2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class Park

Vehicle equipment
iThis manual describes all the standard
and optional equipment of your vehicle
which was available at the time of
purchase. Country-specific differences are
possible. Note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all functions described.
Engine compartment
Hood
Opening the hood
GWarning
Do not pull the release lever while the vehicle
is in motion. Otherwise, the hood could be
forced open by passing air flow.
This could cause the hood to come loose and
injure you and/or others.
GWarning
Hybrid vehicles: ensure that you read the
"HYBRID" supplement. You may otherwise fail
to recognize dangers.
GWarning
Do not open the hood when the engine is
overheated. You could be seriously injured.
Observe the coolant temperature gauge to
determine whether the engine may be
overheated. If you see flames or smoke
coming from the engine compartment, move
away from the vehicle. Wait until the engine
has cooled. If necessary, call the fire
department.
GWarning
There is a risk of injury if the hood is open,
even if the engine is not running.
Some engine components can become very
hot.
To avoid the risk of burns, only touch those
components described in the Operator's
Manual and observe the relevant safety notes.
GWarning
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running.
The radiator fan may continue to run for
approximately 30 seconds or may even
restart after the engine has been turned off.
Stay clear of fan blades.
GWarning
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage,
it is dangerous to touch any components
(ignition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system:
Rwith the engine running
Rwhile starting the engine
Rwhen the ignition is switched on and the
engine is turned manually
XMake sure that the windshield wipers are
switched off.
GWarning
The windshield wipers and wiper linkage
could be set in motion.
When the hood is open, you or others could
be injured by the wiper linkage.
Make sure that the windshield wipers are
switched off. Remove the SmartKey or make
sure that no ignition position has been
selected with KEYLESS-GO. All indicator
lamps must be off in the instrument cluster.
446Engine compartmentMaintenance and care

XPull release lever : on the hood.
The hood is released.
! Make sure that the windshield wipers are
not folded away from the windshield. You
could otherwise damage the windshield
wipers or the hood.
XPull hood catch handle ; outwards from
the radiator grill as far as it will go and lift
the hood from underneath by the radiator
grill.
! Do not lift the hood by hood catch
handle ;. The handle may otherwise be
damaged.
Closing the hood
GWarning
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hands or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure the hood is securely engaged
before driving off. Do not continue driving if
the hood can no longer engage after an
accident, for example. The hood could
otherwise come loose while the vehicle is in
motion and injure you and/or others.
XLower the hood and let it fall from a height
of approximately 8 inches (20 cm).
XCheck that the hood has engaged properly.
If the hood can be raised slightly, it is not
properly engaged. Open it again and close
it with a little more force.
Radiator
iVehicles with a diesel engine: do not
cover the radiator, for example with a
winter front or bug cover. Otherwise, the
readings of the on-board-diagnostic
system may be inaccurate. Some of these
readings are required by law and must be
accurate at all times.
Engine oil
Notes on the oil level
GWarning
Hybrid vehicles: ensure that you read the
"HYBRID" supplement. You may otherwise fail
to recognize dangers.
Depending on the driving style, the vehicle
consumes up to 0.9 US qt (0.8 l) of oil over a
distance of 600 miles (1,000 km). The oil
consumption may be higher than this when
the vehicle is new or if you frequently drive at
high engine speeds.
Checking the oil level using the oil
dipstick
On vehicles with a 12-cylinder engine, the oil
level can be checked using the on-board
computer. On all other models, the dipstick
must be used to check the engine oil level.
When checking the oil level:
Rpark the vehicle on a level surface.
Rthe engine should be switched off for
approximately five minutes if the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
Engine compartment447Maintenance and careZ

