2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E430 all

10 Introduction
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 USA)
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada)
will be answered by Mercedes-Benz Client 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 Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, or simply call the Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance Center (in the USA) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer Service (in Canada) at 1-800-387-0100. It is in your own interest that we can
contact you should the need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all literature with the vehicle to make it available to the next operator.
If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to send in the “Notice of Purchase of Used Car” found in the Service and
Warranty Information Booklet, or call the Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance Center (in the USA) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer Service (in Canada) at 1-800-387-0100.

13 IntroductionWhere to find it
The Operator’s Manual is divided into eight sections:
• Instruments and controls: An overview of all the controls that can be operated from the driver’s seat.
•Operation: Information on the vehicle’s equipment and its operation.
•Driving: Important information on driving.
• Instrument cluster display: Displays and indicator lamps on the instrument cluster with brief instructions.
• Practical hints: Assistance and instructions in the event of an emergency.
• Car care: Instructions on caring for your vehicle.
• Technical data: All the important technical data for your vehicle as well as consumer information such as fuels,
coolants, lubricants etc. is contained here.
•Index: Key terms to help you find a topic quickly.
Other documents may also be supplied, depending on your vehicle’s equipment.
Explanation of color used:
Warning notices for the protection of yourself and
others appear on red background.

15 Introduction
For the USA only:
The following text is published as required of manufacturers under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal Regulations,
Part 575 pursuant to the “National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966”.Reporting Safety Defects
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or
death, you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) in addition to notifying Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety
defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA
cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your retailer, or Mercedes-Benz USA,
LLC.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393
(or 366-0123 in Washington, D.C. area) or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation,
Washington, D.C. 20590. You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from
the Hotline.

21 Instruments and controls
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Overhead control panel 1Interior lighting, see page 159
2Sliding / pop-up roof, see page 156
3Rear view mirror, see page 82
4Garage door opener, see page 171
5Tele Aid (emergency call system), see page 178
6Hands free microphone for Tele Aid, telephone and
voice recognition system
5
6

22 Contents - Operation
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 24
Start lock-out .................................... 27
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 28
Central locking system ................... 29
Radio frequency and
infrared remote control ............... 29
Opening the trunk ....................... 32
Opening and closing
windows and sliding/pop-up
roof from outside .......................... 33
Panic button .................................. 34
Mechanical keys ........................... 34
Doors .................................................. 35
Central locking switch .................... 37
Automatic central locking .............. 38
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 38
Trunk ................................................. 39
Trunk lid release switch ................. 41
Trunk lid emergency release ......... 42
Antitheft alarm system ................... 43Tow-away alarm ............................... 45
Power seats front ............................. 46
Front seat head restraints .............. 52
Rear seat head restraints ............... 53
Multicontour seat ............................ 54
Seat heater ........................................ 55
Seat ventilation ................................ 58
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 60
Seat belts .......................................... 60
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ........................... 61
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system ................... 67
Self-test BabySmart
TM
without special child
seat installed ................................ 67
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ............................... 68
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................ 69
Airbags .............................................. 70Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag .................................... 76
Infant and child
restraint systems ......................... 78
Steering wheel adjustment ............ 81
Rear view mirrors ............................ 82
Instrument cluster ........................... 86
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................. 92
Trip and main odometer,
FSS and engine oil
level display ................................. 96
Audio systems .................................. 97
Radio .............................................. 97
CD player ....................................... 98
Cassette player ............................. 99
Telephone ........................................ 100
Telephone book .......................... 100
Redialing ..................................... 102
Incoming call .............................. 104
Navigation system .......................... 105
Trip computer ................................. 106

25 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Electronic main key
The electronic main key has an integrated radio
frequency and infrared remote control, plus removable
mechanical key.
The remote control (1) operates all locks on the vehicle.
The mechanical key (2) works only in the driver’s door,
trunk, and storage compartment locks.When using the mechanical key (2) for lock operations,
it can be removed by sliding it out of the remote control.
To do so, move locking tab (3) to the right and slide the
mechanical key (2) in direction of arrow (4).
The remote control transmitter is located in the
electronic main key.
The infrared receivers are located in the front door
handles.
Note:
Remove the mechanical key from the electronic main
key w hen u sing vale t pa rk ing service. To prevent ac cess
to trunk or storage compartments lock them separately
and retain the mechanical key.
See page 39 for separate locking of trunk and page 163
for locking of glove box.
P80.35-2031-26
1
3
4
2

26 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Electronic reserve key
The electronic reserve key is without remote control
functions, but with removable mechanical key.The electronic reserve key (1) works only in the steering
lock. There are no batteries inside the electronic reserve
ke y.
The mechanical key (2) works only in the driver’s door,
trunk (tailgate), and storage compartment locks.
To use the mechanical key (2), remove it from its
electronic reserve key (1).
Note:
We recommend that you carry the electronic reserve
key plus mechanical key with you and keep it in a safe
place (e.g. your wallet) so that it is always handy. Never
leave the electronic reserve key in the vehicle.
P80.35-2036-26
1

27 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Obtaining replacement keys
Your vehicle is equipped with a theft deterrent locking
system requiring a special key manufacturing process.
For security reasons, replacement keys can only be
obtained from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Start lock-out
Important!
Removing the electronic key from the steering lock
activates the start lock-out. The engine cannot be
started.
Inserting the electronic key in the steering lock
deactivates the start lock-out.
Note:
In case the engine cannot be started (vehicle’s battery is
in order), the system is not operational. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call 1-800-FOR-
MERCedes (in the USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).