air conditioning MERCEDES-BENZ S550 4MATIC 2008 W221 Owner's Manual

Contents
Where will I find ...? ........................... 668
First aid kit ................................... 668
Vehicle jack, vehicle tool kit,
luggage bowl, Minispare wheel .... 668
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 671
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 671
Locking the vehicle ...................... 672
Mechanically releasing the
electronic parking brake .............. 673
Opening/closing in an emergency..... 674
Power tilt/sliding sunroof or
panorama roof with
power tilt/sliding panel*.............. 674
Resetting activated head restraints ... 675
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 676
Replacing bulbs ................................. 678
Bulbs ............................................ 679
Replacing bulbs for front lamps ... 680
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 684
Placing wiper arms in vertical
position ........................................ 684
Removing wiper blades ................ 685
Installing wiper blades................. 685
Flat tire .............................................. 686
Preparing the vehicle ................... 686
Mounting the spare wheel............ 686Batteries ............................................. 692
Disconnecting starter battery ....... 694
Removing starter battery .............. 695
Charging battery ........................... 695
Reinstalling starter battery ........... 696
Reconnecting starter battery ........ 696
Jump starting ...................................... 697
Towing the vehicle .............................. 700
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 703
Fuses .................................................. 704
Fuse boxes in engine
compartment ................................ 705
Fuse boxes in passenger
compartment ................................ 706
Emergency engine shut-down ....... 707
Technical data.................................. 709
Parts service....................................... 710
Warranty coverage ............................. 711
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 711
Identification labels ............................ 712
Layout of poly-V-belt drive .................. 714
S 550 ............................................ 714
S 63 AMG ..................................... 714S 600 and S 65 AMG .................... 714
Engine ................................................ 715
Rims and tires .................................... 718
Same size tires ............................. 719
Mixed size tires ............................. 720
Spare wheel .................................. 721
Electrical system ................................ 722
Main dimensions and weights ............ 723
Main dimensions........................... 723
Weights......................................... 723
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. .......... 724
Capacities ..................................... 724
Engine oils .................................... 728
Engine oil additives ....................... 728
Air conditioning refrigerant ........... 728
Brake fluid .................................... 728
Premium unleaded gasoline.......... 729
Fuel requirements......................... 729
Gasoline additives......................... 730
Coolants ....................................... 730
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 733
Index................................................. 735

255 Control systems
COMAND automatic climate control
Selecting “ACOFF”: Slide qmr or
rotateymz.
Confirming selection: Press n.
A checkmark appears when the cooling
is switched off.
“AC
OFF” appears in the central menu of
the climate control settings.Selecting “Mono” mode
“Mono” is used to adjust the climate zones
for the entire vehicle at the same time.
When the “Mono” function is switched on
and you change the climate on the driver’s
side, these changes will be carried out in
the same manner for all climate zones.
Select climate control settings
Cen-
tral climate control menu.
Selecting “Mono”: Slide qmr or
rotateymz.
Confirming selection: Press n.
A checkmark appears when the func-
tion has been selected.
Exiting menu: Press back button L
in the center console (
page 86) or
slideomp.The “Mono” function is automatically
switched off when you:

change an automatic climate control
setting for the front passenger’s side
using COMAND

operate a button from the automatic
climate control for the front passen-
ger’s side

operate one of the buttons for the rear
climate control system
Adjusting footwell temperature
The “Footwell Temperature” function is
used to adjust the temperature difference
between the footwell and the rest of the
passenger compartment.
The higher the selected value, the higher
the temperature in the footwell will be.
Select climate control settings
Cen-
tral climate control menu.
!If the air conditioning cannot be turned on
again, this indicates that the air conditioning is
losing refrigerant. The compressor has turned it-
self off.
Have the air conditioning checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
iIn automatic mode, this setting optimizes
the footwell temperature when outside tempera-
tures are low.


