370 MERCEDES-BENZ S550 2007 W221 Owner's Manual

ContentsStarter switch positions ..................... 315
SmartKey ..................................... 315
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*....... 316
Seats.................................................. 318
Seat adjustment ........................... 318
Seat heating* ............................... 322
Seat ventilation* .......................... 323
Head restraints............................. 324
Multicontour seats*, rear ............. 327
Easy-entry/exit feature ................ 328
Steering wheel ................................... 330
Steering wheel adjustment........... 330
Heated steering wheel* ............... 331
Mirrors ............................................... 332
Interior rear view mirror ............... 332
Exterior rear view mirrors ............. 332
Power folding exterior rear view
mirrors ......................................... 333
Auto-dimming rear view mirrors ... 334
Activating exterior rear view
mirror parking position ................. 335
Memory function................................ 336
Storing positions into memory ..... 337
Recalling positions from memory . 337
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 338Fastening the seat belts .................... 339
Proper use of seat belts ............... 341
Seat belt height adjustment ......... 341
Lighting.............................................. 342
Exterior lamp switch..................... 342
Combination switch ..................... 346
Corner-illuminating lamps ............ 347
Hazard warning flasher ................ 348
Interior lighting............................. 348
Courtesy lighting .......................... 350
Door entry lamps ......................... 350
Trunk lamp ................................... 350
Windshield wipers.............................. 351
Switching on/off windshield
wipers .......................................... 351
Intermittent wiping....................... 352
Single wipe................................... 352
Wiping with windshield washer
fluid .............................................. 352
Power windows.................................. 353
Opening and closing power
windows ....................................... 353
Rear side window sunshades* ..... 355
Summer opening feature.............. 355
Convenience closing feature ........ 356Driving and parking ........................... 359
Starting the engine ...................... 359
Driving off .................................... 361
Turn signals.................................. 362
Problems while driving ................. 362
Parking......................................... 363
Turning off the engine .................. 365
Releasing seat belts ..................... 366
Automatic transmission..................... 367
Gear selector lever....................... 367
Shifting procedure ....................... 369
Automatic transmission positions 370
Gear ranges ................................. 372
Driving tips................................... 373
Automatic shift program .............. 374
Steering wheel gearshift control .. 375
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ...................... 377
Instrument cluster ............................. 378
Adjusting instrument cluster and
COMAND display illumination ...... 378
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 378
Tachometer.................................. 379
Outside temperature indicator ..... 379
Fuel gauge ................................... 379

29 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Coolant temperature gauge
378
2
Fuel gauge with:
Fuel tank reserve warning
lamp
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator lamp
-ABS indicator lamp
=SRS indicator lamp
550
346
544
552
3
Parktronic*/Park Assist*
warning indicator for left
front area
407,
411
4
Speedometer with:0
USA only
!
Canada only
Parking brake
warning or indi-
cator lamps
546
Item
Page
;
USA only
3
Canada only
Brake warning
lamp
545
550
HCombination low tire
pressure*/TPMS mal-
function telltale*
553
L
Left/right turn
signal indicator
lamps
362
KvESP
® warning lamp
549
lDistance warning
lamp*
397,
549
5
Parktronic*/Park Assist*
warning indicator for right
front area
407,
411
Item
Page
6
Gear position/range indica-
tor
370
7
Tachometer with:±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
547
8
Selected program mode indi-
cator
370
9
Main menu for control sys-
tem, multifunction display
241
a
Outside temperature
379
b
Display with:Additional speedometer
255
:Distance warner*
397,
252

367 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
For more information on driving with an
automatic transmission, see “Automatic
transmission” (
page 359).
Your vehicle’s automatic transmission
adapts its gear shifting process to your in-
dividual driving style by continually adjust-
ing the shift points up or down. These shift
point adjustments are performed based on
current operating and driving conditions.
If the operating conditions change, the
automatic transmission reacts by
adjusting its shift program.
Gear selector lever
The gear selector lever is located on the
right of the steering column.Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionPPark position
RReverse gear
NNeutral
DDrive position
i
During the brief warm-up, automatic trans-
mission upshifting is delayed. This allows the
catalytic converter to heat up more quickly to op-
erating temperature.Warning!
G
Make sure that absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals’ range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all obsta-
cles. If there are any floormats or carpets in
the footwell, make sure that the pedals still
have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate.
i
The current automatic transmission
positionP, R, N orD appears in the tachometer
display (
page 370).
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the automatic trans-
mission out of park positionP or neutral
positionN if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the
engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

369 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission

With the vehicle at a standstill, depress
the brake pedal and keep it pressed.

