2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E430 Start engine

201 Automatic transmission
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index WWinter / Wet (snow and ice) mode
Press switch on symbol “W”. The vehicle starts
out in 2nd gear, except with selector lever in 1st
gear, or with accelerator pedal in kick-down
position.
The “W” mode helps to improve traction and
driving stability of the vehicle.
The gear shifting process occurs at lower vehicle
and engine speeds than in the “S” program mode.
Caution!
Never change the program mode when the selector lever
is out of position “P”. It could result in a change of
driving characteristics for which you may not be
prepared.
Important!
Always be certain of the program mode selected since
the vehicle driving characteristics change with the
selection of the program mode.
Dependent on the program mode selector switch
position “S” or “W” and the gear selector lever in
position “R”, the ratio of power transmission changes.Emergency operation
(Limp home mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the transmission no
longer shifts, the transmission is most likely operating
in Limp Home Mode which engages when there is a
malfunction of the transmission. This condition may be
accompanied by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster coming on.
In this mode only the 2nd gear or reverse gear can be
activated.
To engage 2nd gear or reverse:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Move selector lever to position “P”.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Move sel ector lever to position “D” (for 2nd gear), or
move selector lever to position “R” (for reverse gear).
Have the transmission checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

210 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
•Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil
which is not approved for winter operation. For
viscosity (SAE / CCMC class) and filling quantity,
see page 318.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion / antifreeze
concentration.
•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a
premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze
which is formulated for below freezing
temperatures, see page 263.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low
ambient temperatures.•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.
Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
antilock brake system (ABS) or electronic stability
program (ESP) can only be achieved with M+S rated
radial-ply tires and / or snow chains recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
Block heater (for Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

213 Driving systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 3Canceling
To cancel the cruise control, brief ly push lever to
position 3.
When you step on the brake pedal or the vehicle
speed drops below approximately 25 mph (40 km /
h), for example when driving upgrade, the cruise
control will be canceled.
If the cruise control cancels by itself and remains
inoperative until the engine is restarted, have the
system checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
4Resume
If the lever is briefly pushed to position 4 when
driving at a speed exceeding approximately 25 mph
(40 km / h), the vehicle resumes the speed which
was set prior to the cancellation of the cruise
control. The last memorized speed is canceled when
the electronic key in the steering lock is turned to
position 1 or 0.Important!
Moving gear selector lever to position “N” switches the
cruise control off.
Wa r n i n g !
Only use the cruise control if the traffic and
weather conditions make it advisable to travel at a
steady speed.
• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on
winding roads or in heavy traffic because
conditions do not allow safe driving at a steady
speed.• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. Rapid changes in tire adhesion
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.The “Resume” function should only be operated if
the driver is fully aware of the previously set speed
and wishes to resume this particular preset speed.

220 Driving systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Electronic stability program (ESP)
The ESP enhances directional control and reduces
driving wheel spin of the vehicle under various driving
conditions.
Over / understeering of the vehicle is counteracted by
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel to create a
countervailing vehicle movement. Engine torque is also
limited. The ESP warning lamp, located in the
speedometer dial, starts to flash when ESP is in
operation.Important!
If the ESP warning lampv flashes:
•During take-off apply as little throttle as possible.
•While driving ease up on the accelerator.
•Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
•Do not switch off the ESP.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (see
page 282), the engine must be shut off (electronic key in
steering lock position 0 or 1). Otherwise, the ESP will
immediately be engaged and will apply the rear wheel
brakes.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded. The ESP cannot prevent
accidents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, or aquaplaning. Only a safe,
at tentive, and ski llful driver can prevent ac cidents.
The capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.

