600 MERCEDES-BENZ S600 2007 W221 Owner's Manual

S550
S600

Contents
Introduction....................................... 13
Product information ............................. 13
Operator’s Manual ............................... 14
Service and warranty information .. 14
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 15
Maintenance .................................. 15
Roadside Assistance ...................... 16
Change of address or ownership.... 16
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 16
Where to find it .................................... 17
Symbols ............................................... 18
Operating safety .................................. 19
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 19
Problems with your vehicle .................. 20
Reporting safety defects...................... 21
Reporting safety defects ................ 21
Vehicle data recording ......................... 22
Information regarding electronic
recording devices ........................... 22
At a glance.......................................... 23
Exterior view ......................................... 24
Cockpit ................................................. 26
Instrument cluster ................................ 28
Control systems ................................... 30
Center console ..................................... 32
Upper part ...................................... 32
Lower part ...................................... 33
Automatic climate control .................... 34
Overview ......................................... 34
Automatic climate control panel,
front ................................................ 36
Overhead control panel ........................ 37
Driver’s door control panel ................... 38
Rear door control panel ........................ 39
Storage compartments ......................... 40
Rear passenger compartment .............. 42
Safety and Security........................... 43
Occupant safety ................................... 44
Air bags .......................................... 45
Occupant Classification System ..... 50
Seat belts ....................................... 55
Luxury active head restraints
(S 600 only) .................................... 59
Preventive occupant safety
(PRE-SAFE
®) ................................... 60
Children in the vehicle .................... 61
Override switch for rear
passenger compartment................. 67
Panic alarm .......................................... 68
Activating........................................ 68
Deactivating.................................... 68
Driving safety systems ......................... 69
ABS ................................................. 69
Adaptive Brake ............................... 70
Adaptive Brake Lights
(S 600 and USA only) ..................... 70
BAS ................................................. 71
BAS Plus* ....................................... 71
EBP ................................................. 71
ESP
®............................................... 72

Contents
Practical hints................................. 543
What to do if …?................................. 544
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 544
Air bag off indicator lamp ............. 555
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 557
Where will I find ...? ........................... 611
First aid kit ................................... 611
Vehicle jack, vehicle tool kit,
luggage bowl, Minispare wheel .... 611
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 614
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 614
Locking the vehicle ...................... 615
Mechanically releasing the
electric parking brake .................. 616
Opening/closing in an emergency..... 617
Power tilt/sliding sunroof or
panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel* ........................ 617Resetting activated head restraints
(S 600 only) ........................................ 618
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 619
SmartKey/SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* ............................... 619
Replacing bulbs .................................. 621
Bulbs ............................................. 622
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 623
Replacing wiper blades....................... 627
Placing wiper arms in vertical
position ......................................... 627
Removing wiper blades ................. 628
Installing wiper blades .................. 628
Flat tire ............................................... 629
Preparing the vehicle .................... 629
Mounting the Minispare wheel ...... 629Batteries............................................. 634
Disconnecting starter battery ....... 636
Removing starter battery .............. 637
Charging battery ........................... 637
Reinstalling starter battery ........... 638
Reconnecting starter battery ........ 638
Jump starting...................................... 639
Towing the vehicle.............................. 642
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 644
Fuses.................................................. 645
Aids for replacing fuses ................ 646
Fuse boxes in engine
compartment ................................ 646
Fuse boxes in passenger
compartment ................................ 647
Emergency engine shut-down ....... 648

ContentsTechnical data.................................. 649
Parts service ...................................... 650
Warranty coverage ............................. 651
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 651
Identification labels............................ 652
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 653
S 550 ........................................... 653
S 600 ........................................... 653
Engine ................................................ 654
Rims and tires .................................... 655
Same size tires ............................. 656
Mixed size tires ............................ 657
Minispare wheel ........................... 658
Electrical system................................ 659
Main dimensions and weights............ 660
Main dimensions .......................... 660
Weights ........................................ 660Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 661
Capacities .................................... 661
Engine oils.................................... 663
Engine oil additives ...................... 663
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 663
Brake fluid .................................... 663
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 664
Fuel requirements ........................ 664
Gasoline additives ........................ 665
Coolants....................................... 665
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ............................. 668
Technical terms............................... 669Index................................................. 679

59 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Luxury active head restraints (S 600 only)
The active head restraints are intended to
offer the driver and front passenger in-
creased protection from head and neck in-
jury. In the event of a rear-end collision,
the active head restraints on the driver’s
and front passenger’s seats are designed
to move forward in the direction of travel,
providing the head with increased support
earlier on in the collision sequence. The ac-
tive head restraints move forward whether
the seat is occupied or not.
If the luxury active head restraints have
been triggered in an accident, the luxury
active head restraints must be reset. Oth-erwise, the luxury active head restraints
cannot offer any additional protection in
the event of another rear-end collision.
For information on resetting the activated
active head restraints, see “Resetting acti-
vated head restraints (S 600 only)”
(
page 618).
You cannot remove the active head re-
straint on the driver’s and passenger’s
seats.
For removal contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
For information on head restraint adjust-
ment, see “Head restraints” (
page 324).
Warning!
G
Only use seat or head restraint covers which
have been tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model.
Using other seat or head restraint covers
may interfere with or prevent the activation
of the active head restraints. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for avail-
ability.
Do not attach any objects (e.g. hangers) to
the head restraint posts. Otherwise, the ac-
tive head restraints may not be able to func-
tion properly or offer the intended degree of
protection in the event of an accident.Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint so that it is as close to
the head as possible and the center of the
head restraint supports the back of the head
at eye level. This will reduce the potential for
injury to the head and neck in the event of
an accident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.

