolling code programming 266
RON (Research Octane Number) 285,
448
Roof rack 239Rubber parts
Cleaning 338
S
Safety
Occupant 60
Safety belts see Seat belts 43
Safety defects
Reporting 18
Safety systems
Driving 79
Screwdriver (vehicle tool kit) 385
Seat belt force limiter 69
Seat belts 67
Cleaning 337
Fastening 43
Proper use of 45, 68
Safety guidelines 64
Telltale 345
Seat cushion depth
Adjusting 123
Seat for and aft adjustment 118
Seat heater
Switching off 125
Switching on 125
Seat height 118