Example: vehicles with a gasoline engine
Example: vehicles with 4MATIC
XPull oil dipstick : out of the dipstick guide
tube.
XWipe off oil dipstick :.XSlowly insert oil dipstick : into the
dipstick guide tube to the stop, and take it
out again.
The oil level is correct if the level is between
MIN mark = and MAX mark ;.
XAdd oil if necessary.
Checking the oil level using the on-
board computer
On vehicles with a 12-cylinder engine, the oil
level can be checked using the on-board
computer. On all other models, the dipstick
must be used to check the engine oil level.
When checking the oil level:
Rpark the vehicle on a level surface.
Rthe engine should be switched off for
approximately five minutes if the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
XMake sure that the SmartKey is in
position 2 in the ignition lock.
XPress the ; or = button to select the
Service menu.
XPress the : or 9 button to select
Engine Oil Level.
XPress a.
The Measuring Engine Oil Level
Accurate Only When Vehicle is
Level message appears in the
multifunction display.
The measurement takes a few seconds. You
will see one of the following messages in the
multifunction display:
REngine Oil Level OK
RAdd1.0 l Engine OilAt Next
Refueling
RAdd1.5 l Engine OilAt Next
Refueling
RAdd2.0 l Engine OilAt Next
Refueling
XAdd oil if necessary.
If the engine is at normal operating
temperature and the ReduceEngine Oil
Level message appears, the engine oil level
is too high.
XHave excess oil siphoned off.
! Do not add too much oil. Adding too much
oil can result in damage to the engine or the
catalytic converter. Have excess oil
siphoned off.
If the For Engine Oil Level Ignition
Must be On message appears:
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
If the Need More Time to Check Engine
Oil Level message appears:
XIf the engine is at normal operating
temperature: repeat the measurement
after about five minutes.
448Engine compartmentMaintenance and care

Rsolvents
R cleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces or protective
films with hard objects, e.g. a ring or ice
scraper. You could otherwise scratch or
damage the surfaces and protective film.HEnvironmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible
manner.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period right after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
brake pads, thus drying them. The vehicle
can then be parked up.
Exterior care
Automatic car wash
GWarning
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. This could cause an accident. For
this reason, you must drive particularly
carefully after washing the vehicle until the
brakes have dried.
GWarning
The vehicle is braked when the HOLD function
or DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. Therefore,
deactivate the HOLD function and DISTRONIC
PLUS before the vehicle is washed in an
automatic car wash.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
! Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
! In car washes with a towing mechanism,
make sure that AUTOTRONIC is in
transmission position N, otherwise the
vehicle could be damaged.
R Vehicles with a SmartKey:
Do not remove the SmartKey from the
ignition lock. Do not open the driver's
door or front-passenger door when the
engine is switched off. Otherwise,
AUTOTRONIC selects park position P
automatically and locks the wheels. You
can prevent this by shifting AUTOTRONIC
to N beforehand.
R Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO:
Do not open the driver's door or front-
passenger door when the engine is
switched off. Otherwise, AUTOTRONIC
selects park position P automatically and
locks the wheels.
Observe the following to make sure that the
automatic transmission stays in position N:XMake sure the vehicle is stationary and the
ignition is switched off.XTurn the key to position 2 (Y page 299) in
the ignition lock.
Use the key instead of the Start/Stop
button on vehicles with KEYLESS-GO.XDepress and hold the brake pedal.XShift the automatic transmission to
position N.XRelease the brake pedal.XRelease the parking brake.XSwitch off the ignition and leave the key in
the ignition lock.
! Make sure that the side windows are
completely closed, that the ventilation/
heating is switched off and that the
windshield wiper switch is set to 0.
Otherwise, the rain/light sensor could be
activated, triggering unintended wiper
Care453Maintenance and careZ

