fuel MERCEDES-BENZ S550 4MATIC 2008 W221 Repair Manual

730 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufac-
turers is carbon build-up caused by gaso-
line. Mercedes-Benz recommends only the
use of quality gasoline containing additives
that prevent the build-up of carbon depos-
its.
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 en-
gine performance problems such as:

Warm-up hesitation

Unstable idle

Knocking/pinging

Misfire

Power lossIn areas where carbon deposits may be en-
countered due to lack of availability of gas-
olines which contains these additives,
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of
additives approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Refer to the Fac-
tory Approved Service Products pamphlet
(USA only) or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for a listing of ap-
proved product(s). Follow directions on
product label.
Do not blend other fuel additives with fuel.
This only results in unnecessary cost and
may be harmful to the engine operation.
Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which pro-
vides:

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 corro-
sion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-22°F (-30°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized cooling system is
reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).
!Damage or malfunction resulting from poor
fuel quality or from blending additional fuel addi-
tives other than those tested and approved by us
for use on Mercedes-Benz vehicles are not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.!Add premixed coolant solution only. Adding
water and MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
separately from each other, could cause engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.

731 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
The coolant solution must be used year
round to provide the necessary corrosion
protection and increase boil-over protec-
tion. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for re-
placement 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 are used to
renew the coolant concentration or bring it
back up to the proper level.
For information on other Mercedes-Benz
approved products of equal specification,
refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 50% anticor-
rosion/antifreeze (equivalent to freeze
protection to approximately –35°F
[–37°C]).If you use a solution that is more than 55%
anticorrosion/antifreeze (freeze protec-
tion to approximately –49°F [–45°C]), the
engine temperature will increase due to
the lower heat transfer capability of the so-
lution. 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.

732 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity
ModelApproximate freeze protection
– 35°F (– 37°C)– 49°F (– 45°C)
S 550
S 550 4MATICVehicles without rear passenger
compartment climate control*6.08 US qt. (5.75 l)6.71 US qt. (6.35 l)
Vehicles with rear passenger com-
partment climate control*6.97 US qt. (6.60 l)7.66 US qt. (7.25 l)
S 600 (main cooling system)7.34 US qt. (6.95 l)8.08 US qt. (7.65 l)
S 600 (low temperature cooling system)1.37 US qt. (1.3 l)1.51 US qt. (1.43 l)
S 63 AMG6.0 US qt. (5.6 l)7.0 US qt. (6.16 l)
S 65 AMG (main cooling system)7.4 US qt. (7.0 l)8.14 US qt. (7.7 l)
S 65 AMG (low temperature cooling system)1.64 US qt. (1.55 l)1.81 US qt. (1.71 l)

733 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system
Both the windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning systems are supplied
from the windshield washer reservoir.
The windshield washer reservoir has a ca-
pacity of approximately 6.87 US qt (6.5 l).
Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or con-
centrate and commercially available
premixed windshield washer solvent/
antifreeze, depending on ambient tem-
peratures).Windshield and headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
“MB SummerFit” and water:

1 part “MB SummerFit” to 100 parts
water
(1.34 fl oz [40 ml] “MB SummerFit” to
1 gal [4.0 l] water).
For temperatures below freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
“MB SummerFit” and commercially avail-
able premixed windshield washer sol-
vent/antifreeze:

1 part “MB SummerFit” to 100 parts
solvent
(1.34 fl oz [40 ml] “MB SummerFit” to
1 gal [4.0 l] solvent).Warning!G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze
on hot engine parts, because it may ignite
and burn. You could be seriously burned.

737 Index
B
Backup lamps
Replacing bulbs 679
Bar 576
BAS 68
Batteries, SmartKey
Checking battery condition 340
Replacing 676
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking battery condition 340
Replacing 676
Batteries, vehicle 692
Charging 695
Discharged, Jump starting 697
Disconnecting 694
For electrical consumers 692
For starter 692
Message in display 644
Reconnecting 696
Removing 695
Bead 576
Beverage holder see Cup holder
Bluetooth
®
Settings (COMAND) 239Brake assist system (BAS Plus) 69
Brake assist system (BAS) 68
Brake fluid 540, 725, 728
Brake lamp bulbs 679
Brake lamp, high mounted 679
Brake pads
Message in display 632
Brake warning lamp 29
Brakes 528
High-performance brake system
(AMG vehicles only) 529
Warning lamp 29, 599
Break-in period 526
Bulbs, replacing 678
Additional turn signals 679
Brake lamps 679
Fog lamps 679
Front lamps 679
High beam 679
High mounted brake lamp 679
License plate lamps 679
Low beam 679
Parking and standing lamps 679
Rear fog lamp 679
Turn signal lamps 679C
California retail buyers and lessees,
important notice for 15
Can holder see Cup holder
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants 724
Cargo area see Trunk
Cargo tie-down hooks 500
Carpets, Cleaning and care of 594
Catalytic converter 536
CD
Ejecting (COMAND) 117
Loading (COMAND) 115
Menu overview (COMAND) 119
Playback options (COMAND) 123
Selecting a medium (COMAND) 121
Selecting a track (COMAND) 122
CD (COMAND) 112
Central locking
Automatic 342
Locking/unlocking from inside 343
Central locking/unlocking switches 343
Certification label 712
Change of address or ownership 16