Press the handle for electric parking
brake (
page 364).

Press button at the end of the gear
selector lever in direction of arrow
(page 367) to select park positionP.

Release the brake pedal.
Shifting from D or R to N
If you want to select neutral positionN
with the automatic transmission being in
drive positionD or reverse gearR:

With the vehicle at a standstill, depress
the brake pedal and keep it pressed.

Press the handle for electric parking
brake (
page 364).

Move gear selector lever up to resis-
tance point when in drive position D or
down to resistance point when in
reverse gear R to select neutral
positionN.

Release the brake pedal.
Shifting procedure
The automatic transmission selects indi-
vidual gears automatically, depending on:

drive positionD(
page 370) with
gear ranges (
page 372)


the selected program mode (C/S)
(page 374)


the position of the accelerator pedal
(page 373)


the vehicle speed
With drive positionD selected, you can use
the steering wheel gearshift control
buttons (
page 375) to influence auto-
matic transmission shifting by:


limiting the gear range


changing gears manually
!
Shift the automatic transmission directly
from drive positionD to reverse gearR, from
reverse gearR to drive positionD or directly to
park positionP only when the vehicle is stopped.
Otherwise the automatic transmission could be
damaged.
When trying to free a vehicle stuck in mud or
snow, see “Rocking the vehicle” (
page 373).
i
When the vehicle needs to be moved with
the engine switched off and the automatic trans-
mission set to neutral positionN (
page 371),
e.g. in an automatic car wash, do not press the
handle for electric parking brake.
!
Allow engine to warm up under low load use.
Do not place full load on the engine until the op-
erating temperature has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR or parking positionP
only when the vehicle is stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an extended
period when driving off on slippery road surfac-
es. This may cause serious damage to the driv-
etrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

370 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionAutomatic transmission positions
The current automatic transmission posi-
tion appears in the tachometer display.
1Current automatic transmission posi-
tion!
If the automatic transmission position fails
in the tachometer display, you should check
whether the gear selector lever is placed in the
desired position while driving off with added cau-
tion. We recommend you to shift the gear selec-
tor lever to positionD. Do not limit the gear
range.
Effect
ì
Park position
Shift into park positionP only
when vehicle is stopped. The
park position is not intended to
serve as a brake when the vehi-
cle is parked. Rather, the driver
should always set the electric
parking brake in addition to shift-
ing into park positionP to secure
the vehicle.
If the vehicle’s electrical system
is malfunctioning, the automatic
transmission could remain
locked in park positionP.
Have the vehicle checked as
soon as possible by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!
SmartKey:
If you turn off the engine using the SmartKey and
remove the SmartKey from the starter switch,
the automatic transmission will shift to park
positionP automatically. Keep in mind that turn-
ing off the engine with the SmartKey alone will
not automatically shift the automatic transmis-
sion to park positionP. Only when the SmartKey
is removed from the starter switch, will the auto-
matic transmission automatically shift to park
positionP.
KEYLESS-GO*:
If you turn off the engine using the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button and open the driver’s door, the
automatic transmission will shift to park
positionP automatically. Keep in mind that turn-
ing off the engine using the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button alone will not automatically
shift the automatic transmission to park
positionP. Only when the driver’s door is
opened, will the automatic transmission auto-
matically shift to park positionP.
DISTRONIC Plus*:
the transmission will shift to park positionP au-
tomatically, only when DISTRONIC Plus brings
your vehicle to a standstill, and when it meets at
least one of the following conditions at the same
time:

the engine is turned off


the driver’s or passenger door opens and the
seat belt is not engaged in the buckle
In addition to shifting to park positionP, the elec-
tric parking brake will be engaged automatically.

