Break-in period .................................. 402
Bulbs see Replacing bulbs
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) ... 24
California retail buyers and
lessees, important notice for ............. 22
Calls (phone) .............................. 148, 230
Can holders see Cup holders
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................................. 537
Carpets, cleaning .............................. 446
CD player ............................................ 176
Central locking
Automatic ...................................... 278
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 275
Locking/unlocking from inside ......279
SmartKey ....................................... 274
Central locking/unlocking switch ... 279
Certification label .............................. 524
Children in the vehicle
Air bags ........................................... 41
Child safety locks (rear doors) .........61
Child seat anchors – LATCH-type
(ISOFIX) ........................................... 60
Indicator lamp, front passenger
front air bag off ................................ 46
Infant and child restraint systems .... 57
ISOFIX (Child seat anchors –
LATCH-type) ..................................... 60
OCS (Occupant Classification
System) ........................................... 46
Override switch ................................ 61
Safety notes ..................................... 56
Tether anchorage points ..................59
Top tether ........................................ 59
Child safety
see Children in the vehicle
Child seat anchors – LATCH-type
(ISOFIX) see Children in the vehicle
Chrome-plated exhaust tip,
cleaning .............................................. 447
Cigarette lighters .............................. 387
Climate control system .................... 363
Air conditioning ............................. 366
Air conditioning refrigerant ............540
Air distribution ............................... 370
Air recirculation mode ...................371
Air volume ..................................... 370
Automatic mode ............................ 366
Deactivating system ......................366
Front defroster .............................. 370
Maximum cooling MAX COOL ........371
Residual heat and ventilation .........372
Temperature .................................. 367
Coat hooks ......................................... 380
Cockpit ................................................. 30
Cold tire inflation pressure .............. 430
Collapsible wheel chock ................... 450
COMAND .............................................. 76
Address book ................................. 159
Audio playback .............................. 176
AUX sockets .................................. 186
Components .................................... 77
Controller ......................................... 79
FM/AM Radio ................................ 165
Gracenote ®
Media Database .........185
HD Radio™ .................................... 167
Headphone ...................................... 82
Inserting/ejecting CDs and DVDs . 179
Introduction ..................................... 76
iPod ®
............................................. 200
Media interface .............................. 200
Music Register ............................... 196
Navigation ........................................ 95
Operating ......................................... 84
Phone book .................................... 159
Rear Seat Entertainment System ...189
Remote control (Rear Seat
Entertainment System) ....................81
Remote control (SPLITVIEW) ............81
Reset to factory settings ..................95
Satellite radio ................................ 170
SD card .......................................... 180
Shortcut buttons .............................. 77
SPLITVIEW ....................................... 90
Switching on or off ........................... 77
System settings ............................... 91
Telephone ...................................... 148
Telephone keypad ............................ 796Index221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 6
ESC OFF ........................................ 495
Fog lamps ...................................... 300
Front passenger front air bag
off ............................................ 46, 498
Fuel tank reserve ........................... 496
High-beam headlamps .............32, 301
Instrument cluster .........................489
Low-beam headlamps ....................299
Low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale ........................497
Seat belt telltale ................32, 52, 493
SRS .......................................... 40, 494
Turn signals ..................................... 32
Lane Keeping Assist .......................... 362
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 462
Switching on or off ......................... 233
Language settings ............................... 94
LATCH-type child seat anchors (ISOFIX) see Children in the vehicle
License plate lamps
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 486
Light alloy wheels, cleaning ............. 445
Lighters see Cigarette lighters
Lighting .............................................. 298
Daytime running lamp mode ..........299
Exterior .......................................... 298
Interior ........................................... 304
Limp-home mode .............................. 325
Load index (tires) ...................... 426, 431
