2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class steering wheel

739 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing with all wheels on the ground

Switch on the ignition.

Shift the automatic transmission to
neutral positionN.

If engaged, manually release the
electronic parking brake.
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
system


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
This is necessary to adequately control the
towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
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.
!
Keep in mind that it is important to have the
ignition switched on. As soon as the SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch or the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* is removed from the vehicle,
the automatic transmission will shift to park
positionP.
!
The vehicle may be towed only for distances
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to ex-
ceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
i
To signal turns while being towed with the
hazard warning flasher in use, the ignition must
be switched on. You can then 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.

766 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Rear axle
S63 AMG
1.27 US qt. (1.2 l)
Fuchs Titan EG 5010 D
S65 AMG
1.69 US qt. (1.6 l)
Hydraulic system ABC*
All models ex-
cept vehicles
with 4MATIC
4.2 US qt. (4.0 l)
MB ABC Fluid
Power steering
S 450 4MATIC
1
S 550
S 550 4MATIC
approx. 1.06 US qt. (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid
(Chevron Texaco PSF 9109)
1
1For detailed information, please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
S600
approx. 1.27 US qt. (1.2 l)
S63 AMG
approx. 1.06 US qt. (1.0 l)
S65 AMG
approx. 1.27 US qt. (1.2 l)
Front wheel hubs
All models ex-
cept vehicles
with 4MATIC
2
2Vehicles with 4MATIC: All wheel hubs have a lifelong greasing and therefore do not need to be greased.
approx. 3.6 oz. (95 g) each
High-temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
All models
approx. 0.63 US qt. (0.6 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)

776 IndexAspect ratio 606
Audio (COMAND) 116
CD mode 124
DVD mode 124
MP3 mode 124
Audio (Control system
instrument cluster) 294
CD changer 295
CD/DVD changer 295
DVD changer 295
Audio AUX (COMAND) 129
Audio DVD
Fast forward/rewind (COMAND) 127
Menu overview (COMAND) 123
Pause function (COMAND) 125
Stop function (COMAND) 125
Auto-dimming, Rear view mirrors 390
Automatic climate control 501
Adjusting air distribution
(COMAND) 275
Adjusting air flow from air vents
(COMAND) 279
Adjusting air volume (COMAND) 275
Adjusting the footwell temperature
(COMAND) 278Air recirculation mode 506
Central climate control menu
(COMAND) 276
Central menu for rear climate control*
(COMAND) 280
Defrosting 504
Operating the rear climate control*
from the front 279
Operating via COMAND 273
Rear window defroster 506
Selecting Mono mode
(COMAND) 277
Setting temperature (COMAND) 274
Setting the temperature 504
Setting the temperature in the rear
passenger compartment 510
Switching cooling on or off
(COMAND) 276
Automatic headlamp mode 306, 400
Automatic lighting control,
Interior lighting 406
Automatic locking when driving 368
Automatic shift program 436
Automatic transmission
Accelerator position 433
Automatic shift program 436Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 443
Fluid 765
Fluid level 578
Gear ranges 435
Gear selector lever 426
Gear shifting malfunctions 443
Hill start assist system 434
Kickdown 433
Kickdown, manual shift program
(AMG vehicles) 442
Manual shift program mode
(AMG vehicles) 440
Program mode selector switch 436
Shifting procedure 429
Starting the engine 416
Steering wheel gearshift control 438
Transmission fluid 578
Transmission positions 430
AUX
Audio 129
Video 130
AUX jacks 129

778 IndexChildren in the vehicle 58
Air bags 58
Indicator lamp front passenger
front air bag off 51, 640
Infant and child restraint systems 59
LATCH-type child seat anchors 63
Override switch for rear passenger
compartment 64
Tether attachment points 62
Chrome-plated exhaust tip*,
Cleaning 625
Cigarette lighter 537
Cockpit 26
COMAND
Adjusting volume 98
Audio AUX 129
Components 87
Controller 90
Display 88
Display illumination 89
Function buttons 88
Main menus 98
Menu overview 92
Navigation system 188
Operating 92Operating safety 86
Operating seats 282
Phone book* 158
Radio, FM/AM 102
Selecting sound settings 99
SMS messages 183
Surround sound 100
Switching off/on the
audio source 101
Switching on or off 87
Swiveling display 89
System settings 259
Telephone keypad* 90
Telephone menu* 141
Vehicle menu 264
Voice Control settings 261
Combination switch 403
Corner-illuminating lamps 404
High beam flasher 403
Turn signals 420
Windshield wipers 408
Command list (Voice Control) 340
Address book commands 345
Audio commands 347
General commands 340Navigation commands 343
Telephone* commands 341
Control system instrument cluster 287
Multifunction display 287
Multifunction steering wheel 288
Control system instrument cluster menus
AMG 296
Assistance* 303
Audio 294
Navi 292
Service 304
Settings 305
Telephone* 299
Trip 291
Vehicle status message memory 304
Coolant 579
Adding 580
Anticorrosion/antifreeze mixing
ratio and quantity 771
Checking level 579
Messages in display 679
Temperature 569
Temperature gauge 29, 444
Coolant level
Checking 579
Corner-illuminating lamps 404

