warning MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS 2005 Owners Manual

406 Practical hintsJump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.


Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.


Only use 12 volt battery to jump start
your vehicle. Jump starting with a more
powerful battery could damage the ve-
hicle’s electrical system, which will not
be covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.


Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.


Always make sure that the jumper ca-
bles are not on or near pulleys, fans or
other parts that move when an engine
is started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting at-
tempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine us-
ing a battery quick charge unit.
If engine does not run after several un-
successful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.!Do not tow-start the vehicle.

407 Practical hints
Jump starting
The battery is located on the right side of
the trunk under the battery cover
(page 403).

Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift gear selector lever to positionP.

Open the trunk lid.

Remove battery cover (
page 403).

Remove red cover from positive
terminal 1. 1Positive terminal of discharged battery
2Negative terminal of discharged
battery
3Positive terminal of charged battery
4Negative terminal of charged battery

Connect positive terminals 1 and3
of the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to charged battery3
first.

Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminals2 and4
of the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to charged battery4
first.

Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
Now you can again turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.

Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals2 and4 and then
from positive terminals1 and3.
You can now turn on the lights.

Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 403).
!Never invert the terminal connections.

409 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the drive train, however, we
recommend the drive shaft be discon-
nected at the rear axle drive flange (ve-
hicles with 4MATIC: disconnected at
the front and rear axle drive flanges) for
any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.iThe gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP and the SmartKey
will not turn in the starter switch if the
battery is disconnected or discharged.
See information on the battery
(page 403) or on jump starting
(page 406).
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position2 and activate the combina-
tion switch for the left or right turn sig-
nal in the usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.

411 Practical hintsFuses
Fuses
Fuses are designed to protect the electri-
cal circuits in your vehicle from a short cir-
cuit. If a fuse is blown, the component(s)
and systems controlled by that fuse will
stop working.
The following aids are available to help you
replace fuses (
page 411):


Fuse chart


Spare fuses


Special fuse extractorYour vehicle’s electrical fuses are located
in various fuse boxes:


In the dashboard on the passenger side
(page 412)


In the rear passenger compartment un-
der the right rear seat (
page 412)


In the engine compartment on the driv-
er’s side (
page 413)


In the engine compartment on the pas-
senger side (
page 413)
Aids for replacing fuses
Fuse chart
A chart explaining fuse allocation and fuse
amperages can be found in the vehicle tool
kit in the trunk (
page 379).
Spare fuses
Spare Fuses are found in the vehicle tool
kit in the trunk (page 379).
Fuse extractor
The fuse extractor is found in the vehicle
tool kit in the trunk (page 379).
Warning!
G
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz
and which have the specified amperage. Us-
ing other fuses may cause an overload and
lead to a fire, or cause damage to electrical
components and/or systems.
!Never attempt to repair or bridge a
blown fuse. Have the cause determined
and remedied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

436 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Windshield and headlamp washer system
Both the windshield and headlamp washer
systems are supplied from the windshield
washer fluid reservoir.
The washer fluid reservoir has a capacity of
approximately:

3.2 US qt. (3.0 l) in vehicles without
headlamp cleaning system*


7.4 US qt. (7 .0 l ) i n ve hi c le s wi th he ad -
lamp cleaning system* or heated reser-
voir

Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or con-
centrate and commercially available
premixed windshield washer solvent/
antifreeze, depending on ambient tem-
peratures).Windshield and headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and water:


1 part “S” to 100 parts water
[40 ml “S” to 1 gallon (4 liters) water].
For temperatures below freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and commercially available premixed
windshield washer solvent/antifreeze:


1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
[40 ml “S” to 1 gallon (4 liters) solvent].
Warning
G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze
on hot engine parts, because it may ignite
and burn. You could be seriously burned.

438 Technical termsCAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.
COMAND
(C
ockpit M
anagement and D
ata Sys-
tem)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and navi-
gation system, as well as other optional
equipment (CD changer, telephone,
etc.).Control system
The control system is used to call up
vehicle information and to change
component settings. Information and
messages appear in the multifunction
display. The driver uses the buttons on
the multifunction steering wheel to
navigate through the system and to ad-
just settings.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system that auto-
matically maintains the vehicle speed
set by the driver.Distronic*
A driving convenience cruise control
system which helps the driver maintain
a pre-selected speed:


If there is no vehicle directly ahead,
the system operates in the same
way as conventional ->cruise con-
trol.


If a slower moving vehicle is ahead,
Distronic will reduce your vehicle
speed to the extent permitted by re-
duced throttle and up to 20% brak-
ing power to maintain the preset
minimum following distance.

