Surprising Agility

At 17 feet long, the S550 is obviously a large car, but it doesn't feel the least bit ponderous from the driver's seat. It's pretty easy to maneuver through heavy, fast-moving highway traffic and feels rock-solid doing so, like nothing's going to move it off its line.

The big Benz also delivers a comfortable ride. An adaptive air suspension is standard on the S550, and it gives the sedan load-leveling capability as well as a lower ride height when traveling fast.

The sedan's size is most noticeable when you maneuver in tight spaces. Fortunately, there are a number of optional features that can lessen your chances of scuffing one of the bumpers, like front and rear parking sensors and a backup camera. Even with such aids, though, the S-Class can still sometimes feel like a giant when parking.

    See also:

    Cleaning the wheels
    WARNING Do not use power washers with circular-jet nozzles (dirt grinders) to clean your vehicle, in particular the tires. You could otherwise damage the tires and cause an accident. ...

    Problems with fuel and the fuel tank
    Problem Possible causes/consequences and Solutions Fuel is leaking from the vehicle. Risk of explosion or fireThe fuel line or the fuel tank is defective. Turn the ...

    Refrigerant of the air-conditioning system
    The air-conditioning system is filled with R134a refrigerant and a special PAG lubricant. Never use refrigerant R 12 (CFC) or mineral lubricants. Otherwise, you could damage the air-conditioni ...