2012 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS SEDAN service interval

Exhaust checkGWARNING
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas (such
as a garage) which are not properly ventilated.
If you think that exhaust gas fumes are
entering the vehicle while driving, have the
cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one
window fully open at all times.
Certain engine systems are designed to keep
the level of poisonous components in exhaust
fumes within legal limits.
These systems only work at peak efficiency if
they are serviced exactly in accordance with
the manufacturer's specifications. For this
reason, all work on the engine should only be
carried out by qualified and authorized
Mercedes-Benz technicians.
The engine settings must not be changed
under any circumstances. Furthermore, all
specific service work must be carried out at
regular intervals and in accordance with the
Mercedes-Benz service requirements. Details
can be found in the Maintenance Booklet.
Brakes
Important safety notes
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.
GWARNING
Make sure that you do not endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Downhill gradients
! On long and steep gradients, you must
reduce the load on the brakes by shifting
early to a lower gear. This allows you to take
advantage of the engine braking effect and
helps avoid overheating and excessive
wear of the brakes.
When you take advantage of the engine
braking effect, a drive wheel may not turn
for some time, e.g. on a slippery road
surface. This could cause damage to the
drive train. This type of damage is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz warranty.
Heavy and light loads
GWARNING
Depressing the brake pedal constantly results
in excessive and premature wear to the brake
pads.
It may also cause the brakes to overheat,
seriously impairing their effectiveness. It may
then not be possible to stop the vehicle in
sufficient time to avoid an accident.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately, but
drive on for a short while. This allows the
airflow to cool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roads
GWARNING
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through water
deep enough to wet brake components, the
first braking action may be somewhat
reduced. You have to depress the brake pedal
more firmly. Maintain a safe distance from
vehicles in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the
vehicle washed, brake firmly while paying
attention to the traffic conditions. This will
warm up the brake discs, thereby drying them
more quickly and protecting them against
corrosion.
Driving tips331Driving and parkingZ

XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the 9 or : button to select
daytime running lamps .XPress the a button to confirm.XTo activate/deactivate: press a
again.
Switching Adaptive Highbeam Assist
on/off
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select
Adapt. High-beam Asst. .XPress the a button to confirm.XTo activate/deactivate: press a
again.
Switching the additional speedometer
on or off
An additional digital speedometer can be
shown in the multifunction display.
Vehicles with a kilometer speedometer: the
digital speedometer has mph units.
Vehicles with a miles speedometer: the digital
speedometer has km/h units.
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress 9 or : to select Add.
Speedometer .XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the a button to save the setting.
Selecting the unit of measurement for
distance
The Display Unit Speed-/Odometer:
function allows you to choose whether
certain displays appear in kilometers or miles.
The selected unit of measurement for
distance applies to:
R analog speedometers
R digital speedometers in the Trip menu
R odometer and the trip odometer
R Trip computer
R navigation instructions in the Navi menu
R DISTRONIC PLUS
R ASSYST PLUS service interval display
The digital speedometer shows alternative
speed units ( Y page 388).XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress 9 or : to select Units.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the a button to save the setting.
The unit switches km/h and mph.
Switching the belt adjustment on/off
For further information on belt adjustment
( Y page 64).
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
menu.XPress the 9 or : button to select
Belt Adjustment .XPress the a button to confirm.XTo activate/deactivate: press a
again.
Activating/deactivating the acoustic
locking verification signal
If you activate the Acoustic Lock Feedb.
function, an audible signal sounds depending
on the vehicle's date of manufacture:
R when locking
or
R once when unlocking and three times when
locking
388Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