Loading see Vehicle loading
Locking the vehicle
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 275
Manually ........................................ 500
SmartKey ....................................... 274
Loss of
Key ................................................ 277
Service and Warranty Information
booklet .......................................... 524
Low-beam headlamps ....................... 299
Exterior lamp switch ......................298
Switching on .................................. 299
Lubricants .......................................... 537M
Maintenance ........................................ 22
Maintenance Call, automatic (Tele
Aid) ..................................................... 395
Maintenance System
Service indicator display ................439
Service indicator message .............439
Service term exceeded ..................439
Manual headlamp mode (Low-
beam headlamps) .............................. 299
Manual shift program ....................... 324
Maximum engine speed see Vehicle specification
Maximum loaded vehicle weight ..... 431
Maximum load rating (tires) ............. 431
Maximum permissible tire
inflation pressure .............................. 431
Mechanical key see Key, Mechanical
Media interface ................................. 200
Memory function ............................... 297
Menus see Control system menus
Minispare wheel
see Spare wheel
Mirrors ............................................... 294
Auto-dimming rear view mirrors ....295
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position .......................................... 295
Exterior rear view mirrors ..............295
Front vanity mirrors .......................386
Interior rear view mirror .................294
Memory function ........................... 297
Power-folding exterior rear view
mirrors ........................................... 296
Rear vanity mirrors ........................386
MON (Motor Octane Number) .......... 541
Motor Octane Number see MON
MP3 .................................................... 176
Multicontour seats, front ................. 218
Multicontour seats, rear ................... 293
Multifunction display ........................ 222
Symbol messages ..........................466
Text messages ............................... 454
Vehicle status messages ...............45212Index221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 12
In manual program mode M, upshift
indicator ; in the multifunction display
advises you to upshift before the engine
reaches the overspeed range. Thus you can
drive at the maximum engine speed for each
gear without overrevving the engine.XShift the automatic transmission from
current gear : into the next higher gear.
The fuel supply will otherwise be
interrupted to prevent the engine from
overrevving.
Downshifting
GWarning!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
XBriefly pull left gearshift control :
( Y page 323).
The automatic transmission shifts into the
next lower gear.
i For maximum acceleration, pull and hold
the left gearshift control. Depending on the
engine speed the automatic transmission
selects the optimal gear for maximum
acceleration.
i When you brake or stop, the automatic
transmission shifts down into a gear from
which you can easily accelerate or take off.
Kickdown
Using the kickdown while driving in manual
program mode M is not possible.
Deactivating manual shift programXPress the program mode selector switch
repeatedly until C or S appears in the
multifunction display.
or
XRestart the engine.
The automatic transmission will go to
automatic program mode C.
Manual program mode M is not stored.
Emergency operation (limp-home
mode)
If vehicle acceleration becomes less
responsive or sluggish or the automatic
transmission no longer shifts, the automatic
transmission is most likely operating in limp-
home (emergency operation) mode. In this
mode only second gear and reverse gear R
can be selected.
XStop the vehicle in a safe location.XShift the automatic transmission into park
position P.XTurn off the engine.XWait at least 10 seconds before restarting.XRestart the engine.XShift the automatic transmission into drive
position D (for second gear) or reverse gear
R .XHave the automatic transmission checked
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Transfer case
This section applies to vehicles equipped with
all-wheel drive (4MATIC) only. Both the front
and rear axles are powered at all times when
the vehicle is being operated.
! Only conduct operational or performance
tests on a two-axle dynamometer. If such
tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. You could
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Vehicle equipment
i This Operator’s Manual describes all
features, standard or optional, potentially
available for your vehicle at the time of
purchase. Please be aware that your
vehicle might not be equipped with all
features described in this manual.
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle
during the break-in period, the more satisfied
you will be with its performance later on.
R Drive your vehicle during the first
1 000 miles (1 500 km) at varying but
moderate vehicle and engine speeds.
R During this period, avoid heavy loads (full
throttle driving) and excessive engine
speeds (no more than 2
/ 3 of maximum rpm
in each gear).
R Select C as the preferred shift program
( Y page 322) for the first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km).
R Avoid accelerating by kickdown.
