2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S550 4MATIC automatic transmission

701 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground or with the front axle raised, the start-
er battery must be connected and charged. Oth-
erwise:

you will not be able to switch on the ignition

you will not be able to engage the automatic
transmission in neutral positionN
(
page 402)

you cannot release the electronic parking
brake
For information on charging the starter battery
see “Batteries” (
page 692) or see “Jump start-
ing” (
page 697).
!Make sure that the electronic parking brake
is released. If the electronic parking brake is
malfunctioning, release it mechanically
(
page 673).
!If the vehicle is towed with the front axle
raised (not permissible for vehicles with
4MATIC), the automatic transmission must be in
positionN and the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* in
starter switch position0 or1). Active braking
action through the ESP
® may otherwise seriously
damage the brake system.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the automatic transmission must be
shifted to neutral positionN and the SmartKey
or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* must be in start-
er switch position2.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground or the front axle raised, the vehicle
may be towed only for distances up to 30 miles
(50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
!If the vehicle is towed, the transmission
must be in neutral positionN.
If you turn off the engine using

the SmartKey and

remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch
or

open a front door

the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button and
open a front door
the transmission will shift to park positionP
automatically.

702 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
If you want the gear position to remain in
neutral positionN, observe the following
instructions.
Vehicles with SmartKey:
With the vehicle at a standstill and the
ignition switched on shift the
automatic transmission to neutral
positionN.
If engaged, manually release the
electronic parking brake (
page 395).
Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the starter switch.Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
With the vehicle at a standstill, depress
the brake pedal and keep it pressed.
Shift the automatic transmission to
park positionP.
Release the brake pedal.
Remove the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button from the starter switch
(
page 345).
Insert the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
into the starter switch.
With the ignition switched on shift the
automatic transmission to neutral
positionN.
If engaged, manually release the
electronic parking brake (
page 395).
Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO in the
starter switch.
Warning!G
When leaving the SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch, do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle.
It is possible for children to switch on the
ignition which could result in unsupervised
use of vehicle equipment. Unsupervised use
of vehicle equipment could result in an
accident and/or serious personal injury.
iWhen towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, please note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* in
starter switch position 2, the vehicle doors lock
if the left front wheel as well as the right rear
wheel are turning at vehicle speeds of approxi-
mately 9mph (15km/h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle doors from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking
(
page 245).
iTo signal turns while being towed with the
hazard warning flasher in use, turn SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* in starter switch to
position2 and activate the combination switch
for the left or right turn signal in the usual
manner – only the selected turn signal will
operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher will operate again.

705 Practical hints
Fuses
Before replacing fuses:
Engage the electronic parking brake
(
page 395).
Make sure the automatic transmission
is set to P (
page 399).
The gear position indicator in the multi-
function display should be on P.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Turn off the engine (page 397).
Switch off the vehicle’s internal electri-
cal functions (
page 695).
Fuse boxes in engine compartment
Open the hood (page 541).
Box on the driver’s side
Example illustration from S 550
14 screws
2Cover
3JumperOpening
Take the crank from the Operator’s
Manual pouch.
Loosen screws1 with crank.
Remove jumper3.
Remove cover2.
Closing
Attach cover2.
Attach jumper3.
Tighten screws1 with crank.
!The cover must fit properly, as otherwise
moisture or dirt may impair the functionality of
the fuses.

724 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore use only
products tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Please refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet (USA only), or
inquire at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!G
Comply with all valid regulations with re-
spect to handling, storing and disposing of
service fluids. Otherwise you could endan-
ger persons or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of chil-
dren.
For health reasons, you should prevent ser-
vice fluids from coming into direct contact
with your skin or clothing.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a phy-
sician immediately.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filterS 550
S 550 4MATIC8.98 US qt. (8.5 l)Approved engine oils
S6009.51 US qt. (9.0 l)
S63 AMG9.25 US qt. (8.75 l)
S65 AMG9.51 US qt. (9.0 l)
Automatic transmissionS 550
S 550 4MATIC10.36 US qt. (9.8 l)MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
S6008.14 US qt. (7.7 l)
S63 AMG9.25 US qt. (8.75 l)
S65 AMG9.2 US qt. (8.7 l)

