2004 MERCEDES-BENZ S430 air con

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 57
Occupant safety................................... 58
Airbags ........................................... 59
Seat belts ....................................... 64
Preventive occupant safety
(PRE-SAFE) ..................................... 68
Children in the vehicle.................... 69
Override switch for rear passenger
compartment.................................. 74
Panic alarm .......................................... 76
Activating ....................................... 76
Deactivating ................................... 76
Driving safety systems ......................... 77
ABS ................................................ 77
BAS ................................................ 78
ESP................................................. 79
Four wheel electronic traction
system (4MATIC) with the ESP ....... 82
Anti-theft systems................................ 83
Immobilizer..................................... 83
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 83
Tow-away alarm ............................. 85
Controls in detail............................... 87
Locking and unlocking ......................... 88
SmartKey ....................................... 88
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ........ 91
Opening the doors from the inside . 96
Opening the trunk lid from the
outside ........................................... 97
Opening the trunk lid from the
inside ............................................. 97
Closing the trunk lid ....................... 98
Trunk lid opening/closing system* 99
Trunk lid emergency release ........ 104
Separately locking the trunk lid ... 105
Separately unlocking the trunk lid 105
Power closing assist for doors and
trunk lid........................................ 106
Automatic central locking ............ 106
Locking and unlocking from the
inside ........................................... 107
Seats ................................................. 108
Easy-entry/exit feature ................ 108
Removing and installing front seat
head restraints ............................. 109Rear seat head restraints ............. 110
Lumbar support ........................... 112
Multicontour backrest*................ 112
Drive-dynamic seat* .................... 113
Seat heating*............................... 114
Seat ventilation* .......................... 117
Rear seats .................................... 118
Memory function ............................... 121
Storing positions into memory ..... 122
Recalling positions from memory. 122
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 122
Lighting ............................................. 124
Exterior lamp switch .................... 124
Combination switch ..................... 128
Hazard warning flasher ................ 128
Interior lighting ............................ 129
Courtesy lighting .......................... 130
Instrument cluster ............................. 131
Instrument cluster illumination .... 131
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 132
Trip odometer .............................. 132
Tachometer.................................. 133
Outside temperature indicator ..... 133

Contents
Control system .................................. 134
Multifunction display .................... 134
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 135
Menus .......................................... 137
Standard display menu ................ 139
AUDIO menu ................................ 139
CD changer* operating mode ...... 142
TEL menu* ................................... 144
NAVI menu ................................... 147
Distronic* menu........................... 147
Trip computer menu..................... 148
Malfunction memory menu .......... 150
Settings menu .............................. 151
Automatic transmission ..................... 164
One-touch gearshifting................. 165
Gear ranges ................................. 166
Gear selector lever position ......... 167
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) S 55 AMG................. 168
Program mode selector switch..... 170
Accelerator position ..................... 170
Manual shift program S 55 AMG .. 171
Emergency operation
(Limp home mode) ....................... 173Good visibility ..................................... 174
Rear view mirror ........................... 174
Electrically folding exterior rear
view mirrors .................................. 176
Windshield wipers ......................... 177
Headlamp cleaning system*
(Standard on S 500, S 600,
S 55 AMG) .................................... 177
Sun visors ..................................... 178
Rear window sunshade* ............... 179
Rear door window sunshade* ....... 179
Automatic climate control .................. 180
Setting the temperature................ 183
Adjusting air distribution............... 184
Adjusting air volume ..................... 186
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 186
Defrosting ..................................... 187
Air recirculation mode .................. 187
Charcoal filter ............................... 188
Rear window defroster .................. 189
Deactivating the climate control
system .......................................... 190
Air conditioning............................. 190
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 191Ventilated storage compartment
(except S 55 AMG) ....................... 192
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents ...................... 192
Rear passenger compartment
climate control*............................ 193
Power windows .................................. 195
Opening and closing the windows 195
Synchronizing the power windows 198
Sliding/pop-up roof............................ 199
Opening and closing the
sliding/pop-up roof....................... 199
Synchronizing the sliding /
pop-up roof ................................... 202
Driving systems .................................. 203
Cruise control ............................... 203
Distronic* ..................................... 206
AIRMATIC ..................................... 218
Active Body Control (ABC)* .......... 220
Parktronic* (Parking assist) .......... 224
Loading .............................................. 229
Roof rack* .................................... 229
Loading instructions ..................... 229
Cargo tie-down hooks ................... 230

