2007 MERCEDES-BENZ S550 Auto Start

629 Practical hints
Flat tire
Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle in a safe distance from
moving traffic on a hard, flat surface
when possible.

Turn on the hazard warning flashers.

Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight ahead
position.

Shift the automatic transmission toP.

Turn off the engine (
page 365).

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Vehicles with SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*:
Turn off the engine by pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* button once
(page 366).

Open the driver’s door (this puts
the starter switch in position0,
same as with the SmartKey re-
moved from the starter switch). The
driver’s door then can be closed
again.

Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Mounting the Minispare wheel
i
Open the door only when conditions are safe
to do so.
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the Minispare wheel are
different from those of the road wheels. As
a result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a Minispare wheel
mounted. Adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.
The Minispare wheel is for temporary use
only. When driving with Minispare wheel
mounted, ensure proper tire inflation
pressure and do not exceed a vehicle speed
of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible to have the Minispare
wheel replaced with a regular road wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one Minispare wheel mounted.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a Minis-
pare wheel is mounted.

634 Practical hintsBatteriesYour vehicle is equipped with two batter-
ies:

The starter battery (located in the en-
gine compartment)


The battery for electrical consumers
(located in the trunk)
The batteries should always be sufficiently
charged in order to achieve its rated ser-
vice life. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for
battery maintenance intervals.
If you use your vehicle mostly for short-dis-
tance trips, you will need to have the bat-
tery charge checked more frequently.
When replacing the batteries, always use
batteries approved by Mercedes-Benz.
If you do not intend to operate your vehicle
for an extended period of time, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center about
steps you need to observe.Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12-volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
!
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries.
Risk of explosion.
Fire, open flames and smoking
are prohibited when handling
batteries. Avoid creating sparks.
Battery acid is caustic. Do not
allow it to come into contact
with skin, eyes or clothing.
Wear suitable protective cloth-
ing, especially gloves, apron and
faceguard.
Wear eye protection.
Rinse any acid spills immediate-
ly with clear water. Contact a
physician if necessary.
Keep children away.
Follow the instructions in this
Operator’s Manual.

637 Practical hints
Batteries
Switching off vehicle’s internal electri-
cal functions
Shift the automatic transmission toP.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Turn SmartKey in starter switch to po-
sition 0.

Turn SmartKey in starter switch to po-
sition 1.

Wait for 30 seconds.
The vehicle’s internal electrical func-
tions are switched off.

Turn SmartKey in starter switch to po-
sition 0.Disconnecting starter battery

Open the hood (
page 492).

Use a 10-mm open-end wrench to dis-
connect the battery negative lead.

Remove cover2 (
page 636) from
the positive terminal.

Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Removing starter battery
Pull out the battery ventilation hose
from the battery (depending on battery
arrangement in your vehicle model, the
ventilation hose is located either on the
left or right side of the battery).

Fold bar on starter battery up.

Take out the starter battery.
Charging battery
i
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: remove the
KEYLESS-GO button (
page 316) and use the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO like a normal
SmartKey.
!
Do not remove the SmartKey!
i
For your convenience, have the starter bat-
tery removed by a Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
An accessory battery charge unit specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available, permitting the charging of the bat-
tery in its installed position. Contact an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information and availability. Charge battery
in accordance with the separate instruc-
tions for the accessory battery charger.i
Have the batteries charged by a
Mercedes-Benz Center. If you charge the batter-
ies yourself, follow the operating instructions for
your charging device.

640 Practical hintsJump startingJump starting should only be performed on
the starter battery. The starter battery is
located in the engine compartment on the
passenger side (
page 634).

Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Secure vehicle in place with electric
parking brake.

Shift the automatic transmission toP.

Turn off all electrical consumers, ex-
cept hazard warning flashers or work
lights.

Open the hood (
page 492).

Start the engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.1Positive terminal of your vehicle’s
battery
2Positive terminal of other vehicle’s
battery
3Negative terminal of other vehicle’s
battery
4Negative clamp
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 634).
i
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: remove the
KEYLESS-GO button (
page 316) and use the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO like a normal
SmartKey.

642 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleMercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment. This method is pref-
erable to other types of towing.
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised only so far as necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.!
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!
Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment
with SmartKey in starter switch turned to posi-
tion 0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports.
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie
down vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Switch off the ESP
® (page 73), the tow-away
alarm (
page 76) and the automatic central
locking (page 313).
If the vehicle’s transmission is damaged, only
have it towed with the drive shaft disconnected.
!
Make sure that the electric parking brake is
released. If the electric parking brake is malfunc-
tioning, release it mechanically (
page 616).
!
In vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, insert the
SmartKey into the starter switch under the
KEYLESS-GO button and turn the SmartKey in
the starter switch to 0.
!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle
raised, the engine must be shut off (SmartKey in
starter switch starter switch position 0 or 1).
Otherwise the ESP
®/ETS will immediately be en-
gaged and will apply the rear wheel brakes.
While towing, the battery must be connected and
charged. Otherwise:


you will not be able to switch on the ignition


you will not be able to engage the automatic
transmission in position N
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the automatic transmission must be
shifted to N and the SmartKey must be in starter
switch position2.
In vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*, you must use the
starter switch under the KEYLESS-GO* button
(
page 315).
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground or the front axle raised, the vehicle may
be towed only for distances up to 30 miles
(50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
!
To be certain to avoid a possibility of dam-
age to the drivetrain, however, we recommend
the drive shaft be disconnected at the rear axle
drive flange for any towing beyond a short tow to
a nearby garage.