70 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsThe pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.
Emergency brake maneuver
Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 544).
Adaptive Brake
Adaptive Brake provides a high level of
braking safety as well as increased braking
comfort.Adaptive Brake Lights (S 600 and
USA only)
Depending on vehicle production date the
brake lamps flash in quick intervals while
you are braking in order to signal to cars
behind you that

you are braking strongly at a speed of
more than 30 mph (50 km/h)


you are braking with the aid of BAS or
BAS Plus*
If you bring the car to a complete stop by
hard braking at a speed of more than
40 mph (70 km/h), the hazard warning
flasher automatically comes on as soon as
the vehicle is at a standstill. While the vehi-
cle is stationary, the brake lamps are con-
tinuously lit up. Once you drive faster than
6 mph (10 km/h) afterward, the hazard
warning flasher goes out.
Warning!
G
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the BAS,
BAS Plus*, ESP
® and ETS are also switched
off.
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability and extending the brak-
ing distance.
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency
beyond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction af-
forded. The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, atten-
tive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents.
The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dan-
gerous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.

254 Control systemsInstrument cluster control system
Press ( or & to select the
“Service” menu.
If conditions have occurred causing
status messages to be recorded, the
number of messages appears in the
multifunction display: “2 Messages”.

Press % or $ to select the mes-
sage.

Press # to confirm.Checking tire inflation pressure
For information about checking tire infla-
tion pressure (
page 511).
Activating Run Flat Indicator*
For information about activating Run Flat
Indicator (
page 515).
Calling up the maintenance service in-
dicator display
For information about maintenance
(
page 532).
Checking engine oil level (S 600)*
For information about checking engine oil
level (
page 494).
Settings menu
In the “Settings” menu, you can:

switch the daytime driving lamps on or
off


switch the additional speedometer on
or off


switch the radar sensors* on or off.
performed on the vehicle and by bringing
the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to address the malfunction and
warning messages (
page 557).
i
See the “Practical hints” section for mal-
function and warning messages (
page 557).
i
If you turn the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position0 and then back to position2,
all messages will be deleted from the message
memory.
i
The menu overview can be found on
(
page 243).


324 Controls in detailSeatsHead restraints Front power head restraints
Head restraint height
1Head restraint height

Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow1.Head restraint tilt
Manually adjust the angle of the head re-
straint.

Push or pull on the upper edge of the
head restraint cushion.
Luxury active head restraints
(S 600 only) (front seats)
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint so that it is as close to
the head as possible and the center of the
head restraint supports the back of the head
at eye level. This will reduce the potential for
injury to the head and neck in the event of
an accident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.i
Adjust the head restraint in such a way that
it is as close to the head as possible.
i
Depending on the seat’s set fore and aft po-
sition, the head restraint height is automatically
pre-set.
i
The head restraint on the front passenger’s
side is automatically lowered all the way down
while the vehicle is in motion if no one is sitting
on the seat. This helps you to acquire a better
all-round view.
Warning!
G
When folding back the side cushions, never
reach between the side cushion and the
mounting post. You could otherwise be
trapped.

325 Controls in detailSeats
Adjustment
1Head restraint side cushions
2Adjusting head restraint forward and
backward
You can individually adjust side
cushions1 of the luxury head restraints.
Adjusting side cushions: Pull or push
side cushions1 into desired position.

Adjusting forward or backward: Pull
or push head restraint in direction of
arrow2.Resetting
If the luxury active head restraints have
been triggered in an accident, the luxury
active head restraints must be reset. Oth-
erwise, the luxury active head restraints
cannot offer any additional protection in
the event of another rear-end collision.
Have this work carried out by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
For information on luxury active head re-
straints, see “Luxury active head restraints
(S 600 only)” (
page 59).
Rear head restraintsFolding head restraints back
The rear seat head restraints and the rear
seat power head restraints* can be folded
backward for increased visibility.
1Switch in the front center console
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, always drive with the
rear head restraints in the upright position
when the rear seats are occupied.
Otherwise, the back of the head will not be
supported in the event of a collision. As a re-
sult, rear seat occupants could be injured.
Warning!
G
Keep the area around head restraints clear
of articles (e.g. clothing) to not obstruct the
folding operation of the head restraints.i
You can only fold back the rear seat head re-
straints when no rear seat passenger is wearing
a seat belt.

348 Controls in detailLightingHazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be
switched on at all times, even with the
SmartKey removed from the starter switch
or with the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
removed from the vehicle.
The hazard warning flasher is automatical-
ly switched on if

an air bag has been triggered


S 600 and USA only: you brake the ve-
hicle strongly at a speed of more than
50 mph (70 km/h) and bring it to a
complete stop.
1Hazard warning flasher switch

Switching on: Press hazard warning
flasher switch.
All turn signals will flash.

Switching off: Press hazard warning
flasher switch again.
Interior lighting
i
With the hazard warning flasher activated
and the combination switch set for either left or
right turn, only the respective left or right turn
signals will operate when the SmartKey in the
starter switch is in position1 or2 or the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button (
page 317) is
pressed once or twice.
i
If the hazard warning flasher was activated
automatically, also press hazard warning flasher
switch 1 to switch off the hazard warning flash-
er.
i
When you lock the vehicle from the outside,
the interior lighting is switched off. As soon as
one of the interior lighting buttons inside the ve-
hicle is pressed, however, the selected lamp
comes on and all of the lamps inside the vehicle
that are not switched on via a button are activat-
ed.
If you do not lock the vehicle, all lamps will be
switched off after 30 minutes. When you open
the door, you can still use the lighting for the
storage compartment, glove box and vanity mir-
ror without in the starter switch in position1 or2
or the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
(
page 317) pressed once or twice.