checking oil MERCEDES-BENZ S500 2006 W221 Owner's Manual

ContentsLoading .............................................. 239
Roof rack* .................................... 239
Loading instructions ..................... 240
Cargo tie-down hooks .................. 240
Useful features .................................. 241
Vanity mirrors............................... 241
Storage compartments................. 242
Cup holders .................................. 248
Ashtrays ....................................... 249
Cigarette lighters.......................... 250
Heated steering wheel*
(except S 55 AMG and
S 65 AMG) .................................... 252
Telephone*................................... 253
Tele Aid ........................................ 254
Garage door opener ..................... 263
Infrared reflecting windshield ....... 269
Operation......................................... 271
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 272
Driving instructions............................ 273
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 273
Drinking and driving ..................... 273
Pedals .......................................... 273
Power assistance ......................... 273
Brakes .......................................... 274
Driving off .................................... 276
Parking ......................................... 276
Tires ............................................. 277
Hydroplaning ................................ 277
Tire traction.................................. 278
Tire speed rating .......................... 278
Winter driving instructions ........... 279
Standing water ............................. 280
Passenger compartment .............. 281
Driving abroad.............................. 281
Control and operation of
radio transmitters ........................ 281
Catalytic converter ....................... 282
Emission control .......................... 282
Coolant temperature .................... 283At the gas station .............................. 284
Refueling ...................................... 284
Check regularly and before
a long trip..................................... 285
Engine compartment ......................... 287
Hood ............................................ 287
Engine oil ..................................... 288
Transmission fluid level ................ 293
Active Body Control* (ABC*)
fluid level ..................................... 293
Coolant level ................................ 294
Battery ......................................... 295
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 296
Tires and wheels................................ 297
Important guidelines .................... 297
Tire care and maintenance........... 298
Direction of rotation..................... 300
Loading the vehicle ...................... 300
Recommended tire
inflation pressure ......................... 306
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 308
Tire labeling ................................. 313
Load identification ....................... 317

286 OperationAt the gas stationWindshield 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 296).
Coolant
For more information on coolant, see
“Coolant level” (
page 294) and see “Fu-
els, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 434).Brake fluid
For information on brake fluid, see “Brake
fluid” (
page 437)Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Engine oil” (
page 288).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
“Replacing bulbs” (
page 394).
For more information, see “Switching on
headlamps” (
page 50).
Tire inflation pressure
For information on tire inflation pressure,
see “Checking tire inflation pressure”
(
page 308).
!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 341).

289 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking the engine oil level with the
control system
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 sta-
tionary for at least five 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 off
To check the engine oil level via the multi-
function display, do the following:

Switch on the ignition (
page 34).
The standard display (
page 148) should
appear in the multifunction display.

Press buttonk or j on the
steering wheel until the following mes-
sage is seen in the multifunction dis-
play:
One of the following messages will sub-
sequently appear in the indicator:

E N G I N E O I L L E V E L
OK


A D D 1 . 0 Q T . T O
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL(Canada:
1.0 LITER
)


ADD 1.5 QTS. TO
REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL(Canada:
1.5 LITERS
)


A D D 2 . 0 Q T S .
TO REACH MAX. OIL LEVEL(Canada:
2.0 LITERS
)

If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil (
page 292).
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (page 434) and
(
page 437).iIf you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press thek or j
button on the multifunction steering
wheel.

290 OperationEngine compartmentOther display messages
If the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button (
page 35) is not in po-
sition 2, the following message will appear:
FOR ENGINE OIL LEVEL
SWITCH IGNITION ON
Switch on the ignition (
page 34).
If you see the message:
PERF. SERV. ON TIME
If engine is at operating temperature,
wait five minutes before repeating
check procedure.

If engine is not at operating tempera-
ture yet, wait 30 minutes before re-
peating check procedure.If you see the message:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
NOT WHEN ENGINE ON
Turn off the engine.

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

If the engine is not at operating temper-
ature yet, you must wait 30 minutes be-
fore checking oil.
If there is excess engine oil with the engine
at normal operating temperature, the fol-
lowing message will appear:
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
REDUCE 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 366). !Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the en-
gine and catalytic converter not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.iPerform the engine oil level check with
the dipstick (S 430, S 500, and
S 55 AMG only) if it cannot be complet-
ed with the control system.
In this case we recommend that you
have the system checked at a
Mercedes-Benz Center.

291 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking the engine oil level with the
oil dipstick (S 350, S 430, S 500 and
S 55 AMG only)
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 sta-
tionary for at least five minutes with the
engine turned off
To check the engine oil level with the oil
dipstick, do the following:

Open the hood (
page 287).
S 350, S 430, S 500 and S 55 AMG1Oil dipstick (S 350, S 430, S 500 and
S 55 AMG only)
2Filler cap
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 three seconds to obtain
accurate reading.
Oil dipstickThe oil level is correct when it is between
the lower (min) and upper (max) mark of
the oil dipstick.
iThe engine oil level can be checked by
either the oil dipstick or via the multi-
function display in the instrument clus-
ter (
page 289). The amount of engine
oil needed is shown more precisely in
the multifunction display.
iThe filling quantity between the upper
and lower marks on the oil dipstick is
approximately 2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).


