engine oil MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS 2000 Owner's Manual

332 Engine compartment
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To o p e n :
To unlock the hood, pull release lever (1) under the
driver´s side of the instrument panel. At the same time
a handle will extend out of the radiator grill.
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage it is
dangerous to touch any components (ignition coils,
spark plug sockets, diagnostic socket) of the
ignition system
• with the engine running,
• while starting the engine,
• if ignition is “on” and the engine is turned
manually.
1
P88.40-2001-26

334 Engine compartment
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Checking engine oil level
S 500
1Dipstick
Model S 600:
The dipstick is omitted. Engine oil level can be
checked via the engine oil level indicator, see
page 154.
2Oil filler capS 600
Model S 430, S 500 and S 55 AMG
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check engine oil level approximately 5 minutes after
stopping the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the
oil pan.
1
P18.40-0287-262
P18.40-2066-26
2

335 Engine compartment
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index The engine oil level can be checked by either the oil
dipstick or via the multifunction display in the
instrument cluster, see page 154.
Wipe the oil dipstick clean prior to checking the engine
oil level. Fully insert dipstick in tube, and remove after
three seconds to obtain accurate reading.
The oil level must be between the lower
mark (min) and the upper mark (max)
on the oil dipstick.
Unscrew the oil filler cap and add oil carefully if you
need to top up the oil.
S 430, S 500 and S 55 AMG:
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick marking
level is approximately 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
S 600:
Follow the message appearing on the engine oil level
indicator display (page 154) as to quantity to be added.
Re-install oil filler cap.
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be drained
or siphoned. It could cause damage to engine and
catalytic converter not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.See Malfunction and warning messages on page 303 if
an engine oil level display appears on the multifunction
indicator when the engine is running.
Note:
See page 154 for engine oil level indicator.
Automatic transmission fluid level
The transmission has a permanent fill of automatic
transmission fluid.
Regular automatic transmission fluid level checks and
changes are not required. For this reason the dipstick is
omitted.
If you notice fluid leaks or gear shifting malfunctions,
have your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check the
transmission fluid level.
Active body control (ABC) fluid level
Regular fluid level check is not required.
If you notice fluid leaks or malfunctions, have your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check the
ABC-system.

383 Contents - Technical data
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Technical dataSpare parts service ........................384
Warranty coverage .........................384
Identification labels .......................385
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............387
Technical data ................................388
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities ...................................394Engine oils ...................................... 396
Engine oil additives ...................... 396
Air conditioner refrigerant .......... 396
Brake fluid ...................................... 396
Premium unleaded gasoline ........ 397
Fuel requirements ........................ 397
Gasoline additives ......................... 398
Coolants .......................................... 398
Consumer information ................. 400

394 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Vehicle components and their respective lubricants must match. Therefore use only brands tested and recommended
by us. Please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at your Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model Capacity Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter S 430, S 500
S 55 AMG
S 6008.5 US qt (8.0 l)
8.0 US qt (7.5 l)
10.0 US qt (9.5 l)Recommended engine oils
Automatic
transmission9.6 US qt (9.1 l) Automatic transmission fluid
Rear axle 1.7 US qt (1.6 l) Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Hydraulic system for
adaptive damping
system (ADS) or active
body control (ABC)approx. 5.3 US qt (5.0 l) MB Hydraulic f luid
Power steering approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l) MB Power steering fluid
Front wheel hubs approx. 2.1 oz (60 g) each High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system 0.7 US qt (0.7 l) MB Brake fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling system S 430, S 500
S 55 AMG
S 600approx. 12.1 US qt (11.5 l)
approx. 12.1 US qt (11.5 l)
approx. 12.7 US qt (12.0 l)MB Anticorrosion / antifreeze

396 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their suitability in
our engines. Therefore, use only engine oils
recommended by Mercedes-Benz. Information on
recommended brands is available at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Please follow Service Booklet 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 be
harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from blending oil
additives are not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
War ra nt y.Air conditioner refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG lubricating oil
is used in the air conditioner system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lubricating oil,
otherwise damage to the system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point of the brake
fluid is continuously reduced through the absorption of
moisture from the atmosphere. Under extremely hard
operating conditions, this moisture content can lead to
the formation of bubbles in the system thus reducing
the system’s efficiency.
The brake fluid must therefore be replaced every two
years, preferably in the spring.
It is recommended to use only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
will provide you with additional information.

397 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Premium unleaded gasoline
Caution!
To maintain the engine’s durability and performance,
premium unleaded gasoline must be used. If premium
unleaded is not available and low octane fuel is used,
follow these precautions:
•have the fuel tank filled only partially with unleaded
regular and fill up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible,
•avoid full throttle driving and abrupt acceleration,
•do not exceed an engine speed of 3000 rpm, if the
vehicle is loaded with a light load such as two
persons and no luggage,
•do not exceed
2/3 of maximum accelerator pedal
position, if the vehicle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain.Fuel requirements
Use only Premium unleaded meeting ASTM
standard D 439:
The octane number (posted at the pump) must be
91 min. It is an average of both the Research (R) octane
number and the Motor (M) octane number: (R+M) / 2).
This is also known as ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates such as
Ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be used provided the
ratio of any one of these oxygenates to gasoline does not
exceed 10%, MTBE not to exceed 15%.
The ratio of Methanol to gasoline must not exceed 3%
plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of Ethanol and Methanol is not allowed.
Gasohol, which contains 10% Ethanol and 90% unleaded
gasoline, can be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel requirements
such as resistance to spark knock, boiling range, vapor
pressure etc..

