maintenance MERCEDES-BENZ S550 2007 W221 Owner's Guide

666 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.The coolant solution must be used
year-round to provide the necessary corro-
sion protection and increase boil-over pro-
tection. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for
replacement interval.
Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification (see
Factory Approved Service Products pam-
phlet) are used to renew the coolant con-
centration or bring it back up to the proper
level.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 45% anticor-
rosion/antifreeze [equivalent to freeze
protection to approximately –22°F
(–30°C)]. If you use a solution that is more
than 55% anticorrosion/antifreeze [freeze
protection to approximately –49°F
(–45°C)], the engine temperature will in-
crease due to the lower heat transfer capa-bility of the solution. Therefore, do not use
more than this amount of anticorrosion/
antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 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 you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
sult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of alumi-
num parts. The use of aluminum compo-
nents in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be specifical-
ly formulated to protect the aluminum
parts. (Failure to use such anticorrosion/
antifreeze coolant will result in a signifi-
cantly shortened service life.)
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
Mercedes-Benz 325.0 anticorrosion/
antifreeze agent.
Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion/antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for service.

673 Technical terms
ETS
(E
lectronic T
raction S
ystem)
Automatically brakes spinning wheels,
thus ensuring
optimal ->traction at all times.
FAT
(F
ile A
llocation T
able)
A table used to locate files on a disk or
memory device.
FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles)
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem PLUS)
Maintenance service indicator in the
->multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. FSS evaluates en-
gine temperature, oil level, vehicle
speed, engine speed, distance driven
and the time elapsed since your last
service, and calls for the next mainte-
nance service accordingly.GAWR
(G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 526)
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.
GPS
(Global P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs DVD digital maps for
navigation.
GSM
(G
lobal S
ystem for M
obile Communica-
tion)
A standard network protocol used
throughout the world for digital cellular
communication.GVW
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
(
page 526)
GVWR
(Gross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 527)
HiP
(High P
erformance light bulbs)
Light bulbs filled with xenon which are
used in rear lamps.
ID3 tag
Additional information which may be
included in MP3 files (e.g. title, artist,
album).
Instrument cluster control system
The Instrument cluster control system
is used to call up vehicle information
and to change component settings. In-
formation and messages appear in the
->multifunction display. The driver uses
the buttons on the ->multifunction
steering wheel to navigate through the
system and to adjust settings.

674 Technical termsInstrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.
ISO9660
A standard file system for recording
data on CDs.
Joliet
Standard for recording data on CDs; an
extension of ISO 9660.
KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the
vehicle without the use of a SmartKey.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.Kilopascal (kPa)
(
page 527)
LED
(Light E
mitting D
iode)
Semiconductor element that converts
electricity directly into light.
Line of fall
The direct line that an object moves
downhill when influenced by the force
of gravity alone.
LOGIC7
® surround
Multichannel surround technology
from the professional audio industry
that plays back 5.1 and stereo record-
ings in surround sound. LOGIC7
® cre-
ates a natural 360° sound experience
on all seats.
Locking knob
Knob on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the locking knob down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Maintenance service indicator in the
->multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. The Maintenance
System in your vehicle tracks distance
driven and the time elapsed since your
last maintenance service, and calls for
the next maintenance service accord-
ingly.
Maximum load rating
(
page 527)
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(page 527)
Maximum tire inflation pressure
(page 527)
Memory function
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and exterior mirror posi-
tions.

