2004 MERCEDES-BENZ S430 maintenance

280 OperationEngine compartmentBattery
Your vehicle’s battery is located on the
right side of the trunk floor (
page 366).
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.

294 OperationMaintenance
MaintenanceWe strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by an 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 on the instru-
ment 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.

295 Operation
Maintenance
Calling up the service indicator
Switch on ignition.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 139).

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 139).

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 reset button on the instrument
cluster for about three seconds.
This message appears in the multifunc-
tion display:SERVICE INTERVAL...
RESET WITH
R BUTTON FOR 3 SEC.


To confirm, press reset button 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.

363 Practical hints
Flat tire
1Jack support tube cover
Move cover1 toward rear by pressing
at point indicated by arrow.

Remove cover1 carefully to avoid
damage to the locking tabs.1Jack support tube hole
2Jack arm
3Crank

Insert jack arm2 fully into tube
hole1 up to the stop.

Keeping jack in this position, turn
crank3 clockwise until the jack base
meets the ground. Make sure the jack
is vertical (plumb line).

Continue to turn the crank until the tire
is a maximum of 1.2 in (3 cm) from the
ground.
Warning!
G
Insert the jack arm fully into the jack sup-
port tube hole up to the stop. Otherwise the
vehicle may fall from the jack and cause per-
sonal injury or damage to the vehicle.
Warning!
G
The jack is intended only for lifting the vehi-
cle briefly for wheel changes. It is not suited
for performing maintenance work under the
vehicle.

Never start the engine when the vehicle
is raised.


Never lie down under the raised vehicle.

403 Technical terms
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRSFSS
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Service indicator in the multifunction
display that informs the driver when
the next vehicle maintenance service is
due.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.
GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs DVD digital maps for
navigation.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the
vehicle without the use of a SmartKey.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.
Lock button
Button on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the lock button down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.
Memory function*
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and exterior mirror posi-
tions for each SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO*.

420 IndexM
Main 390
Main Dimensions 390
Maintenance 12, 294
Malfunction
Displaying 150
Malfunction memory 150
Calling up 150
Manual headlamp mode 125
Manual operations
Fuel filler flap 351
Interior lighting control 130
Locking the vehicle 349
Sliding/pop-up roof 352
Unlocking the driver’s door 348
Unlocking the trunk lid 349
Massage function 113
MAXCOOL
Maximum cooling 186
Mechanical key 348
Memory function 121, 403
Recalling positions from
memory 122
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking positions 122Storing key dependent settings 122
Menus 136
AUDIO 139
Distronic* 147, 209
In control system 137, 138
Malfunction memory 150
NAVI 147
Settings menu 151
Standard display 139
Submenus 136
TEL* 144
Trip computer 148
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 27
Miles/kilometers in speedometer
Setting 154
Mirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 175
Adjusting 38
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 174
Exterior rear view mirror 38
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 162Interior rear view mirror 38
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position 122
MON 270
MON (Motor Octane Number) 404
Mph or km/h in speedometer 154
Multicontour backrest* 112
Multifunction display 134, 404
Selecting language 155
Standard display 138
Multifunction display messages
ABC 313, 318
ABS 314
BAS 315
Brake fluid 321
Brake pads 321
Check engine 306
Coolant 323
Coolant level 322
Distronic* 315
Doors 325
Engine 306
Engine oil level 326

425 Index
RON 270
RON (Research Octane Number) 405
Roof rack 229
Rotating wheels 291
Rubber parts
Cleaning 302
S
Safety
Occupant 58
Safety belts see Seat belts 40
Safety defects
Reporting 18
Safety systems
Driving 77
Screwdriver (vehicle tool kit) 345
Seat belt force limiter 67
Seat belts 64
Cleaning 301
Fastening 40
Proper use of 42, 66
Safety guidelines 62
Warning lamp 308
Seat cushion depth
Adjusting 112Seat for and aft adjustment 119
Seat heater
Switching off 115
Switching on 114
Seat height 119
Seat ventilation*
Switching off 117
Switching on 117
Seats 108
Adjusting 34
Adjusting lumbar support 113
Adjusting shoulder support 112
Easy entry/exit feature 108
Heater 114
Massage function 113
Multicontour backrest* 112
Rear power seat bench* 118
Rear seats 118
Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down hooks 230
Selector lever
Lock 43
Message in display 317
Position 164Self-test
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 71
Tele Aid* 243
Service
Calling up the service indicator 295
Major service (Service B) 294
Minor service (Service A) 294
Overdue 294
Types 294
When due 294
Service (maintenance) 294
Service and warranty information 10
Service indicator 294
Calling up 295
Clearing 294, 295
Service life (tires) 283
Service System see FSS 294
Setting
Convenience functions 160
Cruise control 204
Daytime running lamp mode 156
Digital clock 23
Distronic* time interval 213
Following distance in Distronic* 213