Mercedes-Benz S 320 1999 User manual

What You Should Know
at the Gas Station
See last page
MERCEDES-BENZ
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
1-800-FOR MERCedes (in the U.S.A.
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada
P98.00-0656-20
rive Sensibly - Save Fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent,
depends on driving habits and operat
ing conditions.
To save fuel you should:
• keep tires at the recommended
inflation pressures,
• remove unnecessary loads,
• remove roof rack when not in use,
• allow engine to warm up under low
load use,
• avoid frequent acceleration and
deceleration,
• have all maintenance work per
formed at regular intervals by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz
dealer.
Fuel consumption is also increased
by driving in cold weather, in
stop-and-go traffic, on short trips
and in hilly country.

Mercedes-Benz
Owner’s Manual
S 320
S 420
S 500

Kindly observe the following in your own best interests:
We recommend using Mercedes-Benz original parts as
well as conversion parts and accessories e plicitly approved
by us for your vehicle model.
We have subjected these parts to a special test in which
their reliability, safety and their special suitability for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles have been determined.
We are unable to make an assessment for other products
and therefore cannot be held responsible for them, even if in
individual cases an official approval or authorization by
governmental or other agencies should e ist. Use of such
parts and accessories could adversely affect the safety performance
or reliability of your vehicle. Please do not use them.
Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts
and accessories approved by us are available at your
Mercedes-Benz authorized dealer where you will receive
comprehensive information, also on permissible technical
modifications, and where proper installation will be
performed.
Printed in Germany
We reserve the right to modify the technical details of the vehicle as given in the data
and illustrations of this Owner's Manual. Reprinting, translation and copying, even
of excerpts, is not permitted without our prior authorization in writing.
Press time 10/30/97
MBNA/TI 10KM

Our company and staff congratulate you on the
purchase of your new Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demonstration of your
trust in our company name. Further, it e emplifies your
desire to own an automobile that will be as easy as
possible to operate and provide years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the efforts of many
skilled engineers and craftsmen. To ensure your
pleasure of ownership, and for your safety and that
of your passengers, we ask you to make a small
investment of your time:
• Please read this manual carefully before putting it
aside. Then return it to your vehicle where it will be
handy for your reference.
• Please abide by the recommendations contained in
this manual. They are designed to acquaint you with
the operation of your Mercedes-Benz.
We e tend our best wishes for many miles of safe,
pleasurable driving.
Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
3

Introduction
This Owner’s Manual contains a great deal of useful
information. We urge you to read it carefully and
familiarize yourself with the vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life of the
vehicle, we urge you to follow the instructions and
warnings contained in this manual. Ignoring them
could result in damage to the vehicle or personal
injury to you or others. Vehicle damage caused by
failure to follow instructions is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the equipment
described in this manual. Therefore, you may find
explanations for optional equipment not installed in
your vehicle. If you have any questions about the
operation of any equipment, your authorized
Mercedes-Benz dealer will be glad to demonstrate
the proper procedures.
Owner’s Service and arranty Information
The Owner’s Service and Warranty Information
booklet contains detailed information about the
warranties covering your Mercedes-Benz, including:
• New Car Limited Warranty,
• Emission System Warranty,
• Emission Performance Warranty,
• California Emission Control System Warranty
(California only),
• State Warranty Enforcement Laws
(Lemon Laws).
4
Important Notice for California Retail Buyers of
Mercedes-Benz Automobiles
Under California law you may be entitled to a
replacement of your vehicle or a refund of the
purchase price, if Mercedes-Benz of North America,
Inc. or its authorized dealer fails to conform the
vehicle to its express warranties after a reasonable
number of repair attempts during the period of one
year or 12 000 miles from original delivery of the
vehicle. A reasonable number of repair attempts is
presumed for a retail buyer (1) if the vehicle is out of
service by reason of repair of substantial non
conformities for a cumulative total of more than
30 calendar days or (2) the same substantial non
conformity has been subject to repair four or more
times and you have at least once directly notified
us in writing of the need to repair the non-con
formity and have given us an opportunity to per
form the repair ourselves. Notifications should
be sent to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Regional
Office listed in the Owner’s Service and arranty
Information Booklet.
Maintenance
The Service Booklet describes all the necessary
maintenance work which should be performed at
regular intervals.
Always have the Service Booklet with you when you
take the vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz
dealer for service. The service advisor will record
each service in the booklet for you.

Roadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Program
provides factory trained technical help in the event of
a breakdown. Calls to the toll-free Roadside
Assistance number:
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the U.S.A.)
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada)
will be answered by Mercedes-Benz Customer
Assistance Representatives 24 hours a day,
365 days a year.
For additional information refer to the Mercedes-
Benz Roadside Assistance Program brochure in your
glove box.
Change of Address or Ownership
If you change your address, be sure to send in the
“Change of Address Notice” found in the Owner’s
Service and Warranty Information booklet, or simply
call the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
(in the U.S.A. only) at 1 -800-FOR-MERCedes. It is in
your own interest that we can contact you should the
need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all owner’s
literature with the vehicle to make it available to the
next owner.
If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to send in
the “Notice of Purchase of Used Car” found in the
Owner’s Service and Warranty Information booklet,
or call the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center (in the U.S.A. only) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes.
Operating Your Vehicle Outside the U.S.A. or
Canada
if you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign
countries, please be aware that:
• unleaded fuels for vehicles with catalytic
converters may not be available; the use of
leaded fuels will damage the catalysts,
• gasoline may have a considerably lower octane
rating, and improper fuel can cause engine
damage,
• service facilities or replacement parts may not
be readily available.
Certain Mercedes-Benz models are available for
delivery in Europe under our European elivery
Program. For details, consult your authorized
Mercedes-Benz dealer or write to:
Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc.
European elivery epartment
One Mercedes rive
Montvale, NJ 07645
In Canada write to:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European elivery epartment
849 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario M4G 2L5
5

We continuously strive to improve our product, and ask
for your understanding that we reserve the right to make
changes in design and equipment. Therefore, information,
illustrations and descriptions in this Owner’s Manual might
differ from your vehicle.
Optional equipment is also described in this manual,
including operating instructions wherever necessary.
Since they are special-order items, the descriptions and
illustrations herein may vary slightly from the actual
equipment of your vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are not shown or
described in this Owner’s Manual, your authorized
Mercedes-Benz dealer will be glad to inform you of
correct care and operating procedures.
The Owner’s Manual and Service Booklet are
important documents and should be kept with the
vehicle.

Instruments and Controls
Starting the Engine
Driving Instructions
Operation
Driving
Practical Hints
Technical Data
Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants etc.
Consumer Information
Index
Literature

The First 1000 Miles
(1500 km) Check Regularly and
Before a Long Trip Radio Transmitters
arning!
Never operate radio transmit
ters equipped with a built-in or
attached antenna (i.e. without
being connected to an external
antenna) from inside the
vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead
to a malfunction of the vehi
cle’s electronic system, possi
bly resulting in an accident
and personal injury.
The more cautiously you treat your
vehicle during the break-in period,
the more satisfied you will be with
its performance later on. Therefore,
drive your vehicle during the first
1000 miles (1500 km) at moderate
vehicle and engine speeds.
uring this period, avoid heavy
loads (full throttle driving) and
excessive engine speeds.
Avoid accelerating by kickdown. It
is not recommended to brake the
vehicle by manually shifting to a
lower gear. We recommend that
you select positions “3”, “2” or “1 ”
only at moderate speeds (for hill
driving).
After 1000 miles (1500 km) speeds
may be gradually increased to the
permissible maximum.
See Index
Maintenance
We strongly recommend that you
have your vehicle serviced by your
authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer,
in accordance with the Service
Booklet.
Failure to have the vehicle
maintained in accordance with the
Service Booklet may result in
vehicle damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. Radio transmitters, such as a port
able telephone or a citizens band
unit, should only be used inside the
vehicle if they are connected to an
antenna that is installed on the
outside of the vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter
operation instructions regarding
use of an external antenna.
8

Instruments and Controls
Starting the Engine
Driving Instructions
Instruments and Controls 10
Instrument Cluster 12
Indicator Lamp Symbols 13
Catalytic Converter 15
Starting and Turning Off
the Engine 16
riving Instructions 17

