2007 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS tires

ContentsOperation......................................... 477
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 478
Driving instructions ............................ 479
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 479
Drinking and driving ..................... 479
Pedals .......................................... 479
Power assistance ......................... 479
Brakes .......................................... 480
Driving off..................................... 481
Parking ......................................... 481
Tires ............................................. 482
Hydroplaning ................................ 483
Tire traction .................................. 483
Tire speed rating .......................... 484
Winter driving instructions ........... 484
Standing water ............................. 485
Passenger compartment .............. 486
Driving abroad .............................. 486
Control and operation of radio
transmitters.................................. 486
Catalytic converter ....................... 487
Emission control........................... 488
Coolant temperature .................... 488At the gas station .............................. 489
Refueling ...................................... 489
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 490
Engine compartment ......................... 492
Hood ............................................ 492
Engine oil ..................................... 494
Transmission fluid level ................ 497
Active Body Control* (ABC*)
fluid level...................................... 497
Coolant level ................................ 497
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 498
Tires and wheels ................................ 500
Important guidelines .................... 500
Tire care and maintenance ........... 501
Direction of rotation ..................... 503
Loading the vehicle ...................... 503
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 509
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 511
Tire labeling.................................. 518
Load identification ....................... 521DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 522
Maximum tire load ....................... 523
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 523
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 524
Tire ply material ........................... 525
Tire and loading terminology........ 526
Rotating tires ............................... 529
Winter driving .................................... 530
Winter tires .................................. 530
Snow chains................................. 531
Maintenance...................................... 532
Maintenance service indicator
message ...................................... 532
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display .............. 533
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 533
Vehicle care....................................... 534
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 534

ContentsTechnical data.................................. 649
Parts service ...................................... 650
Warranty coverage ............................. 651
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 651
Identification labels............................ 652
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 653
S 550 ........................................... 653
S 600 ........................................... 653
Engine ................................................ 654
Rims and tires .................................... 655
Same size tires ............................. 656
Mixed size tires ............................ 657
Minispare wheel ........................... 658
Electrical system................................ 659
Main dimensions and weights............ 660
Main dimensions .......................... 660
Weights ........................................ 660Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 661
Capacities .................................... 661
Engine oils.................................... 663
Engine oil additives ...................... 663
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 663
Brake fluid .................................... 663
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 664
Fuel requirements ........................ 664
Gasoline additives ........................ 665
Coolants....................................... 665
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ............................. 668
Technical terms............................... 669Index................................................. 679

19 Introduction
Operating safety
Operating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:

the safety precautions in this manual


the “Technical data” section in this
manual


traffic rules and regulations


motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are in-
terconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other sys-
tems. Electronic malfunctions could seri-
ously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires/wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage and impair the
operating safety of your vehicle. If you feel a
sudden significant vibration or ride distur-
bance, or you suspect that damage to your
vehicle has occurred, you should turn on
your hazard warning flashers, carefully slow
down, and drive with caution to an area
which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires/wheels for possible damage. If the ve-
hicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair fa-
cility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning!
G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself. Re-
moval of any of these labels may cause you
and others to be unaware of certain risks
which may result in an accident and/or per-
sonal injury.

25 At a glance
Exterior view
Item
Page
1
Trunk

Unlocking


Opening and closing


Minispare wheel


Vehicle tool kit
436
436
629
611
2
Rear lamps
622
3
Rear window, defrosting
430
4
Fuel filler flap
Gasoline
489
664
5
Doors

Locking and unlocking


Opening and closing
304
312
Item
Page
6
Exterior rear view mirror
Parking position
334
335
7
Towing eye bolt
General information
644
642
8
Rims and tires

Checking tire inflation
pressure


Minispare wheel


Flat tire
655
511
613
629
9
Hood, opening
Engine oil
Coolant
492
494
497
Item
Page
a
Headlamp cleaning system
346
b
Front lamps
622
c
Windshield wipers
Wiper blades, replacing
Wiper blades, cleaning
351
627
540
d
Window, cleaning
540
e
Roofs

Power tilt/sliding sunroof


Panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel*
441
443

69 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems
This section contains information about
Adaptive Brake Lights as well as the follow-
ing driving safety systems:

ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)


Adaptive Brake


BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)


BAS Plus* (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem Plus*)


EBP (E
lectronic B
rake P
roportioning)


ESP
® (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)


ETS (E
lectronic T
raction S
ystem)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re-
spond even to light brake pressure.
The - indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 28) comes on when you
switch on the ignition (
page 315). It goes
out when the engine is running.
Braking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is in
the regulating mode.

Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal while experiencing the pul-
sation.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of ac-
cidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS, BAS Plus*, EBP, ESP
® and
ETS cannot reduce this risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.i
In winter operation, the maximum effective-
ness of the ABS, Adaptive Brake, BAS,
BAS Plus*, EBP, ESP
® and ETS is only achieved
with winter tires (
page 530), or snow chains
as required.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.

70 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsThe pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.
Emergency brake maneuver
Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 544).
Adaptive Brake
Adaptive Brake provides a high level of
braking safety as well as increased braking
comfort.Adaptive Brake Lights (S 600 and
USA only)
Depending on vehicle production date the
brake lamps flash in quick intervals while
you are braking in order to signal to cars
behind you that

you are braking strongly at a speed of
more than 30 mph (50 km/h)


you are braking with the aid of BAS or
BAS Plus*
If you bring the car to a complete stop by
hard braking at a speed of more than
40 mph (70 km/h), the hazard warning
flasher automatically comes on as soon as
the vehicle is at a standstill. While the vehi-
cle is stationary, the brake lamps are con-
tinuously lit up. Once you drive faster than
6 mph (10 km/h) afterward, the hazard
warning flasher goes out.
Warning!
G
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the BAS,
BAS Plus*, ESP
® and ETS are also switched
off.
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability and extending the brak-
ing distance.
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency
beyond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction af-
forded. The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, atten-
tive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents.
The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dan-
gerous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.

71 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
BAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing the braking distance.
Apply continuous full braking pressure
until the emergency braking situation is
over.
The ABS will prevent the wheels from
locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
section (
page 544).
BAS Plus*
BAS Plus operates in emergency braking
situations and uses radar sensors to as-
sess the traffic situation.When you step quickly on the brake pedal
in an emergency braking situation,
BAS Plus automatically regulates the
brake pressure to a level that is suitable for
the traffic situation.
If BAS Plus requires a particularly high
brake pressure, PRE-SAFE
® is activated at
the same time.

Step on the brake pedal until the emer-
gency braking situation is over.
During this process, ABS prevents the
wheels from locking up.
Once you take your foot off the brake ped-
al or when there is no longer a risk of colli-
sion, the brake pedal functions again as
usual. BAS Plus is deactivated.
EBP
The Electronic Brake Proportioning (EBP)
enhances braking effectiveness by allow-
ing the rear brakes to supply a greater pro-
portion of the braking effort in straight line
breaking without a loss of vehicle stability.
Warning!
G
When the BAS is malfunctioning, the brake
system is still functioning normally, but with-
out the additional brake boost available that
BAS would normally provide in an emergen-
cy braking maneuver. Therefore, the braking
distance may increase.
Warning!
G
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking efficiency beyond that af-
forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes
and tires or the traction afforded. The BAS
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, fol-
lowing another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of a BAS equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dan-
gerous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.

72 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsESP
®
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP
®) is
operational as soon as the engine is run-
ning and monitors the vehicle’s traction
(force of adhesive friction between the
tires and the road surface) and handling.
The ESP
® recognizes when a wheel is spin-
ning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By ap-
plying brakes to the appropriate wheel and
by limiting the engine output, the ESP
® works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP
® is
especially useful while driving off and on
wet or slippery road surfaces. The ESP®
also stabilizes the vehicle during braking
maneuvers.
The ESP
® warning lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster flashes when the ESP
® is en-
gaged.
The ESP
® warning lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster comes on when you switch on
the ignition (
page 315). It goes out when
the engine is running.
Warning!
G
When the EBP is malfunctioning, the ABS,
BAS, BAS Plus*, ESP
® and ETS are also
switched off.
If the EBP is malfunctioning, the brake sys-
tem will still function with full brake boost.
However, the rear wheels could lock up dur-
ing emergency braking situations, for exam-
ple. You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident. Adapt your driving style
to the changed driving characteristics.
Warning!
G
Never switch off the ESP
® when you see the
ESP
® warning lamp v flashing in the in-
strument cluster. In this case proceed as fol-
lows:


While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.


While driving ease up on the accelera-
tor.


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP
® cannot prevent accidents result-
ing from excessive speed.
Warning!
G
The ESP
® cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
®
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ESP
® equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.
i
DISTRONIC Plus* is switched off when the
ESP® engages.