2000 MERCEDES-BENZ S430 esp off

3 ContentsParcel net in trunk ........................204
Telephone, general ........................205
Garage door opener .......................206
Infrared reflecting
windshield ................................. 210
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 212
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 213
Maintenance ................................... 213
Tele Aid ........................................... 214
Catalytic converter ........................224
Emission control ............................225
Starter switch .................................226
Starter switch –
KEYLESS-GO ..............................228
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 231Automatic transmission ............... 233
Parking brake ................................ 242
Driving instructions ...................... 243
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ....... 243
Drinking and driving ................ 243
Pedals .......................................... 243
Power assistance ........................ 244
Brakes .......................................... 244
Driving off ................................... 245
Parking ........................................ 246
Tires ............................................. 247
Snow chains ............................... 249
Winter driving instructions ..... 250
Block heater ................................ 251
Deep water .................................. 252
Passenger compartment ........... 252
Traveling abroad ........................ 252
Cruise control ................................ 253
Distronic (DTR) .............................. 256Brake assist system
(BAS) ........................................... 271
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................272
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 274
Active body control (ABC) ............278
Level control system
for vehicles
with Airmatic system ...............279
Level control system
for vehicles
with Active Body Control
(ABC) ..........................................280
Ad aptive da mping system
(ADS) ...........................................283
Parking assist (Parktronic) ..........285
What you should know
at the gas station .......................290
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................293

4 Contents
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the
instrument cluster ....................296
On-board diagnostic system .....296
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................296
Brake warning lamp ..................298
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS)
indicator lamp .............................299
Fuel reserve warning .................299
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................300
Electronic stability
program (ESP) —
warning lamp ..............................301
Distronic (DTR) –
warning lamp ..............................301
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp ..............................302Malfunction and
indicator lamp in the
center console ........................... 302
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .... 302
Malfunction and
warning messages in the
multifunction display .............. 303
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................ 304
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR .......... 305
ENTRANCE POSITION .............. 306
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 306
BRAKE LINING WEAR .............. 307
BRAKE FLUID ............................ 307
PARKING BRAKE ....................... 308
TRUNK OPEN ............................. 308
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability
program) ..................................... 309
COOLANT (coolant level) .......... 310
COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................ 311LIGHTING SYSTEM .................... 312
LIGHT SENSOR ........................... 314
ACTIV E BO DY CO NTROL
(ABC) ............................................ 314
TIRE PRESSURE ......................... 316
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 318
CRUISE CONTROL ..................... 319
KEY ............................................... 319
DOOR ...........................................320
HOOD ...........................................320
TELE AID .....................................321
OIL TEMP.
(engine oil temperature) ...........321
CHIP-CARD (KEYLESS-GO) ......322
SELECTOR LEVER ......................323
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION .......323
WASHER FLUID .........................324
AIR SPRING (AirMatic) .............325
DISTRONIC (DTR) ......................326

7 IntroductionProduct information
Kindly observe the following in your own best interest:
We recommend using Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts and accessories
explicitly approved by us for your vehicle model.
We have tested these parts to determine their reliability, safety and their special
suitability for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
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 exist. 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 authorized Mercedes-Benz Center where you will receive comprehensive information, also on
permissible technical modifications, and where proper installation will be performed.