439 Technical terms
Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and stamped on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRS
FSS (Canada vehicles)
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. FSS evaluates
engine temperature, oil level, vehicle
speed, engine speed, distance driven
and the time elapsed since your last
maintenance service, and calls for the
next maintenance service accordingly.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs DVD digital maps for
navigation.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.
KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the
vehicle without the use of a SmartKey.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.

443 Index
A
ABC 231, 437
Messages in display 349, 354
Setting vehicle level 230, 232
ABS 25, 80, 437
Malfunction indicator lamp 338
Messages in display 350
Warning lamp 338
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 180
Accessory weight 322
Accident
In case of 54
Activating
Air conditioner (cooling) 203
Air conditioning 202
Air recirculation mode 199
Anti-theft alarm system 87
Central locking (control system) 168
Charcoal filter 200
Distance warning function* 226
Distronic* 222
Easy-entry/exit feature 170ESP 84
Exterior lamps 132
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 187
Front and rear fog lamp 132, 134
Hazard warning flasher 136
Headlamps 50
High beams 135
Ignition 34
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button 36
Immobilizer 57, 86
Limiting opening height of trunk
lid* 169
Manual shift program S 55 AMG 183
Rear window defroster 201
Residual heat 203
Seat heater 125, 126
Seat ventilation* 127
Tow-away alarm 89
Windshield wipers 52Adaptive Damping System (ADS) 229,
437
Adding
Coolant 293
Engine oil 291
Additional turn signals 390
Adjustable air vents, rear passenger
compartment 204
Adjusting 37
Air distribution 196
Air volume 198
Backrest tilt 38
Drive-dynamic seat* 172
Exterior rear view mirror 41
Head restraint height 39
Head restraint tilt 39
Instrument cluster illumination 140
Interior rear view mirror 41
Lumbar support 122
Mirrors 41
Multicontour backrest* 122
Power seat bench* 117
Seat cushion depth 38, 123

446 IndexBattery, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Check lamp 101
Replacing 388
Battery, vehicle 294, 403
Charging 404
Disconnecting 404
Reconnecting 405
Reinstalling 404
Removing 404
Bead 322
Bi-Xenon headlamps 437
Block heater (Canada only) 327
Blocking
Rear window operation 78
Brake assist system (BAS) 437
Brake fluid 284, 431
Brake lamp bulbs 390
Brake lamp, high mounted 390
Brake pads
Message in display 357
Brakes 274
Warning lamp 339
Break-in period 272Bulbs, replacing 389
Additional turn signals 390
Backup lamps 390
Brake lamps 390
Fog lamps 390
Front lamps 390
High beam 390
High mounted brake lamp 390
License plate lamps 390, 395
Low beam 390
Parking and standing lamps 390
Parking lamps 390, 394
Rear fog lamp 390, 395
Rear fog lamps 394
Side marker lamps 390, 394
Standing lamps 390, 394
Tail lamp assemblies 390
Tail lamp unit 395
Turn signal lamps 390C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 437
Calling up
Distronic* settings 156
Maintenance service indicator 329
Range (distance to empty) 158
CAN system 438
Canceling
Cruise control 215
Cargo tie-down hooks 241
Catalytic converter 281
CD changer* 151
CD mode 151
CD operation
Selecting tracks 150
Center console 27
Air bag off indicator lamp 346
Front passenger front air bag off indica-
tor lamp 346

448 IndexClock 25
Closing 58
Cup holder 250
Glove box 244
Hood 287
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 211
Power windows 207, 208
Side windows 208
Trunk 105
Closing from the inside automatically*
Trunk 105
Closing in an emergency
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 386
Cockpit 22, 438
Cockpit management and data system
(COMAND) 438
Cold tire inflation pressure 322
COMAND 438
COMAND* see separate operating instruc-
tions
Combination switch 135
High beam 50
High beam flasher 135
Turn signals 51
Windshield wipers 52Control and operation of radio
transmitters 280
Control system 143, 438
AUDIO menu 148
Checking oil level 288
Convenience submenu 169
Display digital speedometer 148
Distronic* menu 156
Functions 145, 147
Instrument cluster submenu 163
Lighting submenu 164
Menus 146, 147
Multifunction display 143
Multifunction steering wheel 144
NAVI menu 155
Settings menu 160
Standard display menu 148
Submenus 145, 147
TEL* menu 153
Trip computer menu 157
Vehicle status message memory
menu 159
Vehicle submenu 168Convenience submenu 169
Activating easy-entry/exit
feature 170
Adjusting drive-dynamic seat* 172
Setting Key-dependency 169
Setting parking position for exterior
rear view mirror 171
Coolant 292
Adding 293
Checking level 292
Messages in display 358, 359
Temperature 282
Temperature gauge 141
Warning lamp 359
Coolant level
Checking 292
Coolant temperature gauge 25
Courtesy lighting 139