2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S600 fuel

602 Practical hints
What to do if …?
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
±The yellow engine malfunc-
tion indicator lamp comes
on while driving.There is a malfunction in:

The fuel management system

The ignition system

The emission control system

Systems which affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the en-
gine to its limp-home (emergency opera-
tion) mode.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is
used by the service station to link the
vehicle to the shop diagnostics system.
It allows the accurate identification of
system malfunctions through the read-
out of diagnostic trouble codes. It is lo-
cated in the front left area of the
footwell.
iSome states may by law require you to visit
a workshop as soon as the engine malfunction
indicator lamp comes on. Check local require-
ments.

603 Practical hints
What to do if …?
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
±The yellow engine malfunc-
tion indicator lamp comes
on while driving.A loss of pressure has been detected in the
fuel system. The fuel cap may not be closed
properly or the fuel system may be leaky.Check the fuel cap.
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Your fuel tank is empty.After refueling, start, turn off, and re-
start the engine three or four times in
succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You do
not need to have your vehicle checked.

605 Practical hints
What to do if …?
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
vThe yellow ESP® warning lamp
comes on while the engine is
running.The ESP® is deactivated.
Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road, weather, and traffic conditions.Switch the ESP® back on (page 75).
Exceptions: (
page 73).
If the ESP
® cannot be switched back on:
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
ESP® is switched off due to a malfunction.
Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road, weather, and traffic conditions.Continue driving with added caution.
Read and observe messages in the mul-
tifunction display (
page 612).
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
The yellow fuel tank reserve warning lamp
in the fuel gauge comes on while driving.The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.Refuel at the next gas station
(
page 538).
on for a maximum of 6 seconds
after starting the engine.The seat belt telltale reminds you and your
passengers to fasten your seat belts before
driving off.Fasten your seat belts.
Regardless of whether the seat belts are
fastened or not, the seat belt telltale al-
ways comes on and remains lit for
6 seconds after starting the engine.

609 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Warning!G
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or the tire inflation pressure
label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different
size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or the tire inflation pressure label,
you should determine the proper tire infla-
tion pressure for those tires).
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitor-
ing system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires is significantly under-inflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illu-
minates, you should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a significant-
ly under-inflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Please
note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driv-
er’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of
the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
USA only:
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is com-
bined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the
telltale will flash for approximately
one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue
upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long
as the malfunction exists. When the mal-
function indicator is illuminated, the system
may not be able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended.TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on
the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing
one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle
to ensure that the replacement or alternate
tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue
to function properly.

649 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Gas cap openA loss of pressure has been detected in the
fuel system. The fuel cap may not be closed
properly or the fuel system may be leaky.Check the fuel cap (page 538).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
You are driving with the hood open.Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.
Engage the electronic parking brake
(
page 395).
Close the hood (page 542).
There is otherwise danger of an accident.

660 Practical hints
What to do if …?
When the message “Check engine oil level
at next refueling” (S 550) or “Add 1.0 qts.
(Canada:1.0 l) engine oil at next refueling”
(S 600 and S 65 AMG) appears while the
engine is running and at operating temper-
ature, the engine oil level has dropped to
approximately the minimum level.When this occurs, the warning will first
come on intermittently and then stay on if
the oil level drops further.
Visually check for oil leaks. If no obvious oil
leaks are noted, continue to drive to the
nearest service station where the engine
oil should be topped to the required level
with an approved oil specified in the Facto-
ry Approved Service Products pamphlet.For information on approved engine oils,
refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Add 1.0 qts. engine oil
at next refueling
(USA only)
Add 1.0 l engine oil
at next refueling
(Canada only)S600 and S65AMG only:
The engine oil level is too low.Check the engine oil level (page 543) and
add engine oil as required (
page 546).
If you must add engine oil frequently, have
the engine checked for possible leaks.
Check engine oil level
at next refuelingS550 and S63 AMG only:
The engine oil level has dropped to approx-
imately the minimum level.Check the engine oil level (page 543) and
add engine oil as required (
page 546).
If you must add engine oil frequently, have
the engine checked for possible leaks.
!The engine oil level warnings should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol dis-
played could result in serious engine damage
that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limit-
ed Warranty.

672 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking the trunk
A minimum height clearance of 6.0 ft
(1.8 m) is required to open the trunk lid.
Insert the mechanical key2 into the
trunk lid lock until it stops.
Turn mechanical key2 all the way
counterclockwise to position 1.
The trunk opens.
Turn the mechanical key2 back and
remove it from the trunk lid lock.
Locking the vehicle
If you cannot lock the vehicle with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*, do the follow-
ing:
Close the front passenger door, the
rear right door and the trunk.
Open the driver’s door and the rear left
door.
Press the central locking switch on the
driver’s door (
page 343).
The locking knobs of the front passen-
ger door and the rear doors move
down.
If the vehicle battery is disconnected or
drained:
Press down the locking knobs of
the front passenger door and the
rear doors manually.
Exit the vehicle.
Check whether the trunk is locked.
If necessary, lock the trunk with the
mechanical key (
page 484).
Close the driver’s door.
Enter the vehicle through the rear left
door.
Press down the locking knob of the
driver’s door.
Exit the vehicle.
Close the rear left door.
The vehicle is locked.
1Unlocking in an emergency
2Mechanical key
!The trunk lid swings open upwards automat-
ically. Always make sure that there is sufficient
overhead clearance.
iIf you cannot close the trunk with the re-
mote trunk opening/closing* switch, lower the
trunk lid manually and close it with hands placed
flat on the trunk lid until it is engaged in its lock.
!To prevent inadvertent lockout, make sure
to have the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* with you before proceeding with
the next step. The next step will lock the vehicle.
iThis procedure does not arm the anti-theft
alarm system nor does it lock the fuel filler flap.

673 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Mechanically releasing the electronic
parking brake
Depending on vehicle production date your
vehicle may be equipped with a mechani-
cal release device for releasing the elec-
tronic parking brake. It is located behind
the fuel filler flap next to the fuel cap.
1Protective cap
2Release tool
3Pulling
Shift the automatic transmission to P
(
page 399).
Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking a rear wheel with the wheel
chock. A wheel chock is included with
the vehicle tool kit (
page 668).
Open fuel filler flap.
Remove protective cap1.
Screw release tool2 from vehicle tool
kit clockwise 2 to 3 rotations onto re-
lease cable.
Pull release tool2 in direction of
arrow3.
The electronic parking brake is re-
leased. The red indicator lamp0
(USA only) or! (Canada only) flash-
es. The message “Parking brake See
Oper. Manual” appears on the multi-
function display.
Unscrew release tool2 from release
cable.
Reattach protective cap1.
Store release tool2 in vehicle tool kit.
After it has been unlocked, you can engage
the electronic parking brake again from
the driver’s seat.
Press the electronic parking brake han-
dle (
page 395).
iIf your vehicle is not equipped a mechanical
release device for releasing the electronic park-
ing brake contact Roadside Assistance or an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
If you mechanically release the electronic
parking brake, the vehicle may start to move
on its own. Make sure that no one is in front
of or behind the vehicle. Otherwise, an acci-
dent could occur resulting in injury or fatali-
ty. Before releasing the electronic parking
brake, shift the automatic transmission to P
(
page 399) and secure your vehicle in
place using the chock from the vehicle tool
kit.
iIf the electronic parking brake is not re-
leased, pull the release tool again with more
force.