movements. This can cause damage to the
vehicle.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windshield and the wiper
blades. This will prevent smears and reduce
wiping noises caused by residue on the
windshield.
Washing by hand
Carefully remove all deposits of road salt as
soon as possible when driving in winter.
Also, clean the insides of the wheels when
washing the underbody of the vehicle.
XDo not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.XUse a soft car sponge for cleaning.XUse a gentle cleaning agent, e.g. a
Mercedes-Benz approved car shampoo.XWash down the vehicle with a gentle water
jet.XDo not point the water jet directly at the air
inlets.XUse plenty of water and rinse the sponge
frequently.XRinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
it thoroughly with a chamois.XDo not allow the cleaning agent to dry on
the paintwork.
Power washers
GWarning
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles (concentrated-power jets) to clean
your vehicle, especially for cleaning tires. You
could otherwise damage the tires and cause
an accident.
! Keep the distance between the vehicle
and the nozzle of the power washer at
11.8 in (30 cm). Information about the
correct distance is available from the
equipment manufacturer.
Move the power washer nozzle around
when cleaning your vehicle.
Do not aim directly at any of the following:
R tires
R door joint
R electrical components
R battery
R connectors
R lights
R seals
R trim elements
R ventilation slots
Damaged seals or electrical components
can lead to leaks or failures.
Cleaning the wheels
! Do not use acidic wheel cleaning products
to remove brake dust. This could damage
wheel bolts and brake components.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period right after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
brake pads, thus drying them. The vehicle
can then be parked up.
Cleaning the paintwork
Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas affected
by corrosion and damage caused by
inadequate care cannot always be completely
repaired. In such cases, visit a qualified
specialist workshop immediately, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
XRemove impurities immediately, where
possible, whilst avoiding rubbing too hard.XSoak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse off the treated areas afterwards.XSoak bird droppings with water and rinse
off the treated areas afterwards.XRemove coolant, brake fluid, tree resin,
oils, fuels and greases by rubbing gently454CareMaintenance and care

Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Your vehicle may be equipped with a
"Minispare" emergency spare wheel or the
MOExtended run-flat system. ( Y page 467)
i Vehicle preparation is not necessary on
vehicles with the MOExtended run-flat
system.
XStop the vehicle as far away as possible
from traffic on solid, non-slippery and level
ground.XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps.XEngage the electric parking brake manually
( Y page 317).XBring the front wheels into the straight-
ahead position.XMove the DIRECT SELECT lever to P.XSwitch off the engine.XVehicles without KEYLESS-GO: remove
the key from the ignition lock.XVehicles with KEYLESS-GO: open the
driver's door.
The on-board electronics have status 0,
which is the same as the key having been
removed.XVehicles with KEYLESS-GO: remove the
Start/Stop button from the ignition lock
( Y page 299).XAll occupants must get out of the vehicle.
Make sure that they are not endangered as
they do so.XMake sure that no one is near the danger
area whilst a wheel is being changed.
Anyone who is not directly assisting in the
wheel change should, for example, stand
behind the barrier.XGet out of the vehicle. Pay attention to
traffic conditions when doing so.XClose the driver's door.Changing a wheel and mounting the
spare wheel
Preparing the vehicleGWarning
The wheel and tire size of the emergency
spare wheel/spare wheel may differ to that of
the damaged wheel. When using an
emergency spare wheel/spare wheel the
handling characteristics of the vehicle may
change.
Adapt your style of driving accordingly.
Never operate the vehicle with more than one
emergency spare wheel/spare wheel that
differs in size.
Only use an emergency spare wheel/spare
wheel of a differing size briefly and do not
switch off ESP ®
.
When using an emergency spare wheel, you
must not exceed the maximum speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).
GWarning
Have the different-sized emergency spare
wheel/spare wheel replaced with a new
wheel as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop that has the necessary
specialist knowledge and tools to carry out
the work required. Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you use an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for this purpose. In
particular, work relevant to safety or on
safety-related systems must be carried out at
a qualified specialist workshop.
i Vehicles without an emergency spare
wheel/spare wheel are not equipped with
a tire-change tool kit at the factory. For
more information on which tools are
required to perform a wheel change on your
vehicle, e.g. wheel chock, alignment bolt,
or lug wrench, consult an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Flat tire463Roadside assistanceZ