683 Index
Corner-illuminating lamps 347
Courtesy lighting 350
Cruise control 380, 671
Activating 381
Canceling 382
Driving downhill 382
Driving uphill 382
Message in display 559
Setting current speed 381
Setting to last stored speed (“Resume”
function) 384
Cup holder
Cleaning 541
In front seat armrest 452
In rear seat armrest 452
Curb weight 526, 671
Customer Assistance Center see CAC
D
Date
Setting (COMAND) 214
Daytime running lamp mode 344
Deceleration
With DISTRONIC Plus* 388
Deep water see Standing water
Defrosting 429Delayed switch-off
Exterior lighting (COMAND) 220
Interior lighting (COMAND) 226
Department of Transportation see DOT
Destination entry (COMAND) 153
Destination memory (COMAND) 195
Difficulties
While driving 362
While starting 360
Digital speedometer 246
Additional speedometer 255
Dimensions, Vehicle 660
Direction of rotation, Tires 503
Displays
Additional speedometer 255
Digital speedometer 246
DISTRONIC Plus* 387
Maintenance service indicator 532
Multifunction display 241
Vehicle status message see Multifunc-
tion display messages
Distance
Decreasing in DISTRONIC Plus* 397
Increasing in DISTRONIC Plus* 396
Setting in DISTRONIC Plus* 396
Distance to Empty (Range) 246Distance warning function*
Activating 397
Deactivating 397
Distance warning lamp 397
Intermittent warning sound 397
DISTRONIC Plus* 385
Activated 389
Activating 390
Calling up settings 389
Cleaning system sensor 537
Deactivated 389
Deactivating 395
Deceleration 388
Decreasing distance 397
Decreasing time interval 396
Displays in the speedometer dial 387
Distance warning function 397
Driving hints 397
Increasing distance 396
Increasing time interval 396
Intermittent signal tone 388
Lever 390
Menu 389
Messages in display 560
Sensor cover 537
Setting a higher speed 393

689 Index
L
Labels 652
Certification 652
Emission control information 652
Supplemental tire inflation pressure
information 489
Tire and Loading Information 504
Vacuum line routing diagram 652
Lamp bulbs, exterior 621
Lamps, exterior
Front 622
Light sensor 596
Rear 622
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 29, 69, 544
Air bag Off 49
Battery (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 310
Battery check lamp (SmartKey) 305
Brakes 545
DISTRONIC Plus* 29, 388, 397, 549
Engine diagnostics 547
Engine malfunction 547
ESP
®
549
Front passenger front air bag off 53,
555Fuel reserve 550
Instrument cluster 544
Maintenance service indicator 532
Seat belts telltale 550
SRS 552
Language (COMAND) 216
LATCH-type child seat anchors see Chil-
dren in the vehicle
Leather upholstery, Cleaning and care
of 542
Lever
For automatic transmission (gear se-
lector lever) 367
For cruise control 381
For DISTRONIC Plus* 390
License plate lamps
Messages in display 597
Replacing bulbs 622
Light alloy wheels, Cleaning 541
Light sensor
Message in display 596
Lighter see Cigarette lighter
Lighting 342
Automatic headlamp mode 343
Combination switch 346
Corner-illuminating lamps 347Courtesy lighting 350
Daytime running lamp mode 344
Door entry lamps 350
High beam flasher 347
High beams 346
Instrument cluster illumination 81,
378
Interior 348
Manual headlamp mode 343
Trunk 350
Limp-home mode 377
Line of fall 674
Loading see Vehicle loading
Locator lighting (COMAND) 221
Lock button
Door handle (KEYLESS-GO*) 309,
358
Key, SmartKey 304
Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 306
Trunk lid (KEYLESS-GO*) 310
Locking 363
Automatic central locking
(COMAND) 223
Vehicle in an emergency 615
Locking knob 312, 674

690 IndexLoss of
Key, Mechanical 311
Key, SmartKey 311
Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 311
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet 651
Low beam headlamps
Replacing bulbs 622
Lowering
Vehicle 633
Lubricants 661
Lumbar support (COMAND) 237
M
Maintenance 15, 532
Automatic Call (Tele Aid) 469
Calling up service indicator
display 533
Clearing service indicator
message 532
FSS (Canada vehicles) 532
Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) 532
Resetting service indicator 533
Service indicator message 532
Service term exceeded 533Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) 674
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) 532
Manual headlamp mode 343
MAXCOOL
Maximum cooling 430
Maximum load rating, Tires 527
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 509,
510, 527
Maximum tire inflation pressure 523,
527
Maximum tire load rating 523
Memory function 336
Messages in display see Multifunction dis-
play messages
Microphone, Hands-free 37
Minispare wheel 613, 658
Mounting 629
Mirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 335
Adjusting 332
Auto-dimming for rear view
mirrors 334
Exterior rear view mirrors 332
Interior rear view mirror 332
Mobile phone see Telephone*Modifications and alterations, Operating
safety 19
MON 490, 662
Motor Octane Number see MON
MP3
Menu overview (COMAND) 110
Operation (COMAND) 111
Playback options (COMAND) 114
Selecting a folder (COMAND) 113
Selecting a medium (COMAND) 112
Selecting a track (COMAND) 113
MP3 (COMAND) 104
Multicontour rear seats* 327
Multicontour seats*, front
Adjusting (COMAND) 237
Multifunction display 241, 675
Multifunction display messages
ABC* 570
ABS 572
Airmatic 585
Batteries, vehicle 586
Brake fluid 573
Brake pads 575
Check engine 547
Coolant 588
Coolant level 587

