2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class check engine

704 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Shift to P
You have attempted to turn off the engine
with the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
and opened the driver’s door with the auto-
matic transmission not shift to park
positionP.

Shift the automatic transmission to park
positionP (
page 426).
or

Close the driver’s door.
You are driving with the trunk open.

Close the trunk (
page 512).
Check
Washer Fluid
The water level has dropped to approx.
1.1 US qts (1.0 l).

Add washer fluid (
page 580).

731 Practical hints
Batteries
Starter battery (example illustration from
S 550)1Negative terminal
2Positive terminal
Disconnecting starter battery
Secure vehicle in place with electronic
parking brake (
page 422).

Shift the automatic transmission to
park positionP (
page 426).
Do not rub the battery with rags or cloths.
The battery could explode if touched due to
electrostatic charge or due to spark forma-
tion.!
Switch off the engine and switch off the ve-
hicle’s internal electrical functions (
page 732)
before you disconnect or remove the battery’s
terminal clamps. You could otherwise destroy
electronic assemblies such as the generator.
Have the battery checked regularly by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center. Refer to Mainte-
nance Booklet for maintenance intervals or
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
further information.
!
Do not connect any consumers directly to
the starter battery. The starter battery will other-
wise be discharged.
i
Only replace a discharged battery with a bat-
tery recommended by Mercedes-Benz. The con-
sumer battery is installed in the trunk in such a
way that it is safeguarded as much as possible
against mechanical destruction in the event of
an accident.
i
Remove SmartKey from starter switch (vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure the vehicle’s
on-board electronics have status 0)
(
page 370) when you turn off the engine and
no longer require any electrical consumers. The
vehicle then uses very little power and the con-
sumer battery is spared.
i
If the consumer battery is discharged, you
must use the mechanical key to unlock the vehi-
cle (page 708). Since the vehicle has a sepa-
rate starter battery, however, you can still start
the vehicle.
!
Always disconnect the starter battery in the
order described below. You could otherwise
damage the vehicle’s electronics.
!
Switch off the vehicle’s internal electrical
functions before disconnecting the starter bat-
tery. If the vehicle is stationary for more than one
hour with the SmartKey removed, you do not
need to switch off the vehicle’s internal electrical
functions.

733 Practical hints
Batteries
Starter battery
Connect the switched-off charging de-
vice to the terminals of the starter bat-
tery. Observe the operating
instructions in the manual for the
charging device while doing so.
Reinstalling starter battery
Install starter battery in engine com-
partment.

Swing retaining bar down.
Reconnecting starter battery

Make sure that the consumer battery in
the trunk is correctly installed and con-
nected.

Turn SmartKey in starter switch to po-
sition 0 and remove.

Connect the positive lead and fasten its
cover2 (
page 731).

Connect negative lead1
(page 731).

Attach ventilation tube.

Switch on the ignition (
page 370).

Start the engine (
page 416).

Check vehicle functions.
!
Only use charging devices with a maximum
charging voltage of 14.8 V.
Warning!
G
During the charge procedure, there is a risk
of acid burns due to gases escaping from
the battery. Do not bend over the battery
during the charge procedure.
!
The battery and the battery ventilation hose
must always be securely installed when the vehi-
cle is in operation.
!
Always connect the starter battery in the or-
der described below. Otherwise, the vehicle’s
electronics could be damaged.
Warning!
G
Do not drive without a properly installed and
connected consumer battery.
Have any work on the consumer battery car-
ried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
!
Never invert the terminal connections.
!
Make sure that the battery has a plug where
the ventilation tube is attached to it.

734 Practical hintsJump starting
If the starter battery is discharged, the en-
gine can be started with jumper cables and
the battery of another vehicle. Observe the
following:

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.


Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.


Only use 12-volt battery to jump start
your vehicle. Jump starting with a high-
er voltage battery could damage the ve-
hicle’s electrical system, which will not
be covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.


Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.


Always make sure that the jumper ca-
bles are not on or near pulleys, fans or
other parts that move when an engine
is started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!
Jump starting should only be performed on
the starter battery installed in the engine com-
partment.
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine using a bat-
tery quick charge unit.
If engine does not run after several unsuccessful
starting attempts, have it checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by repeated
failed starting attempts may damage the catalyt-
ic converter and may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not have loose
or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not touch any
other metal part while the other end is still at-
tached to a battery.

736 Practical hintsJump starting
Remove red cover from positive
terminal 1.

Connect positive terminal2 of the
charged battery with positive
terminal1 of the discharged battery
with the jumper cable. Clamp cable to
charged battery2 first.

Connect negative terminal3 of
charged battery to jumper cables and
attach other end4 to a suitable
ground point on the vehicle.

Get into vehicle and start engine within
30 seconds.
If the starting attempt does not suc-
ceed: 
Turn the SmartKey in starter switch
to position 0.

Take out the SmartKey.

