16 IntroductionOperator’s ManualRoadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program provides factory trained technical
help in the event of a breakdown. Calls to
the toll-free Roadside Assistance number
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA)
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada)
will be answered by Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Representatives
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
For additional information refer to the
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Pro-
gram brochure in your vehicle literature
portfolio.Change of address or ownership
If you change your address, be sure to
send in the “Change of Address Notice”
found in the Service and Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet, or simply call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center (in the USA) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer Service (in Canada) at 1-800-387-0100. It
is in your own interest that we can contact
you should the need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all
literature with the vehicle to make it avail-
able to the next operator.
If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to
send in the “Notice of Purchase of Used
Car” found in the Service and Warranty In-
formation Booklet, or call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Cen-
ter (in the USA) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes,
or Customer Service (in Canada) at
1-800-387-0100.
Operating your vehicle outside the USA
or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that:
service facilities or replacement parts
may not be readily available,
unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat-
alytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts,
gasoline may have a considerably low-
er octane rating, and improper fuel can
cause engine damage.
Certain Mercedes-Benz models are avail-
able for delivery in Europe under our Euro-
pean Delivery Program. For details, consult
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
490 OperationAt the gas station
Take off fuel filler cap and set it in di-
rection of arrow 2 in the recess on the
inside of fuel filler flap 4.
To prevent fuel vapors from escaping
into open air, fully insert filler nozzle
unit.
Only fill your tank until the filler nozzle
unit cuts out – do not top up or over-
fill.
Replace fuel cap by turning it clockwise
until it audibly engages.
Close the fuel filler flap.
Check regularly and before a long tripExample illustration from S 5501Coolant level
2Brake fluid
3Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system
Warning!
G
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create pres-
sure in the system which could cause a gas
discharge. This could cause the gas to spray
back out when removing the fuel pump noz-
zle, which could cause personal injury.
i
Only use premium unleaded gasoline with a
minimum Posted Octane Rating of 91 (average of
96 RON/86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can normally be
found on the fuel pump.
More information on gasoline can be found in the
Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet.
i
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap
open can cause the yellow engine malfunction
indicator lamp ± to illuminate.
For more information, see the “Practical hints”
section (
page 547).
i
Opening the hood (
page 492).
654 Technical dataEngineModel
S 550 (221.171)
1
1The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for the corresponding data of all special
bodies and special equipment.
S 600 (221.176)
1
Engine
273
275
Mode of operation
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
No. of cylinders
8
12
Bore
3.86 in (98.00 mm)
3.23 in (82.00 mm)
Stroke
3.56 in (90.50 mm)
3.43 in (87.00 mm)
Total piston displacement
333.3 cu in (5461 cm
3)
336.4 cu in (5513 cm
3)
Compression ratio
10.7:1
9:1
Output acc. to SAE J 1349
2
2Premium fuel required. Performance may vary with fuel octane rating.
382 hp/6000 rpm
(285 kW/6000 rpm)
510 hp/5000 rpm
(380 kW/5000 rpm)
Maximum torque
acc. to SAE J 1349
384 lb-ft/3000 rpm
(520 Nm/3000 rpm)
612 lb-ft/1800 - 3500 rpm
(830 Nm/1800 - 3500 rpm)
Maximum engine speed
6500 rpm
5950 rpm
Firing order
1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
1-12-5-8-3-10-6-7-2-11-4-9
Poly-V-belt
2404 mm
2370 mm
662 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Front wheel hubs
All models
approx. 2.1 oz. (60 g) each
High-temperature roller bearing
grease
Brake system
All models
approx. 0.53 US qt. (0.5 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling
system
Vehicles without rear passenger
compartment climate control*
S 550
12.15 US qt. (11.5 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
Vehicles with rear passenger
compartment climate control*
S 550
13.9 US qt. (13.15 l)
S 600
14.69 US qt. (13.9 l)
Low temperature cooling system
S 600
2.75 US qt. (2.6 l)
Fuel tank
All models
23.78 US gal (90.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(Avg.of96RON/86MON)
including a reserve of
All models
2.9 US gal (11.0 l)
Air conditioning system
All models
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG
lubricant oil (never R-12)
Windshield
washer
Vehicles with ABC*
All models
6.93 US qt (6.56 l)
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
1
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit” and water for temperatures above freezing or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit” and
commercially available premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below freezing point. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 668).
Vehicles with Airmatic*
All models
6.76 US qt (6.4 l)
664 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel requirements
Use only premium unleaded fuel:
The octane number (posted at the
pump) must be 91 min. It is an average
of both the Research (R) octane num-
ber and the Motor (M) octane number:
(R+M)/2). This is also known as the
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not exceed
10%; MTBE must not exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional co-solvents.
Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains
10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline,
can be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
Warning!
G
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious
injury. Whenever you are around gasoline,
avoid inhaling fumes and skin contact, extin-
guish all smoking materials. Never allow
sparks, flame or smoking materials near
gasoline!