692 IndexOccupant safety 44
Air bags 45
Children and air bags 61
Children in the vehicle 61
Fastening the seat belt 339
Front passenger front air bag off indica-
tor lamp 53
Infant and child restraint systems 62
LATCH-type child seat anchors 65
Seat belts 47, 339
OCS 50
Self-test 54
Odometer 245
Oil
Filler neck 497
Oil level see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting 375
Operating safety 19
Voice Control* 257
Ornamental moldings, Cleaning 537
Outside temperature indicator 29, 379
Overdue maintenance service 533
Overhead control panel 37
Override switch 67
Overspeed range, Engine 675P
Paintwork, Cleaning 535
Panic alarm
Audible alarm and flashing exterior
lamps 68
Panic button 68
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding
panel* 443
Opening/closing 444
Opening/closing in an
emergency 617
Synchronizing 446
Panorama roof with tilt/sliding panel*
Cleaning 541
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 449
Park Assist* 409
Messages in display 566
Warning indicators 411
Parking 363, 481
Parking and standing lamps
Replacing bulbs 622
Parking brake
mechanically releasing 616
Messages in display 576Parking lamps
Messages in display 599
Parking position
Exterior rear view mirrors 335
Parktronic system* 405
Parktronic*
Cleaning system sensors 538
Malfunctioning 408
System sensors 538
Warning indicators 407
Parts service 650
Passenger compartment 486
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
PCMCIA card
Ejecting (COMAND) 109
Loading (COMAND) 108
Pedals 479
Plastic and rubber parts, Cleaning 541
POIs 177
Poly-V-belt drive 653, 676
Layout 653
Potential problems associated with under-
inflated and overinflated tires 517
Power assistance 479
Power closing assist for doors and trunk
lid 313

695 Index
Seat belts 55
Children in the vehicle 61
Cleaning 542
Fastening 55, 339
Force limiter 58
Messages in display 605
Proper use of 57, 341
Safety guidelines 47
Telltale 29, 55, 550
Seating capacity 505
Seats 318
adjusting front passenger seat from
driver’s seat 321
Adjustment 318
Drive-dynamic multicontour* in the
front, Adjusting (COMAND) 240
Easy entry/exit feature 328
Folding back and placing upright rear
head restraints 325
Head restraints 324
Lumbar support (COMAND) 237
Memory function 336
Multicontour* in the front, Adjusting
(COMAND) 237
Operating via COMAND 236Setting front passenger seat position
from rear 321
Ventilation* 323
Seats*
Heating 322
Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down hooks 453
Selector lever
Lock 359
Selector lever see Gear selector lever
Self-test
OCS 54
Tele Aid 462
Service and warranty information 14
Service intervals see Maintenance service
indicator
Service life, Tires 501
Service see Maintenance
Service system see FSS (Canada vehicles)
or Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Service, Parts 650
Setting
Cruise control 381
DISTRONIC Plus* time interval 396
Following distance in DISTRONIC
Plus* 396Higher speed in cruise control 383
Higher speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 393
Lower speed in cruise control 383
Lower speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 394
Slower speed in cruise control 383
Slower speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* 394
Speed in DISTRONIC Plus* 393
Suspension tuning (ABC*) 403
Temperature (interior) 429
Temperature (rear passenger
compartment) 435
To last stored speed (“Resume” func-
tion) in cruise control 384
To last stored speed in DISTRONIC
Plus* (“Resume” function) 395
Vehicle level control (ABC*) 403
Setting current speed 381
Settings
Calling up DISTRONIC Plus* 389
Control system instrument cluster
menus 254
Resetting trip odometer 246

