2007 MERCEDES-BENZ S550 Page 661

491 Operation
At the gas station
Windshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system
For more information on refilling the wash-
er reservoir, see “Windshield washer sys-
tem and headlamp cleaning system”
(page 498).
Coolant
For more information on coolant, see
“Coolant level” (
page 497) and see “Fu-
els, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 661).Brake fluid
For information on brake fluid, see “Brake
fluid” (
page 663)
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Engine oil” (
page 494).Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
“Replacing bulbs” (
page 621).
For more information, see “Lighting”
(
page 342).
Tire inflation pressure
For information on tire inflation pressure,
see “Checking tire inflation pressure”
(page 511).
!
If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks immediately. Notify an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Do not add brake fluid as this will not solve the
problem. For more information, see “Practical
hints” (page 545).

495 Operation
Engine compartment

If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil (
page 496).
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (page 661) and
(
page 663).
Other display messages
If the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO* start/
stop button is not in position 2, the follow-
ing message will appear:
For engine oil level,
turn on ignition

Switch on the ignition (
page 315).
If you see the message
Waiting period for,
engine oil level
not complete

If engine is at operating temperature,
wait 5 minutes before repeating check
procedure.

If engine is not at operating tempera-
ture yet, wait 30 minutes before
repeating check procedure.
If you see the message
Engine oil level
Not when engine on

Turn off the engine.

If the engine is at operating tempera-
ture, wait 5 minutes before checking
oil.

If the engine is not at operating temper-
ature yet, you must wait 30 minutes
before checking oil.
If there is excess engine oil with the engine
at operating temperature, the following
message will appear:
Engine oil level
Reduce oil level

Have excess oil siphoned or drained
off. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.For more information on messages in the
multifunction display concerning engine
oil, see the “Practical hints” section
(
page 602).
Checking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick (S 550)
When checking the oil level


the vehicle must be parked on level
ground


with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been sta-
tionary for at least 5 minutes with the
engine turned off


with the engine not at operating tem-
perature yet, the vehicle must have
been stationary for at least 30 minutes
with the engine turned off
!
Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off.
It could cause damage to the engine and catalyt-
ic converter (gasoline engine) not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

496 OperationEngine compartmentTo check the engine oil level with the oil
dipstick, do the following:
Open the hood (
page 492).
S 5501Oil dipstick
2Upper mark
3Lower mark
Pull out oil dipstick1.

Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.

Fully insert oil dipstick1 into the dip-
stick guide tube.

Pull out oil dipstick1 again after ap-
proximately 3 seconds to obtain accu-
rate reading.The oil level is correct when it is between
lower mark3 (min.) and upper mark2
(max.) mark of the oil dipstick.

If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil (
page 496).
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (page 661) and
(
page 663).
For more information on messages in the
multifunction display concerning engine
oil, see the “Practical hints” section
(page 602).Adding engine oil
i
The filling quantity between the upper and
lower marks on the oil dipstick is approximately
2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).
!
Only use approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles).
For a listing of approved engine oils and oil fil-
ters, refer to the Factory Approved Service Prod-
ucts pamphlet in your vehicle literature portfolio,
or contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specification
other than those expressly required for the Main-
tenance System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS
(Canada vehicles), or changing of oil and oil filter
at change intervals longer than those called for
by the Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles) will result in engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Parts of the engine can become very hot. To
prevent burns, only touch the components
described in the Operator’s Manual and
comply with all relevant safety precautions.

497 Operation
Engine compartment
Example illustration from S 5501Filler cap
Unscrew filler cap1 from filler neck.

Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.

Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.For more information on engine, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 661) and
(
page 663).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the automatic transmission.Active Body Control* (ABC*) fluid level
Regular fluid level check is not required. If
you notice fluid leaks or malfunction mes-
sages in the multifunction display, have an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check
the ABC-system.
Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
!
Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off.
It will cause damage to the engine and catalytic
converter not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.


Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.