XUsing a rag, slowly open cap :
approximately 1/2 turn counterclockwise
to relieve excess pressure.
XContinue turning cap : counterclockwise
and remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level
Rfor cold coolant: reaches marking bar
= in coolant expansion tank ;
Rfor warm coolant: is approximately 0.6 in
(1.5 cm) higher
XAdd coolant as required.XScrew cap : back on and tighten it.
For more information on coolant, see the
“Technical data” section (Y page 538) and
(Y page 542).
Washer system and headlamp
cleaning system
GWarning!
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly
flammable. Do not spill washer solvent/
antifreeze on hot engine parts, because it may
ignite and burn. You could be seriously
burned.
! Always use washer solvent/antifreeze
where temperatures may fall below
freezing point. Failure to do so could result
in damage to the washer system/fluid
reservoir.
! Only use washer fluid which is suitable for
plastic lenses. Improper washer fluid can
damage the plastic lenses of the
headlamps.
! Do not use distilled or deionized water in
the washer fluid reservoir. Otherwise, the
washer fluid level sensor could be
damaged.
Fluid for the washer system and the headlamp
cleaning system is supplied from the washer
fluid reservoir.
During all seasons, use MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit”. Mix it
with water or premixed washer solvent/
antifreeze depending on the ambient
temperature (Y page 544).
Example illustration: S 550 with AIRMATIC
Vehicles with Active Body Control (ABC)
XOpening washer fluid reservoir: Pull tab
of cap : upwards.
XRefill the washer fluid reservoir.XClosing washer fluid reservoir: Press
cap : onto filler hole until it engages.
For more information, see “Washer system
and headlamp cleaning system”
(Y page 539).
Brake fluid level
! If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum
mark or below, have the brake system
checked for brake pad thickness and leaks
immediately. Contact an authorized
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To avoid paint damage, you should
immediately remove:
R Grease and oil
R Fuel
R Coolant
R Brake fluid
R Bird droppings
R Insects
R Tree resins etc.
Frequent washing reduces and/or eliminates
the aggressiveness and potency of the above
adverse influences.
More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:
R near the ocean
R in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)
R during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage. Any
damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody of
the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thorough
check is a washing of the underbody followed
by a thorough inspection. Damaged areas
need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the factory
with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of the
vehicle. Post-production treatment is neither
necessary nor recommended by Mercedes-
Benz because of the possibility of
incompatibility between materials used in the
production process and others applied later.
We have selected vehicle-care products and
compiled recommendations which are
specially matched to our vehicles and which
always reflect the latest technology. You can
obtain Mercedes-Benz approved vehicle-care
products at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or
damage due to negligent or incorrect care
cannot always be removed or repaired with
the vehicle-care products recommended
here. In such cases it is best to seek aid at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The following topics deal with the cleaning
and care of your vehicle and give important
“how-to” information as well as references to
Mercedes-Benz approved vehicle-care
products.
Power washer
! Follow the instructions provided by the
power washer manufacturer on
maintaining a distance between the vehicle
and the nozzle of the power washer.
Never use a round nozzle to power-wash
tires. The intense jet of water can result in
damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.
Always keep the jet of water moving across
the surface. Do not aim directly at electrical
parts, electrical connectors, seals, or other
rubber parts.
i Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of
water, and a SmartKey is within
approximately 3 ft (1 m) of the vehicle, it
could be inadvertently locked or unlocked.
Tar stains
Quickly remove tar stains before they dry and
become more difficult to remove. A tar
remover is recommended.
Paintwork, painted body components
! Affixing stickers, magnets, adhesive tape
or similar materials to painted body
components may damage the paintwork.
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Care should
be applied when water drops on the paint
surface do not “bead up”. This should
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsÂRemove
'Start'
Button
and
Insert KeyThe KEYLESS-GO system is malfunctioning.XRemove the KEYLESS-GO button from the starter switch
( Y page 285).XOperate the vehicle with the SmartKey in the starter switch.¥Check
Washer
FluidThe water level has dropped to approximately 1.1 US qts
(1.0 l).XAdd washer fluid ( Y page 409).
Engine
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions+Check
Coolant
Level See
Oper.
ManualThe coolant level is too low.XAdd coolant ( Y page 408).XIf you have to add coolant frequently, have the cooling
system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.GWarning!
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may burn
if it comes into contact with hot engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
! Do not ignore the low engine coolant level warning. Extended driving with the message
and symbol displayed may cause serious engine damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount of coolant in the cooling system. The engine will
overheat causing major engine damage.
480Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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RYour hands should be dry and free of oil and
grease.
RIf the newly installed bulb does not come
on, contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
iMercedes-Benz recommends using
Longlife (LL) bulbs.
Replacing bulbs for front lamps
GWarning!