743 Index
Fuel 539, 726, 729
Additives 730
Capacity, Fuel tank 726
Filling the tank 538
Fuel filler flap and cap 538
Fuel reserve warning lamp 29, 605
Gauge 29
Premium unleaded gasoline 539,
726, 729
Requirements, Octane rating 729
Fuel cap
Message in display 649
Fuel consumption statistics
Since last reset 268
Since start 268
Fuel filler flap 538
Locking/Unlocking 538
Fuel tank
Capacity 726
Filler flap 538
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Capacities 724Fuses 704
Fuse box in engine compartment 705
Fuse box in passenger
compartment 706
Fuse boxes in dashboard 706
Fuse chart (vehicle tool kit) 668
Fuse extractor (vehicle tool kit) 668
Replacing 704
Spare fuses (vehicle tool kit) 668
G
Garage door opener 518
Gasoline see Fuel
GAWR 576
Gear range
Automatic transmission 408
Limiting 408
Shifting into optimal 413
Gear selector lever 399
Gearshift pattern 399
Messages in display 617, 622, 624,
625, 667
Position 402
Shifting procedure 402
Transmission position 403Glove box 494
Gloves, Vehicle tool kit 668
GPS
Reception (COMAND) 163
Tele Aid 510
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GVW 576
GVWR 577
H
Hands-free microphone 33
Hard plastic trim items, cleaning 594
Hazard warning flasher 377
Head restraints 353
Adjustment 353
Folding back and placing upright rear
head restraints 354
Front seat 353
Luxury active head restraints
(S 600 only) 55
Rear seat 354
Resetting activated luxury active head
restraints (S 600 only) 675

744 Index
Headlamp cleaning system 375, 548
Washer fluid 727, 733
Headlamps
Automatic control 372
Automatic headlamp mode 282
Cleaning lenses 589
Cleaning system 548
Manual headlamp mode 282
Messages in display 653
Refilling washer fluid 549
Headliner and shelf below rear window,
Cleaning and care of 594
Heated steering wheel* 360
Height adjustments
Vehicle level (ABC*) 443
High beam
Replacing bulbs 679
High beam flasher 375
High beam headlamp
Indicator lamp 29High mounted brake lamp 679
High-performance brake system
(AMG vehicles only) 529
Hood 541
Message in display 649
Opening 541
Horn 27
Hydroplaning 531
I
Identification labels 712
Identification Number, Vehicle (VIN) 713
Ignition 344, 346
Switching on 344
Switching on, KEYLESS-GO* 346
Immobilizer 81
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Individualization
Voice Control* 330
Infant and child restraint systems see Chil-
dren in the vehicle
Inflation pressure see Tires
Infrared reflecting windshield 524
Inside door handle 341Instrument cluster 28, 417
Coolant temperature gauge 29, 417
Fuel gauge 29
Illumination 417, 463
Lamps 598
Multifunction display 264
Outside temperature indicator 418
Selecting the language
(COMAND) 238
Interior lighting 378
Activating automatic control 378
Ambient lighting (COMAND) 247
Deactivating automatic control 378
Delayed switch-off (COMAND) 248
In the rear 379
Reading lamps in the front 379
Reading lamps in the rear 379
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 361
Auto-dimming 363
Interior storage spaces see Storage com-
partments

