2013 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class Owner's Manual

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 panel. X
Pull release lever 0002for 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. X
Pull hood catch handle 0003outwards from
the radiator grill as far as it will go and lift
the hood from underneath by the radiator
grill.
Once you have lifted the hood about
15 inches (40cm), it is automatically
opened the rest of the way and held open
by the gas-filled struts. !
Do not lift the hood by hood catch
handle 0003.The handle may otherwise be
damaged.
Closing the hood G
WARNING
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.
X Lower the hood and let it fall from a height
of approximately 8inche s(20cm).
X Check 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
i Vehicles with adiesel engine: do not
cover the radiator, for example with a
winter front or bug cover. The readings of
the on-board-diagnostic syste mmay
otherwise be inaccurate .Some of these
readings are required by law and must be
accurate at all times. Engine oil
Notes on the oil level G
WARNING
Hybrid vehicles: be sure to read the "HYBRID"
supplement. Otherwise, you could fail to
recognize dangers.
Depending on the driving style, the vehicle
consumes up to 0.9 US qts (0.8 l) of oil over
a distance of 600 miles (1,000 km). The oil Engine compartment
463Maintenance and care Z

consumption may be higher than this when
the vehicle is new or if you frequently drive at
high engine speeds.
On vehicles with a 12-cylinder engine, the oil
level can be checked using the on-board
computer. On all othe rmodels, the oil
dipstick must be used to check the engine oil
level.
Depending on the engine, the oil dipstick may
be in a different location.
When checking the oil level:
R park the vehicle on a level surface.
R the engine should be switched off for
approximately five minutes if the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
R if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature, e.g. if the engine was only
started briefly: wait about 30 minutes
before carrying out the measurement. Checking the oil level using the oil
dipstick Example: vehicles with a gasoline engine
Example: vehicles with 4MATIC
X
Pull oil dipstick 0002out of the dipstick guide
tube.
X Wipe off oil dipstick 0002.
X Slowly slide oil dipstick 0002into the guide
tube to the stop, and take it out again.
If the level is between MIN mark 0026and
MAX mark 0003, the oil level is correct.
X If the oil level has dropped to MIN mark
0026 or below, add 1.1 US qt (1.0 liter) of
engine oil.
Checking the oil level using the on-
board computer Measurement
X
Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
2in the ignition lock.
X Press the 000Cor0009 button to select the
Service menu.464
Engine compartmentMaintenance and care

X
Press the 000Bor000A button to select
Engine Oil Level .
X Press the 0011button.
The multifunction display shows the
following message: Measuring Engine Oil Level Accurate Only When
Vehicle Is Level
i
If you wish to cancel the measurement,
press the 0001button on the multifunction
steering wheel. Engine compartment
465Maintenance and care Z

Display messages
The measuremen
ttakes a few seconds. You will see one of the following messages in the
multifunction display: Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0004 Solutions
Engine Oil Level OK The oil level is correct.
Add 1.0 l Engine
Oil At Next
Refueling . The oil level is too low.
X
add 1. 0lof engine oil. Add 1.5 l Engine
Oil At Next
Refueling . The oil level is too low.
X
add 1.5 l of engine oil. Add 2.0 l Engine
Oil At Next
Refueling . The oil level is too low.
X
add 2.0 l of engine oil. Engine Oil Level
Reduce Oil Level The engine oil level is too high.
X
Have excess engine oil siphoned off. For Engine Oil
Level Ignition
Must be On The ignition is switched off.
X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the ignition lock. Need More Time to
Check Engine Oil
Level The required waiting period was not observed.
X
If the engine is at normal operating temperature: repeat the
measurement after about five minutes.
If the engine is not at normal operating temperature (e.g. if the
engine was only started briefly): repeat the measurement after
about 30 minutes. Engine Oil Level
Not When Engine On The engine is running; oil level measurement is not possible.
X
Switch off the engine.
X If the engine is at normal operating temperature: wait about five
minutes before carrying out the measurement.
If the engine is not at normal operating temperature, e.g. if the
engine was only started briefly: wait approximately
30 minutes before carrying out the measurement. Adding engine oil
G
WARNING
If engine oil comes into contact with hot
engine parts, it may ignite and you could burn yourself. Do not spill any engine oil on hot
engine parts.466
Engine compartmentMaintenance and care