Switch off the engine before refueling.Warning!
G
Do not allow fuel to come into contact with
skin or clothing.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the inha-
lation of fuel vapors are damaging to health.
!
To maintain the engine’s durability and per-
formance, premium unleaded gasoline must be
used. If premium unleaded gasoline is not avail-
able and low octane fuel is used, follow these
precautions:
Have the fuel tank only partially filled with
unleaded regular and fill up with premium
unleaded as soon as possible.
Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt acceler-
ation.
Do not exceed an engine speed of 3000 rpm
if the vehicle is loaded with a light load such
as two persons and no luggage.
Do not exceed
2/3 of maximum accelerator
pedal position if the vehicle is fully loaded or
operating in mountainous terrain.
675 Technical terms
MON
(M
otor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline’s
ability to resist undesired detonation
(knocking). The average of both the
MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
MP3
The term used in everyday speech for
->MPEG1 Audio Layer 3.
MPEG1 Audio Layer 3
A means of compressing digital audio
data.
Multifunction display
Display field in the speedometer used
to present information provided by the
control system.Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for operat-
ing the control system.
Night View Assist*
Driving system that illuminates roads
with infrared light in addition to the nor-
mal headlamps and shows a
black-and-white image of the road in
the multifunction display.
Normal occupant weight
(
page 527)
Occupant distribution
(page 527)
OCS
(Occupant C
lassification S
ystem)
The Occupant Classification System
automatically turns the front passenger
front air bag on or off based on the
classified occupant weight category
determined by weight sensor readings
from the front passenger seat.Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
of the tachometer dial. Avoid this en-
gine speed range, as it may result in se-
rious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Parktronic system*
System which uses visual and acoustic
signals to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers.
Park Assist*
System which uses visual and acoustic
signals to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers.
677 Technical terms
Restraint systems
Seat belts, belt tensioners, air bags
and child restraint systems. As inde-
pendent systems, their protective func-
tions complement one another.
Rim
(
page 527)
Root directory
The uppermost directory on a storage
medium.
Run Flat Indicator
The Run Flat Indicator monitors the set
tire inflation pressures by evaluating
each wheel’s rotational speed. If a
wheel’s rotational speed changes due
to falling tire inflation pressure, a corre-
sponding warning message appears in
the ->Instrument cluster control sys-
tem.RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line’s ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as AN-
TI-KNOCK INDEX.
Sidewall
(
page 527)
SIM
(Subscriber I
dentity M
odule)
Card provided by the ->GSM telephone
service provider. Necessary for access-
ing a mobile communication network.
SMS
(S
hort M
essage S
ervice)
With this function you can receive, read
and delete short text messages (if SMS
service is provided by your carrier).SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and air bags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.
Tele Aid
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, Roadside Assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call. The Tele Aid system is oper-
ational provided that the vehicle’s
battery is charged, properly connected,
not damaged and mobile phone and
->GPS coverage is available.
Telematics
A combination of the terms “telecom-
munications” and “informatics.”
686 IndexETD 58, 672
Safety guidelines 47
Exterior lighting
Delayed switch-off (COMAND) 220
Locator lighting (COMAND) 221
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 332
Auto-dimming on the driver’s
side 334
Fold in automatically when locking
(COMAND) 222
Lower mirror when reversing
(COMAND) 222
Power folding 333
F
Favorite button 216
First aid kit 611
Flat tire 629
Jacking up the vehicle 630
Lowering the vehicle 633
Mounting the Minispare wheel 629
Preparing the vehicle 629
Flexible Service System see FSS
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 661
Brake fluid 662, 663Capacities 661
Engine coolant 497, 662, 665
Engine oil 496, 661, 663
Power steering fluid 661
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system 662, 668
Fog lamps
Messages in display 598
Replacing bulbs 622
Front air bags 49
Front lamps
Replacing bulbs 622, 623
Front lamps see headlamps
Front passenger front air bag 49
Front passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 53, 555
FSS (Canada vehicles) 532
Fuel 490, 662, 664
Additives 665
Capacity, Fuel tank 662
Filling the tank 489
Fuel filler flap and cap 489
Fuel reserve warning lamp 29, 550
Premium unleaded gasoline 490,
662, 664
Requirements, Octane rating 664Fuel cap
Message in display 591
Fuel consumption statistics
After start 245
Since last reset 245
Fuel filler flap 489
Locking/Unlocking 489
Fuel tank
Capacity 662
Filler flap 489
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Capacities 661
Fuses 645
Aids for replacing fuses 646
Fuse box in engine compartment 646
Fuse box in passenger
compartment 647
Fuse boxes in dashboard 647
Fuse chart (vehicle tool kit) 611
Fuse extractor (vehicle tool kit) 611
Replacing 645
Spare fuses (vehicle tool kit) 611