performing maintenance work under the
vehicle. To help avoid personal injury, use the
jack only to lift the vehicle during a wheel
change.
Never get beneath the vehicle while it is
supported by the jack. Keep hands and feet
away from the area under the lifted vehicle.
Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient
capacity jackstands before working under the
vehicle.
Always firmly engage the parking brake and
block the wheels with wheel chocks or other
sizable objects before raising the vehicle with
the jack. Do not disengage the parking brake
while the vehicle is raised.
Make sure that the ground on which the
vehicle is standing and where you place the
jack is solid, level and not slippery. If
necessary, use a large underlay. On slippery
surfaces, such as tiled floors, you should use
a non-slip underlay, for example a rubber mat.
Do not use wooden blocks or similar objects
as a jack underlay. Otherwise, the jack may
not be able to achieve its load-bearing
capacity if it is not at its full height.
Never start the engine when the vehicle is
raised.
Also observe the notes on the jack.
XUsing lug wrench :, loosen the bolts on
the wheel you wish to change by about one
full turn. Do not unscrew the bolts
completely.
The jacking points for the jack are located
behind the wheel housings of the front wheels
and in front of the wheel housings of the rear
wheels (arrows).
GWarning
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up
the vehicle at the jacking points. The jack
saddle must be placed centrally under the
jacking point.
If you do not position the jack correctly in the
jacking point, the vehicle can fall off the jack
and seriously or fatally injure you or others.
! The jack is designed exclusively for
jacking up the vehicle at the jacking points.
Otherwise, your vehicle could be damaged.
XPosition jack = at jacking point ;.Flat tire465Roadside assistanceZ

The maximum permissible distance which
can be driven in run-flat mode depends on the
cargo in the vehicle. You can drive 50 miles
(80 km) if the vehicle is partially laden and
18 miles (30 km) if it is fully laden.
The maximum permissible distance which
can be driven in run-flat mode is counted from
the moment the tire pressure loss warning
appears in the multifunction display.
You must not exceed a maximum speed of
50 mph(80 km/h).GWarning!
The handling characteristics of your vehicle
deteriorate in run-flat mode, for example:
R when cornering
R when braking
R when accelerating rapidly
Adapt your driving style accordingly and avoid
sudden changes in direction and sudden
acceleration, as well as driving over obstacles
(i.e. curbs, potholes), and driving off-road.
This is particularly the case when the vehicle
is heavily laden.
The maximum permissible distance that can
be driven in run-flat mode depends to a large
extent on the loads placed on the vehicle. It
can be shorter due to high speeds, a heavy
cargo, sudden changes in direction, the road
surface condition, outside temperature, etc.,
or further if you drive carefully and
conservatively.
Do not continue to drive in run-flat mode if:
R you hear banging noises.
R the vehicle starts to shake.
R you see smoke and smell rubber.
R ESP ®
is intervening constantly.
R there are tears in the sidewalls of the tire.
After driving in run-flat mode, you must have
the wheel(s) checked for damage at a
qualified specialist workshop which has the
necessary specialist knowledge and tools to
carry out the work required. The faulty tire
must be replaced in every case.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for this
purpose. In particular, work relevant to safety
or on safety-related systems must be carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop.
i When replacing one or all tires, make sure
that you only use tires marked
MOExtended and of the specified size for
the vehicle.
Battery
Important safety notes
In order for the battery to achieve the
maximum possible service life, it must always
be sufficiently charged.
! Have the battery checked regularly at a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Observe the service intervals in the Service
Booklet or for further information consult a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Have the battery charge checked more
frequently if you use the vehicle mainly for
short trips or if you leave it standing idle for
a lengthy period.
To prevent damage from corrosion, only
replace the battery with one that has a central
ventilation cover.
Only replace a battery with a battery that has
been recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
Consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
if you wish to leave your vehicle parked up for
a long period of time.
GWarning
Hybrid vehicles: ensure that you read the
"HYBRID" supplement. You may otherwise fail
to recognize dangers.
GWarning
Comply with safety precautions and take
protective measures when handling batteries.
468BatteryRoadside assistance