ContentsTechnical data.................................. 377
Spare parts service ............................ 378
Warranty coverage ............................. 379
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 379
Identification labels............................ 380
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 381
S 430 / S 500 (all models)........... 381
S 55 AMG ..................................... 381
S 600 ........................................... 381
Engine ................................................ 382
Rims and tires .................................... 384
Same size tires ............................. 385
Mixed size tires ............................ 387
Spare wheel ................................. 388
Electrical system................................ 389
Main dimensions and weights............ 390
Main dimensions .......................... 390
Weights ........................................ 390Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 391
Capacities .................................... 391
Engine oils.................................... 393
Engine oil additives ...................... 393
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 393
Brake fluid .................................... 394
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 394
Fuel requirements ........................ 394
Gasoline additives ........................ 395
Coolants....................................... 395
Windshield and headlamp washer
system ......................................... 398
Consumer information ....................... 399
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 399
Technical terms............................... 401Index................................................. 407

11 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Important notice for California retail
buyers and lessees of Mercedes-Benz automobiles
Under California law you may be entitled to
a replacement of your vehicle or a refund
of the purchase price or lease price, if
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and / or its au-
thorized repair or service facilities fail to fix
one or more substantial defects or mal-
functions in the vehicle that are covered by
its express warranty after a reasonable
number of repair attempts. During the pe-
riod of 18 months from original delivery of
the vehicle or the accumulation of
18 000 miles (approx. 29 000 km) on the
odometer of the vehicle, whichever occurs
first, a reasonable number of repair at-
tempts is presumed for a retail buyer or
lessee if one or more of the following oc-
curs: (1) the same substantial defect or mal-
function results in a condition that is
likely to cause death or serious bodily
injury if the vehicle is driven, that de-
fect or malfunction has been subject to
repair two or more times, and you have
directly notified Mercedes-Benz USA,
LLC in writing of the need for its repair,
(2) the same substantial defect or mal-
function of a less serious nature than
category (1) has been subject to repair
four or more times and you have direct-
ly notified us in writing of the need for
its repair, or(3) the vehicle is out of service by reason
of repair of the same or different sub-
stantial defects or malfunctions for a
cumulative total of more than
30 calender days. Written notification
should be sent to us, not a dealer, at
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, Customer
Assistance Center, One Mercedes
Drive, Montvale, NJ 07645-0350.

16 IntroductionOperating safety
Operating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:

the safety precautions in this manual


the “Technical data” section in this
manual


traffic rules and regulations


motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are in-
terconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other sys-
tems. Electronic malfunctions could seri-
ously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires / wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage and impair the
operating safety of your vehicle. If you feel a
sudden significant vibration or ride distur-
bance, or you suspect that damage to your
vehicle has occurred, you should turn on
your hazard warning flashers, carefully slow
down, and drive with caution to an area
which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires / wheels for possible damage. If the ve-
hicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair fa-
cility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning!
G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself. Re-
moval of any of these labels may cause you
and others to be unaware of certain risks
which may result in an accident and/or per-
sonal injury.

25 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Switch for rear window
sunshade
179
2
Parking assist (Parktronic*
system) deactivation
switch
227
3
Airmatic or ABC* switch
220
4
Level control switch
222
5
Central locking switch
Anti-theft alarm system in-
dicator lamp
107
84
6
Hazard warning flasher
on/off switch
128
7
Central unlocking switch
107
8
ESP control switch
80
Item
Page
9
Rear seat head restraints,
switch for folding down
110
a
Tow-away alarm switch
85
b
COMAND system (see
separate operating instruc-
tions)
c
Automatic climate control
194
d
Ashtray
Lighter
238
239

26 At a glanceCenter consoleLower part
Item
Page
1
KEYLESS-GO* start / stop
button
33
2
Gear selector lever for
automatic transmission
43
3
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp
71
4
Thumbwheel for setting
distance in Distronic*
213
5
Distance warning func-
tion* on / off switch
213
6
Lower storage compart-
ments
232
7
Program mode selector for
automatic transmission
170

34 Getting startedAdjusting
AdjustingSeatsWarning!
G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.Warning!
G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
back in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide un-
der the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the ab-
domen or neck. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat
belts provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a nearly upright position and
belts are properly positioned on the body.
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt (
page 40).
Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being ad-
justed.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* with you, and
lock your vehicle.
Even with the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* removed from the vehicle,
the power seats can be operated when the
respective door is open. Therefore, do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsu-
pervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
Warning!
G
Children 12 years old and under must never
ride in the front seat, except in a
Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat, which operates with
the BabySmart
TM system installed in the ve-
hicle to deactivate the passenger front air-
bag when it is properly installed. Otherwise
they will be struck by the airbag when it in-
flates in a crash. If this happens, serious or
fatal injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing positions. Infants and small children
must ride in back seats and be seated in an
appropriate infant or child restraint system,
which is properly secured with the vehicle's
seat belt and top tether strap, or secured via
lower anchors and top tether strap, fully in
accordance with the child seat manufactur-
er’s instructions.