2007 MERCEDES-BENZ S550 Service F

670 Technical termsBAS Plus*
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem Plus)
A system based on radar sensors for
providing brake support in situations
where there is a risk of collision.
BAS Plus is activated in hazardous situ-
ations by stepping quickly on the brake
pedal. During the process, the brake
force is adapted depending on the
proximity to the vehicle in front.
Bead
(
page 526)
Bit
(Binary digit)
The smallest unit of digital information.
Bit rate (MP3)
Measurement of transmission speed.
Indicates the number of ->bits trans-
mitted per time unit.Bi-xenon headlamps
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-xenon headlamps produce low beam
and high beam.
B-pillar
Center connecting pillar between roof
and vehicle body (->A-pillar, ->C-pillar).
Bluetooth
Standard for short-range wireless tech-
nologies, suitable for transmitting
voice and data. It is possible to connect
Bluetooth devices wirelessly.
Bluetooth technology uses the freely
available ISM (Industrial Scientific
Medical) wireless network that works
at 2.45 GHz. Ranges of up to ten
meters are possible with Bluetooth.CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping.
CD
(C
ompact D
isc)
Digital storage medium in disc form.
CD-R
(C
ompact D
isc R
ecordable)
->CD which can be written to once and
read many times.
CD-RW
(C
ompact D
isc R
ew
ritable)
->CD which be read and written to
many times.

672 Technical termsDVD+RW
(D
igital V
ersatile D
isc R
ew
ritable)
->DVD which can be read and written
to many times.
Dynamic Rear View Monitor*
The Dynamic Rear View Monitor is an
optical parking aid. It shows you the
area behind the vehicle on the
->COMAND display. In addition, the Dy-
namic Rear View Monitor contains
guide lines to help you with reverse
parking and parallel parking. The Dy-
namic Rear View Monitor is also called
“Park Assist” in ->COMAND display.
EBP
(E
lectronic B
rake P
roportioning)
The EBP enhances braking effective-
ness by allowing the rear brakes to sup-
ply a greater proportion of the braking
effort without a loss of vehicle stability.ELCODE
(E
lectronic Code
System)
System that electronically checks
whether a person entering or driving
the vehicle is authorized to do so. It is
part of the Mercedes-Benz anti-theft
protection program.
Electric parking brake
Protects the vehicle from rolling away
when parked. The electric parking
brake is also called “Parking brake” in
->multifunction display messages.
Emergency call
This function places a call to a local
911 provider. It does not initiate a
->Tele Aid call. Please note that the
911 emergency call system is a public
service. Using it without due cause is a
criminal offense.
Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and stamped on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
®(Electronic S
tability P
rogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem’s threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRS

673 Technical terms
ETS
(E
lectronic T
raction S
ystem)
Automatically brakes spinning wheels,
thus ensuring
optimal ->traction at all times.
FAT
(F
ile A
llocation T
able)
A table used to locate files on a disk or
memory device.
FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles)
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem PLUS)
Maintenance service indicator in the
->multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. FSS evaluates en-
gine temperature, oil level, vehicle
speed, engine speed, distance driven
and the time elapsed since your last
service, and calls for the next mainte-
nance service accordingly.GAWR
(G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 526)
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.
GPS
(Global P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs DVD digital maps for
navigation.
GSM
(G
lobal S
ystem for M
obile Communica-
tion)
A standard network protocol used
throughout the world for digital cellular
communication.GVW
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
(
page 526)
GVWR
(Gross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 527)
HiP
(High P
erformance light bulbs)
Light bulbs filled with xenon which are
used in rear lamps.
ID3 tag
Additional information which may be
included in MP3 files (e.g. title, artist,
album).
Instrument cluster control system
The Instrument cluster control system
is used to call up vehicle information
and to change component settings. In-
formation and messages appear in the
->multifunction display. The driver uses
the buttons on the ->multifunction
steering wheel to navigate through the
system and to adjust settings.

