2012 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS SEDAN oil

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible axle
load. The actual load on an axle must never
exceed the gross axle weight rating. The
gross axle weight rating can be found on the
vehicle identification plate on the B-pillar on
the driver's side.
Speed rating
The speed rating is part of the tire
identification. It specifies the speed range for
which the tire is approved.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
The gross vehicle weight includes the weight
of the vehicle including fuel, tools, the spare
wheel, accessories installed, occupants,
luggage and the drawbar noseweight, if
applicable. The gross vehicle weight must not
exceed the gross vehicle weight rating GVWR
as specified on the vehicle identification plate
on the B-pillar on the driver's side.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
The GVWR is the maximum permissible gross
weight of a fully loaded vehicle (the weight of
the vehicle including all accessories,
occupants, fuel, luggage and the drawbar
noseweight, if applicable). The gross vehicle
weight rating is specified on the vehicle
identification plate on the B-pillar on the
driver's side.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The maximum weight is the sum of the curb
weight of the vehicle, the weight of the
accessories, the total load limit and the
weight of the optional equipment installed at
the factory.
Kilopascal (kPa)
Metric unit for tire pressure. 6.9 kPa
corresponds to 1 psi. Another unit for tire
pressure is bar. There are 100 kilopascals
(kPa) to 1 bar.
Load index
In addition to the load-bearing index, the load
index may also be imprinted on the sidewall
of the tire. This specifies the load-bearing
capacity more precisely.
Curb weight
The weight of a vehicle with standard
equipment including the maximum capacity
of fuel, oil and coolant. It also includes the air-
conditioning system and optional equipment
if these are installed in the vehicle, but does
not include passengers or luggage.
Maximum load rating
The maximum load rating in kilograms or
pounds is the maximum weight for which a
tire is approved.
Maximum permissible tire pressure
Maximum permissible tire pressure for one
tire.
Maximum load on one tire
Maximum load on one tire. This is calculated
by dividing the maximum axle load of one axle
by two.
PSI (pounds per square inch)
A standard unit of measure for tire pressure.
Definition of terms for tires and loading513Wheels and tiresZ

Changing a wheel
Flat tire
The "Breakdown assistance" section
( Y page 475) contains information and notes
on how to deal with a flat tire. It also provides
instructions on changing a wheel or mounting
the spare wheel/emergency spare wheel.
Interchanging the wheels
GWARNING
Interchanging the front and rear wheels may
severely impair the driving characteristics if
the wheels or tires have different dimensions.
The wheel brakes or suspension components
may also be damaged. There is a risk of
accident.
Rotate front and rear wheels only if the wheels
and tires are of the same dimensions.
Always pay attention to the instructions and
safety notes in the "Changing tires and
mounting the spare wheel" section
( Y page 475).
The wear patterns on the front and rear tires
differ, depending on the operating conditions.
Rotate the wheels before a clear wear pattern
has formed on the tires. Front tires typically
wear more on the shoulders and the rear tires
in the center.
If your vehicle's tire configuration allows, you
can rotate the wheels according to the
intervals in the tire manufacturer's warranty
book in your vehicle documents. If this is not
available, the tires should then be replaced
every 3000 to 6000 miles (5000 to
10,000 km), or earlier if the tire wear requires
this. Do not change the direction of wheel
rotation.
Clean the contact surfaces of the wheel and
the brake disc thoroughly every time a wheel
is interchanged. Check the tire pressures.
For information on changing tires and
mounting the spare wheel, see (Y page 475).
!
On vehicles equipped with a tire pressure
monitor, electronic components are
located in the wheel.
Tire-mounting tools should not be used
near the valve. This could damage the
electronic components.
Only have tires changed at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Direction of rotation
Tires with a specified direction of rotation
have additional benefits, e.g. if there is a risk
of hydroplaning. You will only gain these
benefits if the correct direction of rotation is
maintained.
An arrow on the sidewall of the tire indicates
its correct direction of rotation.
You may mount a spare wheel/emergency
spare wheel against the direction of rotation.
Observe the time restriction on use as well as
the speed limit specified on the spare wheel/
emergency spare wheel.
Storing wheels
Store wheels that are not being used in a cool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protect the
tires from oil, grease, gasoline and diesel.
Cleaning the wheels
GWARNING
Do not use power washers with circular-jet
nozzles (dirt grinders) to clean your vehicle, in
particular the tires. You could otherwise
damage the tires and cause an accident.
Wheel and tire combinations
Please bear the following in mind
! For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use tires and
wheels which have been approved by
Wheel and tire combinations515Wheels and tiresZ

iThe data shown on the identification plate
is example data. This data is different for
every vehicle and can deviate from the data
shown here. You can find the data
applicable to your vehicle on the vehicle's
identification plate.
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The vehicle identification number (VIN) can
be found in the following locations:
R on the vehicle identification plate
( Y page 523)
R at the lower edge of the windshield
( Y page 524)
In addition to being stamped on the vehicle
identification plate, the vehicle identification
number (VIN) is also stamped onto the vehicle
body. It is under the trim behind the rear seat
armrest.
XFold down the rear seat armrest.XOpen the trim.
You will see vehicle identification number
(VIN) :.Engine number:Emission control information plate,
including the certification of both federal
and Californian emissions standards;Engine number (stamped into the
crankcase)=VIN (on the lower edge of the windshield)
Service products and filling
capacities
Important safety notes
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.
Service products include the following:
R fuels (e.g. gasoline, diesel)
R additives for exhaust gas aftertreatment,
e.g. DEF
R lubricants (e.g. engine oil, transmission oil)
R coolant
R brake fluid
524Service products and filling capacitiesTechnical data

