2015 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class coolant

Warning/
indicator
lamp
N
N Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and M MSolutions X
Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until the engine
has cooled down.
X Check the coolant level and add coolant, observing the warning notes
(Y page 408).
X If you need to add coolant more often than usual, have the engine coolant
system checked.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not blocked, e.g. by
snow, slush or ice.
X At coolant temperatures below 257 ‡(125 †), you can continue driving to
the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid subjecting the engine to heavy loads, e.g. driving in mountainous
terrain, and stop-and-go traffic. Hybrid system
Warning/
indicator
lamp
N
N Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and M MSolutions é
N
The yellow RBS (recuperative brake system) warning lamp is on. In addition,
there may be a warning tone.
G Risk of accident
RBS is malfunctioning. Pedal travel may be longer than usual and braking
performance may be affected. The automatic engine switch-off function may also be deactivated.
X Observe the messages in the multifunction display (Y page 316).
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 366
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Where possible, let the engine cool down and
touch only the components described in the
following. G
WARNING
If engine oil comes into contact with hot com- ponents in the engine compartment, it may
ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Make sure that engine oil is not spilled next to
the filler neck. Let the engine cool down and
thoroughly clean the engine oil off the com-
ponents before starting the engine. 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 ser-
vice 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
X Turn cap :counter-clockwise and remove
it.
X Add engine oil.
If the oil level is at or below the MIN mark on
the oil dipstick, add 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)of
engine oil.
X Replace cap :on the filler neck and turn
clockwise.
Ensure that the cap locks into place
securely.
X Check the oil level again with the oil dip-
stick (Y page 405).
Further information on engine oil
(Y page 491). Additional service products
Checking coolant level G
WARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment, such as the engine, radiator and parts
of the exhaust system, can become very hot.
Working in the engine compartment poses a
risk of injury.
Where possible, let the engine cool down and touch only the components described in the
following. G
WARNING
The engine cooling system is pressurized, par- ticularly when the engine is warm. When 408
Engine compartmentMaintenance and care

opening the cap, you could be scalded by hot
coolant spraying out. There is a risk of injury.
Let the engine cool down before opening the
cap. Wear eye and hand protection when
opening the cap. Open the cap slowly half a
turn to allow pressure to escape. X
Park the vehicle on a level surface.
Only check the coolant level when the vehi- cle is on a level surface and the engine has
cooled down.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock (Y page 189).
or
X Press Start/Stop button twice
(Y page 189).
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 189) in the ignition lock.
or
X Remove Start/Stop button from ignition
lock (Y page 189).
X Slowly turn cap :half a turn counter-
clockwise to allow excess pressure to
escape.
X Turn cap :further counter-clockwise and
remove it.
If the coolant is at the level of marker bar =
in the filler neck when cold, there is enough coolant in coolant expansion tank ;.If the coolant level is approximately 0.6 in
(1.5 cm) above marker bar =in the filler
neck when warm, there is enough coolant
in expansion tank ;.
X If necessary, add coolant that has been tes-
ted and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
X Replace cap :and turn it clockwise as far
as it will go.
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: the second cool-
ant expansion tank must not be filled.
For further information on coolant, see
(Y page 493).
Adding washer fluid to the windshield
washer system G
WARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment, such as the engine, radiator and parts
of the exhaust system, can become very hot.
Working in the engine compartment poses a
risk of injury.
Where possible, let the engine cool down and touch only the components described in the
following. G
WARNING
Windshield washer concentrate could ignite if it comes into contact with hot engine compo-
nents or the exhaust system. There is a risk of
fire and injury.
Make sure that no windshield washer con-
centrate is spilled next to the filler neck. Engine compartment
409Maintenance and care Z

repaired. In such cases, visit a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
X Remove dirt immediately, where possible,
while avoiding rubbing too hard.
X Soak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse off the treated areas afterwards.
X Soak bird droppings with water and rinse
off the treated areas afterwards.
X Remove coolant, brake fluid, tree resin,
oils, fuels and greases by rubbing gently
with a cloth soaked in petroleum ether or
lighter fluid.
X Use tar remover to remove tar stains.
X Use silicone remover to remove wax.
If water no longer forms "beads" on the paint
surface, use the paint care products recom-
mended and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
This is the case approximately every three to
five months, depending on the climate con-
ditions and the care product used.
If dirt has penetrated the paint surface or if
the paint has become dull, the paint cleaner
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz should be used.
Do not use these care products in the sun or
on the hood while the hood is hot.
X Use a suitable touch-up stick, e.g. MB
Touch-Up Stick, to repair slight damage to
the paintwork quickly and provisionally.
Matte finish care !
Never polish the vehicle or the light alloy
wheels. Polishing causes the finish to
shine.
! The following may cause the paint to
become shiny and thus reduce the matte
effect:
R Vigorous rubbing with unsuitable mate-
rials.
R Frequent use of car washes.
R Washing the vehicle in direct sunlight.
! Never use paint cleaner, buffing or pol-
ishing products, or gloss preserver, e.g. wax. These products are only suitable for
high-gloss surfaces. Their use on vehicles
with matte finish leads to considerable sur- face damage (shiny, spotted areas).
Always have paintwork repairs carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop.
! Do not use wash programs with a hot wax
treatment under any circumstances.
Observe these notes if your vehicle has a
clear matte finish. This will help you to avoid
damage to the paintwork due to incorrect
treatment.
These notes also apply to light alloy wheels
with a clear matte finish.
The vehicle should preferably be washed by
hand using a soft sponge, car shampoo and
plenty of water.
Use only insect remover and car shampoo
from the range of approved Mercedes-Benz
care products. Cleaning the vehicle parts
Cleaning the wheels G
WARNING
The water jet from a circular jet nozzle (dirt
blasters) can cause invisible exterior damage to the tires or chassis components. Compo-
nents damaged in this way may fail unexpect-edly. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have damaged
tires or chassis components replaced imme-
diately.
! 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 straight 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 414
CareMaintenance and care

