radiator MERCEDES-BENZ S550 4MATIC 2010 W221 Owner's Manual

RWasher system and headlamp cleaning
system (Y page 409)
RBrake fluid (Y page 409)
Engine compartment
Hood
GWarning!
Do not pull the release lever while the vehicle
is in motion. Otherwise the hood could be
forced open by passing air flow.
This could cause the hood to come loose and
injure you and/or others.
GWarning!
HYBRID vehicles: It is imperative that you read
the HYBRID Supplemental Operating
Instructions included in your vehicle literature
portfolio. You may otherwise not receive all
necessary safety information and warning for
the operation of your vehicle.
Opening
GWarning!
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant
temperature gauge indicates that the engine
is overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled. If necessary, call
the fire department.
GWarning!
You could be injured when the hood is open –
even when the engine is turned off.
Parts of the engine can become very hot. To
prevent burns, let the engine cool completely
before touching any components on the
vehicle. Comply with all relevant safety
precautions.
GWarning!
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running.
The radiator fan may continue to run for
approximately 30 seconds or may even
restart after the engine has been turned off.
Stay clear of fan blades.
GWarning!
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components
(ignition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system
Rwith the engine running
Rwhile starting the engine
Rwhen the ignition is switched on and the
engine is turned manually
XPull hood lock release lever :.
The hood is unlocked.
! Never open the hood if the wiper arms are
folded forward away from the windshield.
Otherwise the windshield wipers or the
hood could be damaged.
404Engine compartmentOperation
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! To avoid damage to the handle never pull
up the hood on the handle.
XPull handle ; to its stop out of radiator
grille.
XPull up on hood.
The hood will be held open at shoulder
height by gas-filled struts automatically.
Closing
GWarning!
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hands or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure the hood is securely engaged
before driving off. Do not continue driving if
the hood can no longer engage after an
accident, for example. The hood could
otherwise come loose while the vehicle is in
motion and injure you and/or others.
XLet the hood drop from a height of
approximately 8 in (20 cm).
XCheck to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point above
the headlamps, then it is not properly
closed. Open it again and let it drop with
somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine consumes will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Increased oil consumption can
occur when the vehicle is new or the vehicle
is driven frequently at higher engine speeds.
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
! Do not use any special lubricant additives,
as these may damage the drive assemblies.
Using special additives not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
For further information contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Notes on checking engine oil level
When checking the oil level
Rthe vehicle must be parked on level ground
Rwith the engine at operating temperature,
the vehicle must have been stationary for
at least 5 minutes with the engine turned
off
Rwith the engine not at operating
temperature, the vehicle must have been
stationary for at least 30 minutes with the
engine turned off
Checking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick
On the S 450 4MATIC, S 550 4MATIC, S 550,
and S 63 AMG you can check the engine oil
level with the oil dipstick.
XOpen the hood (Y page 404).Engine compartment405Operation221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 405Z

Text messages
Safety systemsDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsPRE-SAFEInoperativ
e See
Oper.
ManualThe PRE-SAFE ®
system has failed. All other occupant safety
systems, such as the air bags, are still available.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.PRE-SAFEFunction
Currently
Limited
See Oper.
ManualThe PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is temporarily unavailable.
The PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is deactivated because:
R the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the radiator grille is dirty
R the area around the sensors in the front or the rear bumper
is dirty
R its function is impaired as a result of heavy precipitation
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative due to
electromagnetic interference near television and radio
transmitter stations, toll stations, speed measuring
systems, etc.
R the system is out of the operating temperature range
R the battery voltage is insufficient
The PRE-SAFE ®
Brake becomes operational again and the
message in the multifunction display disappears when:
R dirt on the radiator grille has fallen off while driving (e.g.
slush or snow)
R the system recognizes full sensor availability (due to
lessening rain or the road surface drying)
R the system is within the operating temperature range
If the message in the multifunction display does not
disappear:XClean the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the radiator grille
( Y page 443).XClean the front and the rear bumper ( Y page 443).XRestart the vehicle.XWait until the battery recovers.PRE-SAFEFunction
Limited
See Oper.
ManualThe PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is unavailable due to a malfunction.
