2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S430 4MATIC lights

70 Safety and SecurityOccupant safetySelf-test BabySmart
TM
without special
child seat installed
After turning the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position1 or2 or pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* (if so equipped) start/stop
button once or twice, the
“PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF” indicator
lamp1 located in the center console lights
up for approximately 6 seconds and then
goes out.
If the indicator lamp should not come on or
is continuously lit, the system is not func-
tioning. You must see an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center before seating any
child on the passenger seat.
For more information see (page 294).
Warning!
G
The BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation sys-
tem will ONLY work with a special child seat
designed to operate with it. It will not work
with child seats which are not BabySmart
TM
compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion
and child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces
the effectiveness of the deactivation sys-
tem. The bottom of the child seat must
make full contact with the passenger seat
cushion. An incorrectly mounted child seat
could cause injuries to the child in case of an
accident, instead of protecting the child.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of special child seats.
Warning!
G
When using a BabySmart
TM compatible
child seat on the front passenger seat, the
passenger front airbag will not deploy only if
the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
remains illuminated.
Please be sure to check the indicator every
time you use the special system child seat.
Should the light go out while the restraint is
installed, please check installation. If the
light remains out, do not use the
BabySmart
TM restraint to transport children
on the front passenger seat until the system
has been repaired.
Do not place powered-on laptops, cell
phones and like electronic devices on the
front passenger seat. Signals from such de-
vices may interfere with the BabySmart
TM
system. Such signal interference may cause
the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
not to come on during self-test or be contin-
uously lit, indicating that the system is not
functioning.

77 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re-
spond even with light brake pressure. The
pulsating brake pedal can be an indication
of hazardous road conditions and func-
tions as a reminder to take extra care while
driving.The
-
indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when you turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch to
position2 or press the KEYLESS-GO* (if so
equipped) start/stop button twice. It goes
out when the engine is running.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 289).
iTo alert following vehicles to slippery
road conditions you discover, operate
your hazard warning flashers as appro-
priate.
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction. The
ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, following another vehicle too closely,
or hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.

78 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsBAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing the braking distance. Apply
continuous full braking pressure until the
emergency braking situation is over. The
ABS will prevent the wheels from locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
For more information see “Practical hints”
(page 289).
ESP
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
monitors the vehicle's traction (force of
adhesive friction between the tires and the
road surface) and handling.
The ESP recognizes when a wheel is spin-
ning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By ap-
plying brakes to the appropriate wheel and
by limiting engine output, the ESP works to
stabilize the vehicle. The ESP is especially
useful while driving off and on wet or slip-
pery road surfaces.
The ESP warning lamp
v
in the instru-
ment cluster flashes when the ESP is en-
gaged.
The ESP warning lamp
v
in the instru-
ment cluster lights up when you turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch to
position2 or press the KEYLESS-GO* (if so
equipped) start/stop button twice. It goes
out when the engine is running.
Warning!
G
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking efficiency beyond that af-
forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes
and tires or the traction. The BAS cannot
prevent accidents, including those resulting
from excessive speed in turns, following an-
other vehicle too closely, or hydroplaning.
Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents. The capabilities of a BAS
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in
a reckless or dangerous manner which
could jeopardize the user’s safety or the
safety of others.

80 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsSwitching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle's traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have the drive wheels
spin and thus cut into surfaces for better
grip such as:

starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


sand or gravelThe switch is located on the center con-
sole.
1ESP off / on

Press ESP switch1 until the ESP warn-
ing lamp
v
in the speedometer
lights up.
ESP is deactivated.
If one or more wheels are spinning, the
ESP warning lampv
in the speedome-
ter flashes, regardless of the speed.
Traction control brakes a spinning wheel
even when ESP is deactivated.
ESP always operates when you are brak-
ing, even when it has been deactivated.Switching on ESP

Press switch1.
The ESP warning lamp
v
in the in-
strument cluster goes out. You are now
again in normal driving mode.
Warning!
G
The ESP should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.iDistronic* cannot be activated when
ESP has been deactivated.
!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESP switched
off. This may cause serious damage to
the drivetrain which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Warning!
G
When the ESP warning lamp
v
is
illuminated continuously, the ESP is
switched off.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP.