454 IndexBulbs, replacing 394
Additional turn signals 395
Backup lamps 395
Brake lamps 395
Fog lamps 395
Front lamps 395
High beam 395
High mounted brake lamp 395
License plate lamps 395, 400
Low beam 395
Parking and standing lamps 395
Parking lamps 395, 399
Rear fog lamp 395, 400
Rear fog lamps 399
Side marker lamps 395, 399
Standing lamps 395, 399
Tail lamp assemblies 395
Tail lamp unit 400
Turn signal lamps 395
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 444
Call priority
Tele Aid 260Calling up
Distronic* settings 156
Maintenance service indicator 330
Range (distance to empty) 158
CAN system 444
Canceling
Cruise control 216
Cargo tie-down hooks 240
Catalytic converter 282
CD changer* 151
CD mode 151
CD operation
Selecting tracks 150
Center console 27
Air bag off indicator lamp 348
Front passenger front air bag off indica-
tor lamp 348
Lighter 250
Centigrade (°C)
Setting temperature units 163
Central locking
Automatic 112
From inside 113
Switch 113Switching on/off (control
system) 168
Unlocking from inside 113
Change of address or ownership 12
Changing
CDs 151
SmartKey setting 169
Vehicle level 231, 234
Charcoal filter 200
Activating 200
Deactivating 200
Charging
Vehicle battery 409
Checking
Brake fluid 285
Coolant level 294
Oil level 286, 288
Oil level via control system 289
Tire inflate pressure 286
Vehicle lighting 286
Child safety 71
Air bags 62
Infant and child restraint systems 71
LATCH child seat anchors 75
Cigarette lighter 250

455 Index
Cleaning
Cup holder 337
Distronic* system sensor cover 335
Engine 334
Gear selector lever 337
Hard plastic trim items 337
Headlamps 186
Headliner and shelf below rear
window 337
Instrument cluster 337
Leather upholstery 338
Light alloy wheels 337
Ornamental moldings 334
Paintwork 333
Parktronic* system sensor 335
Plastic and rubber parts 338
Seat belts 337
Steering wheel 337
Upholstery 338
Windows 336
Windshield 53
Wiper blades 335
Wood trims 338
Cleaning tires 299
Clock 25Closing 58
Cup holder 249
Glove box 243
Hood 288
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 212
Power windows 208, 209
Side windows 209
Trunk 105
Closing from the inside automatically*
Trunk 105
Closing in an emergency
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 391
Cockpit 22, 444
Cockpit management and data system
(COMAND) 444
Cold tire inflation pressure 323
COMAND 444
COMAND* see separate operating instruc-
tions
Combination switch 135
High beam 50
High beam flasher 135
Turn signals 51
Windshield wipers 52Control and operation of radio
transmitters 281
Control system 143, 444
AUDIO menu 148
Checking oil level 289
Convenience submenu 169
Display digital speedometer 148
Distronic* menu 156
Functions 145, 147
Instrument cluster submenu 163
Lighting submenu 164
Menus 146, 147
Multifunction display 143
Multifunction steering wheel 144
NAVI menu 155
Settings menu 160
Standard display menu 148
Submenus 145, 147
TEL* menu 153
Trip computer menu 157
Vehicle status message memory
menu 159
Vehicle submenu 168

458 IndexDriving
Abroad 281
General instructions 43, 273
Hydroplaning 277
In winter 279
Problems 54
Safety systems 79
Through standing water 280
With Distronic* 227
Driving abroad 281
Driving instructions 273
Driving off 276
Driving safety systems
4MATIC 84
ABS 79
BAS 80
ESP
®
81
Driving systems 215
ABC 232
AIRMATIC 229
Airmatic 229
Cruise control 215
Distronic* 218
Driving safety systems 79
Parktronic system* 235
Vehicle level control 230, 233E
Easy-entry/exit feature 114
Activating 170
Electrical fuses 416
Electrical system 432
Electronic Stability Program see
ESP
®
81, 445
Emergency call system 254
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 256
With Tele Aid 255
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 185
Emergency operations
Closing the power tilt/sliding
sunroof 391
Locking the vehicle 389
Opening the power tilt/sliding
sunroof 391
Remote door unlock 261
Unlocking the vehicle 388
Emergency tensioning device see
ETD 69, 445
Emission control 282
Emission control information label 422Ending
A call (telephone) 154
Engine
Cleaning 334
Compartment 287
Data 424
Message in display 342, 343
Starting 46
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 47
Starting with the SmartKey 46
Turning off with the SmartKey or the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 57
Engine compartment 287
Fuse box in 418
Hood 287
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 342,
343
Engine number 422, 445
Engine oil 288
Adding 292
Additives 437
Checking level 288
Consumption 288
Display messages 366
Filler neck 291, 292, 293
Messages in display 290, 366

465 Index
Mph or km/h in speedometer 163
Multicontour backrest* 122
Multifunction display 143, 447
Selecting language 164
Standard display 147
Multifunction display messages
ABC 351
ABS 353
Airmatic 358
Brake fluid 361
Brake pads 361
Check engine 342, 343
Coolant 363
Coolant level 362
Distronic* 354
Doors 365
Engine 342, 343
Engine oil level 366
Entry position 368
Hood 368Lamps 371
Parking brake 360
Selector lever 357
SmartKey 368
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 368
TeleAid 374
Telephone* 374
Tires 376–383
Trunk 375
Washer fluid 375
Multifunction steering wheel 26, 144,
447
Buttons 144
N
Navigation system
Operating 155
See separate COMAND* operating in-
structions
Night security illumination 133
Normal occupant weight 324O
Occupant distribution 324
Occupant safety 60
Air bags 61
Children and air bags 62
Children in the vehicle 71
Fastening the seat belt 43
Infant and child restraint systems 71
LATCH child seat anchors 75
Seat belts 43, 64
Oil
Adding 292
Consumption 288
Dipstick 288
Filler neck 291, 292, 293
Viscosity 445
Oil level
Checking 286
Oil level via control system
Checking 289