service indicator MERCEDES-BENZ S500 2006 W221 Owner's Manual

Contents
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 318
Maximum tire load ....................... 319
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 320
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 320
Tire ply material ........................... 322
Tire and loading terminology ........ 323
Rotating tires ............................... 326
Winter driving .................................... 327
Winter tires .................................. 327
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 328
Snow chains................................. 328
Maintenance...................................... 329
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator........................... 330
Maintenance service
term exceeded ............................. 330
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator........................... 330
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 331
Vehicle care ....................................... 332
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 332
Practical hints.................................. 339
What to do if …? ................................. 340
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 340
Lamp in center console................. 348
Vehicle status messages
in the multifunction display ........... 349
Where will I find ...? ............................ 384
First aid kit.................................... 384
Vehicle jack, vehicle tool kit,
luggage bowl, spare wheel ............ 384
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 388
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 388
Locking the vehicle ....................... 389
Fuel filler flap ................................ 390
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 391
Tilt/sliding sunroof ....................... 391
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 392
SmartKey ...................................... 392
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ....... 393
Replacing bulbs .................................. 394
Bulbs ............................................. 395
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 397
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 399Replacing wiper blades ...................... 401
Removing wiper blades ................. 401
Installing wiper blades .................. 402
Flat tire............................................... 403
Preparing the vehicle .................... 403
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 403
Battery ............................................... 408
Disconnecting the battery ............ 409
Removing the battery ................... 409
Charging and reinstalling
the battery .................................... 409
Reconnecting the battery ............. 410
Jump starting...................................... 411
Towing the vehicle.............................. 413
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 415
Fuses.................................................. 416
Aids for replacing fuses ................ 416
Fuse boxes in passenger
compartment ................................ 417
Fuse boxes in engine
compartment ................................ 418

86 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsAnti-theft alarm system
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens:

a door


the trunk


the hood
The alarm will stay on even if the activating
element (a door, for example) is immedi-
ately closed.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when


someone attempts to raise the vehicle


the vehicle is opened with the
mechanical key


someone opens a door from the inside


someone opens the trunk lid with the
emergency release button Arming the alarm system
The indicator lamp located in the central
locking switch in on the upper part of the
front center console.
1Indicator lamp

Lock your vehicle with the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO*.
The turn signal lamps flash three times
to indicate that the alarm system is ac-
tivated. The indicator lamp1 flashes
to indicate that the alarm system is
armed.
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response
Center is initiated automatically by the
Tele Aid system (
page 254) provided
Tele Aid service was subscribed to and
properly activated, and that necessary
cellular service and GPS coverage are
available.
iIf the turn signal lamps does not flash
three times one of the following ele-
ments may not be properly closed:

a door


the trunk
Close the respective element and lock
the vehicle again.

88 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsTow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.Arming tow-away alarm

Lock your vehicle with the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO*.
The tow-away alarm is automatically
armed after about 30 seconds.
Disarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm,
switch off the tow-away alarm feature be-
fore towing the vehicle, or when parking on
a surface subject to movement, such as a
ferry or auto train.The button is located on the upper part of
the front center console.
1Indicator lamp
2Tow-away alarm off button

Switch off the ignition and remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is trig-
gered, for example, if the vehicle is lift-
ed on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response
Center is initiated automatically by the
Tele Aid system (
page 254) provided
Tele Aid service was subscribed to and
properly activated and that necessary
cellular service and GPS coverage are
available.
iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm
if the ignition is switched on.

256 Controls in detailUseful featuresA voice connection between the Response
Center and the occupants of the vehicle
will be established automatically soon af-
ter the emergency call has been initiated.
The Response Center will attempt to deter-
mine more precisely the nature of the acci-
dent provided they can speak to an
occupant of the vehicle.
The Tele Aid system is available if

it has been activated and is operation-
al. Activation requires a subscription
for monitoring services, connection,
and cellular air time


the relevant cellular phone network
and GPS signals are available and pass
the information on to the Response
CenterInitiating an emergency call manually
1SOS button
2Cover

Briefly press on the cover2.
The cover will open.

Press SOS button1 briefly.
The indicator lamp in SOS button1
will flash until the emergency call is
concluded.
iLocation of the vehicle on a map is only
possible if the vehicle is able to receive
signals from the GPS satellite network
and pass the information on to the Re-
sponse Center.
Warning!
G
If the indicator lamp in the SOS button is
flashing continuously and there was no
voice connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system could
not initiate an emergency call (e.g. the rele-
vant cellular phone network is not available).
The message:
CALL FAILED
appears in the
multifunction display for approximately
ten seconds.
Should this occur, assistance must be sum-
moned by other means.

258 Controls in detailUseful featuresA voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants
of the vehicle will be established. 
Describe the nature of the need for as-
sistance.
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such
as labor and/or towing, charges may ap-
ply. Refer to the Roadside Assistance Man-
ual for more information.Sign and Drive services (only available in
the USA): Services such as jump start, a
few gallons of fuel or the replacement of a
flat tire with the vehicle spare tire are ob-
tainable.
iThe indicator lamp in the Roadside As-
sistance button• remains illumi-
nated in red for approximately
ten seconds during the system
self-check after switching on the igni-
tion (together with the SOS button and
the Information button¡).
See system self-check (
page 255)
when the indicator lamp does not come
on in red or stays on longer than ap-
proximately ten seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Roadside
Assistance button• is flashing con-
tinuously and no voice connection to
the Response Center was established,
the Tele Aid system could not initiate a
Roadside Assistance call (e.g. the rele-
vant cellular phone network is not
available). The message:
CALL FAILED
appears in the multifunction display.
Roadside Assistance calls can be ter-
minated using the tbutton on the
multifunction steering wheel or the re-
spective button for ending a telephone
call on the COMAND head unit.

