2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E430 airbag

1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 7
Operator’s manual ............................. 8
Where to find it ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Center console .............................. 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21OperationVehicle 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 .......................... 33Panic 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 ................... 43
Tow-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 ........................... 61BabySmart
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 .............................................. 70
Safety 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

4 Contents
AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp .............................238
Malfunction and warning
messages in the
multifunction display ...............239
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................240
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR ......... 241
ABS-SYSTEM ...............................242
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................242
BRAKE LINING WEAR ..............243
BRAKE FLUID .............................243
PARKING BRAKE .......................244
ENGINE FAN ...............................244
COOLANT (coolant level) ..........245
COOLANT TEMP. ........................246
LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................247
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................248
REMOVE KEY .............................248
TELE AID .....................................249
STEERING GEAR OIL .................249
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ...................250
WASHER FLUID .......................... 251
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program) ..252
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 ........ 263
Spare 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 .................................... 269Changing wheels ........................... 271
Tire inflation pressure .................. 276
Battery .............................................277
Jump starting ..................................279
Towing the vehicle .........................282
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ..................284
Exterior 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

19 Instruments and controls
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Parking assist warning indicators, see page 226
2Side defroster outlet
3Side air outlet, adjustable
4Air volume control for side air outlet
5Exterior lamp switch, see page 119
6Parking brake release, see page 202
7Hood lock release, see page 257
8Combination switch, see page 122
9Cruise control switch, see page 212
10Instrument cluster, see page 86
11Multifunction steering wheel, see page 92
Horn (with electronic key in steering lock
position 1 or 2),
Airbag, see page 70
12Steering lock with ignition / starter switch, see
page 190
13Voice recognition system switch, see separate
operating instructions
14Center air outlets, adjustable15Air volume control for center air outlets
16Left front seat heater switch, see page 55
Left front seat ventilation switch, see page 58
17Headlamp washer switch, see page 121
18Rear seat head restraints switch, see page 53
19Hazard warning f lasher switch, see page 125
20Central locking switch, see page 37
21Tow-away alarm switch, see page 45
Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system, see
page 43
22Right front seat heater switch, see page 55
Right front seat ventilation switch, see page 58
23Glove box (illuminated with electronic key in
steering lock position 1 or 2)
24Automatic climate control, see page 126
Rear window defroster switch
Activated charcoal filter switch
25Audio system, see page 135
26Storage / eyeglasses compartment

20 Instruments and controls
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console 1Ashtray with lighter, see page 166
2ESP control switch, see page 220
3Power window switches, front doors, see page 154
4Power window safety switch, rear doors, see
page 154
5Airbag Off indicator lamp, see page 238
6Power window switches, rear doors, see page 154
7Parktronic system deactivation switch, see page 228
8Trunk lid release switch, see page 41
9Mirror adjustment switch, see page 82
10Rear window sunshade switch, see page 160
356
643
1
7
9
10
8
2
P68.20-2279-27

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

50 Seats
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Recalling positions from memory
To recall a seat / head restraint / steering wheel and
exterior rear view mirror position, push and hold
position button “1”, “2” or “3” until seat / head restraint /
steering wheel and exterior rear view mirror movement
has stopped. The seat / head restraint / steering wheel
and exterior rear view mirror movement stops when the
position button is released.
Caution!
Do not operate the power seats using the memory
button if the seat backrest is in an excessively reclined
position. Doing so could cause damage to front or rear
seats.
First move the backrest to an upright position.Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should adjust
the seat height for proper vision as well as fore / aft
placement and backrest angle to ensure adequate
control, reach, operation, and comfort. The head
restraint should also be adjusted for proper height. See
also airbag section for proper seat positioning.
In addition, also adjust the steering wheel to ensure
adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort.
Both the inside and outside rear view mirrors should be
adjusted for adequate rearward vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be
seated in a properly secured restraint system that
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Stand ard 213.1.
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and rear view
mirror adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.

51 Seats
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Wa r n i n g !
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 t hey will be stru ck by t he airbag wh en it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury can result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in the back
seats and be seated in an appropriate infant or
child restraint system, which is properly secured
with the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance
with the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is
not properly secured in the child restraint.

60 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Seat belts and integrated restraint system
Your vehicle is equipped with seat belts for all seats,
emergency tensioning retractors for all outboard seat
belts, dual front airbags, door mounted side impact
airbags and head protective window curtain airbags.
Their protective functions are designed to complement
one another.
Seat belts
Important
Laws in most states and all Canadian provinces require
seat belt use.
All states and provinces require use of child restraints
that comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213.
All child restraint systems are designed to be secured in
vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a lap-
shoulder belt.
For your safety and that of your passengers we strongly
recommend their use.
Wa r n i n g !
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
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 will result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in back seats
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child
restraint system, which is properly secured with
the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is
not properly secured in the child restraint.