with premium-grade unleaded gasoline
as soon as possible.
R do not drive at the maximum speed.
R avoid sudden acceleration.
R if the vehicle is carrying a light load, e.g.
two passengers without luggage, do not
allow the engine to rev above 3000 rpm.
R if the vehicle is fully loaded or is being
operated in mountainous terrain, do not
depress the accelerator pedal further
than Ô of the pedal travel.
Only refuel with premium-grade unleaded
gasoline with a minimum octane number of
91.
Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) and/or
unleaded gasoline with additives can be used.
However, the concentration of additives in
the fuel must be less than 10%, e.g.
R Ethanol
R TAME
R ETBE
R IPA
R TBA
For MTBE, the concentration should not
exceed 15%.
The concentration of methanol in gasoline
including other additives must not exceed
3%.
Using mixtures of methanol and ethanol is not
permitted. Gasohol, a mixture of 10% ethanol
and 90% unleaded gasoline, can be used.
All of these mix fuels must fulfill the fuel
requirements, e.g.:
R knock resistance
R boiling point
R vapor pressure
You will usually find information about the fuel
grade on the pump. If you cannot find the
label on the pump, ask the staff for
assistance.
i For further information, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or visit
http://www.mbusa.com (USA only).Information on refueling ( Y page 321).
Additives
! Do not refuel with low-grade fuel and do
not use fuel additives that are not tested
and approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Damage to or malfunctions of the fuel
system may otherwise occur.
One of the main problems of poor fuel quality
is the forming of deposits that are created
during the gasoline combustion process.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use
branded fuels that have additives.
If you use fuels without these additives over
a longer period of time, carbon deposits may
build up. These deposits form at the inlet
valves and in the combustion chamber in
particular.
This could lead to engine problems, e.g.:
R longer engine warm-up phase
R uneven idle
R engine noise
R misfiring
R loss of power
Carbon deposits may form if the availability
of gasoline with relevant additives is
insufficient (in certain regions). In this case,
Mercedes-Benz recommends additives
approved for use in Mercedes-Benz vehicles;
see http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com.
For a list of approved products, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Comply
with the instructions for use on the product
label.
Do not mix other fuel additives with fuel. This
causes unnecessary costs and could damage
the engine.
Diesel
Fuel grade
GWARNING
Do not use gasoline to refuel vehicles with a
diesel engine. Never mix diesel with gasoline.
This causes damage to the fuel system and
526Service products and filling capacitiesTechnical data

engine and could result in the vehicle catching
fire.
! Only use commercially available vehicular
ULTRA-LOW SULFUR DIESEL FUEL (ULSD,
15 ppm maximum sulfur content) that
meets the ASTM D975 standard. If you do
not refuel with ULSD, you may damage the
BlueTEC exhaust gas aftertreatment
system of the vehicle.
! Do not use gasoline to refuel vehicles with
a diesel engine. Do not mix diesel fuel with
gasoline, kerosene or paraffin. This may
otherwise result in damage to the fuel
system and engine.
You will usually find information about the fuel
grade on the pump. If you cannot find the
label on the pump, ask the staff for
assistance.
i For further information, consult a
qualified specialist workshop or on the
Internet at http://www.mbusa.com (USA
only).
Information on refueling ( Y page 321).
Bio-diesel - FAME (fatty acid methyl ester)
Mercedes-Benz USA approves the use of bio-
diesel B5 for all BlueTEC diesel engines. The
concentration of bio-diesel in the ULSD may
not exceed 5 % by volume.
Pure biodiesel and diesel fuel with a higher
percentage of biodiesel, such as B20, can
damage the engine and the fuel system. For
this reason, they are not approved.
For more information, consult the gas station
staff. The bio-diesel B5 label on the gasoline
pump must clearly state that the standard for
ULSD has been fulfilled. If the label is not
clear, do not refuel the vehicle.
Do not refuel your vehicle with fuels unless
they have been approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Information on refueling ( Y page 321).Low outside temperatures
i Diesel fuel with improved cold flow
properties is available during the winter
months. Further information about fuel
properties can be obtained from oil
companies, e.g. at gas stations.
Flow improver
To improve the low-temperature resistance of
diesel fuel, a flow improver can be attached.
The effectiveness of a flow improver is not
guaranteed for every fuel.
Only use flow improvers tested and approved
by Mercedes-Benz. During use, please
observe the information on operation.
Correct dosage and sufficient mixing are
decisive in improving low-temperature
resistance with the flow improver.
Overdosage can potentially even decrease
low-temperature resistance and must
therefore be avoided. Follow the
manufacturer's guidelines on dosage.
Mix the additive into the diesel in good time,
before the flow characteristics of the diesel
become insufficient. Otherwise, malfunctions
can arise through heating the fuel system,
e.g. through parking in a heated garage.
More information about recommended flow
improvers can be obtained from any qualified
specialist workshop.
DEF
Please bear the following in mind
DEF is a non-flammable, non-toxic, colorless,
odorless and water-soluble fluid.
High outside temperatures
GWARNING
If you open the DEF tank cap, small amounts
of ammonia vapor may be released. This
depends in particular upon the age of the DEF.
Service products and filling capacities527Technical dataZ

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