Contents
Driving abroad .............................. 567
Control and operation of
radio transmitters......................... 567
Catalytic converter ....................... 568
Emission control........................... 568
Coolant temperature .................... 569
At the gas station............................... 570
Refueling ...................................... 570
Check regularly and
before a long trip .......................... 572
Engine compartment.......................... 573
Hood ............................................ 573
Engine oil...................................... 575
Transmission fluid level ................ 578
Active Body Control* (ABC*)
fluid level ...................................... 579
Coolant level ................................ 579
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 580
Tires and wheels ................................ 582
Important guidelines .................... 582
Tire care and maintenance ........... 583
Direction of rotation ..................... 585
Loading the vehicle ...................... 585
Recommended tire
inflation pressure ......................... 590Checking tire inflation pressure ... 592
Tire labeling.................................. 598
Load identification ....................... 601
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN) ..
602
Maximum tire load ....................... 603
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 603
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 604
Tire ply material ........................... 606
Tire and loading terminology ........ 606
Rotating tires ............................... 609
Winter driving .................................... 610
Winter tires .................................. 610
Snow chains ................................. 611
Maintenance ...................................... 612
Maintenance service
indicator message ........................ 612
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display............... 613
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 614
Vehicle care ....................................... 615
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 615
Practical hints................................. 627
What to do if …? ................................ 628
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 628
Air bag off indicator lamp............. 640
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display.................... 642
Where will I find ...? ........................... 705
First aid kit ................................... 705
Vehicle jack, vehicle tool kit,
luggage bowl, Minispare wheel .... 705
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 708
Unlocking the vehicle................... 708
Locking the vehicle ...................... 709
Resetting activated head restraints ... 710
Head restraints (standard) ........... 710
Luxury head restraints* ............... 711
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 712
Replacing bulbs ................................. 714
Bulbs ............................................ 715
Replacing bulbs for front lamps ... 717
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 721
Placing wiper arms in
vertical position ........................... 721
Removing wiper blades ................ 722
Installing wiper blades ................. 722
25 At a glance
Exterior view
Item
Page
1
Trunk
Unlocking
Opening and closing
Minispare wheel
Vehicle tool kit
511
511
723
705
2
Rear lamps
715
3
Rear window, defrosting
506
4
Fuel filler flap
Gasoline
570
770
5
Doors
Locking and unlocking
Opening and closing
358
358
Item
Page
6
Exterior rear view mirror
Parking position
388
391
7
Towing the vehicle
737
8
Rims and tires
Checking tire inflation
pressure
Minispare wheel
Flat tire
754
592
707
723
9
Hood, opening
Engine oil
Coolant
573
575
579
Item
Page
a
Headlamp cleaning system
403
b
Front lamps
715
c
Windshield wipers
Wiper blades, replacing
Wiper blades, cleaning
408
721
622
d
Window, cleaning
622
e
Roofs
Power tilt/sliding sunroof
Panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel*
518
521
304 Control systemsInstrument cluster control systemThe following settings are available:Switching on or off Blind Spot Assist*
Press ( or & to select the
“Assistance” menu.
Press % or $ to select the “Blind
Spot Assist” function.
Press #.
Press # again if you would like to
change the current status.
Service menu
The “Service” menu is used for
calling up messages
checking tire inflation pressure elec-
tronically with the Advanced TPMS
calling up the maintenance service in-
dicator display
check engine oil level*
Calling up vehicle malfunction, warning
and system status messages stored in
memory
Use the vehicle status message memory
menu to scan malfunction and warning
messages that may be stored in the sys-
tem. Such messages appear in the multi-
function display and are based on
conditions or system status the vehicle’s
system has recorded.
“On when in
Reverse”
The Rear View Camera au-
tomatically switches on
when reverse gear is en-
gaged.
“Disabled”
The Rear View Camera is
not switched on.
i
The menu overview can be found on
(
page 289).
305 Control systems
Instrument cluster control system
The vehicle status message memory menu
only appears if there are any messages
stored.
Press ( or & to select the
“Service” menu.If conditions have occurred causing
status messages to be recorded, the
number of messages appears in the
multifunction display: “2 messages”.
Press % or $ to select the mes-
sage.
Press # to confirm.
