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
Vehicle care441Operation221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 441Z
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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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions?Coolant
Low Stop
Vehicle
Turn
Engine OffThe coolant is too hot.XStop the vehicle immediately as soon as it is safe to do so.XTurn off the engine immediately.XEngage the parking brake.XOnly start the engine again after the message disappears.
You could otherwise damage the engine.XObserve the coolant temperature gauge in the instrument
cluster.XIf the temperature rises again: Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
During severe operation conditions and stop-and-go city
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to 248‡
(120†).
GWarning!
Driving when your engine is overheated can cause some fluids which may have leaked into the
engine compartment to catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause serious burns which can occur just by opening the
engine hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of the
vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle until the engine has cooled down.
! The engine should not be operated with the coolant temperature above 248‡ (120†).
Doing so may cause serious damage which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display481Practical hints221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 481Z
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions?Coolant
Low Stop
Vehicle
Turn
Engine OffThe poly-V-belt could be broken.XStop the vehicle immediately as soon as it is safe to do so.XTurn off the engine immediately.XCheck the poly-V-belt.XIf it is broken: Do not continue to drive. Otherwise the
engine will overheat due to an inoperative water pump
which may result in damage to the engine. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.XIf it is intact: Do not continue to drive the vehicle with this
message displayed. Doing so could result in serious engine
damage that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.XObserve the coolant temperature gauge in the instrument
cluster.XDrive to the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.?The radiator cooling fan is malfunctioning.XObserve the coolant temperature gauge in the instrument
cluster.
If the coolant temperature is below 248‡ (120†), you may
continue driving to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.XAvoid placing heavy loads on the engine (e.g. by driving
uphill) as well as stop-and-go traffic.XHave the fan replaced as soon as possible.#The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:
R alternator malfunctioning
R broken poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronic systemXStop immediately in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so and check the poly-V-belt.XIf it is broken: Do not continue to drive. Otherwise the
engine will overheat due to an inoperative water pump
which may result in damage to the engine. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.XIf it is intact: Drive to the nearest authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center immediately. Adjust driving to be consistent
with reduced braking responsiveness.482Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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Vehicle equipment ............................524
Parts service .....................................524
Warranty coverage ...........................524
Identification labels ..........................524
Vehicle specification S 450
4MATIC (221.084) .............................527
Vehicle specification S 550
(221.171) ...........................................527
Vehicle specification S 550
4MATIC (221.186) .............................528
Vehicle specification S 600
(221.176) ...........................................529
Vehicle specification S 63 AMG
(221.177) ...........................................530
Vehicle specification S 65 AMG
(221.179) ...........................................531
Rims and tires ...................................532
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......537
523Technical data221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 523
All models
(except AMG vehicles)S 63 AMG
S 63 AMG (Performance Package)
S 65 AMGRim (steel)4.5 B x 19 H2—Rim (light alloy)—4.5 B x 19 H2Wheel offset1.38 in (35 mm)1.38 in (35 mm)Minispare tire 68T 155/70 R19 113MT 155/70 R19 113MRecommended tire
inflation pressure61 psi (4.2 bar)61 psi (4.2 bar)Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore only use
products tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
For information on tested and approved
products, contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center or visit www.mbusa.com (USA
only).
GWarning!
Comply with all valid regulations with respect
to handling, storing, and disposing of service
fluids. Otherwise you could endanger persons
or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of
children.
For health reasons, you should prevent
service fluids from coming into direct contact
with your skin or clothing.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a
physician immediately.ModelCapacityFuels, coolants,
lubricants, etc.Engine with oil
filterS 450 4MATIC 69
S 550 70
S 550 4MATIC9.0 US qt (8.5 l)Approved engine
oilsS 600
S 65 AMG9.5 US qt (9.0 l)S 63 AMG 719.9 US qt (9.35 l)68
Must not be used with snow chains.
69 Canada only.
70 USA only.
71 Engine with oil cooler.Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.537Technical data221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 537Z
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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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