2007 MERCEDES-BENZ S600 suspension

500 OperationTires and wheelsSee an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for information on tested and
recommended rims and tires for summer
and winter operation. They can also offer
advice concerning tire service and
purchase.
Important guidelines

Only use sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.


Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.


Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.


Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire inflation pressure loss and
damage to the tire beads.


If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
inflation pressure and correct as
required.


Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1/8in (3 mm).


When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted:

The wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged.


The operating clearance of the wheels
and the tires may no longer be correct.
Warning!
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, only use Genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can
result in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on re-
treads. The operating safety of the vehicle
cannot be assured when such tires are used.

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.

695 Index
Seat belts 55
Children in the vehicle 61
Cleaning 542
Fastening 55, 339
Force limiter 58
Messages in display 605
Proper use of 57, 341
Safety guidelines 47
Telltale 29, 55, 550
Seating capacity 505
Seats 318
adjusting front passenger seat from
driver’s seat 321
Adjustment 318
Drive-dynamic multicontour* in the
front, Adjusting (COMAND) 240
Easy entry/exit feature 328
Folding back and placing upright rear
head restraints 325
Head restraints 324
Lumbar support (COMAND) 237
Memory function 336
Multicontour* in the front, Adjusting
(COMAND) 237
Operating via COMAND 236Setting front passenger seat position
from rear 321
Ventilation* 323
Seats*
Heating 322
Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down hooks 453
Selector lever
Lock 359
Selector lever see Gear selector lever
Self-test
OCS 54
Tele Aid 462
Service and warranty information 14
Service intervals see Maintenance service
indicator
Service life, Tires 501
Service see Maintenance
Service system see FSS (Canada vehicles)
or Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Service, Parts 650
Setting
Cruise control 381
DISTRONIC Plus* time interval 396
Following distance in DISTRONIC
Plus* 396Higher speed in cruise control 383
Higher speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 393
Lower speed in cruise control 383
Lower speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 394
Slower speed in cruise control 383
Slower speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 394
Speed in DISTRONIC Plus* 393
Suspension tuning (ABC*) 403
Temperature (interior) 429
Temperature (rear passenger
compartment) 435
To last stored speed (“Resume” func-
tion) in cruise control 384
To last stored speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* (“Resume” function) 395
Vehicle level control (ABC*) 403
Setting current speed 381
Settings
Calling up DISTRONIC Plus* 389
Control system instrument cluster
menus 254
Resetting trip odometer 246

696 IndexShelf below rear window, Cleaning and
care of 542
Shift program mode, Automatic
transmission 374
Shifting, Automatic transmission 367
Side impact air bags 49
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses 537
Messages in display 599
Side windows see Power windows
Sidewall 527, 677
Sirius satellite radio* (COMAND) 98
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* see Key,
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
SMS messages 137
Snow chains 531
Spare fuses 646
Spare wheel see Minispare wheel
Speed
Setting current 381
Setting to last stored speed in DIS-
TRONIC Plus* (“Resume”
function) 395Speed settings
Cruise control 383
DISTRONIC Plus* 393, 394
To last stored speed (“Resume” func-
tion) in Cruise control 384
Speedometer
Displays 387
SRS 57, 677
Indicator lamp 552
Messages in display 605
Standing water, Driving through 485
Starter battery 636
Starter switch 315
Positions 315
Starting difficulties, Engine 360
Starting, Engine 359
Steering column 330
Steering wheel
Adjustment 330
Cleaning 542
Easy entry/exit feature 328
Heated steering wheel* 331
Power steering fluid 661
Steering wheel gearshift control
Automatic transmission 375Stolen Vehicle Recovery services 469
Storage compartments 448
Cup holder 452
Front armrest 448
Parcel net 449
Rear armrest 450
Ruffled storage pockets 451
Storage compartment in front of
armrest 448
Under the front seats 449
Storing tires 502
Summer opening feature 355
Sun visors 455
Sunroof see Power tilt/sliding sunroof
Sunshades
Extending or retracting rear window
sunshade (COMAND) 227
Extending/retracting rear window
sunshade 456
Opening or closing rear side window
sunshades 355
Supplemental Restraint System see SRS
Suspension tuning
Setting (ABC*) 403