2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S430 4MATIC service interval

12 IntroductionOperator’s ManualMaintenance
The Service Booklet describes all the nec-
essary maintenance work which should be
performed at regular intervals.
Always have the Service Booklet with you
when you take the vehicle to your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for service.
The service advisor will record each ser-
vice in the booklet for you.
Roadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program provides factory trained technical
help in the event of a breakdown. Calls to
the toll-free Roadside Assistance number
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA)
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada)
will be answered by Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Representatives
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
For additional information refer to the
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Pro-
gram Brochure in your glove box.
Change of address or ownership
If you change your address, be sure to
send in the “Change of Address Notice”
found in the Service and Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet, or simply call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center (in the USA) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer Ser-
vice (in Canada) at 1-800-387-0100. It is in
your own interest that we can contact you
should the need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all
literature with the vehicle to make it avail-
able to the next operator.
If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to
send in the “Notice of Purchase of Used
Car” found in the Service and Warranty In-
formation Booklet, or call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Cen-
ter (in the USA) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes,
or Customer Service (in Canada) at
1-800-387-0100.

270 OperationEngine compartmentBattery
Your vehicle’s battery is located on the
right side of the trunk floor (
page 344).
The battery should always be sufficiently
charged in order to achieve its rated ser-
vice life. Refer to Service Booklet for bat-
tery maintenance intervals.
If you use your vehicle mostly for short dis-
tance trips, you will need to have the bat-
tery charge checked more frequently.
When replacing the battery, always use
batteries approved by Mercedes-Benz.
If you do not intend to operate your vehicle
for an extended period of time, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center about
steps you need to observe.Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
G
Observe all safety instructions
and precautions when handling
automotive batteries.
A
Risk of explosion
D
Keep flames or sparks away
from battery. Do not smoke.
B
Battery acid is caustic. Do not
allow it to come into contact
with skin, eyes or clothing.
In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with clear
water and seek medical help if
necessary.
E
Wear eye protection.
C
Keep children away.
F
Follow the instructions in this
Operator's Manual.

280 OperationMaintenance
MaintenanceWe strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with
the Service Booklet at the times called for
by the FSS (Flexible Service System).
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the
designated times /mileage called for by
the FSS may result in vehicle damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
FSS will notify you when your next service
is due.
Approximately one month before your next
service is due, one of the following mes-
sages will appear in the multifunction dis-
play while you are driving or when you
switch on the ignition (example service A):SERVICE A IN XXXXX MILES (KM)
SERVICE A IN XXX DAYS
SERVICE A IN X DAY
SERVICE A DUE NOW!
The type of service due is indicated in the
multifunction display:9
Minor service (A)
´
Major service (B)
Clearing the service indicator
The service indicator is automatically
cleared after 30 seconds. You can also
clear it yourself.
Press the reset button
J
to the right in
the instrument cluster (page 22).
Service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested ser-
vice term, you will see the following mes-
sage in the multifunction display:SERVICE A EXCEEDED BY XXXX MILES (KM)
SERVICE A EXCEEDED BY XXX DAYS
SERVICE A EXCEEDED BY X DAYAn acoustic signal will also sound.
The Mercedes-Benz Center will reset the
service indicator following a completed
service.
iThe interval between services depends
on your driving habits. A gentle driving
style, moderate engine speeds and the
avoidance of short distance trips will
lengthen the interval between services.

281 Operation
Maintenance
Calling up the service indicator
Switch on ignition.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 135).

Press button
k
or
j
on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until FSS indi-
cator with the service symbol
9
or
´
and the service deadline appears
in the multifunction display.
Resetting the service indicator
In the event that the service on your vehi-
cle is not carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, you can reset the
service indicator yourself.
Switch on ignition.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 135).

Press button
k
or
j
on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel until the FSS
indicator with the service symbol
9

or
´
and the service deadline ap-
pears in the multifunction display.