H
Environmental 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 replacemen tspecified 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
X
Turn cap 0002counter-clockwise and remove
it.
X Add 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 an oil
dipstick: if the oil level is at or below the MIN mark on the dipstick, add 1.1 US qt
(1.0 liters) of engine oil.
X Replace cap 0002on the filler neck and turn
clockwise.
Ensure that the cap locks into place
securely.
X Check the oil level again with the oil
dipstic k(Ypage 464) or the on-board
computer (Y page 464).
Further information on engine oil
(Y page 534). Checking and adding other service
products
Checking the coolant level G
WARNING
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 dow nbefore 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 compartment
467Maintenance and care Z

X
Park the vehicle on a level surface.
Only check the coolant level when the
vehicle is on a level surface and the engine
has cooled down.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the
ignition lock (Y page 307).
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, press the
Start/Stop button twice (Y page 307).
X Check the coolant temperature display in
the instrument cluster.
The coolant temperature must be below
158 ‡ (70 †).
X Turn the SmartKey to position
0(Y page 307) in the ignition lock.
X Slowly turn cap 0002half a turn counter-
clockwise to allow excess pressure to
escape.
X Turn cap 0002further counter-clockwise and
remove it.
If the coolant is at the level of marker bar
0026 in the filler neck when cold, there is
enough coolant in coolant expansion
tank 0003.
If the coolant level is approximately 0.6 in
(1.5 cm) above marker bar 0026in the filler
neck when warm, there is enough coolant
in coolant expansion tank 0003.
X If necessary, add coolant that has been
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
X Replace cap 0002and turn it clockwise as far
as it will go.
For further information on coolant, see
(Y page 536). Adding washer fluid to the windshield
washer system/headlam
pcleaning
system G
WARNING
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly
flammable. Do not spill washer solvent/
antifreeze on hot engin eparts, because it may
ignite and burn .You could be seriously
burned. Example: washer fluid reservoir
Depending on the engine, the washer fluid
reservoir may be installed in different
locations.
X
To open: pull cap0002upwards by the tab.
X Add the premixed washer fluid.
X To close: press cap 0002onto the filler neck
until it engages.
The washer fluid reservoir is used for both the
windshield washer system and the headlamp
cleaning system.
Further information on windshield washer
fluid/antifreeze (Y page 537).
Brake fluid level !
If the brake fluid level in the brake fluid
reservoir has fallen to the MIN mark or
below, check the brake system
immediately for leaks. Also check the
thickness of the brake linings. Visit a
qualified specialist workshop immediately.
Do not add brake fluid. This does not
correct the malfunction. 468
Engine compartmentMaintenance and care

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 0003and MAX marking 0002on the brake
fluid reservoir, it is correct. Maintenance
Service interval display
Displaying service messages X
Switch on the ignition.
X Press 0009or000C on the steering wheel
to select the Service menu.
X Press 000Aor000B to select the ASSYST PLUS submenu and press
0011to confirm.
The service due date appears in the
multifunction display.
Hiding aservice message X
Press the 0001or0011 button on the
steering wheel.
Service messages Information on the type of service and service
intervals (see separate Maintenance
Booklet).
You can obtain further information from an
authorized Mercedes-Ben zCenter or at
http://www.mbusa.com (USA only).
The service interval message informs you of
the nexts ervice due date. The multifunction display shows a service
message for several seconds, e.g.:
Next service A Due in .. Days Service A Due
Service A Exceeded 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
accoun tany periods of time during which the
battery is disconnected.
Maintaining the time-dependent service
schedule:
X Note down the service due date displayed
in the multifunctio ndisplay before
disconnecting the battery.
or
X Subtract the battery disconnection periods
fro mt he 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 463).
Information about Service Resetting the service interval display
Aq
ualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Ben zCenter, will reset
the service interval display after the
necessary service work has been carried out.
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
otherwise lead to increased wear and Maintenance
469Maintenance and care Z

damage to the major assemblies or the
vehicle.
Driving abroad
An extensive Mercedes-Benz Service network
is also available in other countries. You can
obtain further information from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Care
Notes on care
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz. G
WARNING
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the
particular container .Always open your
vehicle's doors or windows when cleaning the
inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and keep
them out of reach of children.
! For cleaning your vehicle, do not use any
of the following:
R dry, rough or hard cloths
R abrasive cleaning agents
R solvents
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. H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible
manner.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosio nofthe brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
the brake pads/linings, thus drying them.
The vehicle can then be parked. Exterior care
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
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.
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 the automatic transmission
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, the
automatic transmission selects park 470
CareMaintenance and care