2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S600 ABS

628 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
MalfunctionThe capability of the ABC* system is re-
stricted. This can impair the handling.Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Vehicle rising
Please wait a momentThe vehicle’s level is too low while at a
standstill. The vehicle will be raised.Do not drive off.
Wait until the message disappears from the
multifunction display.
You may then drive off.
ABS and ESP
inoperative
See Oper. ManualABS, ESP® as well as PRE-SAFE® are
switched off due to a malfunction. BAS is
also switched off.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
BAS Plus* and PRE-SAFE
® Brake* are also
not available.
Continue driving with added caution. Wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing steer-
ing capability.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.

629 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
ABS and ESP
currently unavailable
See Oper. ManualABS, ESP® as well as PRE-SAFE® are not
available due to a malfunction. BAS is also
switched off. It is possible that the self-diag-
nostics have not yet been completed.
The brake system still functions normally.
BAS Plus* and PRE-SAFE
® Brake* are also
not available.
Drive a short distance with gentle turns
above a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h).
The message disappears when ABS and ESP
®
are again available.
The ABS, ESP® as well as PRE-SAFE® were
deactivated because of insufficient power
supply. The charging voltage has fallen be-
low 10 volts.
The brake system still functions normally
but without the ABS, ESP
® and PRE-SAFE®
available.
BAS Plus* and PRE-SAFE
® Brake* are also
not available.
When the voltage is above this value again, the
ABS, ESP® and PRE-SAFE® are operational again
and the message in the multifunction display
should disappear.
If the message in the multifunction display does
not disappear:
Have the generator (alternator) and the bat-
tery checked.

631 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Brake immediatelyA malfunction has occurred while
DISTRONIC Plus* was switched on.While observing surrounding traffic condi-
tions and when it is safe, immediately de-
press the brake pedal firmly until the warning
message disappears.
Engage the electronic parking brake
(
page 395).
(USA only)
(Canada only)
EBV, ABS, ESP
inoperative
See Oper. ManualESP®, EBP and ABS are switched off due to
a malfunction. BAS is also switched off. As
a result, PRE-SAFE
® is also inoperative.
BAS Plus* and PRE-SAFE
® Brake* are also
not available.
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
(USA only)
(Canada only)

639 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Turn on the ignition
to release the
parking brakeThe yellow indicator lamp for the electronic
parking brake comes on.
You have tried to release the electronic
parking brake, but the ignition was not
switched on.Switch on the ignition (page 344).
(USA only)
(Canada only)
Inoperative
See Oper. ManualESP® a s w e l l a s P R E - S A F E® are switched off
due to a malfunction. In addition, the v
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on.
The ABS may not be operational and the fol-
lowing systems are not available:

BAS and BAS Plus*

PRE-SAFE® Brake*

Distronic Plus*

Cruise control

Hill start assist system
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.

670 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Minispare wheel
The Minispare wheel is stored in the com-
partment underneath the trunk floor.
1Minispare wheel with spare wheel bolts
in container on wheel rim
2Luggage bowl
3Vehicle tool kit, jack and collapsible
wheel chock
Removing the Minispare wheel
Turn luggage bowl2 counterclock-
wise.
Remove Minispare wheel1.Setting up the collapsible wheel chock
The collapsible wheel chock serves to
additionally secure the vehicle, e.g. while
changing the wheel.
1Tilt the plates upward
2Fold the lower plate outward
3Insert the plate
Tilt both plates upward1.
Fold the lower plate outward2.
Guide the tabs of the lower plate all the
way into the openings of the base
plate3.
For information on where to place wheel
chocks when changing a wheel, see “Lift-
ing the vehicle” (
page 687).

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.

728 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 additives
Air 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.

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