air conditioning MERCEDES-BENZ S350 2006 W221 Owner's Manual

Contents
CD changer* operating mode ...... 151
TEL menu* ................................... 153
NAVI menu ................................... 155
Distronic* menu........................... 156
Trip computer menu..................... 157
Vehicle status message
memory menu .............................. 159
Settings menu .............................. 160
Automatic transmission ..................... 173
Gear selector lever position ......... 175
Driving tips ................................... 177
Gear ranges ................................. 178
Automatic shift program .............. 179
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting .................................. 180
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting S 55 AMG
and S 65 AMG .............................. 181
Manual shift program S 55 AMG
and S 65 AMG .............................. 183
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 185Good visibility ..................................... 186
Headlamp cleaning system*
(Standard on S 500, S 600,
S 55 AMG and S 65 AMG)............. 186
Rear view mirrors.......................... 186
Power folding exterior rear
view mirrors .................................. 188
Sun visors ..................................... 190
Rear window sunshade ................. 191
Rear side window sunshade*........ 191
Automatic climate control .................. 192
Deactivating the climate
control system .............................. 195
Setting the temperature................ 195
Adjusting air distribution............... 196
Adjusting air volume ..................... 197
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 197
Defrosting ..................................... 197
Air recirculation mode .................. 198
Charcoal filter ............................... 200
Rear window defroster .................. 201
Air conditioning............................. 202
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 202Ventilated storage compartment .. 203
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents ...................... 204
Rear passenger compartment
climate control*............................ 205
Power windows .................................. 208
Opening and closing the power
windows........................................ 208
Synchronizing the power
windows........................................ 210
Summer opening feature .............. 210
Convenience closing feature......... 211
Power tilt/sliding sunroof .................. 212
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof........................ 212
Synchronizing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof........................ 214
Driving systems .................................. 215
Cruise control ............................... 215
Distronic* ..................................... 218
Airmatic ........................................ 229
Active Body Control (ABC)* .......... 232
Parktronic system*
(Parking assist) ............................. 235

ContentsTechnical data.................................. 419
Parts service ...................................... 420
Warranty coverage ............................. 421
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 421
Identification labels............................ 422
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 423
S 350/S 430/S 430 4MATIC/
S 500/ S 500 4MATIC ................. 423
S 55 AMG ..................................... 423
S 600 and S 65 AMG.................... 423
Engine ................................................ 424
Rims and tires .................................... 426
Same size tires ............................. 428
Mixed size tires ............................ 430
Spare wheel ................................. 431
Electrical system................................ 432Main dimensions and weights............ 433
Main dimensions .......................... 433
Weights ........................................ 433
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 434
Capacities .................................... 434
Engine oils.................................... 437
Engine oil additives ...................... 437
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 437
Brake fluid .................................... 437
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 438
Fuel requirements ........................ 438
Gasoline additives ........................ 439
Coolants....................................... 439
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ............................. 442
Technical terms............................... 443Index................................................. 451

194 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlThe automatic climate control is operation-
al whenever the engine is running. You can
operate the climate control system in ei-
ther the automatic or manual mode. The
system cools or heats the interior depend-
ing on the selected interior temperature
and the current outside temperature.Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the ± mode is selected
(
page 202).
Warning!
G
When operating the automatic climate con-
trol, the air that enters the passenger com-
partment through the air vents in the
footwell can be very hot or very cold (de-
pending on the set temperature). This may
cause burns or frostbite on unprotected skin
in the immediate area of the air vents. Al-
ways keep sufficient distance between un-
protected parts of the body and the footwell
air vents. If necessary change the air flow
using the air distribution controls to direct
the air away from the footwell air vents
(page 196).
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
iThe current climate control settings
(ON/OFF, temperature, air volume, ac-
tivated charcoal filter, etc.) are stored
for each SmartKey before it is removed
from the starter switch or when the ve-
hicle is locked using the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* (
page 108).
If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate
the interior before driving off.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow, leaves, sticks,
and any other debris.
Do not obstruct air volume by placing
objects on the air volume-through ex-
haust slots below the rear window.
iWhen operating the climate control
system in automatic mode, you will
only rarely need to adjust the tempera-
ture, air volume and air distribution.