Checking tire inflation pressure
For information about checking tire infla-
tion pressure (
page 593).Calling up the maintenance service in-
dicator display
For information about calling up the main-
tenance service indicator display
(
page 612).
Checking engine oil level (S 600 and
S65AMG)
For information about checking engine oil
level (
page 575).
Settings menu
In the “Settings” menu, you can:
switch the daytime running lamps on or
off (USA only)
switch the additional speedometer on
or off
switch the radar sensors* on or off
(USA only)
Warning!
G
Malfunction and warning messages are only
indicated for certain systems and are inten-
tionally not very detailed. The malfunction
and warning messages are simply a remind-
er with respect to the operation of certain
systems and do not replace the owner’s
and/or driver’s responsibility to maintain
the vehicle’s operating safety by having all
required maintenance and safety checks
performed on the vehicle and by bringing
the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to address the malfunction and
warning messages (
page 642).
i
See the “Practical hints” section for mal-
function and warning messages (
page 642).
i
If you turn the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position0 and then back to position2,
all messages will be deleted from the message
memory.
i
The menu overview can be found on
(
page 289).
572 OperationAt the gas stationCheck regularly and before a long tripExample illustration from S 5501Coolant level
2Brake fluid
3Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning systemWindshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system
For more information on refilling the wash-
er reservoir, see “Windshield washer sys-
tem and headlamp cleaning system”
(
page 580).
Coolant
For more information on coolant, see
“Coolant level” (
page 579) and see “Fu-
els, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 764).
Brake fluid
For information on brake fluid, see “Brake
fluid” (
page 769).Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Engine oil” (
page 575).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
“Replacing bulbs” (
page 714).
For more information, see “Lighting”
(
page 399).
Tire inflation pressure
For information on tire inflation pressure,
see “Checking tire inflation pressure”
(page 592).
i
Opening the hood (
page 573).
!
If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks immediately. Notify an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Do not add brake fluid as this will not solve the
problem. For more information, see “Practical
hints” (page 631) and (
page 664).
606 OperationTires and wheelsTire ply material
1Plies in sidewall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the sidewall
and under the tread.
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least 3 hours or driv-
en no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.
i
For illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.
624 OperationVehicle carePlastic and rubber parts
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution.
Wipe with a cloth moistened in a luke-
warm solution.
The surface may temporarily change
color. If this is the case, wait for it to
dry.Hard plastic trim items
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Interior
Care, a soft, lint-free cloth and apply
with light pressure.Steering wheel
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thor-
oughly or clean with Mercedes-Benz
approved Leather Care.
Carpets
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Carpet
and Fabric Care for cleaning the car-
pets.
Headliner and shelf below rear window
Use a soft bristle brush or a dry-sham-
poo cleaner in case of excessive dirt.
Seat belts
Only use clear, lukewarm water and
soap.
Therefore, the vehicle’s brake system should al-
ways be warmed-up before it is parked after
cleaning. To do so, please drive your vehicle for
several minutes to allow the brakes to dry. When
applying Mercedes-Benz approved Tire Care and
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care products,
take care not to spray them on the brake disks.Warning!
G
Do not use cleaners or cockpit care sprays
containing solvents to clean the cockpit or
the steering wheel. Cleaners containing sol-
vents will make the surface porous and vehi-
cle occupants could suffer serious injuries
from plastic parts coming loose in the event
of air bag deployment.!
Do not use oil, wax or scouring agents on
these parts.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the surface.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the sur-
face.
!
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the surface.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the sur-
face.
!
The webbing must not be treated with
chemical cleaning agents. Do not dry the web-
bing at temperatures above 176°F (80°C) or in
direct sunlight.
770 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel requirements
Only use premium unleaded fuel:
The octane number (posted at the
pump) must be 91 min. It is an average
of both the Research Octane Number
(RON) and the Motor Octane Number
(MON): (RON+MON)/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 per-
sonal injury.
Never allow sparks, flame or smoking mate-
rials near gasoline!
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid in-
haling fumes and skin or clothing contact,
extinguish all smoking materials.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the inha-
lation of fuel vapors are damaging to your
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 gasoline and fill up with
premium unleaded gasoline as soon as
possible.
Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt acceler-
ation.
Do not exceed an engine speed of 3 000 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.