R Do not attempt to slow the vehicle down by
shifting to a lower gear using the gear
selector lever.
R Select gear ranges 3, 2 or 1 (Y page 321)
only when driving at moderate speeds (for
hill driving).
After 1 000 miles (1 500 km) you may
gradually increase vehicle and engine speeds
to the permissible maximum.
! Additional instructions for AMG vehicles:
R During the first 1 000 miles (1 500 km),
do not exceed a speed of 85 mph
(140 km/h).
R During this period, avoid engine speeds
above 4 500 rpm in each gear.
R Shift gears in a timely manner.
All of the above instructions, as may apply to
your vehicle type, also apply when driving the
first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) after the engine
or the rear differential has been replaced.
i Always obey applicable speed limits.
At the gas station
Refueling
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.
GWarning!
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create
pressure in the system which could cause a
gas discharge. This could cause the gas to
spray back out when removing the fuel pump
nozzle, which could cause personal injury.
! Never refuel vehicles with gasoline engine
with diesel fuel. Even small amounts of
diesel fuel will damage the fuel system and
engine. Damage resulting from the use of
non-approved fuels or fuel additives or
resulting from mixing gasoline with diesel
fuel is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
! If you have accidentally filled the tank
with incorrect or non-approved fuel, do not
switch on the ignition. Otherwise the
incorrect or non-approved fuel will get into
the fuel lines. The fuel system must be
drained completely. Contact an authorized
402At the gas stationOperation
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Tire type code
Tire type code ? may, at the option of the
manufacturer, be used as a descriptive code
for identifying significant characteristics of
the tire.
Date of manufacture
The date of manufacture A identifies the
week and year of manufacture.
The first two figures identify the week,
starting with “01” to represent the first full
week of the calendar year. The second two
figures represent the year.
For example, “3208” represents the 32nd
week of 2008.
Tire ply material
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and
may vary from data shown in above
illustration.
This marking tells you about the type of cord
and number of plies in the sidewall : and
under the tread ;.
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power seats,
radio, and heater, to the extent that these
items are available as factory-installed
equipment (whether installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air
pressure is expressed in pounds per square
inch (psi), kilopascal (kPa), or bar.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width expressed
in percentage.
Bar
Metric unit for air pressure. There are
14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi) to
1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa) to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped by
steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle has
been sitting for at least 3 hours or driven no
more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with standard
equipment including the maximum capacity
of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so equipped,
air conditioning and additional optional
equipment, but without passengers and
cargo.
DOT (Department of Transportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the tire
meets requirements of the U.S. Department
of Transportation.
430Tires and wheelsOperation
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GWarning!
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.
GWarning!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid abrupt
acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control or
DISTRONIC PLUS system under such
conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, shift
the automatic transmission to neutral
position N. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action.
i For information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains” ( Y page 433).
Road salts and chemicals can adversely
affect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce the
normal brake effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically when
traveling at length on salt-strewn roads can
bring road-salt-impaired braking efficiency
back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven on
salt-treated roads, the braking efficiency
should be tested as soon as possible after
driving is resumed.
GWarning!
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
To save fuel you should:
R Keep tires at the recommended inflation
pressures.
R Remove unnecessary loads.
R Remove roof rack when not in use.
R Allow engine to warm up under low load
use.
R Avoid frequent acceleration and
deceleration.
R Have all maintenance work performed at
the intervals specified in the Maintenance
Booklet and as required by the
Maintenance system. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driving
in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic, on
short trips and in mountainous areas.
Drinking and driving
GWarning!
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and
driving are very dangerous combinations.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can
affect your reflexes, perceptions and
judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident are greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Pedals
GWarning!
