necessary safety information and warning for
the operation of your vehicle.
! To prevent damage during transport, do
not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
If circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehicle
may be towed with all wheels on the ground
or front axle raised (except vehicles with
4MATIC) only so far as necessary to have the
vehicle moved to a safe location where the
recommended towing methods can be
employed.
! Before towing the vehicle observe the
following instructions:
RDo not tow-start the vehicle. You could
otherwise seriously damage the
automatic transmission which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
RDo not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
RTowing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed towing
eye bolt. Never attach a tow cable, tow
rope or tow rod to the vehicle chassis,
frame or suspension parts.
GWarning!
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.
! Avoid pulling the vehicle abruptly or
diagonally, since it could result in damage
to the chassis alignment.
! Do not use the towing eye bolt for
recovery, as this could damage the vehicle.
If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
iIf the battery is disconnected or
discharged
Rthe SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch
Rthe automatic transmission will remain in
park position P
For more information see “Battery”
(Y page 512) or “Jump starting”
(Y page 514).
Installing towing eye bolt
Depending on whether you are towing a
vehicle or you are being towed, the towing eye
bolt can be screwed into threaded holes
which are located behind covers on each
bumper.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
vehicle tool kit, located underneath the trunk
floor (Y page 450).
XTake the vehicle tool kit out of the trunk.
Removing cover in front bumper
XPress mark on cover \000F as indicated by the
arrow.
XLift cover \000F off to reveal the threaded hole
for the towing eye bolt.
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Removing cover in rear bumperGWarning!
In order to avoid possible serious burns or
injury, use extreme caution when removing
the rear cover, because the rear exhaust pipe
is extremely hot.
XPress mark on cover \000F as indicated by the
arrow.
XLift cover \000F off to reveal the threaded hole
for the towing eye bolt.
Fixing towing eye bolt
Example illustration front bumper
XTake the towing eye bolt and, if so
equipped, the wheel wrench from the
vehicle tool kit (Y page 450).
XScrew towing eye bolt \000G clockwise into
threaded hole to its stop.
XInsert wheel wrench into towing eye and
tighten towing eye bolt \000G by turning it
clockwise.
or
XIf your vehicle is not equipped with a wheel
wrench, use a suitable object to turn the
towing eye bolt.
Removing towing eye bolt
XLoosen towing eye bolt \000G by turning it
counterclockwise.
XUnscrew towing eye bolt \000G.XReinstalling cover: Fit cover \000F
(Y page 517) and snap it into place.
XStore the towing eye bolt \000G and wheel
wrench back into the vehicle tool kit.
Towing with all wheels on the ground
GWarning!
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow with
a tow bar if:
Rthe engine will not run
Rthere is a malfunction in the brake system
Rthere is a malfunction in the power supply
or in the vehicle’s electrical system
This is necessary to adequately control the
towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position 2.
GWarning!
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.
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XMake sure the ignition is switched on.XWith the vehicle at a standstill, depress the
brake pedal and keep it pressed.XShift the automatic transmission into
neutral position N.XRelease the brake pedal.XIf engaged, release the electronic parking
brake.XSwitch on the hazard warning flasher
( Y page 302).
!
Keep in mind that it is important to have
the ignition switched on. Removing the
SmartKey from the starter switch or
opening a front door with the ignition
switched off will automatically shift the
automatic transmission into park position
P .
! 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).
i While being towed with the hazard
warning flasher in use, use the combination
switch in the usual manner to signal turns.
Only the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher will operate again.
Towing with 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).
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: Do not tow with
one axle raised. Doing so could damage the
transfer case, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground.
Observe instructions for towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground.
XSwitch off the automatic central locking
( Y page 210).XSwitch on the hazard warning flasher
( Y page 302).XMake sure the automatic transmission
remains in neutral position N. Observe
instructions, see “Remaining in neutral
position N” ( Y page 319).
!
Vehicles without 4MATIC:
Because the ESC operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or
1 or KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in
position 0 or 1) when the vehicle is being
towed with one axle raised.
Active braking action through the ESC may
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! Keep in mind that it is important for the
SmartKey to be left in starter switch with
the ignition switched off. As soon as the
SmartKey is removed from the starter
switch the automatic transmission will shift
to park position P.
Fuses
Introduction
The electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to
switch off malfunctioning power circuits.
If a fuse is blown, the components and
systems secured by that fuse will stop
operating.
GWarning!
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system in
question and do not attempt to repair or
bridge a blown fuse. Using other than
approved fuses or using repaired or bridged
fuses may cause an overload leading to a fire,
and/or cause damage to electrical
components and/or systems. Have the cause
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determined and remedied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
! Switch off the vehicle’s internal electrical
functions when you are working on the
fuses.
A blown fuse must be replaced by an
appropriate spare fuse (recognizable by its
color or the fuse rating given on the fuse) of
the amperage recommended in the fuse
chart. Any Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad
to advise you on this subject.
iIn case of a blown fuse contact Roadside
Assistance or an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
If a newly inserted fuse blows again, have the
cause determined and rectified by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The fuse chart is located in the trunk with the
vehicle tool kit (Y page 450). The fuse chart
explains the fuse allocation and fuse
amperages.
Before replacing fuses
XEngage the electronic parking brake.XMake sure the automatic transmission is in
park position P.
