engine oil MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2008 W221 Comand Manual

572 OperationAt the gas stationCheck regularly and before a long tripExample illustration from S 5501Coolant level
2Brake fluid
3Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning systemWindshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system
For more information on refilling the wash-
er reservoir, see “Windshield washer sys-
tem and headlamp cleaning system”
(
page 580).
Coolant
For more information on coolant, see
“Coolant level” (
page 579) and see “Fu-
els, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 764).
Brake fluid
For information on brake fluid, see “Brake
fluid” (
page 769).Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Engine oil” (
page 575).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
“Replacing bulbs” (
page 714).
For more information, see “Lighting”
(
page 399).
Tire inflation pressure
For information on tire inflation pressure,
see “Checking tire inflation pressure”
(page 592).
i
Opening the hood (
page 573).
!
If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks immediately. Notify an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Do not add brake fluid as this will not solve the
problem. For more information, see “Practical
hints” (page 631) and (
page 664).

574 OperationEngine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of ap-
proximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Warning!
G
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running.
The radiator fan may continue to run for ap-
proximately 30 seconds or even restart af-
ter the engine has been turned off. Stay
clear of fan blades.Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled down. If neces-
sary, call the fire department.
Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition 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
cranked manually
Warning!
G
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hands or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure that the hood is securely en-
gaged before driving off. Do not continue
driving if the hood can no longer engage af-
ter an accident, for example. The hood could
otherwise come loose while the vehicle is in
motion and endanger you and/or others.


575 Operation
Engine compartment
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.Notes about checking engine oil level
When checking the oil level


the vehicle must be parked on level
ground


with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been
stationary for at least 5 minutes with
the engine turned off


with the engine not at operating tem-
perature yet, the vehicle must have
been stationary for at least 30 minutes
with the engine turned offChecking engine oil level with the con-
trol system (S 600 and S 65 AMG)
To check the engine oil level via the multi-
function display, do the following:

Switch on the ignition (
page 370).

Press( or& to select the menu
“Service”.

Press$ or% to select “Engine
Oil Level”.

Press#.
The following message is seen in the multi-
function display:
“Measuring
Engine Oil Level
Accurate Only
When Vehicle Is Level”
!
Do not use any special lubricant additives,
as these may damage the drive assemblies. Us-
ing special additives not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
More information on this subject is available at
any Mercedes-Benz Center.
i
The menu overview can be found on
(
page 289).


576 OperationEngine compartmentOne of the following messages will
subsequently appear in the multifunction
display:

“Engine Oil Level
OK”


“Add 1.0 qts. Engine Oil
At Next Refueling”
(Canada: “1.0 l”)


“Add 1.5 qts. Engine Oil
At Next Refueling”
(Canada: “1.5 l”)


“Add 2.0 qts. Engine Oil
At Next Refueling”
(Canada: “2.0 l”)

If necessary, add engine oil
(page 578).
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 765) and
(
page 769).Other display messages
If the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO* start/
stop button is not in position 2, the follow-
ing message will appear:
“For Engine Oil Level
Ignition Must be On”

Switch on the ignition (
page 370).
If you see the message
“Need More Time
to Check
Engine Oil Level”

If engine is at operating temperature,
wait 5 minutes before repeating check
procedure.

If engine is not at operating tempera-
ture yet, wait 30 minutes before
repeating check procedure.
If you see the message
“Engine Oil Level
Not Measurable
With Running Engine”

Turn off the engine.

If the engine is at operating tempera-
ture, wait 5 minutes before checking
oil.

If the engine is not at operating temper-
ature yet, you must wait 30 minutes
before checking oil.
If there is excess engine oil with the engine
at operating temperature, the following
message will appear:
“Reduce
Engine Oil Level”

Have excess oil siphoned or drained
off. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
For more information on messages in the
multifunction display concerning engine
oil, see the “Practical hints” section
(
page 694).
i
If you want to interrupt the checking proce-
dure, press buttonL on the multifunction
steering wheel.
!
Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off.
It could cause damage to the engine and catalyt-
ic converter not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.


577 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick (all models except S 600 and
S65AMG)
To check the engine oil level with the oil
dipstick, do the following:
Open the hood (
page 573).
S 550 and S 63 AMG1Oil dipstick
2Upper mark
3Lower mark
S 450 4matic and S 550 4matic1Oil dipstick
2Upper mark
3Lower mark
Pull out oil dipstick1.

Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.

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

Pull out oil dipstick1 again after ap-
proximately 3 seconds to obtain accu-
rate reading.The oil level is correct when it is between
lower mark3 (min.) and upper mark2
(max.) of the oil dipstick.

