2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S430 ESP

3 ContentsStorage compartments
and armrests .............................. 196
Glove box ..................................... 197
Cup holder ......................................202
Ashtrays ..........................................204
Lighter .............................................206
Parcel net in front
passenger footwell ....................208
Parcel net in trunk ........................208
Telephone, general ........................209
Garage door opener ....................... 210
Infrared reflecting
windshield ................................. 214
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 216
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 217
Maintenance ................................... 217
Tele Aid ........................................... 218
Catalytic converter ........................228Emission control ............................ 229
Starter switch ................................. 230
Starter switch –
KEYLESS-GO ............................. 232
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 235
Automatic transmission ............... 237
Parking brake ................................ 246
Driving instructions ...................... 247
Drive sensibly –
Save Fuel ..................................... 247
Drinking and driving ................ 247
Pedals .......................................... 247
Power assistance ........................ 248
Brakes .......................................... 248
Driving off ................................... 249
Parking ........................................ 250
Tires ............................................. 251
Snow chains ............................... 253
Winter driving instructions ..... 254
Block heater ................................ 255
Deep water .................................. 256Passenger compartment ...........256
Traveling abroad ........................257
Cruise control .................................258
Distronic (DTR) .............................. 261
Brake assist system
(BAS) ...........................................277
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................278
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................280
Active body control
(ABC) ..........................................284
Level control system for vehicles
with Airmatic system ...............285
Level control system for vehicles
with Active Body Control
(ABC) ..........................................286
Adaptive damping system
(ADS) ...........................................289
Parking assist (Parktronic) .......... 291
What you should know
at the gas station .......................296
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................299

4 Contents
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the
instrument cluster ....................302
On-board diagnostic
system ..........................................302
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................302
Brake warning lamp ..................304
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................305
Fuel reserve warning .................305
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................306
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............307
Distronic (DTR) –
warning lamp ..............................307
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp ..............................308
Malfunction and indicator
lamp in the
center console ...........................308
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....308Malfunction and warning
messages in the
multifunction display .............. 309
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................. 310
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR ........... 311
ENTRANCE POSITION ...............312
BRAKE ASSIST ............................312
BRAKE LINING WEAR ............... 313
BRAKE FLUID ............................. 313
PARKING BRAKE ........................ 314
TRUNK OPEN .............................. 314
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability
program) ...................................... 315
COOLANT
(coolant level) .............................. 316
COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................ 317
LIGHTING SYSTEM .................... 318
LIGHT SENSOR .......................... 320
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
(ABC) ........................................... 320
TIRE PRESSURE ........................ 322
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 324CRUISE CONTROL .....................325
KEY ...............................................325
DOOR ...........................................326
HOOD ...........................................326
TELE AID .....................................327
CHIP-CARD
(KEYLESS-GO) ............................328
SELECTOR LEVER ......................329
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION .......329
WASHER FLUID .........................330
AIR SPRING (AirMatic) ............. 331
DISTRONIC (DTR) ......................332
AIR CLEANER .............................333
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................336
Stowing things in the vehicle ......336
Fuses ................................................337
Hood .................................................339
Checking engine oil level .............342
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................343
Active body control (ABC)
fluid level ...................................343

7 IntroductionProduct information
Kindly observe the following in your own best interest:
We recommend using Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts and accessories
explicitly approved by us for your vehicle model.
We have tested these parts to determine their reliability, safety and their special
suitability for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
We are unable to make an assessment for other products and therefore cannot be held responsible
for them, even if in individual cases an official approval or authorization by governmental or other
agencies should exist. Use of such parts and accessories could adversely affect the safety, performance
or reliability of your vehicle. Please do not use them.
Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts and accessories approved by us are available
at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center where you will receive comprehensive information, also on
permissible technical modifications, and where proper installation will be performed.

