2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S430 headlamp

158 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Exterior lamp switch
MOff
UAutomatic headlamp mode, see below.
CParking lamps (also side marker lamps, taillamps,
licence plate lamps, instrument panel lamps)
Canada only: When the engine is running, the low
beam is additionally switched on.
BParking lamps plus low beam or high beam
headlamps (combination switch pushed forward).ˆStanding lamps, right (turn left one stop)
‚Standing lamps, left (turn left two stops)
‡Front fog lamps (pull out one stop) with parking
lamps and/or low beam headlamps on. Green
indicator in lamp switch comes on.
†Rear fog lamp (pull out to second detent) in
addition to the front fog lamps. Yellow indicator in
lamp switch comes on.
Note:
With the electronic key removed and the driver’s door
open, a warning sounds if the vehicle’s exterior lamps
(except standing lamps) are not switched off.
Fog lamps will operate with the parking lamps and / or
the low beam headlamps on. Fog lamps should only be
used in conjunction with low beam headlamps. Consult
your State or Province Motor Vehicle Regulations
regarding allowable lamp operation.
Fog lamps are automatically switched off when the
exterior lamp switch is turned to position M or U.

159 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Headlamp mode
Manual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and parking lamps can be
switched on and off with the exterior lamp switch. For
exterior lamp switch, see page 158.
Note:
With the daytime running lamp mode activated and the
engine running, the low beam headlamps cannot be
switched off manually. See page 160 for notes on the
daytime running lamp mode.Automatic headlamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionU.
•Electronic key in starter switch position 1:
The parking lamps switch on and off automatically
depending on the brightness of the ambient light.
•Electronic key in starter switch position 2 and the
engine running:
The low beam headlamps and parking lamps are
switched on and off automatically depending on the
brightness of the ambient light.
The low beam headlamps and parking lamps can
still be switched on and off manually using the
exterior lamp switch.
Note:
With the daytime running lamp mode activated, the low
beam headlamps cannot be switched off automatically.
The headlamps will not be automatically switched on
under foggy conditions.
Front fog lamps and rear fog lamp cannot be switched
on manually with exterior lamp switch in positionU.
To activate the fog lamps turn exterior lamp switch to
positionB.
Wa r n i n g !
The driver is responsible for the operation of the
vehicle’s lights at all times. The automatic
headlamp feature is only an aid to the driver.
Switch on the vehicle lights by hand when driving
or traffic conditions require you to do so.

160 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Daytime running lamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionM orU.
When the engine is running, the low beam headlamps
are automatically switched on. In low ambient light
conditions the parking lamps will also switch on.
•Canada only:
When shifting from a driving position to
position “N” or “P”, the low beam switches off
(3 minutes delay).
For nighttime driving the exterior lamp switch
should be turned to position B to permit
activation of the high beam headlamps.
•USA only:
The high beam headlamps can also be activated
when driving with the daytime running lamp mode
activated and exterior lamp switch in positionM.
To activate the daytime running lamp mode, see the
individual setting menu “LIGHTING” – “LAMP
CIRCUIT HEADLAMP” on page 142.
Note:
See page 158 for notes on the exterior lamp switch.Night security illumination
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionU.
At low ambient light conditions and with the engine
having been turned off, the exterior lamps (fog lamps
and parking lamps) switch on for added illumination.
After the last door has been closed the lamp-on time
period commences.
To activate the function see the individual setting menu
“LIGHTING” –“HEADLAMPS DELAYED SHUT-OFF” on
page 142.
The lamp-on time period for night security illumination
can be set at several different timed levels from 0 (off) to
60 seconds.
Note:
Within 10 minutes after closing the last door the night
security illumination can be reactivated by opening a
door.
If after switching the engine off, no doors are opened or
if after opening the doors they are not closed, the night
security illumination will switch off automatically after
approximately 60 seconds.

161 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Deactivating night security illumination temporarily:
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 0
then to position 2 and back to position 0 again before
getting out of the vehicle. The night security
illumination will not be activated when the door is
opened.
Locator lighting
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionU.
After unlocking the vehicle with the electronic key
during darkness the fog lamps and parking lamps
switch on for a approx. 40 seconds.
The exterior lamps will be switched off when opening
the driver’s door.
To activate the function see the individual setting menu
“LIGHTING” –“LOCATOR LIGHTING” on page 142.Headlamp cleaning system (optional on model S 430)
Turn the electronic key in starter switch to position 2.
The headlamps will be cleaned with a high-pressure
water jet when you press the headlamp washer
button (1).
See page 345 for instructions on filling up the
windshield/headlamp washer reservoir.
Auto
1

164 Combination switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Blocked windshield wipers
If the windshield wipers become blocked (for example,
due to snow), switch off the wipers.
For safety reasons before removing ice or snow, remove
electronic key from starter switch. Remove blockage.
Activate combination switch again (electronic key in
starter switch position 1).
Emergency operation of windshield wipers
In case of windshield wiper malfunction in switch
positions I or III, turn combination switch to wiper
setting II. Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.Windshield wipers smear
If the windshield wipers smear the windshield, even
during rain, activate the washer system as often as
necessary. The fluid in the washer reservoir should be
mixed in the correct ratio.
See page 345 for instructions on filling up the
windshield washer reservoir.
Windshield and headlamp washer fluid mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water.
1 part “S” to 100 parts water
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon water).
For temperature below freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and
commercially available premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze.
1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon solvent).

255 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
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,
seepage404.
•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 345.
•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
ABS and 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.

299 Check regularly and before a long trip
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Check regularly and before a long trip 1Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system
For refilling reservoir see page 345.
2Coolant level,
see “Adding coolant” on page 344
3Engine oil level,
see “Engine oil level checking” on page 156 and 342
4Brake fluid,
see “Brake fluid” on page 404
Opening hood, see page 339.
Ve h i c l e l i g h t i n g : Check function and cleanliness. For
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on
page 364.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 158.

320 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
LAMP SENSOR
* C = Category, see page 309The headlamps will be switched on automatically if the
light sensor malfunctions.
The individual setting menu “LIGHTING” – “LIGHT
CIRCUIT HEADLAMP MODE” can be set to “MANUAL”.
See page 142. It will then be possible to switch the
headlamps on and off using the exterior lamp switch.
See page 158 for notes on the exterior lamp switch. ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC)
* C = Category, see page 309 Line 1 Line 2 C*
LAMP SENSOR VISIT WORKSHOP! 2Line 1 Line 2 C*
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
2
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL DRIVE CAREFULLY!
2
1
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL STOP, CAR TOO LOW!
3
1
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL VISIT WORKSHOP!
4
2