674 Technical termsInstrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.
ISO9660
A standard file system for recording
data on CDs.
Joliet
Standard for recording data on CDs; an
extension of ISO 9660.
KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the
vehicle without the use of a SmartKey.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.Kilopascal (kPa)
(
page 527)
LED
(Light E
mitting D
iode)
Semiconductor element that converts
electricity directly into light.
Line of fall
The direct line that an object moves
downhill when influenced by the force
of gravity alone.
LOGIC7
® surround
Multichannel surround technology
from the professional audio industry
that plays back 5.1 and stereo record-
ings in surround sound. LOGIC7
® cre-
ates a natural 360° sound experience
on all seats.
Locking knob
Knob on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the locking knob down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Maintenance service indicator in the
->multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. The Maintenance
System in your vehicle tracks distance
driven and the time elapsed since your
last maintenance service, and calls for
the next maintenance service accord-
ingly.
Maximum load rating
(
page 527)
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(page 527)
Maximum tire inflation pressure
(page 527)
Memory function
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and exterior mirror posi-
tions.

677 Technical terms
Restraint systems
Seat belts, belt tensioners, air bags
and child restraint systems. As inde-
pendent systems, their protective func-
tions complement one another.
Rim
(
page 527)
Root directory
The uppermost directory on a storage
medium.
Run Flat Indicator
The Run Flat Indicator monitors the set
tire inflation pressures by evaluating
each wheel’s rotational speed. If a
wheel’s rotational speed changes due
to falling tire inflation pressure, a corre-
sponding warning message appears in
the ->Instrument cluster control sys-
tem.RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line’s ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as AN-
TI-KNOCK INDEX.
Sidewall
(
page 527)
SIM
(Subscriber I
dentity M
odule)
Card provided by the ->GSM telephone
service provider. Necessary for access-
ing a mobile communication network.
SMS
(S
hort M
essage S
ervice)
With this function you can receive, read
and delete short text messages (if SMS
service is provided by your carrier).SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and air bags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.
Tele Aid
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, Roadside Assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call. The Tele Aid system is oper-
ational provided that the vehicle’s
battery is charged, properly connected,
not damaged and mobile phone and
->GPS coverage is available.
Telematics
A combination of the terms “telecom-
munications” and “informatics.”

682 IndexChildren in the vehicle 61
Air bags 61
Indicator lamp front passenger front air
bag off 53, 555
Indicator lamp, front passenger front
air bag off 53
Infant and child restraint systems 62
LATCH-type child seat anchors 65
Override switch for rear passenger
compartment 67
Tether attachment points 64
Cigarette lighter 457
Cloth upholstery, Cleaning and care
of 542
Cockpit 26, 671
Cockpit management and data system see
COMAND
COMAND 671
Adjusting volume 89
Components 79
Controller 82
Display 80
Function buttons 80
Main menus 89
Menu overview 84
Navigation system 140Operating 84
Operating safety 78
Operating seats 236
Phone book* 129
Radio, FM/AM 93
Selecting sound settings 90
SMS messages 137
Surround sound 91
Switching off/on the audio
source 92
Switching on or off 79
Swiveling display 81
system settings 213
Telephone keypad* 82
Telephone menu* 115
Vehicle menu 220
Voice Control* settings 215
Combination switch 346
Corner-illuminating lamps 347
High beam 346
High beam flasher 347
Turn signals 362
Windshield wipers 351
Command list (Voice Control*) 288
Address book commands 293
Audio commands 295General commands 288
Navigation commands 290
Telephone* commands 289
Control system instrument cluster 241
Multifunction display 241
Multifunction steering wheel 242
Control system instrument cluster menus
Assistance* 252
Audio 248
Navi 246
Service 253
Settings 254
Telephone* 249
Trip 245
Vehicle status message memory 253
Controller Area Network see CAN system
Coolant 497
Adding 498
Anticorrosion/antifreeze mixing ratio
and quantity 665
Checking level 497
Messages in display 587
Temperature 488
Temperature gauge 29, 378
Coolant level
Checking 497