84 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsTow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.
Arming tow-away alarm
When you lock your vehicle, the tow-away
alarm is automatically armed after about
30 seconds.
When you unlock your vehicle, the
tow-away protection disarms automatical-
ly.Disarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm
feature, switch off the tow-away alarm be-
fore towing the vehicle, or when parking on
a surface subject to movement, such as a
ferry or auto train.
The switch is located on the center con-
sole.
1Tow-away alarm off switch
2Indicator lamp

Turn off the ignition and remove the
SmartKey.

Press switch1.
Indicator lamp2 in the switch lights up
briefly.

Exit vehicle and lock your vehicle with
the SmartKey or (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*) the lock button at each
door handle.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed un-
til you lock your vehicle again.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is trig-
gered, for example, if the vehicle is lift-
ed on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid sys-
tem, provided Tele Aid service was
subscribed to and properly activated
and that necessary cellular service and
GPS coverage are available.
iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm
if the ignition is turned on.

88 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingRestoring to factory setting
Press and hold buttons
Œ
and
‹

simultaneously for about six seconds
until battery check lamp5 blinks twice.Checking the batteries

Press button
‹
or
Œ
.
Battery check lamp5 lights up briefly
to indicate that the SmartKey batteries
are in order.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take the
KEYLESS-GO* card (if so equipped) with you
and lock the vehicle. Do not leave children
unattended in the vehicle, or with access to
an unlocked vehicle. It is possible for chil-
dren to open a locked door from the inside,
which could result in an accident and/or se-
rious injury.
!If you can no longer lock or unlock the
vehicle with the SmartKey, then either
the batteries in the SmartKey are dis-
charged or the SmartKey is malfunc-
tioning.

Check the batteries in the
SmartKey and replace them if nec-
essary (
page 328).
or


Use the mechanical key to unlock
the doors (
page 326) and trunk
(
page 327) as required. Lock the
vehicle using the mechanical key
(page 327).
If the SmartKey is malfunctioning, con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
!If battery check lamp5 does not light
up briefly during check, the SmartKey
batteries are discharged.
Replace the batteries (
page 328).
You can obtain the required batteries
at any authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.

92 Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
Press and hold programming button1
until “Driver’s door” symbol2 lights up.
The KEYLESS-GO card will then func-
tion as follows:
Unlocking the driver’s door
Grasp the driver’s door handle.
Global unlocking

Grasp the door handle on the pas-
senger side.
Global locking

Press lock button at door handle or
trunk lid.Restoring to factory setting

Press and hold programming button1
until “Central unlock” symbol3 lights
up.Checking the batteries

Briefly press programming button1.
The KEYLESS-GO card batteries are in
order if the indicator lamp for either
“Driver’s door”2 or “Central unlock”3
comes on red or green.
!If you cannot lock or unlock the vehicle
with the KEYLESS-GO card, then either
the batteries of the KEYLESS-GO card
are discharged or the KEYLESS-GO
card is malfunctioning.

Check the batteries of the
KEYLESS-GO card (
page 89) and
replace them if necessary
(
page 328).
or


Use the SmartKey to unlock the
doors (
page 30) and trunk
(
page 98) as required. Lock the
vehicle using the SmartKey
(page 93).
If your KEYLESS-GO card is malfunc-
tioning, contact your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
!If symbols2 or3 do not light up during
the check, then the batteries of the
KEYLESS-GO card are discharged.

Change the batteries (
page 328).
You can obtain the batteries at any au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

93 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Checking vehicle lock status
If you cannot remember whether you have
locked the vehicle, you can check the lock
status using the KEYLESS-GO card.
Briefly press programming button1.
The indicator lamp for “Driver’s door”2
or “Central unlock”3 lights up in red or
green.
Vehicle lock status:
Red: Vehicle is locked
Green: Vehicle is unlockedLocking the vehicle
1Trunk lock button

Press the lock button at door
(page 53) or trunk1.Closing the side windows and
sliding/pop-up roof

Press and hold lock button at the door
(page 53) until the side windows and
the sliding/pop-up roof are closed.
iWhen the vehicle is unlocked and the
anti-theft alarm system is switched off,
the turn signals illuminate briefly. If it is
dark, the locator lighting also switches
on (
page 122).
When the vehicle is locked and the an-
ti-theft alarm system is activated, the
turn signals flash three times.
Warning!
G
When closing the windows and the slid-
ing/pop-up roof, be sure that there is no
danger of anyone being harmed by the clos-
ing procedure.
If potential danger exists, proceed as fol-
lows:

Release the lock button.


Pull on the door handle and hold firmly.
The side windows and the slid-
ing/pop-up roof will open for as long as
the door handle is held but the door is
not opened.