Instruments and Controls
For more detailed descriptions see Inde .
1Left front Parktronic warning indicator
2 Side air outlet, adjustable
3Exterior lamp switch
4 Parking brake release
5 Hood lock release
6 Parking brake pedal
7Steering wheel adjustment switch
8Combination switch
9Cruise control switch
10 Horn, airbag
11 Instrument cluster
12 Steering lock with ignition/starter switch
13 Right front Parktronic warning indicator
14 Center air outlets, adjustable
15 Heated air supply button - center air outlet
16 Non-heated/cooled air supply button - center air
outlet
17 Air volume control for left air outlet
18 Air volume control for left center air outlet
19 Air volume control for right center air outlet
20 Air volume control for right air outlet
10
21 Storage/eyeglasses compartment
22 Lock for storage/eyeglasses compartment
and glove box
23 Glove box (illuminated with key in steering
lock position 1 or 2)
24 Switch for rear seat head restraints
25 Trunk lid release switch
26 Central locking switch,
Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system
27 Hazard warning flasher switch
28 Automatic climate control
Rear window defroster switch
Activated charcoal filter switch
29 Audio system
30 ASR or ESP control switch
31 Ashtray with lighter
32 Adaptive damping system adjustment switch
33 Seat heater switch
34 Mirror adjustment switch
35 Power window switches, front doors
36 Power window safety switch, rear doors
37 Airbag Off indicator lamp
38 Power window switches, rear doors
39 Parktronic switch
40 Switch for rear window sunshade

11
Instruments and Controls

Instrument Cluster
1 Fuel gauge with reserve and fuel cap placement
warning lamps (yellow). See Index
2 Coolant temperature gauge. See Index
3 Fuel consumption gauge. See Index
4 Engine oil pressure gauge (bar). See Index
5 Left turn signal indicator lamp (green)
6 Knob for instrument lamps, trip odometer,
and FSS. See Index
7 Speedometer
8 ASR warning lamp (yellow) or
ESP warning lamp (yellow)
See Index
9 Main/trip odometer,
FSS indicator. See Index
10 Outside temperature indicator. See Index
11 Right turn signal indicator lamp (green)
12 Knob for setting clock. See Index
13 Tachometer. See Index
14 Clock. See Index
12

Indicator Lamp Symbols
Function Indicator Lamp
High beam
arning Lamps
(should go out with the engine running unless)
ASR or ESP.
Adjust driving to road condition.
See Index
Fluid level for windshield and headlamp
______ washer system low.
_______ See Index
Coolant level low. See Index
Engine oil level low. See Index
Brake pads worn down.
See Index
Brake fluid low (except Canada).
Parking brake engaged.
See Index
Brake fluid low (Canada only).
Parking brake engaged.
See Index
BRAKE
Fasten seat belts.
See Index
Battery not being charged properly.
See Index
Exterior lamp failure. See Index
A S malfunction. See Index
BAS malfunction. See Index
ASR malfunction. See Index
BAS malfunction. See Index
ESP malfunction. See Index
ABS malfunction. See Index
SRS malfunction. See Index
Engine malfunction indicator lamp.
If the lamp comes on when the engine is
running, it indicates a malfunction of the
fuel management system or emission
control system, or the fuel cap is not closed
tight. In all cases, we recommend that you
have the malfunction checked as soon as
possible. See Index.
13
Instrument Cluster
Indicator Lamp Symbols

Additional Function Indicator Lamps
in the Odometer Display
FSS indicator (distance).
See Index
FSS indicator (days).
See Index
Start Lock-Out malfunction.
See Index
14
Additional Function Indicator Lamp
on the Center Console
Passenger Airbag automatically
switched off. See Index

Catalytic Converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped
with monolithic type catalytic
converters, an important element
in conjunction with the oxygen
sensor to achieve substantial
control of the pollutants in the
exhaust emissions. Keep your
vehicle in proper operating
condition by following our
recommended maintenance
instructions as outlined in your
Service Booklet.
Caution!
To prevent damage to the catalytic
converters, use only premium
unleaded gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in
engine operation should be re
paired promptly. Otherwise, ex
cessive unburned fuel may reach
the catalytic converter causing it to
overheat, which could start a fire.
arning!
As with any vehicle, do not idle,
park or operate this vehicle in
areas where combustible
materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact
with the hot exhaust system, as
these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
15
Indicator Lamp Symbols
Catalytic Converter