If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil (
page 578).
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (page 765) and
(
page 769).
For more information on messages in the
multifunction display concerning engine
oil, see the “Practical hints” section
(page 642).
i
S 450 4MATIC, S 550 and S 550 4MATIC:
The filling quantity between the upper and lower
marks on the oil dipstick is approximately
2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).
i
S 63 AMG only:
The filling quantity between the upper and lower
marks on the oil dipstick is approximately
1.6 US qt. (1.5 l).

578 OperationEngine compartmentAdding engine oil
Example illustration from S 550
S63 AMG1Filler cap
Unscrew filler cap1 from filler neck.

Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.
Be 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 oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 765) and
(
page 769).
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.
!
Only use approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance System.
For a listing of approved engine oils and oil fil-
ters, refer to the Factory Approved Service Prod-
ucts pamphlet (USA only) in your vehicle
literature portfolio, or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specification
other than those expressly required for the Main-
tenance System, or changing of oil and oil filter
at change intervals longer than those called for
by the Maintenance System will result in engine
or emission control system damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!
Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off.
It will cause damage to the engine and emission
control system not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

694 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Night View Assist
Lights ON or AUTO,
Not in R Gear
You have tried to switch on Night View As-
sist* but the light switch is not set to *
or B.
In addition, the automatic transmission is in
reverse gearR.

Turn the exterior lamp switch to * or
B (
page 399).

Shift the automatic transmission to park
positionP, neutral positionN or drive
positionD (
page 426).
Night View Assist
Only When
It Is Dark
You have tried to switch on Night View As-
sist* by daylight.
You can only switch on Night View Assist* when
it is dark.
Engine Oil Level Low
Stop Vehicle
Turn Engine Off
S 600 and S 65 AMG only:
There is no oil in the engine. There is a dan-
ger of engine damage.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt as soon
as it is safe to do so in a safe location.

Engage the electronic parking brake
(page 422).

Turn off the engine.

Add engine oil (
page 578) and check the
engine oil level (page 575).

695 Practical hints
What to do if …?
When the message “Check Engine Oil Level
at Next Refueling” (all models except S 600
and S 65 AMG) or “Check Engine Oil Level
(Add 1 quart). (Canada:1Liter)” (S 600
and S 65 AMG) appears while the engine is
running and at operating temperature, the
engine oil level has dropped to approxi-
mately the minimum level.When this occurs, the warning is at first in-
termittent and then remains on if the oil
level drops further.
Visually check for oil leaks. If there are no
obvious oil leaks, drive to the nearest ser-
vice station to refill engine oil to the re-
quired level with an approved oil.For information on approved engine oils,
refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Check
Engine Oil Level
(Add 1 quart)
(USA only)
Check
Engine Oil Level
(Add 1 Liter)
(Canada only)
S 600 and S 65 AMG only:
The engine oil level is too low.

Check the engine oil level (
page 575) and
add engine oil as required (page 578).

If you must add engine oil frequently, have
the engine checked for possible leaks.
Check
Engine Oil Level
at Next Refueling
All models except S 600 and S 65 AMG:
The engine oil level has dropped to approx-
imately the minimum level.

Check the engine oil level (
page 575) and
add engine oil as required (page 578).

If you must add engine oil frequently, have
the engine checked for possible leaks.
!
Engine oil level warnings should not be ig-
nored. Extended driving with the symbol dis-
played could result in serious engine damage
that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limit-
ed Warranty.

696 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Engine Oil Level
Cannot Be
Measured
S600 and S65AMG only:
The measuring system is malfunctioning.

Have the measuring system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Engine Oil
Level Too High
S600 and S65AMG only:
You have added too much engine oil.
There is a risk of damaging:

the engine


the catalytic converter

Have excess oil siphoned or drained off. Con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

765 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter
S 450 4MATIC
1
S 550
S 550 4MATIC
1Canada only
8.98 US qt. (8.5 l)
Approved engine oils
S600
9.51 US qt. (9.0 l)
S63 AMG
9.25 US qt. (8.75 l)
S65 AMG
9.51 US qt. (9.0 l)
Automatic transmission
S 450 4MATIC
1
10.14 US qt. (9.6 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
S 550
10.36 US qt. (9.8 l)
S 550 4MATIC
10.14 US qt. (9.6 l)
S600
8.14 US qt. (7.7 l)
S63 AMG
9.25 US qt. (8.75 l)
S65 AMG
9.2 US qt. (8.7 l)
Rear axle
S 450 4MATIC
2
2Canada only
1.90 US qt. (1.8 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
S 550
1.27 US qt. (1.2 l)
S 550 4MATIC
1.90 US qt. (1.8 l)
S600
2.11 US qt. (2.0 l)