Page 295 of 481

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.
Page 364 of 481

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.
Page 365 of 481
364 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï
COOLANT
STOP, ENGINE OFF
The poly-V-belt could be broken.
Stop the vehicle and immediately turn off
the engine.
Check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise the
engine will overheat due to an inoperative
water pump which may result in damage
to the engine. Notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:
Restart the engine only after the message
disappears from the multifunction dis-
play. Doing so could result in serious en-
gine damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Observe the coolant temperature gauge
in the instrument cluster (
page 24).
Drive immediately to the nearest autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center. Adjust driv-
ing to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.
Page 366 of 481
365 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï
COOLANT
VISIT WORKSHOP
The cooling fan for the coolant is malfunc-
tioning.
Observe the coolant temperature display.
Have the fan replaced as soon as possi-
ble.
Î
CRUISE CONTROL
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP
Cruise control or Distronic* is malfunc-
tioning.
Have cruise control or Distronic*
checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
G
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP
The instrument cluster display is malfunc-
tioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
±
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
VISIT WORKSHOP
Certain electronic systems are unable to
relay information to the control system.
The following systems may have failed:
Coolant temperature display
Tachometer
Cruise control display
Have the electronic systems checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
J
DOOR OPEN
You are attempting to drive with one or
more doors open.
Close the doors.
Page 436 of 481
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
Page 437 of 481
436 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuel tank
All models
23.2 US gal (88.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(Avg. of 96 RON/86 MON)
including a reserve of
All models except
S55AMG, S65AMG
2.9 US gal (11.0 l)
including a reserve of
S55AMG, S65AMG
3.7 US gal (14.0 l)
Air conditioning system
All models
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG
lubricant oil (never R-12)
Windshield washer
S 350
S 430, S 430 4MATIC
3.2 US qt. (3.0 l)
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
1
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water for temperatures above freezing or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and commercially available pre-
mixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below freezing point. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 442).Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system*
All models
7.1 US qt (6.7 l)
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
1
Page 441 of 481

440 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.The coolant solution must be used
year-round to provide the necessary corro-
sion protection and increase boil-over pro-
tection. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for
replacement interval.
Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification (see
Factory Approved Service Products pam-
phlet) are used to renew the coolant con-
centration or bring it back up to the proper
level.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 45% anticor-
rosion/antifreeze [equivalent to freeze
protection to approximately - 22°F
(-30°C)]. If you use a solution that is more
than 55% anticorrosion/antifreeze [freeze
protection to approximately - 49°F
(-45°C)], the engine temperature will in-
crease due to the lower heat transfer capa-bility of the solution. Therefore, do not use
more than this amount of anticorrosion/
antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for
signs of leakage).
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
sult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of alumi-
num parts. The use of aluminum compo-
nents in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be specifical-
ly formulated to protect the aluminum
parts. (Failure to use such anticorrosion/
antifreeze coolant will result in a signifi-
cantly shortened service life.)
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
Mercedes-Benz 325.0 anticorrosion/
antifreeze agent.
Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion/antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for service.
Page 442 of 481
441 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantityModel
Approx. freeze protection
– 35°F (– 37°C)
– 49°F (– 45°C)
S350
5.55 US qt. (5.25 l)
6.1 US qt. (5.75 l)
S 430, S 430 4MATIC
6.1 US qt. (5.75 l)
6.7 US qt. (6.3 l)
S 500, S 500 4MATIC
6.1 US qt. (5.75 l)
6.7 US qt. (6.3 l)
S 600 (main cooling system)
7.9 US qt. (7.5 l)
8.7 US qt. (8.25 l)
S 600 (low temperature cooling system)
1.2 US qt. (1.1 l)
1.3 US qt. (1.2 l)
S55 AMG
7.1 US qt. (6.75 l)
7.8 US qt. (7.4 l)
S 65 AMG (main cooling system)
7.98 US qt. (7.55 l)
8.77 US qt. (8.30 l)
S 65 AMG (low temperature cooling system)
1.53 US qt (1.45 l)
1.7 US qt (1.6 l)