2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class automatic transmission fluid

Contents
Multicontour seats*, rear ............. 383
Easy-entry/exit feature ................ 384
Steering wheel ................................... 386
Steering wheel adjustment........... 386
Heated steering wheel* ............... 387
Mirrors ............................................... 388
Interior rear view mirror ............... 388
Exterior rear view mirrors ............. 388
Power folding exterior rear
view mirrors ................................. 389
Auto-dimming rear view mirrors ... 390
Activating exterior rear
view mirror parking position ......... 391
Memory function................................ 392
Storing positions into memory ..... 393
Recalling positions from memory . 393
Storing exterior rear view
mirror parking position ................. 394
Fastening the seat belts..................... 395
Proper use of seat belts ............... 397
Seat belt height adjustment
automatically ................................ 397
Seat belt height adjustment
manually ....................................... 398
Lighting .............................................. 399
Exterior lamp switch ..................... 399High beam .................................... 403
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 403
Corner-illuminating lamps ............ 404
Hazard warning flasher ................ 405
Interior lighting............................. 406
Door entry lamps ......................... 407
Trunk lamp ................................... 407
Windshield wipers .............................. 408
Switching on/off
windshield wipers......................... 408
Intermittent wiping....................... 409
Single wipe................................... 409
Wiping with windshield
washer fluid.................................. 409
Power windows .................................. 410
Opening and closing
power windows ............................ 410
Rear side window sunshades* ..... 412
Summer opening feature.............. 412
Convenience closing feature ........ 413
Driving and parking............................ 416
Starting the engine....................... 416
Driving off .................................... 419
Turn signals .................................. 420
Problems while driving ................. 420
Parking ......................................... 421Turning off the engine .................. 424
Releasing seat belts ..................... 425
Automatic transmission ..................... 426
Gear selector lever....................... 426
Shifting procedure ....................... 429
Transmission positions ................ 430
Driving tips................................... 433
Gear ranges ................................. 435
Automatic shift program .............. 436
Steering wheel gearshift control .. 438
Manual shift program
(S 63 AMG and S 65 AMG only) ... 440
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ...................... 443
Instrument cluster ............................. 444
Adjusting instrument cluster
display illumination ...................... 444
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 444
Tachometer .................................. 445
Outside temperature indicator ..... 445
Fuel gauge ................................... 445
Driving systems ................................. 446
Cruise control .............................. 446
DISTRONIC Plus* ......................... 451
Airmatic ....................................... 468
Active Body Control (ABC)* ......... 470

409 Controls in detail
Windshield wipers
Intermittent wiping
Only switch on intermittent wiping under
wet weather conditions or in the presence
of precipitation.

Turn the combination switch to posi-
tion U or V.
The wipers move across the wind-
shield. Afterward, the wiping intervals
are determined by the wetness of the
windshield.
After the initial wipe, pauses between
wipes are automatically controlled by the
rain sensor.
Single wipe
Press the combination switch briefly in
the direction of arrow2 (
page 408)
to the resistance point.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Press the combination switch in the di-
rection of arrow2 (
page 408) past
the resistance point.
The windshield wiper operates with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system”
(
page 580).
i
When the windshield wipers are switched on
and you brake the vehicle to a stop, the wipers
operate more slowly.
!
Do not leave windshield wipers on an inter-
mittent setting when the vehicle is taken to an
automatic car wash or during windshield clean-
ing. Wipers will operate in the presence of water
sprayed on the windshield, and windshield wip-
ers may be damaged as a result.
!
If you have set intermittent wiping, dirt on
the surface of the rain sensor or optical effects
may cause the windshield wipers to wipe in an
undesired fashion. This could then damage the
windshield wiper blades or scratch the windows.
You should therefore switch off the windshield
wipers when weather conditions are dry.
i
Intermittent wiping is interrupted when the
vehicle is at a standstill and a front door is
opened. This protects persons getting into or out
of the vehicle from being sprayed.
Intermittent wiping will be continued when


all doors are closed
and


the automatic transmission is set to drive
positionD or reverse gearR
or


the wiper setting is changed using the com-
bination switch
i
To prevent smears on the windshield or
noisy/chattering wiper blades, wipe with wind-
shield washer fluid every now and then even
when it is raining.

578 OperationEngine compartmentAdding engine oil
Example illustration from S 550
S63 AMG1Filler 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 oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 765) and
(
page 769).
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.
!
Only use approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance System.
For a listing of approved engine oils and oil fil-
ters, refer to the Factory Approved Service Prod-
ucts pamphlet (USA only) in your vehicle
literature portfolio, or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specification
other than those expressly required for the Main-
tenance System, or changing of oil and oil filter
at change intervals longer than those called for
by the Maintenance System will result in engine
or emission control system damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!
Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off.
It will cause damage to the engine and emission
control system not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

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).

765 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter
S 450 4MATIC
1
S 550
S 550 4MATIC
1Canada only
8.98 US qt. (8.5 l)
Approved engine oils
S600
9.51 US qt. (9.0 l)
S63 AMG
9.25 US qt. (8.75 l)
S65 AMG
9.51 US qt. (9.0 l)
Automatic transmission
S 450 4MATIC
1
10.14 US qt. (9.6 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
S 550
10.36 US qt. (9.8 l)
S 550 4MATIC
10.14 US qt. (9.6 l)
S600
8.14 US qt. (7.7 l)
S63 AMG
9.25 US qt. (8.75 l)
S65 AMG
9.2 US qt. (8.7 l)
Rear axle
S 450 4MATIC
2
2Canada only
1.90 US qt. (1.8 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
S 550
1.27 US qt. (1.2 l)
S 550 4MATIC
1.90 US qt. (1.8 l)
S600
2.11 US qt. (2.0 l)

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

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

783 Index
Fuel tank
Capacity 767
Filler flap 570
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Capacities 764
Fuses 741
Fuse box in engine compartment 742
Fuse box in passenger
compartment 743
Fuse boxes in dashboard 743
Fuse chart (vehicle tool kit) 705
Replacing 741G
Garage door opener 551
Gasoline see Fuel
GAWR 607
Gear range
Automatic transmission 435
Limiting 435
Shifting into optimal 440
Gear selector lever 426
Gearshift pattern 426
Messages in display 648, 653, 657,
659, 704
Position 429
Shifting procedure 429
Transmission position 430
Glove box 526
Gloves, Vehicle tool kit 705
GPS
Reception (COMAND) 192
Tele Aid 543
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GVW 607
GVWR 607H
Hands-free microphone 33
Hard plastic trim items, cleaning 624
Hazard warning flasher 405
Head restraints 379
Adjustment 379
Folding back and placing upright rear
head restraints 380
Front seat 379
Luxury active head restraints
(S 600 only) 56
Rear seat 380
Resetting activated luxury active head
restraints (S 600 only) 710
Headlamp cleaning system 403, 580
Washer fluid 768, 774
Headlamps
Automatic headlamp mode 306, 400
Cleaning lenses 619
Cleaning system 580
Low beam 400
Manual headlamp mode 306
Messages in display 687
Refilling washer fluid 581
Headliner and shelf below rear window,
Cleaning and care of 624