2004 MERCEDES-BENZ S430 lock

273 Operation
Engine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of ap-
proximately 1 ft. (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled down. If neces-
sary, call the fire department.Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system

with the engine running


while starting the engine


if ignition is “on” and the engine is
cranked manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.
iDo not use any special lubricant addi-
tives, as these may damage the drive
assemblies. Using special additives not
approved by Mercedes-Benz will re-
strict your warranty entitlement.
More information on this subject is
available at any Mercedes-Benz
Center.

293 Operation
Winter driving
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heat-
er.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:


Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.


Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer's mounting instructions.


Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to advise you on this subject.


Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
iWhen using snow chains, vehicles with
AIRMATIC should only be driven at
raised vehicle level (
page 219). Vehi-
cles with ABC* should only be driven at
vehicle height 1 (
page 221).
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the
ESP (
page 80) before setting the ve-
hicle in motion. This will improve the
vehicle‘s traction.
!Even on vehicles with all-wheel drive,
use snow chains on rear tires only.
Do not use snow chains with tire sizes
245/45 R 18 on 8
1/2 x 18 rims and
265/40 R 18 in general (
page 384).
Do not use snow chains on tires mount-
ed on AMG rims.

297 Operation
Vehicle care
We have selected car-care products and
compiled recommendations which are
specially matched to our vehicles and
which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain Mercedes-Benz approved
car-care products at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or
damage due to negligent or incorrect care
cannot always be removed or repaired with
the car-care products recommended here.
In such cases it is best to seek aid at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The following topics deal with the cleaning
and care of your vehicle and give important
“how-to” information as well as references
to Mercedes-Benz approved car-care prod-
ucts.
Additional information can be found in the
booklet “Vehicle Care Guide“.Power washer
When using a power washer for cleaning
the vehicle, always observe the manufac-
turer’s operating instructions.Tar stains
Quickly remove tar stains before they dry
and become more difficult to remove. A tar
remover is recommended.
Paintwork, painted body components
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Care
should be applied when water drops on the
paint surface do not “bead up”, normally
every three to five months, depending on
climate and washing detergent used.
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Cleaner
should be applied if the paint surface
shows signs of embedded dirt (i.e. loss of
gloss).
Do not apply any of these products or wax
if your vehicle is parked in the sun or if the
hood is still hot.
Use the appropriate MB-Touch-Up Stick
for quick and provisional repairs of minor
paint damage (i.e. chips from stones, vehi-
cle doors, etc.).
iVehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of
water, and a SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* is in close proximity, i.e.
within approx. 3 ft. (approx. 1 m), the
vehicle could be inadvertently locked
or unlocked. !Never use a round nozzle to
power-wash tires. The intense jet of
water can result in damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.
Always keep the jet of water moving
across the surface. Do not aim directly
at electrical parts, electrical connec-
tors, seals, or other rubber parts.

298 OperationVehicle careEngine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from the intrusion of
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticor-
rosion Wax should be applied to the engine
compartment after every engine cleaning.
Before applying, all control linkage bush-
ings and joints should be lubricated. The
poly-V-belt and all pulleys should be pro-
tected from any wax.
Vehicle washing
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight. Only use a mild car wash
detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz ap-
proved Car Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water. Direct only a very weak
spray towards the ventilation intake. Use
plenty of water and rinse the sponge and
chamois frequently. Rinse with clear water and thoroughly dry
with a chamois. Do not allow cleaning
agents to dry on the finish.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in ex-
terior rear view mirrors prior to running the
vehicle through an automatic car wash to
prevent damage to the mirrors.
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the underbody, do not for-
get to clean the inner sides of the wheels.Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of very dirty
chrome-plated parts, use a chrome clean-
er.
Headlamps, tail lamps, side markers,
turn signal lenses

Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Sham-
poo, with plenty of water.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and use only a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the lenses. Do not at-
tempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry cloth
or sponge.
iVehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of
water, and a SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* is in close proximity, i.e.
within approx. 3 ft. (approx. 1 m), the
vehicle could be inadvertently locked
or unlocked.

303 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Where will I find ...?
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency
Replacing bulbs
Replacing wiper blades
Flat tire
Battery
Jump starting
Towing the vehicle
Fuses

304 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?
What to do if …?Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to
come on during the bulb self-check when the ignition is turned on, have it checked
and replaced if necessary.Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS malfunction in-
dicator lamp comes on while
driving.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The BAS and the ESP are
also switched off (see messages in display).
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning,
other systems such as Parktronic*, Distron-
ic*, and the automatic transmission may
also be malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS has switched off.
When the voltage is above this value again,
the ABS is operational again.
If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.

314 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABC
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The capability of the ABC system is restrict-
ed.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz center as
soon as possible.
ABS
MALFUNCTION!
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The ESP and the BAS are
also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution. Wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing steer-
ing capability.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ABS or the ABS display is malfunction-
ing.

Continue driving with added caution. Wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing steer-
ing capability.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
AIR FILTER
CHANGE CARTRIDGE
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The air filter is clogged.

Have the air filter checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

328 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
_
ENTRY POSITION
DO NOT DRIVE!
Seat, exterior mirrors and steering wheel
have not yet moved to their preset driving
positions.

Wait until the seat, exterior mirrors and
steering wheel have moved to their driv-
ing positions.
The message will disappear.
Y

HOOD OPEN!
You are driving with the hood open.

Close the hood (
page 273).
I
REMOVE KEY!
You have forgotten to remove the
SmartKey.

Remove the SmartKey from the ignition.
REPLACE KEY!
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP!
The batteries in the SmartKey are dead.

Change the batteries (
page 349).
AUTOM. LIGHT ON
REMOVE KEY!

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
F
KEY
CHECK BATTERY
!
The battery in the KEYLESS-GO* key is
discharged.

Change the battery (
page 349).
KEY
NOT RECOGNIZED!
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is not rec-
ognized while the engine is running be-
cause

the SmartKey is not in the vehicle


there is strong radio-frequency inter-
ference

Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.

Search for the SmartKey.
Otherwise the vehicle cannot be centrally
locked nor can the engine be started again
after it has been stopped.