HEnvironmental note
When adding oil, take care not to spill any. If
oil enters the soil or waterways, it is harmful
to the environment.
! Only use engine oils and oil filters that
have been approved for vehicles with a
service system. You can obtain a list of the
engine oils and oil filters tested and
approved in accordance with the
Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Service
Products at any Mercedes-Benz Service
center.
Damage to the engine or exhaust system is
caused by the following:
R using engine oils and oil filters that have
not been specifically approved for the
service system
R replacing engine oil and oil filters after
the interval for replacement specified by
the service system has been exceeded
R using engine oil additives.
! Do not add too much oil. adding too much
engine oil can result in damage to the
engine or to the catalytic converter. Have
excess engine oil siphoned off.
Example: engine oil cap
XTurn cap : counterclockwise and remove
it.XAdd engine oil.
Vehicles with oil level measurement
function in the on-board computer: observe
the information in the on-board computer
when doing so. Vehicles with oil dipstick: if
the oil level is at or below the MIN mark onthe oil dipstick, add 0.55 to 1.1 US qt (0.5
to 1.0 l) engine oil.XReplace cap : on the filler neck and turn
clockwise.
Ensure that the cap locks into place
securely.XCheck the oil level again with the oil
dipstick ( Y page 460) or the on-board
computer ( Y page 460).
Further information on engine oil
( Y page 528).
Checking and adding other service
products
Checking the coolant level
GWARNING
In order to avoid any potentially serious burns:
R use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system, or
if the coolant temperature display indicates
that the coolant is overheated.
R do not remove the pressure cap on the
coolant reservoir if the coolant temperature
is above 158 ‡ (70 †). Allow the engine to
cool down before removing the cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and is
under pressure.
R using a rag, slowly turn the cap
approximately 1
/ 2 turn to relieve excess
pressure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out under
pressure.
R do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts.
Engine compartment463Maintenance and careZ

Only check the brake fluid level when the
vehicle is stationary and on a level surface.
If the brake fluid level is between MIN
marking ; and MAX marking : on the brake
fluid reservoir, it is correct.
Maintenance
Service interval display
Service messages
Information on the type of service and service
intervals (see separate Maintenance
Booklet).
You can obtain further information from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or at
http://www.mbusa.com (USA only).
The service interval display informs you of the
next service due date.
If a service due date has been exceeded, you
also hear an acoustic signal.
The multifunction display shows a service
message for a few seconds, e.g.
Next service A due in .. days
Service A due
Service A overdue by .. days
The letter indicates how much time the
workshop will require to carry out the service
work. The letters displayed range from A for
a short service duration to H for a long service
duration.
The service interval display does not take into
account any periods of time during which the
battery is disconnected.
Maintaining the time-dependent service
schedule:XNote down the service due date displayed
in the multifunction display before
disconnecting the battery.
or
XSubtract the battery disconnection periods
from the service date shown on the display
after reconnecting the battery.
i The service interval display does not
provide any information regarding the
engine's oil level. Observe the notes on the
engine oil level ( Y page 459).
Hiding a service message
XPress the % or a button on the
steering wheel.
Displaying service messages
XSwitch on the ignition.XPress = or ; on the steering wheel
to select the Service menu.XPress 9 or : to select the ASSYST
PLUS submenu and press a to confirm.
The service due date appears in the
multifunction display.
Please bear the following in mind
Resetting service interval display
If the qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a
Mercedes-Benz Center, carried out the
maintenance work, the service interval
display will be reset.
Further information, on maintenance for
example, can be obtained at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or directly from
Mercedes-Benz.
! If the service interval display has been
reset unintentionally, have the setting
corrected at a Mercedes-Benz Center.
Have service work carried out as described
in the Maintenance Booklet. This may
Maintenance465Maintenance and careZ