Turn off engine of donor vehicle, re-
start it and let it run at idle speed
for several minutes.

Disconnect the jumper cable during
this time.

Reconnect jumper cable as de-
scribed before.

Restart engine.

While the engine is running, switch off
several electrical consumers such as
the blower.

Disconnect jumper cables first from
ground point4 and negative
terminal3, then from positive
terminals1 and2.

Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!
Never invert the terminal connections.


772 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.The coolant solution must be used year
round to provide the necessary corrosion
protection and increase boil-over protec-
tion. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for re-
placement interval.
Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification are used to
renew the coolant concentration or bring it
back up to the proper level.
For information on other Mercedes-Benz
approved products of equal specification,
refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 50% anticor-
rosion/antifreeze (equivalent to freeze
protection to approximately –35°F
[–37°C]).If you use a solution that is more than 55%
anticorrosion/antifreeze (freeze protec-
tion to approximately –49°F [–45°C]), the
engine temperature will increase due to
the lower heat transfer capability of the so-
lution. Therefore, do not use more than
this amount of anticorrosion/ antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for
signs of leakage).
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
sult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of alumi-
num parts. The use of aluminum compo-
nents in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be specifical-
ly formulated to protect the aluminum
parts. Failure to use such anticorrosion/
antifreeze coolant will result in a signifi-
cantly shortened service life.
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
Mercedes-Benz 325.0 Anticorrosion/
Antifreeze agent.
Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion/antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for service.

781 Index
Setting the audio format
(COMAND) 128
Video (COMAND) 132
E
Easy-entry/exit feature 384
COMAND menu 268
EBP 72
Electrical fuses see Fuses
Electrical outlet see Power outlet
Electrical system, Technical Data 760
Electronic Brake Proportioning see EBP
Electronic parking brake 422
Indicator lamp 29, 630
Messages in display 667
Warning lamp 29, 630
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Electronic traction system 73
Emergency call system 542
Emergency calls, Tele Aid 544
Emergency engine shut-down 744
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 443
Emergency operations
Locking the vehicle 708
Releasing from inside 516
Remote door lock 550Remote door unlock 549
Unlocking the trunk 709
Unlocking the vehicle 708
Emergency tensioning device see ETD
Emergency, In case of
Battery, Jump starting 734
First aid kit 705
Flat tire 723
Fuses 741
Roadside Assistance 15
Roadside Assistance (Tele Aid) 546
Towing the vehicle 737
Emission control 568
Emission control information label 749
Emission control system warranties 14
Engine
Belt layout 750
Cleaning 617
Compartment 573
Coolant 579, 767, 771
Malfunction indicator lamp 29, 632
Number 748, 749
Oil 578, 765, 769
Oils 575
Residual heat and ventilation 509
Starting 416Technical data 751
Turning off 424
Engine coolant see Coolant
Engine oil 575
Adding 578
Additives 769
Checking level 575
Checking level (Dipstick) 577
Checking level (Instrument cluster
control system) 575
Consumption 575
Dipstick 577
Filler neck 577, 578
Messages in display 576, 694
Recommended engine oils and
oil filters 765
ESP
®Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP
®
76
ESP
®
72
Messages in display 662, 673
Warning lamp 29, 629, 634
ETD 55
Safety guidelines 44

785 Index
K
Key, Mechanical 708
Loss of 366
Key, SmartKey 358
Battery check lamp 358, 360
Factory setting 359
Global locking and unlocking 359
Lock button 358
Locking and unlocking 358
Loss of 366
Messages in display 685
Opening button for trunk 358
Panic button 66
Remote control 358
Restoring to factory setting 361
Selective setting 360
Starting the engine 417
Switching on ignition with 370
Turning off engine 425
Unlock button 358Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 361
Battery check lamp 361, 365
Closing, Trunk 511
Factory setting 364
Global locking and unlocking 364
Important notes on using
KEYLESS-GO* 362
Lock button 361
Locking and unlocking 361
Loss of 366
Messages in display 684
Opening button for trunk 361
Panic button 66
Remote control 361
Restoring to factory setting 366
Selective setting 365
Starting the engine 417
Switching on ignition with 372
Turning off engine 425
Unlock button 361
Kickdown 433
Kilopascal 607L
Labels 748
Certification 748
Emission control information 749
Tire and Loading Information 586
Vacuum line routing diagram 749
Lamp bulbs, exterior 714
Lamps, exterior
Front 715
Light sensor 688
Rear 715
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 29, 67, 628
Air bag Off 46
Battery check lamp (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 365
Battery check lamp (SmartKey) 360
Brake warning lamp 29
Brakes 629
Combination low tire pressure* mal-
function telltale 29, 638
Distance warning lamp* 29, 634
DISTRONIC Plus* 29, 454, 634
Electronic parking brake 29, 630
Engine diagnostics 29, 632
Engine malfunction 29, 632