99 Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
• Adjust the front passenger seat as far as
possible rearward from the dashboard when
the seat is occupied.• Occupants, especially children, should never
lean their heads in the area of the door where
the side airbag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should the airbag be
triggered. Always sit upright, properly use the
seatbelts and appropriate size infant or child
restraint system• Children 12 years old and under must never
ride in the front seat, except in a
Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat, which operates with the
BabySmart
TM system installed in the vehicle to
deactivate the passenger-side front airbag
when it is properly installed. Otherwise they
will be struck by the airbag when it inflates in
a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal injury
can result.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe injuries to you or other occupants.
Wa r n i n g !
Accident research shows that the safest place for
children in an automobile is in the rear seat.
Should you choose to place a child 12 years old or
under in the front passenger seat of your vehicle,
you must properly use a BabySmart
TM child
restraint which will turn off the passenger side
front airbag. BabySmart
TM will not, however, turn
off the vehicle’s side impact airbag.
It should be noted that with respect to both front
and rear side impact airbags there is a possibility
for a side airbag related injury if occupants,
especially children, are not properly seated or
restrained when next to a side airbag which needs
to deploy rapidly in a side impact in order to do its
job.To help avoid the possibility of injury, please follow
these guidelines: (1) occupants, especially
children, should never place their bodies or lean
their heads in the area of the door where the side
airbag inflates. This could result in serious
injuries or death should the side airbag be
activated; (2) always sit upright, properly use the
seat belts and use an appropriately sized infant or
child restraint system for all children 12 years old
or under; and (3) always wear seat belts properly.

157 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Headlamp mode (HEADLAMPS)
(USA only)
The headlamps can be switched on and off manually or
automatically, or switched to daytime running lamp
mode.
Manual operation:
The low beam headlamps, parking lamps and license
plate lamps can be switched on and off with the exterior
lamp switch. For exterior lamp switch, see above.Automatic operation:
With electronic key in starter switch in position 1 turn
exterior lamp switch to positionU.
The parking lamps switch on and off automatically
depending on the brightness of the ambient light.
With the engine running and exterior lamp switch in
positionU:
The low beam headlamps, parking lamps and license
plate lamps are switched on and off automatically
depending on the brightness of the ambient light.
The low beam headlamps, parking lamps and license
plate lamps can still be switched on and off manually
using the exterior lamp switch.
Note:
The headlamps will not be automatically switched on
under foggy conditions.
Wa r n i n g !
The driver is responsible for the operation of the
vehicle’s lights at all times. The automatic
headlamp feature is only an aid to the driver.
Switch on the vehicle lights by hand when driving
or traffic conditions require you to do so.

173 Automatic climate control
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Economy mode
The function of this setting corresponds to the
automatic mode. However, because the air conditioning
compressor will not engage (fuel savings), it is not
possible to air condition in this setting.Press S button to activate. The indicator lamp in the
button illuminates.
Press S button once again to return to the previous
setting.
Important!
In the S mode the windows could fog up on the
inside. Switch off S mode.

188 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
To prevent the vehicle battery from being discharged
with doors open, all interior lamps switch off after
approximately 5 minutes.
6Interior lamps, front:
Press rocker switch in to switch front interior and
reading lamps on. The front interior lighting stays
on while the rocker switch is pressed in.
Switching off the front interior lighting:
Press rocker switch to position (4) or (5).Rear reading lamp
7The rear reading lamps (9) are switched on and off
individually with a switch (8) in the respective
lamp.
P68.00-0758-2698
8
7

211 Contents - Driving
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 212
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 213
Maintenance ................................... 213
Tele Aid ........................................... 214
Catalytic converter ........................224
Emission control ............................225
Starter switch .................................226
Starter switch –
KEYLESS-GO ..............................228
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 231
Automatic transmission ...............233
Parking brake .................................242Driving instructions ...................... 243
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ....... 243
Drinking and driving ................ 243
Pedals .......................................... 243
Power assistance ........................ 244
Brakes .......................................... 244
Driving off ................................... 245
Parking ........................................ 246
Tires ............................................. 247
Snow chains ............................... 249
Winter driving instructions ..... 250
Block heater ................................ 251
Deep water .................................. 252
Passenger compartment ........... 252
Traveling abroad ........................ 252
Cruise control ................................ 253
Distronic (DTR) .............................. 256
Brake assist system
(BAS) ...........................................271Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................272
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 274
Active body control (ABC) ............278
Level control system
for vehicles
with Airmatic system ...............279
Level control system
for vehicles
with Active Body Control
(ABC) ..........................................280
Ad aptive da mping system
(ADS) ...........................................283
Parking assist (Parktronic) ..........285
What you should know
at the gas station .......................290
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................293