XTighten the wheel bolts evenly in a
crosswise pattern in the sequence
indicated ( : to A). The tightening torque
must be 110 lb-ft (150 Nm) .XTurn the jack back to its initial position and
store it together with the rest of the tire-
change tool kit in the stowage well under
the trunk floor.
i When you are driving with the emergency
spare wheel mounted, the tire pressure
monitoring system cannot function
reliably. Only restart the tire pressure
monitoring system when the defective
wheel has been replaced with a new wheel.
All wheels mounted must be equipped with
functioning sensors. The defective wheel
should no longer be in the vehicle.
MOExtended tires (tires with run-flat
properties)
With MOExtended tires (tires with run flat
characteristics), you can continue to drive
your vehicle even if there is a total loss of
pressure in one or more tires.
MOExtended tires may only be used in
conjunction with the activated tire pressure
loss warning system or with the activated tire
pressure monitoring system.
The driving distance in partially laden
condition is approximately 50 miles (80 km),
and approximately 18 miles (30 km) when
fully loaded.
In addition to the vehicle load, the driving
distance possible depends upon:
R speed
R road condition
R outside temperature
The driving distance possible in run-flat mode
may be reduced by extreme driving
conditions/maneuvers, or it can be increased
through a moderate style of driving.
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.
Do not exceed a vehicle speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).GWARNING
When driving in emergency mode, the driving
characteristics deteriorate, e.g. when
cornering, accelerating quickly and when
braking. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not exceed the stated maximum speed.
Avoid abrupt steering and driving maneuvers,
and driving over obstacles (curbs, potholes,
off-road). This applies in particular to a laden
vehicle.
Stop driving in emergency 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 emergency mode, have the
wheel rims checked at a qualified specialist
workshop with regard to their further use. The
defective tire must be replaced in every case.
i When replacing one or all tires, make sure
that you only use tires marked
MOExtended. Also ensure that they are 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.
Observe the service intervals in the
Maintenance Booklet or contact a qualified
specialist workshop for more information.
Have the battery charge level checked more
frequently if you use the vehicle mainly for
480BatteryBreakdown assistance

Ammonia vapors have a pungent odor and are
particularly irritating to:
R skin
R mucous membranes
R eyes
You may experience a burning sensation in
your eyes, nose and throat, as well as
coughing and watering of the eyes.
Do not inhale any ammonia vapors that may
be released. Fill the DEF tank only in well-
ventilated areas.
Low outside temperatures
DEF freezes at a temperature of
approximately 12 ‡ (-11 †). The vehicle is
equipped with a DEF preheating system when
it leaves the factory. Winter operation is
therefore also guaranteed at temperatures
below 12 ‡ (-11 †).
Additives
! Only use DEF in accordance with ISO
22241. Do not use additives with DEF and
do not dilute DEF with water. This may
destroy the BlueTEC exhaust gas
aftertreatment system.
Purity
! Impurities in DEF (e.g. due to other
service products, cleaning agents or dust)
lead to:
R increased emission values
R damage to the catalytic converter
R engine damage
R malfunctions in the BlueTEC exhaust gas
aftertreatment system
Assuring the purity of DEF is particularly
important with respect to avoiding
malfunctions in the BlueTEC exhaust gas
aftertreatment system.
If DEF is pumped out of the DEF tank, e.g.
during repair work, it must not be returned to
the tank. The purity of the fluid can no longer
be guaranteed.
Total capacity of the DEF tankModelTotal capacityS 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC6.6 US gal (25.0 l)
Engine oil
Please bear the following in mind
! Never use engine oil or an oil filter of a
specification other than is necessary to
fulfill the prescribed service intervals. Do
not change the engine oil or oil filter in
order to achieve longer replacement
intervals than those prescribed. You could
otherwise cause engine damage or damage
to the exhaust gas aftertreatment.
Follow the instructions in the service
interval display regarding the oil change.
Otherwise, you may damage the engine and
the exhaust gas aftertreatment.
The engine oils are matched to the
performance of Mercedes-Benz engines and
service intervals. You should therefore only
use engine oils and oil filters that are
approved for vehicles with maintenance
systems.
For a list of approved engine oils and oil filters,
consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Or go to
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com (USA only).
The table shows which engine oils have been
approved for your vehicle.
528Service products and filling capacitiesTechnical data

