maintenance MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2008 W221 Comand Manual

614 OperationMaintenance
Resetting the maintenance service indicator
In the event that the maintenance service
on your vehicle is not carried out by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center, you can
have the maintenance service indicator re-
set. The automotive maintenance facility
carrying out the maintenance service will
find the information for resetting the main-
tenance service indicator in the mainte-
nance-relevant information for your
vehicle. Such information is available from
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
directly from Mercedes-Benz.
i
If 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 dead-
line, you will need to subtract these days from
the days shown in the maintenance service indi-
cator message or maintenance service indicator
display.
i
If the maintenance service indicator was in-
advertently reset, have an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center correct it.
Only reset if the proper maintenance service has
been performed. Resetting the system without
performing the proper service as called for by
the maintenance service indicator will result in
engine damage and/or other vehicle damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

639 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Warning!
G
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or the tire inflation pressure
label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different
size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or the tire inflation pressure label,
you should determine the proper tire infla-
tion pressure for those tires).
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitor-
ing system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires is significantly under-inflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illu-
minates, you should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a significant-
ly under-inflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Please
note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driv-
er’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of
the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
USA only:
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is com-
bined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the
telltale will flash for approximately
one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue
upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long
as the malfunction exists. When the mal-
function indicator is illuminated, the system
may not be able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on
the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing
one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle
to ensure that the replacement or alternate
tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue
to function properly.

653 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Next Service X
Due in ... days
Due in ... mls (km)
Service X must be carried out in ... days or
after ... miles (kilometers) (
page 612).

Have the maintenance service carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only Shift to
Position 'P' When
Vehicle Is Stationary
You have tried to shift the automatic trans-
mission to park positionP using the gear
selector lever although the vehicle is still in
motion.

Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

Shift the automatic transmission to park positionP.

Engage the electronic parking brake (
page 422).
Park Assist
Currently Unavailable
See Oper. Manual
Park Assist* is deactivated because the
area around the sensors* in the front or the
rear bumper (
page 620) is dirty.

Clean the front and rear bumper (
page 620).
Park Assist* is deactivated because the
battery voltage is insufficient.

Have the battery checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Park Assist* is switched off because the ra-
dar sensor system* is temporarily inopera-
tive due to electromagnetic interference
near television and radio transmitter sta-
tions, toll stations, speed measuring sys-
tems, etc.

Wait until the message in the multifunction display disappears.
Park Assist
Inoperative
Park Assist* is unavailable due to a mal-
function.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as pos-
sible.

656 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Parking Guidance
Finished
Advanced Parking Guidance* The vehicle is
in the end position.
The display message disappears automatically.
PRE-SAFE
Inoperative
See Oper. Manual
PRE-SAFE
® itself has failed. All other occu-
pant safety systems, such as the air bags,
are still available.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as pos-
sible.
Radar Sensors
Deactivated
See Oper. Manual
You attempt to activate DISTRONIC Plus*,
Park Assist* or PRE-SAFE
® Brake* even
though you have switched off the radar sen-
sors* on the vehicle.

Check if the radar sensors* may be switched on (
page 307).

Switch on the radar sensors* using the instrument cluster
control system.
Service X
Due
Service X must be carried out (
page 612).

Have the maintenance service carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Service X Exceeded
by X days
by XXX mls (km)
Service X must be carried within the next ...
or before you have driven ... miles (kilome-
ters) (
page 612).

Have the maintenance service carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

666 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Service
See Oper. Manual
S 600 and S 65 AMG only:
The brake system sensors are malfunction-
ing. The brake system continues to function
normally with full brake force boost.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
(USA only)(Canada only)
Check
Brake Pad Wear
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
!
Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the intervals
specified in the Maintenance Booklet.

725 Practical hints
Flat tire
The jack take-up brackets are located di-
rectly behind the front wheel housings and
in front of the rear wheel housings.
2Jack take-up bracket
3Jack
4Crank
Place jack2 on firm ground.

Position jack3 under take-up
bracket2 so that it is always vertical
(plumb-line) as seen from the side,
even if the vehicle is parked on an
incline.

Turn crank4 clockwise until jack3
is fully seated in take-up bracket2
and the jack base evenly meets the
ground.

Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is a
maximum of 1.2 in (3 cm) from the
ground. Never start engine while
vehicle is raised.
Warning!
G
Position the jack only on the jack take-up
brackets designed for this purpose.
If the jack is not properly positioned, the ve-
hicle may fall off the jack and cause serious
personal injury or damage to the vehicle.Warning!
G
The jack is intended only for lifting the
vehicle briefly for wheel changes. It is not
suited for performing maintenance work
under the vehicle.

Never start the engine when the vehicle
is raised.


Never lie down under the raised vehicle.

729 Practical hints
Batteries
Batteries
Your vehicle is equipped with two batter-
ies:

The starter battery, located in the en-
gine compartment


The battery for electrical consumers
(consumer battery), located in the
trunk
The batteries should always be sufficiently
charged in order to achieve its rated ser-
vice life. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for
battery maintenance intervals.
If you use your vehicle mostly for short-dis-
tance trips, you will need to have the bat-
tery charge checked more frequently.
When replacing the batteries, always use
batteries approved by Mercedes-Benz.
If you do not intend to operate your vehicle
for an extended period of time, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center about
steps you need to observe.Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12-volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
!
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries.
Risk of explosion.
Fire, open flames and smoking
are prohibited when handling
batteries. Avoid creating sparks.
Battery acid is caustic. Do not
allow it to come into contact
with skin, eyes or clothing.
Wear suitable protective cloth-
ing, especially gloves, apron and
faceguard.
Wear eye protection.
Rinse any acid spills immediate-
ly with clear water. Contact a
physician if necessary.
Keep children away.
Follow the instructions in this
Operator’s Manual.