782 IndexExterior lighting
Delayed switch-off (COMAND) 264
Locator lighting (COMAND) 265
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 388
Auto-dimming on the
driver’s side 390
Fold in automatically when locking
(COMAND) 266
Lower mirror when reversing
(COMAND) 266
Power folding 389F
Favorite button 263
First aid kit 705
Flat tire 723
Jacking up the vehicle 724
Lowering the vehicle 727
Mounting the spare wheel 723
Preparing the vehicle 723
Floormats* 538
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 765
Brake fluid 766, 769
Capacities 764
Engine coolant 579, 767, 771
Engine oil 578, 765, 769
Power steering fluid 766
Windshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system 768, 774
Fog lamps
Messages in display 690
Replacing bulbs 715
Four wheel electronic traction system with
ESP
® see 4MATIC
4MATIC 76
Front air bags 46Front lamps
Replacing bulbs 715, 717
Front lamps see headlamps
Front passenger front air bag 46
Messages in display 649
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 51, 640
Fuel 571, 767, 770
Additives 771
Capacity, Fuel tank 767
Filling the tank 570
Fuel filler flap and cap 570
Fuel reserve warning lamp 29
Gauge 29
Premium unleaded gasoline 571,
767, 770
Requirements, Octane rating 770
Fuel cap
Message in display 683
Fuel consumption statistics
Since last reset 291
Since start 291
Fuel filler flap 570
Locking/Unlocking 570

784 IndexHeated steering wheel* 387
Height adjustments
Vehicle level (ABC*) 471
High beam
Replacing bulbs 715
High beam flasher 403
High beam headlamp
Indicator lamp 29
High mounted brake lamp 715
High-performance brake system
(AMG vehicles only) 561
Hood 573
Message in display 683
Opening 573
Horn 27
Hydroplaning 563I
Identification labels 748
Identification Number, Vehicle (VIN) 749
Ignition 370, 372
Switching on 370
Switching on, KEYLESS-GO* 372
Immobilizer 82
Indicator lamps see Lamps,
indicator and warning
Individualization
Voice Control 355
Infant and child restraint systems see
Children in the vehicle
Infrared reflecting windshield 556
Inside door handle 367
Instrument cluster 28, 444
Coolant temperature gauge 29, 444
Fuel gauge 29
Illumination 444, 492
Lamps 628
Multifunction display 287
Outside temperature indicator 445
Selecting the language
(COMAND) 262Interior lighting 406
Activating automatic control 406
Ambient lighting (COMAND) 269
Deactivating automatic control 406
Delayed switch-off (COMAND) 270
In the rear 407
Reading lamps in the front 407
Reading lamps in the rear 407
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 388
Auto-dimming 390
Interior storage spaces see
Storage compartments
J
Jack 706, 724
Jacking up the vehicle 724
Jump starting 734

788 Index
Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 684
Lamps, exterior 687
License plate lamps 689
Light sensor 688
Night View Assist* 693
Park Assist* 653, 655
Parking lamps 690
PRE-SAFE
®
656, 663
Restraint systems 697
Side marker lamps 691
SRS 697
Tail lamps 692
Tele Aid 699
Trunk 704
Windshield washer fluid 704
Multifunction steering wheel 288N
Navigation system
Menu overview (COMAND) 194
Navigation system (COMAND) 188
Basic settings 198
Destination entry 202
Destination memory 251
Detour function (COMAND) 246
Driving maneuver 237
Hiding/showing the
menu system 196
Last destinations 258
Map display 195
Operation 195
POI entry 229
Real-time traffic 248
Route guidance 237Navigation system (Instrument cluster
control system) 292
Driving maneuver 293
Navigation system (Voice Control) 320
Neutral gear position, Automatic
transmission 426, 430
New vehicle break-in 558
Night View Assist* 491
Cleaning the windshield in
front of the camera 621
Dirty or fogged-up windshield 493
Image on multifunction display 492
Malfunction 494
Messages in display 693
Removing condensation 493
Switching on or off 491
Normal occupant weight 607
Number, Vehicle Identification (VIN) 749

793 Index
Shift program mode, Automatic
transmission 436
Shifting, Automatic transmission 426
Side impact air bags 46
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses 619
Messages in display 691
Side windows see Power windows
Sidewall 608
SIRIUS Satellite Radio see Satellite radio
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* see Key,
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
SMS messages 183
Snow chains 611
Spare wheel 723, 759
Mounting 723
Speed
Setting current 447
Setting to last stored speed in
DISTRONIC Plus*
(“Resume” function) 463
Speed settings
Cruise control 449, 450
DISTRONIC Plus* 460, 461, 462To last stored speed (“Resume” func-
tion) in Cruise control 450
SRS 54
Indicator lamp 29, 637
Messages in display 697
Standing water, Driving through 566
Starter battery 731
Starter switch 370
Positions 370
Starting difficulties, Engine 418
Starting, Engine 416
Steering column 386
Steering wheel
Adjustment 386
Cleaning 624
Easy entry/exit feature 384
Heated steering wheel* 387
Power steering fluid 766
Steering wheel gearshift control
Automatic transmission 438
Stolen Vehicle Recovery services 550
Storage compartments 526
Cupholder 530
Front armrest 527
Parcel net 528
Rear armrest 528Ruffled storage pockets 530
Storage compartment in
front armrest 527
Storage tray/telephone* compartment
in front armrest 527
Under the front seats 527
Storing tires 584
Summer opening feature 412
Sun visors 534
Sunroof see Power tilt/sliding sunroof
Sunshades
Extending or retracting rear window
sunshade (COMAND) 271
Extending/retracting rear window
sunshade 535
Opening or closing rear side window
sunshades 412
Suspension tuning
Setting (ABC*) 470
Setting (Airmatic) 468
Symbols used in this operator’s
manual 18
System settings (COMAND)
Bluetooth
® settings 180
Display 259
Favorite button 263