195 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Deactivating the climate control sys-tem
Deactivating
It is possible to completely deactivate the
automatic climate control system. 
Press button M (
page 193).
The display shows
0.
Reactivating

Press button M (
page 193).
Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls aand8
(page 193) to separately adjust the air
temperature on each side of the passenger
compartment. You should raise or lower
the temperature setting in small incre-
ments, preferably starting at 72°F (22°C).
Increasing/decreasing

Press button a or 8 repeatedly until
the display shows the desired tempera-
ture.
The automatic climate control system
will correspondingly adjust the interior
air temperature.
Adjusting the temperature for center
air vents
When outside temperatures are low, you
can manually raise the air temperature for
the center and side air vents. The
thumbwheel4 is located between the
center air vents (
page 192).Automatic temperature control

Turn thumbwheel 4 to A.
The indicator lamp above the thumb-
wheel comes on. The temperature is
automatically adjusted to the set value.
Turning on warm air

Turn thumbwheel4 in the direction of
the white marking.
Warm air will enter from the center air
vent.
Turning on cooler air

Turn thumbwheel4 in the direction of
the blue marking.
Cooler air will enter from the center air
vent.
iWhen the air conditioning is switched
off, the outside air supply and circula-
tion are also switched off. Only choose
this setting for a short time. Otherwise
the windows could fog up.

196 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlAdjusting air distribution
Use air distribution controlsc and6
(page 193) to separately adjust the air
distribution on each side of the passenger
compartment. The following symbols are
found on the controls:
Adjusting manually

Press left or right buttonU.
The buttonU will pop out.
The button emerges and theh,
», d and csymbols become
visible.

Turn the marking on the regulator to
the desired symbol.
The air will be directed to the vents cor-
responding to this symbol.
Adjusting automatically

Press left or right buttonU until it
clicks in.
Theh, », d and c sym-
bols are no longer visible.
The air distribution is adjusted auto-
matically.
Windows fogged on the inside

Press button± to switch on the air
conditioning (
page 193).
The indicator lamp in the button goes
out.

Press button, to switch off the air
recirculation (
page 193).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.

Make sure left and right buttonU
emerges.
Theh, », d and c sym-
bols become visible.

Press left and right buttond.

Set blower to the maximum speed.

Adjust left and right air vents1
and7 upwards (
page 192).

Increase temperature setting.

Open side air vents9 and direct them
onto the side windows (
page 192).
Windshield fogged on the outside

Switch the windshield wipers on
(page 52).

Press on both buttons U until they
click in.
Theh, », d and c sym-
bols are no longer visible.
Symbol
Function
h
Directs air through the cen-
ter air vents
d
Directs air to the windows
»
Directs air into the entire
vehicle interior
c
Directs air to the footwells

199 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Deactivating
Press button, (
page 193).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.The air recirculation mode is deactivated
automatically:


after five minutes if the outside temper-
ature is below approximately 41°F
(5°C)


after five minutes if the air conditioning
is turned off


after 30 minutes if the outside temper-
ature is above approximately 41°F
(5°C)
At outside temperatures above 79°F
(26°C) the system will not automatically
switch back to outside air. A quantity of
outside air is added after approximately
30 minutes.
iThe air recirculation mode is activated
automatically:

at high outside temperatures


if the concentration of carbon mon-
oxide and nitrogen oxide in the out-
side air increases beyond a
predetermined level, for example in
a tunnel
Please note that the charcoal filter
must be activated (
page 200) for the
air recirculation mode to be activated
automatically.
If you have turned off the air condition-
ing (
page 202) or the outside tem-
perature is below 41°F (5°C), the air
recirculation mode will not switch on
automatically.
iPress and hold button, for approx-
imately two seconds. The side windows
and or tilt/sliding sunroof will return to
their previous position. You can release
button, once the opening proce-
dure has begun. The windows and
tilt/sliding sunroof continue opening
until they have reached their previous
position.
A window or tilt/sliding sunroof will
only return to its previous position if it
has not been moved to another posi-
tion using the respective window
switch or tilt/sliding sunroof switch af-
ter it was closed with button,. A
window or tilt/sliding sunroof that was
moved will remain in its current posi-
tion if button, is used to re-open
the remaining windows or tilt/sliding
sunroof.