259 Controls in detail
Useful features
Information button¡
The Information button¡ is located be-
low the center armrest cover.
Press and hold the button ¡ (for
longer than two seconds).
A call to the Customer Assistance Cen-
ter will be initiated. The button will
flash while the call is in progress. The
message:
CONNECTING CALL
will ap-
pear in the multifunction display.
When the connection is established, the
message:
CALL CONNECTED
appears in the
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system
will transmit data generating the vehicle
identification number, model, color and lo-
cation (subject to availability of cellular
and GPS signals).A voice connection between the Customer
Assistance Center representative and the
occupants of the vehicle will be estab-
lished. Information regarding the operation
of your vehicle, the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or Mercedes-Benz
USA products and services is available to
you.
For more details concerning the Tele Aid
system, please visit www.mbusa.com and
use your ID and password (sent to you sep-
arately) to learn more (USA only).
iThe indicator lamp on the Information
button¡ remains illuminated in red
for approximately ten seconds during
the system self-check after switching
on the ignition (together with the SOS
button and the Roadside Assistance
button•).
See system self-check (
page 255)
when the indicator lamp does not come
on in red or stays on longer than ap-
proximately ten seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Information
button¡ is illuminated continuous-
ly and no voice connection to the Re-
sponse Center was established, then
the Tele Aid system could not initiate
an Information call (e.g. the relevant
cellular phone network is not avail-
able). The message:
CALL FAILED
ap-
pears in the multifunction display.
Information calls can be terminated us-
ing the tbutton on the multifunc-
tion steering wheel or the respective
button for ending a telephone call on
the COMAND head unit.

260 Controls in detailUseful features
Call priority
If other service calls such as a Roadside
Assistance call or Information call are ac-
tive, an emergency call is still possible. In
this case, the emergency call will take pri-
ority and override all other active calls.
!If the indicator lamps do not start flash-
ing after pressing one of the buttons or
remain illuminated (in red) at any time,
the Tele Aid system has detected a
fault or the service is not currently ac-
tive, and may not initiate a call. Visit an
Mercedes-Benz Center and have the
system checked or contact the Re-
sponse Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in
the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in Cana-
da) as soon as possible.
iThe indicator lamp in the respective
button flashes until the call is con-
cluded. Calls can only be terminated by
a Response Center or Customer
Assistance Center representative
except Roadside Assistance and
Information calls, which can also be
terminated by pressing buttont on
the multifunction steering wheel or the
respective button for ending a
telephone call on the COMAND head
unit.
!If the indicator lamp continues to flash
or the system does not reset, contact
the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada), or
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) in the USA or
Customer Service at 1-800-387-0100
in Canada.

285 Operation
At the gas station

Replace fuel cap by turning it clockwise
until it audibly engages.

Close the fuel filler flap.
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*
2Coolant level
3Brake fluid
Warning!
G
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create pres-
sure in the system which could cause a gas
discharge. This could cause the gas to spray
back out when removing the fuel pump noz-
zle, which could cause personal injury.
iOnly use premium unleaded gasoline
with a minimum Posted Octane Rating
of 91 (average of 96 RON/86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can
normally be found on the fuel pump.
More information on gasoline can be
found in the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet.iLeaving the engine running and the fuel
cap open can cause the yellow engine
malfunction indicator lamp ?
(USA only),
±
(Canada only)
to illuminate.
For more information, see the “Practi-
cal hints” section (
page 343).
iOpening the hood, see (
page 287).

329 Operation
Maintenance
Maintenance
We strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with
the Maintenance Booklet at the times
called for by the maintenance service indi-
cator display.
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Maintenance Booklet
and maintenance service indicator at the
designated times /mileage will result in ve-
hicle damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The maintenance service indicator will no-
tify you when your next maintenance ser-
vice is due.Starting approximately one month before
your next maintenance service is due, one
of the following messages will appear in
the multifunction display while you are
driving or when you switch on the ignition
(example service A):
'A' SERVICE
IN XXXXX MI(Canada:
IN XXXXX KM
)
'A' SERVICE
IN XXX DAYS
'A' SERVICE
IN X DAY
'A' SERVICE DUE NOW
The type of maintenance service due is in-
dicated in the multifunction display:9
Basic service (A)
´
Extended service (B)
iVehicles equipped with FSS (Flexible
Service System) only (Canada vehi-
cles):
The interval between services depends
on your driving habits. A gentle driving
style, moderate engine speeds and the
avoidance of short-distance trips will
lengthen the interval between services.

330 OperationMaintenanceClearing the maintenance service indi-cator
The maintenance service indicator is auto-
matically cleared after 30 seconds when
you switch on the ignition or when reach-
ing the maintenance service threshold
while driving. You can also clear it yourself.
1Reset buttonJ 
Press the reset buttonJ1.
Maintenance service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested main-
tenance service term, you will see the fol-
lowing message in the multifunction
display:'A' SERVICE
EXCEEDED BY
XXXX MI(Canada:
XXXX KM
)
'A' SERVICE
EXCEEDED BY
XXX DAYS
'A' SERVICE
EXCEEDED BY
X DAYIn addition, a signal sounds when the mes-
sage appears.
Any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
reset the maintenance service indicator
following a completed maintenance ser-
vice.Calling up the maintenance service in-
dicator
Switch on the ignition (
page 34).
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 148).

Press button k or j on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until the
maintenance service indicator with the
service symbol 9 or ´ and the
service deadline appears in the multi-
function display.iIf the battery is disconnected, the days
of disconnection will not be included in
the count shown by the maintenance
service indicator. To arrive at the true
maintenance service deadline, you will
need to subtract these days from the
days shown in the maintenance service
indicator.
Do not confuse the maintenance ser-
vice indicator with the engine oil level
indicator :.