engine coolant MERCEDES-BENZ S500 2000 W220 Owner's Guide

398 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufacturers is carbon
build up caused by gasoline. Mercedes-Benz
recommends the use of only quality gasoline containing
additives that prevent the build up of carbon deposits.
After an extended period of using fuels without such
additives, carbon deposits can build up especially on the
intake valves and in the combustion area, leading to
engine performance problems such as:
•warm-up hesitation,
•unstable idle,
•knocking / pinging,
•misfire,
•power loss.
Do not blend other specific fuel additives with fuel.
They only result in unnecessary cost, and may be
harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from poor fuel
quality or from blending specific fuel additives are not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water and
anticorrosion / antifreeze, which provides:
•corrosion protection,
•freeze protection,
•boiling protection (by increasing the boiling point).
The cooling system was filled at the factory with a
coolant providing freeze protection to approximately
-22°F (-30°C) and corrosion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to -22°F (-30°C), the
boiling point of the coolant in the pressurized cooling
system is reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).
The coolant solution must be used year round to provide
the necessary corrosion protection and increase in the
boil-over protection. You should have it replaced every
3years.
To provide the important corrosion protection, the
solution must be at least 45% anticorrosion / antifreeze
(equals a freeze protection to approx. - 22 °F [- 30 °C]). If
you use a solution that is more than 55% anticorrosion /
antifreeze (freeze protection to approx. - 49 °F [- 45°C]),

399 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index the engine temperature will increase due to the lower
heat transfer capability of the solution. Therefore, do not
use more than this amount of anticorrosion / antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and MB anticorrosion /
antifreeze should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for signs of leakage).
The water in the cooling system must meet minimum
requirements, which are usually satisfied by normal
drinking water. If your are not sure about the water
quality, consult your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Anticorrosion / antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of aluminium parts. The
use of aluminium components in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion / antifreeze coolant used
in such engines be specifically formulated to protect the
aluminium parts. (Failure to use such anticorrosion /
antifreeze coolant will result in a significantly
shortened service life.)
Therefore the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle: Mercedes-Benz
anticorrosion / antifreeze agent.Before the start of the winter season (or once a year in
the hot southern regions), you should have the
anticorrosion / antifreeze concentration checked. The
coolant is also regularly checked each time you bring
your vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for service.
Anticorrosion / antifreeze quantity
Model Approx. freeze protection
– 35°F
(– 37°C)– 49°F
(– 45°C)
S 430, S 500,
S 55 AMG6.1 US qt
(5.75 l)6.7 US qt
(6.3 l)
S 600 6.3 US qt
(6.0 l)7. 0 U S q t
(6.6 l)

403 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Front center console storage
compartment ventilation .................................... 175
Rear window defroster ............................................. 180
Residual engine heat utilization (REST) ............... 174
Special settings ......................................................... 169
Switching on and off ................................................ 175
Automatic climate control, rear
Air volume, manual .................................................. 178
Basic setting .............................................................. 178
Automatic transmission ...............................................233
Emergency operation ............................................... 241
Fluid level ...................................................................335
Program mode selector switch ...............................240
Selector lever position ..............................................236
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 91
Self-test ......................................................................... 91
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 271
Battery .............................................................................349
Battery recycling .......................................................350
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR -
malfunction and warning messages ......................305
Block heater .................................................................... 251BRAKE ASSIST -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 306
Brake assist system (BAS) ............................................ 271
Brake fluid ..................................244, 293, 298, 394, 396
BRAKE FLUID -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 307
BRAKE LINING WEAR -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 307
Brake pad wear .............................................................. 307
Brake warning lamp ..................................................... 298
Brake fluid low ......................................................... 298
Brakes ........................................... 242, 244, 271, 272, 274
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .............................. 394
Card, KEYLESS-GO ..........................................................28
Catalytic converter ........................................................ 224
Center console .................................................................. 24
Center console lighting ................................................. 189
Central locking switch .................................................... 50
Central locking system .................................................... 34
Automatic central locking .........................................52
Choosing global or selective mode .....................37, 43
Electronic main key .................................................... 29