202 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlAir conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while
the engine is running and cools the interior
air to the temperature set by the operator.
Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the automatic
climate control system. The air in the vehi-
cle will then no longer be cooled or dehu-
midified.
Press button± (
page 193).
The indicator lamp on the button±
comes on.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.

Press± again (
page 193).
The indicator lamp on button ±
goes out.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Residual heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior.
This feature makes use of the residual heat
produced by the engine.
Activating
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1 or 0, or remove it from the
starter switch.

Press buttonT (
page 193).
The indicator lamp on buttonT
comes on.
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.
!If button± on the automatic cli-
mate control panel starts to flash, this
indicates that the air conditioning is
losing refrigerant. The compressor has
turned itself off. The air conditioning
cannot be turned on again.
Have the air conditioning checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

203 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Deactivating
Press buttonT (
page 193).
The indicator lamp on buttonT
goes out.
The residual heat is automatically turned
off:


when the ignition is switched on


after approximately 30 minutes
(15 minutes when residual heat and
ventilation in the rear* are also
switched on)


if the battery voltage drops
Ventilated storage compartment
Depending on vehicle model and configu-
ration, your vehicle is equipped with a stor-
age compartment under the front armrest
(page 244) which can be ventilated
when the automatic air conditioning is
switched on. If so equipped, the switch is
located inside the storage compartment in
the front. The air temperature is about the
same as that of the center air vents.
The air volume is dependent on the setting
of:


air distribution control


air volume control


air vents in the dashboard
The air temperature is about the same as
that of the dashboard air vents. It cannot
be regulated separately.Switching ventilation on

Open the storage compartment in front
of the armrest, see “Storage compart-
ment in front of armrest” (
page 244).

Push upper portion of switch.
Switching ventilation off

Open the storage compartment in front
of the armrest, see “Storage compart-
ment in front of armrest” (
page 244).

Push lower portion of switch.
iHow long the system will provide heat-
ing depends on the coolant tempera-
ture and the temperature set by the
operator. The blower will run at speed
setting 1 regardless of the air distribu-
tion control setting.
!Do not obstruct the air vent in the stor-
age compartment.iThe compartment can get very warm
due to its confined space. When storing
heat sensitive objects in the compart-
ment, close the air vent while heating
the passenger compartment.

206 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlDeactivating and reactivating the cli-
mate control system
Deactivating
It is possible to completely deactivate the
automatic climate control system. 
Press button M (
page 205).
The display shows
0.
Reactivating

Press button M (
page 205).Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls 5and7
(
page 205) to separately adjust the air
temperature on each side of the passenger
compartment. You should raise or lower
the temperature setting in small incre-
ments, preferably starting at 72°F (22°C).
Increasing/decreasing

Press button 5 or 7 repeatedly until
the display shows the desired tempera-
ture.
The automatic climate control system
will correspondingly adjust the interior
air temperature.Adjusting air distribution
Use thumbwheel4 (
page 205) to sepa-
rately adjust the air distribution in the rear
passenger compartment. The following
symbols are found on the controls:

Turn thumbwheel4 to the desired
symbol.
The air will be directed to the vents cor-
responding to this symbol.
iWhen the air conditioning is switched
off, the outside air supply and circula-
tion are also switched off. Only choose
this setting for a short time. Otherwise
the windows could fog up.
Symbol
Function
d
Directs air to the center air
vents
c
Directs air to the footwell
air vents

323 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least three hours or
driven no more than one mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.DOT (D
epartment o
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
Certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
GVW (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GWV must never exceed the
GWVR indicated on the Certification label
located on the driver’s door B-pillar.