683 Index
Corner-illuminating lamps 347
Courtesy lighting 350
Cruise control 380, 671
Activating 381
Canceling 382
Driving downhill 382
Driving uphill 382
Message in display 559
Setting current speed 381
Setting to last stored speed (“Resume”
function) 384
Cup holder
Cleaning 541
In front seat armrest 452
In rear seat armrest 452
Curb weight 526, 671
Customer Assistance Center see CAC
D
Date
Setting (COMAND) 214
Daytime running lamp mode 344
Deceleration
With DISTRONIC Plus* 388
Deep water see Standing water
Defrosting 429Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (COMAND) 220
Interior lighting (COMAND) 226
Department of Transportation see DOT
Destination entry (COMAND) 153
Destination memory (COMAND) 195
Difficulties
While driving 362
While starting 360
Digital speedometer 246
Additional speedometer 255
Dimensions, Vehicle 660
Direction of rotation, Tires 503
Displays
Additional speedometer 255
Digital speedometer 246
DISTRONIC Plus* 387
Maintenance service indicator 532
Multifunction display 241
Vehicle status message see Multifunc-
tion display messages
Distance
Decreasing in DISTRONIC Plus* 397
Increasing in DISTRONIC Plus* 396
Setting in DISTRONIC Plus* 396
Distance to Empty (Range) 246Distance warning function*
Activating 397
Deactivating 397
Distance warning lamp 397
Intermittent warning sound 397
DISTRONIC Plus* 385
Activated 389
Activating 390
Calling up settings 389
Cleaning system sensor 537
Deactivated 389
Deactivating 395
Deceleration 388
Decreasing distance 397
Decreasing time interval 396
Displays in the speedometer dial 387
Distance warning function 397
Driving hints 397
Increasing distance 396
Increasing time interval 396
Intermittent signal tone 388
Lever 390
Menu 389
Messages in display 560
Sensor cover 537
Setting a higher speed 393

686 IndexETD 58, 672
Safety guidelines 47
Exterior lighting
Delayed switch-off (COMAND) 220
Locator lighting (COMAND) 221
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 332
Auto-dimming on the driver’s
side 334
Fold in automatically when locking
(COMAND) 222
Lower mirror when reversing
(COMAND) 222
Power folding 333
F
Favorite button 216
First aid kit 611
Flat tire 629
Jacking up the vehicle 630
Lowering the vehicle 633
Mounting the Minispare wheel 629
Preparing the vehicle 629
Flexible Service System see FSS
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 661
Brake fluid 662, 663Capacities 661
Engine coolant 497, 662, 665
Engine oil 496, 661, 663
Power steering fluid 661
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system 662, 668
Fog lamps
Messages in display 598
Replacing bulbs 622
Front air bags 49
Front lamps
Replacing bulbs 622, 623
Front lamps see headlamps
Front passenger front air bag 49
Front passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 53, 555
FSS (Canada vehicles) 532
Fuel 490, 662, 664
Additives 665
Capacity, Fuel tank 662
Filling the tank 489
Fuel filler flap and cap 489
Fuel reserve warning lamp 29, 550
Premium unleaded gasoline 490,
662, 664
Requirements, Octane rating 664Fuel cap
Message in display 591
Fuel consumption statistics
After start 245
Since last reset 245
Fuel filler flap 489
Locking/Unlocking 489
Fuel tank
Capacity 662
Filler flap 489
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Capacities 661
Fuses 645
Aids for replacing fuses 646
Fuse box in engine compartment 646
Fuse box in passenger
compartment 647
Fuse boxes in dashboard 647
Fuse chart (vehicle tool kit) 611
Fuse extractor (vehicle tool kit) 611
Replacing 645
Spare fuses (vehicle tool kit) 611