cooling MERCEDES-BENZ S600 2008 W221 User Guide

478 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Switching on automatic mode: Press
button 4 (
page 477) up or down re-
peatedly until “AUTO” mode is selected
in display.
Switching off rear climate control:
Press button 4 (
page 477) up or
down repeatedly until “OFF” mode is
selected in display.
Switching off automatic mode: Press
button 4 (
page 477) up or down re-
peatedly until “MAN” mode is selected
in display.
Setting temperature: Use tempera-
ture controls 1and6 (
page 477)
to separately adjust the air tempera-
ture on each side of the rear passenger
compartment.
Increasing/decreasing: Press
temperature control 1 or 6 up or
down.
The climate control system will cor-
respondingly adjust the interior air
temperature.
Adjusting air distribution: Press but-
ton 2 or 5 (
page 477) up or down
repeatedly until desired air distribution
is set.
The direction of the arrows represent
the air distribution. “MAN” appears in
the display over the button for the func-
tion mode.
Adjusting air volume: Press air vol-
ume control 3 (
page 477) up or
down.
The air volume is increased or de-
creased. “MAN” appears in the display
over the button for the function mode.
iAt low outside temperatures or if you have
switched off the cooling function, you cannot
cool the rear passenger compartment.
iIf the climate control system in the rear pas-
senger compartment is adjusted using COMAND
(
page 257), the) symbol appears in the
display of the rear control unit. The rear climate
control system can no longer be adjusted using
the rear control unit.

547 Operation
Engine compartment
Active Body Control* (ABC*) fluid level
Regular fluid level check is not required. If
you notice fluid leaks or malfunction mes-
sages in the multifunction display, have an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check
the ABC-system.Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze.
When checking the coolant level,

the vehicle must be parked on level
ground

the coolant temperature must be be-
low 158°F (70°C)
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.
Example illustration from S 550
1Cap
2Coolant expansion tank
Warning!G
In order to avoid potentially serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.

Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.

Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately 1/2 turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.

Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.

645 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Coolant,
please refill
See Oper. ManualThe coolant level is too low.Add coolant (page 547).
If you have to add coolant frequently, have
the cooling system checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant level
warning. Extended driving with the message and
symbol displayed may cause serious engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.
Do not drive without a sufficient amount of cool-
ant in the cooling system. The engine will over-
heat, causing major engine damage.

648 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Coolant level
Stop vehicle!
Switch engine offRestart the engine.
If this message disappears from the multi-
function display:
Drive immediately to the nearest autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If this message does not disappear from the
multifunction display:
Call Roadside Assistance.
The cooling fan for the coolant is malfunc-
tioning.Observe the coolant temperature gauge in
the instrument cluster (
page 28).
Have the fan replaced as soon as possible.
You are driving with one or more doors
open.
The display symbol shows you which doors
are open.Close the doors.

726 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Cooling
systemVehicles without rear passen-
ger compartment climate con-
trol*S 550
S 550 4MATIC12.15 US qt. (11.5 l)MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
Vehicles with rear passenger
compartment climate control*S 550
S 550 4MATIC13.9 US qt. (13.15 l)
S 60014.69 US qt. (13.9 l)
S63 AMG11.83 US qt. (11.2 l)
S65 AMG14.69 US qt. (13.9 l)
Low temperature cooling systemS 6002.75 US qt. (2.6 l)MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
S65 AMG3.28 US qt. (3.1 l)
Fuel tankAll models23.78 US gal (90.0 l)Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(Avg.of96RON/86MON)
including a reserve ofS 550
S 550 4MATIC2.9 US gal (11.0 l)
S 6002.9 US gal (11.0 l)
S63 AMG3.7 US gal (14.0 l)
S65 AMG3.7 US gal (14.0 l)

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)

736 Index
Ashtrays 503
Aspect ratio 576
Audio (COMAND) 112
CD mode 120
DVD mode 120
MP3 mode 120
Audio (Control system
instrument cluster) 271
CD changer 272
CD/DVD changer 272
DVD changer 272
Audio DVD
Fast forward/rewind (COMAND) 122
Menu overview (COMAND) 119
Pause function (COMAND) 121
Stop function (COMAND) 121
Auto-dimming, Rear view mirrors 363
Automatic climate control 469
Adjusting air distribution
(COMAND) 253
Adjusting air flow from air vents
(COMAND) 256
Adjusting air volume (COMAND) 253
Adjusting the footwell temperature
(COMAND) 255
Air recirculation mode 474Central climate control menu
(COMAND) 254
Central menu for rear climate control*
(COMAND) 257
Defrosting 472
Operating the rear climate control*
from the front 257
Operating via COMAND 251
Rear window defroster 473
Selecting Mono mode
(COMAND) 255
Setting temperature (COMAND) 252
Setting the temperature 472
Setting the temperature in the rear
passenger compartment 478
Switching cooling on or off
(COMAND) 254
Automatic headlamp mode 282, 372
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 378
Automatic locking when driving 342
Automatic shift program 409Automatic transmission
Accelerator position 406
Automatic shift program 409
Emergency operation
(limp-home mode) 416
Fluid 724
Fluid level 546
Gear ranges 408
Gear selector lever 399
Gear shifting malfunctions 416
Hill start assist system 407
Kickdown 406
Kickdown, manual shift program
(AMG vehicles) 415
Manual shift program mode
(AMG vehicles) 413
Program mode selector switch 409
Shifting procedure 402
Starting the engine 389
Steering wheel gearshift control 411
Transmission fluid 546
Transmission positions 403

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