730 Practical hintsBatteries!
The consumer battery located in the trunk is
a valve-r
egulated l
ead a
cid (VRLA) battery, also
referred to as “fleece” battery. Such batteries do
not require topping-up of the electrolyte level.
VRLA batteries therefore do not have cell caps
and the battery cover is non-removable. Do not
attempt to open the consumer battery as other-
wise the battery will be damaged.
Even though VRLA batteries do not require top-
ping-up of the electrolyte level and cannot be
opened to check the electrolyte level, the bat-
tery condition must be checked periodically by
performing a battery conductance test. Refer to
Maintenance Booklet for battery condition test-
ing intervals.
As with any other battery, disconnect the con-
sumer battery if you do not intend to operate
your vehicle for an extended period of time to
prevent battery discharge or connect an acces-
sory battery charge unit expressly approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to main-
tain the battery charge. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further information.
!
The factory-equipped VRLA battery is
leak-proofed. Only use a battery as replacement
that has the same security features and is of
identical size, voltage, and capacity as the facto-
ry-equipped battery.
The battery, the battery ventilation and the later-
al plug must always be securely installed when
the vehicle is in operation.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
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 explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
Take care that you do not become statically
charged, e.g. by wearing synthetic clothing
or rubbing against textiles. For this reason,
you also should not pull or push the battery
over carpets or other synthetic materials.
Never touch the battery first. First touch the
outside body of the vehicle in order to re-
lease any possible electrostatic charges.

731 Practical hints
Batteries
Starter battery (example illustration from
S 550)1Negative terminal
2Positive terminal
Disconnecting starter battery
Secure vehicle in place with electronic
parking brake (
page 422).

Shift the automatic transmission to
park positionP (
page 426).
Do not rub the battery with rags or cloths.
The battery could explode if touched due to
electrostatic charge or due to spark forma-
tion.!
Switch off the engine and switch off the ve-
hicle’s internal electrical functions (
page 732)
before you disconnect or remove the battery’s
terminal clamps. You could otherwise destroy
electronic assemblies such as the generator.
Have the battery checked regularly by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center. Refer to Mainte-
nance Booklet for maintenance intervals or
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
further information.
!
Do not connect any consumers directly to
the starter battery. The starter battery will other-
wise be discharged.
i
Only replace a discharged battery with a bat-
tery recommended by Mercedes-Benz. The con-
sumer battery is installed in the trunk in such a
way that it is safeguarded as much as possible
against mechanical destruction in the event of
an accident.
i
Remove SmartKey from starter switch (vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure the vehicle’s
on-board electronics have status 0)
(
page 370) when you turn off the engine and
no longer require any electrical consumers. The
vehicle then uses very little power and the con-
sumer battery is spared.
i
If the consumer battery is discharged, you
must use the mechanical key to unlock the vehi-
cle (page 708). Since the vehicle has a sepa-
rate starter battery, however, you can still start
the vehicle.
!
Always disconnect the starter battery in the
order described below. You could otherwise
damage the vehicle’s electronics.
!
Switch off the vehicle’s internal electrical
functions before disconnecting the starter bat-
tery. If the vehicle is stationary for more than one
hour with the SmartKey removed, you do not
need to switch off the vehicle’s internal electrical
functions.

754 Technical dataRims and tires!
Only use tires which have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Tires approved by
Mercedes-Benz are developed to provide best
possible performance in conjunction with the
driving safety systems on your vehicle such as
ABS or ESP
®. Tires specially developed for your
vehicle and tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz can be identified by finding the
following on the tire’s sidewall:


MO = M
ercedes-Benz O
riginal equipment
tires
AMG vehicles:
Does not apply to all approved tires on AMG
vehicles. For information on tested and
approved tires for AMG vehicles, contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz may result in damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!
Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz can have detrimental effects,
such as


poor handling characteristics


increased noise


increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may, under load, exhibit dimen-
sional variations and different tire deformation
characteristics that could cause them to come
into contact with the vehicle body or axle parts.
Damage to the tires or the vehicle may be the
result.
i
Further information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. A placard with the recommended tire in-
flation pressures is located on the driver’s door
B-pillar (
page 585). Some vehicles may have
supplemental tire inflation pressure information
for driving at high speeds (
page 591) or for ve-
hicle loads less than the maximum loaded
vehicle condition (
page 598). If such informa-
tion is provided, it can be found on the placard lo-
cated on the inside of the fuel filler flap. The tire inflation pressure should be checked
regularly and should only be adjusted on cold
tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s maintenance
recommendation included with vehicle.
i
The following pages also list the approved
wheel rim and tire sizes for equipping your vehi-
cles with winter tires. Winter tires are not avail-
able as standard or optional factory equipment,
but can be purchased from an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the standard or
optional factory-equipped wheel rim/tire config-
uration on your vehicle (Appearance Package,
Sport Package etc.), equipping your vehicle with
winter tires approved for your vehicle model may
also require the purchase of two or four wheel
rims of the recommended size for use with these
winter tires. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for more information.