2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S430 warning

363 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index We recommend that the vehicle be transported using
flat bed equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
Important!
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie down
vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
The vehicle may be towed with all wheels on the ground
and the selector lever in position “N” for distances up to
30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km / h). The electronic key must be in starter switch
position 2.
To be certain to avoid a possibility of damage to the
transmission, however, we recommend the drive shaft
be disconnected at the rear axle drive flange for any
towing beyond a short tow to a nearby garage.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing with
sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will damage
radiator and supports.
Use wheel lift, dolly, or flat bed equipment, with
electronic key in starter switch turned to position 0.Note:
To signal turns while being towed with hazard warning
flasher in use, turn electronic key in starter switch to
position 2 and activate combination switch for left or
right turn signal in usual manner – only the selected
turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warning
flasher will operate again.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised, the
engine must be shut off (electronic key in starter switch
position 0 or 1). Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be
engaged and will apply the rear wheel brakes.
Switch off the tow-away alarm (see page 61), the
automatic central locking, see individual setting menu
“VEHICLE” – “AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK” (see
page 146) as well as the ESP (see page 280).
Wa r n i n g !
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the braking and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to
brake and steer the vehicle.

370 Exterior lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Standby bulb function
The rear fog lamp, dimmed, will act as a replacement
lamp, if the bulb in the inner left-hand taillamp stops
working.
The inner taillamp acts as a replacement for the right or
left-hand bulb of the outer taillamp, if it stops working
as a parking lamp.Notes:
The multifunction display will indicate that a bulb has
failed. See Malfunction and warning messages on
page 309.

410 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Index
AABS (Antilock brake system) .......................................278
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 306
Active body control (ABC) ............................................ 284
Fluid level ...................................................................343
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (A BC) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................320
Adaptive damping system (ADS) .................................289
Adjusting steering wheel .............................................. 102
AIR CLEANER -
malfunction and warning messages ......................333
Air conditioner refrigerant ........................................... 404
Air distribution, manual ............................................... 172
Air volume, manual ....................................................... 172
Airbag deactivation system ............................................ 88
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ........................................308
Airbags .............................................................................. 91
AIRMATIC -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 331
Airmatic system ............................................................. 285
Airmatic system
(Vehicles with Active Body Control) ......................286Alarm system ............................................................. 60, 61
Anticorrosion/antifreeze ...................255, 344, 402, 406
Antilock brake system (ABS) ...................................... 278
Malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 306
Antitheft alarm system ...................................................60
Aquaplaning .................................................................. 252
Armrest, rear seat ..........................................................201
Ashtrays .......................................................................... 204
Center console .......................................................... 204
Rear doors ................................................................. 205
Audio systems ................................................................. 124
Cassette player .......................................................... 126
CD Player ....................................................................125
Radio ...........................................................................124
Automatic central locking .............................................. 50
Automatic climate control ............................................ 166
Activated charcoal filter ........................................... 175
Adjustable air outlets,
rear passenger compartment ............................. 179
Air distribution, manual .......................................... 172
Air volume, manual .................................................. 172
Basic setting ............................................................... 171
Defogging windows ................................................... 173
Defrosting ................................................................... 173
Display and controls ................................................. 168
Dust filter ................................................................... 170

411 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Economy mode ...........................................................176
Front center console
storage compartment ventilation ...................... 178
MAXCOOL .......................................................... 170, 181
Rear window defroster ............................................. 183
Residual engine heat utilization (REST) ................176
Special settings ......................................................... 172
Switching on and off ................................................ 177
Automatic climate control, rear
Air volume, manual .................................................. 181
Basic setting .............................................................. 181
Automatic maximum cooling ....................................... 170
Rear passenger compartment climate control ..... 181
Automatic transmission ...............................................237
Emergency operation ...............................................245
Fluid level ...................................................................343
Program mode selector switch ............................... 244
Selector lever position ..............................................240
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 88
Self-test ......................................................................... 88
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 277
Battery .............................................................................357Battery recycling ...................................................... 358
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 311
Block heater ................................................................... 255
BRAKE ASSIST -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 312
Brake assist system (BAS) ........................................... 277
Brake fluid .................................. 248, 299, 304, 402, 404
BRAKE FLUID -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 313
Brake pad wear ............................................................... 313
BRAKE PAD WEAR -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 313
Brake warning lamp ..................................................... 304
Brake fluid low ......................................................... 304
Brakes .......................................... 246, 248, 277, 278, 280
Bulbs
See Replacing bulbs ................................................. 364
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .............................. 402
Card, KEYLESS-GO ..........................................................28
Catalytic converter ........................................................ 228
Center console .................................................................. 24

412 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Center console lighting ................................................. 192
Central locking switch .................................................... 48
Central locking system ................................................... 33
Automatic central locking ......................................... 50
Choosing global or selective mode .....................35, 41
Electronic key .............................................................. 29
KEYLESS-GO-card ....................................................... 30
Locking and unlocking .............................................. 35
Locking and unlocking
with KEYLESS-GO-card ......................................... 38
Mechanical keys .......................................................... 45
Remote control ..................................................... 28, 33
Simultaneous use of electronic key
and KEYLESS-GO-card .......................................... 42
Summer opening/convenience feature ................... 43
Changing batteries in the KEYLESS-GO-card ........... 374
Changing wheels ........................................................... 351
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp ............ 302
Check regularly and before a long trip ......................299
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator .................................. 156
Via oil dipstick ...........................................................342
Child restraint ............................................. 81, 88, 99, 101
Child seat
See Infant and child restraint systems .................... 99CHIP-CARD (KEYLESS-GO) -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 328
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ................................ 382
COMAND, radio and telephone ................................... 216
Combination switch ....................................................... 162
Consumer information ................................................. 408
Control and operation of radio transmitters .............. 216
COOLANT (coolant level) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 316
COOLANT (coolant temperature) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 317
Coolant level
Adding ........................................................................ 344
Checking .................................................................... 344
Coolant temperature gauge .......................................... 115
Coolants .......................................................................... 406
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity ........................ 407
Courtesy lighting ........................................................... 192
Cruise control ................................................................ 258
CRUISE CONTROL -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 325
Cup holder
In front seat armrest ................................................ 202
In rear seat armrest ................................................. 203