Make sure absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals’ range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all
434Driving instructionsOperation
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Vehicle specification S 450 4MATIC
(221.084)
The quoted data apply only to the standard
vehicle. Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center for the corresponding data of all
special bodies and special equipment.
i The S 450 4MATIC is available in Canada
only.Engine S 450 4MATICEngine, type273Mode of operation4-stroke engine,
gasoline injectionNo. of cylinders8Bore3.66 in (92.90 mm)Stroke3.39 in (86.00 mm)Total piston
displacement284.6 cu in
(4 663 cm 3
)Compression
ratio10.5:1Output acc. to
SAE J 1349 46335 hp/6
000 rpm
(250 kW/6 000 rpm)Maximum torque
acc. to SAE J 1349339 lb-ft/
2 700 - 5 000 rpm
(460 Nm/
2 700 - 5 000 rpm)Maximum engine
speed6 500 rpmFiring order1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8Poly-V-belt2 404 mmElectrical system S 450 4MATICAlternator14 V/180 AStarter motor12 V/1.7 kWElectrical system S 450 4MATICBattery12 V/95 AhSpark plugs, typeNGK PLKR 6ABosch Y 7 MPP33Spark plugs,
electrode gap0.031 in (0.8 mm)Spark plugs,
tightening torque15 - 18 lb-ft
(20 - 25 Nm)Main dimensions S 450 4MATICOverall vehicle
length200.1 in (5 100 mm)Overall vehicle
width 4783.5 in (2
120 mm)Overall vehicle
height58.2 in (1 479 mm)Wheelbase119.5 in (3 035 mm)Track, front63.0 in (1 600 mm)Track, rear63.2 in (1 606 mm)Turning circle38.7 ft (11.8 m)Weights S 450 4MATICRoof loadmax. 220 lb (100 kg)Trunk loadmax. 220 lb (100 kg)
Vehicle specification S 550 (221.171)
The quoted data apply only to the standard
vehicle. Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center for the corresponding data of all
special bodies and special equipment.
i The S 550 is available in the USA only.
46
Premium fuel required. Performance may vary with fuel octane rating.
47 Exterior rear view mirrors folded out.Vehicle specification S 550 (221.171)527Technical data221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 527Z
Engine S 550Engine, type273Mode of operation4-stroke engine,
gasoline injectionNo. of cylinders8Bore3.86 in (98.00 mm)Stroke3.56 in (90.50 mm)Total piston
displacement333.3 cu in
(5 461 cm 3
)Compression
ratio10.7:1Output acc. to
SAE J 1349 48382 hp/6
000 rpm
(285 kW/6 000 rpm)Maximum torque
acc. to SAE J 1349391 lb-ft/3 000 rpm
( 530 Nm/3 000 rpm)Maximum engine
speed6 500 rpmFiring order1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8Poly-V-belt2 404 mmElectrical system S 550Alternator14 V/180 AStarter motor12 V/1.7 kWBattery12 V/95 AhSpark plugs, typeNGK PLKR 6ABosch Y 7 MPP33Spark plugs,
electrode gap0.031 in (0.8 mm)Spark plugs,
tightening torque15 - 18 lb-ft
(20 - 25 Nm)Main dimensions S 550Overall vehicle
length206.7 in (5 250 mm)Overall vehicle
width 4983.5 in (2
120 mm)Overall vehicle
height58.2 in (1 479 mm)Wheelbase124.6 in (3 165 mm)Track, front63.0 in (1 600 mm)Track, rear63.2 in (1 606 mm)Turning circle40.0 ft (12.2 m)Weights S 550Roof loadmax. 220 lb (100 kg)Trunk loadmax. 220 lb (100 kg)
Vehicle specification S 550 4MATIC
(221.186)
The quoted data apply only to the standard
vehicle. Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center for the corresponding data of all
special bodies and special equipment.
Engine S 550 4MATICEngine, type273Mode of operation4-stroke engine,
gasoline injectionNo. of cylinders8Bore3.86 in (98.00 mm)Stroke3.56 in (90.50 mm)Total piston
displacement333.3 cu in
(5 461 cm 3
)48 Premium fuel required. Performance may vary with fuel octane rating.
49 Exterior rear view mirrors folded out.528Vehicle specification S 550 4MATIC (221.186)Technical data
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