472 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Setting temperature
Use temperature controls %$
2anda (
page 469) in the center con-
sole or COMAND (
page 252) to sepa-
rately adjust the air temperature on each
side of the passenger compartment. You
should raise or lower the temperature set-
ting in small increments, preferably start-
ing at 72°F (22°C). The automatic climate
control will adjust to the set temperature
as fast as possible.
Press temperature control %$
2and/ora (
page 469) upward or
downward.
The climate control system will corre-
spondingly adjust the interior air tem-
perature.
Adjusting air volume
Use buttonsQ (
page 469) in the cen-
ter console or COMAND to separately ad-
just the air volume on each side of the
passenger compartment.
Press buttonQ up to increase or
down to decrease air volume.
The indicator lamps on buttonsU
(
page 469) goes out.
The automatic function is switched off.
The air volume is adjusted correspond-
ing to the set blower speed.
Front defroster
You can use this setting to defrost the
windshield, for example if it is iced up. You
can also defog the windshield and the door
windows.Activating
Press button; (page 469) up or
down.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
The air conditioning switches to the follow-
ing functions automatically:

most efficient blower speed and heat-
ing power, depending on outside tem-
perature

air flows onto the windshield and the
front door windows

the air conditioning compressor
switches on at outside temperatures
above approximately 41°F (5°C) for
air-drying

the air recirculation mode is switched
off
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield is clear again.

473 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Adjustments
Depending on vehicle production date, you
can adjust the air volume and the temper-
ature when the front defroster is switched
on. The air flow will remain on the wind-
shield and door windows.
Press buttonQ up or down to in-
crease or decrease air volume to the
desired level.
The air volume increases/decreases to
the next higher/lower blower speed
and heating switches to the tempera-
ture that was set before the front de-
froster was switched on.
The indicator lamp on button;
goes out.
or
Press temperature control %$
2and/ora (
page 469) upward or
downward.
Heating switches to the temperature
that was set before the front defroster
was switched on.The indicator lamp on button; goes
out.
Deactivating
Press button; (page 469) up or
down.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
The previous settings are once again in
effect, except air recirculation mode
stays off.
Windshield fogged on the outside
Switch the windshield wipers on
(
page 381).
Press buttonU (page 469) up or
down.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Rear window defroster
Activating
Switch on the ignition (page 344).
Press button< (page 469) up or
down.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Deactivating
Press button< (page 469) up or
down.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
iThe air conditioning compressor remains on
even with the indicator lamp on button;
goes out. This helps to prevent windshield from
fogging.
!The rear window defroster uses a large
amount of power. To keep battery drain to a min-
imum, switch off the defroster as soon as the
rear window is clear.
iThe defroster is automatically deactivated
after some time of operation depending on the
outside temperature.

474 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL (USA only)
If U is selected on both the left and
right side and there is a high demand for
cooling, the display “MAXCOOL” appears
in the COMAND display.
This provides the fastest possible cooling
of the vehicle interior (when windows and
tilt/sliding sunroof or tilt/sliding panel*
are closed).
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside (e.g. before driving in a
tunnel). This setting cuts off the intake of
outside air and recirculates the air in the
passenger compartment.
Activating: Press button,
(
page 469) up or down.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Deactivating: Press button,
(
page 469) up or down.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
Warning!G
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driv-
ing. Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.
iIf the rear window defroster switches off too
soon and the indicator lamp goes out, this indi-
cates that too many electrical consumers are op-
erating simultaneously and the load on the
battery is reducing available voltage. The system
responds automatically by deactivating the rear
window defroster.
iMaximum cooling MAXCOOL is only avail-
able when the engine is running.
Warning!G
Fogged windows impair visibility, endanger-
ing you and others. If the windows begin to
fog on the inside, switching off the air
recirculation mode immediately should clear
interior window fogging. If interior window
fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning (
page 254) is activated, or
press button;.
iThe air recirculation mode is activated auto-
matically at high outside temperatures.
The indicator lamp on button, is not lit when
the air recirculation mode is automatically acti-
vated.
A quantity of outside air is added when the cool-
ing demand is not at maximum.
If the air conditioning has been turned off
(
page 254) or the outside temperature is be-
low 41°F (5°C), the air recirculation mode will
not switch on automatically.

