2006 MERCEDES-BENZ S55AMG brake fluid

ContentsLoading .............................................. 239
Roof rack* .................................... 239
Loading instructions ..................... 240
Cargo tie-down hooks .................. 240
Useful features .................................. 241
Vanity mirrors............................... 241
Storage compartments................. 242
Cup holders .................................. 248
Ashtrays ....................................... 249
Cigarette lighters.......................... 250
Heated steering wheel*
(except S 55 AMG and
S 65 AMG) .................................... 252
Telephone*................................... 253
Tele Aid ........................................ 254
Garage door opener ..................... 263
Infrared reflecting windshield ....... 269
Operation......................................... 271
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 272
Driving instructions............................ 273
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 273
Drinking and driving ..................... 273
Pedals .......................................... 273
Power assistance ......................... 273
Brakes .......................................... 274
Driving off .................................... 276
Parking ......................................... 276
Tires ............................................. 277
Hydroplaning ................................ 277
Tire traction.................................. 278
Tire speed rating .......................... 278
Winter driving instructions ........... 279
Standing water ............................. 280
Passenger compartment .............. 281
Driving abroad.............................. 281
Control and operation of
radio transmitters ........................ 281
Catalytic converter ....................... 282
Emission control .......................... 282
Coolant temperature .................... 283At the gas station .............................. 284
Refueling ...................................... 284
Check regularly and before
a long trip..................................... 285
Engine compartment ......................... 287
Hood ............................................ 287
Engine oil ..................................... 288
Transmission fluid level ................ 293
Active Body Control* (ABC*)
fluid level ..................................... 293
Coolant level ................................ 294
Battery ......................................... 295
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 296
Tires and wheels................................ 297
Important guidelines .................... 297
Tire care and maintenance........... 298
Direction of rotation..................... 300
Loading the vehicle ...................... 300
Recommended tire
inflation pressure ......................... 306
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 308
Tire labeling ................................. 313
Load identification ....................... 317

ContentsTechnical data.................................. 419
Parts service ...................................... 420
Warranty coverage ............................. 421
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 421
Identification labels............................ 422
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 423
S 350/S 430/S 430 4MATIC/
S 500/ S 500 4MATIC ................. 423
S 55 AMG ..................................... 423
S 600 and S 65 AMG.................... 423
Engine ................................................ 424
Rims and tires .................................... 426
Same size tires ............................. 428
Mixed size tires ............................ 430
Spare wheel ................................. 431
Electrical system................................ 432Main dimensions and weights............ 433
Main dimensions .......................... 433
Weights ........................................ 433
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 434
Capacities .................................... 434
Engine oils.................................... 437
Engine oil additives ...................... 437
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 437
Brake fluid .................................... 437
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 438
Fuel requirements ........................ 438
Gasoline additives ........................ 439
Coolants....................................... 439
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ............................. 442
Technical terms............................... 443Index................................................. 451

274 OperationDriving instructionsBrakesTo help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on, the brake fluid level in the res-
ervoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Have the brake system inspected immedi-
ately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles
in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.
!Be very careful not to endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Refer to the description of the Brake
Assist System (BAS) (
page 80).

275 Operation
Driving instructions
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
park, so that the air stream can cool down
the brakes faster.High-performance brake system
(S 65 AMG only)
The high-performance brake system is de-
signed to operate under the extremely high
operating demands required to accommo-
date the performance capabilities of the
vehicle. The brakes may produce a squeak-
ing-type noise depending on the


vehicle speed


brake force applied


ambient conditions, e.g. temperature
and humidity
As with any brake system, the wear of indi-
vidual brake system components such as
brake pads or disks strongly depends on
your driving style and the conditions under
which you operate the vehicle. Thus, a driv-
ing style calling for high demand braking
will cause your vehicle’s brakes to wear
more quickly.
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.!When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes
by shifting into a lower gear to use the
engine’s braking power. This helps pre-
vent overheating of the brakes and re-
duces brake pad wear.
Warning!
G
New vehicle brake pads and discs, and
replacement brake pads and discs may take
several hundred miles of driving until they
provide optimum braking efficiency. Until
that time, you may need to use increased
brake pedal pressure while braking. Please
be aware of this and adjust your driving and
braking accordingly during this break-in
period.
Excessive high demand braking will cause
correspondingly high brake wear. Please be
attentive to the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and brake condition mes-
sages in the multifunction display. Especial-
ly for high performance driving, it is
important to maintain and have the brake
system checked regularly.

285 Operation
At the gas station

Replace fuel cap by turning it clockwise
until it audibly engages.

Close the fuel filler flap.
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*
2Coolant level
3Brake fluid
Warning!
G
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create pres-
sure in the system which could cause a gas
discharge. This could cause the gas to spray
back out when removing the fuel pump noz-
zle, which could cause personal injury.
iOnly use premium unleaded gasoline
with a minimum Posted Octane Rating
of 91 (average of 96 RON/86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can
normally be found on the fuel pump.
More information on gasoline can be
found in the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet.iLeaving the engine running and the fuel
cap open can cause the yellow engine
malfunction indicator lamp ?
(USA only),
±
(Canada only)
to illuminate.
For more information, see the “Practi-
cal hints” section (
page 343).
iOpening the hood, see (
page 287).

286 OperationAt the gas stationWindshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system*
For more information on refilling the wash-
er reservoir, see “Windshield washer sys-
tem and headlamp cleaning system*”
(page 296).
Coolant
For more information on coolant, see
“Coolant level” (
page 294) and see “Fu-
els, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 434).Brake fluid
For information on brake fluid, see “Brake
fluid” (
page 437)Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Engine oil” (
page 288).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
“Replacing bulbs” (
page 394).
For more information, see “Switching on
headlamps” (
page 50).
Tire inflation pressure
For information on tire inflation pressure,
see “Checking tire inflation pressure”
(
page 308).
!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 immediately.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately. Do not add brake
fluid as this will not solve the problem.
For more information, see “Practical
hints” (
page 341).

332 OperationVehicle careCleaning and care of vehicle
In operation, even while parked, your vehi-
cle is subjected to varying external influ-
ences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the under-
body and cause lasting damage.Such damage is caused not only by ex-
treme and varying climatic conditions, but
also by:


Air pollution


Road salt


Tar


Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should imme-
diately remove:


Grease and oil


Fuel


Coolant


Brake fluid


Bird droppings


Insects


Tree resins, etc.
Frequent washing reduces and/or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:


near the ocean


in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)


during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the facto-
ry with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others ap-
plied later.
Warning!
G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not de-
signed for cleaning your vehicle.

341 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
;(USA only)3(Canada only)
The red brake warning
lamp comes on while
driving and you hear a
warning sound.
You are driving with the parking brake set.

Release the parking brake (
page 48).
The red brake warning
lamp comes on while
driving.
There is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir.
Risk of accident!
Carefully stop the vehicle and notify an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Do
not add brake fluid! This will not solve
the problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi-
nated can result in an accident. Have your
brake system checked immediately if the
brake warning lamp stays on. Do not add
brake fluid before checking the brake
system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir
can result in spilling brake fluid on hot en-
gine parts and the brake fluid catching fire.
You can be seriously 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.