2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S600 winter tires

571 Operation
Tires and wheels

Any tire with a speed capability above
186 mph (300 km/h) must include a
“ZR” in the size designation AND the
service description must be placed in
parenthesis.
Example: 275/40 ZR 18 (99Y).
The “(Y)” speed rating in parenthesis
designates the maximum speed capa-
bility of the tire as being above
186 mph (300 km/h). Consult the tire
manufacturer for the actual maximum
permissible speed of the tire.
All-season and winter tiresLoad identification
1Load identification
In addition to tire load rating, special load
identification1 may be molded into the
tire sidewall following the letter designat-
ing the tire speed rating6 (
page 568).
No specification given: absence of any text
(like in above example) indicates a
standard load (SL) tire.
XL (Extra Load): designates an extra load
(or reinforced) tire.
IndexSpeed rating
QM+S1
1or M+S.for winter tires
up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
TM+S1up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
HM+S1up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
VM+S1up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
iNot all M+S rated tires provide special win-
ter performance. Make sure the tires you use
show M+S and the mountain/snow-
flake
.marking on the tire sidewall. These
tires meet specific snow traction performance
requirements of the Rubber Manufacturers As-
sociation (RMA) and the Rubber Association of
Canada (RAC) and have been designed specifi-
cally for use in snow conditions.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.

580 Operation
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service
includes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.

Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “MB Summerfit”
to a premixed windshield washer sol-
vent/antifreeze which is formulated for
below freezing temperatures
(
page 731).

Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure that the engine can be started,
even at low ambient temperatures.

Tire change.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated
tires provide special winter performance.
Make sure the tires you use show the
mountain/snowflake.marking on the
tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance requirements
of the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and the Rubber Association of Can-
ada (RAC) and have been designed specif-
ically for use in snow conditions. Use of
winter tires is the only way to achieve the
maximum effectiveness of the ABS, EBP,
ESP
® and 4MATIC in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure that all
mounted winter tires are of the same make
and have the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your
vehicle, you must place a notice to this
effect where it will be seen by the driver.
Such notices are available from your tire
dealer or from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than 1/6in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.

581 Operation
Winter driving
Snow chainsSnow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.
Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:

Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations
(
page 718).

Use snow chains in pairs and on rear
wheels only. Follow the manufacturer’s
mounting instructions.

Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
be glad to advise you on this subject.

Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.

Do not use snow chains on the spare
wheel (
page 718).
Warning!G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
!When driving with snow chains, always se-
lect the raised level of the level control system
Airmatic (
page 440) or ABC* (page 443).
Other settings may result in damage to your
vehicle.
! Even on vehicles with all-wheel-drive, use
snow chains on rear tires only.
Some tire sizes do not leave adequate clearance
for snow chains. To help avoid serious damage to
your vehicle or tires, make sure that the use of
snow chains is permissible as specified in the
“Technical data” section of this Operator’s
Manual, see “Rims and tires” (
page 718).
! If snow chains are mounted to the front
wheels, they may scrape against the body or axle
components. The tires or the vehicle could be
damaged as a result.
iAll models except S 63 AMG:
When driving with snow chains, you may wish to
switch off the ESP
® (page 73) before setting
the vehicle in motion. This will improve the
vehicle’s traction.
iS 63 AMG:
Do not switch off the ESP® when driving in snow
or with snow chains mounted.

718 Technical data
Rims and tires
!Only use tires which have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Tires approved by
Mercedes-Benz are developed to provide best
possible performance in conjunction with the
driving safety systems on your vehicle such as
ABS or ESP
®. Tires specially developed for your
vehicle and tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz can be identified by finding the
following on the tire’s sidewall:

MO = Mercedes-Benz Original equipment
tires
S63AMG and S65AMG:
Does not apply to all approved tires on AMG
vehicles. For information on tested and
approved tires for AMG vehicles, contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz may result in damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz can have detrimental effects,
such as