The BAS PLUS may also be unavailable.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.454Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsDISTRONIC
PLUSCurrently
Unavailabl
e See
Oper.
ManualThe DISTRONIC PLUS is temporarily unavailable.
The DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated because:
R the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the radiator grille is dirty
R its function is impaired as a result of heavy precipitation
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative due to
electromagnetic interference near television and radio
transmitter stations, toll stations, speed measuring
systems, etc.
R the radar sensors do not sense any other vehicles or
objects, i.e. road sign or similar to this, for a long time
R the system is out of the operating temperature range
R the battery voltage is insufficientXIf necessary, clean the DISTRONIC PLUS cover in the
radiator grille ( Y page 443).XRestart the vehicle.XTry activating the DISTRONIC PLUS again later.XWait until the system is within the operating temperature
range or the battery recovers.
The DISTRONIC PLUS becomes operational again without the
engine being restarted when:
R dirt on the radiator grille has fallen off while driving (e.g.
slush or snow)
R the system recognizes full sensor availability (due to
lessening rain or the road surface drying)
R the message in the multifunction display disappears
DISTRONIC
PLUSInoperativ
eThe DISTRONIC PLUS is malfunctioning.
The BAS PLUS and the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake are also not
available.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.DISTRONIC
PLUSOverrideYou have accelerated. The DISTRONIC PLUS has switched off.XStop accelerating.Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display459Practical hints221_AKB; 6; 20, en-USd2ugruen,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-24T13:28:17+02:00 - Seite 459Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions?Coolant
Low Stop
Vehicle
Turn
Engine OffThe poly-V-belt could be broken.XStop the vehicle immediately as soon as it is safe to do so.XTurn off the engine immediately.XCheck the poly-V-belt.XIf it is broken: Do not continue to drive. Otherwise the
engine will overheat due to an inoperative water pump
which may result in damage to the engine. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.XIf it is intact: Do not continue to drive the vehicle with this
message displayed. Doing so could result in serious engine
damage that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.XObserve the coolant temperature gauge in the instrument
cluster.XDrive to the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.?The radiator cooling fan is malfunctioning.XObserve the coolant temperature gauge in the instrument
cluster.
If the coolant temperature is below 248‡ (120†), you may
continue driving to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.XAvoid placing heavy loads on the engine (e.g. by driving
uphill) as well as stop-and-go traffic.XHave the fan replaced as soon as possible.#The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:
R alternator malfunctioning
R broken poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronic systemXStop immediately in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so and check the poly-V-belt.XIf it is broken: Do not continue to drive. Otherwise the
engine will overheat due to an inoperative water pump
which may result in damage to the engine. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.XIf it is intact: Drive to the nearest authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center immediately. Adjust driving to be consistent
with reduced braking responsiveness.482Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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necessary safety information and warning for
the operation of your vehicle.
! To prevent damage during transport, do
not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
If circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehicle
may be towed with all wheels on the ground
or front axle raised (except vehicles with
4MATIC) only so far as necessary to have the
vehicle moved to a safe location where the
recommended towing methods can be
employed.
! Before towing the vehicle observe the
following instructions:
RDo not tow-start the vehicle. You could
otherwise seriously damage the
automatic transmission which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
RDo not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
RTowing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed towing
eye bolt. Never attach a tow cable, tow
rope or tow rod to the vehicle chassis,
frame or suspension parts.
GWarning!
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
! Avoid pulling the vehicle abruptly or
diagonally, since it could result in damage
to the chassis alignment.
! Do not use the towing eye bolt for
recovery, as this could damage the vehicle.
If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
iIf the battery is disconnected or
discharged
Rthe SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch
Rthe automatic transmission will remain in
park position P
For more information see “Battery”
(Y page 512) or “Jump starting”
(Y page 514).
Installing towing eye bolt
Depending on whether you are towing a
vehicle or you are being towed, the towing eye
bolt can be screwed into threaded holes
which are located behind covers on each
bumper.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
vehicle tool kit, located underneath the trunk
floor (Y page 450).
XTake the vehicle tool kit out of the trunk.
Removing cover in front bumper
XPress mark on cover : as indicated by the
arrow.
XLift cover : off to reveal the threaded hole
for the towing eye bolt.
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