639 Practical hints
Jump starting
Jump starting
If the starter battery is discharged, the en-
gine can be started with jumper cables and
the battery of another vehicle. Observe the
following:
Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.
Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.
Only use 12-volt battery to jump start
y o ur ve h i c l e . J u m p s t a r t i n g w i t h a m o r e
powerful battery could damage the ve-
hicle’s electrical system, which will not
be covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.
Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.
Always make sure that the jumper ca-
bles are not on or near pulleys, fans or
other parts that move when an engine
is started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!
Jump starting should only be performed on
the starter battery installed in the engine com-
partment.
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine using a bat-
tery quick charge unit.
If engine does not run after several unsuccessful
starting attempts, have it checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by repeated
failed starting attempts may damage the catalyt-
ic converter and may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not have loose
or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not touch any
other metal part while the other end is still at-
tached to a battery.
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.
645 Practical hintsFuses
Fuses
The electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to
switch off malfunctioning power circuits.
If a fuse is blown, the component(s) and
systems secured by that fuse will stop op-
erating.
The following aids are available to help you
replace fuses (
page 646):
Fuse chart
Spare fuses
Special fuse extractorThe electrical fuses are located in different
fuse boxes:
In the dashboard on the passenger side
(page 647)
In the dashboard on the driver’s side
(page 647)
Behind the rear center armrest
(page 647)
In the engine compartment on the driv-
er’s side (
page 646)
In the engine compartment on the pas-
senger side (
page 647)
i
Blown fuses must be replaced by like fuses
(recognizable by the color and amperage) with
the amperage recommended in the fuse alloca-
tion chart. A Mercedes-Benz Center will be hap-
py to advise you.
Only change fuses while the vehicle is parked.
First switch off all electrical consumers and turn
off the ignition.
Warning!
G
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system
in question. Using other fuses may cause an
overload leading to a fire, and/or cause
damage to electrical components and/or
systems.!
Keep the fuse boxes free by contamination
and wetness. Otherwise, electrical parts or sys-
tems could be damaged.
!
Never attempt to repair or bridge a blown
fuse. Have the cause determined and remedied
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!
Switch off the vehicle’s internal electrical
functions (
page 637) when you are working on
the fuses.
653 Technical data
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
S 550
1Idler pulley
2Idler pulley
3Automatic belt tensioner
4ABC* tandem pump (pump for
power-steering assistance and ABC*
chassis)
5Air conditioning compressor
6Crankshaft
7Coolant pump
8Generator (alternator)
S 600
1Automatic belt tensioner
2ABC tandem pump (pump for
power-steering assistance and ABC
chassis)
3Air conditioning compressor
4Crankshaft
5Coolant pump
6Generator (alternator)
7Idler pulley
8Idler pulley
9Idler pulley
661 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore use only
products tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Please refer to the Factory Approved Ser-
vice Products pamphlet, or inquire at your
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Comply with all valid regulations with re-
spect to handling, storing and disposing of
service fluids. Otherwise you could endan-
ger persons or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of chil-
dren.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a phy-
sician immediately.
Warning!
G
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious
injury. Never allow sparks, flame or smoking
materials near gasoline!
Do not allow fuel to come into contact with
skin or clothing. Direct skin contact with fu-
els and the inhalation of fuel vapors are
damaging to health.
Switch off the engine before refueling.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter
S 550
S 600
8.98 US qt. (8.5 l)
9.51 US qt. (9.0 l)
Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission
S 550
S 600
10.36 US qt. (9.8 l)
8.14 US qt. (7.7 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear axle
S 550
1.27 US qt. (1.2 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
S600
2.11 US qt. (2.0 l)
Hydraulic system for ADS or ABC
All models
4.2 US qt. (4.0 l)
MB Hydraulic Fluid
Power steering
S 550
approx. 1.06 US qt. (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid
(Pentosin CHF 11S)
S 600
approx. 1.27 US qt. (1.2 l)
665 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufac-
turers is carbon build-up caused by gaso-
line. Mercedes-Benz recommends only the
use of quality gasoline containing additives
that prevent the build-up of carbon depos-
its.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives, carbon deposits
can build up especially on the intake valves
and in the combustion area, leading to en-
gine performance problems such as:
Warm-up hesitation
Unstable idle
Knocking/pinging
Misfire
Power lossIn areas where carbon deposits may be en-
countered due to lack of availability of gas-
olines which contains these additives,
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of
additives approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Refer to Factory
Approved Service Products Pamphlet for a
listing of approved product(s). Follow di-
rections on product label.
Do not blend other fuel additives with fuel.
This only results in unnecessary cost and
may be harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunction resulting from
poor fuel quality or from blending addition-
al fuel additives other than those tested
and approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles listed in the Fac-
tory Approved Service Products Pamphlet
are not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which pro-
vides:
Corrosion protection
Freeze protection
Boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately –22°F (–30°C) and cor-
rosion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
–22°F (–30°C), the boiling point of the
coolant in the pressurized cooling system
is reached at approximately 266°F
(130°C).
671 Technical terms
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.
Cold tire inflation pressure
(
page 526)
COMAND
(Cockpit M
anagement and D
ata Sys-
tem)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and navi-
gation system, as well as other optional
equipment (CD changer, telephone*,
etc.).
C-pillar
The C-pillar is the rear connecting pillar
between the roof and the vehicle body
(->B-pillar, ->C-pillar).Cruise control
Driving convenience system that auto-
matically maintains the vehicle speed
set by the driver.
Curb weight
(
page 526)
DISTRONIC Plus*
A driving convenience cruise control
system which helps the driver maintain
a pre-selected speed:
If there is no vehicle directly ahead,
the system operates in the same
way as conventional ->cruise con-
trol.
If a slower moving vehicle is ahead,
DISTRONIC Plus will reduce your
vehicle speed to the extent permit-
ted by reduced throttle and up to
20% braking power to maintain the
preset minimum following distance.DOT
(D
epartment o
f T
ransportation)
(
page 526)
DVD
(Digital V
ersatile D
isc)
Digital storage medium for storing
large amounts of data, e.g. movies.
DVD-R
(D
igital V
ersatile D
isc R
ecordable)
->DVD which can be written to once
and read many times.
DVD+R
(D
igital V
ersatile D
isc R
ecordable)
->DVD which can be written to once
and read many times.
DVD-RW
(D
igital V
ersatile D
isc R
ew
ritable)
->DVD which can be read and written
to many times.
676 Technical termsPCMCIA
(P
ersonal C
omputer M
emory C
ard
I
nternational A
ssociation)
Portable memory cards designed to be
inserted into laptop computers to en-
able additional functions.
PIN code
(P
ersonal I
dentification N
umber code)
Your PIN code prevents unauthorized
persons from using your ->GSM mobile
phone. The PIN code is a number
string, which you have to enter when
switching on the telephone.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing:
Engine
Clutch/torque converter
Transmission
Transfer case
Drive shaft
Differential
Axle shafts/axles
PRE-SAFE
®
(Pre
ventive Occupant Safe
ty System)
Vehicles equipped with PRE-SAFE
®
take preventive measures when the
system senses certain driving dynam-
ics suggesting a possible accident.
Production options weight
(
page 527)Program mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic transmis-
sion between standard operationS and
comfort operationC.
PSI
(P
ounds per s
quare i
nch)
(
page 527)
PUK
(Personal U
nblocking K
ey)
Must be entered if the wrong ->PIN was
entered three consecutive times.
Recommended tire inflation pressure
(
page 527)
REST
(Residual engine heat utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the vehi-
cle interior for a short time after the en-
gine has been turned off.