746 Index
ESP®29, 599, 604
Front passenger front air bag off 50,
610
Fuel reserve 605
High beam headlamp 29
Maintenance service indicator 582
Park Assist* 29
Parktronic* 29
Seat belt telltale 29, 605
SRS 29, 607
TPMS* malfunction telltale 29, 608
Turn signals 29
Language (COMAND) 238
LATCH-type child seat anchors see
Children in the vehicle
Lever
For automatic transmission
(gear selector lever) 399
For cruise control 420
For DISTRONIC Plus* 430
License plate lamps
Messages in display 655
Replacing bulbs 679
Light alloy wheels, Cleaning 593Light sensor
Message in display 654
Lighter see Cigarette lighter
Lighting 371
Automatic headlamp mode 372
COMAND display illumination 87
Corner-illuminating lamps 376
Courtesy lighting 380
Daytime running lamp mode 373
Door entry lamps 379
High beam flasher 375
Instrument cluster illumination 417,
463
Interior 378
Manual headlamp mode 372
Trunk 380
Limp-home mode 416
Loading see Vehicle loading
Locator lighting (COMAND) 243
Lock button
Door handle (KEYLESS-GO*) 338,
388
Key, SmartKey 332
Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 335Locking 394
Automatic central locking
(COMAND) 245
Vehicle in an emergency 672
Locking knob 341
Loss of
Key, Mechanical 340
Key, SmartKey 340
Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 340
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet 711
Low beam headlamps
Replacing bulbs 679
Lowering
Vehicle 690
Lubricants 724
Lumbar support (COMAND) 260

747 Index
M
Maintenance 15, 582
Automatic Call (Tele Aid) 518
Calling up service indicator
display 583
Clearing service indicator
message 582
Maintenance System 582
Resetting service indicator 584
Service indicator message 582
Service term exceeded 583
Maintenance System 582
Manual headlamp mode 372
Manual shift program (AMG vehicles only)
Deactivating 415
MAXCOOL
Maximum cooling 474
Maximum load rating, Tires 577
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 559,
577
Maximum tire inflation pressure 573,
577
Maximum tire load rating 573
Memory function 365
Messages in display see
Multifunction display messagesMicrophone, Hands-free 33
Minispare wheel 670, 686, 721
Mirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 364
Adjusting 361
Auto-dimming for rear view
mirrors 363
Exterior rear view mirrors 361
Interior rear view mirror 361
Mobile phone see Telephone*
Modifications and alterations,
Operating safety 19
MON 539, 726
MP3
Menu overview (COMAND) 119
Operation (COMAND) 120
Playback options (COMAND) 123
Selecting a folder (COMAND) 122
Selecting a medium (COMAND) 121
Selecting a track (COMAND) 122
MP3 (COMAND) 112
Multicontour rear seats* 356
Multicontour seats*, front
Adjusting (COMAND) 260
Multifunction display 264Multifunction display messages
ABC* 626
ABS 628
Airmatic 642
Batteries, vehicle 644
Brake fluid 630
Brake pads 632
Coolant 646
Coolant level 645
Cruise control 614
DISTRONIC Plus* 615
Doors 648
EBP (Electronic Brake
Proportioning) 631
Electronic parking brake 633
Engine oil 543, 659
ESP
®628, 639
Fog lamps 656
Front passenger front air bag 618
Fuel cap 649
Gear selector lever 617, 622, 624,
625, 667
Headlamps 653
Hood 649
Key, SmartKey 651
Key, SmartKey with

751 Index
Rear fog lamp
Replacing bulbs 679
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear seats
Adjustment 347
Folding back and placing upright rear
head restraints 354
Head restraints 353
Heating* 351
Multicontour* 356
Setting front passenger seat position
from rear 350
Ventilation* 352
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 473
Activating 473
Deactivating 473
Recommended inflation pressure 577
Recovery services, Stolen vehicle
(Tele Aid) 518
Refrigerant, Air conditioning 727, 728
Refueling 538
Regular checks 540Remote
Door lock with Tele Aid 517
Door unlock with Tele Aid 517
Trunk opening/closing* switch 479
Remote control, SmartKey 332
Remote control, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 335
Replacing
Bulbs 678
Front lamp bulbs 680
Rear lamp bulbs 679
Reporting safety defects 21
Reset (COMAND) 241
Residual engine heat and ventilation 476
Rest tool
Depository 675
Restraint systems
Messages in display 662
See Children in the vehicle
See SRS
Reverse gear position, Automatic
transmission 399, 403
Rims 577
And Tires 718
Tires and wheels 550Roadside Assistance 16
Tele Aid 514
RON 539, 726
Roof rack* 493
Route guidance (COMAND) 207
Route guidance (Instrument cluster control
system) 269
Rubber parts, cleaning 593
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 565