poor handling characteristics

increased noise

increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may, under load, exhibit dimen-
sional variations and different tire deformation
characteristics that could cause them to come
into contact with the vehicle body or axle parts.
Damage to the tires or the vehicle may be the
result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. A placard with the recommended tire in-
flation pressures is located on the driver’s door
B-pillar (
page 553). Some vehicles may have
supplemental tire inflation pressure information
for driving at high speeds (
page 559) or for ve-
hicle loads less than the maximum loaded
vehicle condition (
page 568). If such informa-
tion is provided, it can be found on the placard lo-
cated on the inside of the fuel filler flap. The tire inflation pressure should be checked
regularly and should only be adjusted on cold
tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s maintenance
recommendation included with vehicle.
iThe following pages also list the approved
wheel rim and tire sizes for equipping your vehi-
cles with winter tires. Winter tires are not avail-
able as standard or optional factory equipment,
but can be purchased from an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the standard or
optional factory-equipped wheel rim/tire config-
uration on your vehicle (Appearance Package,
Sport Package etc.), equipping your vehicle with
winter tires approved for your vehicle model may
also require the purchase of two or four wheel
rims of the recommended size for use with these
winter tires. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for more information.

719 Technical data
Rims and tires
Same size tires
ModelS 550
S 550 4MATICS 600
S 550 (Sport Package*)
S 600 (Sport Package*)S63AMG
S65AMG
Rims (light alloy)8.5 J x18 H28.5 J x18 H28.5 J x19 H2
Wheel offset1.69 in (43 mm)1.69 in (43 mm)1.69 in (43 mm)
All-season tires1
1Radial-ply tires.
255/45 R18 99H M+S ––
Winter tires1,2,3
2For use with snow chains contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.3Not available as factory equipment.
255/45 R18 99H M+S.255/45 R18 99H M+S.255/40 R19 100V XL (Extra Load) M+S.

756 Index
Information placard 554
Inspection 551
Load rating 569, 578
Load rating, Maximum 573, 577
Minispare wheel 670
Ply composition and material
used 578
Problems under-/overinflation 558
Retreads 550
Rotating 578
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 565
Service life 551
Sizes 718
Snow 580
Spare wheel 721
Speed rating 532, 570, 578
Storing 552
Temperature 559, 575
Terminology 576
Total load limit 578
TPMS* malfunction telltale 29, 608
Traction 532, 578
Tread depth 552
Tread depth, Winter 580
Treadwear indicators 578
Vehicle maximum load on 578Wear pattern 579
Winter 580
Tools 668
Top tether
Children in the vehicle 61
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit) 668,
703
Towing the vehicle 700
Tow-start 697, 700
Traction 532, 574, 578
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Traveling abroad 535
Tread 578
Tread depth, Tires 552
Tread depth, Winter tires 580
Treadwear indicators 578
Trip odometer 268
Resetting 269
Troubleshooting
Voice Control* 327
Trunk
Closing 479, 671
Closing trunk from inside 479
Closing trunk from outside 479
Emergency release 484
Lighting 380Message in display 667
Opening from inside 479
Opening from outside 479
Opening-height restriction
(COMAND) 249
Power closing assist for trunk lid 342
Tie-down hooks 500
Unlocking in an emergency 671
Valet locking 484
Tumbler holder see Cup holder
Turn signal lamps
Cleaning lenses 589
Replacing bulbs 679
Turn signals 393
Additional in mirrors 679
Front bulbs 679
Indicator lamp 29
Rear bulbs 679

758 Index
Switching help window on or off
(COMAND) 237
Telephone 289
Troubleshooting 327
W
Warning indicators
Park Assist* 451
Parktronic* 446
Warning sounds
DISTRONIC Plus* 427
Drivers seat belts 54
Electronic parking brake 397
PRE-SAFE
® Brake* 79
Seat belt telltale 606
Warranty coverage 711
Washing the vehicle 585
Wear pattern, Tires 579
Weights, Vehicle 723Wheels
Change 686
Collapsible wheel chock 670
Minispare wheel 670
Removing 689
Rims and Tires 718
Sizes 718
Spare wheel 721
Tightening torque 691
Tires and wheels 550
Window curtain air bags 46
Windows see Power windows
Windshield
Cleaning 592
Cleaning wiper blades 592
Infrared reflecting 524
Windshield washer fluid 727, 733
Mixing ratio 733
Refilling 548
Wiping with 382Windshield wipers 381
Cleaning wiper blades 592
Replacing wiper blades 684
Single wipe 382
Winter driving 580
Snow chains 581
Tires 580
Winter driving instructions 533
Winter tires 580
Wood trims, Cleaning 595
Wrench, wheel (vehicle tool kit) 668
X
Xenon headlamp see Headlamps