361 Practical hints
What to do if …?
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2
BRAKE PAD WEAR
VISIT WORKSHOP
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.
Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
;(USA only)3(Canada only)
BRAKE FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP
There is insufficient brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle and no-
tify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not solve
the problem.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of accident.
Warning!
G
Driving with the message:
BRAKE FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP
displayed can result in an
accident. Have your brake system checked
immediately. Don not add brake fluid before
checking the brake system. Overfilling the
brake fluid reservoir can result in spilling
brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire. You can be serious-
ly burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Maintenance
Booklet.
435 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
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
All models
4.2 US qt. (4.0 l)
MB Hydraulic Fluid
Power steering
All models
approx. 1.1 US qt. (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid
(Pentosin CHF 11S)
Front wheel hubs
All models
approx. 3.5 oz. (100 g) each
High-temperature roller bearing
grease
Brake system
All models
0.7 US qt. (0.7 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling system
S 350
S 430, S 430 4MATIC
S 500, S 500 4MATIC
S 55 AMG
S 600
S 65 AMG
approx. 11.1 US qt. (10.5 l)
approx. 12.1 US qt. (11.5 l)
approx. 12.1 US qt. (11.5 l)
approx. 14.3 US qt. (13.5 l)
approx. 15.85 US qt. (15.0 l)
approx. 15.96 US qt. (15.1 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
Low temperature cooling system
S 600
S 65 AMG
2.3 US qt. (2.2 l)
3.06 US qt (2.9 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
437 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 are used in the air condition-
ing system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lu-
bricating 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.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will pro-
vide you with additional information.Warning!
G
Under extremely strenuous operating condi-
tions, this moisture content can lead to the
formation of bubbles in the system, thus re-
ducing the system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be replaced
every two years, preferably in the spring.
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
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
465 Index
Mph or km/h in speedometer 163
Multicontour backrest* 122
Multifunction display 143, 447
Selecting language 164
Standard display 147
Multifunction display messages
ABC 351
ABS 353
Airmatic 358
Brake fluid 361
Brake pads 361
Check engine 342, 343
Coolant 363
Coolant level 362
Distronic* 354
Doors 365
Engine 342, 343
Engine oil level 366
Entry position 368
Hood 368Lamps 371
Parking brake 360
Selector lever 357
SmartKey 368
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 368
TeleAid 374
Telephone* 374
Tires 376–383
Trunk 375
Washer fluid 375
Multifunction steering wheel 26, 144,
447
Buttons 144
N
Navigation system
Operating 155
See separate COMAND* operating in-
structions
Night security illumination 133
Normal occupant weight 324O
Occupant distribution 324
Occupant safety 60
Air bags 61
Children and air bags 62
Children in the vehicle 71
Fastening the seat belt 43
Infant and child restraint systems 71
LATCH child seat anchors 75
Seat belts 43, 64
Oil
Adding 292
Consumption 288
Dipstick 288
Filler neck 291, 292, 293
Viscosity 445
Oil level
Checking 286
Oil level via control system
Checking 289
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