Do not remove the cover for the Bi-Xenon
headlamp. Because of high voltage in Xenon
lamps, it is dangerous to replace the bulb or
repair the lamp and its components. It is
recommended to have such work done by a
qualified technician.
Before you start to replace a bulb for a front
lamp, do the following:
XSwitch off the ignition.XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
$.
XOpen the hood (Y page 404).
High-beam spot (vehicles with halogen
daytime running lamps)
XTurn housing cover : counterclockwise
and remove it.
XTurn bulb socket ; counterclockwise and
pull it out.
XPull the bulb out of bulb socket ;.XInsert the new bulb into bulb socket ;.XInsert bulb socket ;.
Driver’s side headlamp: Wire = is guided
to the upper right.
Passenger-side headlamp: Wire = is
guided to the lower left.
XTurn bulb socket ; clockwise.
Handle ? of bulb socket ; is in a
horizontal position.
XAlign housing cover : and turn it
clockwise.
High-beam spot (vehicles with LED
daytime running lamps)
or
infrared light (Night View Assist Plus)
i To replace bulbs of the driver’s side
headlamp, the washer fluid reservoir in the
engine compartment must be released.
Have such work performed at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
XTurn housing cover : counterclockwise
and remove it.
XTurn bulb socket ; counterclockwise and
pull it out.
XPress both tabs to the left and right of bulb
socket ; and pull the bulb out of bulb
socket ;.
XInsert and press the new bulb into bulb
socket ; until it engages.
506Replacing bulbsPractical hints
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ModelCapacityFuels, coolants,
lubricants, etc.Cooling
system,
vehicles with
rear climate
controlS 450 4MATIC 69approx. 17.1 US qt (16.2 l)S 55070
S 550 4MATICapprox. 13.8 US qt (13.1 l)S 600
S 65 AMGapprox. 15.9 US qt (15.0 l)S 63 AMGapprox. 11.8 US qt (11.2 l)Low
temperature
cooling systemS 600approx. 2.8 US qt (2.6 l)S 65 AMGapprox. 3.3 US qt (3.1 l)Fuel tankAll models23.8 US gal (90.0 l)Premium unleaded
gasoline (Minimum
Posted Octane 91
[Avg. of
96 RON/86 MON])Fuel tank
reserveS 450 4MATIC 69
S 550 70
S 550 4MATIC
S 600approx. 2.9 US gal (11.0 l)S 63 AMG
S 65 AMGapprox. 3.7 US gal (14.0 l)Air
conditioning
systemAll models—R134a refrigerant
and special
PAG lubricant oil
(never R 12)Washer system
and headlamp
cleaning
systemAll models6.9 US qt (6.5 l)MB Windshield
Washer
Concentrate 73
( Y page 544)
Washer fluid mixing
ratio ( Y page 544)Approved 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 the Maintenance System.For a listing of approved engine oils and oil
filters, contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or visit www.mbusa.com (USA only).
! Using engine oils and oil filters of a
specification other than those expressly69 Canada only.
70 USA only.
73 Mixed with water or commercially available premixed washer solvent/antifreeze.Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.539Technical data221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 539Z
ModelApproximate freeze protection-35‡ (-37†)-49‡ (-45†)Cooling system,
vehicles without
rear climate
controlS 450 4MATIC 777.8 US qt (7.4 l)8.6 US qt (8.1 l)S 55078
S 550 4MATIC6.1 US qt (5.75 l)6.7 US qt (6.3 l)Cooling system,
vehicles with rear
climate controlS 450 4MATIC 778.6 US qt (8.1 l)9.4 US qt (8.9 l)S 55078
S 550 4MATIC6.9 US qt (6.55 l)7.6 US qt (7.2 l)S 6007.9 US qt (7.5 l)8.7 US qt (8.3 l)S 63 AMG6.0 US qt (5.6 l)7.0 US qt (6.2 l)S 65 AMG7.4 US qt (7.0 l)8.1 US qt (7.7 l)Low temperature
cooling systemS 6001.4 US qt (1.3 l)1.5 US qt (1.4 l)S 65 AMG1.6 US qt (1.55 l)1.8 US qt (1.7 l)Washer system and headlamp
cleaning systemGWarning!
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly
flammable. Do not spill washer solvent/
antifreeze on hot engine parts, because it may
ignite and burn. You could be seriously
burned.
XUse MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
“MB SummerFit”.XMix with water for temperatures above
freezing point.XMix with commercially available premixed
washer solvent/antifreeze for
temperatures below freezing point.
Washer fluid mixing ratio
For temperatures above the freezing point:
1 part “MB SummerFit” to 100 parts water
(1.34 fl oz [40 ml] “MB SummerFit” to 1 gal
[4.0 l] water)
For temperatures below freezing point:
1 part “MB SummerFit” to 100 parts solvent
(1.34 fl oz [40 ml] “MB SummerFit” to 1 gal
[4.0 l] solvent)77 Canada only.
78 USA only.544Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Technical data
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