735 Index
A
ABC* 442
Messages in display 626
Setting vehicle level 443
ABS 66
Indicator lamp 29, 66, 598
Messages in display 628
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 406
Accessory weight 576
Accident 394
Active headlamps 371
Adaptive Brake Lights
(S 600 and USA only) 68
Adaptive Damping System
(Airmatic) 440
Additional turn signals 679
Address book (COMAND) 224
Calling up 224
Changing an entry 229
Creating an entry 225
Deleting an entry 226
Details about an entry 228
Displaying details about an entry in the
phone book on the mobile
phone 229Importing data 234
Making a call 231
Menu overview 224
Searching for an entry 226
Starting route guidance 231
Voice entry 232
Address book (Voice Control*) 306
ADS (Airmatic) 440
Air bags 42
Children 57
Front 45
Front passenger front air bag
indicator lamp 50
OCS 47
Safety guidelines 44
Side impact 46
Window curtain 46
Air conditioning, Refrigerant 727, 728
Air distribution
Adjusting 478
Adjusting (COMAND) 253
Air pressure 576
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air recirculation mode 474
Air vents 468Air volume
Adjusting 472, 478
Adjusting (COMAND) 253
Airmatic 440
Messages in display 642
Setting vehicle level 441
Alarm
Audible alarm and flashing exterior
lamps (Panic alarm) 65
Alarm system see Anti-theft alarm system
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 668, 689
Ambient lighting
COMAND menu 247
AMG menu (Control system
instrument cluster) 273
AMG vehicles
Manual shift program mode 413
Antiglare
Rear view mirrors 363
Anti-theft systems 81
Alarm, visual and audible 81
Anti-theft alarm system 81
Immobilizer 81
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest 495, 496

736 Index
Ashtrays 503
Aspect ratio 576
Audio (COMAND) 112
CD mode 120
DVD mode 120
MP3 mode 120
Audio (Control system
instrument cluster) 271
CD changer 272
CD/DVD changer 272
DVD changer 272
Audio DVD
Fast forward/rewind (COMAND) 122
Menu overview (COMAND) 119
Pause function (COMAND) 121
Stop function (COMAND) 121
Auto-dimming, Rear view mirrors 363
Automatic climate control 469
Adjusting air distribution
(COMAND) 253
Adjusting air flow from air vents
(COMAND) 256
Adjusting air volume (COMAND) 253
Adjusting the footwell temperature
(COMAND) 255
Air recirculation mode 474Central climate control menu
(COMAND) 254
Central menu for rear climate control*
(COMAND) 257
Defrosting 472
Operating the rear climate control*
from the front 257
Operating via COMAND 251
Rear window defroster 473
Selecting Mono mode
(COMAND) 255
Setting temperature (COMAND) 252
Setting the temperature 472
Setting the temperature in the rear
passenger compartment 478
Switching cooling on or off
(COMAND) 254
Automatic headlamp mode 282, 372
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 378
Automatic locking when driving 342
Automatic shift program 409Automatic transmission
Accelerator position 406
Automatic shift program 409
Emergency operation
(limp-home mode) 416
Fluid 724
Fluid level 546
Gear ranges 408
Gear selector lever 399
Gear shifting malfunctions 416
Hill start assist system 407
Kickdown 406
Kickdown, manual shift program
(AMG vehicles) 415
Manual shift program mode
(AMG vehicles) 413
Program mode selector switch 409
Shifting procedure 402
Starting the engine 389
Steering wheel gearshift control 411
Transmission fluid 546
Transmission positions 403

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

743 Index
Fuel 539, 726, 729
Additives 730
Capacity, Fuel tank 726
Filling the tank 538
Fuel filler flap and cap 538
Fuel reserve warning lamp 29, 605
Gauge 29
Premium unleaded gasoline 539,
726, 729
Requirements, Octane rating 729
Fuel cap
Message in display 649
Fuel consumption statistics
Since last reset 268
Since start 268
Fuel filler flap 538
Locking/Unlocking 538
Fuel tank
Capacity 726
Filler flap 538
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Capacities 724Fuses 704
Fuse box in engine compartment 705
Fuse box in passenger
compartment 706
Fuse boxes in dashboard 706
Fuse chart (vehicle tool kit) 668
Fuse extractor (vehicle tool kit) 668
Replacing 704
Spare fuses (vehicle tool kit) 668
G
Garage door opener 518
Gasoline see Fuel
GAWR 576
Gear range
Automatic transmission 408
Limiting 408
Shifting into optimal 413
Gear selector lever 399
Gearshift pattern 399
Messages in display 617, 622, 624,
625, 667
Position 402
Shifting procedure 402
Transmission position 403Glove box 494
Gloves, Vehicle tool kit 668
GPS
Reception (COMAND) 163
Tele Aid 510
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GVW 576
GVWR 577
H
Hands-free microphone 33
Hard plastic trim items, cleaning 594
Hazard warning flasher 377
Head restraints 353
Adjustment 353
Folding back and placing upright rear
head restraints 354
Front seat 353
Luxury active head restraints
(S 600 only) 55
Rear seat 354
Resetting activated luxury active head
restraints (S 600 only) 675