224 Parking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Parking assist (Parktronic)
(optional)
The Parktronic system assists the driver during parking
maneuvers. It visually and audibly indicates the
distance between the vehicle and an obstacle.
The front area of the vehicle is monitored when driving
forward. When reversing, the front as well as the rear
areas are monitored.
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2,
Parktronic engages automatically at speeds up to
approximately 10 mph (15 km / h) and deactivates
during higher speeds.
Parktronic can be switched off by a control switch
located in the center console. It engages automatically
again when starting the engine.
See page 228 for parktronic switch.
Wa r n i n g !
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is not
intended to nor does it replace the need for extreme
care. The responsibility during parking and other
critical maneuvers rests always with the driver.Special attention must be paid to objects having
smooth surfaces or low silhouettes (e.g. trailer
couplings, painted posts, or street curbs). Such
objects may not be detected by the system and can
damage the vehicle.The operational function of the Parktronic can be
affected by dirty sensors, especially at times of
snow and ice. See page 303 for notes on cleaning
the parktronic system sensors.Interference caused by other ultrasonic signals
(e.g. working jackhammers or the air brakes of
trucks) can cause the system to send erratic
indications, and should be taken into
consideration.

236 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) indicator lamp
The operational readiness of the airbag
system is verified by the indicator lamp
“SRS” in the instrument cluster when
turning the electronic key in steering lock to position 1
or 2. If no malfunction is detected, the lamp will go out
after approximately 4 seconds; after the lamp goes out,
the system continues to monitor the components and
circuitry of the airbag system and will indicate a
malfunction by coming on again.
See page 70 for notes on airbags, see page 69 for belt
tensioners and page 60 for infant and child seat
restraint.Fuel reserve and fuel cap placement warning
When the warning lamp (1) comes on after starting the
engine, or if it comes on while driving, it indicates that
the fuel level is down to the reserve quantity of
approximately 2.6 gal (10 liters).
The warning lamp blinks when the fuel cap is not
closed, or a fuel system leak has been detected.
Retighten cap and see if lamp goes out after restart and
next OBD selfcheck.
If the warning lamp continues to blink after closing the
fuel cap correctly, have the fuel system checked at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open can
also cau se t he “CHECK EN GINE” la mp to il lum inate, see
page 234.
Wa r n i n g !
In t he event a malfu nction of th e “SRS” is indic ated
as outlined above, the “SRS” may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly
recommend that you visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have the
system checked; otherwise the “SRS” may not be
activated when needed in an accident, which could
result in serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy
unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could also
result in injury.SRS
1
N54.30-2756-21

247 Malfunction and warning messages
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index LIGHTING SYSTEMWhen the message appears after starting the engine, or
if it come on while driving, this indicates a failure in the
parking lamp, taillamp, stop lamp, or low beam
headlamp. See page 285 for instructions on replacing
bulbs.
If an exterior lamp fails, the message will appear only
when that lamp is switched on.
If a brake lamp fails, the message will appear when
applying the brake and stays on until the engine is
turned off.
Note:
If additional lighting is installed (e.g. auxiliary
headlamps etc.) be certain to connect into the fuse
before the failure indicator monitoring unit order to
avoid damaging the system.
Line 1 Line 2
LAMP DEFECTIVE CHECK LAMPS!
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!

253 Contents - Practical hints
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................254
Stowing things in the vehicle ......254
Fuses ................................................255
Hood .................................................257
Checking engine oil level .............260
Automatic transmission
fluid level ................................... 261
Coolant level ................................... 261
Adding coolant ...........................262
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ...........................263
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio .........263Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ............... 264
Vehicle jack .................................... 265
Wheels ............................................ 266
Tire replacement ....................... 266
Rotating wheels ......................... 267
Spare wheel .................................... 268
Spare wheel bolts ...................... 268
Spare wheel .................................... 269
Changing wheels ............................271
Tire inflation pressure ..................276
Battery ............................................. 277
Jump starting ................................. 279
Towing the vehicle ........................ 282
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ................. 284Exterior lamps ................................285
Headlamp assembly ...................286
Taillamp assemblies ..................289
Changing batteries in the
electronic main key .................. 291
Synchronizing
remote control ............................293
Emergency engine
shut-down ..................................293
Rear seat cushion ..........................294
Emergency operation of
sliding / pop-up roof .................295
Manual release for
fuel filler flap .............................296
Replacing wiper blade insert .......296
Trunk lamp .....................................298
Roof rack .........................................298