2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E430 heating controls

55 Seats
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Seat heater
The seat heaters can be switched on with the electronic
key in steering lock positions 1 or 2.Notes:
When in operation, the seat heater consumes a large
amount of electrical power. It is not advisable to use the
seat heater longer than necessary.
The seat heaters may automatically switch off if too
many power consumers are switched on at the same
time, or if the battery charge is low. When this occurs,
the indicator lamp in the switch will blink (both
indicator lamps blink during rapid seat heating mode).
The seat heaters will switch on again automatically as
soon as sufficient voltage is available.
If the blinking of the indicator lamps is distracting to
you, the seat heaters can be switched off.

56 Seats
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Vehicles without seat ventilation
The front seat heater switches are located in the center
console.Press switch to turn on seat heater:
1Normal seat heating mode. One indicator lamp in
the switch lights up.
2Rapid seat heating mode. Both indicator lamps in
the switch light up.
After approximately 5 minutes in the rapid seat
heating mode, the seat heater automatically
switches to normal operation and only one indicator
lamp will stay on.
Turning off seat heater:
If one indicator lamp is on, press upper half of switch.
If both indicator lamps are on, press lower half of
switch.
If left on, the seat heater automatically turns off after
approximately 30 minutes of operation.
P54.25-2036-26
12

57 Seats
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Vehicles with seat ventilation
The front seat heater switches are located in the center
console.Rapid heating mode:
Press button (3) once.
Both red indicator lamps above the button light up.
The system switches over to normal heating mode
automatically after approximately 5 minutes.
Normal heating mode:
Press button (3) twice.
One red indicator lamp above the button lights up.
The seat heater will be automatically switched off after
approximately 30 minutes.
Turning off the heater:
Press the button (3) again.
The indicator lamps go out. The seat heater is switched
off.

132 Automatic climate control
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Activated charcoal filter
An activated charcoal filter markedly reduces bad odors
and removes pollutants from the air entering the
passenger compartment.
To select, press e button.
To cancel, press e button again.
The blower speed is slightly increased to supply a
constant volume of air.
The system switches automatically to the air
recirculation mode, if the carbon monoxide (CO) or
nitric oxide (NO
X) of the outside air increases beyond a
predetermined level.
When pressing button P or S, the filter is also
switched off.
Notes:
The automatic air recirculation does not function when
selecting the Economy mode S, or the outside
temperature is below 45°F (7°C).
The activated charcoal filter should be switched off
when windows fog up on the inside, or if the passenger
compartment needs to be quickly heated or cooled
down.Residual engine heat utilization
With the engine switched off, it is possible to continue
heating the interior for a short while.
Air volume and distribution are controlled
automatically.
To select:
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 0 or
rem ove electronic key. Close a ir outlet in rear passenge r
compartment.
Press T button.
This function selection will not activate if the battery
charge level is insufficient.
To c a n c e l :
Press T button.
The system will automatically shut off
•If you turn electronic key in steering lock to
position 2,
•after approximately 30 minutes,
•if the battery voltage drops.

133 Automatic climate control
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Front center console
compartment ventilation
The front center console compartment has its own air
outlet.
To o pen :
Push lever down.
To cl os e:
Push lever up.
The air volume is dependent on the setting of the
•air volume control
•air distribution control
•air outlets in the dashboard and rear passenger
compartment.
The air temperature is about the same as that of the
dashboard air outlets. It cannot be regulated separately.Note:
The compartment can get very warm due to its confined
space. When storing heat sensitive objects in the
compartment, close the air outlet while heating the
passenger compartment.
Also, do not obstruct the air outlet.

168 Interior equipment
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Lighter
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2.
Push in lighter (1); it will pop out automatically when
hot.The lighter socket can be used to accommodate
electrical accessories up to maximum 85 W.
Wa r n i n g !
Never touch the heating element or sides of the
lighter, they are extremely hot, hold at knob only.When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with access
to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle
equipment may cause serious personal injury.

204 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power assistance
BrakesThe condition of the parking brake system is checked
each time the vehicle is in the shop for the required
maintenance service.
If the parking brake is released and the brake warning
lamp in the instrument cluster stays on, the brake f luid
level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may be the
reason for low brake f luid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Al l checks and service work on the brake system shoul d
be carried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid recommended by
Mercedes-Benz.
Wa r n i n g !
When the engine is not running, the brake and
steering systems are without power assistance.
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort is
necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.Wa r n i n g !
After driving in heavy rain for some time without
applying the brakes or through water deep enough
to wet brake components, the first braking action
may be somewhat reduced and increased pedal
pressure may be necessary to obtain expected
braking effect. Be sure to maintain a safe distance
from vehicles in front.Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.It can also result in the brakes overheating thereby
significantly reducing their effectiveness. It may
not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time
to avoid an accident.
Wa r n i n g !
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake fluid
is used, t he braking properties of th e vehic le can be
degraded to an extent that safe braking is
substantially impaired. This could result in an
accident.

205 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Caution!
When driving down long and steep grades, relieve the
load on the brakes by shifting into a lower gear to use
the engine’s braking power. This helps prevent
overheating of the brakes and reduces brake pad wear.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive on for some
time, rather than immediately parking, so the air stream
will cool down the brakes faster.
Driving off
Apply the service brakes to test them briefly after
driving off. Perform this procedure only when the road
is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not place full load on
the engine until the operating temperature has been
reached.
W hen sta rting of f on a sl ippery surfa ce, d o not al low one
drive wheel to spin for an extended period with the ESP
switched off. Doing so may cause serious damage to the
drive train which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.Parking
Important!
It is advisable to set the parking brake whenever
parking or leaving the vehicle. In addition, move
selector lever to position “P”.
When parking on hills, always set the parking brake.
Wa r n i n g !
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a result of
vehicle movement, before
turning off the engine
and leaving the vehicle, always:
1. Keep right foot on the service brake pedal.
2. Firmly depress parking brake pedal.
3. Move the selector lever to position “P”.
4. Slowly release the service brake pedal.
5. Turn front wheels towards the road curb.
6. Turn the electronic key to steering lock
position 0 and remove.
7. Take the electronic key and lock vehicle when
leaving.