643 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the brake sys-
tem


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position 2 and automatic
locking is deactivated (
page 223).
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.i
The automatic transmission will remain
locked in position P and the SmartKey will not
turn in the starter switch if the consumer battery
is disconnected or discharged. See information
on the battery (
page 634) or on jump starting
(
page 639).
i
To signal turns while being towed with the
hazard warning flasher in use, turn SmartKey in
starter switch to position 2 and activate the com-
bination switch for the left or right turn signal in
the usual manner – only the selected turn signal
will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warn-
ing flasher will operate again.
!
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, please note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the SmartKey in starter switch position 2, or
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button (
page 317)
in position 2, the vehicle doors lock if the left
front wheel as well as the right rear wheel are
turning at vehicle speeds of approximately
9mph (15km/h) or more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm (
page 76).
To prevent the vehicle doors from locking, deac-
tivate the automatic central locking
(
page 313).
Towing of the vehicle should only be done using
the properly installed towing eye bolt. Never at-
tach tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to vehicle
chassis, frame or suspension parts.

679 Index
A
ABC* 403
Messages in display 570
Setting vehicle level 403
ABS 69
Indicator lamp 29, 69, 544
Messages in display 572
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 373
Accessory weight 526
Accident 363
Active headlamps 342
Adaptive Brake Lights (S 600 and USA
only) 70
Adaptive Damping System
(Airmatic) 401
Additional turn signals 622
Address book (COMAND) 202
Calling up 202
Changing an entry 207
Creating an entry 203
Deleting an entry 204
Details about an entry 206
Displaying details about an entry in the
phone book on the mobile
phone 207Importing data 212
Making a call 209
Menu overview 202
Searching for an entry 204
Starting route guidance 209
Voice entry 210
Address book (Voice Control*) 279
Adjustable air vents, rear passenger
compartment 434
ADS (Airmatic) 401
Air bags 45
Children 61
Front 49
Front passenger front air bag indicator
lamp 53
OCS 50
Safety guidelines 47
Side impact 49
Window curtain 49, 50
Air conditioning, Refrigerant 662, 663
Air distribution
Adjusting 435
Adjusting (COMAND) 230
Air pressure 526
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air recirculation mode 431Air vents 433
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 434
Air volume
Adjusting 429, 435
Adjusting (COMAND) 230
Airmatic 401
Messages in display 585
Setting vehicle level 401
Alarm
Audible alarm and flashing exterior
lamps (Panic alarm) 68
Alarm system see Anti-theft alarm system
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 611,
631, 669
Ambient lighting
COMAND menu 225
Antiglare
Rear view mirrors 334
Anti-theft systems 75
Alarm, visual and audible 75
Anti-theft alarm system 75
Immobilizer 75
Tow-away alarm 76
Tow-away alarm (COMAND) 228

680 IndexAquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest 448, 450
Ashtrays 456
Aspect ratio 526
Audio (COMAND) 104
CD mode 111
DVD mode 111
MP3 mode 111
Audio (Control system instrument
cluster) 248
CD changer 249
DVD changer 249
Audio DVD
Fast forward/rewind (COMAND) 113
Menu overview (COMAND) 110
Pause function (COMAND) 112
Stop function (COMAND) 112
Auto-dimming, Rear view mirrors 334
Automatic climate control 424
Adjusting air distribution
(COMAND) 230
Adjusting air flow from air vents
(COMAND) 233
Adjusting air volume (COMAND) 230
Adjusting the footwell temperature
(COMAND) 232Air recirculation mode 431
Central climate control menu
(COMAND) 231
Central menu for rear climate control*
(COMAND) 234
Defrosting 429
Operating the rear climate control*
from the front 234
Operating via COMAND 229
Rear window defroster 430
Selecting Mono mode
(COMAND) 232
Setting temperature (COMAND) 230
Setting the temperature 429
Setting the temperature in the rear
passenger compartment 435
Switching cooling on or off
(COMAND) 231
Automatic headlamp mode 255, 343
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 349
Automatic locking when driving 313
Automatic shift program 374
Automatic transmission
Accelerator position 373
Automatic shift program 374Emergency operation (limp-home
mode) 377
Fluid 661
Fluid level 497
Gear ranges 372
Gear selector lever 367
Gear shifting malfunctions 377
Hill start assist system 374
Kickdown 373
Program mode selector switch 374
Shifting procedure 369
Starting the engine 359
Steering wheel gearshift control 375
Transmission fluid 497
Transmission positions 370
B
Backup lamps
Replacing bulbs 622
Bar 526
BAS 71
Batteries, SmartKey
Checking battery condition 311
Replacing 619
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking battery condition 311
Replacing 619