2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class Cooling

506 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlRear window defroster
Activating
Switch on the ignition (
page 370).

Press button< (
page 501) up or
down.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Deactivating

Press button< (
page 501) up or
down.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL (USA only)
If U is selected on both the left and
right side and there is a high demand for
cooling, the display “MAXCOOL” appears
in the COMAND display.
This provides the fastest possible cooling
of the vehicle interior (when windows and
tilt/sliding sunroof or tilt/sliding panel*
are closed).
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside (e.g. before driving in a
tunnel). This setting cuts off the intake of
outside air and recirculates the air in the
passenger compartment.
!
The rear window defroster uses a large
amount of power. To keep battery drain to a min-
imum, switch off the defroster as soon as the
rear window is clear.
i
The defroster is automatically deactivated
after some time of operation depending on the
outside temperature.
Warning!
G
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driv-
ing. Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.i
If the rear window defroster switches off too
soon and the indicator lamp goes out, this indi-
cates that too many electrical consumers are op-
erating simultaneously and the load on the
battery is reducing available voltage. The system
responds automatically by deactivating the rear
window defroster.
i
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL is only avail-
able when the engine is running.Warning!
G
Fogged windows impair visibility, endanger-
ing you and others. If the windows begin to
fog on the inside, switching off the air
recirculation mode immediately should clear
interior window fogging. If interior window
fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning (
page 276) is activated, or
press button;.

509 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Residual engine heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior.
This feature makes use of the residual heat
produced by the engine.Activating

Switch off the ignition (
page 370).

Press buttonT (
page 501) up or
down.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Deactivating

Press buttonT (
page 501) up or
down.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.Rear passenger compartment climate
control*
i
If you switch on the residual heat function
when outside temperatures are high, only the
ventilation will be switched on.
i
Regardless of the selected air volume, the
blower operates at low speed when heating. In
case of ventilation the blower operates at higher
speed.
i
How long the system will provide heating de-
pends on


the coolant temperature


the temperature set by the operator
i
The residual heat is automatically turned off:


when the ignition is switched on


after approximately 30 minutes


if the battery voltage drops


if the coolant temperature is too low
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling as given in the instructions
for the front climate control (
page 501).
Otherwise the windows could fog up, impair-
ing visibility for the driver and endangering
you and others.

510 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlAutomatic climate control panel, rear

Switching on automatic mode: Press
button 4 (
page 510) up or down re-
peatedly until “AUTO” mode is selected
in display.

Switching off rear climate control:
Press button 4 (
page 510) up or
down repeatedly until “OFF” mode is
selected in display.

Switching off automatic mode: Press
button 4 (
page 510) up or down re-
peatedly until “MAN” mode is selected
in display.

Setting temperature: Use tempera-
ture controls 1and6 (
page 510)
to separately adjust the air tempera-
ture on each side of the rear passenger
compartment.

Increasing/decreasing: Press
temperature control 1 or 6 up or
down.
The climate control system will cor-
respondingly adjust the interior air
temperature.

Adjusting air distribution: Press but-
ton 2 or 5 (
page 510) up or down
repeatedly until desired air distribution
is set.
The direction of the arrows represent
the air distribution. “MAN” appears in
the display over the button for the func-
tion mode.

Adjusting air volume: Press air vol-
ume control 3 (
page 510) up or
down.
The air volume is increased or de-
creased. “MAN” appears in the display
over the button for the function mode.
Item
1
Temperature control, left
2
Air distribution, left
(automatic, manual)
3
Air volume (automatic, manual)
4
Mode selector
5
Air distribution, right
(automatic, manual)
6
Temperature control, right
i
At low outside temperatures or if you have
switched off the cooling function, you cannot
cool the rear passenger compartment.
i
If the climate control system in the rear pas-
senger compartment is adjusted using COMAND
(
page 279), the) symbol appears in the
display of the rear control unit. The rear climate
control system can no longer be adjusted using
the rear control unit.

579 Operation
Engine compartment
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.
When checking the coolant level,

the vehicle must be parked on level
ground


the coolant temperature must be be-
low 158°F (70°C)
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.
Example illustration from S 5501Cap
2Coolant expansion tank
Warning!
G
In order to avoid potentially 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.


Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.


Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.

679 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Check
Coolant Level
See Oper. Manual
The coolant level is too low.

Add coolant (
page 579).

If you have to add coolant frequently, have
the cooling system checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
!
Do not ignore the low engine coolant level
warning. Extended driving with the message and
symbol displayed may cause serious engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.
Do not drive without a sufficient amount of cool-
ant in the cooling system. The engine will over-
heat, causing major engine damage.

682 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Coolant Low
Stop Vehicle
Turn Engine Off

Restart the engine.
If this message disappears from the multi-
function display:
Drive immediately to the nearest autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If this message does not disappear from the
multifunction display:

Call Roadside Assistance.
The cooling fan for the coolant is malfunc-
tioning.

Observe the coolant temperature gauge in
the instrument cluster (
page 28).

Have the fan replaced as soon as possible.
You are driving with one or more doors
open.
The display symbol shows you which doors
are open.

Close the doors.

767 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Cooling
system
Vehicles without rear passen-
ger compartment climate
control*
S 450 4MATIC
1
S 550
S 550 4MATIC
1Canada only
12.15 US qt. (11.5 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
Vehicles with rear passenger
compartment climate control*
S 450 4MATIC
1
S 550
S 550 4MATIC
13.84 US qt. (13.1 l)
S 600
14.69 US qt. (13.9 l)
S63 AMG
11.83 US qt. (11.2 l)
S65 AMG
14.69 US qt. (13.9 l)
Low temperature cooling system
S 600
2.75 US qt. (2.6 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
S65 AMG
3.28 US qt. (3.1 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
S 450 4MATIC
1
S 550
S 550 4MATIC
S 600
2.9 US gal (11.0 l)
S63 AMG
3.7 US gal (14.0 l)
S65 AMG
3.7 US gal (14.0 l)

771 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufac-
turers is carbon build-up caused by gaso-
line. Mercedes-Benz recommends only the
use of quality gasoline containing additives
that prevent the build-up of carbon depos-
its.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives, carbon deposits
can build up especially on the intake valves
and in the combustion area, leading to en-
gine performance problems such as:

Warm-up hesitation


Unstable idle


Knocking/pinging


Misfire


Power lossIn areas where carbon deposits may be en-
countered due to lack of availability of gas-
olines which contains these additives,
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of
additives approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Refer to the Fac-
tory Approved Service Products pamphlet
(USA only) or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for a listing of ap-
proved product(s). Follow directions on
product label.
Do not blend other fuel additives with fuel.
This only results in unnecessary cost and
may be harmful to the engine operation.
Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which pro-
vides:

Corrosion protection


Freeze protection


Boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately -22°F (-30°C) and corro-
sion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-22°F (-30°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized cooling system is
reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).
!
Damage or malfunction resulting from poor
fuel quality or from blending additional fuel addi-
tives other than those tested and approved by us
for use on Mercedes-Benz vehicles are not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!
Add premixed coolant solution only. Adding
water and MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
separately from each other, could cause engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.