Speed rating
The speed rating is part of the tire identifica-
tion. 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, lug-
gage and the drawbar noseweight, if applica- ble. 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, occu-
pants, fuel, luggage and the drawbar nose-
weight, if applicable). The gross vehicle
weight rating is specified on the vehicle iden-
tification plate on the B-pillar on the driver's
side.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The maximum weight is the sum of:
R the curb weight of the vehicle
R the weight of the accessories
R the load limit
R the weight of the factory installed optional
equipment
Kilopascal (kPa)
Metric unit for tire pressure. 6.9 kPa corre-
sponds to 1 psi. Another unit for tire pressure is bar. 100 kilopascals (kPa) are the equiva-
lent of 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 capa- city more precisely. Curb weight
The weight of a vehicle with standard equip-
ment including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant. It also includes the air-condi-
tioning 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 is the maximum
permissible weight in kilograms or lbs 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.
Aspect ratio
Relationship between tire height and tire
width in percent.
Tire pressure
This is pressure inside the tire applying an
outward force to each square inch of the tire's
surface. The tire pressure is specified in
pounds per square inch (psi), in kilopascal
(kPa) or in bar. The tire pressure should only
be corrected when the tires are cold.
Cold tire pressure
The tires are cold:
R if the vehicle has been parked without
direct sunlight on the tires for at least three
hours and
R if the vehicle has not been driven further
than 1 mile (1.6 km) 464
All about wheels and tiresWheels and tires

Vehicle identification plate with vehi-
cle identification number (VIN) X
Open the front right-hand door.
X Fold cover :down and remove it.
You will see the VIN.
The VIN can also be found in the following
locations:
R on the lower edge of the windshield
(Y page 489)
R on the vehicle identification plate
(Y page 488) Engine number
:
Engine number (stamped into the crank-
case)
; VIN (on the lower edge of the windshield)
= Emission control information plate,
including the certification of both federal
and Californian emissions standards Service products and filling capaci-
ties
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Service products may be poisonous and haz-
ardous to health. There is a risk of injury.
Comply with instructions on the use, storage
and disposal of service products on the labels of the respective original containers. Always
store service products sealed in their original containers. Always keep service products out
of the reach of children. H
Environmental note
Dispose of service products in an environ-
mentally responsible manner.
Service products include the following:
R Fuels
R Lubricants (e.g. engine oil, transmission oil)
R Coolant
R Brake fluid
R Windshield washer fluid
R Climate control system refrigerant
Components and service products must be
matched. Only use products recommended
by Mercedes-Benz. Damage which is caused
by the use of products which have not been
recommended is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz warranty or goodwill ges-
tures. They are listed in this Mercedes-Benz
Operator's Manual in the appropriate section.
Information on tested and approved products can be obtained at an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center or on the Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com.
You can recognize service products approved
by Mercedes-Benz by the following inscrip-
tion on the containers:
R MB-Freigabe (e.g. MB-Freigabe 229.51)
R MB Approval (e.g. MB Approval 229.51)
Other designations or recommendations indi- cate a level of quality or a specification in Service products and filling capacities
489Technical data Z

Comply with the important safety notes for
service products when handling brake fluid
(Y page 489).
The brake fluid change intervals can be found in the Maintenance Booklet.
Only use brake fluid approved by Mercedes-
Benz according to MB Approval 331.0.
Information about approved brake fluid can
be obtained at any qualified specialist work-
shop or on the Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.co m.
i Have the brake fluid regularly replaced at
a qualified specialist workshop and the
replacement confirmed in the Maintenance
Booklet. Coolant
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If antifreeze comes into contact with hot com- ponents in the engine compartment, it may
ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Let the engine cool down before you add anti-
freeze. Make sure that antifreeze is not spilled
next to the filler neck. Thoroughly clean the
antifreeze from components before starting
the engine.
! 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 BeVo 310.1, e.g.
on the Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com. Or con-
tact 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. i
Have the coolant regularly replaced at a
qualified specialist workshop and the
replacement confirmed in the Maintenance Booklet.
The coolant is a mixture of water and anti-
freeze/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 cool-
ant during operation is approximately 266 ‡
(130 †).
The antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor concentra- tion 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
do wn to -49 ‡ [-45 †]). Otherwise, heat
will not be dissipated as effectively.
Mercedes-Benz recommends an antifreeze/
corrosion inhibitor concentrate in accord-
ance with
MB Specifications for Service Products 310.1
.
i When the vehicle is first delivered, it is fil-
led with a coolant mixture that ensures
adequate antifreeze and corrosion protec-
tion.
i The coolant is checked with every main-
tenance interval at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Filling capacities Missing values were not available at time of
going to print.
Model Capacity
S 400 4MATIC
13.0 US qt (12.3 l)
S 600
S 600 MAYBACH
15.7 US qt (14.9 l)Service products and filling capacities
493Technical data Z