climate MERCEDES-BENZ S600 2008 W221 Owner's Guide

495 Controls in detail
Loading and storing
Locking: Insert the mechanical key
into the glove box lock and turn it
clockwise to position3.
Unlocking: Insert the mechanical key
into the glove box lock and turn it coun-
terclockwise to position2.
Storage compartments in the front
armrest
1Storage tray/telephone* compartment
2Storage compartment (not with rear
climate control system*)
Opening storage tray/telephone*
compartment: Press button1 and
swing armrest to left or right side.
Opening storage compartment:
Press button2 and swing center arm-
rest upward.
Storage compartments below the front
seats
Opening: Pull tab1 upward and fold
cover2 forward.Eyeglasses compartment
Opening: Press mark1.
Closing: Swing eyeglasses compart-
ment upward until it engages.

512 Controls in detail
Useful features
All information relevant to the emergency,
such as the location of the vehicle (deter-
mined by the GPS satellite location sys-
tem), vehicle model, identification number
and color are generated.
A voice connection between the Response
Center and the occupants of the vehicle
will be established automatically soon af-
ter the emergency call has been initiated.
The Response Center will attempt to deter-
mine more precisely the nature of the acci-
dent provided they can speak to an
occupant of the vehicle.The Tele Aid system is available if

it has been activated and is operation-
al. Activation requires a subscription
for monitoring services, connection,
and cellular air time

the relevant monitoring service and
GPS coverage are available and pass
the information on to the Response
Center

there is sufficient voltage in the vehicle
batteries
iDuring the emergency call message “Emer-
gency Call Activated” is displayed, operation
from COMAND is not possible. The automatic cli-
mate control can be still adjusted using the
switches on the climate control panel.
iIf no vehicle occupant responds, an ambu-
lance will be sent to the vehicle immediately.
iLocation of the vehicle on a map is only pos-
sible if the vehicle is able to receive signals from
the GPS satellite network and pass the informa-
tion on to the Response Center.
Warning!G
If the indicator lamp in the SOS button is
flashing continuously and there was no
voice connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system could
not initiate an emergency call (e.g. the rele-
vant mobile phone network is not available).
The message:

“Call failed” appears in the multifunction
display for approximately 10 seconds.

A pop-up window with the message:
“Call could not be connected! Please dial
911 directly using the mobile telephone
keypad.” appears in the COMAND dis-
play. Confirm the message pressing
n
(
page 88).
Should this occur, assistance must be sum-
moned by other means.
iDuring the emergency call the mobile phone
is switched off automatically and must be
switched back on to make a call.
iThe roof cargo container* may impair mo-
bile phone reception. In an emergency, remove
the mobile phone from the mobile phone cradle
(
page 507) to make a call.
iThe “911” emergency call system is a public
service. Using it without due cause is a criminal
offense.

574 Operation
Tires and wheels
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
(U.S. vehicles)
Tire manufacturers are required to grade
tires based on three performance
factors: treadwear, traction and
temperature resistance.1Treadwear
2Traction
3Temperature resistance
Quality grades can be found, where appli-
cable, on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to
these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1
1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades rep-
resent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
Warning!G
Never exceed the max. tire inflation
pressure. Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly, adverse-
ly affect handling and fuel economy, and are
more likely to fail from being overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride com-
fort, wear unevenly, increase stopping dis-
tance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road de-
bris, potholes etc.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.
TreadwearTractionTemperature
200AAA

586 Operation
Vehicle care
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others ap-
plied later.
We have selected car-care products and
compiled recommendations which are
specially matched to our vehicles and
which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain Mercedes-Benz approved
car-care products at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or
damage due to negligent or incorrect care
cannot always be removed or repaired with
the car-care products recommended here.
In such cases it is best to seek aid at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The following topics deal with the cleaning
and care of your vehicle and give important
“how-to” information as well as references
to Mercedes-Benz approved car-care
products.Power washer
Tar stains
Quickly remove tar stains before they dry
and become more difficult to remove. A tar
remover is recommended.Paintwork, painted body components
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Care
should be applied when water drops on the
paint surface do not “bead up”. This should
normally be done every 3 to 5 months, de-
pending on the climate and washing deter-
gent used.
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Cleaner
should be applied if the paint surface
shows signs of embedded dirt (i.e. loss of
gloss).
Do not apply any of these products or wax
if your vehicle is parked in the sun or if the
hood is still hot.
Use the appropriate MB-Touch-Up
Stick for quick and provisional repairs
of minor paint damage (i.e. chips from
stones, vehicle doors, etc.).
!Follow the instructions provided by the pow-
er washer manufacturer on maintaining a dis-
tance between the vehicle and the nozzle of the
power washer.
Never use a round nozzle to power-wash tires.
The intense jet of water can result in damage to
the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.
Always keep the jet of water moving across the
surface. Do not aim directly at electrical parts,
electrical connectors, seals, or other rubber
parts.
iVehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of water, and
a SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is in close prox-
imity, i.e. within approximately 3 ft (approxi-
mately 1 m), the vehicle could be inadvertently
locked or unlocked.
!Affixing stickers, magnets, adhesive tape or
similar materials to painted body components
may damage the paintwork.

587 Operation
Vehicle care
Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from contact with
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as
MB Anticorrosion Wax, should be applied
to the engine compartment after every
engine cleaning. Before applying, all
control linkage bushings and joints should
be lubricated. The poly-V-belt and all pul-
leys should be protected from any wax.
Vehicle washing
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, do
not forget to clean the inner sides of the
wheels.Hand-wash
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight.
Only use a mild car wash detergent,
such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water.
Direct only a very weak spray towards
the ventilation intake.
Use plenty of water and rinse the
sponge and chamois frequently.
Rinse with clean water and thoroughly
dry with a chamois.
Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on
the finish.Automatic car wash
You can have your car washed in an auto-
matic car wash from the start. Automatic
car washes without brushes are prefera-
ble.
To protect the filter system, switch the
automatic climate control to air recir-
culation mode (
page 474).
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it be-
fore running it through the automatic car
wash.
iVehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of water, and
a SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is in close prox-
imity, i.e. within approximately 3 ft (approxi-
mately 1 m), the vehicle could be inadvertently
locked or unlocked.
!Do not use scouring agents on these parts.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the vehicle.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the paint.
!Do not clean your vehicle in an automatic
touchless car wash which uses caustic spray.
Otherwise the caustic spray will damage the
paint or ornamental moldings.
!Make sure that the windshield wiper switch
is set to0 (
page 381). Otherwise, e.g. the rain
sensor could activate and cause the wipers to
move unintentionally. This may lead to vehicle
damage.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in exterior
rear view mirrors prior to running the vehicle
through an automatic car wash to prevent dam-
age to the mirrors.

658 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display Possible cause/consequencePossible solution
Night View Assist
inoperativeNight View Assist* is malfunctioning.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Night View Assist
currently unavailableThe temperature of the camera* is too high
(
page 461).
Wait until the message “Night View Assist
available again” appears.
In addition you can:
Swing the camera* cover down
(
page 591).
Adjust the air distribution of the automatic
climate control so that air flows upward
(
page 253).
Night View Assist
Lights must be set
to AUTO or ONYou have tried to switch on Night View As-
sist*, but the light switch is not set to *
or B.Turn the exterior lamp switch to * or
B (
page 371).
Night View Assist
Not in Reverse gearYou have tried to switch on Night View As-
sist* while the automatic transmission was
in position R.Shift the automatic transmission to P, N or D
(
page 399).

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)

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