Press the reset button
J
(page 22)
to the right in the instrument cluster for
about two seconds.
This message appears in the multifunc-
tion display:
SERVICE INTERVAL?
RESET WITH R BUTTON

To confirm, hold down the reset knob
until you hear a signal.
The service indicator now displays the
reset interval.
iIf the battery is disconnected, the days
of disconnection will not be included in
the count shown by the service indica-
tor. To arrive at the true service dead-
line, you will need to subtract these
days from the days shown in the ser-
vice indicator.
Do not confuse the service indicator
with the engine oil level indicator
:
.
iIf the service indicator was inadvertent-
ly reset, have a Mercedes-Benz Center
correct it.
Only reset if the proper service has
been performed. Resetting the system
without performing proper service as
called for by the FSS will cause the FSS
to incorrectly determine the next ser-
vice interval which will result in engine
damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

302 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
2
BRAKE WEAR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as
soon as possible.
Except Canada:;Canada only:3
BRAKE FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP!
There is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle
and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not add
brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Service Book-
let.
Warning!
G
Driving with this message displayed can re-
sult in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately. Don’t add brake fluid
before checking the brake system. Overfill-
ing the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and
the brake fluid catching fire. You can be se-
riously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.

344 Practical hintsBattery
Battery
The battery is located on the right side of
the trunk under the battery cover.
1Battery cover 
Pull on the outer, right-hand side of
cover1 and remove it in the direction
of the arrow.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the SmartKey is in the starter switch.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Service Booklet for mainte-
nance intervals or contact your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery

you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch and
pressing the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button (if so equipped) on the selector
lever will have no effect


the selector lever will remain locked in
positionP

375 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
poor fuel quality or from blending specific
fuel additives are not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion / antifreeze, which pro-
vides:

Corrosion protection


Freeze protection


Boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately -22°F (-30°C) and corro-
sion protection.If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-22°F (-30°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized cooling system is
reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).
The coolant solution must be used
year-round to provide the necessary corro-
sion protection and increase boil-over pro-
tection. You should have it replaced every
15 years or 150 000 miles (250 000 km),
whichever comes first.
Coolant system design and coolant used
stipulate the replacement interval. The
above replacement interval is only applica-
ble if MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze
solution or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification (see
Factory Approved Service Products pam-
phlet) are used to renew the coolant con-
centration or bring it back up to the proper
level.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 45%
anticorrosion / antifreeze [equivalent to
freeze protection to approximately - 22°F
(-30°C)]. If you use a solution that is more than 55% anticorrosion / antifreeze [freeze
protection to approximately - 49°F
(-45°C)], the engine temperature will in-
crease due to the lower heat transfer capa-
bility of the solution. Therefore, do not use
more than this amount of
anticorrosion / antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion / Antifreeze
should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for
signs of leakage).
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
sult your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

404 IndexService System see FSS
Setting
Convenience functions 155
Cruise control 197
Daytime running lamp mode 151
Digital clock 23
Distronic* time interval 206
Following distance in Distronic* 206
Higher speed in cruise control 198
Higher speed in Distronic* 204
Individual vehicle settings 146
Interior lighting delayed shut-off 153
Key dependent memory 156
Lamps and lighting (control system)
150
Language, multifunction display 150
Locator lighting 151
Lower speed in cruise control 198
Lower speed in Distronic* 205
Miles/kilometers in speedometer 149
Parking position for exterior rear view
mirrors 158
Slower speed in cruise control 198
Slower speed in Distronic* 205
Speed in cruise control 198
Speed in Distronic* 204Speedometer display mode 149
Station selection mode 154
Suspension tuning 213
Temperature (interior) 177
Temperature indicator 149
Time 23
To last stored speed in Distronic* ("Re-
sume" function) 205
Units
Speedometer 149
Temperature 149
Vehicle level control 212, 215
Setting current speed 197
Setting passenger seat position from rear*
115
Settings
Calling up Distronic* 142, 202
Convenience functions 155
Factory, SmartKey 87
Individual (SmartKey) 156
Lighting (control system) 150
Menus and submenus 132
Resetting all (control system) 146
Resetting in the submenu 147
Selective 87Settings menu
Functions in 146
Individual vehicle settings 146
Submenus 147
Shift lock 385
Shifting
Gear selector lever positions 163
Into optimal gear range (automatic
transmission) 161
Shoulder support
Seat adjustment 108
Side impact airbags 61
Side marker lamps
Replacing bulbs 331, 332, 335
Side windows
Automatic opening 189
Cleaning 286
Closing 188, 189, 190
Closing with KEYLESS-GO* 93, 190,
194
Closing with SmartKey 190
Opening 188, 190
Opening fully 189
Opening with SmartKey 190
Stopping 189
Synchronizing power windows 191