2007 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS headlamp

498 OperationEngine compartmentThe coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.Example illustration from S 5501Cap
2Coolant expansion tank

Using a rag, turn cap1 slowly approx-
imately one half turn counterclockwise
to release any excess pressure.

Continue turning the cap counterclock-
wise 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 cap1.
For more information on coolant, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 665). Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system
The washer fluid reservoir is located on the
left-hand side of the engine compartment
when looking in the direction of travel. It
supplies the windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system* with
washer fluid.S 550 with Airmatic1Cap


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.


499 Operation
Engine compartment
Vehicles with ABC*1Cap
Fluid for the windshield washer system and
the headlamp cleaning system is supplied
from the windshield washer reservoir. It
has a capacity of approximately:

6.93 US qt (6.56 l) in vehicles
with Airmatic*


6.76 US qt (6.4 l) in vehicles with ABC*
During all seasons, add MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit” to
water. Premix the windshield washer fluid
in a suitable container.

To open washer fluid reservoir: pull
tab of cap1 upward.

Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or
commercially available premixed wind-
shield washer solvent/antifreeze, de-
pending on ambient temperatures).
Always use washer solvent/antifreeze
where temperatures may fall below
freezing point. Failure to do so could re-
sult in damage to the washer sys-
tem/reservoir.

To close washer fluid reservoir:
press cap1 onto filler hole until it en-
gages.For more information, see “Windshield and
headlamp washer system” (
page 668).
Warning!
G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze
on hot engine parts, because it may ignite
and burn. You could be seriously burned.
!
Only use washer fluid which is suitable for
plastic lenses. Improper washer fluid can dam-
age the plastic lenses of the headlamps.

530 OperationWinter drivingBefore the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service
includes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a premixed windshield washer
solvent/antifreeze which is formulated
for below freezing temperatures
(page 666).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure that the engine can be started,
even at low ambient temperatures.


Tire change.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated tires provide special winter performance.
Make sure the tires you use show the
mountain/snowflake.marking on the
tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance requirements
of the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and the Rubber Association of Can-
ada (RAC) and have been designed specif-
ically for use in snow conditions. Use of
winter tires is the only way to achieve the
maximum effectiveness of the ABS, EBP
and ESP
® in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure that all
mounted winter tires are of the same make
and have the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your
vehicle, you must place a notice to this
effect where it will be seen by the driver.
Such notices are available from your tire
dealer or from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under
1/6in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

537 Operation
Vehicle care
Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of ornamen-
tal moldings, use a damp cloth.Headlamps, tail lamps, side markers,
turn signal lenses

Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo, with plenty of water.Cleaning the DISTRONIC Plus* system
sensor cover
1DISTRONIC Plus system sensor cover

Switch off the ignition (
page 315).

Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo, with plenty of water and a
non-scratching cloth to clean sensor
cover1.
!
Do not use chrome cleaner on ornamental
moldings. Although ornamental moldings may
have chrome appearance, they could be made of
anodized aluminum that will be damaged when
cleaned with chrome cleaner. Instead, use a
damp cloth to clean those ornamental moldings.
For very dirty ornamental moldings of which you
are sure are chrome-plated, use a chrome clean-
er. If in doubt whether an ornamental molding is
chrome-plated, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
!
Only use window cleaning solutions that are
suitable for plastic lamp lenses. Window clean-
ing solutions which are not suitable may damage
the plastic lamp lenses of the headlamps. There-
fore, do not use abrasives, solvents or cleaners
that contain solvents.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the lenses.
Do not attempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the lens
surface.
!
To prevent scratches or damage, never ap-
ply strong force and only use a soft, non-scratch-
ing cloth when cleaning the sensor cover1. Do
not attempt to wipe dirty sensors with a dry cloth
or sponge.

558 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may ap-
pear in the malfunction display.
For your convenience the messages are di-
vided into two sections:

Text messages (
page 559)


Symbol messages (
page 570)
Warning!
G
All categories of messages contain impor-
tant information which should be taken note
of and, where a malfunction is indicated, ad-
dressed as soon as possible at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property dam-
age or personal injury.i
Switching on the ignition causes all instru-
ment cluster lamps (except high beam headlamp
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator lamps
unless activated) as well as the multifunction dis-
play to come on. Make sure the lamps and multi-
function display are in working order before
starting your journey.

595 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Third brake lamp
The high mounted brake lamp is malfunc-
tioning. This message will only appear if all
light emitting diodes have stopped working.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Corner. lamp,
Left
The left-hand corner-illuminating lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(page 621).
Corner. lamp,
Right
The right-hand corner-illuminating lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(page 621).
Low beam,
Left
The left low beam lamp is malfunctioning.
Bi-Xenon headlamp:
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.

596 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Low beam,
Right
The right low beam lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Active headlamps
inoperative
The active headlamps are malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
AUTO lamps
inoperative
The light sensor is malfunctioning. Daytime
driving lamps are switched on.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Turn signal,
Rear Left
The left rear turn signal lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Turn signal,
Rear Left
Substitute bulb on
The left rear turn signal lamp is malfunction-
ing. A substitute bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Turn signal,
Rear Right
The right rear turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Turn signal,
Rear Right
Substitute bulb on
The right rear turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning. A substitute bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.

621 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs
Safe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling. It is there-
fore essential that all bulbs and lamp as-
semblies are in good working order at all
times.
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for headlamp ad-
justment.
i
If the headlamps or front fog lamps are
fogged up on the inside as a result of high humid-
ity, driving the vehicle a distance with the lights
on should clear up the fogging.
i
Substitute bulbs will be brought into use
when the following lamps malfunction:


Brake lamps


Rear fog lamps


Front parking lamps


Tail lamps


Turn signal lamps
Observe the messages in the multifunction dis-
play (page 557).