475 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Air recirculation mode with conve-
nience closing or opening feature
Vehicles with tilt/sliding sunroof
Convenience closing: Press
button
, for approximately
2 seconds.
The door windows and/or tilt/sliding
sunroof will close. You can release
button
, once the closing proce-
iThe manually selected air recirculation
mode is deactivated automatically:

after 5 minutes if the outside temperature is
below approximately 41°F (5°C)

after 5 minutes if the air conditioning is
turned off

after 30 minutes if the outside temperature
is above approximately 41°F (5°C)
Warning!G
Never operate the door windows and the
tilt/sliding sunroof or tilt/sliding panel* if
there is the possibility of anyone being
harmed by the closing procedure.
Vehicles with tilt/sliding sunroof:
In the event that the procedure causes po-
tential danger, the closing of the door win-
dows can be immediately halted by pressing
the respective window switch. The closing of
the tilt/sliding sunroof can be immediately
halted by moving the tilt/sliding sunroof
switch in the overhead control panel in any
direction.
Vehicles with panorama roof*:
When using the air recirculation mode with
convenience closing feature, should the up-
ward movement of a window be blocked by
some obstruction including, but not limited
to arms, hands, fingers, etc., the automatic
reversal feature will not operate.
In the event that the procedure causes po-
tential danger, the closing of the door win-
dows or the tilt/sliding panel can be
immediately halted by releasing
button,.
The closing of the door windows and the
tilt/sliding sunroof or tilt/sliding panel* can
be reversed by again pressing and holding
button,.


576 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least 3 hours or driv-
en no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.DOT (Department of Transportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross Axle Weight Rating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
GVW (G
ross Vehicle Weight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GVW must never exceed the
GVWR indicated on the certification label
located on the driver’s door B-pillar.

714 Technical data
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
S 550
1Idler pulley
2Idler pulley
3Automatic belt tensioner
4ABC* tandem pump (pump for
power-steering assistance and ABC*
chassis)
5Air conditioning compressor
6Crankshaft
7Coolant pump
8Generator (alternator)S 63 AMG
1Idler pulley
2Idler pulley
3Idler pulley
4Automatic belt tensioner
5Power steering pump
6Air conditioning compressor
7Crankshaft
8Coolant pump
9Generator (alternator)S 600 and S 65 AMG
1Automatic belt tensioner
2ABC tandem pump (pump for
power-steering assistance and ABC
chassis)
3Air conditioning compressor
4Crankshaft
5Coolant pump
6Generator (alternator)
7Idler pulley
8Idler pulley
9Idler pulley

727 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Air conditioning systemAll modelsR-134a refrigerant and special PAG
lubricant oil (never R-12)
Windshield washerAll modelsapprox. 6.87 US qt (6.5 l)MB Windshield Washer Concentrate1
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit” and water for temperatures above freezing or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit” and
commercially available premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below freezing point. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 733).

728 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance
System. For a listing of approved engine
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet
(USA only), or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Engine oil additives
Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air condition-
ing system.
Brake fluid
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Any au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will pro-
vide you with additional information.
!Using engine oils and oil filters of
specification other than those expressly
required for the Maintenance System, or chang-
ing of oil and oil filter at change intervals longer
than those called for by the Maintenance System
will result in engine or emission control system
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.
Please follow Maintenance System recommen-
dations for scheduled oil changes. Failure to do
so will result in engine or emission control sys-
tem damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
!Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine. Damage or mal-
functions resulting from blending oil additives
are not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lu-
bricating oil. Otherwise damage to the system
will occur.
Warning!G
During vehicle operation, the boiling point of
the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from the
atmosphere.
Under extremely strenuous operating condi-
tions, this moisture content can lead to the
formation of bubbles in the system, thus re-
ducing the system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be replaced
regularly. Refer to your vehicle’s Mainte-
nance Booklet for replacement interval.