697 Index
Symbols used in this operator’s
manual 18
System settings (COMAND)
Bluetooth settings 217
Display 213
Favorite button 216
Menu overview 213
Reset 219
Setting the system language 216
Time settings 213
Voice Control* settings
(COMAND) 215
T
Tachometer 379
Overspeed range 379
Tail lamps
Cleaning lenses 537
Messages in display 600
Tar stains 535
Tele Aid 462, 677
Automatic Maintenance Call 469
Call priority 467
Emergency calls 463
Hands-free microphone 37
Information 466Information button 465
Initiating an emergency call
manually 464
Messages in display 607
Remote door lock 469
Remote door unlock 468
Roadside Assistance 465
Roadside Assistance button 465
SOS button 464
Stolen Vehicle Recovery
services 469
System self-check 462
Telematics 677
Telephone cradle
Changing 461
Telephone* 459
“911” emergency call
(COMAND) 117
Accepting/ending a call
(COMAND) 124
Answering/ending a call (Instrument
cluster control system) 252
Call lists (COMAND) 122
Changing mobile phone cradle 461
Dialing (Instrument cluster control
system) 250Entering the telephone number
(COMAND) 125
Hands-free microphone 37
Inserting in cradle 460
Installing a different mobile phone
cradle 461
Operation 249
Operation (COMAND) 115
Phone book (COMAND) 129
Phone book (Instrument cluster control
system) 250
PIN (COMAND) 119
PIN2 (COMAND) 119
PUK / PUK2 (COMAND) 119
Redialing (COMAND) 125
Redialing (Instrument cluster control
system) 251
Removing from cradle 461
Single call connection
(COMAND) 127
Speed dialing (COMAND) 126
Submenu overview (COMAND) 120
Switching on/off (COMAND) 116
Transferring a call (COMAND) 128
Unlock code (COMAND) 119
Voice Control* 262

698 IndexTemperature
Outside temperature indicator 29
Setting interior temperature
(COMAND) 230
Tires 510
Tie-down hooks, Trunk 453
Tightening torque, Wheel bolts 633, 678
Tilt/sliding sunroof see Power tilt/sliding
sunroof
Time
Setting (COMAND) 213
TIN 527
Tire and Loading Information
Placard 504
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tires 500
Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS)* 511
And Rims 655
And Wheels 500
Care and maintenance 501
Chains 531
Checking inflation pressure electroni-
cally with Advanced Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (Advanced
TPMS)* 511Checking inflation pressure electroni-
cally with Run Flat Indicator (Canada
only) 515
Cleaning 502
Cold tire inflation pressure 526
Direction of rotation 503
Driving instructions 482
Important notes on tire inflation
pressure 510
Inflation pressure 509
Information placard 504
Inspection 501
Load rating 519, 528
Load rating, Maximum 523, 527
Minispare wheel 613, 658
Ply composition and material
used 528
Problems under-/overinflation 509
Retreads 500
Rotating 529
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 515
Service life 501
Sizes 655
Snow 530
Speed rating 484, 520, 528
Storing 502Supplemental tire inflation pressure
information 489
Temperature 510, 525
Terminology 526
TPMS malfunction telltale 553
Traction 483, 528
Tread depth 502
Tread depth, Winter 530
Treadwear indicators 528
Vehicle maximum load on 528
Wear pattern 529
Winter 530
Tools 611
Top tether
Children in the vehicle 64
Tow-away alarm 76
Tow-away alarm (COMAND) 228
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit) 611,
644
Towing the vehicle 642
Tow-start 639, 642
Traction 73, 483, 525, 528
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Traveling abroad 486
Tread 528
Tread depth, Tires 502