2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class service interval

15 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Important notice for California retail
buyers and lessees of Mercedes-Benz automobiles
Under California law you may be entitled to
a replacement of your vehicle or a refund
of the purchase price or lease price, if
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and/or its au-
thorized repair or service facilities fail to fix
one or more substantial defects or mal-
functions in the vehicle that are covered by
its express warranty after a reasonable
number of repair attempts. During the pe-
riod of 18 months from original delivery of
the vehicle or the accumulation of
18 000 miles (approximately 29 000 km)
on the odometer of the vehicle, whichever
occurs first, a reasonable number of repair
attempts is presumed for a retail buyer or
lessee if one or more of the following oc-
curs: (1) the same substantial defect or mal-
function results in a condition that is
likely to cause death or serious bodily
injury if the vehicle is driven, that de-
fect or malfunction has been subject to
repair two or more times, and you have
directly notified Mercedes-Benz USA,
LLC in writing of the need for its repair,
(2) the same substantial defect or mal-
function of a less serious nature than
category (1) has been subject to repair
four or more times and you have direct-
ly notified us in writing of the need for
its repair, or
(3) the vehicle is out of service by reason
of repair of the same or different sub-
stantial defects or malfunctions for a
cumulative total of more than
30 calendar days.
Written notification should not be sent to a
dealer, it should be addressed to:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Customer Assistance Center
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
Maintenance
The Maintenance Booklet describes all the
necessary maintenance work which should
be performed at regular intervals.
Always have the Maintenance Booklet with
you when you take the vehicle to an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for service.
The service advisor will record each ser-
vice in the booklet for you.Roadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program provides factory trained technical
help in the event of a breakdown. Calls to
the toll-free Roadside Assistance number
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA)
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada)
will be answered by Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Representatives
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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.

612 OperationMaintenanceWe strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with
the Maintenance Booklet at the times
called for by the maintenance service indi-
cator.Maintenance service indicator
message
The maintenance service indicator mes-
sage will notify you when the next mainte-
nance service is due.
Starting approximately 1 month before the
next maintenance service is due, one of
the following messages will appear in the
multifunction display while you are driving
or when you switch on the ignition (exam-
ple service A):
“Next Service A in XXX miles (km)”
“Next Service A in XX days”
“Service A Due”The maintenance services will be indicated
by showing a service type A through type H
in the multifunction display. Types A
through H are classified based on estimat-
ed time needed to perform the mainte-
nance service, ranging
from “Service A”
(approximately 1 hour)
to “Service H”
(approximately 8 hours)
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for a listing
of maintenance services and intervals they
need to be performed at.
!
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in ac-
cordance with the Maintenance Booklet and
maintenance service indicator at the designated
times/mileage will result in vehicle damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

666 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Service
See Oper. Manual
S 600 and S 65 AMG only:
The brake system sensors are malfunction-
ing. The brake system continues to function
normally with full brake force boost.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
(USA only)(Canada only)
Check
Brake Pad Wear
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
!
Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the intervals
specified in the Maintenance Booklet.

769 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance
System. For a listing of approved engine
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet
(USA only), or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Engine oil additivesAir conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air condition-
ing system.
Brake fluid
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Any au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will pro-
vide you with additional information.
!
Using engine oils and oil filters of
specification other than those expressly
required for the Maintenance System, or chang-
ing 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 Lim-
ited Warranty.
Please follow Maintenance System recommen-
dations for scheduled oil changes. Failure to do
so will result in engine or emission control sys-
tem damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
!
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine. Damage or mal-
functions resulting from blending oil additives
are not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lu-
bricating oil. Otherwise damage to the system
will occur.
Warning!
G
During vehicle operation, the boiling point of
the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from the
atmosphere.
Under extremely strenuous operating condi-
tions, this moisture content can lead to the
formation of bubbles in the system, thus re-
ducing the system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be replaced
regularly. Refer to your vehicle’s Mainte-
nance Booklet for replacement interval.

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.

779 Index
Cruise control 446
Activating 447
Canceling 448
Driving downhill 448
Driving uphill 448
Message in display 645
Setting current speed 447
Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function) 450
Cupholder
In front seat armrest 530
In rear seat armrest 530
Curb weight 606D
Date
Setting (COMAND) 261
Daytime running lamp mode 401
Setting 306
Deceleration
With DISTRONIC Plus* 455
Deep water see Standing water
Defrosting 504
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (COMAND) 264
Interior lighting (COMAND) 270
Department of Transportation see DOT
Destination entry (COMAND) 202
Destination memory (COMAND) 251
Difficulties
While driving 420
While starting 418
Digital speedometer 292
Additional speedometer 306
Dimensions, Vehicle 762
Direction of rotation, Tires 585
Displays
Additional speedometer 306
Digital speedometer 292
DISTRONIC Plus* 454Maintenance service indicator 612
Multifunction display 287
Vehicle status message see Multifunc-
tion display messages
Distance
Decreasing in DISTRONIC Plus* 465
Increasing in DISTRONIC Plus* 465
Setting in DISTRONIC Plus* 464
Distance to Empty (Range) 292
Distance warning lamp* 29, 634
DISTRONIC Plus* 451
Activated 456
Activating 457
Calling up settings 455
Cleaning system sensor 619
Deactivated 456
Deactivating 463
Deceleration 455
Decreasing distance 465
Decreasing time interval 464
Displays in the
multifunction display 454
Distance warning lamp 29, 634
Driving hints 465
Increasing distance 465
Increasing time interval 464

792 IndexSeat belts 52
Children in the vehicle 58
Cleaning 624
Fastening 52, 395
Force limiter 55
Messages in display 697
Proper use of 54, 397
Safety guidelines 44
Telltale 29, 55, 635
Seating capacity 586
Seats 373
adjusting front passenger seat from
driver’s seat 376
Adjustment 373
Drive-dynamic multicontour* in the
front, Adjusting (COMAND) 285
Easy entry/exit feature 384
Folding back and placing upright
rear head restraints 380
Head restraints 379
Heating* 377
Lumbar support (COMAND) 283
Memory function 392
Multicontour* in the front,
Adjusting (COMAND) 283
Operating via COMAND 282Setting front passenger seat position
from rear 377
Ventilation* 378
Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down hooks 532
Selector lever
Lock 416
Selector lever see Gear selector lever
Self-test
OCS 52
Tele Aid 543
Service and warranty information 14
Service intervals see
Maintenance service indicator
Service life, Tires 583
Service see Maintenance
Service system see Maintenance System
Service, Parts 746
Setting
Cruise control 447
DISTRONIC Plus* time interval 464
Following distance in DISTRONIC
Plus* 464
Higher speed in cruise control 449
Higher speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 461Lower speed in cruise control 450
Lower speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 462
Slower speed in cruise control 450
Slower speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 462
Speed in DISTRONIC Plus* 460
Suspension tuning (ABC*) 470
Temperature (interior) 504
Temperature (rear passenger
compartment) 510
To last stored speed (“Resume” func-
tion) in cruise control 450
To last stored speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* (“Resume” function) 463
Vehicle level control (ABC*) 471
Setting current speed 447
Settings
Calling up DISTRONIC Plus* 455
Control system in instrument cluster
menus 305
Daytime running lamp mode 306
Resetting trip odometer 292
Shelf below rear window, Cleaning and
care of 624