398 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufacturers is carbon
build up caused by gasoline. Mercedes-Benz
recommends the use of only quality gasoline containing
additives that prevent the build up of carbon deposits.
After an extended period of using fuels without such
additives, carbon deposits can build up especially on the
intake valves and in the combustion area, leading to
engine performance problems such as:
•warm-up hesitation,
•unstable idle,
•knocking / pinging,
•misfire,
•power loss.
Do not blend other specific fuel additives with fuel.
They only result in unnecessary cost, and may be
harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from poor fuel
quality or from blending specific fuel additives are not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water and
anticorrosion / antifreeze, which provides:
•corrosion protection,
•freeze protection,
•boiling protection (by increasing the boiling point).
The cooling system was filled at the factory with a
coolant providing freeze protection to approximately
-22°F (-30°C) and corrosion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to -22°F (-30°C), the
boiling point of the coolant in the pressurized cooling
system is reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).
The coolant solution must be used year round to provide
the necessary corrosion protection and increase in the
boil-over protection. You should have it replaced every
3years.
To provide the important corrosion protection, the
solution must be at least 45% anticorrosion / antifreeze
(equals a freeze protection to approx. - 22 °F [- 30 °C]). If
you use a solution that is more than 55% anticorrosion /
antifreeze (freeze protection to approx. - 49 °F [- 45°C]),

404 Index
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Electronic reserve key ................................................ 30
KEYLESS-GO-card ....................................................... 31
Locking and unlocking .............................................. 36
Locking and unlocking
with KEYLESS-GO-card ......................................... 40
Mechanical keys ................................................... 30, 47
Remote control ..................................................... 28, 34
Simultaneous use of
electronic main key
and KEYLESS-GO-card .......................................... 44
Summer opening/convenience feature ................... 45
Changing batteries in the
KEYLESS-GO-card .....................................................366
Changing wheels ...........................................................343
CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp .....................................296
Check regulary and before a long trip .......................293
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator .................................. 154
Via oil dipstick ...........................................................334
Child restraint ...........................................84, 91, 102, 104
CHIP-CARD (KEYLESS-GO) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................322
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ................................. 374
COMAND, radio and telephone ................................... 212
Combination switch ...................................................... 160Consumer information ................................................. 400
Control and operation
of radio transmitters ................................................. 212
COOLANT (coolant level) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 310
COOLANT (coolant temperature) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 311
Coolant level
Adding ........................................................................ 336
Checking .................................................................... 336
Coolant temperature gauge .......................................... 117
Coolants .......................................................................... 398
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity ........................ 399
Courtesy lighting ........................................................... 189
Cruise control ................................................................ 253
CRUISE CONTROL -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 319
Cup holder
In front seat armrest ................................................. 199
In rear seat armrest ................................................. 200
DDashboard ......................................................................... 22
Daytime running lamp .................................................. 158

406 Index
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Emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) ......................... 93
SRS indicator lamp ...................................................299
Emergency trunk lid release button ............................. 61
Emergency unlocking in case of accident ................... 52
Emission control ............................................................225
Emission control label ..................................................386
Engine compartment ..................................................... 331
Engine malfunction
CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp ................................296
Engine oil additives .......................................................396
Engine oil consumption ................................................ 155
Engine oil level
Checking ........................................................... 154, 334
Warning ...................................................................... 318
ENGINE OIL LEVEL -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 318
Engine oil level indicator .............................................. 154
Engine oils ......................................................................396
Entrance lamps, exit lamps .......................................... 189
ENTRANCE POSITION -
malfunction and warning messages ......................306
ESP (Electronic stability program) .............................. 274
ESP control switch .................................................... 276
Malfunction and warning messages ......................309
Synchronizing ...........................................................275Warning lamp ............................................................301
ETR (Emergency tensioning retractor) .........................93
SRS indicator lamp .................................................. 299
Exterior lamp
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 312
Exterior lamp switch ..................................................... 156
Daytime running lamp mode .................................. 158
Headlamp cleaning system ...................................... 159
Exterior lamps ............................................................... 356
Fog lamps ..........................................................359, 360
Headlamp assembly ................................................. 357
High mounted stop lamp .......................................... 361
License plate lamps .................................................. 361
Low and high beam .................................................. 358
Parking lamps ...................................................359, 360
Replacing bulbs ........................................................ 356
Side marker lamps ................................................... 360
Standby bulb function ............................................. 362
Standing lamps .................................................359, 360
Stop lamp ....................................................................361
Taillamp assemblies ................................................ 360
Turn signal lamps ................................... 358, 360, 361
Exterior mirror adjustment .......................................... 107
Exterior mirror, front passenger side,
parking position ........................................................108