MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2008 W221 Comand Manual

570 OperationAt the gas stationRefuelingThe fuel filler flap is located on the
right-hand side of the vehicle towards the
rear. Locking and unlocking the vehicle
with the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* automatically locks and un-
locks the fuel filler flap.
1To open fuel filler flap
2To insert fuel filler cap
3Holder

Shift the automatic transmission to
park positionP.

Engage the electronic parking brake.

Turn off the engine.

Vehicles with SmartKey: Remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: Open the
driver’s door (this puts the starter
switch in position0, same as with the
SmartKey removed from the starter
switch). The driver’s door then can be
closed again.

Open the fuel filler flap by pushing at
the point indicated by arrow 1.
The fuel filler flap springs open.

Turn the fuel cap counterclockwise and
hold on to it until possible pressure is
released.
Warning!
G
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious per-
sonal injury.
Never allow sparks, flame or smoking mate-
rials near gasoline!
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid in-
haling fumes and skin or clothing contact,
extinguish all smoking materials.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the inha-
lation of fuel vapors are damaging to your
health.
i
In case that the central locking system does
not release the fuel filler flap, or the opening
mechanism is clamping, notify Roadside Assis-
tance or an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

571 Operation
At the gas station

Take off the fuel filler cap and set it in
the direction of arrow 2 and place it
into holder 3 located on the inside of
the fuel filler flap.
To prevent fuel vapors from escaping
into open air, fully insert filler nozzle
unit.

Only fill your tank until the filler nozzle
unit cuts out – do not top off or over-
fill.

Replace the fuel cap by turning it clock-
wise until it audibly engages.

Close the fuel filler flap.
You should hear the latch close shut.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.i
Make sure to close the fuel filler flap before
locking your vehicle as the flap locking pin pre-
vents closing after you have locked the vehicle.
i
Only use premium unleaded gasoline with a
minimum Posted Octane Rating of 91 (average of
96 RON/86 MON). Please contact gas station
personnel in case labels on the pump cannot be
found.
For more information on gasoline see “Premium
unleaded gasoline” (
page 770), see “Fuel re-
quirements” (
page 770) and the Factory Ap-
proved Service Products pamphlet.
i
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap
open can cause the yellow engine malfunction
indicator lamp ± to illuminate.
For more information, see the “Practical hints”
section (
page 632).

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).

573 Operation
Engine compartment
Engine compartment
Hood
Opening1Release lever

Pull release lever 1.
The hood is unlocked.
2Handle for opening the hood

Lift the hood slightly.
Handle2 will extend out of the radia-
tor grille.

Pull handle 2 to its stop out of radiator
grille.

Lift bottom of hood at edge of radiator
grille.
The hood will be automatically held
open at shoulder height by gas-filled
struts.
Warning!
G
Do not pull the release lever while the vehi-
cle is in motion. Otherwise the hood could
be forced open by passing air flow.
This could cause the hood to come loose
and injure you and/or others.Warning!
G
You could be injured when the hood is open
– even when the engine is turned off.
Parts of the engine can become very hot. To
prevent burns, let the engine cool off com-
pletely before touching any components on
the vehicle. Comply with all relevant safety
precautions.
!
To avoid damage to the windshield wipers or
hood, never open the hood if the wiper arms are
folded forward away from the windshield.
!
To avoid damage to handle2 never pull up
the hood on handle2.


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.

579 Operation
Engine compartment
Active Body Control* (ABC*) fluid level
Regular fluid level check is not required. If
you notice fluid leaks or malfunction mes-
sages in the multifunction display, have an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check
the ABC-system.
Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze.
When checking the coolant level,

the vehicle must be parked on level
ground


the coolant temperature must be be-
low 158°F (70°C)
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.
Example illustration from S 5501Cap
2Coolant expansion tank
Warning!
G
In order to avoid potentially serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.


Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.


Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.


Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.