2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E430 sound system

28 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
General notes on the central locking system
If the electronic key is inserted in the steering lock, the
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with the remote
control.
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked:
•Aim tra nsmitter eye a t a re ceiver of eith er front d oor
handle. Check the batteries of the electronic main
key, see page 291 or to synchronize the remote
control, see page 293.
•Use the mechanical key to unlock the vehicle. To
sta rt engine, insert th e electronic key in th e stee ring
lock. There could be a slight delay until the
electronic key can be turned in the steering lock.Important!
When unlocking the driver’s door with the mechanical
key, the exterior lamps will flash and the alarm will
sound.
To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the
steering lock or press buttonŒ or‹ on the
electronic main key.

36 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
If the vehicle has previously been locked from the
outside, opening a door from the inside will trigger the
alarm. When opening a door while the central locking
system is in the:
•selective unlocking mode, only that individual door
is unlocked. The remaining doors, the trunk and
fuel filler flap remain locked.
•global unlocking mode, all doors, the trunk and fuel
filler f lap are unlocked.
Notes:
In case of a malfunction in the central locking system
the doors can be locked and unlocked individually.
To lock, push down lock buttons and turn mechanical
key in driver’s door lock to position 3. In addition lock
the trunk.To unlock, pull inside door handles or turn mechanical
key in driver’s door lock to position 2.
Rear doors can only be opened from inside by first
pulling up the door lock button.
When unlocking the driver’s door with the mechanical
key, the exterior lamps will flash and the alarm will
sound.
To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the
steering lock or press buttonŒ or‹ on the
electronic main key.

39 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Trunk
When the trunk is separately locked, it remains locked
when centrally unlocking the vehicle.
To deny any unauthorized person access to the trunk,
lock it separately with the mechanical key. Leave only
the electronic main key less its mechanical key with the
vehicle.
Notes:
In case of a malfunction in the central locking system
the trunk can be unlocked individually.
To unlock and open the trunk lid, turn mechanical key
to position 1, hold and push to open.
The mechanical key does not operate the central locking
system or antitheft alarm system.
W hen unlocking th e tru nk w it h th e mecha nica l key, th e
exterior lamps will flash and the alarm will sound.
To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the
steering lock or press buttonŒ or‹ on the
electronic main key.
If the fuel filler f lap cannot be opened, see page 296.Important!
Do not place mechanical key inside trunk, since trunk is
locked again when the lid is closed if the vehicle has
been previously centrally locked.
Wa r n i n g !
To prevent possible personal injury, always keep
hands and fingers away from the trunk opening
when closing the trunk lid. Be especially careful
when small children are around.

43 Antitheft alarm system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Antitheft alarm system
1Indicator lamp in switch located in center consoleThe antitheft alarm is automatically armed or disarmed
with the remote control by locking or unlocking the
vehicle.
The antitheft alarm is armed within approximately
10 seconds after locking the vehicle.
A blinking lamp (1) indicates that the alarm is armed.
Operation:
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior
vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when
someone:
•opens a door,
•opens the trunk,
•opens the hood,
•attempts to raise the vehicle.
1

44 Antitheft alarm system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
The alarm will last approximately 3 minutes in form of
flashing exterior lamps. At the same time an alarm will
sound for 30 seconds. The alarm will stay on even if the
activating element (a door, for example) is immediately
closed. If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds,
an emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele
Aid on page 178.Notes:
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 flat key in the vehicle.
When you unlock the driver’s door with the mechanical
key, the exterior lamps will flash and the alarm will
sound.
To cancel the alarm, insert the electronic key in the
steering lock or press buttonŒ or‹ on the
electronic main key.

45 Tow-away alarm
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Tow -away ala rm
The switch is located in the center console.
1Press to switch off
2Indicator lamp
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior
vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.The alarm will last approximately 3 minutes in form of
flashing exterior lamps. At the same time an alarm will
sound for 30 seconds. The alarm will stay on even if the
vehicle is immediately lowered. To cancel the alarm,
insert the electronic key in the steering lock or press
buttonŒ or‹ on the electronic main key.
If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds, an
emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele Aid
on page 178.
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm feature, switch
off the tow-away alarm before towing the vehicle, or
when parking on a surface subject to movement, such
as a ferry or auto train.
To do so, turn electronic key in steering lock to
position 0 or 1, or remove electronic key from steering
lock. Press tow-away alarm switch (1). The indicator
lamp (2) illuminates briefly.
Exit vehicle, and lock vehicle with the remote control.
The tow-away alarm remains switched off until the
vehicle is locked again with the electronic main key, at
which time it is automatically reactivated.

61 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Note:
For cleaning and care of the seat belts, see page 304.
Seat belt nonusage warning system
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, a
warning sounds for a short time if the driver’s seat belt
is not fastened.
Wa r n i n g !
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the backrest
reclined. Sitting in an excessively reclined position
can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat
belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt
would apply force at the abdomen or neck. That
could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The
backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint
when the wearer is in an upright position and the
belt is properly positioned on the body.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to wear and properly fasten and position
your seat belt greatly increases your risk of
injuries and their likely severity in an accident.
You and your passengers should always wear seat
belts.If you are ever in an accident, your injuries can be
considerably more severe without your seat belt
properly buckled. Without your seat belt buckled,
you are much more likely to hit the interior of the
vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously
injured or killed.In t he sam e crash, th e possi bi li ty of i nju ry or deat h
is lessened if you are wearing your seat belt.Wa r n i n g !
Never let more people ride in the vehicle than there
are seat belts available. Be sure everyone riding in
the vehicle is correctly restrained with a separate
seat belt.

78 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Infant and child restraint systems
We recommend all infants and children be properly re-
strained at all times while the vehicle is in motion. All
lap-shoulder belts except the driver’s seat belt have
special seat belt retractors for secure fastening of child
restraints.
To activate, pull shoulder belt out completely and let it
retract. During the seat belt retraction a ratcheting
sound can be heard to indicate that the special seat belt
retractor is activated. The belt is now locked.
To deactivate, release seat belt buckle and let seat belt
retract completely. The seat belt can again be used in
the usual manner.
Note:
For child seats with mounting fittings for tether
anchorages refer to page 80 (installation of infant and
child restra int systems).Important!
The u se of infa nt or child restraints is required by law in
all 50 states and all Canadian provinces.
Infants and small children should be seated in an
appropriate infant or child restraint system properly
secured by a lap-shoulder belt, and that complies with
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 and
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
A statement by the child restraint manufacturer of
compliance with this standard can be found on the
instruction label on the restraint and in the instruction
manual provided with the restraint.
Wh en using any infant or ch il d restraint system, be su re
to carefully read and follow all manufacturer’s
instructions for installation and use.
Please read and observe warning labels affixed to inside
of vehicle and to infant or child restraints.
Wa r n i n g !
Never release the seat belt buckle while vehicle is
in motion, since the special seat belt retractor will
be deactivated.