413 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
DDashboard ......................................................................... 22
Deep water
Driving instructions ................................................. 256
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 310
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 310
Display illumination .......................................................114
Distronic (DTR) .......................................................133, 261
Activation of Distronic ............................................. 264
Additional driving hints .......................................... 269
Cleaning sensor ........................................................ 386
Deactivation of Distronic .........................................266
Displays in the speedometer dial ........................... 276
Distance warning function ...................................... 272
Distronic settings ......................................................273
Driving with Distronic activated ............................267
Invalid attempts to activate ..................................... 265
Multifunction display ...............................................275
Warning lamp ............................................................307
DISTRONIC (DTR) -
malfunction and warning messages ......................332
DOOR - malfunction and warning messages ............. 326
Door control panel ........................................................... 20Door entry lamps ........................................................... 192
Doors
Power closing assist .................................................... 48
Drinking and driving .................................................... 247
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel ............................................ 247
Driving instructions ..................................................... 247
Driving off ...................................................................... 249
EEasy-entry/exit feature ...................................................63
Electronic key ................................................................... 29
Changing batteries ................................................... 371
Starting the engine .................................................. 235
Turning off the engine ............................................ 235
Electronic main key
Synchronizing remote control ............................... 373
Electronic stability program (ESP) ............................. 280
ESP control switch ................................................... 282
Malfunction and warning messages ...................... 315
Synchronizing ........................................................... 281
Warning lamp ........................................................... 307
Emergency call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 219
Emergency engine shut-down ...................................... 376

414 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Emergency operation of sliding/pop-up roof ............ 377
Emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) ......................... 90
SRS indicator lamp ................................................... 305
Emergency trunk lid release button ............................. 59
Emergency unlocking in case of accident ................... 50
Emission control ............................................................229
Emission control label .................................................. 394
Engine compartment .....................................................339
Engine malfunction
CHECK ENGINE malfunction
indicator lamp ......................................................302
Engine oil additives ....................................................... 404
Engine oil consumption ................................................ 157
Engine oil level
Checking ........................................................... 156, 342
Warning ...................................................................... 324
ENGINE OIL LEVEL -
malfunction and warning messages ......................324
Engine oil level indicator .............................................. 156
Engine oils ...................................................................... 404
Entrance lamps, exit lamps .......................................... 192
ENTRY POSITION -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 312
ESP - malfunction and warning messages ................ 315
ESP (Electronic stability program) .............................. 280
ESP control switch ....................................................282Malfunction and warning messages ...................... 315
Synchronizing ........................................................... 281
Warning lamp ........................................................... 307
ETR (Emergency tensioning retractor) .........................90
SRS indicator lamp .................................................. 305
Express opening and closing
See Power windows ................................................... 185
Exterior lamp – malfunction
and warning messages ............................................. 318
Exterior lamp switch ..................................................... 158
Daytime running lamp mode .................................. 160
Headlamp cleaning system ...................................... 161
Exterior lamps ............................................................... 364
Fog lamps .......................................................... 367, 368
Headlamp assembly ................................................. 365
High mounted stop lamp ......................................... 369
License plate lamps ................................................. 369
Low and high beam .................................................. 366
Parking lamps ................................................... 367, 368
Replacing bulbs ........................................................ 364
Side marker lamps ................................................... 368
Standby bulb function ............................................. 370
Standing lamps ................................................. 367, 368
Stop lamp ................................................................... 369
Taillamp assemblies ................................................ 368
Turn signal lamps ...................................366, 368, 369

415 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Exterior mirror adjustment .......................................... 104
Exterior mirror, front passenger side,
parking position ........................................................ 105
Exterior rear view mirrors
Electrically folding .................................................... 106
Parking position ........................................................ 105
FFirst aid kit ..................................................................... 336
Flat tire
See changing wheels ................................................ 351
Flexible service system (FSS) ...................................... 149
Footwell lighting ............................................................ 192
Front airbags .................................................................... 91
Front center console
storage compartment ventilation ........................... 178
Front seat adjustment ..................................................... 64
Fuel
Gasoline additives ....................................................406
Premium unleaded gasoline ................. 297, 403, 405
Fuel cap placement warning
See CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp ................................ 302
Fuel filler flap, manual release ................................... 376
Fuel requirements ......................................................... 405Fuel reserve warning .................................................... 305
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities .............. 402
Fuse box ......................................................................... 337
Fuses, electrical ............................................................. 337
GGarage door opener ....................................................... 210
Gasoline
Additives .................................................................... 406
Fuel requirements ................................................... 405
Premium unleaded .................................................. 405
General notes on the central locking system .............. 32
Glove box ......................................................................... 197HHazard warning flasher switch ................................... 165
Head restraints, front seats
Removal and installation ...........................................68
Head restraints, rear seat ............................................... 76
Power head restraints .................................................77
Headlamp cleaning system ........................................... 161
Headlamp mode (HEADLAMPS) .................................. 159
Headlights ....................................................................... 158