Fuses with an "s" suffix in fuse box
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 4
2012 C250, 2016 C300, 2013 GL350
Fuses with an "s" suffix in fuse box
OK so I'm completely stumped. The GL Owner's Manual explicitly states that we can't use fuses without the suffix "s" if the fuse is located under the hood or in the fuse box under the rear bench seat. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE between a regular everyday fuse from Auto Zone and the one with the "s" on the end of it?!?! I've scoured the Internet high and low and can't find an answer. Does anyone know? Auto Zone was stumped too! Here's a pic:
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 187
From: TX
2023 GLE3502W, 2024 GLC3002W, 1967 Pontiac GTO 4 sp (sold...sniff)
I think I saw this in another thread. They are silver plated to resist corrosion. But I have been wrong before. And like you I can't find them anywhere. BTW, I never noticed any of the fuses under the seat of my ML350 had an "s" on them. But the photo in this thread shows a similar '14 ML with the s. Scroll down to post 4. A mystery....
https://mbworld.org/forums/new-m-cla...itch-help.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/new-m-cla...itch-help.html
Last edited by pjw1967; Feb 26, 2017 at 10:07 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 187
From: TX
2023 GLE3502W, 2024 GLC3002W, 1967 Pontiac GTO 4 sp (sold...sniff)
Found the thread but it still doesn't tell us where we can buy. MB parts counter, ask for "Fritz"?
https://mbworld.org/forums/c43-amg-c...urus-here.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c43-amg-c...urus-here.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 187
From: TX
2023 GLE3502W, 2024 GLC3002W, 1967 Pontiac GTO 4 sp (sold...sniff)
Doesn't show an "s" on it but says genuine MB part. For $11.50 it better be "plated" with something....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Merc...RYa9Zy&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Merc...RYa9Zy&vxp=mtr
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 4
2012 C250, 2016 C300, 2013 GL350
I think I saw this in another thread. They are silver plated to resist corrosion. But I have been wrong before. And like you I can't find them anywhere. BTW, I never noticed any of the fuses under the seat of my ML350 had an "s" on them. But the photo in this thread shows a similar '14 ML with the s. Scroll down to post 4. A mystery....
https://mbworld.org/forums/new-m-cla...itch-help.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/new-m-cla...itch-help.html
The fuse in the pic is blown (my fault while hooking up a trailer brake controller). I did notice that every single fuse in the box does have an "s" suffix on them.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 1,117
A gaggle of MB's
Well... actually the "S" that you are seeing means "slow acting"..
Yes, the MB fuse is silver-plated allow rather than nickel to prevent electrolysis.
90%+ of auto fuses are fact-acting/standard... 10% of the car manufacturers incl Mercedes have specific Slow-acting fuse circuits/fuses.. as indicated by the S
No one I know off has encountered a specific problem using off-the-shelf Fast acting replacement.. best to keep a spare handy..
Yes, the MB fuse is silver-plated allow rather than nickel to prevent electrolysis.
90%+ of auto fuses are fact-acting/standard... 10% of the car manufacturers incl Mercedes have specific Slow-acting fuse circuits/fuses.. as indicated by the S
No one I know off has encountered a specific problem using off-the-shelf Fast acting replacement.. best to keep a spare handy..
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 4
2012 C250, 2016 C300, 2013 GL350
Well... actually the "S" that you are seeing means "slow acting"..
Yes, the MB fuse is silver-plated allow rather than nickel to prevent electrolysis.
90%+ of auto fuses are fact-acting/standard... 10% of the car manufacturers incl Mercedes have specific Slow-acting fuse circuits/fuses.. as indicated by the S
No one I know off has encountered a specific problem using off-the-shelf Fast acting replacement.. best to keep a spare handy..
Yes, the MB fuse is silver-plated allow rather than nickel to prevent electrolysis.
90%+ of auto fuses are fact-acting/standard... 10% of the car manufacturers incl Mercedes have specific Slow-acting fuse circuits/fuses.. as indicated by the S
No one I know off has encountered a specific problem using off-the-shelf Fast acting replacement.. best to keep a spare handy..
I will probably use the off-the-shelf fuse for now and pick up an "s" fuse at the dealer next time I'm in.
Thanks again.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 187
From: TX
2023 GLE3502W, 2024 GLC3002W, 1967 Pontiac GTO 4 sp (sold...sniff)
Went to O'Reilly's and Radio Shack. None of the prepacked Littlefuse blades had the "s". Counter guy didn't know what I was talking about and wasn't very interested. Went to RS who had drawers full of fuses, some marked "slow acting". Aha! But no go as well. Mostly they were old style glass, no blades. Will be near the MB dealer this week so will pop in to see the parts guys.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 187
From: TX
2023 GLE3502W, 2024 GLC3002W, 1967 Pontiac GTO 4 sp (sold...sniff)
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 4
2012 C250, 2016 C300, 2013 GL350
So I went to the dealership and rolled right up into the service bay. I explained I wasn't here for service, but had blown a 30A fuse. The service manager walked back into the shop and returned with one in a few minutes. They just happened to be working on an S Class that was having a wiring harness being replaced, so he had a bunch of fuses sitting there. The fuse had an "S" on it.
I asked more about the "S". He said when they order them in bulk from Mercedes, sometimes they don't have an "s", but they are still "slow acting". When I asked what would happen if you replaced it with a "normal" fuse, I got a shoulder shrug and a "probably nothing". He advised I order some extras from the parts counter.
I asked more about the "S". He said when they order them in bulk from Mercedes, sometimes they don't have an "s", but they are still "slow acting". When I asked what would happen if you replaced it with a "normal" fuse, I got a shoulder shrug and a "probably nothing". He advised I order some extras from the parts counter.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 187
From: TX
2023 GLE3502W, 2024 GLC3002W, 1967 Pontiac GTO 4 sp (sold...sniff)
So I went to the dealership and rolled right up into the service bay. I explained I wasn't here for service, but had blown a 30A fuse. The service manager walked back into the shop and returned with one in a few minutes. They just happened to be working on an S Class that was having a wiring harness being replaced, so he had a bunch of fuses sitting there. The fuse had an "S" on it.
I asked more about the "S". He said when they order them in bulk from Mercedes, sometimes they don't have an "s", but they are still "slow acting". When I asked what would happen if you replaced it with a "normal" fuse, I got a shoulder shrug and a "probably nothing". He advised I order some extras from the parts counter.
I asked more about the "S". He said when they order them in bulk from Mercedes, sometimes they don't have an "s", but they are still "slow acting". When I asked what would happen if you replaced it with a "normal" fuse, I got a shoulder shrug and a "probably nothing". He advised I order some extras from the parts counter.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 5
From: Missouri
W211-E55 AMG & x166-GL550
Had a similar issue with a blown fuse.
My Service Advisor said the "S" is for silver based fuses vs tin/nickel.
Apparently it has more to do with the voltage / amperage sensitivity precision than anything.
He said I'd probably be ok with temporarily using a non"S" fuse, but recommended for the overall health of the electrical system, I get an "S" fuse installed as soon as I could.
Of course, he had a few in stock for about $3.50 each
My Service Advisor said the "S" is for silver based fuses vs tin/nickel.
Apparently it has more to do with the voltage / amperage sensitivity precision than anything.
He said I'd probably be ok with temporarily using a non"S" fuse, but recommended for the overall health of the electrical system, I get an "S" fuse installed as soon as I could.
Of course, he had a few in stock for about $3.50 each
