2004 MERCEDES-BENZ S430 ECU

84 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsArming the alarm system
The alarm system is armed after locking
the vehicle with the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO*. The turn signal lamps flash-
es three times to indicate that the alarm
system is activated. The indicator lamp in
the central locking switch (
page 107)
will flash after approximately ten seconds
when the alarm system is completely
armed.Disarming the alarm system
The alarm system is disarmed when you
unlock your vehicle with the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO*. The turn signal lamps flash
once to indicate that the alarm system is
deactivatedCanceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
With the SmartKey

Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
or

Press the Œ or ‹ button on the
SmartKey.
With KEYLESS-GO*

Grasp the outside door handle.
or

Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button.
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid sys-
tem (
page 242) provided Tele Aid
service was subscribed to and properly
activated, and that necessary cellular
service and GPS coverage are avail-
able.
iIf the turn signal lamps does not flash
three times one of the following ele-
ments may not be properly closed:

a door


the trunk lid


the hood
Close the respective element and lock
the vehicle again.

85 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Tow-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,
switch off the tow-away alarm feature 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.
1Indicator lamp
2Tow-away alarm off switch

Switch off the ignition and remove the
SmartKey.
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 (
page 242) provided Tele Aid
service was subscribed to and properly
activated and that necessary cellular
service and GPS coverage are avail-
able.
iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm
if the ignition is switched on.


86 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systems
Press switch2.
The indicator lamp1 in the button
comes on 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.Canceling tow-away alarm
To cancel the alarm:
With the SmartKey

Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
or

Press the Œ or ‹ button on the
SmartKey.With KEYLESS-GO*

Grasp the outside door handle.
or

Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button.


121 Controls in detail
Memory function
Memory function
You can store up to three different settings
per SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.
The following settings are saved for each
stored position:

Seat and backrest position


Settings for the multicontour seat*


Steering wheel position


Exterior rear view mirror position


Automatic climate control
These key-dependent memory settings
can be deactivated if desired
(
page 160).The memory button and stored position
switch are located on the door.
1 Stored position buttons
2Memory button

Make sure the ignition is switched on
or the relevant door is open and the
SmartKey is inserted in the starter
switch.
!Prior to operating the vehicle, the driv-
er should check and adjust the seat
height, seat position fore and aft, and
seat backrest angle if necessary, to en-
sure adequate control, reach, and com-
fort. The head restraint should also be
adjusted for proper height. See also the
section on airbags (
page 59) for
proper seat positioning.
In addition, adjust the steering wheel to
ensure adequate control, reach, opera-
tion and comfort. Both the inside and
outside rear view mirrors should be ad-
justed for adequate rear vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small
children should be seated in a properly
secured restraint system that complies
with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards 213 and 225 and Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213
and 210.2.
Warning!
G
Do not activate the memory function while
driving. Activating the memory function
while driving could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.

126 Controls in detailLighting
Daytime running lamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to
positionM orU.
When the engine is running, the low beam
headlamps are automatically switched on.
In low ambient light conditions, the parking
lamps will also switch on.
Canada only
When you shift from a driving position to
positionN orP, the low beam switches off
(with a three-minute delay).
For nighttime driving you should turn the
exterior lamp switch to positionB to
permit activation of the high beam head-
lamps.USA only
The high beam headlamps can also be ac-
tivated when driving with the daytime run-
ning lamp mode activated and exterior
lamp switch in positionM.
To activate the daytime running lamp
mode, see “Setting daytime running lamp
mode (USA only)” (
page 156).
Locator lighting and night security illu-
mination
Locator lighting and night security illumi-
nation are described in the control system
section under “Setting locator lighting”
(
page 156) and “Setting night security il-
lumination” (
page 157).
iWith the daytime running lamp mode
activated, the low beam headlamps will
not switch off automatically.iThe front fog lamps and rear fog lamp
cannot be switched on manually with
exterior lamp switch in positionU.
To activate the fog lamps, turn exterior
lamp switch to positionB and pull
the exterior lamp switch to first or
second stop (
page 127).
iSee notes on the exterior lamp switch
(page 124).

157 Controls in detail
Control system

Move the selection marker with
theæ orç button to the
LIGHT-
ING
submenu.

Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until you see this message in the dis-
play:
LOCATOR LIGHTING
.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.

Pressæ orç to select the de-
sired setting.
The locator lighting will be switched
ON
or
OFF
.Setting night security illumination
(Exterior lamps delayed switch-off)
Use the
HEADLAMPS DELAYED SWITCH-OFF

function to set whether and for how long
you would like the exterior lamps to illumi-
nate during darkness after all doors are
closed. When the delayed switch-off fea-
ture is activated and the exterior lamp
switch is in position U before the en-
gine is turned off, the following lamps will
remain lit after you remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch:


Parking lamps


Tail lamps


License plate lamps


Front fog lampsTo activate night security illumination:

Select delayed switch-off period (see
below).

Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionU before turning off the en-
gine.
To select delayed switch-off period:

Move the selection marker with
theæ orç button to the
LIGHT-
ING
submenu.

Press buttonj ork repeatedly
until you see this message in the dis-
play:
HEADLAMPS DELAYED SWITCH-OFF
.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.
iYou can reactivate this function within
ten minutes by opening a door.
If you do not open a door after remov-
ing the SmartKey, the lamps will auto-
matically switch off after 60 seconds.


167 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Gear selector lever position
Effect
ì
Park position
Gear selector lever position when
the vehicle is parked. Place gear
selector lever in positionP only
when vehicle is stopped. The
park position is not intended to
serve as a brake when the vehicle
is parked. Rather, the driver
should always set the parking
brake in addition to placing the
gear selector lever in positionP
to secure the vehicle.
EffectThe SmartKey can only be re-
moved from the starter switch
with the gear selector lever in
positionP. With the SmartKey
removed the gear selector lever is
locked in positionP.
í
Reverse gear
Place gear selector lever in
positionR only when vehicle is
stopped.
Effect
ë
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive axle. When
the brakes are released, the vehi-
cle can be moved freely
(pushed or towed).
To avoid damage to the transmis-
sion, never engageN while driv-
ing.
If the ESP is deactivated or mal-
functioning:
Move gear selector lever toN
only if the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
ê
Drive
The transmission shifts
automatically. All forward gears
are available.

229 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Roof rack* Preparing roof rack installation

Open trim at the trim strips in the roof.

Secure the roof rack according to man-
ufacturer’s instructions for installation.
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle oc-
cupants and luggage/cargo should not ex-
ceed the vehicle capacity weight indicated
on the corresponding label located on the
driver’s door pillar.
Warning!
G
Use only roof racks approved by Mer-
cedes-Benz for your vehicle model to avoid
damage to the vehicle. Follow manufactur-
er’s installation instructions.
!Load the roof rack in such a way that
the vehicle cannot be damaged while
driving.
Make sure

you can fully raise the
sliding/pop-up roof


you can fully open the trunk