The transmission position indicator in the
multifunction display should be on P.
XSwitch off all electrical consumers.XTurn off the engine.
Fuse box in passenger compartment
! Do not use sharp objects such as a
screwdriver to open the fuse box cover in
the dashboard. You could damage the fuse
box cover or the dashboard.
Fuse box on driver’s side
Fuse box on passenger side
XOpen the respective door.XUsing your hands, pull cover \000F in direction
of arrow and remove it.
XClosing: Hook fuse box cover \000F into the
opening at the front.
! The fuse box cover must be properly
positioned as described. Otherwise,
moisture or dirt could enter the fuse box
and possibly impair fuse operation.
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ModelCapacityFuels, coolants,
lubricants, etc.Automatic
transmissionS 450 4MATIC 69
S 550 4MATIC10.6 US qt (10.0 l)MB Automatic
Transmission FluidS 550 709.8 US qt (9.3 l)S 6007.9 US qt (7.5 l)S 63 AMG 729.25 US qt (8.75 l)S 65 AMG9.2 US qt (8.7 l)Rear axleS 450 4MATIC 69
S 550 4MATIC1.9 US qt (1.8 l)Hypoid gear oil
(SAE 85W-90)S 550 701.3 US qt (1.2 l)S 6002.1 US qt (2.0 l)S 63 AMG1.3 US qt (1.2 l)Fuchs Titan
EG 5010 DS 65 AMG1.7 US qt (1.6 l)Hydraulic
system for
active body
control (ABC)S 550 70
S 600
S 63 AMG
S 65 AMG4.2 US qt (4.0 l)MB ABC FluidPower steeringS 450 4MATIC 69
S 550 70
S 550 4MATIC
S 63 AMGapprox. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)MB Power Steering
Fluid (Chevron
Texaco PSF 9109)S 600
S 65 AMGapprox 1.3 US qt (1.2 l)Brake systemAll models0.63 US qt (0.6 l)MB Brake Fluid
(DOT 4+)Cooling
system,
vehicles
without rear
climate controlS 450 4MATIC 69approx. 15.6 US qt (14.8 l)MB 325.0
Anticorrosion/
AntifreezeS 550 70
S 550 4MATICapprox. 12.2 US qt (11.5 l)69 Canada only.
70 USA only.
72 Automatic transmission with oil cooler.538Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Technical data
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required for the Maintenance System, or
changing 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 Limited
Warranty.
Please follow Maintenance System
recommendations for scheduled oil
changes. Failure to do so will result in
engine or emission control system damage
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Mercedes-Benz recommends MOBIL OIL.
Use the table below to determine the
MB sheet number.
ModelEngine,
type
MB sheet
number
S 450 4MATIC74273229.5S 55075273229.5S 550 4MATIC273229.5S 600275229.5S 63 AMG156229.576S 65 AMG275229.5
iMB sheet numbers are printed on the
outside of oil containers.
Viscosity grades for engine oils
Using the chart below, select oil viscosity
according to the lowest air temperature
expected before the next oil change.
Engine oil additives
! Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine. Damage or
malfunctions resulting from blending oil
additives are not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty.
Air conditioning refrigerant
R134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air conditioning
system.
! Never use R 12 (CFC) or mineral-based
lubricating oil. Otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
Brake fluid
GWarning!
During vehicle operation, the boiling point of
the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from the
atmosphere.
74Canada only.75USA only.76Restriction: Only SAE 0W-40/SAE 5W-40 engine oils may be used.
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Under extremely strenuous operating
conditions, this moisture content can lead to
the formation of bubbles in the system, thus
reducing the system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be replaced
regularly. Refer to your vehicle’s Maintenance
Booklet for replacement interval.
Only brake fluid approved by Mercedes-Benz
is recommended. Any authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center will provide you with additional
information.
Premium unleaded gasoline
GWarning!
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious
personal injury.
Never allow sparks, flames or smoking
materials near gasoline!
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid
inhaling fumes and any skin or clothing
contact. Extinguish all smoking materials.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the
inhalation of fuel vapors are damaging your
health.
! To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gasoline
must be used.
If premium unleaded gasoline is not
available and low octane gasoline is used,
follow these precautions:
R Have the fuel tank only partially filled
with unleaded regular gasoline and fill up
with premium unleaded gasoline as soon
as possible.
R Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration.
R Do not exceed an engine speed of
3 000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded with a
light load such as two persons and no
luggage.
R Do not exceed 2
/ 3 of maximum
accelerator pedal position if the vehicle
is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain.
Fuel requirements
Only use premium unleaded gasoline. The
octane number (posted at the pump) must be
91 min. It is an average of both the Research
Octane Number (RON) and the Motor Octane
Number (MON): (RON+MON)/2. This is also
known as the ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Reformulated gasolines (RFG) and/or
unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, TAME, ETBE, IPA, IBA, and
TBA can be used provided the ratio of any one
of these oxygenates to gasoline does not
exceed 10%; MTBE must not exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is not
allowed. Gasohol, which contains 10%
ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, can be
used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine
manufacturers is carbon build-up caused by
gasoline. Mercedes-Benz recommends only
the use of quality gasoline containing
additives that prevent the build-up of carbon
deposits.
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