24 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console1ESP (Electronic Stability Program) control switch,
see page 280
2ADS (Adaptive Damping System) adjustment switch,
see page 289
Level control switch for vehicles with ABC (Active
Body Control), see page 286
3Level control switch for vehicles with Airmatic,
seepage285
ABC (Active Body Control) control switch, see
page 284
4Switch for rear seat head restraints, see page 76
Switch for rear seat head restraints, automatic,
seepage77
5Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 165
6Central locking switch, see page 48
Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system, see
page 60
7Antitheft Alarm System, see page 60
Switch for Tow-Away alarm, see page 61
8Parking assist (Parktronic system) deactivation
switch (optional), see page 291
9Switch for rear window sunshade, see page 193
P68.20-2314-27

46 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Doors
1Opening – pull handle
2Unlocking driver’s door
3Locking driver’s door
Important!
The mechanical key does not operate the central locking
system or antitheft alarm system.4Individual door from inside:
Push lock button down to lock.
5Front door from inside:
Pull handle to unlock.
When you lock the driver’s door with the mechanical
key, the door lock button should move down.
Each individual door must be locked with the respective
door lock button – the driver’s door can only be locked
when it is closed.
2
1
3
P80.30-2154-26

48 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power closing assist for doors and trunk lid
(optional on model S 430 for Canada)
The doors and the trunk lid close automatically if:
•the doors are positioned against the lock,
•the trunk lid is lowered against the lock.
It is not necessary to slam the door or trunk lid closed, a
pneumatic power-assisted mechanism draws doors and
trunk lid closed quietly and automatically once the lid
or door has been latched. When the pneumatic power-
assisted mechanism has stopped, doors and / or trunk
can be reopened.Central locking switch
1Locking
2Unlocking
The central locking switch is located in the center
console.
The doors and trunk can only be locked with the central
locking switch, if all doors are closed except the driver’s
door.
Wa r n i n g !
To prevent possible personal injury, always keep
hands and fingers away from the door or trunk
opening when closing a door or the trunk lid. Be
especially careful when small children are around.The pneumatic power closing assist mechanism
cannot be interrupted once it has been engaged.To prevent personal injury, never actuate the
closing assist mechanism by tampering with the
door or trunk lid latch.

53 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Vehicles with trunk lid opening / closing system:
Press trunk lid button (2) briefly. The trunk lid closes
automatically.
The trunk lid can also be closed with the trunk lid
opening / closing switch located on the driver’s door, see
page 56.Notes:
The automatic closing process is interrupted if the
trunk lid is pushed against an object. The trunk lid will
reverse slightly and stop. In its final closing stage the
hydraulic power closing assist mechanism releases the
trunk lid which then drops into the lock by its own
weight. Now the trunk lid will stop but not reverse
slightly.
Investigate and correct the cause of interruption.
Now press trunk lid button (2) again to close the trunk
lid.
P54.25-2403-26
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.Always be sure persons who might get injured are
away from the trunk area when you operate the
trunk closing button located on the vehicle door.To interrupt the hydraulic power closing assist
mechanism press trunk lid close button (2) inside
the trunk lid, push in trunk lid lock or press
buttonŠ on the electronic key.

56 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Trunk lid opening / closing system (optional)
The switch is located on the driver’s door.
The trunk lid will open and close automatically. You
should always make sure that there is sufficient
clearance.
A minimum height clearance of 6 ft. (1.85 m) is
required to open the trunk lid.
To open and close the trunk, the vehicle must be at
standstill. To o p e n t r u n k l i d :
Pull up on switch until trunk lid begins to open. The
switch can now be released, the trunk lid opens
automatically.
To interrupt the opening process, either pull up on
switch, or push in trunk lid lock, or press buttonŠ
on the remote control.
The indicator lamp in the switch remains on with trunk
lid open.
To close trunk lid:
Press upper half of switch until trunk lid is closed and
the indicator lamp in the switch goes out.
Wa r n i n g !
When closing the trunk lid, be sure that there is no
danger of anyone being harmed by the closing
procedure. Be especially careful when small
children are around. Maintain sight of trunk area
while operating the door mounted switch.To interrupt the hydraulic power closing assist
mechanism release trunk lid release/close switch
and pull up to open.