2007 MERCEDES-BENZ S550 key battery

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.

638 Practical hintsBatteriesStarter battery
Connect the switched-off charging de-
vice to the terminals of the starter bat-
tery. Observe the operating
instructions in the manual for the
charging device while doing so.
Reinstalling starter battery
Install starter battery in engine com-
partment.

Swing retaining bar down.
Reconnecting starter battery

Make sure that the consumer battery in
the trunk is correctly installed and con-
nected.

Turn SmartKey in starter switch to po-
sition 0 and remove.

Connect the positive lead and fasten its
cover2 (
page 636).

Connect negative lead1
(page 636).

Attach ventilation tube.

Switch on the ignition (
page 315).

Start the engine (
page 359).

Check vehicle functions.
!
Only use charging devices with a maximum
charging voltage of 14.8 V.
Warning!
G
During the charge procedure, there is a risk
of acid burns due to gases escaping from
the battery. Do not bend over the battery
during the charge procedure.
!
The battery and the battery ventilation hose
must always be securely installed when the vehi-
cle is in operation.
!
Always connect the starter battery in the or-
der described below. Otherwise, the vehicle’s
electronics could be damaged.
Warning!
G
Do not drive without a properly installed and
connected consumer battery.
Have any work on the consumer battery car-
ried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
!
Never invert the terminal connections.
!
Make sure that the battery has a plug where
the ventilation tube is attached to it.

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.

641 Practical hints
Jump starting

Remove red cover from positive
terminal 1.

Connect positive terminal2 of the
charged battery with positive
terminal1 of the discharged battery
with the jumper cable. Clamp cable to
charged battery2 first.

Connect negative terminal3 of
charged battery to jumper cables and
attach other end4 to a suitable
ground point on the vehicle.

Get into vehicle and start engine within
30 seconds.
If the starting attempt does not suc-
ceed: 
Turn the SmartKey in starter switch
to position 0.

Take out the SmartKey.

Turn off engine of donor vehicle, re-
start it and let it run at idle speed
for several minutes.

Disconnect the jumper cable during
this time.

Reconnect jumper cable as de-
scribed before.

Restart engine.

While the engine is running, switch off
several electrical consumers such as
the blower.

Disconnect jumper cables first from
ground point4 and negative
terminal3, then from positive
terminals1 and2.

Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!
Never invert the terminal connections.

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.

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

688 IndexInfant and child restraint systems see Chil-
dren in the vehicle
Inflation pressure see Tires
Infrared reflecting windshield 475
Inside door handle 312
Instrument cluster 28, 378, 674
Cleaning 541
Coolant temperature gauge 378
Illumination 81, 378
Lamps 544
Multifunction display 241
Outside temperature indicator 379
Selecting the language
(COMAND) 216
Interior lighting 348
Activating automatic control 349
Ambient lighting (COMAND) 225
Deactivating automatic control 349
Delayed switch-off (COMAND) 226
In the rear 350
Reading lamps in the front 349
Reading lamps in the rear 350
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 332
Auto-dimming 334Interior storage spaces see Storage com-
partments
J
Jack 612, 630
Jacking up the vehicle 630
Jump starting 639
K
Key, Mechanical 614
Loss of 311
Key, SmartKey 304
Battery check lamp 304, 305
Factory setting 305
Global locking and unlocking 305
Lock button 304
Locking and unlocking 304
Loss of 311
Messages in display 593
Opening button for trunk 304
Panic button 68
Remote control 304
Restoring to factory setting 306
Selective setting 305
Starting the engine 359
Switching on ignition with 315Turning off engine 366
Unlock button 304
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 306
Battery check lamp 306, 310
Closing, Trunk 440
Factory setting 309
Global locking and unlocking 309
Important notes on using
KEYLESS-GO* 308
Lock button 306
Locking and unlocking 306
Locking using the lock button on door
or on trunk lid 310
Loss of 311
Messages in display 592
Opening button for trunk 306
Panic button 68
Remote control 306
Restoring to factory setting 310
Selective setting 310
Starting the engine 360
Switching on ignition with 317
Turning off engine 366
Unlock button 306
Kickdown 373, 674
Kilopascal 527