Starting and Turning Off the
Engine
Before Starting
Ensure that parking brake is en
gaged and that selector lever is in
position “P” or “N”. Turn key in
steering lock to position 2. The
charge indicator lamp should come
on.
Starting
o not depress accelerator.
Turn key in steering lock clockwise
to the stop. Release key only when
the engine is firing regularly.
Important!
ue to the installed starter non
repeat feature, the key must be
turned completely to the left before
attempting to start the engine
again.
Observe the oil pressure gauge
immediately after starting the
engine. In a very cold engine the
oil pressure will rise slowly after the
engine has started. o not speed
up the engine before pressure is
registered on the pressure gauge,
if you do not see the gauge
register oil pressure, stop the
engine and have it checked.
The battery charge indicator lamp
should go out as soon as the
engine has started.
In areas where temperatures fre
quently drop below -4°F (-20°C)
we recommend that an engine
block heater be installed. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer
will advise you on this subject.
Turning Off
Turn the key in the steering lock to
position 0 to stop the engine.
The key can only be removed with
your foot off the brake pedal and
the selector lever in position “P”.
16

Driving Instructions Brakes
arning!
If you feel a sudden significant
vibration or ride disturbance,
or you suspect that possible
damage to your vehicle has
occurred, you should turn on
the hazard flashers, carefully
slow down, and drive with
caution to an area which is a
safe distance from the
roadway.
Inspect the tires and under the
vehicle for possible damage. If
the vehicle or tires appear
unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest Mercedes-Benz or tire
dealer for repairs.
Power Assistance
arning!
hen the engine is not run
ning, the brake and steering
systems are without power
assistance. Under these circ
umstances, a much greater
effort is necessary to stop or
steer the vehicle.
arning!
After driving in heavy rain for
some time without applying
the brakes or through water
deep enough to wet brake
components, the first braking
action may be somewhat re
duced and increased pedal
pressure may be necessary.
Be sure to maintain a safe
distance from vehicles in
front.
Resting your foot on the brake
pedal will cause excessive and
premature wear of the brake
pads.
It can also result in the brakes
overheating thereby signifi
cantly reducing their effective
ness. It may not be possible to
stop the car in sufficient time
to avoid an accident.
The condition of the parking brake
system is checked each time the
car is in the shop for the required
service.
If the parking brake is released and
the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster stays on, the
brake fluid level in the reservoir is
too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the
system may be the reason for low
brake fluid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
dealer immediately.
All checks and service work on the
brake system should be carried out
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
dealer.
Install only brake pads and brake
fluid recommended by Mercedes-
Benz.
arning!
If other than recommended
brake pads are installed, or
other than recommended
brake fluid is used, the braking
properties of the vehicle can
be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially
impaired. This could result in
an accident.
17
Starting
riving Instructions

Caution!
When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the
brakes by shifting into a lower
gear. This helps prevent over
heating of the brakes and reduces
brake pad wear.
After hard braking, it is advisable to
drive on for some time, rather than
immediately parking, so the air
stream will cool down the brakes
faster.
Tires
Tread wear indicators (TWI) are
required by law. These indicators
are located in six places on the
tread circumference and become
visible at a tread depth of
approximately 1/16 in (1.5 mm), at
which point the tire is considered
worn and should be replaced.
The tread wear indicator appears
as a solid band across the tread.
1801
arning!
Do not allow your tires to wear
down too far. As tread depth
approaches 1/16 in (1.5 mm),
the adhesion properties on a
wet road are sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather
and/or road surface (condi
tions), the tire traction varies
widely.
Specified tire pressures must be
maintained. This applies parti
cularly if the tires are subjected to
high loads (e.g. high speeds,
heavy loads, high ambient
temperatures).
arning!
Do not drive with a flat tire. A
flat tire affects the ability to
steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the car.
Continued driving with a flat
tire or driving at high speed
with a flat tire will cause ex
cessive heat build-up and
possibly a fire.
Aquaplaning
epending on the depth of the
water layer on the road, aqua
planing may occur, even at low
speeds and with new tires. Reduce
vehicle speed, avoid track grooves
in the road and apply brakes
cautiously in the rain.
18