404 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Electronic reserve key ................................................ 30
KEYLESS-GO-card ....................................................... 31
Locking and unlocking .............................................. 36
Locking and unlocking
with KEYLESS-GO-card ......................................... 40
Mechanical keys ................................................... 30, 47
Remote control ..................................................... 28, 34
Simultaneous use of
electronic main key
and KEYLESS-GO-card .......................................... 44
Summer opening/convenience feature ................... 45
Changing batteries in the
KEYLESS-GO-card .....................................................366
Changing wheels ...........................................................343
CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp .....................................296
Check regulary and before a long trip .......................293
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator .................................. 154
Via oil dipstick ...........................................................334
Child restraint ...........................................84, 91, 102, 104
CHIP-CARD (KEYLESS-GO) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................322
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ................................. 374
COMAND, radio and telephone ................................... 212
Combination switch ...................................................... 160Consumer information ................................................. 400
Control and operation
of radio transmitters ................................................. 212
COOLANT (coolant level) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 310
COOLANT (coolant temperature) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 311
Coolant level
Adding ........................................................................ 336
Checking .................................................................... 336
Coolant temperature gauge .......................................... 117
Coolants .......................................................................... 398
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity ........................ 399
Courtesy lighting ........................................................... 189
Cruise control ................................................................ 253
CRUISE CONTROL -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 319
Cup holder
In front seat armrest ................................................. 199
In rear seat armrest ................................................. 200
DDashboard ......................................................................... 22
Daytime running lamp .................................................. 158

407 Index
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data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Exterior rear view mirrors
Electrically folding .................................................... 109
Parking position ........................................................ 108
FFirst aid kit .....................................................................328
Flexible service system (FSS) ...................................... 147
Footwell lighting ............................................................ 189
Front airbags .................................................................... 94
Front center console storage
compartment ventilation ......................................... 175
Front seat adjustment ..................................................... 67
Fuel
Gasoline additives ....................................................398
Premium unleaded gasoline ................. 291, 395, 397
Fuel cap placement warning
See CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp ................................296
Fuel filler flap, manual release ...................................368
Fuel requirements .........................................................397
Fuel reserve warning ....................................................299
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities ...............394
Fuses, electrical .............................................................329
GGarage door opener ...................................................... 206
Gasoline
Additives .................................................................... 398
Fuel requirements ................................................... 397
Premium unleaded .................................................. 397
General notes on the
central locking system ............................................... 33
Glove box ......................................................................... 194HHazard warning flasher switch ................................... 163
Head restraints, front seats
Removal and installation ...........................................72
Head restraints, rear seat ............................................... 80
Power head restraints ................................................. 81
Headlamp cleaning system ........................................... 159
Headlamp mode (HEADLAMPS) .................................. 157
Headlights ....................................................................... 156
Heated seats ......................................................................75
Hood .................................................................................331
HOOD -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 320

409 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Standing lamps ........................................ 156, 359, 360
Stop lamps .................................................................. 361
Taillamps .......................................... 156, 312, 360, 377
Turn signal lamps ................................... 358, 360, 361
Level control system
Vehicles with Active Body Control
(ABC) ......................................................................280
Vehicles with Airmatic system ...............................279
LIGHT SENSOR -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 314
Lighter .............................................................................203
LIGHTING SYSTEM -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 312
Limp home mode
(Automatic transmission) ........................................ 241
Locking and unlocking ............................................ 36, 40
Lumbar support ............................................................... 73
MMaintenance ................................................................... 213
Malfunction and indicator lamps
In the center console ................................................302
In the instrument cluster .........................................296
Malfunction and warning message memory ............. 136
Malfunction and warning messagesACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) ............................. 314
AIR SPRING (AirMatic) ........................................... 325
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR ......................................... 305
BRAKE ASSIST ......................................................... 306
BRAKE FLUID ........................................................... 307
BRAKE LINING WEAR ............................................ 307
CHIP-CARD (KEYLESS-GO) .................................... 322
COOLANT (coolant level) ......................................... 310
COOLANT (coolant temperature) ........................... 311
CRUISE CONTROL .................................................... 319
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(engine control unit) ........................................... 304
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(several systems) ................................................. 304
DISTRONIC (DTR) .................................................... 326
DOOR .......................................................................... 320
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. .............................................. 309
ENGINE OIL LEVEL .................................................. 318
ENTRANCE POSITION ............................................ 306
HOOD ......................................................................... 320
KEY .............................................................................. 319
LIGHT SENSOR .......................................................... 314
LIGHTING SYSTEM ................................................... 312
OIL TEMP. (engine oil temperature) ......................321
PARKING BRAKE ..................................................... 308
SELECTOR LEVER .................................................... 323