ModelEngine
modelMB
ApprovalS 550 32
S 550 4MATIC 32278229.5S 600275S 63 AMG33157S 65 AMG33275S 350 BlueTEC
4MATIC642228.51,
229.31,
229.51
i MB approval is indicated on the oil
containers.
Capacities
The following values refer to an oil change
including the oil filter.
ModelCapacityS 350 BlueTEC
4MATIC8.5 US qt (8.0 l)S 550 34
S 550 4MATIC 34
S 63 AMG9.0 US qt (8.5 l)S 600
S 65 AMG9.5 US qt (9.0 l)
Additives
! Do not use any additives in the engine oil.
This could damage the engine.
Engine oil viscosity
Viscosity describes the flow characteristics
of a fluid. If an engine oil has a high viscosity,
this means that it is thick; a low viscosity
means that it is thin.
Select an engine oil with an SAE (viscosity)
classification suitable for the prevailing
outside temperatures. The table shows you
which SAE classifications are to be used. The
low-temperature characteristics of engine
oils can deteriorate significantly, e.g. as a
result of aging, soot and fuel deposits. It is
therefore strongly recommended that you
carry out regular oil changes using an
approved engine oil with the appropriate SAE
classification.
Brake fluid
GWARNING
Over a period of time, the brake fluid absorbs
moisture from the air; this lowers its boiling
point.
If the boiling point of the brake fluid is too low,
vapor pockets may form in the brake system
when the brakes are applied hard (e.g. when
driving downhill). This would impair braking
efficiency.
You should have the brake fluid renewed at
regular intervals. The brake fluid change
32 BlueEFFICIENCY.
33 Only SAE 0W-40/SAE 5W-40 engine oils may be used.
34 BlueEFFICIENCY.Service products and filling capacities529Technical dataZ

intervals can be found in the Maintenance
Booklet.
Only use brake fluid approved by Mercedes-
Benz. Information about approved brake fluid
can be obtained at any qualified specialist
workshop or on the Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com.
Coolant
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Antifreeze is highly flammable. Fire, naked
flames and smoking are prohibited when
handling antifreeze.
If antifreeze comes into contact with hot
engine parts, it may ignite and you could burn
yourself. Do not spill any antifreeze on hot
engine parts.
! Only add coolant that has been premixed
with the desired antifreeze protection. You
could otherwise damage the engine.
Further information on coolants can be
found in the Mercedes-Benz Specifications
for Service Products, MB Specifications for
Service Products 310.1, e.g. on the
Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com. Or
contact a qualified specialist workshop.
! Always use a suitable coolant mixture,
even in countries where high temperatures
prevail.
Otherwise, the engine cooling system is not
sufficiently protected from corrosion and
overheating.
The coolant is a mixture of water and
antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor. It performs
the following tasks:
R corrosion protection
R antifreeze protection
R raising the boiling point
If the coolant has antifreeze protection down
to -35 ‡ (-37 †), the boiling point of the
coolant under operating conditions is
approximately 266 ‡ (130 †).
The antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor
concentration in the engine cooling system
should:
R be at least 50%. This will protect the engine
cooling system against freezing down to
approximately -35 ‡ (-37 †).
R not exceed 55% (antifreeze protection
down to -49 ‡ [-45 †]). Otherwise, heat
will not be dissipated as effectively.
If the vehicle has lost coolant, add equal
amounts of water and antifreeze/corrosion
inhibitor. Mercedes-Benz recommends an
antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor concentrate in
accordance with MB Specifications for
Service Products 310.1.
The coolant is checked with every
maintenance interval at a qualified specialist
workshop.
i When the vehicle is first delivered, it is
filled with a coolant mixture that ensures
adequate antifreeze and corrosion
protection.
CapacityModelCapacityS 550 35
S 550 4MATIC 35Approximately
14.5 US qt (13.7 l)S 600Approximately
15.3 US qt (14.5 l)S 63 AMGApproximately
12.2 US qt (11.5 l)S 65 AMGApproximately
14.7 US qt (13.9 l)S 350 BlueTEC
4MATICApproximately
12.0 US qt (11.4 l)35 BlueEFFICIENCY530Service products and filling capacitiesTechnical data