2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S550 4MATIC check engine

696 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 694).
Connect negative lead1
(
page 694).
Attach ventilation tube.
Switch on the ignition (page 344).
Start the engine (page 389).
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.

697 Practical hints
Jump starting
Jump 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.

699 Practical hints
Jump 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.

731 Technical data
Fuels, 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.

742 Index
Engine coolant see Coolant
Engine oil 543
Adding 546
Additives 728
Checking level 543
Checking level (Dipstick) 545
Checking level (Instrument cluster con-
trol system) 543
Consumption 543
Dipstick 545
Filler neck 545, 546
Messages in display 544, 659
Recommended engine oils and oil
filters 724
ESP
®
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP®75
ESP®71
Messages in display 628, 639
Warning lamp 29, 599, 604ETD 55
Safety guidelines 44
Exterior lighting
Delayed switch-off (COMAND) 242
Locator lighting (COMAND) 243
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 361
Auto-dimming on the driver’s
side 363
Fold in automatically when locking
(COMAND) 244
Lower mirror when reversing
(COMAND) 244
Power folding 362
F
Favorite button 238
First aid kit 668
Flat tire 686
Jacking up the vehicle 687
Lowering the vehicle 690
Mounting the spare wheel 686
Preparing the vehicle 686
Floormats* 506Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 724
Brake fluid 725, 728
Capacities 724
Engine coolant 547, 726, 730
Engine oil 546, 724, 728
Power steering fluid 725
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system 727, 733
Fog lamps
Messages in display 656
Replacing bulbs 679
Four wheel electronic traction system with
ESP
® see 4MATIC
4MATIC 75
Front air bags 45
Front lamps
Replacing bulbs 679, 680
Front lamps see headlamps
Front passenger front air bag 45
Messages in display 618
Front passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 50, 610

745 Index
J
Jack 669, 687
Jacking up the vehicle 687
Jump starting 697
K
Key, Mechanical 671
Loss of 340
Key, SmartKey 332
Battery check lamp 332, 334
Factory setting 333
Global locking and unlocking 333
Lock button 332
Locking and unlocking 332
Loss of 340
Messages in display 651
Opening button for trunk 332
Panic button 65
Remote control 332
Restoring to factory setting 334
Selective setting 334
Starting the engine 390
Switching on ignition with 344
Turning off engine 397
Unlock button 332Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 335
Battery check lamp 335, 339
Closing, Trunk 479
Factory setting 338
Global locking and unlocking 338
Important notes on using
KEYLESS-GO* 336
Lock button 335
Locking and unlocking 335
Loss of 340
Messages in display 650
Opening button for trunk 335
Panic button 65
Remote control 335
Restoring to factory setting 340
Selective setting 339
Starting the engine 390
Switching on ignition with 346
Turning off engine 398
Unlock button 335
Kickdown 406
Kilopascal 577L
Labels 712
Certification 712
Emission control information 713
Tire and Loading Information 554
Vacuum line routing diagram 713
Lamp bulbs, exterior 678
Lamps, exterior
Front 679
Light sensor 654
Rear 679
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 29, 66, 598
Air bag Off 46
Battery check lamp (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 339
Battery check lamp (SmartKey) 334
Brake warning lamp 29
Brakes 599
Combination low tire pressure* mal-
function telltale 29, 608
Distance warning lamp* 29, 604
DISTRONIC Plus* 29, 427, 604
Electronic parking brake 29, 600
Engine diagnostics 29, 602
Engine malfunction 29, 602

751 Index
Rear fog lamp
Replacing bulbs 679
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear seats
Adjustment 347
Folding back and placing upright rear
head restraints 354
Head restraints 353
Heating* 351
Multicontour* 356
Setting front passenger seat position
from rear 350
Ventilation* 352
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 473
Activating 473
Deactivating 473
Recommended inflation pressure 577
Recovery services, Stolen vehicle
(Tele Aid) 518
Refrigerant, Air conditioning 727, 728
Refueling 538
Regular checks 540Remote
Door lock with Tele Aid 517
Door unlock with Tele Aid 517
Trunk opening/closing* switch 479
Remote control, SmartKey 332
Remote control, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 335
Replacing
Bulbs 678
Front lamp bulbs 680
Rear lamp bulbs 679
Reporting safety defects 21
Reset (COMAND) 241
Residual engine heat and ventilation 476
Rest tool
Depository 675
Restraint systems
Messages in display 662
See Children in the vehicle
See SRS
Reverse gear position, Automatic
transmission 399, 403
Rims 577
And Tires 718
Tires and wheels 550Roadside Assistance 16
Tele Aid 514
RON 539, 726
Roof rack* 493
Route guidance (COMAND) 207
Route guidance (Instrument cluster control
system) 269
Rubber parts, cleaning 593
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 565