654 Technical dataEngineModel
S 550 (221.171)
1
1The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for the corresponding data of all special
bodies and special equipment.
S 600 (221.176)
1
Engine
273
275
Mode of operation
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
No. of cylinders
8
12
Bore
3.86 in (98.00 mm)
3.23 in (82.00 mm)
Stroke
3.56 in (90.50 mm)
3.43 in (87.00 mm)
Total piston displacement
333.3 cu in (5461 cm
3)
336.4 cu in (5513 cm
3)
Compression ratio
10.7:1
9:1
Output acc. to SAE J 1349
2
2Premium fuel required. Performance may vary with fuel octane rating.
382 hp/6000 rpm
(285 kW/6000 rpm)
510 hp/5000 rpm
(380 kW/5000 rpm)
Maximum torque
acc. to SAE J 1349
384 lb-ft/3000 rpm
(520 Nm/3000 rpm)
612 lb-ft/1800 - 3500 rpm
(830 Nm/1800 - 3500 rpm)
Maximum engine speed
6500 rpm
5950 rpm
Firing order
1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
1-12-5-8-3-10-6-7-2-11-4-9
Poly-V-belt
2404 mm
2370 mm

680 IndexAquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest 448, 450
Ashtrays 456
Aspect ratio 526
Audio (COMAND) 104
CD mode 111
DVD mode 111
MP3 mode 111
Audio (Control system instrument
cluster) 248
CD changer 249
DVD changer 249
Audio DVD
Fast forward/rewind (COMAND) 113
Menu overview (COMAND) 110
Pause function (COMAND) 112
Stop function (COMAND) 112
Auto-dimming, Rear view mirrors 334
Automatic climate control 424
Adjusting air distribution
(COMAND) 230
Adjusting air flow from air vents
(COMAND) 233
Adjusting air volume (COMAND) 230
Adjusting the footwell temperature
(COMAND) 232Air recirculation mode 431
Central climate control menu
(COMAND) 231
Central menu for rear climate control*
(COMAND) 234
Defrosting 429
Operating the rear climate control*
from the front 234
Operating via COMAND 229
Rear window defroster 430
Selecting Mono mode
(COMAND) 232
Setting temperature (COMAND) 230
Setting the temperature 429
Setting the temperature in the rear
passenger compartment 435
Switching cooling on or off
(COMAND) 231
Automatic headlamp mode 255, 343
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 349
Automatic locking when driving 313
Automatic shift program 374
Automatic transmission
Accelerator position 373
Automatic shift program 374Emergency operation (limp-home
mode) 377
Fluid 661
Fluid level 497
Gear ranges 372
Gear selector lever 367
Gear shifting malfunctions 377
Hill start assist system 374
Kickdown 373
Program mode selector switch 374
Shifting procedure 369
Starting the engine 359
Steering wheel gearshift control 375
Transmission fluid 497
Transmission positions 370
B
Backup lamps
Replacing bulbs 622
Bar 526
BAS 71
Batteries, SmartKey
Checking battery condition 311
Replacing 619
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking battery condition 311
Replacing 619

687 Index
G
Garage door opener 470
Gasoline see Fuel
GAWR 526
Gear range 673
Automatic transmission 372
Limiting 372
Shifting into optimal 376
Gear selector lever 367
Gearshift pattern 367
Messages in display 562, 566, 567,
569, 610
Position 369
Shifting procedure 369
Transmission position 370
Global Positioning System see GPS
Glove box 448
Gloves, Vehicle tool kit 611
GPS 673
Reception (COMAND) 145
Tele Aid 462
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GVW 526
GVWR 527H
Hands-free microphone 37
Hard plastic trim items, Cleaning 542
Hazard warning flasher 348
Head restraints 324
Adjustment 324
Folding back and placing upright rear
head restraints 325
Front seat 324
Luxury active head restraints
(S600 only) 59
Rear seat 325
Resetting activated luxury active head
restraints (S600 only) 618
Headlamp cleaning system 346, 498
Washer fluid 662, 668
Headlamps
Automatic control 343
Automatic headlamp mode 255
Cleaning lenses 537
Cleaning system 498
Manual headlamp mode 255
Messages in display 595
Refilling washer fluid 499
Headliner and shelf below rear window,
Cleaning and care of 542Heated seats* 322
Heated steering wheel* 331
Height adjustments
Vehicle level (ABC*) 403
High beam
Replacing bulbs 622
High beam flasher 347
High beam headlamps
Switching on 346
High mounted brake lamp 622
Hood 492
Message in display 591
Opening 492
Horn 27
Hydroplaning 483
I
Identification labels 652
Identification Number, Vehicle (VIN) 652
Ignition 315, 317
Switching on 315
Switching on, KEYLESS-GO* 317
Immobilizer 75
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Individualization
Voice Control* 302

