393 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 2004 W220 Owner's Manual

Page 9 of 435

ContentsTechnical data.................................. 377
Spare parts service ............................ 378
Warranty coverage ............................. 379
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 379
Identification labels............................ 380
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 381
S 430 / S 500 (all models)........... 381
S 55 AMG ..................................... 381
S 600 ........................................... 381
Engine ................................................ 382
Rims and tires .................................... 384
Same size tires ............................. 385
Mixed size tires ............................ 387
Spare wheel ................................. 388
Electrical system................................ 389
Main dimensions and weights............ 390
Main dimensions .......................... 390
Weights ........................................ 390Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 391
Capacities .................................... 391
Engine oils.................................... 393
Engine oil additives ...................... 393
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 393
Brake fluid .................................... 394
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 394
Fuel requirements ........................ 394
Gasoline additives ........................ 395
Coolants....................................... 395
Windshield and headlamp washer
system ......................................... 398
Consumer information ....................... 399
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 399
Technical terms............................... 401Index................................................. 407

Page 275 of 435

274 OperationEngine compartmentChecking the engine oil level with the
control system
When checking the oil level the vehicle
must
be parked on level ground

be at normal operating temperature

have been stationary for at least five
minutes with the engine turned off
To check the engine oil level via the multi-
function display, do the following:

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position2 or press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button* twice.
The standard display (
page 139) should
appear in the multifunction display.

Press buttonk or j on the
steering wheel until the following mes-
sage is seen in the multifunction dis-
play:CORRECT MEASUREMENT
ONLY IF VEH. LEVEL
After about three seconds this mes-
sage is displayed:ENGINE OIL LEVEL
MEASURING NOW
!
One of the following messages will sub-
sequently appear in the indicator:

ENGINE OIL LEVEL
OK

ADD 1.0 QT. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL!(Canada:
1.0 LITER
)

ADD 1.5 QTS. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL!(Canada:
1.5 LITERS
)

A D D 2 . 0 Q T S .
TO REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL!(Canada:
2.0 LITERS
)

If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil see (
page 277).
For more information on engine oil, see
the “Technical data” section (page 391)
and (
page 393).
iIf you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press thek or j
button on the multifunction steering
wheel.

Page 277 of 435

276 OperationEngine compartmentChecking the engine oil level with the
oil dipstick (S 430, S 500, and
S55AMG only)
When checking the oil level the vehicle
must
be parked on level ground

be at normal operating temperature

have been stationary for at least five
minutes with the engine turned off
To check the engine oil level with the oil
dipstick, do the following:

Open the hood (
page 272).

Pull out oil dipstick1 (
page 277).

Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.

Fully insert oil dipstick1 into the dip-
stick guide tube.

Pull out oil dipstick1 again after ap-
proximately three seconds to obtain
accurate reading.
Oil dipstickThe oil level is correct when it is between
the lower (min) and upper (max) mark of
the oil dipstick.

If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil see (
page 277).
For more information on engine, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 391) and
(
page 393).
For more information on messages in the
display concerning engine oil, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 326).
iThe engine oil level can be checked by
either the oil dipstick or via the multi-
function display in the instrument clus-
ter (
page 274). The amount of engine
oil needed is shown more precisely in
the multifunction display.
iThe filling quantity between the upper
and lower marks on the oil dipstick is
approximately 2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).

Page 279 of 435

278 OperationEngine compartmentBe careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 391) and
(
page 393).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the automatic transmission.Active Body Control* (ABC*) fluid level
Regular fluid level check is not required. If
you notice fluid leaks or malfunction mes-
sages in the multifunction display, have an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check
the ABC-system.
Coolant
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze.
When checking the coolant level, 
the vehicle must be parked on level
ground, and

the engine must be cool.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the en-
gine and catalytic converter not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.


Page 394 of 435

393 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines. Therefore, only
use engine oils approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Information on approved
brands is available in the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet, or at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Please follow FSS recommendations for
scheduled oil changes. Failure to do so
could result in engine damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil is used in the air condition-
ing system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lu-
bricating oil. Otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
!Always check the oil filler cap
(page 277) for important information
pertaining to the engine oil needing to
meet a specific Mercedes-Benz specifi-
cation (e.g. MB 229.5). If such informa-
tion is printed on the oil filler cap, only
use an engine oil from the list of ap-
proved engine oils in the Factory Ap-
proved Service Products pamphlet that
meets the specification indicated on
the oil filler cap.
Using engine oils of other specification
may cause the FSS to incorrectly deter-
mine the next service interval and will
result in engine damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

Page 416 of 435

415 Index
Emergency tensioning device see
ETD 67, 403
Emission control 267
Ending
A call (telephone) 145
Engine 382
Compartment 272
Message in display 306
Starting 43
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 44
Starting with the SmartKey 43
Turning off with the SmartKey or the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 53
Engine cleaning 298
Engine compartment 272
Fuse box in 375
Hood 272
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 306
Engine number 402
Engine oil 273
Adding 277
Additives 393
Checking level 273
Consumption 273Display messages 326
Filler neck 277
Messages in display 275, 326
Viscosity 403
Engine oil level see Oil level 271
Engine shut down in an emergency 376
Entry position
Messages in display 328
ESP 79, 403
Four wheel electronic traction system
with ESP 82
Switching off 80
Switching on 81
Synchronizing 316
Warning lamp 307, 308
ETD 403
Safety guidelines 62
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 67
Exterior lamp switch 124
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 38
Folding electrically 176
Parking position for 162F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 154
Fastening the seat belts 40
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 205
Distronic* 212
First aid kit 344
Flat tire 361
Lowering the vehicle 365
Mounting the spare wheel 361
Preparing the vehicle 361
Flexible Service System (FSS) 294, 403
Fog lamp, rear 127, 354
Fog lamps
Replacing bulbs 353
Fog lamps, front
Messages in display 330
Replacing bulbs 354
Switching on 127
Folding electrically
Exterior rear view mirrors
176