253 Control systems
Instrument cluster control system
Switching on the Dynamic Rear View
Monitor* automatically
Press ( or & to select the
“Assistance” menu.
Press % or $ to select the
“Rearview camera” function.
Press #.
Press # again if you would like to
change the current status.The following settings are available:
Service menu
The “Service” menu is used for
calling up messages
checking tire inflation pressure elec-
tronically with the Advanced TPMS*
(standard on U.S. vehicles)
activating Run Flat Indicator
(Canada only)
calling up the maintenance service in-
dicator display
check engine oil level*Calling up vehicle malfunction, warning
and system status messages stored in
memory
Use the vehicle status message memory
menu to scan malfunction and warning
messages that may be stored in the sys-
tem. Such messages appear in the multi-
function display and are based on
conditions or system status the vehicle’s
system has recorded.
The vehicle status message memory menu
only appears if there are any messages
stored.
i
The image from the Dynamic Rear View
Monitor is shown on the COMAND display.
“On when in
Reverse”
The Dynamic Rear View
Monitor automatically
switches on when reverse
gear is engaged.
“OFF”
The Dynamic Rear View
Monitor is not switched on.
i
The menu overview can be found on
(
page 243).
Warning!
G
Malfunction and warning messages are only
indicated for certain systems and are inten-
tionally not very detailed. The malfunction
and warning messages are simply a remind-
er with respect to the operation of certain
systems and do not replace the owner’s
and/or driver’s responsibility to maintain
the vehicle’s operating safety by having all
required maintenance and safety checks
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.
602 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Night View Assist
Lights ON or AUTO,
not in R gear
You have tried to switch on Night View As-
sist* but the light switch is not set to *
or B.
In addition, the automatic transmission is in
positionR.
Turn the exterior lamp switch to * or
B (
page 342).
Shift the automatic transmission to P, N or D
(page 367).
Night View Assist
only when
it is dark
You have tried to switch on Night View As-
sist* by daylight.
You can only switch on Night View Assist* when
it is dark.
Engine oil level
Stop vehicle!
Switch engine off
S 600 only:
There is no oil in the engine. There is a dan-
ger of engine damage.
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt as soon
as it is safe to do so in a safe location.
Turn off the engine.
Add engine oil (
page 494) and check the
engine oil level (page 494).
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)
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.
691 Index
Cruise control 559
DISTRONIC Plus* 560
Doors 590
EBP (Electronic Brake
Proportioning) 574
Engine 547
Engine oil 494, 602
ESP
®
572, 582
Fog lamps 598
Front passenger front air bag 562
Fuel cap 591
Gear selector lever 562, 566, 567,
569, 610
Headlamps 595
Hood 591
Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 592
Lamps, exterior 595
License plate lamps 597
Light sensor 596
Night View Assist* 601
Park Assist* 566
Parking brake 576
Parking lamps 599
PRE-SAFE®
567, 572
Restraint systems 605Side marker lamps 599
SRS 605
Tail lamps 600
Tele Aid 607
Trunk 610
Turn signals 596
Windshield washer fluid 610
Multifunction steering wheel 242, 675
N
Navigation system
Menu overview (COMAND) 147
Navigation system (COMAND) 140
Basic settings 150
Destination entry 153
Destination memory 195
Detour function (COMAND) 194
Driving maneuver 185
Hiding/showing the menu
system 148
Last destinations 201
Map display 148
Operation 148
POI entry 177
Route guidance 185Navigation system (Instrument cluster
control system) 246
Driving maneuver 247
Navigation system (Voice Control*) 269
Neutral gear position, Automatic
transmission 367, 370
New vehicle break-in 478
Night View Assist* 420
Cleaning the windshield in front of the
camera 539
Dirty or fogged-up windshield 422
Image on multifunction display 421
Malfunction 423
Messages in display 601
Removing condensation 422
Switching on or off 421
Normal occupant weight 527
Number, Vehicle Identification (VIN) 652
O
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 527
692 IndexOccupant safety 44
Air bags 45
Children and air bags 61
Children in the vehicle 61
Fastening the seat belt 339
Front passenger front air bag off indica-
tor lamp 53
Infant and child restraint systems 62
LATCH-type child seat anchors 65
Seat belts 47, 339
OCS 50
Self-test 54
Odometer 245
Oil
Filler neck 497
Oil level see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting 375
Operating safety 19
Voice Control* 257
Ornamental moldings, Cleaning 537
Outside temperature indicator 29, 379
Overdue maintenance service 533
Overhead control panel 37
Override switch 67
Overspeed range, Engine 675P
Paintwork, Cleaning 535
Panic alarm
Audible alarm and flashing exterior
lamps 68
Panic button 68
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding
panel* 443
Opening/closing 444
Opening/closing in an
emergency 617
Synchronizing 446
Panorama roof with tilt/sliding panel*
Cleaning 541
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 449
Park Assist* 409
Messages in display 566
Warning indicators 411
Parking 363, 481
Parking and standing lamps
Replacing bulbs 622
Parking brake
mechanically releasing 616
Messages in display 576Parking lamps
Messages in display 599
Parking position
Exterior rear view mirrors 335
Parktronic system* 405
Parktronic*
Cleaning system sensors 538
Malfunctioning 408
System sensors 538
Warning indicators 407
Parts service 650
Passenger compartment 486
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
PCMCIA card
Ejecting (COMAND) 109
Loading (COMAND) 108
Pedals 479
Plastic and rubber parts, Cleaning 541
POIs 177
Poly-V-belt drive 653, 676
Layout 653
Potential problems associated with under-
inflated and overinflated tires 517
Power assistance 479
Power closing assist for doors and trunk
lid 313