691 Index
Cruise control 559
DISTRONIC Plus* 560
Doors 590
EBP (Electronic Brake
Proportioning) 574
Engine 547
Engine oil 494, 602
ESP
®
572, 582
Fog lamps 598
Front passenger front air bag 562
Fuel cap 591
Gear selector lever 562, 566, 567,
569, 610
Headlamps 595
Hood 591
Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 592
Lamps, exterior 595
License plate lamps 597
Light sensor 596
Night View Assist* 601
Park Assist* 566
Parking brake 576
Parking lamps 599
PRE-SAFE®
567, 572
Restraint systems 605Side marker lamps 599
SRS 605
Tail lamps 600
Tele Aid 607
Trunk 610
Turn signals 596
Windshield washer fluid 610
Multifunction steering wheel 242, 675
N
Navigation system
Menu overview (COMAND) 147
Navigation system (COMAND) 140
Basic settings 150
Destination entry 153
Destination memory 195
Detour function (COMAND) 194
Driving maneuver 185
Hiding/showing the menu
system 148
Last destinations 201
Map display 148
Operation 148
POI entry 177
Route guidance 185Navigation system (Instrument cluster
control system) 246
Driving maneuver 247
Navigation system (Voice Control*) 269
Neutral gear position, Automatic
transmission 367, 370
New vehicle break-in 478
Night View Assist* 420
Cleaning the windshield in front of the
camera 539
Dirty or fogged-up windshield 422
Image on multifunction display 421
Malfunction 423
Messages in display 601
Removing condensation 422
Switching on or off 421
Normal occupant weight 527
Number, Vehicle Identification (VIN) 652
O
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 527

694 IndexRecovery services, Stolen vehicle (Tele
Aid) 469
Refrigerant, Air conditioning 662, 663
Refueling 489
Regular checks 490
Remote
Control, SmartKey 304
Control, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 306
Door lock with Tele Aid 469
Door unlock with Tele Aid 468
Trunk opening switch 436
Trunk opening/closing* switch 437,
438
Replacing
Bulbs 621
Front lamp bulbs 623
Rear lamp bulbs 622
Reporting safety defects 21
Research Octane Number see RON
Reset (COMAND) 219
Residual engine heat and ventilation 433
Residual heat utilization 677
REST 676REST (Residual engine heat
utilization) 677
REST see Residual engine heat and ventila-
tion
Rest tool
Depository 618
Restraint systems
Messages in display 605
See Children in the vehicle
See SRS
Reverse gear position, Automatic
transmission 367, 370
Rims 527
And Tires 655
Tires and wheels 500
Roadside Assistance 16
Tele Aid 465
RON 490, 662, 677
Roof rack* 447
Route guidance (COMAND) 185
Route guidance (Instrument cluster control
system) 246
Rubber and plastic parts, Cleaning 541
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 515S
Safety
Driving safety systems 69
Occupant 44
Reporting defects 21
Safety belts see Seat belts
Satellite radio*
Calling Sirius Service Center
(COMAND) 103
Channel update (COMAND) 103
Operation (COMAND) 98
Selecting channel (Instrument cluster
control system) 248
Selecting program category
(COMAND) 100
Showing program info
(COMAND) 103
Submenu overview (COMAND) 98
Tuning in channels (COMAND) 100,
102
Voice Control* 283